No Place to Hide

by Lynette Eason

  Ian blew out a breath. “Oh no. No. This can’t be. He has a daughter—” He swallowed. “Why? Why would they do that?”

  “The GPS code.”

  “To track us,” Jackie muttered. “Of course.” Her eyes widened. “Ron. Holly,” she whispered.

  “Your friends?”

  “Yes. They’re not involved in this, but we had to send Gus somewhere. Ron took him and Holly to keep them away from the danger.” She groaned. “Instead, we’ve sent them straight to it.”

  “The FBI also has the code and are on the way up there. Your friends will be fine.”

  “If the FBI gets there first,” David said. He stood and pulled out his phone. “I’m going to call Ron.”

  Ian’s face had lost most of its color. Jackie decided she might start praying after all.

  “Is there anything else you can tell me?” Elizabeth asked.

  Jackie blinked, trying to wrap her mind around the fact that Holly and Ron weren’t safe. Gus would lead the killers straight to them. Then again, the FBI were on the way too. “Will they get there in time?” she asked.

  “What?”

  “The FBI. Will they get there in time?”

  “If I had my phone, I could tell you.”

  Jackie shot a look at David, who paced in the small hall that led to the restrooms. “He’ll find out.”

  Elizabeth’s facial expression didn’t change. “In the meantime, you said you had more. What else?”

  Ian still looked shell-shocked. Jackie didn’t blame him. They’d thought they were being so careful. “Um … yeah. Yeah.” She filled her in on what Holly had discovered.

  Elizabeth reached into her coat pocket then stopped. “One of you have a phone I can borrow?”

  “Later,” Ian said. “Let’s finish this. Tell her the rest, Jackie?”

  “Unfortunately that’s about it.” She looked at Elizabeth. “Can you tell us anything that you’ve found? What does the ‘smallpox delivered’ mean?”

  “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to discuss that.”

  “Well, why don’t I tell you what I think?” Jackie leaned forward. “I think that the man who was murdered, the one who worked with the CDC, Anwar Goff, stole the last remaining smallpox virus from the freezer of the CDC and he—and his family—were killed once he turned it over to the people who forced him to steal it. How’s that for starters?”

  Elizabeth met her gaze. “Go on.”

  “I also think that when Wainwright sent the email and discovered Ian had read it, he had to come up with something fast. Something to send Ian running or have the authorities on his doorstep before he knew what hit him.”

  “And?”

  “And when Ian ran, they had to regroup. They took the information they had—the fact that Ian was working with malaria—and simply twisted his research to look like he was going to sell it to the highest United States enemy bidder.”

  “Thereby taking the attention away from the whole smallpox theft thing,” Ian said.

  Jackie nodded. “So, the CDC and law enforcement are keeping the smallpox theft as quiet as possible. However, they can’t just do nothing, so they’re encouraging the population to get their vaccine. Against a virus that was eradicated back in the seventies.”

  Elizabeth’s expression gave nothing away. “You think a lot, don’t you?”

  “It’s caused me a lot of sleepless nights, that’s for sure. Ian was working for Wainwright Labs. He gets an email meant for another person. Once they realize he and his co-worker, Daniel Armstrong, have seen it, they have to do damage control. Daniel is dead. The only person standing between these people and their terrorist plot is Ian. And maybe me.”

  Elizabeth looked at the man sitting at Jackie’s side. “So who’s trying to kill you?”

  “Cedric Wainwright. Or someone who works for him. I don’t know how far this organization reaches, but it obviously has a pretty long arm. From Atlanta to South Carolina to New York.”

  Jackie glanced at David. He still paced, the phone pressed to his ear.

  7:00 P.M.

  VIRGINIA

  Ron’s shoulders itched, and when that happened, bad things were getting ready to go down. He stood in front of the big picture window processing Holly’s side of the conversation. Holly had called Jackie as soon as they’d stepped in the door. Gus had gone to the sink and Ron took that as his cue to fill the bowl Ian and Jackie had left on the floor of the kitchen.

  Gus now lounged in front of the fireplace, ears pricked, but not exhibiting any concern. Ron wondered how good a watchdog the animal was.

