Michael was alive. Thank You, God.
Doug’s hands tightly gripped the steering wheel as he forced the tension streaming through his body into a manageable box. The tires hummed on the highway, and the air conditioner hissed, struggling to cool the interior of the vehicle in the August heat. With Michael slipping in and out of consciousness, Doug had to rely on his gut to discover where his friend hid the evidence. And the cabin topped the list. Ha. Who was he kidding? It made up the entire list. If it wasn’t there, he had no clue where to look.
He glanced at Beth then back to the road. She hadn’t said a word since they left the hospital. He thought he’d made progress in the trust department, but apparently, he was wrong. Either that or he’d done something that caused her hesitation—again. “I know I keep asking, but are you okay?”
“Yes.” Her gaze didn’t waver from the passing scenery out the passenger window.
“The doctors and nurses taking care of Michael are top-notch. He’s in good hands.”
She nodded. “I could tell.”
Wow, getting her to have a conversation was harder than he thought it would be. Especially after Michael told her to trust him. Giving up for the moment, Doug tapped the speed dial on the truck’s dash screen.
“Sheriff Monroe.”
“Hey, Dennis.” Doug glanced at his rearview mirror. Nothing out of the ordinary, but with the curves in the road, it was hard to tell. He’d stayed alert as they’d exited the hospital, but worry niggled at him.
“Doug, I’m glad you called. Jason’s at the hospital standing guard outside Agent Lane’s room, but I haven’t talked with him since he arrived. What’s the update?”
“Nothing more than what you probably already know. Michael woke up for a moment. Janie’s keeping his identity under wraps. Beth and I are heading to a cabin where I think Michael might have hidden the evidence against Tommy Wade.”
“You need anything from me?” He heard Dennis shuffle papers in the background.
“Eyes on Wade would be nice. And his sidekick Clark.” Sweat beaded on Doug’s upper lip at the idea of the sleazy businessman and drug dealer targeting Beth. He adjusted the vents toward his face to chase away the unwanted warmth.
“I sent a message to Cassidy and got an update. She’s tailing Wade now over in Brentwood.”
He exhaled. One less problem for him to worry about. “Good.”
“Doug, I know I don’t have to say it, but be careful. We don’t know for sure it’s Tommy behind the attempts on Tabitha.”
She snorted and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Maybe. Maybe not. But I can guarantee he’s not happy she escaped his clutches. What about his second-in-command, Clark? Any news on him?”
“We’ve got nothing yet. I have deputies searching for his whereabouts, but no one has seen him. We’ll keep looking. Brentwood PD is cooperating. They want the whole group taken down.”
“Clark came into the café yesterday. My guess is that he can’t be far, plus Beth thought the man who grabbed her might be Clark. Let me know when you find him.”
“You know I will. Check in frequently, or I’ll send the guys to hunt you down.”
Doug chuckled. “I’ll call later.”
“Keep your head on a swivel.” Without waiting for a response, Dennis hung up.
“He doesn’t think it’s Tommy?” Beth angled toward him.
“Dennis is a great sheriff. He’s covering all the possibilities. But to answer your question, most likely, he agrees that it’s Wade or one of Wade’s minions after you, but he, like the rest of us, won’t assume. That could prove deadly if we don’t look at all the angles. We want proof that Wade’s our guy behind everything.”
Beth nibbled on her thumbnail. “I’m sorry for shutting you out. I’ve never had anyone, except Michael, who hasn’t wanted something from me.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Doug wondered, not for the first time, what this woman had lived through. “Maybe someday you’ll confide in me and tell me what happened to you. But I understand that I have to earn your trust.”
She closed her eyes, exhaled, then shifted her gaze to him. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”
“Nothing of the sort. I’m not sure about all the details of your past, but I suspect your life with Tommy wasn’t pleasant. That in and of itself is enough to be leery.”
“You could say that.” She returned her gaze to the road. “When I realized who—or should I say what—Tommy was, I found myself in too deep to walk away. People leave Tommy in one way. A body bag.”
“And that’s when Michael approached you? When you wanted to escape?” Doug slowed a bit to navigate the curve.
