“What a perfect day!” Jennie slid behind the wheel and watched her mom bestow final hugs and kisses on both boys. The kids tumbled into the car, noisy and bouncy. Jennie almost felt like a chauffeur with the boys insisting on sitting together in the backseat. Bernie, the massive pup, started out in back, but as soon as Jennie started backing out, he climbed into the front—not to keep her company, Jennie noted ruefully, but to get some rest. He curled up on the seat and closed his eyes.
On the way out to the farm, Jennie turned the radio on to one of her favorite stations. As she sang along, she thought of Ryan and Scott and wondered why. Not difficult to figure out, she supposed. Not when she allowed herself to think honestly about the two guys she’d sort of considered her boyfriends.
Ryan Johnson was gorgeous, blond, slightly taller than Jennie. They’d been friends for years, and since he lived next to her grandmother at the coast, she’d practically grown up with him. Every time she went to visit Gram—Dad and Aunt Kate’s mother—they hung out together. Last summer they’d become a little more than friends, but then he decided he wanted to go out with another girl. So they were back to the friend stage.
Scott, on the other hand, seemed very interested in her. Her only competition so far was his insistence on saving the environment single-handedly. She shared his views on most environmental issues and understood his desire to get a degree in marine biology. In fact, it was his dedication that she liked most about him. But sometimes he was just too intense.
Not that she didn’t like intense. She just wasn’t ready for a serious relationship. Still, she had to admit he was pretty cute. Scott had dark hair and green eyes that reminded Jennie of the brilliant waters surrounding the island where they’d first met. Miracle Key. Jennie smiled. They were both a little hotheaded at the time. She thought he’d acted like a total jerk, but even then she couldn’t deny her attraction to him. They’d become friends over the next couple of weeks. And when he came out west to pursue his studies, they’d connected again. In some ways Jennie liked that connection. In other ways he made her a little nervous and she wasn’t sure why.
“When are we gonna be there?” Nick asked.
Jennie reined in her thoughts and focused on her surroundings. “Soon, Nick. See where that red light is down there? That’s Battleground. We’re supposed to turn there and head for the Lewis River.” She checked her directions again.
“But how long?”
“He has to go to the bathroom, Jennie,” Kurt said. “I do too.”
“Um … we should be there in ten minutes. Can you wait that long?”
“I guess.” Kurt settled back against the seat.
“Me too,” Nick mimicked.
They made it in ten. The Morgans’ big new house sat on a hillside surrounded by acres of pastureland and trees. Two chestnut horses nibbled casually at the grass in the fenced-in pasture.
Kurt and Nick tumbled out of the car and took off running toward the porch. Their buddy Andy bounded down the stairs. Bernie, still sleepy from the drive, ambled behind, not sure what to make of things. Two overly friendly golden retrievers raced around the corner to meet them. They seemed as eager to see Bernie as Andy was to see the boys.
“Hey, Jennie!” Jeremiah came up behind her and poked her in the ribs. “You staying over too?”
She jumped, then turned around and slugged him in the arm. “No.”
“Ouch.” He winced, feigning serious pain.
“Come off it. That didn’t hurt.”
“Did too. You’re pretty strong for a girl.”
“Thanks.” Jennie grinned.
He returned the smile, his brown eyes softening. Running a hand though his short, curly blond hair, he said, “Sure you don’t want to stay?”
“Sorry. I have other plans.”
He pretended to pout. “My heart is broken.”
“Sure it is.”
He put a hand to his heart. “I’m serious. I’d really like you to hang around.”
“I’m sure you would. Let me guess. You’re stuck taking care of the boys tonight and want someone your own age to talk to.”
He grimaced. “You got that right.”
Jennie’s smile widened. “I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Roasting marshmallows and—”
“Telling ghost stories?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Jeremiah!” Jennie turned serious. “About that. Nick’s pretty small. I’d appreciate it if you went easy on him. I’d hate to have to drive clear out here tonight to pick him up.”
His gaze met hers, and Jennie had the oddest feeling he wouldn’t mind a bit if she had to come back. He must have felt it, too, as his playful attitude quickly changed. “Sure. I was only teasing. I’ll make sure he doesn’t get scared.”
“Thanks.” She flashed him another smile and grabbed Nick’s sleeping bag out of the car.
“Here.” Jeremiah wedged himself in beside her. “Let me give you a hand.”
Fifteen minutes later, Jennie set off to rendezvous with her friends. She was excited about seeing Scott again. On the other hand, she felt uncomfortable not knowing how she really felt about him. Or about Ryan. If she ever had to choose between them, Jennie honestly didn’t know whom she’d pick. Not wanting to think about it, Jennie bumped up the volume on the radio. Being out in the country made the signal weaker. Before long she lost it altogether and tried another station.
