High-Stakes Holiday Reunion

by Christy Barritt

  She shoved her hands deep into the pockets of her blue coat. Her steps seemed slow, uncertain almost. “So there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

  “You can tell me anything, Ashley.”

  She licked her lips. “It’s a little complicated, Christopher. Actually, it’s a lot complicated, at least when it comes to my heart.”

  When it comes to her heart? Had she been mixed up with someone shady who was bad news? Fire rushed through his veins at the thought. He’d always imagined her marrying someone stable and secure, someone who’d take good care of her.

  Who was he kidding? He’d always imagined her marrying him. Only that couldn’t happen. War had left him warped and incapable of a committed, healthy relationship. Ashley deserved someone better, someone who wasn’t consumed with the tragedies he’d faced.

  She paced a few more steps, her face tight. Whatever she had to say, she was struggling.

  Finally, she stopped and licked her lips again. When she looked at him, the emotion in her eyes broke his heart. “Christopher, when you left me...” She paused, her eyes wavering in thought. “When you left, I was angry.”

  “You had every right to be.”

  She heaved in a deep breath. “I didn’t ever want anything to do with you again. I told myself that you’d made your choice, and that I had to get on with my life. That’s what you told me you wanted.”

  “I did.” He clearly remembered saying those words. Each one had made his heart feel like it was crumbling away, bit by bit.

  “You told me that you’d chosen to be career military instead of going the family-man route, right?”

  He nodded, wondering where she was going with this. “I think I did say something like that.”

  She squeezed her lips together and shook her head. “Look, Christopher, this is really hard for me. There’s no easy way to say it.”

  “I’m a big boy. Don’t worry about me. Just say it.”

  She swallowed hard. “Christopher, I— We—”

  Before she could finish her sentence, an explosion sounded behind them. They glanced back to see a huge ball of fire rising up from the guardhouse at the Eyes’ entrance.

  ELEVEN

  “We’ve got to leave. We can’t stay anywhere too long, or they’ll find us.”

  Ashley nodded as she absorbed Christopher’s words. She was still in shock over the car bomb that had killed the guard at the gate, as well as the driver of the vehicle who’d pulled up to the entrance with a bomb in his trunk.

  They’d spent the last four hours dealing with the aftermath of the attack. Looking for survivors, calling the authorities, picking up the pieces.

  Not Ashley, of course. They’d tucked her away, afraid there might be another attack. So she’d sat at the window and watched the devastation around her. Wasn’t that what her life had turned into? Ground Zero after an attack?

  The FBI had come in and she’d given them a statement. She’d told them about Josh and David, praying in the process that she wasn’t getting them killed. Guilt had filled her when one of the agents had looked outraged over her not reporting their abduction sooner.

  A rock and a hard place. She’d been there before, and it wasn’t a fun place to be.

  She stared out the window again, trying to find even a sprig of hope in the barrenness of her soul at the moment. “That poor guard. He looked so young.”

  Christopher’s lips pulled into a tight line. “I know. These men are clearly trying to send a message. We’ve got to get you out of here. Grab your things.”

  She felt numb as Christopher led her back upstairs and into her room. In a trancelike state, she stuffed her few measly belongings into one of the shopping bags she’d picked up on their trip Saturday before meeting him in the hallway.

  Christopher’s eyes glowed with compassion as he looked down at her. She tried not to let his sensitivity to her emotions clutch at her heart. She was already feeling so vulnerable.

  “You ready?”

  She nodded, even though she felt anything but ready. If the terrorists could get to her inside the Eyes’ headquarters, just what was waiting for her outside of these gates? She had to be strong, though, for David’s sake if no one else’s.

  Christopher led her outside and to a waiting SUV. A moment later, they took off through an alternate exit out of the Eyes’ headquarters. She remained silent as they wove through the dark streets. The sun had set at least three hours ago. In the distance, the lights from emergency vehicles still flashed, a reminder of the tragedy that had occurred.

  Ashley said nothing. There was nothing to say.

  Miles and miles of road passed and she stared out the window, lost in her thoughts.

  Finally, they pulled down a long, winding lane surrounded by woods. A cabin, complete with the front porch light on, waited for them at the end. She sat up straighter, curiosity driving away the doldrums. “Where are we?”

  Christopher put the car in park and stared at her for a moment. “It’s a safe house.”

  “A safe house?” She blinked. She’d heard about safe houses before. She never thought she would need one, though. They were for...people in danger. That now included her. She never thought Ashley Wilson and danger would be in the same sentence.

  “We’ll be out of danger here tonight. We won’t stay anywhere more than one night, though, just as a precaution.” He opened the door and grabbed their bags from the back.

  Still numb, she followed him through the darkness and toward the house. A man stood at the door, waiting for them. Christopher introduced him as a guard who’d been assigned to stay there and keep an eye on the place for them.

  Ashley stepped inside. The space was small, but homey. Someone had even taken the time to light a fire and warm the air for them. It wasn’t quite home sweet home, but it would do.

