“I’ll try,” she promised. “But again, right now I’m not inclined to trust anyone. Even though you have a lot of information, I have no way to verify whether or not you’re working for the vice president and his people or whether you’re a legitimate good guy.”
Her words made him chuckle. “I like to think of myself as a good guy, but I completely understand. I’ll be in touch again. Is this a good number, or do you have another I should use?”
“This one is fine,” she replied, waiting until he’d ended the call before hanging up the phone. She relayed the entire conversation to Jason, curious to hear his take on things.
“He sounds legit,” he mused. “But then again, when you’re dealing with people at the vice president’s level, you never know who could be in his pocket. Since this story is already out, he couldn’t accomplish much by taking you out. I’d say his chances of a successful run at becoming president are over.”
“If he had me killed, he’d silence a witness. I have to think he’d consider that.”
“Maybe.” Jason shrugged. “But he’d also have to get rid of Rick. He’d have to think of how that would look. Especially since Rick took care to provide lots of evidence. Your and Rick’s testimony is really just icing on the cake.”
Torn, she had to admit that what Jason said made sense. “I’d still feel better if you’d verify with Rick that this FBI agent is legit.” She wrote down the name Derek Leahy. “For all we know, he could be another hit man like that Stephen Colter guy.”
“Who is safely in police custody,” Jason pointed out. “Of course, we don’t know for how long.”
Restless, she began to pace. “I feel like we should do something. Be proactive.”
“I don’t have a snowmobile,” he said. “And since the roads aren’t plowed, we have no way of going anywhere.”
She stopped her pacing and gestured toward the skis. “Can’t we ski into town? I mean, what is it? A couple of miles?”
“Five at least. Even if you were an experienced snow skier, it’d be risky. I’m going to have to say no.”
His answer made sense, even though she didn’t like it.
“Plus, even if we were able to make it into Cedar, what would we do there? Sure, we could stop at the sheriff’s department. But then what?”
Again, another valid point. She made a face. “Logic wins,” she said. “Surely, there must be something we can do.”
Jason shrugged. Before he could say anything, the phone rang again.
Eying the caller ID, Jason told her that this time it was the sheriff. He put it on speaker phone so she could hear.
“What’s up?” Jason asked, locking eyes with Abby. Part of her suspected she already knew the reason for the call. Clearly, Jason had the same suspicions.
“I thought I’d better warn you,” the sheriff said. “Stephen Colter is out.”
“I was afraid of that.” Jason cursed. “What the hell happened?”
“He got an attorney. He was charged, bail was set and he paid it so he could be released. You know as well as I do that we couldn’t hold him indefinitely.”
“I know.” Jason dragged his hand through his hair. “I’m guessing he’s going to come back and try to finish the job. I need to take Abby somewhere safe.”
Abby stepped forward and spoke up. “With all the breaking news, do you think whoever hired him might have called the hit off?”
“If they could get ahold of him,” the sheriff answered. “But for now, it probably wouldn’t hurt for the two of you to take precautions. Jason, do you want me to send an armed officer up there to help?”
“Might not be a bad idea,” Jason replied. Abby nodded her agreement.
“All right. Let me see who I can get. It’ll be dark in a few hours, and I don’t think anything’s going to happen tonight. I’ll send someone in the morning.”
“Sounds good.” Jason ended the call. “Looks like we’re on our own for tonight.”
She stared longingly out the window at the blinding white snow. “Do you think we could get outside for a little bit? Even a half hour would make me feel a little better.”
“Sure.” He glanced at his watch. “Let’s snowshoe up the ridge. We should be able to get to the top and back in less than an hour.”
Suiting up, she felt as if she vibrated with nervous energy. Maybe she should have initiated lovemaking instead. Hell, if this hike helped dispel her unsettled feelings, they could also indulge in some vigorous sex.
The thought immensely cheered her. Stepping outside, she squinted in the waning sunlight. Inhaling the chilly air into her lungs steadied her. She looked up to find Jason watching her.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
She caught herself grinning. “Yes. Let’s do this.”
The physical activity turned out to be exactly what she needed. By the time they made their way to the top, her legs ached and she found herself pleasantly out of breath.
Standing at the top, they gazed down at the cabin. The bright blue of the afternoon sky had begun to fade with the sun’s slow descent into the west.
“It’ll be dark soon,” Jason said. “We’d better head back down.”
“I know.” She didn’t move. “Give me just another minute or two. This feels so good.”
He kissed her then, his lips as cold as hers, though they both warmed up fast. Kissing him back, joy bubbled up inside her and she almost told him she loved him. But he pulled back and stepped away and the moment was lost.
“Let’s go.” This time he led the way, not even looking to see if she followed.
The sound of a snowmobile somewhere close had them both stopping in their tracks. They were out in the open, halfway between the group of trees and the cabin. They couldn’t move fast, no matter what they did. The snowshoes wouldn’t allow that and if they took them off and tried to go without, they’d founder in the deep snow.
“Come on,” Jason urged. They continued slogging forward as the snowmobile noise grew louder and louder.