  Holly had her eyes closed and rested her head against the back of the recliner. Something was wrong with her and it worried Ron that he didn’t know what it was. She’d slept the entire trip and had seemed disoriented when he’d awakened her. She was still, but he didn’t think she was asleep. “Are Jackie and Ian still okay?” he asked.

  She didn’t open her eyes. “Yes, they’re meeting with the FBI agent soon and plan to turn over all the information they have.”

  Ron nodded. David had texted him a brief, coded update. “What’s wrong with you?”

  She blinked and focused her gaze on him. “Brain cancer.”

  He sucked in a deep breath. “I wasn’t expecting that one.”

  She gave a humorless chuckle. “Me neither.”

  “How long?”

  “Three months without treatment. Maybe six with.”

  Ron gave a short nod. “I’m sorry.”

  “I am too.”

  “Where are you spiritually?”

  She huffed a soft laugh. “I’m good spiritually. The Lord has allowed all of this for a reason. I don’t necessarily like it, but I’m trusting him. I know where I’m going when I die and I know I’m going to be just fine when I get there.”

  “But?”

  “Lucy,” she said. Her eyes teared and she swallowed. “My dear, precious Lucy.”

  “Your daughter.”

  “Yes.”

  “It was you, wasn’t it?”

  Holly frowned at him. “What do you mean?”

  “You were with Jackie during those horrible months after John was killed. You were the only one she could stand to have around her.”

  A sigh slipped from her pale lips. “Yes. I was with her.”

  “Thank you,” he whispered, then cleared his throat.

  “I’m sorry she wouldn’t let anyone else with her. I’m sorry she shut you out.”

  “I am too.” He paused, then rose to pat her hand. “But I’m glad she had you.” His phone rang. He glanced at the screen. David.

  Gus stood, hackles raised. Ron paused, finger hovering as he watched the animal. A low growl rumbled in Gus’s throat and he took a step toward the front door.

  Holly stood and met his gaze. “Something’s wrong.”

  Ron pulled his weapon with one hand, slid his phone into his pocket, and grabbed Holly’s wrist. He propelled her toward the front door and held his breath. If they’d been found, they probably had the house surrounded.

  He paused at the front door and peered out the window.

  “What’s happening?” Holly whispered. “How did they find us?”

  Her body trembled and Ron felt anger surge through him. Gus barked. Three sharp warning barks.

  “I’m not sure how, but they have.” And all of his backup was in New York. In hindsight, he should have had more help, but he’d truly thought if he kept it just him and Holly and the dog, everything would be simpler and off the radar. “Guess not,” he muttered.

  A loud bang echoed through the house. Then the front door rattled. Holly gasped and shrank against him. Ron put her behind him and aimed the weapon at the door. Another house-jarring boom sounded and the front door flew in.

  Gus growled and launched himself at the intruder and latched on to his outstretched hand. His weapon fell to the floor and Ron acted. He lunged toward him and placed his weapon against the man’s dark head. “Gus! Off!” Gus didn�
�t act like he was ready to relinquish the man’s arm. “Off!” Gus backed up with a whine.

  “Freeze or die,” Ron told the cursing individual now cradling his bloody arm to his stomach.

  “FBI! Freeze!” The shout came from just inside the door. “Drop the weapon! On the ground now!”

  Ron tossed the weapon and lay on his stomach. “Do it, Holly. They’ll sort us out when they figure out who all the bad guys are.” Holly went to her knees. Then to the floor. Ron’s arms were jerked behind his back. The man who’d kicked in the door rolled and punched the agent. The agent dropped. More agents moved in, shouting, weapons drawn.

  “Don’t shoot him!” Ron shouted. He needed the man alive. Ron rolled to his knees and shot forward, head down. He caught the man in the stomach. They went down together. The FBI agent landed on top of both of them.

  Once the intruder was subdued, Ron lay still, panting. “I’m getting too old for this,” he muttered.

  “What was that?”

  He looked up. A young agent, probably in his mid-thirties, held a weapon on him.

