Nowhere to Turn (12 page)

“Maybe.” Adam said.

David let the video play, and Hastings answered his cell phone, leaned over and grabbed keys from the table, then left. Not more than ten seconds later, one of the men pulled out his gun and aimed it at Eisenberg.

Adam reached over to pause the video again. “Who’s the guy holding the gun on Mr. Eisenberg?”

“He’s another FBI agent, Ryan Blanchard.” She paused and shook her head. “His wife brought me a chicken casserole after Kurt was killed.”

“And the guy by the door?” Adam asked.

Dani shook her head. “I never saw him.”

“And we can’t either,” David said.

Adam zoomed in. “His face is in the shadows. Can anyone make out anything about him?”

“Looks tall. See where he hits the doorframe?”

“Hair color?”

“No. The video’s not exactly topnotch. Who was taking it anyway?”

Dani shrugged. “I don’t know. I never saw anyone filming. I was at the door. I peered in and saw Ryan holding the gun. They were arguing and then Ryan shot him. I must have made some sound. Kurt was right next to the door. He turned and saw me. None of the others noticed.”

“Was Stuart there?”

“No, I don’t think so. Unless he’s by the door. They’re about the same build.”

Adam narrowed his eyes. “So, we’ve got the guy who was murdered, the guy who murdered him, Kurt to the right watching what’s going on, the guy by the door on the left.”

“And whoever was filming,” Dani whispered. “I didn’t even think about him until just now.”

Adam blew out a breath. “I want to get this video to the FBI ASAP.”

“But which FBI agents can we trust?” Dani asked.

“Good question,” David murmured. He tapped the table. “So, do we get a restraining order against Stuart?”

“You think it would help?” Summer asked.

“It can make things a little difficult for him if he approaches Dani or Simon again,” David said.

“We could try it.” Adam shrugged. “See what happens. I’m hoping we can just help them disappear and start living their lives.”

“Yeah.”

Blake came into the room, his tension visible.

Adam immediately felt his guard come up. “What is it?”

“We’re being watched.”

Adam stood. “How did you figure that out?”

“I’ve been scoping around the house. We’ve got trees straight out behind us, houses to the left and the right. I saw a flash of something. Like the sun off glass.”

Binoculars? “Where’s the watcher?”

Blake frowned. “The flash came from the trees to the side, but now, I think he’s moved directly behind the house.”

“We need to know for sure,” David said. “Any suspicious activity around the neighbors’?”

“Not that I can tell.” He paced to one end of the room and back. “I think we need to go on the offensive.”

“Absolutely.” Adam ran a hand down his face. “We need to get a closer look.”

“How close?” Blake lifted a brow.

Adam narrowed his eyes. “Real close.”

Dani crossed her arms and sucked in a breath. “What do we do?”

“Get Simon and be prepared to run. I’m not saying we’ll have to, but be ready.”

Without another word, she headed down the hall to find Simon munching on a protein bar and engrossed in his video game. She tapped his shoulder and waited for him to pause the game. When he looked up and caught the expression on her face, his own features tightened. “What?”

“They think someone is watching us.” She signed and spoke at the same time.

“Who? Stuart?”

“They’re not sure, but we need to be ready to leave if they tell us to.”

His lips tightened and anger glinted in his blue eyes. “Why can’t they just put Stuart in jail and leave us alone?”

Dani’s throat tightened. This was so hard on him. She’d give her right arm to make him feel safe and secure. “Because I’m afraid it’s not that easy.” Dani would keep Simon in the loop about some things, but there was no way she was going to tell him his father
had possibly arranged to have her killed in the event of his own death. Simon just didn’t need to know that.

Her tension level threatened to take the top of her head off, and she drew in a deep breath even as she offered up a prayer for everyone’s safety.

Adam appeared in the doorway. “Stay down and stay low. Away from the windows. They’re wired and bulletproof, but they’re not impenetrable.”

