My new partner is distant and cold. We live in a large house, not far from my former friend, but I am afforded no guests since the streets are deemed too dangerous for a female to travel alone. I find this hard to believe since we are in a gated community but comply nonetheless.
—The diary of Megan Jean
The ranch was beautiful, but given Alex’s taste that did not surprise Mia. He was trying his best to make the place his own, and Mia’s mother and sister were eager to help.
“I want sky-blue ceilings in every room,” Alex said.
“Won’t that distract from other colors?” Corinna asked.
“It will be subtle,” Alex said. “At first glance you will think they’re white.”
“Why?” Corinna asked.
“Because if I need to feel like I’m outside I can, just by looking up,” Alex said.
Mia knew he needed that feeling after having been buried alive but hoped he’d spared Corinna that detail.
“The nearest store is fifty miles away,” Frank said. “And I’m only making one trip this month, so you better make sure your list is as detailed as possible.”
“Let’s move on to the other rooms, ladies. You can help me decide on the color schemes there too,” Alex said.
The group of three walked off; Mia didn’t follow.
“I can’t stay with you,” Mia said. “Alex is trying to make this place a home, but with me here you risk losing everything.”
“We’ve been over this,” Frank said. “If Grant finds us—and that is a big if—it won’t matter whether you’re here or not. He will want his revenge on us for helping you. That damage is done and we’re safe here.”
The group had been here for three days now, and Andrew was still unreachable. Frank was the only person Mia could speak to about the events that had happened before they left. She knew Alex could handle it but he was too good at keeping the other women distracted.
“How did you find this place?” Mia asked.
The house was one floor and spread out. There were five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a giant kitchen, along with three rooms for gathering and a giant unfinished basement. It was designed to look rustic but Mia could tell it couldn’t have been more than ten years old. She walked to the back of the kitchen and looked out at the scenery. A mountain range decorated the sky and lush greens were everywhere. A cow let out a long moo from the group in the distance.
“I built it,” Frank said. “Before I met Alex I thought I would move up here. I came to visit a few times over the years but knew this wasn’t his speed.”
“You lived in the middle of nowhere at your last house,” Mia said.
“There’s a big difference between neighbors five miles away and fifty,” Frank said.
“How do you know Grant can’t find it?”
“It was nothing when I first bought the land,” Frank said. “Paid for it with the money I earned from service; I knew I didn’t need to save for a wife.”
They laughed a little.
“But I took a job elsewhere,” Frank said. “The years went by and I saved up enough money to build the house. It’s self-sufficient. I was about a year out from moving up here when I met Alex. Living alone in solitude didn’t seem like such a good idea after that.”
“Still,” Mia said. “There must be some paper trail.”
“There’s not,” Frank said. “Besides, before I took Alex’s last name I was Frank Smith. My guess is there are at least one hundred of him across the country. By the time Grant can narrow it down your plan will be in full swing.”
“My plan is nothing at the moment,” Mia said. “Keep my mom and sister distracted until Andrew comes back into reach.”
“If that’s what you think is right, we’ll all back your play,” Frank said.
“It’s the only option I have at the moment,” Mia said.
“Glad to hear you’ve learned some patience,” said a voice that carried through the room.
Frank spun around and Mia felt his hand grip her shoulder. Mia did not share his tension over the new arrival. Standing in the entrance to the kitchen was Riley. Her red hair was pulled up in a ponytail; she wore her tight black pants and matching jacket, with a giant pack swung over her shoulders. Mia ran to her and wrapped her arms around her onetime trainer and friend.
“You came,” Mia said.
“You called,” Riley said, her Irish accent flowing off her tongue.
Mia released Riley and took a step back. The redhead dropped her bag to the floor.
“New haircut?” Riley asked.
Mia pushed her hair behind her ears.
“Interesting outfit . . .”
Mia looked down. She wore one of Alex’s shirts; this one was bright blue with yellow swirls. A belt was tied around her waist and Frank’s sweatpants hung off her figure.
“How did you get here?” Mia asked.
“You’re not far from the Canadian border,” Riley said.
“About twenty miles,” Frank said.
“So you walked into the most guarded country in the world?” Mia asked.
“It took a little more than that,” Riley said. “I got your message three days ago. I had to monitor the border and then I stowed away on the bottom of a truck; if they hit one speed bump I would have been flattened. Then I waited until they stopped and followed the coordinates.”
“So you were in Canada when I called?”
“No,” Riley said. “Getting to Canada was easy. I hopped on a plane.”
“Did you find Nathan?” Mia asked.
She raised her hands to cover her mouth as soon as the words slipped out. Mia regretted bringing up Riley’s missing husband. Riley gave her a sharp look. She turned her attention to Frank and held out her hand to him.
“Riley,” she said.
“Frank,” he said back. “You didn’t tell anyone about this place, did you?”
“I am a strategist for the Irish government. They pretty much let me have free rein,” Riley said. “But even they would have a problem with me crossing into America. My location is known only to you. I take it you’re the owner?”
“I am,” Frank said.
“I’m not one for small talk,” Riley said. “Mia, explain the situation and let’s move on from there.”
“I need to rescue Roderick Rowe, Carter’s father who is very much alive, from Grant Marsden’s house, then take out the master server holding the Registry and service list,” Mia said. “And we have less than two weeks.”
Riley gave Mia a smirk. “And here I thought you would have a challenge for me,” she said.
“This is serious,” Mia said. “Grant’s wedding is in eleven days, and Rod’s deadline is in ten.”
“I know,” Riley said. “Let’s take a few minutes and sit down. Then you can tell me everything and we will go from there.”
Mia was elated. Sitting around waiting went out the window. Riley was the smartest person Mia had ever met, and with her help Mia felt she could accomplish anything.