Even through this dangerous scenario, David hadn’t stopped thinking about the kiss they’d shared. He was torturing himself on that one. He couldn’t let himself love her.
“David,” she whispered.
“Yes.”
“You can let me go now. We need to check on Dad. Call the police.”
Slowly he released her and looked down into her eyes. “Don’t go anywhere else alone—that is, until you’re safe and sound in WITSEC and have a whole new life.”
At the words, a knot lodged in his throat.
She shook her head. “Didn’t you hear my father? He’s not going, which means I’m not going.”
“But this is insane. It will never stop. You said if anything else happened you would leave Mountain Cove and start a new life as a new person.”
“I meant if anything happened in Mountain Cove.” She grabbed her hair. “I’m so confused, I don’t know what to do. But I’m going back to Mountain Cove. Maybe this happened to my father because Mercado was killed instead of me, and this was a warning. If possible, we need to draw them away from my family.”
Protect her family by putting herself right back in the line of danger? Yeah. As if that made a whole lot of sense. Couldn’t someone do something to stop this kind of criminal activity? When David exited the stairwell with Tracy, his cell phone rang. Detective Palmer. David answered the call and explained everything as he and Tracy made their way to her father’s room. At the door to the room, David ended his conversation with the detective.
“What did he say?” she asked.
“He’s coming to the hospital to question you. It sounds like he’s taking this more seriously now. Should you let Marshal Hanes know about these new developments?”
“Why? It won’t change a thing. My father refuses to leave his life and, by default, I refuse to leave my life in Mountain Cove.”
Her words terrified David. Winters was right. He had to convince her to go into WITSEC. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I’m not helping my family by staying here. And this time I want to face the threat head-on.”
*
They stood at the door of David’s grandmother’s home and knocked.
As soon as she’d made sure her father was on the road to recovery, she’d returned to Mountain Cove—in part, she hoped to draw attention back to her and away from her family. In addition, the detective had discovered solid leads regarding who had assaulted her father and assured her arrests would be made. In the meantime, he’d stationed police to guard her father’s room.
Her mother had hired a firm to beef up security around the house. Tracy should be relieved, but she couldn’t help but wonder how long they would have to live like this.
David smiled. “I could just walk in. She’s family, after all. I used to live here.”
He reached for the knob just as the door opened. An older woman’s face brightened with a huge smile. “Oh, David. So wonderful to see you.”
The woman hugged David to her as she pulled them both inside the house. Then she turned her attention on Tracy. “And this is the woman you were telling me about?”
David looked at Tracy with admiration in his eyes. “This is my friend Tracy Murray. And this is Grandma Katy,” David said to Tracy.
Tracy thrust her hand forward. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Oh, dear, we hug around here.” The woman tugged her into an embrace. “And you can call me Katy.”
The warm and friendly woman released Tracy. A lump grew in Tracy’s throat. “Katy, then.”
Katy continued her conversation with David as she led them into an open living room connected to the kitchen. Inside the cozy home, Tracy noticed the same cross-stitched scriptures on the walls that Jewel had in the cottage and in her house. Tracy couldn’t help but feel slightly awkward. After all, not even a month ago she’d avoided David Warren, thought he was cold and aloof, and now here she was, already meeting his grandmother. She chided herself—it wasn’t that kind of meeting, as though he’d taken her home to meet his parents or something. But it was strange how circumstances had thrown them together since that first day on the trail.
Sure, they’d been initially forced together that day, but David had made the decision to stick with her since then, and though she’d tried to keep her heart out of it, she’d welcomed his help in all this. In fact, she wasn’t sure what she would have done without his encouragement and support. His unwavering protective bearing. Besides, Tracy had kept herself so separate from everyone in Mountain Cove—except for Jewel—that she hadn’t made any real friends.
Who was she kidding? She’d needed David these past few weeks. Needed him in a desperate way.
Katy stood in the kitchen making coffee. “David says you’re interested in staying at the house. Renting a room. Only I won’t accept that. You can stay with me for as long as you need without worrying about payment.”
Tracy glanced at him, unsure what he’d told his grandmother. She was beginning to doubt this idea. How could she put this woman in danger like this? Anyone she got close to would be at risk. “Oh, no, I couldn’t do that. I was considering renting the garage apartment.”
And she was close to changing her mind on the whole arrangement. How had she let him talk her into this? It might be closer to town and in a neighborhood that felt more secure than being out in the woods in Jewel’s cabin, but she’d been in a neighborhood when Santino had destroyed her life the first time.
She took a step back.
David blocked her way as if he’d read her mind.
“Grandma understands everything, Tracy. Don’t worry.” David winked at his grandmother. “In fact, she’s been through this before.”
“Besides,” Katy said, “David is going to stay in the garage apartment. So you see? You have to stay in the house. It’s a big lonely house with all the kids gone. I’d enjoy the company.”
Tracy wasn’t sure how good of company she would be. She felt a little cornered.
“You’re staying in the apartment?”
“I am.” His forest-eyed gaze pinned her, sending her heart tumbling.