“More or less. Granted, he wanted me to collect evidence against Tommy, but he never made me feel as though his job was more important than I was. He helped me in so many ways.”
Doug drummed his thumbs on the steering wheel. “I’ve known Michael for years. He’s a great guy.”
“That he is.” She rubbed her arms.
“Are you cold?”
She shook her head.
He hit a long stretch without the bends in the road. A dark-colored SUV Doug had noticed several miles back picked up speed as it exited the curve. The hairs on the back of Doug’s neck stood at attention. He hit the speed dial.
“Monroe.”
“Dennis, I have a tail, and he’s gaining on us.” Doug hit the accelerator.
“Location?”
He rattled off the highway and mile marker.
“Hang tight. Help’s on the way.”
The SUV edged closer.
Doug jabbed the end button. “Hold on, Beth!”
The vehicle chasing them slammed into their rear bumper.
A second hit sent them careening off the road. Beth’s screams filled the cab. The truck bounced over ruts. Doug fought to maintain control, but the effort was useless. The front driver’s corner of the vehicle crashed into a tree, whipping him forward. Stopped only by the cut of the seatbelt across his chest and shoulder and the exploding airbag. The teeth-jarring jolt sent his head slamming into the side window.
Doug blinked, attempting to clear the foggy haze from his brain. The truck engine hissed, spurting steam from the hood. A dusting of white powder covered the interior, and the deflating airbag hung like a popped balloon from the steering column. He turned his head, his action sluggish.
The metal of the passenger door popped and creaked open.
A tall male stood at the opening. He flicked a knife across the seatbelt then grabbed Beth by the arm, wrenched her from the vehicle, and dragged her away from the wreck.
“Doug!” Beth kicked and screamed.
He yanked on the driver’s side handle, but the door refused to budge. He growled in frustration. He twisted in his seat. “Beth!”
The man hauled Beth across the ground and up the small embankment toward a waiting vehicle.
Doug fumbled with the seatbelt latch, and the mechanism released. He crawled over the console and tumbled out the passenger door. The aftereffects of the crash muddled his brain, but he pushed forward. On his hands and knees, he staggered to his feet and hurried up the slope. He had to save Beth before the attacker got her in the car. If not, knowing Tommy, she was as good as dead—or she’d wish she was.
A strong arm wrapped around Beth’s waist and another across her shoulder. Her feet dangled as her abductor carried her up the slight bank toward his waiting car. She struggled against the man’s tightening grip. Fear shot through her body as if lightning had struck her spine. If he succeeded in stuffing her in his vehicle... No, she couldn’t go there.
“Doug!” She kicked and flailed, trying anything to escape her attacker’s hold. She hadn’t seen his face, but he seemed familiar. She gagged at the nasty cologne that reminded her of Clark. She had no doubt that Tommy ordered his men to bring her back ever since Agent Lane had helped her disappear.
“Beth!”
Tears streamed down her cheeks at Doug’s frantic tone. Why had she ever said yes to the first date with Tommy Wade? Throughout her life, she’d gone from one horrible situation to another. But Tommy topped them all.
A dark blue SUV loomed ahead. Her heart rate skyrocketed. She refused to get in that car. Even if the man killed her in the process, it’d be better than Tommy’s brand of loyalty training. Her mind scrambled for a plan, but her options were limited. She latched on to one and forced herself to go limp.
The sudden weight change threw her assailant off-balance. She kicked backward and slammed her heel into the man’s shin.
The action forced him to loosen his hold, and she scurried to escape.
Doug rushed in from her right and tackled the man to the ground, taking her with them. She landed on her back—hard. Air whooshed from her lungs, accompanied by a series of pops down her spine.
The men scuffled next to her. Fists smacking against flesh made her stomach roil. She wanted to help, but she couldn’t catch her breath.
A moment later, the SUV sped off, and Doug’s battered face appeared above her. She gasped, but her lungs refused to cooperate.
“Beth, what’s wrong?” His worried gaze sent another wave of tears.
“Can’t breathe. Back popped.” Had she damaged her spine? She hadn’t thought so, but the cracking sound her back had made sent nausea swimming in her belly.
