Mountain Hostage

by Hope White

  Jack didn’t need to think about it. He had no intention of betraying Zoe’s trust. But still, he appreciated the sergeant’s efforts.

  “I’ll think about it,” he said, and went back into the conference room.

  * * *

  It was nearly midnight when Trevor’s grandmother arrived to pick him up. Zoe was exhausted both physically and emotionally. Jack offered to drive her to Shannon’s place to retrieve her things, and then to the Ashford Inn.

  A combination of things had zapped her energy: the constant threat lurking in the shadows; concern about Shannon; and worry about Trevor once he got home. She felt like a robot going through the motions to get her from point A to point B.

  So much had happened today and she hadn’t had enough time or space to process it all.

  “He’ll be okay,” Jack said.

  She glanced at him across the front seat.

  “Trevor,” Jack clarified.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “He’s a strong kid.”

  She nodded. “Is there any update on the search for Shannon?”

  “They’ll head out again after the weather breaks, probably tomorrow afternoon.”

  “They? What about you?”

  “Once I’m convinced you’re safe, I will rejoin a search team.”

  “You shouldn’t stay back on my account.”

  “You need protection.”

  Crossing her arms over her chest, she felt a slow burn creep up her cheeks. “I think I’ve done pretty well on my own.”

  “I agree.”

  “Then why are you—”

  “I don’t like to leave things unfinished. I like to see them through to the end.”

  “O-kay.” So this was about his process. It had nothing to do with how he felt about Zoe.

  You’ve known him twenty-four hours, Zoe, not long enough for him to develop genuine concern for you.

  “Plus I don’t want to see you hurt again,” he added.

  On the other hand, that was an awfully intimate confession from a man like Jack.

  “Thanks.” She glanced out the window. “It’s nice to know someone’s looking out for me. I’m usually the one looking out for everyone else.”

  “Like your clients?”

  “Yes.”

  “You can’t fix them. You know that, right?”

  “I knew that when I pursued this profession.” But it still doesn’t stop me from trying. Ugh. Old habits died hard, didn’t they? She didn’t like that Jack could read her so well. “You know about not being able to fix people from personal experience, do you?” she asked.

  “Not exactly, but I read a lot. How long will it take you to gather your things?”

  “Ten minutes should do it.”

  “It might be too late to check into the inn,” Jack said. “Some bed-and-breakfasts have check-in rules so you don’t disturb the other guests.”

  “Makes sense. Where will I find a room at this time of night?”

  “I booked you a room at the hotel where I’m staying.” He glanced at her before she could protest. “As a backup. Just for tonight.”

  “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I know.”

  Zoe felt she was being rude again, ungrateful that Jack had thought ahead and planned for her, taken care of her. She wasn’t used to it. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” He pulled onto Shannon’s street and narrowed his eyes as he focused on the house in the distance.

  “I’m not usually this ungrateful,” Zoe said. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize.”

  “But—”

  “Did you leave lights on?”

  “I don’t remember, although Shannon might have timers because she works late shifts.” A light glowed from the main living area.

  He parked about a hundred feet away, not in front of the house.

  “Stay here,” he said. “Lock the doors.”

  “Wait, you think—”

  He slammed the car door on her question.

  “So bossy,” she muttered.

  Romeo whined from the back seat.

  “You think so, too, huh?” She reached back and petted his soft fur, keeping her eyes trained to the house in the distance.

  She didn’t like this, didn’t like the adrenaline flooding her body, or the pitch-black surrounding the truck. She could, however, make out Jack’s form as he approached the front door.

  Then she saw a flash of something else: a person racing from the house.

  Wearing a bright orange jacket.

  “Shannon?” Zoe flung open the door and got out. “Jack!” she called, but he’d already gone inside. She started toward the house, wanting to tell him what she’d seen. The front door swung open.

  “Get back!” Jack shouted.

  Registering alarm on his face, she turned and ran, terrified to her core. She sprinted faster than she thought possible across the snow-covered lawn. Romeo barked furiously from inside the truck.

  An explosion reverberated behind her and she instinctively hit the ground.

  SIX

  Ringing echoed in her ears. It took Zoe a few seconds to regain the breath that had been ripped from her lungs.

  Take your time. Advice she’d offered her clients many times.

  The sound of burning wood crackled behind her.

  Had someone blown up Shannon’s house? And what about Shannon? Was that her racing away? Did that mean she could be responsible for—

  No, Zoe wouldn’t go there.

  She scrambled to her feet and saw flames consuming the house. She pulled out her phone and called 911. “An explosion,” she said, and gave the address.

  Then a horrible thought seized her. Where was Jack?

  She scanned the surrounding property but didn’t see his green jacket against the white snow.

  “Jack,” she said. Panic took hold despite her calming efforts. She rushed toward the house, trying to find a safe way to see inside and make sure he wasn’t there.

  And if he was...

