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She rubbed her arms. “What’s our plan if the killers come looking for us?”
“We’ll grab the kids and then head out the back door off the kitchen. I’ll park your SUV on a small path that leads higher up the side of the mountain. With the long access road, we should have time to spot an approaching vehicle and get away.”
“But they’ll keep following us.”
“The access road dead ends here at the cabin. If they don’t know about the mountain path, they’ll think we left before they arrived.”
“At least that’s what you’re hoping.”
She had given voice to his own concerns. Nick glanced at his watch. They had a few hours before dawn. Hopefully they’d be secure here, at least for now.
They still needed to uncover information that could lead them to Zack, or give them leverage against the men trying to kill him. Knowledge was power, and they had to uncover the corruption that had placed him in danger and led to the taking of another man’s life.
Just so the violence ended there. Nick wouldn’t let anything happen to Lizzie and the children. He’d protect them with his last breath, if need be. If only they could be safe.
FIVE (#ulink_f44c523d-5c13-53f2-ad4a-d9b289ffea77)
Lizzie’s head was still reeling from seeing Zack’s picture on the news. Hoping to calm her racing pulse, she pulled back the blind and watched Nick maneuver the SUV out of the driveway and onto a path that rounded the cabin.
The night was pristine and still and devoid of anything that seemed threatening. Feeling a need to breathe in the freshness of the outdoors, she opened the front door and stepped onto the porch.
Her gaze took in the expansive mountain landscape dotted with evergreens, heavy with snow. Moonlight wove through the bare branches of the hardwoods and bathed the snow-covered walkway in light.
Something on the side of the path caught her eye. Relief swept over her, seeing the camel from Mary Grace’s Nativity set. The child doted on the various figures and had played with them constantly during the holiday season as if to draw closer to the mother she missed.
Lizzie hurried down the steps and ran to where the object lay. The plump camel must have fallen to the snow when Nick carried the sleeping child inside. Bending, she picked up the stuffed animal and clutched it to her heart, finding comfort in the tiny toy. Turning back to the house, she stared for a long moment at the A-frame, once again appreciating the simple lines of the mountain lodging and Nick’s expert craftsmanship.
A sharp wind cut through her clothing. Shivering in the night air, she hurried toward the porch.
A twig snapped behind her.
She stopped short and listened. All she heard was the rumble of the car engine on the far side of the house.
Snow crunched, signaling a footfall.
Run!
Liz stumbled forward, needing to get inside and lock the door. She had to protect the children.
Her heart pounded, and she gasped for air, hearing another footfall.
Cold winter air took her breath and clamped down on her lungs. Fear clogged her throat.
Someone was behind her, closing in.
Racing to the stairs, she struggled to maintain her footing. She slipped, righted herself and took the stairs two at a time.
A hand grabbed her shoulder.
Her heart burst.
“I’ve got you.” A voice, low and menacing.
Liz’s knees went weak.
Tears stung her eyes.
She had opened the door to danger and allowed the killer—or killers—access.
Liz screamed for the one man who could save her.
“Nick!”
* * *
Nick parked the SUV in the rear of the cabin, satisfied it was well hidden from sight, yet still close enough to the house for easy access. If need be, he and Lizzie could carry the children to the car and drive them away from danger before either the killers or the cops arrived.
Good police he’d welcome on the mountain, but Zack had warned about cops on the dole. If they approached the police directly, it would be too hard to determine who was good and who was bad. Better not to deal with any of them.
A voice screamed his name.
Nick’s heart crashed against his chest.
Lizzie.
Racing at breakneck speed, he rounded the house and stopped short when he saw the burly mountain man. Full beard. Fur cap pulled low over his head with woolly flaps that covered his ears and tied under his chin. His left hand clasped Lizzie’s upper arm. His right hand held a rifle.
“Burl?”
The old codger kept a tight hold on Lizzie’s arm but turned in surprise at the sound of Nick’s voice. Recognition spread over his weatherworn face.
“That you, Nick? I thought you were still fightin’ in Afghanistan.”
Nick stepped closer and pointed to Lizzie. Her eyes were wide with fright, her face pale and drawn. She stared at him like a wounded animal caught in a trap.
“You need to let the lady go.”
“Is she causing you any harm, Nick?”
Only to his heart, but that wasn’t what the old guy meant. “She’s a guest, Burl. I invited her here.”
The mountain man dropped his hand and took a step back as if flustered by his evident mistake. “Sure am sorry I caused you any concern, ma’am. Nick trusts me to look after his property when he’s gone. Fact is, I’ve been laid up with the influenza for a few weeks and couldn’t make my rounds. Now that I’m better, I wanted to check the house. Thought you might be breaking in.” Burl sniffed. “Can’t be too careful.”
