The Only Witness

by Laura Scott

  Dear Lord, please protect us from harm. Guide Miles to safety!

  Paige had no idea how long she was crouched on the floor of the SUV comforting Abby the best she could, but it seemed like forever. Her knees were becoming sore, but she ignored the discomfort, trying to stay focused on the fact that the gunfire had stopped.

  After another few minutes, Miles broke the silence. “We’ve lost them for now. You can get up off the floor.”

  Cautiously, she poked her head up to peer at their surroundings. There were trees on either side of the vehicle. “Where are we?”

  “No clue,” Miles said in a somber tone. “And we’re going to have to walk soon.”

  “Walk?” The idea of carrying Abby over the rough terrain didn’t sound at all appealing. She already felt exhausted and they hadn’t walked a single step. Not to mention, it was freezing outside. Even with their winter coats, Abby would be cold. “Why?”

  “Because I’m fairly certain they have the license plate number of our car. I’m not willing to risk your life or Abby’s. We need to lose them once and for all.”

  She swallowed around the dryness in her throat, meeting Miles’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “But it’s too cold for a little girl,” she protested weakly.

  “We’ll keep her warm.” The absolute confidence in his tone was reassuring. “Don’t worry, we’ll find a way out of this.”

  Ironically, despite everything that had happened since the night they’d first met, she believed him.

  Miles would safeguard them, no matter what.

  Risking his own life, if needed.

  * * *

  Miles inwardly seethed at how terribly he’d failed Paige and Abby, two innocent lives completely dependent upon him for protection.

  Leaving the phones behind and abandoning the SUV were the only things he could think of that would keep them out of the line of fire. Although they’d tried that before, yet they’d still been found. He’d get in touch with one of his siblings eventually, but not until they’d found a way to get out of the area.

  Although how he’d manage that, he had no idea.

  A moment of panic hit hard.

  Miles pulled himself together with concentrated effort. He could do this. What he needed to focus on was taking things one step at a time.

  Looking at the thick brush up ahead gave him an idea. He could hide the SUV there, and the twigs covering the ground would help camouflage their tracks as they took off on foot.

  He drove into the brush, wincing as the brambles scraped against the paint. Shutting off the engine, he turned in his seat. “We’ll head out the back when you’re ready.”

  “Okay.” Paige was putting Abby’s coat, hat and mittens on over her footy pajamas. The pink elephant was looking a little worse for wear, but he was glad Abby still had it. He wished the little girl had boots, but he could always carry her close to his body, beneath his coat.

  If she’d let him.

  He hit the button that would unlatch the back door, allowing it to spring upright. Then he crawled between the seats, joining Paige and Abby in the back. He double checked to make sure that he still had the papers Jason had sent to him.

  “We’re going on a little adventure, Abby, you up for that?” he asked while Paige was pulling her coat on.

  Abby nodded and Paige smiled encouragingly. “We’re ready, right, sweetie?”

  “I’ll go first.” There wasn’t a lot of space, but he managed to get up and over the backseat into the spacious area beyond. The air outside was cold, and he emitted puffs of steam with every exhale. He glanced around to make sure they were alone before he gestured for Paige and Abby to follow.

  Paige lifted Abby up over the seat first, and he was relieved to find that the little girl seemed to have no qualms about going into his arms. He opened his coat and brought her in close to his chest, making sure the elephant was firmly planted between him and Abby, before zipping the lower part of his jacket for added warmth. When he had Abby and Ellie secured against him, he reached out a hand to assist Paige.

  When they were out of the vehicle, they stepped back out of the way so he could bring the door down.

  “Which way?” Paige asked in a whisper, looking around in confusion.

  Miles took a moment to get his bearings. “I believe there’s a small town to the south. Follow me.”

  He stepped forward, but Paige grabbed his arm. “I can carry her,” she said.

  “She’ll be warmer this way. Come on. We have to hurry.”

  Paige nodded and fell into step behind him. He led the way through the thickest portion of the brush in an effort to cover their tracks. Even once they cleared the trees, he made sure to place his feet in areas that wouldn’t leave prints behind. The frozen earth worked in their favor and he was glad the snow flurries hadn’t amounted to much in the way of accumulation.

  Paige didn’t say anything, and of course neither did Abby. The little girl rested against him, her body radiating heat, and he wondered if he should let Paige carry her for a while, if for no other reason than to warm up.

  Yet he wanted to make good time, to make sure they could get far enough away from the spot they’d left the car, in case the gunmen had decided to follow them on foot. He was fairly sure the SUV had made a path that a blind man could follow.

  Peering through the darkness, Miles thought he could see lights from the town up ahead. They were nothing more than tiny pinpricks of light, but he resolutely made his way in that direction.

  There was a larger town nearby and to the north, and he was hoping the gunmen would assume they’d head in that direction. Truthfully, it had been a toss-up as to which way was better. A larger town would be easier to hide in, but he was banking on the fact that people residing in a small town might be friendlier, willing to help out a couple with a small child.

