The Last Target (Love Inspired Suspense)

by Christy Barritt

  Aidan’s teacher, Patricia, smiled when she spotted Aidan and Rachel. Aidan ran to greet her with a hug before skipping on to join his classmates in line by the entrance. Rachel’s gaze remained on him except for an occasional glance at Patricia.

  “I’m so glad Aidan could make it. I know it means a lot to him.” Patricia’s gaze traveled to Jack, and her eyes glinted with curiosity. “And who is this?”

  Rachel looked up, her tongue suddenly tied. How did she explain Jack? She’d been so preoccupied with Aidan’s safety that she hadn’t even thought that far ahead. Before she could even butcher some type of response, Jack’s arm went around her waist. He reached forward with his other arm. “I’m Jack. Nice to meet you.”

  Patricia’s eyebrows shrugged. “Lovely to meet you also. You’ve got yourself a good one here. We all just think the world of Rachel.”

  Rachel’s tongue felt like sandpaper. She wanted to reject Patricia’s idea that they were together. But what could she say? That Jack was the CEO and founder of Iron, Inc., and he’d been hired to protect her? That wouldn’t exactly be the best route to keeping this whole thing under wraps. Besides, the area where Jack’s hand met her waist seemed to be firing neurons that she didn’t even know she had, making it hard to think clearly.

  Jack grinned beside her. “You all think correct. Rachel’s great.”

  Rachel’s cheeks flushed. What was going on? Why was she suddenly clamming up, losing her words? All because Jack was pretending to be her date?

  Patricia winked at her before hurrying back to the kids. “I know Aidan’s glad you could all make it. This is going to be a great day!”

  Rachel could only hope.

  Rachel found Aidan in line, talking happily with his friends. She looked back up at Jack, whose closeness was doing nothing for her nerves. “They think you’re my date.”

  She couldn’t see what his eyes were doing beneath what must be agent-issued sunglasses. “Let them think what they want to. What would you rather them think? That I’m your bodyguard?”

  A date did make the most sense. And she was a grown woman. She was allowed to bring dates with her. Still, the idea seemed so foreign to her.

  “They’re going in.” Jack offered her his hand. She stared at it a moment. “I don’t bite. I promise.”

  She laughed airily. “I know.” Hesitantly, she reached forward. His strong fingers gripped hers and suddenly her legs felt like jelly. Despite that, she followed the class through the gates and into the zoo.

  Her gaze shot around the benches at the zoo entrance, looking for agents stationed around the perimeters. She spotted couples sitting together, a maintenance man picking up trash, someone lugging a cart of weeds from the garden area. Were any of them agents?

  She couldn’t get rid of the knots that went down her back and across her shoulders. What happens when you’re out of your comfort zone? You grow. That’s what she used to tell herself, at least, and that’s why she had pushed herself to constantly try new adventures. She was going to have to think of this as an adventure, one where she’d come out stronger.

  Right now, she was just praying that she’d come out of it at all, though.

  They reached the petting zoo area, and Aidan rushed over to touch one of the goats. Rachel and Jack hung back with some of the other parents who’d come today. Rachel felt more tightly wound than a jack-in-the-box. She was quite sure that if Jack hadn’t insisted on holding one of her hands, she would be wringing both of them together with anxiety.

  He leaned toward her, his breath brushing her hair. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, her eyes never leaving her son. “Aside from feeling like I could pass out from anxiety, I’m doing fine.”

  He squeezed her hand. “You’re doing great. Aidan’s having fun. And we have eyes on this entire park. At the first sign of danger, we’ll be on alert and you’ll be whisked away.”

  “What about the kids? Am I putting them in danger by being here?”

  “Apaka won’t hurt the kids. They only want to hurt you.”

  Her gaze remained focused on Aidan. He squealed in delight as a goat gobbled some pellets of food from his hand. She smiled, but only for a moment.

  “He’s a good kid, Rachel. You’ve done a great job with him.”