  She couldn’t let the coziness of the place allow her to let down her guard, however. She might be safe for the moment, but the moment would soon pass.

  Christopher’s hands went to her shoulders. She looked up at him, sucking in a breath at his closeness. Firelight danced on his face, the amber hues softening his features. For a moment—and just a moment—she felt like she was nineteen again, and young and in love. She snapped out of it and took a step back. Christopher’s hands still remained on her shoulders, but she realized his touch was meant to ground her and not as a romantic advance.

  “Did you want to finish having that conversation now?” he asked.

  That conversation? It took her a moment to even remember what that conversation was. David. Being his son. The devastation that would follow. No, there’d been enough devastation for one day.

  She shook her head. “No, not now. I just need to rest now.” She was too tired. Too much had happened and she didn’t want to muddy the waters any more than they already had been.

  He nodded. Was that disappointment in his eyes? His hands slipped from her shoulders, and he scooted back a step. “Okay.”

  She turned toward one of the bedrooms down the hall, realizing just how out of control her emotions were tonight. Because for another moment there she’d felt some of her attraction to Christopher return.

  Things between them would never work out. Never. Hadn’t she learned that already? And when she shared her secret, their rift would become even greater. “I just need to get some shut-eye.”

  She fled before he could ask any more questions.

  * * *

  The next morning, Christopher sat at the kitchen table and stared outside. The snow still covered the ground, though it had started to melt. On the edge of the woods that surrounded the cabin, two deer found a patch of grass and nibbled there, occasionally glancing around for any signs of danger.

  They reminded him, for a moment, of Ashley. She was so innoc
ent, but she’d become like prey to the men who were hunting her. Everywhere she went, she couldn’t let down her guard, not even for a second. She was graceful, beautiful...and in danger.

  He sipped his coffee. He hadn’t been able to sleep for most of the evening as his mind replayed what had happened over and over again. Each time he closed his eyes, that explosion rocked his world.

  It sent him back to Afghanistan. Sent him back to that final raid. Sent him back to finding Liam outside, shot down by combatants’ gunfire.

  He closed his eyes as the memories came again. At once, he was back on the ground beside his friend.

  “Stay with me! I’m going to get you help.”

  Liam shook his head. “No, get out of here. It’s too late for me. I’ll only slow you down.”

  “I’m not leaving here without you.”

  “Christopher, go! Don’t let them take another life.”

  Gunfire exploded in the distance. Yells and shouts crept over the hill. The insurgents were getting closer. It was just a matter of time.

  Before Liam could argue, he hoisted his friend over his shoulder. Then, as gunfire rained behind him, he ran toward the Humvee. He ran and ran. His lungs burned. His—

  He shook his head. He was in Virginia. So why did his mind so easily travel back to Kabul? How long would it be until the nightmares stopped?

  Lord, I know You make all things work together for our good. Even when we can’t see it. I definitely can’t see it now, but I pray that Your hand would be on all of this.

  A moment later, Ashley came padding down the hallway. She looked like she hadn’t slept any better than he did. She pulled up a seat across from him and plopped down. “Morning.”

  He stood. “Coffee?”

  “Please.”

  He brought her a cup. She took a slow, long sip and closed her eyes. “Thank you.”

  “How’d you sleep?”

  She frowned. “I didn’t. Everything just kept replaying in my head.”

  “Yeah, I know what that’s like.”

  She took another sip. “Please tell me that you don’t expect me to stay here with only my thoughts for company? I will lose my mind if I’m expected to sit around and twiddle my thumbs.”

  “I didn’t take you hostage, Ashley. Even though I would prefer it if you did just hunker down. I’d feel better.” Keeping her under lock and key was tempting, just for safety’s sake.

  She shook her head. “I’ve got to find Josh and David. I’ve got to track every lead. I’ve got to do something.”

  He nodded. Her answer hadn’t surprised him, not in the least. “I know.”

  “I was hoping we might visit TechShare and see if Josh’s boss is in.”

  “We can do that.”

  “And I never did check my voice mail yesterday. I just want to make sure there are no messages...you know, from my brother or something. Would you mind?”

  He grabbed his phone from the counter. “The line is secure. Go ahead.”

  She began tapping in some numbers. A moment later, her lips twisted in confusion. Finally, she put the phone down and stared at him.

  “This message is from one of the companies that hired me.”

  “What’s going on?” He set his mug down.

  “It’s strange. He said information from his website has been compromised.”

  “Don’t hackers do stuff like that all the time?”

  She shook her head. “No, it’s strange because I have multiple layers of security set up on my sites. They’ve never been compromised. He sounds livid. He wants to meet with me about it—with his lawyers.”

  “That doesn’t sound good.” He leaned closer. “You should consider that this could be a setup, Ashley. This could be a way that someone’s trying to lure you out of hiding. They knew putting your professional reputation on the line would draw you out.”

