Читать книгу Reunion On The Run - Amity Steffen - Страница 14

Claire read the description of the campground to Alex as he drove. Using his phone, she’d scanned several of them before finding one she thought might be a good fit.

“That one should work,” he said as he flicked another glance into the rearview mirror.

Though they’d been driving without incident for half an hour now, she appreciated his vigilance.

“I think so, too,” she agreed. “They accept dogs and it’s less than an hour away, near the Tillamook State Forest.” She read off the directions before sliding his smartphone into the Jeep’s cup holder.

For weeks she had been fervently praying, asking God to help her. She had not anticipated help to arrive in the form of her ex-fiancé. Claire hadn’t seen Alex in years. He’d left her at the worst possible time. He’d had no way of knowing she was pregnant with Mia. She hadn’t figured it out herself until after he’d disappeared. She had no idea how he was going to react to finding out he had a daughter.

Having him barge back into her life was surreal. She kept sneaking glances, assuring herself it was really him.

Alex had spent years serving as an Army Ranger. After a mission gone horribly wrong, he had changed. During his last deployment, a suicide bomber had blown up a school in an area he was supposed to be protecting. Men, women and far too many children had died. Though Claire had no doubt Alex had done everything by the book, he still blamed himself.

When he was discharged, he’d taken a job with an elite security company. It seemed to Claire he’d always put himself in harm’s way. It was more than being an adrenaline junkie. It was as though he’d thought he could make up for the past if he pushed himself hard enough.

The problem was, no matter what he did, no matter how many lives he saved, it was never enough. He could never get over the lives that had been lost.

He’d fallen into a pit of self-loathing and despair. No matter how Claire had tried, she hadn’t been able to help him. She hadn’t been able to save Alex from himself, nor had she been able to save their relationship. Claiming she was better off without him, he’d walked away from her, from the plans they’d made, and he’d never looked back. Years ago she’d come to terms with the realization that she might never see him again. That’s why his unexpected appearance was so hard to grasp.

Now that they had a plan of action for the night, she was ready to get some answers.

“How does Beth play into this?” she demanded. How had her sister been able to find him when Claire had spent months searching for Alex? Granted, that was years ago. At the time she’d exhausted every resource she had. Alex had been nowhere to be found. Emotionally drained and heartbroken, she’d given up the search and hadn’t picked it up again. “I can’t believe she was able to find you.”

“She didn’t find me. I contacted her.”

After a moment of stunned silence she asked, “Why would you do that?”

“I came in on an international flight this morning. As I was walking through the airport I saw your face on a television screen.” He cast a glance her way. “I stopped to listen to the news report. There aren’t a lot of things that shock me these days, but that report was definitely one of them. I went home, did some quick research and realized you were in way over your head.”

She couldn’t argue. She needed help. If Alex was offering, it would be stupid and prideful to refuse. As much as seeing him had thrown her, she knew that if anyone could help her, it would be him.

“There’s a warrant out for your arrest, you’re on the run and the media is pushing the idea you crossed the border into Canada,” he said, his tone matter of fact.

She turned to study his profile, barely illuminated by the dashboard lights. Earlier, when demanding the key, he’d said Claire was framed. “I didn’t kill Jared.”

“I know you didn’t.” His voice was calm and steady.

She knew that. She had been surprised to hear him say it.

“How do you know?” she demanded.

Alex held her gaze in his for a few silent heartbeats before returning his attention to the road. “We were together for a few years, Claire. Like it or not, I know you better than just about anyone. You couldn’t have killed your husband, or anyone else for that matter. You don’t have it in you. I saw you whip the gun into the trees at the shack. You’d rather risk your life than use it to defend yourself.” He gave her another pointed look.

She turned from him, unable to bear the intensity of his stare. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against the seat. Alex believed her. Beth believed her. Her sister hadn’t hesitated in taking Mia, so Claire could work at proving her innocence. Maybe the rest of the world was against her, but knowing she had two people on her side gave her strength.

“I called Beth to ask if there was anything I could do to help,” he continued. “She told me that you were framed. She said you were on the run, trying to gather evidence against the real murderer. She was on a roll and kept talking.”

Claire wasn’t surprised. Beth had probably known she’d had to take advantage of Alex’s attention while she’d had it. Otherwise he might drop off the face of the world again, disappearing for another three years or more.

“She said you were hiding from a powerful man.” His tone hardened. “She insisted your life was in danger. Then she told me about the shack, location and all. Beth said she wasn’t positive that’s where you’d gone, but she suspected.”

