Cade came back to the car and got in. Meg turned to him, concern for him swelling despite her unease. “You’re still limping. Did you bandage your foot?”
“I stopped at a rest stop an hour ago and cleaned it up. I’m fine.”
“You must be exhausted.”
He gave her a guilty expression. “The adrenaline wore off a couple of hours ago.”
“Let’s stop then.” She bit her lower lip, unsure if she was making a mistake. Well, another mistake. She probably had been making a lot of them over the last couple of days.
Cade’s shoulders dropped, and he gave her a small smile. “That’s probably a good idea.” He put the car into drive and pulled out of the station parking lot. “I’ll find us a place.”
Meg relaxed back into her seat. She’d be sleeping in a bed soon. She couldn’t wait. Cade drove up to a hotel and parked the car. “I’ll run in and see if they have any rooms.”
“Thanks.”
Meg closed her eyes and must have drifted off because she jerked awake when Cade came back into the car. He started the engine. “There’s a convention in town. They only had one room left, but it’s a suite with a bedroom, so I can sleep on the couch.”
For some reason, this small act of kindness touched Meg. Warmth swelled in her chest and she blinked back the sudden emotion. Unable to speak, she just nodded. No, Cade wasn’t like Travis.
He parked the car and got out. “I’ll get your clothes.” He handed her the key card and pointed to a door marked Entrance E. “Room 234.”
Meg clutched the piece of thin plastic, another wave of unease going through her. She was being stupid, she knew that. But what else could she do? She needed sleep. Maybe tomorrow she could think things through. She would form a solid plan in the morning. Besides, if he was out to harm her, wouldn’t he have done it by now?
The hotel room was nicer than Meg was used to. There were two bathrooms and a king-sized bed. She slipped off her shoes then quickly changed into her pajamas and was asleep before she had time to think any more about her situation.
Meg awoke the next morning, sure she hadn’t moved at all during the night. She’d been so far out of it, she had no idea what time it was. When she checked the clock, she wasn’t surprised to see she’d slept past nine. Oh, well. She had needed the sleep.
The shower felt amazing, and she made a mental note to thank Cade for getting them this hotel room. By the time she was put together, it was almost ten. As she gathered up her clothes, she wondered if Cade had even gotten up yet. She could not hear a sound in the other room. Maybe she should let him sleep. He had been up quite late.
She shoved her dirty clothes into the garbage bag Cade had brought in. Thinking about him made her smile. That was what he was like. He did nice things for her without even thinking about it.
After she was packed up, she decided to peek in on Cade. She opened the door a crack to look at the couch. It was empty. She entered the living room area of the suite. Cade wasn’t there. She checked the bathroom and it was empty as well. Where was he?
Then she saw it. A stack of cash sitting on the desk. Her heart sped up as she made her way to look at the note he’d left behind.
Meg,
Thanks for your help. I don’t want to endanger you any further. Take this and start that new life you deserve. Don’t give up your singing. I want to see you on YouTube soon.
All the best,
Cade
He’d left. She waited for the relief to come, the relief that she was no longer tied up in a fugitive’s life, that she wasn’t going to be tossed into prison for helping Cade, but it didn’t come. For some reason, her emotions were all jumbled up, and the first one to surface was anger.
Why had he left her? Why didn’t he say where he was going? She’d helped him in the middle of the night when he had nothing, and now that he had some money, he’d split.
But then guilt surfaced. He hadn’t left because of something she’d done. He was protecting her. She knew he didn’t want her caught up in his mess. She fingered the bruise Travis had left on her cheek. It wasn’t as tender. It was healing. Her heart was healing. And Cade had been a big part of that.
She looked at the car keys sitting beside the cash he’d left. He was on foot. Where would he go? What would he do?
The thoughts made her uneasy, but she tried to push them out of her mind. He was a grown man. He could take care of himself.
She grabbed her black trash bag and stuffed the cash in the middle, covering it with clothes, her heart swelling. Cade was taking care of her, even in his absence. She had never known a man to be like that. Travis certainly wasn’t that kind of a man. All Travis cared about was himself.
Meg left her key cards in the hotel room and slipped out into the hallway. She swung the trash bag over her shoulder as she headed for the door closest to her car. The sun outside was promising a warm spring day. She opened the trunk and placed her garbage bag in.
A man leaning against a truck stared at her as she situated her belongings. Why was he staring at her like that? She closed her trunk and got into the Mustang. He was still staring as she started her car and drove out of the parking lot. It gave her the creeps.
She drove down the main street until she saw a brightly lit café. Her stomach growled, and she knew she had to get something to eat before heading out. To where, she didn’t know. Somewhere she would start a new life, she supposed. The thought made her feel empty. Where had Cade gone? Could she just leave him in this town? The thought of him getting arrested and taken back to prison gave her a shudder.
After parking, Meg opened her trunk and took a few bills out of the trash bag, stuffing them in her pocket. She entered the café, a bell ringing with the movement of the door. A plump woman behind the counter gave her a warm smile. “What can I get for you, sweetie?”