  Ron shook his head. “Nothing.” He looked past him to find Holly still on the floor. “Holly.” She didn’t move. “Holly? It’s okay. You can sit up.” Still no response. “Hey! She needs an ambulance, now!”

  29

  WEDNESDAY

  7:15 P.M.

  NEW YORK CITY

  David shook his head and frowned. “Ron’s not answering and neither is Holly. Are we done here?”

  “I’m done,” Jackie said. “We’ll be waiting to hear what you find on the tablet,” she said to Elizabeth.

  David nodded. “You two get out of here. I’ll call when I know something.”

  Elizabeth stood. “Wait. I can’t just let you walk out of here.” Her hand went to her weapon, but she didn’t pull it.

  “Don’t do that,” David said, his voice low. “You’ve got evidence. Take it and examine it.”

  “And figure out what that code is,” Jackie said. She stood and Ian pushed his chair back to follow her.

  “I’m sorry. I still can’t let you take me in,” he said.

  “You’re resisting arrest?”

  “No, I’m not giving you the opportunity to arrest me.” He nodded and turned to head for the door.

  Jackie raced after him, glancing back over her shoulder to see David and Elizabeth in a heated debate.

  But Elizabeth wasn’t stopping them.

  “Wait!” David’s call spun her around. He rushed toward her with Elizabeth on his heels. “Hold on.”

  Elizabeth reacted to Jackie’s sudden defensive stance by holding up her hand. “I’m not taking you in. I’m getting a cab back to the office. David can give you the news.” She gave all three of them a fierce look. “Don’t make me regret this. Stay in town and keep in contact with me.” She stepped around them and out the door.

  “We just got word,” David said. “The FBI has Holly and Ron in custody, but they’re just being held as victims right now. Ron saved one of the agents’ lives when he head-butted a guy.”

  “So they’re all right?” Jackie asked, relief flowing.

  David nodded, but frowned.

  “But?” Ian pushed.

  “Your cousin’s in the hospital. She’s unconscious.”

  Ian sucked in a breath. “What happened? Did one of them get to her?”

  “No, she wasn’t shot or hit. She went to the floor when ordered by the FBI and then passed out. They’re checking her out now.”

  Jackie bit her lip. Should she say anything? Holly hadn’t wanted her to, she’d wanted to be the one to tell Ian about her illness. But …

  As she wrestled with an answer, Adam stepped over to the three of them and introduced himself to Ian.

  Jackie glanced at Ian, then pulled David aside. “She has brain cancer,” she whispered.

  “Oh.” Sorrow flashed in his eyes and he glanced at Ian. “He doesn’t know?”

  “No, Holly wanted to be the one to tell him.”

  “Okay. I’ll make sure the doctors know.” He shot a look at Ian and Adam. “Now get out of here before Elizabeth changes her mind and has you picked up.”

  Jackie grabbed Ian’s hand and let him lead the way out of the restaurant. It took a few minutes for him to flag a cab.

  Jackie buckled her seat belt and leaned her head back against the seat. “She’s going to try and track us.”

  “I know.”

  “Go two blocks, turn left, and then go three blocks. Then let us out,” she told the cabbie. “I’ll let you know when to stop.”

  “I need to go see Holly.”

  “No. You need to stay put. As soon as you walk into that hospital, you’ll be in cuffs.”

  Frustration glinted in his eyes—along with a mixture of worry for his cousin. She thought she saw some guilt there too. Guilt for getting her involved in this craziness, she was sure. “She’ll be okay.” Which wasn’t exactly true for the long term unless a miracle happened, but for now, it was.

  He shook his head and shoved his hands into his pockets. And paused. He pulled out a business card.

  “What’s that?” she asked.

  “I found it in Wainwright’s trash can.”

  Curious, she leaned closer. “What made you keep it?”

  “I don’t know. It just caught my eye so I shoved it in my pocket.” He handed it to her.

  “Walden’s Mortuary,” she read. “Think Wainwright’s planning for a funeral?”

  “Yeah. Ours.” Then he shrugged. “It probably doesn’t mean anything.”

  “Might as well find out what the connection is.” She tapped the cabbie on the shoulder. “Never mind about letting us out. Take us to Walden’s Mortuary.”

