by Sara L Foust
Paul nodded.
“His mother will be staying with you for a couple days.”
“Aw, come on. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“No, but she needs a place to stay. I expect you to treat her with respect, son.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Millie too?” Annalise asked.
“Yes, that’s fine.” Milt smiled and then turned his attention to Orrin. “As for you, we’ll drop you at the hotel on the way out of town. I expect you to be there when I return.”
Annalise recognized the tone in Milt’s voice. He meant business.
Orrin’s eyes widened. He nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. Annalise, get Lorraine and her things, please.”
“Yes, sir.” She hurried back outside. They needed to put distance between the Juarez Cartel and Olivia Beck. As soon as possible.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Annalise waited on the front porch of a modest, inconspicuous home, while Milt entered the code into the automatic door lock.
“Always the current president’s birth year.”
Annalise smiled. Interesting choice but easy enough for many agents to remember, even one like Milt who hadn’t been an active agent in years. “How long has this been a safe house?”
“Twenty years or more.”
She glanced over her shoulder toward the driveway.
Zach helped Olivia from the SUV.
She held up a hand to ask them to wait. She and Milt entered the cabin to clear it. “And no one has figured it out yet?”
“Hasn’t been used very much that I know of. Plus its ownership is buried in mounds of paperwork and shell corporations.”
“On paper whose is it?”
“A doctor turned businessman with five homes. This is his summer getaway.”
“All fictional?”
“Of course.” Milt checked the last window for anything suspicious. “Though if anyone can figure it out, it will be the Juarez Cartel. They always know everything.”
Annalise glanced out the door. Zach and Olivia still waited for word to come in, chatting quietly by the driveway. She dropped her voice. “Olivia said she knew who the inside officer is.”
Milt’s eyes grew wide. “I don’t know if that’s good or bad news.”
“I know.”
“If he knows she knows, her chances of surviving went from very little to even worse.”
Annalise nodded. “She saw him. He knows.”
Milt leaned on the couch for support. “We have to stop them before they—”
“She has to know something, Milt. Or she would be dead already.”
“Like what?”
The snap in his voice was like the sting of a whip. “I’m not implying anything bad, sir.”
He sighed.
“But you know how ruthless they are.”
“You’re right. Let’s get them in here where it’s marginally safer.”
ZACH’S EYES SNAPPED open. It wasn’t his watch, but something triggered his spidey-senses. He chuckled. Annalise would get the joke, if she were living in his brain and could hear his thoughts.
The house seemed quiet. He knew Milt was sitting in the rocking chair on the front porch, precisely where they’d all left him—he glanced at his watch—two hours ago. It was almost Annalise’s turn, then it would be his. He needed to sleep while he could. The last days had been exhausting, but his mind didn’t seem very sleepy anymore.
Too bad his fath—Henry wasn’t here. It would give them another set of eyes.
The thought made him pause. Interesting. He hadn’t expected to want Henry involved at any point during this whole ordeal. Lord, could You please give me some wisdom here? I know what I should do, what You tell us to do, but I’m not sure I can. Forgiveness doesn’t seem possible in this case.
He rolled over, snuggled under the covers, and closed his eyes. But it was too late. His mind was awake. He flipped the covers off and got dressed.
Milt was in the almost exact same position on the front porch. With a rifle across his lap from a stash of weapons and ammunition in the cabin and a Thermos of coffee, he looked like a television character waiting for a dating daughter to arrive. “Couldn’t sleep, eh?”
Zach slipped into the rocker next to him. “I got about an hour.”
The front door swung open and Annalise stuck her head out. “Everything okay?”
“Can’t sleep.”
She stepped fully through the door and pulled the blanket around her shoulders closer. “Me neither.”
“Come join us.” Milt filled an extra mug and extended it to her.
“What happened to your hand, sir?’ Annalise asked as she sank onto the swing and yawned.
“Long story.”