Meg felt instantly at ease with this woman, whose nametag read Betty. She slid onto a stool at the counter. “Are you still serving breakfast?”
“All day.”
“Great. I’ll take your bacon and eggs platter.”
Betty nodded and set a cup in front of her. “Coffee?”
“Thanks.” Meg looked up at the television. An anchorman was standing in the middle of a hurricane, water hitting his face and debris flying behind him. He struggled to shout into his microphone.
As Betty poured the coffee, Meg pointed to the television. “Why do they do that? Send people out to deliver the news in the middle of that? Like we can’t understand what a hurricane is.”
Betty chuckled and shook her head. “Seems pretty dumb to me.”
Meg’s mind wandered as she waited for her breakfast. What was Cade doing right now? Had he found transportation, or was he still in town? A man sitting at a table with a laptop open caught her attention, and she knew. Cade’s goal was to prove his innocence. He was probably on a computer somewhere, trying to find evidence.
She shook her head. Why was she thinking about Cade? She was never going to see him again. The thought didn’t sit well with her. She’d only known him a few days, but they had been intense. She’d really gotten to know him well. He was kind and thoughtful.
He was not a murderer.
The thought came to her with such certainty that she couldn’t deny it. She knew Cade had not killed anyone. And he did not deserve to be in prison.
Betty bustled over to her and set down a plate in front of her. The smell of the bacon made Meg’s stomach growl. “Thanks,” she said, picking up her fork.
Betty smiled at her as she wiped the counter space down with a rag.
Meg was so hungry, she could hardly stop herself from inhaling the food. Before she knew it, her fork was scraping the empty plate. Betty refilled her cup of coffee and chuckled. “Funny. That girl looks just like you.” She pointed to the TV with her chin.
Meg’s gaze landed on the screen and her blood froze. Her Facebook profile photo took up half the screen with a picture of Cade beside it. The words Armed an
d Dangerous hung in large lettering across the top.
Chapter 12
Cade tried a dozen ways to log into his company computer. His brother had told him the new password, but it wasn’t working. Frustrated, he ran his hand through his hair and let out a curse word under his breath. A woman seated at the computer next to him gave him the stink eye.
Right. Library. Little kids played nearby. Oops. He got up from the computer and shouldered his duffle bag, lowering his World’s Greatest Dad cap. There was nothing he could do if he couldn’t log into the company files. He’d have to call his brother again. Unless...
The image of the man who lay dead at the bottom of the empty swimming pool flashed across his mind. Maybe his brother was behind all of this. That would explain why the password didn’t work. If his brother was trying to kill him, the last thing he should do is contact him.
Frustration rose in Cade as he made his way out of the library. How could he think his brother was sending people to kill him? Nicholas had his problems, but they were brothers. They’d stuck together during their mother’s illness. Nicholas had helped him through the darkest days of his life after the funeral. Sure, he’d turned to drugs to bury his pain, but he was over that now. Cade had watched him work hard to pull his life back together.
He shoved open the library door and stepped into the sunshine. It had taken him an hour just to walk across town. He was hoping to get somewhere looking at the company files, but he was still back to where he started. Without a clue and nowhere to go.
His steps slowed as a new plan formed in his mind. If he couldn’t access the company files remotely, he would have to go to Omaha and get the proof he needed directly. The thought made his stomach clench, but he had no other choice. He had to prove he was framed.
A car screeched to a halt beside him, startling him. He was about to run when he saw it was Meg in her Mustang. “Get in,” she hissed.
Cade leaned down to talk to her. “What are you doing here? You were supposed to—”
“We’re on the news. They’re looking for us. Get in the car!”
Cade didn’t wait to hear more. He ran around the front and hopped into the passenger seat. It strangely echoed what he’d done the night they’d met, but he shoved that memory aside. After Meg peeled out, he turned to her. “What happened?”
She swallowed, her eyes wide. “I saw us on TV. They said we killed a man and we’re armed and dangerous. They flashed our pictures, Cade. How do they know we’re together? How do they have my picture??”
Cade ran his hand over his hair. “I don’t know. Someone obviously called the cops. You must have left something at the house.”
Her face paled. “I left a lot of things at the house.” She stepped on the gas and the car lurched forward. “We have to get out of here.”
“Calm down.” Cade tried to take his own advice as Meg slowed. “Did they say we’re in Buffalo?”
Meg shook her head. “No.”
“Okay then. That’s good. They don’t know where we are.”
“But they flashed my picture. People in the diner were looking at me. What if someone called to report me?”
Cade knew this couldn’t last much longer. They were going to get caught. He had to go back home and prove his innocence. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Drop me off at the bus station. I have to go to Omaha.”
“What? Why?”
“I need to find out who killed Angie. I have to look at the company files, and I can’t get to them remotely.”
Meg gripped the steering wheel so hard, he thought it might bend in half. “You’ll get caught for sure if we go there.”
“Then I’ll get caught. At least this nightmare will be over for you.”
Her gaze jerked to his. “What about you?”
He didn’t have a good answer for her. “I’ll figure something out.”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t like that idea.”
“I have to, Meg, so I can have a normal life. I can’t run forever, and I can’t rely on the system to solve the crime. The system failed me.”