  Rachel glanced up at Jack in surprise. “Thank you. That means a lot. I worry about him more than I probably should.”

  “I’m sure being a single parent hasn’t been easy.”

  She shook her head, her throat burning. “No, I just do the best with it that I can.” Rachel noticed him staring in the distance. “What?”

  He remained silent a moment before lifting his collar and whispering something into it. Of course he’d worn a wire. It had just been carefully disguised, just like everything else about the day.

  “What?” Rachel repeated.

  “There’s someone acting suspicious over by the Africa exhibit. Denton is keeping an eye on the situation.”

  Rachel tensed. “Maybe I should get Aidan. Leave.” That’s all she wanted to do. Grab her son and get out of here. Her gaze shot through the crowd, looking for signs of danger.

  “Calm down. It could be nothing.”

  “Calm down? That’s easy for you to say.”

  “No, it’s not.” His serious eyes cut through her. “The minute I think you’re in danger, we’re out of here.”

  He paused again, as if listening to someone in his earpiece. Rachel felt like she might come out of her skin as she waited to hear what was going on.

  “It was nothing. Just a photographer setting up a photo op. Everything’s fine.”

  “You say that a lot.”

  “Then we have something in common.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Every time I ask you how you’re doing, you say you’re fine, even when you’re obviously not.”

  She didn’t say anything. Jack was right. She automatically went on autopilot whenever she was asked how she was doing. She kept her real emotions bottled up all too often as she tried to remain in control.

  The only problem right now was that she was in a situation where she had absolutely no control. Her only choice was to rely on God…and Jack Sergeant.

  TEN

  Jack had to admit that he kind of liked the feeling of Rachel’s fingers intertwined with his own. And he’d be amiss if he didn’t take some delight in the way she blushed at the mere hint that they were a couple. Something about being side by side with her, strolling through the zoo and keeping an eye on Aidan just felt right.

  She’d made it clear that she never wanted to be with someone with his job description, though. So he didn’t know why he was enjoying himself so much, especially when he knew they could never be together. Even if Rachel didn’t have the convictions that she did, Jack knew there was no place in his life for a relationship. So why was it so tempting to toy with the thought whenever Rachel was around?

  He looked across the way as Aidan squealed with delight at the prairie dog exhibit. “He really loves animals, doesn’t he?”

  “Animals and superheroes.” Rachel smiled. “He’s all boy. I’m always a little nervous that I’m not going to be able to help develop those boyish qualities in him. I can’t exactly teach him to play baseball or how to be tough or to think like a man.”

  “Your uncle doesn’t ever come down?”

  “Not very often. Busy with his job, you know.”

  “I do know about busy jobs.”

  Silence fell for a moment. Rachel cleared her throat. “Any news on George Anderson?”

  “We have witnesses that place him at work at the time the shooting in the park occurred. But that doesn’t mean he’s not involved. We’re still investigating him.”

  “How about Nancy? Do they have any idea who shot her? How’s her family doing? Have all of my board members been contacted?”

  “Whoa. One question at a time. The FBI is handling Nancy’s death, and, last I heard, they don’t have any leads.
I’m not sure how her family is doing. I had Luke contact everyone on the board and inform them that you’ve been taken somewhere safe after your office exploded. They all seemed to understand, especially given the circumstances. We also warned them all to be careful.”

  “What about the backup of my computer files? Were you able to access them?”

  “There’s someone at the office working on that now. Right now, the apparent connection of the people on this hit list is Operation 26 Letters, though we don’t know why.”

  The group began to walk toward the Africa exhibit where Aidan would get his award. Jack scanned the crowds, just as he’d done every five minutes since they’ve been at the zoo. Everything appeared peaceful, like a normal day at the Virginia Zoo. But the most peaceful moments could be deceptive.

  “You look worried,” Rachel whispered.

  “Not worried. Just alert.”

  The teacher looked back at them, and Jack pulled Rachel closer.