Zach quirked an eyebrow. “Sounds intriguing.”
“Involves a potential witness and a wall. Didn’t end well.” Milt chuckled mirthlessly.
Zach’s gaze returned to Annalise, with her hair mussed and her eyes rimmed in dark circles. A sight he’d seen before. But, somehow, this time it took his breath. What would it be like to witness this version of Annalise every morning? For the umpteenth time he had the same thought. Dave was an idiot to throw her away.
She smiled at him, and he had trouble returning the gesture.
He tore his gaze from her to take in the details of the lawn. It was much safer. The full moon was in their favor, at least. A large yard stretched down a gentle slope toward a thick forest encircling the entire property. Beyond the lush layer of trees, the road waited. An occasional car meandered by, even at this hour, its headlights flashing like tiny white orbs between the trunks. As long as none of them stopped. Not even Kirk knew their location, and that needed to be the case, but it sure made him feel vulnerable. If they needed help, no one would come. They were truly on their own.
“Well, if you young’uns have this covered, I think I’ll turn in.” Milt yawned.
“After all this coffee?” Annalise teased.
“I can sleep through anything, kid.”
Zach noted the blush on her cheeks. She looked up to this man. Him calling her “kid” was a compliment.
“Before you go, you’ve got to satiate our curiosity, Milt.”
Milt chuckled. “Yes, Annalise, Olivia is my daughter.”
Zach’s eyebrows shot up. Daughter? How?
“My first marriage. I was young, very young, and in love. We had a daughter, and then I chose to walk away. My ex-wife took Joanie—Olivia—with her. I was twenty-two. It was safer.”
“Wow, sir. I had no idea.”
Zach didn’t either.
“My career plan was clear. I let them go because I knew my life would be dangerous soon.” Milt’s eyes darted to meet Zach’s.
Henry had seemingly done the same thing. Maybe, just maybe Zach could look at it as valor rather than abandonment. Someday. Maybe soon, Lord?
“Thankfully, Olivia’s mom kept me in the loop as much as possible. I saw her frequently for a lot of years.”
Zach grimaced. Milt had missed his daughter’s life too.
“I know what you’re thinking, Zach.” Milt spoke without looking at him. “But you won’t understand until you have children of your own. You’d do anything to protect them.”
Zach gritted his teeth. Something was changing inside him. Was it going to be good for him or bad?
“Your father loved you, still loves you. You may never forgive him, but I encourage you to. Olivia and I haven’t seen each other face to face in years, but we have a great relationship.”
“I don’t think—” He couldn’t finish the thought. It wasn’t true. He wanted to keep his heart hardened against his father forever. It was easier. It didn’t hurt as much as possibly letting the man in and then being let down again. But instantaneously realization set in. Zach wanted to forgive him. Wanted to know what it was like to have his dad in his life.
Annalise raised her eyebrows and pierced him with a serious stare. And then smil
ed.
She knew what he was thinking.
“All right, kids. One of you really should get some sleep, if you can. I’ll see you at dawn. We’ll make a plan then.”
“Yes, sir,” Annalise answered for both of them. Once Milt had entered the house and shut the door, she turned to him. “I’m proud of you, Zach.”
“I didn’t...I haven’t...”
“You will. And I’m proud of you.”
His heart warmed, as did his stomach and chest and the rest of him. Oh, good. More tingles. “Want to do a perimeter check with me?” He leaped to his feet.
Annalise jumped. “Sure.”
They circled the house slowly, silently. He kept his eyes peeled for anything unusual. Thanks for the moonlight, Lord. It’s perfect timing for this kind of thing.
Back in the front yard, he pulled to a stop and gazed up at the clear sky, filled with stars and bright white light. It was beautiful.
Annalise leaned her head on his shoulder. “Full moon is kind of a lonely thing, don’t you think?”
“I guess so, yeah.”
“I always thought I’d always have someone to stand in the moonlight with me, you know?”