  He nodded and took the next left.

  Ian frowned at her. “I thought you were worried about being followed.”

  “I was. But we might be able to use that to our advantage.”

  “How so?”

  Jackie started to answer, then spotted the van careening toward them. “Watch out!”

  The cabbie tried to swerve but wasn’t fast enough.

  The blue van came fast and hard through the intersection and slammed into the side of the cab.

  Maria was worried. Holly had called but she hadn’t had good news. Grief threatened to consume her and she blinked the tears from her eyes. No. She wouldn’t act like her friend was already gone. Holly would fight and she would win. She had to.

  Maria studied the float, absently noting the details, doing her best to make sure everything that could be done was. She felt a surge of satisfaction overshadow the worry for a brief moment. The float would be the talk of the parade. And Lewis and his classmates had been approved to ride. Excitement threaded through her. She hoped Leo would be as thrilled as she about the unique opportunity Lewis was going to have. A once-in-a-lifetime thing.

  She rubbed her tired eyes and her thoughts went back to Holly only to be interrupted by her cell phone ringing. “Hello?”

  “Hey, babe.”

  “Hi, Leo.”

  “Just wanted to check in with you. How’s everything going?”

  She smiled. He was making the effort to show her he cared and wanted to know about her work. “It’s going fine, thanks for asking.”

  “How’s Lewis doing?”

  “He misses you, of course, but he’s all right. I think Lucy is a pretty good distraction for him right now.”

  “Yeah. Where’s her mom again?”

  “She had some doctor appointments. Carissa, another mom, was keeping her for Holly, but her son has a bad case of strep so she asked me to keep her. As for Holly, it’s not good, Leo. She has brain cancer.”

  “Aw, man. That’s awful.” The words were right, but he sounded distracted.

  Maria sighed. “I know.”

  “Okay, well, give Lewis a hug for me and I’ll be in touch.”

  “Wait, you didn’t say how everything was going for you. Are you being careful?”


  His voice softened. “You know I am. I love you, Maria. You know I’d do anything for you and Lewis. Anything.”

  “I know.”

  “I just want you to be happy. I’m so sick of this debt that’s still hanging over our heads. That’s the only reason I’m working two jobs.”

  Maria’s throat tightened. “I know, hon. It’s hard, I’m not going to lie, but I know. And,” she injected some cheer into her voice, “we’re making progress, right?”

  “Right. Right.” He sighed. “Okay, I’ve gotta go. I’ll try to call Lewis later tonight.”

  “Bye.”

  She hung up and stared at the phone for a brief moment, then shook her head. She was sick of the debt too, but she was almost willing to just live with it if it meant Leo could be home with her and Lewis. With another sigh, she turned back to the float. “Thank you, Lord, for this job,” she whispered.

  7:35 P.M.

  Elizabeth slapped a fist against her thigh as the taxi fought the traffic to the FBI field office in downtown New York City. She wanted to hit something. Instead, she answered her buzzing phone. “What’s up, Ty?”

  “I’m working on this code.”

  “Yes?” Elizabeth could picture Tyesha’s office, visualize the woman bent over the email paper with numbers and letters surrounding her—on the floor, under her desk, scattered across her keyboard. “Anything?”

  Elizabeth heard the squeak of Ty’s chair. “Okay. Maybe. Your girl who figured out the other line is good. We should bring her on board.”

  The cab pulled up to the entrance and she paused to pay the driver, grab her satchel, and hurry inside. “So did that help you figure anything out?”

  “Maybe. How far away are you?” Ty asked.

  “Heading upstairs to see you now.”

  When she entered Tyesha’s office, the woman motioned for Elizabeth to have a seat. “Here’s the code.”

  She gave Elizabeth her own copy. “Don’t worry about the last line. Holly’s already come up a suggestion for that one and I like it.”

  NYonSTBY. NEW YORK ON STANDBY

  d,s;;[pcfr;obrtrf. SMALLPOX DELIVERED

  H4W9 ____?

  aasjl;; - 1127900

  /fg’g[.jl]]u