  All he needed was a phone to call Mitch or Mike. A vehicle would be great, but he was hoping one of his brothers could at least pick them up and take them someplace safe.

  Paige’s breathing grew more labored and he slowed his pace so she wouldn’t have to work so hard to keep up. As they walked, he found himself praying again.

  Keep us safe. Don’t let these men find us.

  It occurred to Miles that he’d prayed more since meeting Paige than he had in the years since Dawn died. And even as the words echoed over and over in his mind like a mantra, he knew that his prayers were focused mostly on Paige and Abby.

  They deserved to be safe from harm. Surely that was part of God’s plan, wasn’t it?

  “I need a break,” Paige said between gasping breaths.

  He stopped and turned toward her with concern. “Are you all right?”

  She leaned over, bracing her hands on her thighs, and coughed several times into her coat, as if attempting to muffle the sound. “Sorry,” she murmured. “The cold air makes my asthma flare up.”

  “Do you have an inhaler?”

  She shook her head. “Back at the motel, but not with me.”

  “I wish you would have said something earlier,” Miles said, wondering if the town had a pharmacy. But then he realized that wouldn’t be smart, if the people tracking them were able to hack into computers, then he couldn’t afford to leave an electronic trail.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to slow us down.”

  He felt bad for bringing it up. “No problem, I just want to be sure you’re okay.”

  “I’ll manage.”

  He knew she would and they had plenty of other things to worry about. Such as being out here in the open. Granted he was doing his best to use the coverage offered by scattered trees, but overall, the field they were crossing now didn’t have much in the way of protection.

  After several long moments, Paige straightened. Even in the darkness, her skin loo
ked pale.

  “Okay, I’m ready.”

  He refrained from pointing out that she didn’t look ready. Her coughing had stopped, so he nodded and gestured with his hand. “See the lights in the distance?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  “That’s our destination. I’ll walk slower, and if you need another break, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

  “I’ll be fine. The sooner we get to the town, the safer we’ll be.”

  No argument there. He turned and resumed walking, making a conscious effort to shorten his stride. It wasn’t easy; the need to hurry nagged at him. And based on Paige’s asthma, he decided against allowing her to carry Abby.

  “Miles?”

  He stopped again, turning to glance at her. Did she need another break already? “Yes?”

  “What is—the plan—once we get—to town?” The gasping pauses in her voice worried him.

  “Convince someone to let us borrow a phone,” he said. “Don’t worry. One of my brothers will help us. For right now, let’s just keep moving, okay?”

  She nodded without saying anything more and he was glad, hoping she’d conserve her energy for the trek ahead of them. He angled toward an old bale of hay that was located about a hundred yards away. If they could reach it, they could rest again for a few more minutes.

  The lights hadn’t gotten much brighter, forcing him to acknowledge they were still several miles away from civilization.

  For the first time, he considered the possibility that they might not arrive in town before the sun came up, the way he’d originally planned. Moving in the relative safety that the darkness provided was one thing.

  Walking in daylight would be far more difficult. The trees and shrubs wouldn’t offer enough protection from anyone driving past.

  Yet pushing Paige to go faster wasn’t an option, either.

  He had to hope and pray they’d make it in time.

  * * *

  Paige drew the front of her coat up to cover her mouth and nose, hoping to blunt the hard pinch of the cold air in her lungs.

  She absolutely hated feeling like a wimp. Miles was carrying Abby, yet she still found it difficult to keep up. Her legs were strong enough, but inhaling the cold air was like breathing shards of glass, sharp edges rasping along her throat.

  Breathing through the fabric of her jacket seemed to help a bit, and she kept her head down, fighting the urge to cough.

  Glancing up, she battled a wave of despair that the lights from the town were still so far away. It seemed like they’d already been walking forever, but she knew it was probably closer to ninety minutes.

  Focused on putting one foot in front of the other, following in Miles’s footsteps as closely as possible, she didn’t realize he’d stopped before she bumped into him.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked in a harsh whisper.

  “Nothing is wrong. It’s time for another break.” He leaned against the tall, round bale of hay that she just now noticed.

  “I’m doing okay,” she protested in a muffled tone.

  “A few minutes rest will do us both good,” he said firmly. “And staying here against the hay, we’re hidden from view.”

  “You really think they’re out there, searching for us?”

  “Yes.” The single word hit her with tsunami force and she literally backed up a step. “I’m sorry, Paige, but you deserve the truth. I’m afraid they’re not going to stop searching for us.”

  She forced herself to nod, then gathered her strength and went to stand beside him, leaning against the hay. It was only once she began to shiver that he pushed away.

  “Let’s go.”

  The field stretched endlessly ahead of them but over time the lights actually grew brighter. The buildings grew larger in size, too.

  A sense of relief washed over her when she could actually read the lighted sign over a gas station. Paige found herself walking faster, anxious to get there as soon as possible.

  The faint light of dawn was edging over the horizon by the time they reached the gas station. The place was closed, but Paige didn’t care.