Liz stared back at him. “And I...I thought you were—”
Nick climbed the steps and put his hand on her arm, hoping to reassure her. “You’re safe, Lizzie. Burl didn’t mean any harm.”
“That’s right, ma’am. I was just making sure the cabin was okay.”
Nick glanced at the road that led up from the valley below. “Let’s go inside. We need to talk, Burl.”
“I hope you’re not too upset, ma’am.”
“Just startled.” She let out a ragged breath. “The night seemed peaceful. I never thought—”
“It’s okay, Lizzie.” Nick pushed the open door wide. “How about a cup of coffee, Burl?”
“That’d be mighty nice.”
Nick ushered Liz into the cabin. She rubbed her arms, no doubt appreciating the warmth that greeted her.
Burl left his rifle at the door and followed them inside.
“I’ll get the coffee while you two talk,” she volunteered.
“Thanks.” Nick pointed to the table where the old man lowered himself into a chair, sniffed and peered down at the computer. “You’re working late.”
“Just checking some information.”
“I’m sorry about spooking your lady friend. I didn’t know you were back.” He whistled. “Course, it’s almost Christmas. ’Spect that’s the reason.”
“Sorry you had the flu.”
“Don’t worry, Nick. I’m still strong as an ox,” Burl said with a definitive nod. He then proceeded to talk about his illness until Liz brought them all mugs of coffee.
“I’ve got a favor to ask,” Nick said when Burl took a sip of the hot brew.
“What can I do for you, neighbor?”
“A few guys from town have been giving me a hard time. They’re a mean bunch, and I don’t want them hurting my...” Glancing at Liz, he smiled. “My lady friend. Wouldn’t be appropriate to have them show up when she’s visiting.”
Burl nodded. “I hear what you’re sayin’.”
“They’re driving a beige utility van. Might be as many as four of them. Watch yourself, Burl. They’re packing and they’re mean.”
Burl’s gaze narrowed as if he was seeing the killers in his mind’s eye.
“You still have minutes on that mobile phone you bought at the Mega Mart?” Nick asked.
Burl patted his chest pocket. “Don’t use it much, but it’s good to have. ’Specially if I get into a pinch.”
“I could use your eyes for the next couple days, Burl. If you see anyone coming up the mountain, anyone at all, but especially someone in that van I described, give me a call. I’m using that throwaway phone I told you about.”
“So they can’t track you?”
Nick nodded. “Exactly.”
“I won’t let anyone pass until I get the go-ahead from you, Nick.”
“No need to let them see you. They’re bad dudes. You’ve got both my cell number and the number for the burner phone programmed in your device?”
The old guy nodded. “Sure do.”
“Let me know if I’ve got company coming. Even if it’s not the van.”
“You can count on me, Nick.”
Burl slurped down the rest of his coffee in one long swig. After placing the mug on the table, he rubbed his hand over his mouth, scratched his chin and then pushed back his chair.
“Mighty fine coffee,” he said to Lizzie. His gaze shifted to Nick. “Good seeing you, Nick. I’ll be in touch.”
“One more thing.” Nick pulled up the file containing the list of names, and motioned Burl closer to the laptop. “Do you know any of these folks?”
The mountain man peered at the monitor. His lips moved as he silently read each name. “I know Everett Meeks, Sam Bellows and Hugh Garrett.”
“Are they from Lassiter?”
“Those three are. Can’t say about the others.”
Nick pointed to the people Lizzie had recognized. “Do these names mean anything to you?”
Burl shook his head. “’Fraid not.”
“I’m trying to find a common link between these folks, Burl. Anything come to mind? Do their children go to the same schools? Maybe they attend the same church or work for the same business?”
Burl rubbed his chin. “Don’t know about their religious views or their kids.”
“Does anything else come to mind?”
“Doyle Manufacturing.”
“They work for Colin Doyle?”
“That’s right.”
“Any idea what type of jobs they have?”
“No clue.” Burl hesitated for a long moment. “Does the list have something to do with the men in that van you’re worried about?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Sorry I couldn’t be more help.” He patted his pocket containing the cell. “I’ll call you if I see anything.”
“Keep this between us, Burl. If someone asks, tell them you haven’t seen me.”
The man glanced at Lizzie. “I haven’t seen her, either.”
Nick nodded. He escorted Burl to the door and watched as he grabbed his rifle and disappeared into the night. Nick needed his help, but he didn’t want any harm to come to his old friend. Burl was a good man with a big heart, and Nick wouldn’t have mentioned the danger except he needed someone to watch his back. Burl would do that. He’d guard the mountain road with his life.