“And Solomon’s free to roam the house and the yard.” Katy watched Tracy, waiting for her reaction. It was as if the woman was trying to persuade Tracy, too. How could anyone welcome someone in her situation into their home this way?
And how could Tracy say no to these two?
“My grandmother is the best cook, so at least eat dinner with us and then you can decide.”
Oh, so he had read her mind.
“Make yourself comfortable, dear. Let David bring in your things.” Katy grabbed her hand and dragged her forward, tossing a wink at David.
Tracy liked David’s grandmother a lot.
Later that evening she settled into a bedroom upstairs, Solomon at her side. David and Katy and her amazing home-style cooking had worked against her, convincing her to stay when alarms had gone off in her head. But if not here, where would she stay? Anywhere else and she would be all alone and an easier target.
She didn’t know how, but this family and this town made her feel more protected than she’d felt since this ordeal had first begun—when Derrick had started researching his story. Chief Winters had even stopped by the house to speak with her and reassure her they would keep an eye out with all vigilance.
But they couldn’t go on like this forever. Though Tracy wanted this to end, she couldn’t foresee any ending that wouldn’t cost more lives.
*
Tracy woke at dawn when her SAR pager went off. She dug around in her backpack, realizing she’d almost forgotten about the thing with everything that had happened.
She read the callout information. They needed Solomon for a wilderness search. A little girl was missing. Tracy couldn’t abide that, couldn’t sit around and do nothing. She’d moved to Mountain Cove to be free and she intended to live her life. Besides, she’d be with others on the search, and needed to get her mind off herself and ont
o others.
Solomon looked up at her, wagging his tail. He’d recognized the sound and knew what it meant. Wondering if David had also received it, she peeked out the window. His truck was gone. That was right; he was at the fire station for his shift. He’d taken off far too much time on her account already, she was sure.
Tracy geared up and headed down the stairs. Katy was already up and drinking coffee, a deep frown etched in her face. What could that be about? Her eyes grew wide when she saw Tracy.
“Good morning, Tracy. You’re up early for work.”
“Not exactly. I don’t start back helping Jewel until next week.” Tracy shrugged as she took the mug Katy poured her, feeling guilty and yet so grateful to Jewel for her understanding. Who could ask for a better employer? “I need to go now, though, because I received a callout. They need a SAR dog to find a little girl. She went missing this morning.”
Katy nodded, her frown deepening. “There was a fire in town last night. I’ve been praying for David and the other firefighters, and for Adam. It was his business that burned.”
Tracy stiffened, fear curdling in her stomach. She’d slept so hard she hadn’t heard the sirens. And poor Adam. Had it been another attack related to Santino? A warning that hit closer to the Warren home, targeting David’s family this time? Tracy prayed it wasn’t related. Everything couldn’t be because of her situation, could it? God, please, no… She composed herself. “Anyone hurt? Have you heard from David?”
“He said he would text when he could. I would have gone up there, but David wouldn’t have it, and I didn’t want to leave you here alone. But I believe that God holds my grandchildren in the palm of His hand. Who am I to worry? But instead I pray. Can I pray for you?”
Seeing the strength of those words in Katy’s eyes, Tracy wished she had that same kind of faith. “Sure, you can pray. I’ll pray, too. I’m so sorry for Adam.”
She hung her head, not knowing how to express everything she felt. Then, finally, she said, “Thank you, again, for letting me stay. I should get going.”
She wanted to see David and Adam, but knew she would only distract them. Besides, she and Solomon had a job to do. Something to help others.
To Solomon she said, “Come on, boy. We have work to do today. We have to help find a little girl who is lost.”
EIGHTEEN
Tracy and Solomon were one of three dog teams deployed to different areas near where the family had camped. She wore a bright orange jacket, as did Solomon, so they could be easily spotted. Dog teams were the most effective first response in searching for a missing person, especially in this wilderness. Especially since it had started raining early this morning.
Solomon was a good air-scent dog, and the weather wouldn’t keep him from locating someone, because the little girl would continue to emit a scent, and Solomon would find it. But that was the problem—he wasn’t a tracking dog and couldn’t tell people’s scents apart. When he followed what he could tell was a human scent, it could be anyone. That was why they were on their own now, so Solomon would pick up only the little girl’s scent. Her name was Emily and she was only ten years old.
Her parents had discovered her missing this morning. It was likely that she had left the tent sometime during the night while her parents were sleeping and somehow gotten lost. Tracy prayed for Emily and knew Katy and others would be praying, as well. For some reason, she felt as though Katy’s prayers would surely be answered. The faith in that woman was palpable.
Following Solomon as he searched the wooded area, Tracy recalled when she and David had been searching for him in the woods, only to find him in the mining shaft. At least the undergrowth was thinned out here and easier to walk through. Easier to see. Maybe Emily had gone this way, since she wouldn’t have had to work her way through the thick undergrowth and greenery. The thoughts sent her mind to David again.
She hoped David and the other firemen had extinguished the fire by now, but of course, the rain would help. She couldn’t shake the feeling the fire was related to Santino, as well. She prayed it wasn’t. Plenty went wrong in life that had nothing at all to do with Tracy and the man intent on retaliation.