He watched her features as she digested this information. She clenched and unclenched her jaw a few times, glancing at him. Finally, she nodded. “All right. But I’m coming with you. It was so not fair of you to ditch me this morning.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
The hard edge to her gaze softened. “I know. But I don’t like the idea of you being all by yourself. You need help.”
“I can manage just fine.” He shifted the weight of the duffle bag on his legs. He had money. He could manage to get himself to Omaha. And if he had to, he would break into his own corporation to find what he needed.
She turned onto the interstate and accelerated. “No, you can’t.”
Cade wasn’t quite sure what to make of Meg. Yesterday she seemed scared of him. Today she was determined to stick with him. He looked out the window. “I don’t want you to get into trouble. If I stay with you, you could go to jail.”
She checked her mirror and merged into traffic. “I believe you’re innocent. I want to help you prove it.”
Cade didn’t like the thought of Meg in danger, but he didn’t want to continue to argue with her either. And a part of him felt relieved he would be able to keep an eye on her. The thought of being there to protect her was reassuring. He tugged on his cap and settled back into his seat. “If you insist,” he said, closing his eyes.
MEG PULLED OFF THE interstate at the Rapid City exit, her gas tank on empty. Nervous energy thrummed through her as she found a gas station. Cade pointed to the convenience shop. “Why don’t we grab some quick food and eat on the road? I’ve got an uneasy feeling.”
“I agree. I don’t want to stay in one place too long. Seeing my photo on the news freaked me out.”
“Go in and find something to eat. I’ll fill the tank.”
Meg nodded and opened her car door. “I’ll meet you inside.”
She clenched her hands into fists as she walked up to the glass door, sure everyone in the store would recognize her. Luckily, the place was almost empty. A buff biker dude stood by the soda machine surveying his options, and a skinny teen stood behind the counter checking out a lady.
Meg ducked into one of the aisles. Junk food was good enough. She didn’t need anything hot. She wasn’t even hungry. The events of the past few days were catching up to her, she supposed. With trembling fingers, she reached out and picked up a package of peanuts.
The door dinged, and Cade walked in, his duffle bag slung over his shoulder. He looked a bit odd, with that large bag, but maybe that was because Meg knew about all the cash in there.
He spied her and stalked through the store to where she stood. “I’m going to get a Coke. Want one?”
She did want something to drink. “I’ll look at what they have.”
As they stood looking at the large, glass doors, the biker turned the corner and approached them. Meg wasn’t sure if Cade did it on purpose or not, but he took a step toward her, shielding her in a protective stance.
The man nodded at Cade. “That your Mustang out there?” His gaze flickered to the parking lot.
“What about it?” Cade asked.
The man eyed him. “Just thought you might want to know the cops are out there checking it out.”
Meg’s throat went dry as she turned to see the biker spoke the truth. A cop car was parked behind them, and two deputies were standing there. One spoke into his shoulder radio.
Panic struck through her and Cade’s face paled. “Thanks, man.” Cade grabbed her arm and tugged her to the back of the store. “We have to leave.”
She tossed her package of peanuts on the counter by the coffee machine. “There.” She pointed to a swinging door that stated, “Employees Only.”
Cade scanned the store then nodded. “You go first. I’ll make sure no one sees.”
The teenager was busy staring at his phone. Meg slipped through the swinging door to the dim
back room. Boxes lined one wall, a mop leaning against them. A small table and two chairs took up the center. Cade entered at a quick pace. “Hurry.”
Meg turned the corner and sighed with relief at a door, bright light coming in under it. She turned the knob and they rushed out into an alleyway, a row of dumpsters to their left. A delivery van sat idling, the owner chatting with someone, the back open. “This way,” Cade said as he turned toward the street.
What would they do when they got to the street? There were no trees to hide in. There weren’t any buildings to run behind. There was nothing but pavement. “Wait,” she heard herself say, a horrible idea forming in her mind. She motioned toward the delivery truck.
Cade shook his head, but all Meg could think about was how the police would be coming through that door any second and they’d be caught. “Come on,” she hissed, running toward the truck, glad when she glanced back to see him following her.
She pushed all warning bells out of her head as she climbed into the back of the truck and hid behind a stack of boxes. Cade crouched down next to her, his duffle bag taking up enough room that he had to press against her. “Now what?” he whispered.
She held her breath as the seconds ticked by, waiting for the police to come streaming out of the back of the convenience store. If that happened, surely they’d search the truck and find them. But no cops materialized. Maybe they were waiting for backup.
Then the truck owner came around, pulled the door down and locked it. A second later the truck swayed then took off. The motion made Meg fall back, and Cade put his arm around her to steady her. “I can’t believe that worked.”
He seemed happy, but Meg was still full of apprehension. “What if the driver finds us in here?”
“I don’t know. I’ll think of something.”
And then it hit Meg what they’d just done. They’d abandoned their car. Left all her belongings. She lost the ukulele her father had given her, the only possession she had that meant anything to her. She tried to hold it together, but tears pricked at her eyes and she couldn’t stop them.
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