They were still fifty feet from the front porch when the machine came roaring up where the driveway would be. Heart pounding, Abby leaped forward in a last-ditch effort to reach the safety of the front porch. Instead, she landed face down in the snow.
Jason grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet. “We’re okay,” he told her, helping her brush the snow from her face and jacket. “It’s Sheriff Jeffords.”
Turning, she watched as the snowmobile pulled up, coming to a halt sideways with an impressive plume of snow. “Maybe he’s come to get us out of here,” she said.
“Who knows? It must be urgent if he took the trouble to come all the way up here so close to twilight.”
“There you are,” the sheriff hailed them. “I tried calling several times and got worried when you didn’t answer.”
“Worried?” Jason asked. “Because of Stephen Colter?”
Abby had started to shiver so she trudged past Jason toward the cabin. “Come on. Let’s get inside, where it’s warm. Then you can tell us what’s going on.”
The two men exchanged glances but followed her lead. On the front porch, everyone stamped as much of the snow off their boots as they could. Leaving the snowshoes there, they all filed into the warmth of the cabin.
“I can’t stay long,” Sheriff Jeffords began. “I don’t want to get caught trying to make it back to town in the dark. I got a phone call from someone named Derek Leahy with the FBI. After I spoke to him, I double-checked on the internet and he’s legit. He’s probably been trying to reach you as well.”
“What’s going on?” Jason asked.
“Well, you know that Paul Groesel fellow you’ve been dealing with at NCIS? Agent Leahy spoke to them and they don’t have an agent by that name.”
Stunned, Abby and Jason exchanged incredulous looks. “Does that mean the
subpoena isn’t real?”
“It’s possible,” the sheriff replied, pulling out his phone and squinting at the photos. “Hard to tell from the snapshots I took. Actually, since I have no idea what an NCIS subpoena would look like, I’m not the best person to answer that. Call Leahy back. And watch your back.”
Looking from one to the other, he shook his head. “How about I give you both a ride into town? You can stay at my place for a few days.”
Abby looked at Jason, trying to read his expression. He appeared to be deep in thought.
Finally, he nodded. “Abby, go with him. It’s better if you go somewhere safe.”
“What about you?” she asked, struggling between disbelief and dismay.
“I’m staying right here,” he declared. “If that hit man comes back for me, I want to settle things once and for all.”
* * *
Jason waited for the sheriff to say something along the lines of not taking the law into his own hands, but he didn’t. Instead, he turned to Abby and asked her how long it would take her to pack.
Instead of answering, her jaw tightened. Jason’s heart sank. He recognized that look.
“I’m staying with Jason,” she said, her set expression defying either of them to argue.
Brows raised, Sheriff Jeffords looked from her to Jason. Finally, he shrugged. “Suit yourself. But please, the two of you be careful.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay too?” Abby asked, inadvertently revealing the actual depth of her worry.
“I would if I could,” the sheriff answered. “But I’ve got a sick wife and my town responsibilities. I’ve got a man coming up first thing in the morning. Are you both sure you don’t want to spend the night in town?”
Jason nodded. “Go on home, Sheriff. I installed security cameras outside, so we’ll know if anyone approaches. We’ll be fine.” He hoped he spoke the truth.
After the sheriff left, Jason powered up his laptop to double-check the cameras and make sure they were operational.
“Will they even help show anything once it gets dark?” Abby asked.
“Only as far as my outdoor lights reveal,” he answered. “In other words, someone would be right up on the cabin before we know he’s there.”
Someone. Oddly enough, he didn’t want to utter the name. As if saying Stephen Colter might summon him or something.
“Are we going to take turns watching the feed?” she asked next. “How else will we know if someone approaches?”
She had a point. “You watch the feed,” he directed. “I’m going to suit up and sit outside in the dark with my night-vision googles.” As plans went, it wasn’t the best. Maybe he should have taken up Jeffords on his offer and gone down into town. No. He wasn’t going to second-guess himself. Hell, for all he knew, Colter might wait a day or two before making a second try at finishing the job.
Darkness had just settled over the mountains, going from dim to utter blackness as if someone had flipped a switch.
As a precaution, he went around the cabin turning off all the lights. When he’d finished, only the glow from the woodstove remained.
“Good thinking,” she said, immediately understanding.
“Thanks. Still, stay away from windows just in case.” He crouched down beside her. “Why didn’t you go into town, where you’d be safe?”
Her lips parted as she met his gaze. “I’m not leaving you. All of this is happening because of me. No way would I bail to keep myself safe and leave you to deal with this alone.”
What could he do but kiss her? But this time, he made it quick and hard, hoping he could convey a myriad of emotions in one kiss. They couldn’t afford to be distracted.
“I wish this was over with,” she said, speaking out loud exactly what he’d been thinking.
“Me too,” he answered. “Me too.”
Outside, the sharp crack of a gunshot echoed through the mountains. Jason cursed. “Go get in the closet. Stay low to the ground and don’t come out until I tell you to.”
Eyes wide, she shook her head. “No. Give me a gun. Give me the one I had before.”