“I didn’t tell her,” Claire said, “because I knew there was a warrant out for my arrest. I didn’t want her involved any more than she had to be. I was sure the police would question her. I didn’t want her to lie. Suspecting and knowing are very different things.”

The hunting shack had belonged to their grandfather. He’d sold it over a decade ago to the couple who owned the adjoining land. They’d wanted to increase their acreage but had no interest in the shack. The building was rundown, and hadn’t been used in years. When Claire had first arrived, it had been a mess. She’d cleaned it as best she could and turned it into a place of refuge.

“When we were kids, we used to say that if we ever ran away from home, that’s where we’d go. I couldn’t flat-out tell her that’s where I was headed, but I was fairly certain she would figure it out.”

“I get it.” Alex tapped his fingers against the steering wheel.

“I thought it was an incredibly strange coincidence that Xavier’s men found me the same time you did.” She paused, cringing. “It wasn’t a coincidence at all, was it?”

“Beth told me this guy was desperate to track you down and would probably go to any means necessary. If that’s the case, and he seems to have plenty of resources at his disposal, I started to wonder if the phone line had been tapped,” he admitted. “As soon as we hung up, I hit the road. I’d already learned what I could about the murder. Beth was adamant you’d been framed. She said she was sure these men were after you. Obviously she was right.”

She frowned as she turned to face him again. “How did you get there so quickly?”

He hesitated, and she instinctively knew he didn’t want to answer her question.

“I live right outside of Portland.”

“Portland.” Her voice was flat. For years she’d feared he was dead. “You still live in the area.”

He stared straight ahead. “I have an apartment. I’m not there much. My work takes me all over the country. Sometimes out of the country.”

She was quiet a moment, wrapping her head around that. She wasn’t sure what “work” he was referring to these days, but she had to assume it was something dangerous. She also assumed he wouldn’t answer if she asked, so she saved herself the trouble and kept her mouth shut. Even when they were engaged, much of Alex’s professional life had been on a need-to-know basis. He’d more often than not decide she did not need to know.

He’d been in the business of saving people and, often times, discretion was key.

Claire shook her head. “I get it now. The reason you came after me today.”

Alex gave her a wary look.

“You always have to save the world, be the hero. This,” she said sadly as she tossed her hands in the air, “is what it takes. My life has to be in danger in order for me to finally have your attention.”

“Claire,” he said wearily, “it’s not like that.”

“Isn’t it?” She was hit with a crushing wave of sadness. She had always admired Alex’s selflessness. But at some point he’d taken it too far. His sole purpose in life had become trying to save strangers while distancing himself from those who were closest to him.

He didn’t respond, and she didn’t press the matter.

They rode in silence for a while, putting distance between them and Xavier’s men.

“For what it’s worth,” he eventually said, “I’m sorry about your husband.”

“I’m the first to admit it was not a happy marriage.” She struggled to keep her voice steady. She had realized too late what a volatile temper Jared had had, how controlling he would be, how demeaning. “I’m relieved to be free of him, but I certainly didn’t want him dead.”

It pained her to admit it, but it was the truth. It was not something she wanted to talk to Alex about. She wasn’t willing to divulge the details to him. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“That’s not how the media is spinning it.” His words were a fact, not an accusation. “They’re claiming your rocky marriage gave you the perfect motive for murder.”

“I’m sure I can thank Xavier Ambrose for that.”

“Jared’s business partner.”

“You did do your research.”

“As much as I had time for.” He cleared his throat and Claire braced herself. There was so much history between them. There were so many hurts, so many things left unsaid. If Alex had looked into her life at all, he had to know about Mia. “Beth mentioned you left your daughter with her.”

She was sure she didn’t imagine the way his voice hitched ever so slightly on “daughter.” With clenched fists, she waited for a barrage of questions. Silence hung heavy and cloying in the cab of the Jeep for several long, drawn-out heartbeats.

Minimal research would easily have uncovered that Mia was almost one by the time Claire and Jared had met. She was two by the time they’d married. She realized Alex wasn’t ready to discuss Mia yet. Neither was she.

“I should let you know I sent a friend of mine to Beth’s house. Gretchen looks harmless, but the woman is lethal.”

“‘Friend’?” Claire echoed. How close of a friend? Was Alex in a relationship? Had he found someone else to love after he’d told her his work had to come first? The thought sent a stab of pain through her heart. It wasn’t jealousy she felt, she assured herself, but rather the old hurt. The realization that she wasn’t enough for him.