  “Is that really necessary?” Rachel’s voice held an edge of agitation.

  Was it necessary? A good question, but why miss an opportunity? “Look happy, so no one gets suspicious,” Jack said.

  A smile crossed her features. Jack could tell she tried to soften the tight lines at her lips, but it didn’t work. Her smile looked forced. And he was pretty sure she was blushing again.

  “Ms. Reynolds?”

  Rachel’s head swung toward the voice. Jack looked up and saw a woman with a cameraman trailing her. She thrust a microphone in Rachel’s face. Rachel raised a hand to shield herself from the lens just as Jack stepped between them.

  “I’m Vanessa Rodgers with Channel 8. We’d agreed to do a Top Kid of the Week special on your son, Aidan, and his award here at the zoo today.”

  Rachel’s shoulders sagged and she frowned. “I’d totally forgotten. Listen, I’m sorry to do this to you, but it’s not a good time. Some things have happened since then and—”

  “By ‘some things,’ do you mean the bombing of the building housing your nonprofit, Operation 26 Letters?”

  “This is not the time or place,” Rachel muttered.

  “Does the FBI have any leads as to who was behind the bombing?”

  “No comment,” Jack said. He kept Rachel moving but the reporter stayed on them.

  “Is it true that it was an anti-military group behind the attack?”

  “No comment,” Jack repeated. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave, ma’am. This isn’t the time or place to ask those questions.”

  “Can we set up a time somewhere else then?”

  “Please, just leave,” Rachel said.

  Jack heard the strain in her voice.

  “Is everything okay?” Patricia appeared with a worried expression on her face.

  Rachel nodded. “I’d forgotten that the media was coming to this event. I’m sorry, Patricia, but this just isn’t a good time, not with the bombing at my office.”

  Jack motioned to two of his men. They stepped forward and distracted the reporter while Jack led Rachel away. It was too late to pretend nothing had happened, though. Crowds of onlookers stared at them, including all of the children in Aidan’s class.

  Jack placed his hand on Rachel’s back. “It’s going to be okay. You did just fine.”

  “I can’t believe I forgot about that. How could I have forgotten?”

  “You’ve had a lot of other things on your mind, to say the least.”

  “And now everyone is staring.” She rubbed her forehead and closed her eyes.

  “They’ll start minding their own business soon.” His gaze scanned the crowd again for anyone suspicious. With everyone staring at them, everyone seemed suspicious.

  His job just got exponentially harder.

  Though Rachel was immensely proud of Aidan for his fundraising efforts, she was counting down the minutes until they could leave. Her cheeks still felt flushed from her earlier encounter with that reporter, and she self-consciously kept brushing her forehead when she noticed the looks the other parents gave her.

  She’d contacted the media herself about Aidan’s award. She was a former public relations spokesperson, so she had contacts within the media. She’d hoped to gain attention for the zoo and its projects. As a nonprofit director, she knew all about how important funding was for such groups.

  Of course, the reporter had seemed more interested in the bombing of her nonprofit than Aidan getting his award. She frowned. Go figure.

  She remembered Jack’s admonition that if the media reported on the list, the terrorists would simply get the publicity they desire and spark the fear in people that they longed for. She wouldn’t let that happen. That was one battle they wouldn’t win, if she had anything to do with it.

  But if she thought everyone believed her excuse that she just needed to get away, she was delusional. Patricia continually gave her fleeting looks, and a wrinkle of concern seemed permanently pressed between her eyes.

  “Don’t look so worried,” Jack whispered.

  Just the feel of his breath on her ear made her muscles tighten again. Why was she letting the man have this effect on her? Was she a teenager, inexperienced with the opposite sex? Hardly. But that’s what she felt like.

  “Mommy! Mommy! Look!” Aidan ran over and thrust his plaque into her hands.

  “Congratulations, honey. I know you worked hard to earn this. I’m so proud of you.”

  “I get to go feed the giraffes now!”