Halfway to the gun safe, Jason turned. “This isn’t the time to argue,” he said, punching in the code to unlock the door.
“And I’m not arguing.” At his side, she reached into the safe and retrieved the pistol and some ammo. “We’re a team, Jason. Start acting like you get that.”
Her courage and determination made him grin. Taking his own gun, he kissed her again before locking down the safe. “Are you ready?”
She nodded. “Let’s do this. What’s the plan?”
“Get suited up. We’re heading outside. If we stay in here, we’re sitting ducks.”
Immediately, she grabbed her parka. Luckily, they still had on most of the layers they’d donned earlier.
Thirty seconds later, they were out the door and quickly strapping on their snowshoes.
“Follow me,” he said. “Stay close.”
“We’re not going back up the mountain?” she asked, keeping her voice low.
“Not this time. There’s a small cave on a rise near the edge of my property.” He didn’t tell her the last time he’d checked it out, a couple of foxes had made it their residence. That time, he’d left them alone. If they were there now, he’d have to chase them out.
Another gunshot, much closer this time. Jason rechecked his pistol, making sure it was ready in case he had to use it. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Abby doing the same.
“Come on,” he said. They went around the opposite side of the house from their trail up the mountain, staying close to the evergreens that bordered the edge of the yard. Abby stayed next to his side as the darkness enfolded them. Away from the cabin’s outdoor lights, it became much more difficult to see.
Luckily, they made it into the trees, heading away from the cabin. They wouldn’t have nearly as good a view out here; in fact, they couldn’t see the cabin at all. While that wasn’t ideal, he knew their route would be safer. After all, a sniper’s natural instinct would send him to higher ground. But first, Jason suspected the hit man would do something to smoke them out of the cabin so he could pick them off as they emerged.
At least that plan would fail.
At the last moment, he decided not to go to the cave. He whispered the change in plans to Abby. “I want to try and keep my house in my view.”
She nodded. “I get that, but what are you going to do if he sets it on fire? Unless you have a clear shot, you’ll be forced to stand back and watch it burn.”
“Maybe so,” he admitted. “But I’m hoping to catch Colter in between the cabin and me. The element of surprise is a hell of a big advantage.”
And then what? The question went unspoken, though he knew they were both wondering. He couldn’t shoot the other man in the back, no matter how evil and dangerous the hit man might be. The very best he could hope for was to get that one perfect shot.
A man emerged from the woods near the trail, barely discernible in the dark except for the fact that he appeared to be carrying some sort of small flashlight and using it to light his way. Amateur.
As he drew closer to the cabin, he stopped. Hunching over, he fiddled with something in his hand. A moment later, flame flared as he succeeded in lighting something. Jason squinted, trying to see. Best he could tell, Colter appeared to have some sort of homemade Molotov cocktail.
A second later, when Colter sent it crashing through the living room window, Jason’s suspicion was confirmed.
Bracing himself, stomach churning, Jason continued to watch. He fought the primal urge to rush at Colton. Not just yet. The perfect moment came a minute later. It took the fire a moment to catch. But when it did, flames quickly engulfed the small wooden cabin.
Now. While Colter stared fixated on the front door, expecting them to come running out.
Motioning at Abby to stay put, Jason crept forward. The other man remained intent on the house, enabling Jason to get right behind him, completely undetected.
“Freeze,” Jason ordered. “Drop your weapon. Don’t make me shoot you.”
Colter froze. But he made no move to discard his gun.
“Drop it,” Jason barked. “Last chance. Make a move and you’re a dead man.”
Instead, Colter dropped to the ground, twisting around at the same moment, and fired. Probably because of the uncoordinated movement, he missed.
Jason shot him. Colter crumpled in the snow, finally letting go of his gun. Jason went close, kicking the gun away before turning Colter over. He’d made a clean shot, straight through the heart. The hit man was dead.
And Jason’s house continued to burn. The fire engulfed the entire structure, roaring hungrily through wood, sending huge smoke clouds up into an already-inky sky. There would be no saving it, not this time. Sorrow welled up in him but was tempered with the knowledge that he could—and would—rebuild.
“Don’t move.” Another voice, vaguely familiar, came from behind him. “Drop your weapon.”
Groesel. He finally put a name to the voice. Paul Groesel, the NCIS agent.
Jason dropped his gun. Hands in the air, he slowly turned.
“Who was that guy?” Groesel asked, his tone conversational despite the pistol he had trained on Jason.
Jason raised a brow. “A hit man someone hired to take me out. I’m surprised he wasn’t working with you.” He kept his gaze trained on the other man so he wouldn’t look beyond him to the woods. Right now, Abby was his last hope.
Groesel laughed. He appeared to be around five foot four, with dark hair and a slight stature. He looked nothing like the way Jason had pictured him after talking to him on the phone. In fact, he appeared so blandly innocuous that people probably didn’t consider him a threat. Therein would be his hidden advantage.
“What do you want, Groesel?” Jason asked, careful to keep his hands up. “If that’s even your real name. Who do you work for?”
Snowbound Targets (HQR Romantic Suspense) Page 22