Doug did a quick assessment of her injuries and slipped her fingers into his grasp. “Squeeze my hand.”
The tentacles of fear enveloped her, threatening to squash the life from her. She choked out a sob, afraid of either excoriating pain or the lack of ability to move her muscles.
He brushed the hair from her forehead with his free hand. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
Beth closed her eyes and tightened her grip. A wave of relief poured over her when her fingers moved.
“There ya go. Now, wiggle your toes.”
She followed his directions and moved her feet. For the first time since she’d hit the ground, breathing became easier. She exhaled. The terror subsided, and her panicked thoughts disappeared.
“I think you got the wind knocked out of you. And by the sounds of it, you shouldn’t need a chiropractor anytime soon.” He grinned. “But I’ll feel better once the paramedics assess your injuries.”
Beth rolled her head from side to side, testing her neck. “No. I’m good.” She pushed to sit.
Doug laid a hand on her shoulder. “Please, lie still.”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry I worried you. I got scared, that’s all.” She sat up and cataloged her scrapes and bruises. Then took a long look at Doug. “Your jaw and cheek.” Red marks covered his skin.
“Just a few bruises. And most are from the accident.”
“More than a few.” He’d stopped the man from taking her and probably saved her life. “Thank you.”
Doug’s mouth opened. Sirens wailed in the distance, cutting off whatever he’d planned to say. “Sounds like the guys are on the way.”
“Help me up.” She held out a hand.
“Are you sure?” The tilt of his head and the doubt flickering in his gaze touched her heart. When had anyone ever worried about her?
“Positive.” When she couldn’t catch her breath, and her back popped, she’d panicked. Now that she’d had time to think clearly and relax, her body had recovered, and her fears had dissipated. He clutched her hand and helped her to her feet.
She stood and swayed.
Doug’s hand shot out and steadied her. His eyes narrowed. The man wanted to say something but kept his thoughts to himself.
“I guess I’m a little shakier than I thought. Let’s go talk with your friends.” Beth hoped her legs wouldn’t betray her and add more concern to Doug’s already worried features.
He nodded and followed her the final few feet to the road.
The sheriff’s vehicle skidded to a stop, and Dennis shot from the driver’s seat. “Are you two okay?”
Doug placed his hand on the small of her back. “We’re fine. Although, I’d like to have Beth looked over by the paramedics.”
“Not going to happen.” She gritted her teeth. His persistence had hit a nerve. For the love of everything, she could make decisions for herself. Those around her had dictated her entire life in one way or another. She wanted off that roller coaster. The direction of her thoughts froze her in place. For the first time ever, the mousy, scared girl cowered away, and a strong woman emerged.
Doug studied her, then sighed. “Never mind.” He proceeded to fill Dennis in on the crash, and her attempted abduction. “We’ll go ahead and continue to locate the evidence, but we’ll need a different car.” He pointed to the tangled metal. “That one is a mangled mess.”
Dennis held up a finger and lifted his phone to his ear. “Hey, Kyle. Your partner needs new wheels... Okay, sounds good.” He hung up. “Kyle’s on his way. He said you can borrow his truck.”
“I appreciate the assist.” Doug swiped a hand down his face and winced when his fingers touched the bruises.
“After what happened, I want you to check in every hour.” Dennis held his palm up to stop Doug’s argument. “A simple text will do. Enough for me to know that all is good.”
Doug agreed and turned to her. “I’ll retrieve our things from the car before Kyle arrives, so we’re ready to go.”
She watched him jog down the small slope.
“Is there anything I can do for you, Tabitha?” Dennis pulled her attention away from Doug.
“No.” She rubbed her arms, chasing away the chill. Not from the temperatures but from her close call with whoever tried to take her. “How did they find us?”
Dennis shrugged. “I’m not sure. Doug’s good at what he does. He would have noticed a tail when you left town. I’m puzzled by that.”
Beth’s gaze drifted to the man who’d protected her since Tommy’s second-in-command, Clark, entered the diner. Doug hadn’t demanded information from her, nor had he disrespected her. Instead, he’d saved her life and had stuck by her side. Plus, Michael Lane said she could trust Doug. She had a decision to make. And this time, she’d make it without anyone influencing her—unlike the other times in her life.