  Rachel tried to smile as he skipped away to join the zoo-keeper. She looked around, waiting to see someone out of the ordinary appear. She waited to hear gunshots, to feel a panicked frenzy spread throughout the crowd. Instead she heard children laughing, a lion roaring, a custodian pass with a squeaky cart.

  From below, she saw Aidan holding a handful of hay. She held her breath, anxious for him to be beside her again. From across the deck, she spotted Luke dressed in casual clothes. A woman stood beside him and together they pointed at the animals and she pulled up a camera to snap a picture. If Rachel hadn’t known who he was, she would have never guessed he was an Eyes agent.

  Finally, Aidan joined her back on the viewing platform and they began the last leg of their field trip to the zoo.

  Lord, You’ve gotten us this far. Is it too much to ask for a few more minutes?

  With relief, they approached the exit. Her heartbeat finally slowed as they stepped outside the gates. Jack still kept up his façade as they left by holding her hand as they walked through the parking lot. At least, Rachel justified, she did feel safe with Jack so close. Physically, at least. Her heart was a different story. Her heart fluttered with betrayal every chance it got.

  Jack lifted his collar and spoke into the wire there. Suddenly, his grip on her hand tightened. She looked up and saw his gaze darting around the parking lot. Every sense seemed to be on alert.

  “What’s going on?” Rachel whispered, throat tightening. She pulled Aidan closer.

  “Come on. We’ve got to go.” Jack’s gentle tug on her hands became an urgent pull. In two heartbeats, he grabbed Aidan and whisked them across the parking lot. He pushed them into the SUV just as a man threw himself against the windshield and began banging on it frantically.

  Rachel sucked in a breath.

  It was George Anderson.

  ELEVEN

  “Stay down!” Jack barked.

  Rachel didn’t have to be told. She hugged Aidan, trying to shield him from the chaos around them.

  George beat against the windshield. “Rachel! Rachel!”

  Rachel tried to block out George’s voice, the desperation she heard there. Had he been behind the attacks this whole time? Had he tried to kill her?

  Yells sounded outside the window as Denton and Luke grabbed George off of the SUV. George flailed, slugging Luke in the mouth. Finally, Denton caught him in a choker hold, while Luke came to his senses and cuffed him.

  Rachel closed her eyes and hugged Aidan even tighter. Was this it? Would George b
e arrested and this nightmare finally end?

  “Stay put,” Jack ordered, his hand on the door handle.

  What choice did they have? She had no desire to go anywhere near George.

  Jack climbed from the SUV and approached George. Rachel strained to make out their conversation but couldn’t.

  “Who was that man, Mommy? Was it Mr. George?”

  Rachel’s throat burned. “Yes, honey. It was.”

  “What’s wrong with him?”

  “I have no idea. Maybe Mr. Jack can tell us, though.”

  “Because Mr. Jack is a superhero?”

  She ruffled her son’s hair. “He’s not really a superhero, sweetie. You know that, don’t you?”

  “I like him, Mommy.”

  She rested her chin atop his head. “I’m glad, honey.” Why did hearing Aidan say that cause her heart to do strange things? Aidan was becoming attached to Jack. She could tell by the light in Aidan’s eyes when he looked at Jack. Soon, hopefully, they’d be safe, and Jack would be out of their lives. Rachel had a feeling, though, that it would be a crushing blow to her son when that happened.

  Jack knocked at the window and Rachel cracked the door open. No sooner had it opened when she heard George in the background. “Are you okay, Rachel? Are you hurt?”

  Rachel looked at Jack, confused, desperate for answers.

  Jack stepped closer to her. “He claims you were abducted.”

  Rachel tilted her head. “What?”

  “He claims you were abducted and he was trying to save you.”

  “You mean, he’s not working for Apaka?”

  “Luke and Denton are taking him down to the FBI office for questioning, but he’s claiming to be on our side.”

  “I see.”

  “And he wants to talk to you.”