She could have lost it in a struggle. He picked it up, held it close, picking up the scent of her floral perfume. Racing deeper into the trees, he spotted her dark form in a clearing. The porcelain skin of her face the only discernible part of her.
He dived to the ground and touched her cold cheek. Fear flooded through him at the thought of losing her. He cared deeply for her.
“Isabel.”
His finger trailed down to her neck, where he felt a pulse. She was alive.
He patted her cheeks.
“I’m here.” Her voice was scratchy, hoarse-sounding.
“Hey.” He cradled her head.
“I must have passed out.”
Nick probably heard Jason calling her name and decided to get rid of Jason before he had the chance to check to see if Isabel was still breathing.
“We don’t have much time. Can you stand?”
“I think so.”
He held out a hand for her and helped her up. He handed her the scarf, which she wrapped around her neck. The snowmobiler was still patrolling the tree line and Nick would be hounding them in minutes. They had no choice but to head down the mountain.
“Jason, I’m really cold.” Her voice was weak. It was clear from the inflection of her words that she was giving up.
Lying on the frozen ground for at least five minutes had only brought her that much closer to hypothermia.
“We’re halfway down the mountain already. If you stay with me there is a hot bath and a steaming cup of tea waiting for you at the end.” He pressed his hands on either side of her cheeks. “Can you do that for me, Isabel?”
“I’m sorry I messed up the investigation. But I can’t keep running like this.” Her voice cracked.
He gathered her into his arms. “I know. They’ll put you in protective custody. Don’t give up.”
Protective custody for her seemed like the only option now. Whoever was behind all this was clearly powerful, connected and relentless.
Jason held Isabel close. Her hat felt soft against his chin.
“Let’s go.” Her words seemed to be undergirded with new strength. “We don’t have much time.”
“That’s my strong lady.” He kissed her on the forehead. Their eyes met momentarily. He touched her lips with his gloved hand, feeling a magnetic pull toward her as an intense warmth washed through him. He wanted to kiss her on the mouth.
He pulled back. “This time I won’t lose you,” he said. “Not even for a second.”
As they ran through the trees, he could hear the snowmobile growing closer and then farther away as it searched for them. They moved out into the open, sliding down the steep parts of the hill.
A lamp outside the dark ski lodge came into view, a tiny light in the distance. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the first sign of civilization. Glancing over his shoulder at where they had emerged from the forest, he could discern moving shadows among the trees. It could be Nick.
They made their way toward the ski lodge. There would be a phone there. He quickened his pace, making sure that Isabel stayed with him.
They neared the lodge. When he’d skied here, he and his buddies had found a window with a loose latch. Maybe it hadn’t been repaired even after all these years. He glanced up the hill at the sound of a motor. The snowmobile was headed their way, close enough that the men could see he and Isabel standing outside the lodge. He led Isabel around to the far side of the lodge.
The window latch was still loose. They crawled into what was the boys’ locker room.
“There’s probably a phone in the office,” he said, taking her hand and leading her upstairs.
The door to the ski-lodge office was locked. His hope deflated. They had only minutes before the snowmobiler would be outside.
“Now what?” Her words were saturated with fear.
His mind raced. “Lost and found. People might leave cell phones.”
He located the lost-and-found bins by the cafeteria just where they had been ten years ago when he’d skied here as a teen. There were bins filled with hats, orphan gloves, scarves and ski goggles and one bin filled with electronics. The first cell phone he tried was dead.
“Here, this one still has some battery left.” Isabel handed it to him.
The bright lights of the snowmobile shone through the window. Both of them ducked down as he pressed in the numbers for his contact.
While he dialed, Isabel scurried across the floor and peered through the window. The main door shook. It would take Nick and his accomplice a few minutes to break in.
“Two of them got off the snowmobile and are at the door.” Isabel’s voice was flat, devoid of emotion. “We have to hide.”
Jason held the phone to his ear. One ring. Two rings. Come on, Michael—pick up. The agents had to be out looking for them and waiting for a call.
Glass shattered. The men were breaking in.
Jason hurried to the far end of the cafeteria back into the boys’ locker room with the phone still pressed against his ear.
Finally, Michael picked up. “Yes, who is this?”
“Help us.”
“Jason, where are you?”
“We’re at the ski lodge and on the run.”
“I’ll get a man to you as soon as I can.”
“We’ll be headed toward the concert venue.” He doubted the concert was still going on, but maybe there would be a cleanup crew or someone still around.
The footsteps of Nick and his accomplice seemed to echo through the empty building, growing ever closer. He set the phone down. Isabel was already crawling through the window when Nick appeared in the doorway.
She glanced at Nick and then at Jason.
“Go,” said Jason. “I’ll catch up with you.”
Nick dived for Jason. Jason hit him hard twice against the jaw. The blow caused Nick to take a step back.
Jason jumped up to the open window. Nick charged toward him again, and Jason flipped around, kicking him hard enough to make him stumble backward and fall.