“Police are still looking for the three men who held up the Lake Oswego Branch of the U.S. National Bank yesterday afternoon. Early this morning the Clark County Sheriff’s Department reported finding the stolen armored truck used in the robbery. They’re narrowing their search to the Vancouver area.”
“Good,” Jennie said aloud.
“Vancouver police have a make on a vehicle that may be the getaway car. A gray ’85 Chevy Cavalier. Rust spots on the rear end. Washington plates AXY 850. Anyone with information is asked to call their local law enforcement agency immediately. Suspects are considered armed and dangerous.”
A cold chill shuddered through her. She glanced into her rearview mirror. Relax, McGrady. There isn’t a car in sight. You couldn’t be safer. But Jennie wasn’t so sure. That foreboding feeling she’d had earlier returned. Her intuition was definitely warning her about something.
Jennie again told herself she had nothing to worry about. Vancouver was miles away. The bank robbery had taken place yesterday in Portland. The men would be long gone by now.
Maybe what her intuition was telling her had nothing to do with the bank robberies. Maybe her intuition was warning her about the hiking trip—telling her to go back home. That they might encounter some sort of danger along the trail.
Jennie shook her head. “No way am I going back now. I promised Lisa I’d meet them here, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.” If she still felt uncomfortable about the hike when they arrived, she’d talk to them about going somewhere else.
The farther she drove into the mountains, the more her anxiety heightened. Jennie scrutinized each car she saw. Several were older models, but none matched the description the DJ had given.
“You’re imagining things, McGrady,” she muttered to herself. “You’re spooked.”
She passed several logging trails that left the main highway. Each time she did, she imagined the trail leading to a hideout. She wondered what she’d do if she did spot the car. Follow it? No, that would be too risky. She’d use her newly acquired smart phone to call the sheriff. Jennie chided herself again for letting her imagination run away with her. There was no reason to think the robbers would be hiding out here.
By the time she reached the Lewis River Falls area, Jennie had put the bank robbers out of her mind. They were a world away in a city of asphalt and steel. She had entered a pristine forest—a God-shaped world with blue skies above and trees as old as time surrounding her.
Jennie drove into the wooded area and parked near the trail. There were no other cars. Disappointment filled her. Though she didn’t really expect them yet, she had hoped Lisa and the guys would be waiting. She glanced at her watch and groaned. Jennie was ten minutes early, and knowing Lisa, she’d be at least ten minutes late.
A trio of Steller’s jays scolded raucously from somewhere in the forest’s overstory. Jennie wondered what they were complaining about. Maybe they were upset with her for invading their quiet home.
Rolling down the window, she leaned back and drew in a long, deep breath of fresh mountain air. Closing her eyes, she cherished the cool breeze floating over her face. She listened to Celine Dion sing a beautiful love song. Instead of thinking about Ryan and Scott, Jennie thought of the numerous times she’d helped the police bring a criminal to justice. She had a few years to go, but soon she’d be out of high school, pursuing her law degree. Then she’d be in a position to go after criminals like—
The crunch of footsteps on gravel jerked Jennie out of her reverie. The hairs on the back of her neck stiffened and stood at attention like armed guards. She glanced around quickly but saw no one. Her heart raced as she reached for her lock and pressed it. She rolled up the window on her side, then reached across the seat to do the same on the passenger side.
A man appeared at the window and ripped the door out of her hand. “Too late for that.” A skinny, balding guy with graying hair slipped into the passenger seat. He offered her a sly grin.
Jennie grabbed for the lock beside her shoulder with her right hand and the door handle with her left.
She froze as she heard a distinctive click and spotted the gun in his hand.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Jennie eyed her bag. If she could somehow turn on her phone … The man must have read her mind. He grabbed her bag and pulled out her phone. She watched devastated as he threw her phone out the open window and into the ditch.
He closed the door and ordered her to start the car.
“W-what if I refuse?” Jennie said with much more bravado than she felt.
“Then I’ll have to shoot you.”
Jennie’s left hand still gripped the door handle. She’d managed to lift the lock. Maybe she could bolt out the door and run into the woods. Buy herself some time.
With her left hand secure on the handle, Jennie used her right to twist the key until the engine turned over. “Why don’t you let me go. Y-you can take my car.” Her voice was shakier now.
“And leave you behind to identify me? No way.”
Jennie put the car in gear and took her foot off the brake. The car began to roll back. Jennie pulled the handle.
“Stay put!” He raised his gun and fired.