Had Gretchen gotten through to him in a way she hadn’t been able to?

“Colleague.” He shot a look her way. “She’s a colleague, and I trust her to keep them safe.”

“Right.” Claire fidgeted with the hem of her cardigan as worry began to niggle at her. “Beth lives in a gated community and her house has a top-notch security system. Do you think they could be in danger?”

Leaving her daughter behind had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. She’d only been able to go through with it because she’d been so sure that Mia would be completely safe with Beth. Far safer than if Claire had taken Mia on the run with her.

“Gretchen will check over Beth’s security system, make sure it’s up to par. I asked her to stay with Beth and her husband until this is over. I don’t think your sister will fight her on it. She sounded frazzled when we spoke.”

“I thought Mia would be safe with Beth,” Claire admitted. “Wouldn’t it be foolish of Xavier to go after her? It would draw unwanted attention to him, to the situation. He’s framed me, wants me to look guilty. If something happened to Mia, it would be too suspicious. Do you think I was wrong? You never answered my question. Do you think they could be in danger?”

“You’re probably right and Mia is probably safest with Beth,” he agreed. “If he were to go after Mia, if she were harmed in any way, it would bring the investigation to a whole new level. Given how reporters are covering this story, something like that would cause a media explosion. But I’ve seen desperate people go to desperate measures. I prefer to err on the side of caution.”

Claire’s stomach clenched at the thought of anything happening to her daughter.

“Thank you. I appreciate the extra protection for my family. I’m sure Beth will, too,” she said. Her sister was married to a cardiologist. Though Steven was brilliant, he was in the business of saving lives via complicated surgeries. Not protecting them by fending off gunmen.

She missed Mia so much her heart ached with it. Prior to this ordeal, she’d never spent a night away from her. Beth had always been actively involved in Mia’s life. Claire knew Mia would be comfortable with Auntie Beth. Yet the child had to be confused. Claire didn’t want her daughter to feel abandoned. She knew all too well how much it hurt to be left behind.

“Claire?”

Her head snapped up.

He motioned to a sign up ahead. “We’re here.”

* * *

Tourist season was over for the year. The small campground was nearly deserted. It was the perfect, indiscriminate place to stay. A Place in the Pines offered small, one-bedroom cabins in addition to its nearly empty campsites. The setting was rundown—or rustic—depending upon your perspective.

Alex scanned the parking lot as he returned to the Jeep. He was confident they hadn’t been followed. He’d driven the back roads long enough to be sure they hadn’t had a tail. Claire had not seemed happy with the prospect of spending time with him. Yet she hadn’t argued, confirming just how afraid, how desperate, she was.

After what he’d put her through years ago, he owed her and he was going to take care of her now, the way he should’ve done back then.

His mind was still reeling, trying to come to terms with what he’d inadvertently uncovered earlier in the day. He had a child. Though the online article he’d read hadn’t mentioned him by name, he was sure of it. It stated that Claire had a three-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. It didn’t take a mathematician to figure that one out. The fact was driven home when the article stated that the girl’s father had been absent from her life.

At the time, he thought he had good reason for leaving. Now he wasn’t so sure.

Regret stabbed at him when he remembered how difficult he’d been. How withdrawn. He’d been plagued by nightmares, riddled with guilt over what had happened overseas. How could he ever make Claire understand that pushing himself, going to the extreme, had been the only way to quiet those feelings? It had worked, but only for a while. The guilt always came back with a vengeance. It wasn’t until after he’d found a connection with God a couple years ago that he’d been able to find peace within himself. It had taken being jumped in a dark, grungy alley and nearly losing his life to get to that place.

Now he did his job for the right reason. He was no longer running from the past but living for every moment when he could reconnect a person with their loved ones. Sure, his job was still dangerous, but he was good at it. He was cautious now in a way he hadn’t been back then.

He’d returned from breaking up a human trafficking ring just this morning. Now he wished he’d returned weeks ago. He could’ve been helping Claire all along. Helping her with what, exactly, he wasn’t sure yet. He was going to find out. She’d mentioned Xavier Ambrose a few times now.

While reading about the murder of Jared Mitchell, Xavier’s name had come up several times. They were business partners who owned a successful hotel chain.

The media suggested a volatile marriage between Claire and Jared. His gut instinct kicked in. Claire and volatile were not words that belonged in the same sentence. If their marriage was truly volatile, he had no doubt Jared was to blame.