  Being in a town meant seeing people. Hopefully people who would help them.

  “Now what?” she asked, as they rested against the wall of the gas station. The fabric over her mouth had eased the urge to cough, for which she was grateful.

  Miles peered at his watch. “It’s five minutes past five now. The sign on the front of the station’s convenience store says they open at five thirty. We’ll get something to eat, use the restrooms and then figure out where to go from there. Hopefully the gas station attendant will let us use the phone.”

  She nodded, liking that plan. Less than thirty minutes wasn’t too long.

  A car drove past, startling her badly. Miles had chosen the side of the building farthest from the road as the best place for them to wait, but she still held her breath, relaxing only when she could tell the car was a light beige in color.

  The minutes ticked by with infinite slowness, but at five twenty a rusty car pulled up, and a skinny young man climbed out and unlocked the gas station door.

  They remained hidden alongside the building until the guy hit the lights, illuminating the entire gas station, including the pumps.

  “Let’s go.” Miles eased away from the building and walked over to enter the gas station, holding the door open for her.

  The interior was blessedly warm and it was all Paige could do to stay upright. The attendant looked at them in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected to have early morning visitors.

  “Check out what you’d like to eat,” Miles said, loud enough for the guy to hear. “The muffins look good to me.”

  “Me, too,” she agreed. The coolers were full of drinks, including chocolate milk for Abby, so she crossed over to grab a carton, bringing it back to the counter.

  “The coffee should be ready soon,” the gas station employee offered.

  “That would be great,” she said with a smile. “Thanks.”

  There were small tables off to one side of the store, unfortunately right near the large windows. Paige told herself it was better to be able to see who was coming, even though she’d rather have stayed hidden. She took several breaths of warm air, feeling the tightness easing from her throat.

  “Abby, do you need to use the bathroom?” Paige asked, as her daughter lifted a sleepy head from Miles’s shoulder.

  The little girl nodded, so Paige took her hand and walked with her to the bathroom. They took turns, then washed up, before heading back to where Miles waited.

  He had already eaten his muffin and rose to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”

  She expected him to head to the restrooms, but instead he walked back up to the counter. She heard him speaking to the skinny man, who reluctantly handed over his phone.

  She said a brief prayer, then she and Abby ate their muffins, too. Ten minutes later, Miles had made his call and returned from the bathroom. He purchased two cups of coffee and left a nice tip for the attendant.

  “Mike will be here soon,” he told her. “Get something else, too, if you’re still hungry.”

  “Abby? Do you want something more to eat?”

  The little girl shook her head, too busy playing with Ellie. She was making the elephant walk along the edge of the table, bobbing her head from side to side as if they were having a silent conversation.

  Paige sighed, wishing the little girl would find her voice. But after being under what seemed like constant fire from determined gunmen, she was too afraid to push.

  “I still don’t understand how they found us,” she said in a low voice, hoping Abby wasn’t paying attention.

  “I don’t either,” Miles admitted gruffly. “I made a couple of phone calls to my boss and to the precinct, but
I find it hard to believe my crusty old captain would do something like this.”

  She looked up at Miles, her eyes widening in horror. “I called Ralph. Do you think it’s possible that my call was traced?”

  Miles didn’t say anything and she covered her mouth with her hand to keep from crying. What if this was her fault? All because she didn’t listen when Miles told her not to call anyone?

  “Don’t,” he ground out, apparently reading the expression on her face. He pulled her into a quick hug. “We don’t know that Ralph is responsible, either. Focus on the fact that we’re safe and we’re going to stay that way.”

  She made a silent promise to listen to Miles from now on, no matter what.

  Twenty minutes later, Miles rose to his feet. “Mike is here, see the black car? Let’s go.”

  She lifted Abby into her arms, and this time Miles let her carry Abby. She slid into the backseat, leaving Miles to sit up front with his brother. Mike was wearing a black hat pulled low on his forehead and shiny, reflective sunglasses. The sun was slowly rising, so she didn’t think they looked out of place.

  They’d barely gotten settled when Mike said in a low, urgent tone, “Get down. All of you. Hurry!”

  Paige dropped down, taking Abby with her, wondering if this was a nightmare. What happened? They should be safe!

  Mike cruised up to a pump and shut off the engine. He climbed out of the car, and began fiddling with the gas tank. It seemed to take forever for him to get the gas cap off and place the nozzle in the tank.

  In the space between the seats she could see Miles was doing his best to cram his six-foot frame beneath the dashboard.

  “What did Mike see?” she whispered.

  Miles stared at her for a long moment. “Black car with tinted windows rolling past the gas station.”

  She sucked in a harsh breath. The gunmen had once again caught up with them.

  TEN

  The desperate fear in Paige’s eyes wrenched at his heart. He wanted to reassure her they were safe, but that wasn’t exactly true. Miles couldn’t believe the dark sedan had shown up. It was almost as if they had known exactly what he’d been thinking.