Dani nodded. “Fine.” She knew about weapons and bullets that pierced body armor. She figured there was ammunition that went through supposedly bulletproof glass too.

Adam left and she signed the instructions to Simon, who set his jaw and squared his shoulders. “I thought we would be safe here.”

“Come on, Simon. I’m sorry about all this, but if we’re not safe, we’re not safe.”

Defiance glittered in his eyes and for a second he looked so much like Kurt, she gasped. He frowned and the look faded. “What is it?”

“Please, Simon, let’s listen to these people. They’re risking their lives for us and we need to do whatever they want us to do to help. One woman’s already died trying to help us, I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

His shoulders dropped. “Fine.”

She blew out a relieved breath. “Good.”

Adam pressed the piece a little tighter against his eardrum. “You copy me?”

“Loud and clear,” Blake said.

“David?”

“Copy. Mama bear and cub are hibernating.”

Good. They were all ready. Someone was watching. Adam wanted to know who it was. David would stay behind while Adam
and Blake worked the perimeter doing their best to stay out of sight.

And avoid getting shot.

Reinforcements were on the way. Tabitha Young and Isaac Hart, more Operation Refuge associates. “How far away are Tabitha and Isaac?”

“Six minutes out,” David reported.

Sit tight and wait? Or go ahead and move and hope for the element of surprise? He looked back at Blake. “Where did you see the flash of light?”

“Up on that hill. From the shelter of the trees.”

“Then we need a plan to come in behind them.”

“That’s what I was thinking.” Blake checked his Glock and slid two extra clips into the pocket of his jacket. Adam did the same. They’d gone over the emergency evacuation plan upon arrival at the safe house, but he wanted whoever was watching in custody.

His lips tightened. If it was Stuart . . .

Single file, they slipped out the front door. Adam pointed. “Go down four houses and cut through to the back. We’ll work our way back toward the center behind the house.”

“Got it.”

“Stay in touch. If you can’t talk, tap your mic.”

Blake nodded and started down the street at a trot. Adam went the other way. Midmorning on a Tuesday and most everyone was at work. A few stay-at-home mothers and maybe a few of the unemployed might be around, but no one was on the street as of right now. He kept his weapon hidden as he darted between cars, doing his best to keep from looking suspicious. No telling who had her nose to the window.

“Coming up the side of the fourth house,” Adam said. “There’s a fence I’m going to have to get around.”

“Same here. Going up to the next house. There’s no fence.”

“There’re fences all the way down to the end of the block, I’m going to have to go over.”

Adam scanned the house. No cars in the drive. He went up to the front door and rang the bell. No sense in having someone see him in the backyard and call the cops. A dog yapped in triple time but no footsteps sounded. He rang again.

Nothing.

Adam stepped off the porch and walked to the side of the house once again and slipped through the gate into the backyard. Scanned the back of the tall wooden fence. He could easily haul himself over, but wanted to see what was waiting for him on the other side before he made an appearance. Sturdy patio furniture graced the large concrete area. He grabbed the small glass-topped end table and carried it to the back of the fence.

A quick scan said he was clear.

Within seconds he was over.

Carefully, he made his way toward the back of the safe house. He spoke into his mic. “See anything?”

“Nope. Getting close though.”

Adam let his eyes roam the area. Nothing behind him. Nothing alarming in front of him. “I’m closing in too.”

He dodged trees and limbs, his steps crunching on the frozen ground and underbrush. He stopped. “I’m making too much noise.”

“Having the same problem.” Blake spoke in almost a whisper.

“Hold still, I’m going to take a look.” Adam whipped out his Steiner binoculars and focused in on the safe house. All looked quiet. He moved the view to the area Blake said the person was watching from.

“I don’t see anyone.”

“I’m going to move in a little closer.”

David’s voice came through the earpiece. “Tabitha and Isaac are ready to move when you need them.”

“Good.”

Adam kept the binoculars to his eyes. Blake stepped into sight, hunkered low, caution in every line of his form. “I see you.”