The move gave Jason enough time to get out of the window. He sprinted downhill, praying that Isabel had not been captured by Nick’s accomplice.
FIFTEEN
Isabel ran in the direction she thought the concert venue might be. Much of the forest in Silver Strike had been preserved, even in town, so she darted from one clump of trees to the next looking for the building. She found a snow-packed road that led downward. Sooner or later she’d run into something, but being on the road made her too easy a target. She couldn’t stay on it for long.
She wondered too if Jason had made it out. Her heart ached to know that he was safe. She should have stayed behind to help him. That was what he would have done for her.
The hum of a snowmobile engine told her she needed to get off the road. She veered back into the trees. The snowmobile putted past her, clearly searching. She tore off the yellow scarf and threw it on the ground, knowing that it would make her more visible through the trees. Why hadn’t she thought of that ages ago? She darted from one tree to the next, taking the time to catch her breath and peer around the trunk of a tree. As the snowmobile eased by her, she saw only one rider.
A hand squeezed her shoulder and she nearly jumped out of her skin. She swung around, ready to fight. Jason stood only inches from her. He placed a finger up to his lips, indicating to be quiet. The snowmobile faded in the distance. She looked up into Jason’s eyes, blue even in the shadows of nighttime. The memory of him kissing her forehead and then touching her lips rose to the surface. His eyes had grown wide as he leaned close. She had thought he would kiss her. In that moment, she realized she wanted to feel his lips on hers. He brought to life feelings that she had long thought were dead.
He tilted his head and raised his eyebrows up toward the lodge. A gesture that indicated Nick was in the forest sear
ching for them.
As the noise of the snowmobile died out altogether, she heard faint sounds, the crackle of a branch, a padding noise that could be footfalls on snow.
Jason wrapped his arm around her waist and eased her around to the other side of the tree. His lips brushed her forehead as they faced each other. The rhythm of his breathing surrounded her. Nick’s footsteps became more distinct and louder.
The seconds ticked by. The sounds stopped as though Nick were looking around.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Judging from the volume of the footsteps, Nick was maybe ten feet away from them.
She tilted her head and looked into Jason’s eyes, drawing strength from his proximity and the calm of his expression.
The footsteps resumed, this time making almost a squeaking sound on crunchy dry snow.
It seemed to take forever for the footsteps to get far away. Finally, the quiet of the night forest fell around them like a soft blanket.
Jason and Isabel stood very close together. Moonlight sneaked through the trees and washed over them. He bent his head and brushed his cheek over hers. Fire ignited, covering her skin and traveling through her muscles as his lips found hers. He brushed lightly over her mouth and then deepened the kiss as his hand touched her cheek.
She remained suspended in the moment, relishing a sensation like warm honey being poured over her head and dripping down her skin. He held her close for a second longer before whispering in her ear. “We’re almost home free, Isabel.”
The kiss had made her dizzy, light-headed. “Yes, I suppose we should make a run for it.”
He kissed her one more time, took her hand and led her through the thick of the trees until they were able to run. There were no lights on at the concert venue, but the silhouette of the huge building was plain enough. There were only two snow-covered cars in the parking lot as they approached. Snowmobile tracks indicated the other pursuer had circled the building at least twice.
She looked over her shoulder. Nick emerged from the trees, running straight for them. The snowmobile came around the side of the building.
Jason pivoted and she followed. An SUV turned off the road into the lot. Michael’s car.
The snowmobile made a beeline for them, the clanging of the motor pressing on her ears as she sprinted toward Michael’s car. Jason got there first, swinging open the back door. She piled in and Jason got in behind her.
Michael revved the motor and sped forward, swerving and fishtailing through the icy lot. The snowmobile blocked their exit. Michael hit the accelerator and drove over a snow-covered lawn back up to the road.
The snowmobile followed them until they turned onto a plowed road. Nick stood at the edge of the parking lot. The stiffness of his posture suggested rage.
“Good timing, Michael,” said Jason.
“We aim to please,” said Michael. “We’ve got a temporary safe house set up for you. You’ll both need to be debriefed, but I imagine you’d like to get a good night’s sleep first.”
“I’m looking forward to a hot bath and a steaming cup of tea.” She smiled at Jason. The softness in his expression, that look of affection in his eyes, made her heart skip a beat.
“As promised.” He placed his gloved hand over hers and squeezed.
She pressed her shoulder against his, still caught up in the exhilaration of their kiss.
Jason leaned forward to talk to Michael. “So is the investigation blown?”
“We’ll have to lie low for a while until they think we’ve backed off. Once things cool down, we’ve got quite a few people to keep an eye on, especially Nick Solomon, thanks to Isabel.”
She was glad Michael saw it that way.
Michael said, “The profiler thinks the kingpin is working class or came from humble roots because of what Isabel told us about getting a thrill out of making the wealthy uncomfortable in their own homes.”
They drove on in silence. Jason put an arm around Isabel and she rested her head against his chest, listening to his heart beat. The heaviness of fatigue invaded her body and she closed her eyes.