Doug joined them and handed her the small backpack she’d switched to using as a purse after the explosion. It contained extras like lip balm, granola bars, and such, but the important things like her driver’s license and a small amount of cash were in her pocket. A habit Michael had ingrained in her.
“I know how they found us.” Doug waved a little black box in the air. “Tracker.”
Her jaw dropped. “When? How?”
“No clue. It had to have been at the hospital. But we don’t have to worry about that happening again when Kyle gets here. No one knows we’re using his truck.” He tossed the tracker encased in a plastic bag to Dennis, who caught it midair. “See if the lab rats can get any prints from that.”
“Will do.” Dennis tucked the evidence into one of the many pockets of his black tactical pants.
Doug stepped next to her. Protectiveness oozed from his stance.
A truck rumbled up and parked behind Dennis’s SUV. Kyle jumped out. “Doug, I thought I taught you how to drive better than that.”
Doug’s eyebrow arched. “You, teach me? Keep telling yourself that.”
“I called the tow company on my way. Dennis and I will take care of the scene while the two of you find that evidence.” Kyle rested a hand on Doug’s shoulder and jutted his chin at Doug’s swollen face. “And next time, try ducking.”
“Right.” Doug rolled his eyes.
Beth bit her lower lip to hide her smile. She loved the easygoing banter the men had with each other. It tugged at the tension she’d lived with for so long, loosening the knots. Was this how people lived? She’d never had normal in her life—ever.
“Are you sure you don’t need medical attention?” Doug asked.
She nodded. “I’m sure.” Worry about her baby niggled at her, but if they didn’t find the evidence before Tommy found her, none of it would matter.
“All right then, let’s get out of here.” Doug motioned toward the replacement truck.
The men’s conversation was background noise to the loud crunch of her shoes on the gravel. She glanced over her shoulder at the remains of Doug’s truck. The accordioned engine startled her. Her heart picked up speed at what could have happened. God had watched over them, of that she had no doubt.
She slipped onto the passenger’s seat of the borrowed truck and leaned her head against the headrest. Doug shut her door and half jogged, half hobbled to the driver’s side.
As he pulled onto the road, he waved at his friends and headed toward the mysterious cabin he’d referred to.
Beth twisted to face him. “Do you think the person who ran us off the road knows where we’re going?”
“No. Only Michael knows about it. And I called Dennis and told him before we left the hospital, but he’ll keep the information to himself. The property is under a trust I set up years ago, so it’s not easy to link to me but not impossible either.”
“Tommy has ways of finding out information.” The man had informants everywhere.
Doug nodded. “If they want to find it, they will. Hopefully, the layers will buy us a day or two to search the cabin and get back to town before anyone is the wiser.”
She twisted the hem of her shirt. Doug was taking her to his private property, which even his partner didn’t know about. He trusted her. The sensation, an oddity. But she owed him a token olive branch. Time to trust him—at least with the basics. “I’m sure you’ve noticed that trust doesn’t come easy for me.”
He chuckled and clasped her hand, stopping her fidgeting. “Yeah, I think I figured that one out.”
The touch startled her, but the tenderness melted her apprehension. “I never knew my father, and apparently, neither did my mother. One of many on the carousel in and out of her apartment.” That particular carnival ride hadn’t ended after Tabitha’s birth either. “She put up with me until I turned three. Apparently, a child didn’t go well with her lifestyle. She shipped me off to my uncle.” The mention of the man sent repulsion shooting through her veins.
“That must have been safer than living with your mother and all those men.”
“One would think.” She chewed on the inside of her cheek. “You know the old saying, out of the frying pan and into the fire?”
He nodded.
“That’s putting it mildly. My uncle was an abusive monster. My mother discarded me like garbage, and my uncle used me as a punching bag.” Her gaze drifted out the side window at the passing trees. “And other things.”
Doug muttered under his breath words too low for her to understand. He tightened his grip, giving her the courage to continue.