  “No!” She stopped short of the house as the heat of the flames warmed her cheeks. There was no way to help Jack if he was inside, no way to save him.

  Yet he’d saved her many times in the few days they’d known each other.

  She paced back and forth in front of the burning house, trying to make sense of it all.

  “Get back!” A firm hand gripped her arm.

  She looked up into Jack’s rich blue eyes.

  “What are you doing?” he said. “It’s not safe here.”

  Still holding her arm, he led her away from the blazing flame, the heat making her eyes water.

  Or was something else making them water?

  They approached his truck and Zoe leaned against the front grille.

  Jack examined her. “Are you okay?”

  She shrugged, indicating she wasn’t sure what she was. His eyes darted from left to right, then up and down, as if his brain was calculating something and trying to come up with the correct answer.

  Then he looked straight at her. She felt a warm tear trickle down her cheek. She nodded, as if she knew what he was considering.

  He pulled her into a hug.

  Yep, that was what she needed. The knot in her gut eased and she sighed, welcoming this nurturing moment. It wouldn’t last long; it shouldn’t last long because it would obviously make Jack uncomfortable.

  Plus, she didn’t want him to think her weak.

  “Thanks,” she said, and pushed away.

  “Why were you trying to get into the house? Were you trying to get your things?”

  “No, I thought you were inside.”

  He frowned, probably thinking she didn’t stand a chance of helping him even if she’d g
ained access to the house, so why put herself in that kind of danger? She couldn’t analyze her motivations, not now, not with her emotions in a tangled mess. Instead, she changed the subject.

  “I think I saw Shannon.” She wasn’t sure if she should tell Jack or the authorities, but she knew at the very least she wanted him to know.

  “Where?”

  “Running away from the house.”

  Jack shot a puzzled look toward the burning home. “Are you sure it was her?”

  “No, but the person was wearing her orange jacket and they were the right height.”

  “Hair color?”

  “Wore a ski cap.”

  They both gazed at the flames consuming the small structure.

  “Why destroy the house?” Zoe asked.

  “To destroy evidence.”

  “Shannon is not a criminal.”

  “We don’t know for sure the person fleeing the scene was Shannon.”

  The sound of sirens grew louder. It was a blessing that Shannon’s house sat on half an acre, not too close to another home.

  He studied her face intently.

  “I’m okay,” she said, sensing he thought she needed another hug. She didn’t want to keep making him uncomfortable just because she needed compassion.

  “Get in the car with Romeo,” he said, motioning her to the back of the truck.

  “Oh, okay.” She didn’t argue. She sensed he was trying to protect her, or make her feel better, or a little of both.

  He opened the door and she slid in beside Romeo. The dog automatically nudged her shoulder, and Jack shut the door. Although it was comforting to have the dog as her companion, she also liked having Jack close. She wondered what he was going to do now. Manage questions from neighbors? Answer questions from police who were sure to arrive any minute?

  The opposite door opened, and Jack got into the back seat with Zoe and Romeo.

  “I’ve notified authorities that we’re waiting to give our statements when they arrive,” he said.

  “Thank you.” A few seconds passed. “I guess I’ll have to go shopping tomorrow.”

  Jack illuminated the car with a phone app and looked at her.

  “What?” she said.

  “I’m trying to determine if you were joking or being serious.”

  “Yeah, I guess that was a strange thing to say, especially when you consider we both could have been inside when...” She made an exploding sound with her mouth. “Uh, I’m so tired I’m not making sense.”

  “Studies have proven that people who are overly tired can have difficulty processing thoughts and suffer from an inability to concentrate. Long-term effects increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, depression and a weakened immune system.”

  “Wow, I’m glad my sleep deprivation is only temporary, due to stress because my best friend was kidnapped, someone assaulted me, tried to kidnap me, and then set fire to Shannon’s house.”

  He narrowed his eyes.

  “Yes, I was being sarcastic,” she explained. “Sorry, I think it’s a coping mechanism.”

  “You need to sleep.”

  “That would be nice.”

  “You need to feel safe in order to sleep.”

  “True.”

  “Which is why I will stay with you tonight.”

  “Look, I appreciate everything—”

  “Police have arrived. Wait here.”

  Before she could open her mouth to protest, Jack was gone again, managing the situation, her situation. She sighed and petted the dog, unable to gather the strength to chase after Jack and argue his decision to play bodyguard.

  She didn’t need that kind of help, did she? Had someone torched Shannon’s house to destroy evidence of wrongdoing? Or were they hoping Zoe was in the house?

  The thought spiked her adrenaline. She didn’t want to be inside Jack’s truck waiting for the next thing to happen. She was a fighter and continued to fight even when the battle seemed hopeless.

  Even when specialists had told her family that her little brother probably wouldn’t live to see his tenth birthday.