Blake kept moving and Adam kept scanning, searching for any hint of danger. The vest Blake wore wouldn’t protect him from a head shot. Adam moved closer, ready to shoot anything that threatened.

Blake reached the area, and after several seconds of scanning, he stood and pointed. “Footprints, crushed leaves. This whole area’s disturbed. He’s gone, but he was here.”

Dani stepped into the hallway. David stood by the door. Simon had his bag ready, as did Dani. “Anything?”

David shook his head. “They’re at the site, but didn’t find anyone there.”

“You think Blake was wrong?”

“I don’t know. They’re checking it out now. Something just . . .”

“. . . doesn’t feel right?” she finished it for him.

He lifted a brow. “Yeah.”

The doorbell rang and Dani froze. David sucked in a breath and said, “Stay here.” He bolted down the hall toward the door.

Simon clutched her hand. “What happened?”

“Someone’s at the door.”

“Who?”

Fear settled cold and heavy in her belly. “I don’t know.” She looked at her son, so lost and confused, his world turned upside down. “Stay here.”

She followed in David’s footsteps, slow and steady. Kurt’s weapon rested between the small of her back and her waistband. She pulled it out.

“Who is it?” David’s voice carried to her.

She paused at the end of the hallway. Two more steps and she could see the front door.

“It’s Stuart Harding, I’m here for Dani and Simon.”

Her knees went weak. Nausea threatened. How had he found them? “Don’t open the door,” she gasped.

David shot her a frown. “Get in the back. I’m going to see what this joker wants.”

“He’ll shoot first and ask questions later,” she hissed. “Please! Don’t.” She gulped. “Just don’t.”

David’s frown turned to compassion. “I can handle this, Dani. Just go back and stay out of sight with Simon.”

“What if he’s not alone?”

“I’ve already thought of that. Tabitha and Isaac are on the way over.” He pressed a finger against his ear. “We’ve got company.”

“Open up! Dani! I know you’re in there.”

“How far away are Blake and Adam?” she asked.

“Almost here.”

Adam rushed to the fence and opened the gate that had been installed when the house was chosen to hide away victims. He could feel Blake on his heels. “You take the left, I’ll go right.”

Blake veered off and Adam did the same. They exited the gates on either side of the house. Adam held his weapon ready. He rounded the house. “What do you want, Harding?”

Stuart jerked and spun, dropping to one knee, his right hand reaching under his jacket.

“Don’t do it!” Blake hollered.

Stuart hesitated and Adam prayed he’d listen. They didn’t need the headache of an investigation right now. Then again, with Stuart dead, Dani would breathe easier. But Stuart held his hands above
his head. Blake moved in to remove his weapon. Tabitha and Isaac closed in from across the street.

Hostility glittered in Stuart’s eyes as his gaze bounced from person to person, finally landing on Adam. “You have no right to keep my family from me.”

Blake stepped back, Stuart’s weapon held firmly in his left hand. With his right, he kept his gun on the man.

Adam said, “They’re not your family. Not anymore.”

“Of course they are,” Stuart scoffed. “Dani!”

The door flung open and Dani stood there, eyes blazing. “Go away! Leave us alone!”

Stuart flinched. “What are you saying?” He blinked and stared. “What have you done to yourself?”

She stomped her foot. “I’m saying I don’t want anything to do with you or your crazy family. I’m sorry, but I can’t deal with you too. Kurt nearly killed me and Simon. And you’re just like him. Now leave us alone.” She stepped back.

Before she could close the door, Simon hurled himself through the opening and slammed into his uncle. Stuart went down with a grunt. Simon fell too, but quickly rebounded. Back on his feet, he pointed a finger at a stunned Stuart. In his slightly nasal fashion he spit his words like bullets. “You stay away from us. You leave my mom alone or I’ll kill you myself.” He spun on his heel and went to Dani. Taking her hand, he pulled her inside.

A sharp crack.

Splintering wood.

Dani pulled Simon to the floor.