But Tracy focused on the situation, shoving her own predicament out of her mind. At least for now. It felt good to think about someone else for a change.
After an hour searching, Tracy was surprised they hadn’t found Emily yet. How could the girl have wandered so far? Tracy called Solomon back to give him water and take a break.
Her radio squawked. Tracy answered.
“Emily is alive and well!”
“Oh, thank the Lord.” Tracy sighed in relief. She leaned against a tree and took a swig of water. “You hear that, Solomon? We can head back now.”
The rain had eased up to a trickle.
A sound startled her. A spattering of leaves. A thunk of something hitting a tree behind her head. Tracy froze, her mind slowly comprehending…
A bullet.
Then another bullet whizzed by her and hit the tree a few feet away.
She ducked for cover behind the tree, holding Solomon to her. She wasn’t sure if Solomon would be safer on his own, since Tracy was the obvious target, but she wasn’t about to risk him out in the open when there were bullets flying. She wished they’d been in a thicker part of the woods and then she’d be harder to spot.
Tracy got on her radio. “Get everyone out. There’s a shooter up here. He’s taking shots at me!” She relayed her location.
“Are you all right?” Cade’s voice came over the radio.
“Just…make sure everyone gets away.” She choked back sobs and fear. She couldn’t believe she’d actually put everyone in danger on a search and rescue. But for the life of her, she hadn’t imagined this outcome.
“Get down and stay hidden.”
She was glad the sniper wasn’t a good shot or she would already be dead. But maybe that was the point—to drag it out so as to torture her before he killed her. She pressed her face into her hands.
“Oh, God, please, help me! Please keep others safe. I need this to end.”
The tree next to her took a beating. She needed to get out of her bright-colored jacket, but instead she was forced to slink even lower onto the ground, into the spruce needles and ferns, pressing Solomon down beside her. He whined and barked, understanding she was in distress.
“Shh.” She comforted him. He couldn’t understand their dangerous situation.
But she’d protect him. He’d been the one to save her that awful night, but now she faced a new threat by the same man. This was it, then. If she survived this, she would get a new identity and leave her family behind. Maybe they could fake her funeral so all attempts at retaliation would stop. She wasn’t indecisive anymore. This had to stop.
She’d thought that either she or Santino had to die, and now she knew. That was the only way. She had to die.
But not today!
Another bullet whizzed by, taunting her. Tracy removed her jacket and Solomon’s, then crawled away from them while she tried to maintain the protection of the trees.
Sweat slid down her temples and back. At any moment a bullet could blast through her skull. Though a fierce will to survive rose up in her, tears slid down her cheeks. Almost nothing she’d experienced so far could compare to the terror she felt right now. Each incident seemed to increasingly terrify her until she knew she couldn’t take any more.
Flat on the ground, she crawled, the foliage scratching her. Insects scuttled over her and mosquitoes buzzed in her ear. She remained still as best she could and listened, waiting for the next shot. Solomon grew antsy, but she pressed him next to her.
“There now, you’re a good dog,” she said, twisting her fingers through his fur to calm him.
Another bullet slammed a tree much too close. So taking off her jacket hadn’t thrown the shooter off. She was a dead woman if help didn’t come soon. They knew she was in trouble, but how could they get to her in time? How could the police find h
er exact location without endangering themselves?
Any rescue would mean taking out the sniper first.
Solomon growled and bolted from her grasp.
“Solomon! No!”
Next she heard him yelp. Her pulse jumped as she peered through the foliage. Whimpering, Solomon lay still.
*
Gasping for breath, David ran through the woods. Pushing off trunks. Jumping a brook. The movements reminded him of the day they’d found Jay. Solomon had sounded off and David had known something was wrong. He’d run through the woods, looking for Tracy. He hadn’t known then what he knew now.
Someone wanted her dead.
He wanted to call her name. Shout out for her. But a sniper was shooting at Tracy, and he couldn’t call attention to either of them. If she had remained at the coordinates she’d given Cade, he knew exactly where she was.
Rotor blades thumped in the distance. Winters had already called the Alaska State Troopers to help. Mountain Cove police were preparing to move in to catch the sniper. But none of them were moving fast enough, as far as David was concerned.
He heard the sound of the suppressed rifle and the ping against trees. How much ammo had this guy brought with him? And how many shots would he take before he hit Tracy? He either wasn’t much of a sniper or was toying with her. Or maybe the thick forest had protected her. The forest and God. But David was getting close to her. He pressed his back against a trunk.
“Tracy, can you hear me?” He kept his voice low so it wouldn’t carry too far.
Let her be okay, God.
He banked on the fact that the sniper continued shooting meant she was still alive.
“Tracy, are you there?” Please, be there.
A bullet hit the tree near David’s head. Compared to everything that had happened so far, a sniper in the woods brought everything to a whole new level. City gangs tended to prefer their hits up close and personal—their ranks wouldn’t include a trained sniper. Was this a soldier who’d become corrupted, hired by the gang, or a gang member who’d gotten his training somewhere? David slipped behind another tree trunk, moving closer to the sniper’s target area, and slid to the ground. He didn’t know what he would do if something happened to Tracy.
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