  She squinted. “You think?”

  “Maybe. You never know.”

  “The man who called wasn’t my original contact. His name is Damian Maro. He said the previous communications director left the company.”

  “How about if I call Denton and let him run his name through the system?”

  “Might not be a bad idea.”

  Christopher came back into the room a few minutes later with a piece of paper in his hands. “Denton did a quick scan of his name. He said he can’t find a connection with the company he claims to be with. Of course, if he’s new, it could take a while to show up.”

  Ashley shrugged. “Maybe.”

  Christopher held up the paper. “Denton did find an address for a Damian Maro. Why don’t we go pay him a visit?”

  “Now?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, when he’s not expecting us.”

  “Let’s do it.”

  * * *

  Ashley’s fingers dug into the seat as they headed down the road. What would today hold? Hopefully, she’d get some answers. She couldn’t hope for all of the answers, but at least one would do. For now.

  Christopher glanced over at her, his grip tight on the steering wheel. “We’re near TechShare. Do you want to swing by there before going to visit this Damian guy who left that message?”

  Ashley nodded. “That sounds like a plan. Maybe Josh’s boss will be willing to talk to us.”

  Christopher pulled off the road, and a few minutes later they drove into the same parking lot where they’d stopped this past weekend. The difference was that now it was daylight and cars filled each of the spaces there. Hopefully, Josh’s boss would be in and might have some answers.

  Christopher put the car in park and turned toward her. “Let’s go see what they have to say.”

  She nodded and climbed out of the car. They walked to the nondescript gray building. TechShare. She’d never heard of the company before her brother started working for them, but apparently they were responsible for a lot of the computer programs and parts that were used today.

  A plain reception area greeted them as they stepped inside out of the cold. A young brunette sat behind a desk with a professional smile on her face. “How can I help you today?”

  “We’re here to see Garland Evans,” Christopher said. He strode up to the desk, looking every bit as self-assured and in charge as he ever had. At one time, Ashley had loved that about him. If she let herself, she could easily love it again.

  The receptionist’s smile slipped some. “Mr. Evans? Do you have an appointment?”

  Christopher shook his head. “No, but it’s important that we speak with him.”

  The brunette quirked an eyebrow. “And you are?”

  Ashley stepped forward. “Josh Wilson’s sister.”

  Her eyes widened but only for a split second. “Let me see if Mr. Evans is available. He’s a very busy man.” She punched some numbers into her phone and whispered a few things into the device before hanging up and turning to them. “I just talked to his secretary. He’s in meetings all day, unfortunately, but we can set up an appointment for you.”

  Ashley shook her head. If Mr. Evans was in this building, she had to talk to him before she left. “We drove up here just to see him. It’s extremely important. It’s about my brother.”

  “I understand, but—”

  “We’re not leaving until we speak with him,” Christopher said. His voice sounded authoritative and sent shivers down Ashley’s spine.

  The receptionist’s eyes widened. “One more minute.”

  This time, she slipped out a door leading to some offices in the back. The minutes ticked by. Finally, she came out. A distinguished-looking, gray-haired man followed behind her. He extended his hand to Ashley. “I’m Garland.”

  “I’m Ashley Wilson, and this is my friend Christopher Jordan.”

  He nodded curtly. H
is blue eyes looked perceptive but tired. “What can I do for you?”

  “Is there a place we could talk in private?” Ashley asked.

  “Of course. Let’s go in the meeting room we have right here.” He led them to a room off the reception area. They sat down at a gray table. Mr. Evans remained the picture of a professional with his crisp sleeves perched atop the table.

  Ashley decided not to waste any more time. She locked gazes with Mr. Evans. “I’ll just get down to business. I’m worried about my brother, and I wondered if there was anyone you know of who was trying to steal information on the plans he was working on for the company?”

  His gaze traveled perceptively from Ashley to Christopher and then back. “Steal the information on the plans?”

  Ashley shook her head, unwilling to back down—not when the lives of people she loved were on the line. “I don’t know exactly what my brother was working on. But I do know how competitive the technology field can be. Whatever project he was handling, was there any chance someone else wanted it?”

  He remained silent for a moment before nodding slowly. “I suppose there’s always that chance. We haven’t received any direct threats, however, if that’s what you’re asking. May I ask why you’re questioning me about this? Is your brother in some sort of trouble? I thought he was on vacation.”

  Ashley licked her lips. How did she answer that without giving away too much about her brother?

  Christopher spoke up. “We believe someone is threatening him. We’re just trying to get to the bottom of things while he’s away, using his vacation time.”

  Garland nodded slowly, thoughtfully. “I see. I’m sorry to hear there’s been a threat, but I don’t believe it has anything to do with his work here. Yes, he’s developing some cutting-edge technology, but I don’t think it would put his life at risk.”

  Ashley wasn’t ready to give up yet. “Is there anything else you can tell us about his work here? Anything that might give us an idea of what’s going on?”