Alex felt a surge of anger. His mind took off with scenarios he didn’t want to think of. If Jared had hurt her...

He pushed out a breath. If Jared had hurt her, he would face judgment with the Lord for that. There was nothing Alex could do. Especially not now that Jared was dead.

He reached the Jeep and hopped inside.

“Do we have a place to stay?”

“We do.” He held up the key. Claire’s face was plastered on newspapers, the television, the internet. They both knew she had to stay out of sight as much as possible. “It’s the one on the end.”

He drove the short distance to the last cabin in a row of five. All were painted the same deep brown with green shutters. Only one cabin in the middle had a car parked in front of it.

“Tomorrow morning we’ll have to run into town,” he said. “I’ll need a couple changes of clothes. I had a duffel bag in the vehicle I left behind, but we’re obviously not going back there.” He tapped the backpack she clutched on her lap. “Do you have enough to get by?”

“I should.”

“Let’s get you into the cabin.” He got out, pulling the seat forward. Roscoe dropped to the ground with a grunt. His stubby tail wagged as he scoped out their new surroundings.

Claire clutched her backpack as she followed.

Alex quickly opened the door, flipped on the light and ushered Claire in.

The cabin was sparsely decorated but appeared to be clean. When he went into town for clothes, he’d have to grab some groceries, as well. There was no telling how long they would be there.

“It’s not exactly paradise,” he said to Claire, “but it’ll have to do.”

She gave him a cool look. “Compared to where I’ve been staying, it is paradise. At least it has running water.”

“How did you get by in that shack?” Alex asked.

“I took the Jeep into town a few times a week. There’s a truck stop that has showers. I had a propane cookstove, water jugs, a cooler. I made it work.” She moved into the cabin, placing her backpack on the table.

“You went into town and no one recognized you?”

“I was careful.”

“How careful?” It seemed like an awfully big risk to take. She had told him a bit about the Jeep. He already knew she’d purchased the Jeep it in cash from an old farmer. She hadn’t changed the title card on it and the thing didn’t have insurance.

They should ditch it as soon as they had the chance. Not only was it illegal to drive, but Xavier’s men had seen it. They’d be on the lookout for it.

“I wore a disguise every time I went to town.” She frowned. “I had no choice. I needed an internet connection. I used the connection at the local library. They had chairs scattered all over the upper level. I could charge my laptop and research at the same time. No one paid any attention to me.”

“Care to tell me what you were researching?”

“I can do better than that. I’ll show you.”

She tugged the backpack’s zipper down. Reaching in, she pulled out a black binder. “Xavier Ambrose killed Jared. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough evidence to prove it.”

She handed the binder to him.

“Tell me what you need from me.”

A sharp laugh cut through the cabin. “What I need from you?”

He realized that could be a loaded question. Or maybe not. She was looking at him as though the only thing she needed was for him to go away.

“You need help,” he said firmly. “That’s obvious.” He offered up a small smile. “Though I have to admit, seeing you take down two men with nothing but pepper spray was a pretty amazing sight. You must’ve used the good stuff. Police grade.”

He knew the stickier spray wouldn’t blow back in the sprayer’s face. The heat of the red pepper spray would be debilitating. Because it was a gel, it was harder to clean off. She had made a good choice.

“I didn’t take them down with just pepper spray,” Claire corrected, “I took them down with Roscoe’s help. Without him startling them the way he did, I think the outcome would’ve been very different.”

He couldn’t argue with that.

“Read through that information and tell me what you think,” Claire requested. “That’s all I need from you right now.”

He clenched the binder in his hand.

Roscoe whined as he leaned against Claire’s leg.

Alex knew he was being ridiculous, but he felt as if Roscoe was holding a grudge. Though Claire was too panicked to realize it was Alex coming out of the woods at the shack, he was pretty sure Roscoe had known. The dog had stuck by Claire’s side, not acknowledging Alex until he’d commanded the dog’s attention. Even now, Roscoe was making it clear who his real owner was.

Alex couldn’t blame him. He’d abandoned the dog, as well. It didn’t seem to matter that Alex had spent countless hours working with Roscoe, turning him into the disciplined animal he was today. They’d spent many afternoons going for jogs or playing fetch. But in the end, the dog had become Claire’s, and Claire’s alone.

“I should take him out,” she said.

“I’ll do it. I’m not having you walk around out there in the dark.”

“You said there was no chance we were followed.”

“I stand by that.”