“I just wanted to be loved.” A tear snuck out and trailed down her cheek. She returned her attention to Doug. “I survived my uncle and got out of the house once I turned eighteen. Although, that wasn’t much better. I lived on the streets for two years, hopping from homeless shelter to homeless shelter. I had a job but not enough money to pay rent. When I met Tommy, I thought he truly loved me. I saw him as a way out of my nightmare. Boy, was I wrong about that.” Her stomach roiled.
“When did you realize the truth about him?”
“I’m ashamed to say it took me a couple of years to figure out his true business. But at that point, I had no way out. For all intents and purposes, I was his property.”
“What made you decide to take the leap and get away?” Doug’s gaze drifted to the rearview mirror and back to the road.
Having his attention elsewhere made it easier to tell him about her grisly past. “I witnessed him kill someone who dared to disobey him. That’s when I knew I had to leave.” Tabitha debated whether to tell Doug about the life growing inside her but chose to keep that part of her story a secret. She’d come a long way in believing that he wouldn’t betray her, but the doubt continued to linger. “I had no one to turn to. I had no faith to lean on. So, I was stuck—until Michael came along.”
“Did he approach you or the other way around?” Doug kept his questions to a minimum but interjected one every once in a while. His lack of interference kept her thoughts on track. The man must be good at witness interviews.
“While out shopping one day, I took a risk. I found a phone inside a women’s dressing room area and made an anonymous call to the police department. They forwarded me to a DEA officer.”
“Michael.”
She nodded. “He promised to help me and encouraged me to meet with him. I agreed.” Something about the concern in Michael’s voice had spoken to her.
“Then what happened?”
“It got a bit tricky since Tommy’s crew rarely let me out of their sight. But Michael came up with a plan. He gave me the name of a doctor and told me to make an appointment. When the nurse took me back to the exam room, I found Michael waiting on me.”
Doug grinned. “I’ll give him kudos for that plan. How often did you meet?”
Tabitha glanced out the window and inhaled, praying Doug didn’t ask too many questions. “Every month, I’d make an excuse and go in for an appointment. Michael would be there, and we’d exchange information. A couple weeks ago, he helped me escape. I’ve hidden out in Valley Springs per his instructions. But then he disappeared...and well, you know the rest.” Most of it anyway.
The hum of the engine filled the otherwise silent cab of the truck. Doug’s lack of comment sent chills through her. Had she said too much? Did he even believe her? She nibbled on her thumbnail, hoping she hadn’t made a huge mistake.
Thick trees surrounded them as they drove deeper into the woods. The scenery reminded her of a horror show where the too-dumb-to-live heroine trusted the wrong person, and the man murdered her in the middle of nowhere.
A nervous chuckle escaped. “Where does this road lead?”
“I’ve never explored beyond the turnoff, so I’m not sure.”
“What turnoff?” She leaned forward, searching for a path among the trees.
The truck slowed, and he turned left down a concealed dirt road. Branches climbed toward the sky on both sides. She glanced at Doug.
His back straightened, and his eyes shifted from the rearview mirror to the side mirrors.
“What’s wrong? Is someone following us?” Tabitha twisted to look through the back window. She’d been so lost in her story that she’d quit watching for a tail.
“Not that I’ve noticed.”
“Then why are you all tense?”
“I don’t want any surprises. This is my private drive.” He pointed in the distance at a small cabin. “And that’s my little hideaway.”
Tabitha relaxed for the first time since they’d left town. “It’s beautiful out here.”
“One of the reasons I bought it.” A few moments later, he pulled in front of a one-story log cabin with a front porch. “Welcome to my sanctuary.”
“Thank you for sharing this with me. I know you only brought me here to find the information you think Michael hid, but you didn’t have to bring me along.”
He shifted in his seat. “With Tommy Wade involved, I’m not letting you out of my sight.” He exited the driver’s seat.
Tabitha slid from the passenger side and met him at the front of the truck. Doug’s hand moved to his side and rested near his weapon.
Her heart raced. “You think we aren’t alone.”
He shook his head. “It’s not that. If they can figure out where we are, it’ll take them a hot minute to find the property. I’m just edgy after everything that’s occurred.”
Oh, she got that all right. Edgy didn’t begin to describe the twists and knots inside her. The shrubs and trees surrounding the small home made for an excellent place for a person to lie in wait.