  When her parents failed to pursue any and all options, Zoe had taken over. She did the research, investigated new studies into treatments for Ryan’s rare disease. Sure, she had eventually surrendered; if God needed Ryan in heaven, then Zoe would have accepted that outcome.

  But He hadn’t, because Ryan was alive and well, married and raising two adopted children with his wife, Adele. Because Zoe hadn’t given up on his situation.

  She wouldn’t give up on Shannon either, no matter what evidence presented itself.

  But in this moment, she’d relax and pet the dog. She’d pray for God to fill her heart with love, not fear, and prepare herself for questioning from the detective.

  * * *

  “She’s exhausted and needs sleep,” Jack said to Detective Perry.

  “She needs to come to the station and answer questions about what happened here tonight.”

  “I’ll answer your questions.”

  “Are you covering for her?”

  “There’s nothing to cover. Her friend was kidnapped, Zoe was nearly kidnapped herself, and now the house has been destroyed. She’s a victim, not a perpetrator.”

  “Sergeant Peterson said you’d get information from her, correct?”

  Jack’s answer could land him in jail on obstruction charges where he wouldn’t be able to protect Zoe.

  “Yes, I said I’d share pertinent information with him, should it come to my attention.”

  “Is there anything pertinent about tonight?” Perry said, with an edge to his voice.

  “I went inside the house and smelled gas. It was strong. I fled the house and it burst into flames.”

  “And where was Miss Pratt?”

  “I told her to wait in the car.”

  “Why?”

  “I wanted to make sure the house was safe before she entered.”

  “Then what?”

  “I saw her walking toward the house and shouted for her to get away. I hit the ground when I heard the explosion.”

  “Did you see anyone or notice anything?”

  He’d seen Zoe racing toward the burning building. He couldn’t figure out why.

  I thought you were inside.

  Zoe’s words puzzled him.

  “You saw something?” Detective Perry interrupted Jack’s analysis of Zoe’s actions.

  “No, but Zoe said she saw a person run from the house, wearing Shannon’s jacket.”

  “I need to speak with Miss Pratt. Now.”

  Might as well get this over with. Jack led the detective to his car and opened the door.

  Zoe’s eyes were closed. She looked peaceful, content. Romeo lay across her lap.

  “Miss Pratt?” Detective Perry said.

  Jack wished he’d wait until tomorrow. “Zoe?” Jack tried.

  She awoke with a start and gasped. Romeo sat up, watching her. “Shannon?” she said, glancing at Detective Perry. “Did you find her?”

  “No, ma’am. I’d like to ask you about what happened tonight.”

  “Tonight,” she repeated, obviously still trying to process whatever dream she’d been wrenched out of. “We came to get my things. Jack told me to wait in the car. Then I saw...” she hesitated “...a person who I thought might be Shannon running from the house. I went to tell Jack.” She caught Jack’s gaze and he had to look away. “He told me to run. I heard an explosion. The house was, is, on fire.”

  She looked beyond the detective at firefighters working to put out the blaze.

  “Why did you think it was Shannon running from the house?” Detective Perry said.

  “The person was wearing Shannon’s orange pumpkin coat.”

  “Pumpkin coat?”

&
nbsp; “I teased Shannon that the jacket made her look like a pumpkin. It’s pretty bright.”

  “Any other descriptive details?”

  “Black knit cap. That’s it, sorry.”

  “I’ll put out an alert. Where will you be staying?”

  She glanced at Jack. Detective Perry glared at him.

  “We’re staying at the Blue Cedar Motor Lodge,” Jack said.

  “We?” Perry said.

  “Yes,” Jack said. “Are you finished asking us questions?”

  “For now.”

  Jack nodded at Zoe and shut her door. As he went around to his side of the car, Detective Perry shadowed him.

  “I don’t trust you,” Perry said.

  “That is your prerogative.”

  “Listen.” Perry stepped in front of him. “I could have held you for obstruction, but I didn’t because Peterson said you’d help us out. All you need to do is earn her trust and relay important information to me.”

  “And if she doesn’t have any important information?”

  “We’ll decide what’s important.”

  “Understood.” What Jack understood was that Perry was another version of the bullies he’d dealt with his entire life. Only Jack wasn’t about to cave to this one. He was putting Zoe’s best interest before that of a detective who, for some reason, seemed to think she was involved in the kidnapping case.

  Detective Perry still blocked him, staring him down, trying to intimidate him.

  Jack didn’t respond, didn’t clench his jaw or narrow his eyes. He knew any reaction would fuel the man’s aggressive nature.

  “Houses don’t randomly explode. We have to assume this was intentional.”

  “I concur.”

  “Don’t try to be a hero,” Perry said. “It didn’t work before, and it won’t work this time.”

  Although the mention of Jack’s failure at being unable to save the young woman last year would have normally twisted his gut into knots, he considered the source of the barb. Detective Perry was trying to manipulate and control him.

  Jack stepped around the detective and got into his SUV.