“Then what do you care if I’m outside, alone in the dark?” She wrapped her arms around her slender waist.

He heard the challenge in her words and sighed.

“Look, Claire, I don’t want to fight with you. I think we’ve done enough of that to last a lifetime.” He raked his free hand through his hair. He wanted to ask her about Mia, but one look at Claire, so on edge, warned him it wasn’t a good time. He couldn’t imagine the conversation going well right now. So, he’d wait. Instead he asked, “Can we call a truce? Can we concentrate on the current problem instead of getting bogged down by the problems of the past?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.” Her shoulders drooped, and she seemed to deflate in front of him. “I’m not myself these days. I’m exhausted. I’m terrified I’m going to spend the rest of my life in prison, paying for a crime I didn’t commit.”

“That’s not going to happen. I won’t let it.” It was a promise he intended to keep. “You’re not on your own anymore. I’m going to help you figure this out.”

And if he didn’t? If they couldn’t find the proof she needed? He had a backup plan. He’d get her and their daughter out of the country. He had the resources to do it. He wouldn’t allow her to be sent to prison when he knew she was innocent. And then...well, he couldn’t let himself think too far ahead. His mind was still reeling from what he’d discovered earlier in the day. He and Claire needed to have a serious talk about the little girl staying with Beth.

Soon.

Just not quite yet because, despite how anxious he was for answers, Claire looked as if she were about ready to collapse from exhaustion.

“Thank you.” Her words were a breathy whisper. “I don’t think I’ve said that yet.”

“You don’t need to thank me.”

“I do. Even though you’re standing right here, I’m having a hard time grasping the fact that you came after me.” Her lower lip trembled as he watched her fight for composure. “I was so sure I’d never see you again.”

Did she really think so little of him that it surprised her that he was there to help? She probably did. Worse yet, he probably deserved it. When he’d walked out on her, he had been in a bad place emotionally. He’d thought he was doing the right thing. He’d been sure cutting her free was the kindest thing to do. She’d deserved better than to be tied to a man who was so miserable to be around.

Maybe he’d been wrong.

He didn’t know.

“I’ll never be able to tell you how sorry I am about the way I ended things,” he admitted.

She studied his face for a moment, looked as if she wanted to say something and then forced a weak smile. “You were right. My current problem is big enough. It would be silly to drag up problems from the past.”

Roscoe released a loud, theatrical whine. He didn’t appreciate being kept waiting. Alex reached for the doorknob, ready to let the dog out, but twisted back around when Claire spoke again.

“I’m just happy to know you’re alive and well,” Claire said. “I prayed for you. Every night. I prayed for your safety and for healing.” She dropped her gaze, unable to look him in the eye. “I pray for you still.”

“I didn’t know you were the praying type,” he said, feeling somewhat surprised. Maybe he didn’t know Claire as well as he thought he did.

“Things change.” She lifted her chin. “After you left, Beth convinced me to start attending church with her. A lot of years had passed since I’d stepped foot inside a chapel. Once I did—” she gave a small shrug “—it made me question why I ever let myself drift away from the church in the first place. I started reading my Bible again and I began to pray. I prayed a lot.”

“God heard you,” he said gently. “He heard you loud and clear. It took some time for me to listen to Him, but He finally helped me get my head straightened out.”

Claire looked at him quizzically. “You’re a Christian now?”

“Yes,” he said firmly. “Maybe sometime I’ll tell you how that came about. But it’s a story better saved for another time.”

She looked like she wanted to push the matter, but a yawn cut off her words.

It was for the best. Maybe sometime he’d tell her about the stabbing that had taken place in the alley. Maybe he’d tell her how it had changed his life. But he didn’t want to get into that tonight. It was clear she had enough weighing on her and he didn’t want to add to that.

“Get some sleep,” Alex suggested as he motioned toward the bedroom. “I’ll take the couch. You’ll be safe here.”

She shook her head. “You can think what you like, but until this is over, I won’t be safe anywhere.”

“Claire—” his tone was firm “—I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

She leveled him with a look that clearly stated he had already hurt her more than anyone else could.

“You’re right,” she said quietly. She picked up her bag, edging away from Alex as she headed toward the bedroom. “I should get some sleep. I’m tired. I can’t deal with any more tonight.”

He thought she probably meant she couldn’t deal with him any more tonight. He couldn’t blame her. He would help her clear her name. It wouldn’t absolve him of his past mistakes, but it was something. Then he would allow her to get on with her life.