She was safe...for now.
Nick was still out there. Still set on her demise.
* * *
Jason rolled over on the bed as sunlight streamed through the blinds of the safe house. He’d had only a few hours’ sleep before morning came. He intended to get a few more. The safe house was a three-story affair in a subdivision outside of town that had gone belly-up. They’d driven past half-finished homes, some just framed, others nearly complete. The outside walls of the house they were in were done, but he could look across the floor to where Isabel slept on a mattress inside a room that had only two-by-fours for walls. In order for this to be a functional safe house, the Bureau had gotten the plumbing in the bathroom and kitchen done. Electrical wires were exposed in the kitchen where the drywall had not been put up before the stove and refrigerator were put in place.
Isabel had had to settle for a hot shower instead of a bath, but he had been able to give her a steaming cup of tea.
Only one agent, playing solitaire at the kitchen table, watched over them, his gun belt slung over a chair.
Jason tossed and turned several times before he realized it was an act of futility to try to sleep. He sat up on his bed.
Isabel looked peaceful covered in a soft pink blanket drawn up over her shoulders. Her cheeks had a rosy glow. The kiss they’d shared had been wonderful, but it had probably been brought on by the terror they were in the midst of at the time. He doubted the attraction would survive once this was all over, if it was ever over. He intended to return to his work as a PI even if the Bureau didn’t need him anymore. He could take care of himself. But Isabel might need to go into witness protection as long as Nick Solomon was at large. She’d have to move and change her name, cut all her connections. No, as much as he cared for her, he couldn’t see a future with her where she would be safe unless they caught Nick.
Jason rose to his feet and ambled into the kitchen. He was still dressed in his clothes from the night before. The agent gave him a nod. He swung the refrigerator door open. It was fully stocked.
“I’m going to get some air,” said the agent. He rose to his feet, shrugged into his ski jacket and stepped out the back door.
The subdivision was miles from town, surrounded by forest. Jason didn’t relish the confinement. Hopefully, he’d be back to work in a day or so. First, he needed to make sure the Bureau took care of Isabel.
Jason broke some eggs into a bowl and stirred them with a fork. The bacon sizzled when he placed it on the griddle. He melted butter in a frying pan and poured the egg mixture in.
The aroma of bacon filled the air.
“One of my favorite smells in the world.” In her room, Isabel sat up on her mattress. She gathered the blanket around her and strode into the kitchen.
“I made enough for two. I don’t think the agent is hungry. Saw some orange juice in the fridge if you want to pour some.”
She retrieved some glasses and the juice and then settled on one of the stools at the island where Jason was cooking. Bruises on her neck from where Nick had tried to strangle her were still visible. The thought of that man touching her enraged him. He served up their food and pushed the plate toward her.
Isabel made sounds of approval as she ate. She looked up at him with her doe eyes, and he was struck by how beautiful she was. Affection glowed on her face. “My compliments to the chef.”
He could pretend this was some sort of scene of domestic bliss, even imagine that they might have something like this waiting in their future. But he had to be realistic. They both did.
“How long are they going to make us stay in this house? I want to get back to work and I need to call my boss.”
“Isabel, I don’t know if you can just go back to that.”
Her
forehead creased. “I want my life back, Jason.”
“Whoever is behind this has a lot of power and isn’t opposed to violent solutions,” Jason said. “You’ve seen that for yourself.”
Her mouth formed a flat line as she pressed her lips together. “But this will end soon, won’t it?”
“Not while Nick is still out there. Be realistic. You might need to think about witness protection.”
“I’m not giving up the life I’ve built here.” She stared at the ceiling for a moment. “Can’t you stay with me until they catch him?”
“I don’t know,” Jason said. “I think you need more protection than I can provide.” Guilt washed through him. If he had been paying attention, Nick wouldn’t have been able to strangle Isabel.
Her eyes became glassy with tears. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I don’t want you to die. I’m saying the best thing is for you to move to another town with a new name.”
She shook her head. “I thought... I don’t know. That something was happening between us.”
He took her empty plate. More than anything, he wanted to hold her. To tell her everything would be okay and that they could be together, but that might get her killed. He made his voice sound cold and distant on purpose. “I’m only thinking of your safety.”
“My safety?” A single tear rolled down her cheek. “I need to go brush my teeth.” She jumped off the stool and disappeared around the corner. The bathroom at least was Sheetrocked and had a door.
Jason put the plates in the sink and stared out the window. There were boot tracks outside, but he didn’t see the agent anywhere.
He could hear Isabel running the water in the bathroom.
Feeling uneasy, he put on his boots and slipped into his coat. He stepped outside onto the threshold, visually following the tracks that went some distance from the house. He took a few more steps away from the house. The footprints ended and were replaced by drag marks leading to another half-finished house.
Heart racing, he turned and sprinted back into the house. The agent could take care of himself. It was Isabel he was worried about.
Mountain Secrets Page 31