Zach drew a deep breath and dipped his chin. His voice dropped to a husky whisper he couldn’t change if he tried. “I’m standing here with you, Lise.”
She raised her head and looked up at him, her eyes as big as the moon shining above. Her eyebrows wrinkled and a look of something new flitted briefly across her eyes. “Yes, you are.”
It took every ounce of strength in every fiber of his being for him not to lean into her lips and taste them. Could she read in his eyes the passion he felt rising? The love that slammed into him like a March wind?
She cleared her throat and took a step back. “Everything seems clear. I think I’ll catch a couple more hours, if you are good to stay awake?”
He nodded because no words would pass the barrier of his pulsating emotions.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Annalise hurried into the safe house, her heart pounding in her ears. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it. That was close. She’d felt certain Zach was about to kiss her, and that she would wholeheartedly return said kiss. And that couldn’t happen.
Could it?
She shook her head. No, absolutely not. Unless maybe...
Ugh. What was she doing? What was she thinking? She pressed her hand to her chest. She just had to calm the racing of her heart and her thoughts would get back on track. And get a few more hours of sleep.
Tomorrow they’d have to figure out their next move. Lord, please keep us all safe. We’ve got Olivia, and I am so thankful. But she needs recovery time where she doesn’t have to run from anyone and no bullets are flying at her. Thank you.
Annalise made her way to the kitchen and prepared a cup of peach tea she found in the pantry. Who kept this place stocked? How had they kept it a secret all these years?
She had so many more questions, most of which would probably never have answers. She plopped into a kitchen chair and wrapped her hands around the warm mug. The ones they had to focus on were not about safe houses and tea. The Juarez Cartel had played havoc in too many people’s lives for too long. Not only with their revenge tactics but the drugs they pedaled onto the streets daily.
So much for more sleep. It seemed her brain was as restless as her heart tonight. She might as well get dressed and relieve Zach. Or at least keep him company.
A few moments later, in a new pair of jeans and a sweatshirt they’d bought at a Wal-Mart in Cookeville on the way in, Annalise stepped into the moist, cool early morning air. Zach wasn’t in the rocking chair where she’d expected to find him. She sat on the swing and waited for him to finish his perimeter rounds.
And waited.
And waited.
What was taking him so long? Chills crept up her arms, making the hairs on the back of her neck tingle. Something wasn’t right.
She drew her gun and rose slowly from the swing to avoid making the chains creak. The moon rested farther toward the western horizon but still provided enough light to see clearly. She hugged the corner of the house as she swung around. And gasped. “Zach?” she whispered.
The form on the ground didn’t move. Inching closer, she attempted to suppress the galloping in her chest. “Zach?”
There was still no movement.
She dropped to one knee and shook him. “Zach, what happened?”
He moaned. His eyes fluttered open. “My head.”
Annalise rotated his face from her to find a nasty gash on the back of his skull. Blood oozed from it, coating his light hair. Nausea and nerves overtook her stomach. Someone else was here. “We have to get you up.”
“Someone hit me.”
His slurred words warned her he may have a concussion. “Can you sit up?”
He struggled to rise and patted his side. “My gun. It’s gone.”
“Come on, Zach. We have to move,” her hoarse whisper echoed so loud in the otherwise quiet side yard. “Now.”
She got him to his feet, looped his arm around her shoulder, and began pulling him toward the front porch. They had to wake the others and formulate a defen—
Why did she suddenly get a strong whiff of smoke?
“I’m dizzy, Annalise.” Zach staggered. “So dizzy.”
“Here.” She leaned him against the side of the house. “Hang on.” She peeked around the corner. The porch was clear. If she could reach just a little farther... Her fingers brushed against the butt of the rifle lying across the nearest rocking chair. She stretched even farther, feeling the pull through her biceps into her back, and grabbed the piece she could reach. She slid it slowly into her arms.
“Take this.” She put the gun in Zach’s trembling hands. “Just don’t shoot me.”
He flashed her a lopsided grin. “I’ll do my best.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Annalise doubled back and pecked on the window to the room she and Olivia shared. What were the chances Olivia would respond positively and not automatically assume Annalise was a potential enemy?
The window slid open a crack. “Annalise?”
“Yeah,” Annalise whispered. “How did you know?”
“Intruders don’t knock.” Olivia yawned. “And the men wouldn’t have been so gentle.”
Good point. But not the point. “We aren’t alone, and I smell smoke. Go wake Milt.”
Olivia’s eyes grew wide. “You don’t think . . .”
Annalise nodded. “Fires are the Juarez Cartel’s MO.”
“If they’re trying to scare us out, they’re watching the front and back exits.”
“Agreed. Get Milt and come through the window. Zach’s here with the rifle, but I’ve got to admit I’m not sure how much good he will be. He’s got a nasty wound on his head.”
“Stay here.” Olivia disappeared into the dark bedroom.
The next breeze brought an even stronger scent of smoke. Where was the fire? Annalise strained her ears listening for sounds of any kind. Everything remained eerily silent except for the wind soughing through the trees. Who was out there? How many were there? What was their intention? Kidnap? Murder? Torture?
The rush of the wind grew louder, followed by popping and cracking. Was the forest itself on fire? Annalise glanced at the sky. A strange orange glow filled the air over the top of the house.
Her stomach dropped to the grass. It wasn’t wind she heard. It was the fire consuming the house from the opposite side.
Olivia returned to the window. “The door’s too hot to open.” Panic filled her round eyes. “What about my dad?”
“We have to get you out of there. Now.”
“I can’t leave him!”
Annalise’s heart ached. “Listen to me. You can’t get to him this way.”
“But his room is...”
On the opposite side of the house. “I know.” Annalise extended her arms. “Come on. I’ll help you.”
Olivia tucked her gun into her belt and flung her legs over the windowsill. She hesitated and looked over her shoulder. “My dad—”
“You can’t help him stuck in your room either, Olivia. Come down. Try to land on your good leg, and I’ll support you.”
Olivia slid off the sill and jumped to the ground.
Annalise caught her under the arm and helped steady her. This situation couldn’t get any better. Two injured officers, one stuck in a burning house, and an unseen enemy. Lord, where are You?
She helped Olivia hobble back to Zach. “How’re you doing?”
“Dizzy.” He grinned.
“Great. You need a hospital.” She turned back to Olivia. “You need an orthopedist and complete rest.” She sighed. “Milt needs a fireman and...” We need a miracle. “Zach, please tell me you have the car keys in your pocket.”
He patted his leg. “Yup.”
Olivia jerked away. “We can’t leave him!” Her fierce hiss barely rose above the noise of the growing fire. It wouldn’t be long till the flames broke through the rooms on this side of the house.
“I don’t intend to.”
Olivia twisted her hands together.
“Come on.” Annalise led Zach and Olivia to the edge of the forest and tucked them behind a dense layer of undergrowth. “Keep an eye for whoever has decided to join us. I’ll be right back.”
“Lise, wait.” Zach grabbed her wrist.
She spun to face him. The look on his face said more than any words he could’ve uttered.
He cleared his throat. “Be careful.”
She tried to smile, but it wouldn’t form. There was no mirth in the situation or the expression on his face. She pecked him on the cheek. “I will.”
Annalise crept back to the house and snuck to the rear corner. She peered into the moonlit back yard. No movement. But that didn’t mean someone wasn’t hanging in the shadows, waiting for them to show their faces. She would never make it to Milt’s window without exposing her position.
Not that it mattered anyway. Flames licked the inside of the panes. If he was in there... She shuddered. Retracing her steps, she peered once more over the porch rails across the front of the house. Though the orange glow from inside the house lit the porch, it didn’t seem as intense as the rear.