She would pay. One way or another, he would get Emily Shire.
And he’d make it up to Stone, whatever it took. The man wouldn’t kill him, even if his twelve hours ended. He was too valuable to FreeNow. Too loyal. Stone had trusted Tex as part of his inner circle.
Tex watched the world fall away. Tonight it would all begin.
He and Bo were ready. They had a generator for the house, had stocked up on food and portable lanterns. While the rest of the city suffered, they would not. He wanted her comfortable, alone at night in the surrounding blackness. He would be on the streets.
She’d wanted to hit the streets with him. He’d told her no. They’d fought about it. She was just as valuable, she said. Just as well trained, maybe more.
At some point their generator and batteries and candles would run out. They were prepared for that as well. They and all FreeNow members could live off the land if they had to. Whatever it took, and however long, as they worked from within to topple the corrupt government. Return America to her once powerful state, where the people ruled and were truly free.
Underneath him, Tex could feel the plane wheels tuck themselves into its underbelly. This short flight would be the last he’d take for a very long time. Maybe forever. He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. Tried to shove his anger aside. He’d fix this, oh yes, he would.
He would get Emily Shire.
Chapter 39
A twangy country song jarred Emily awake. Her eyes popped open, tried to focus. How in the world could she have fallen asleep?
The awful music was coming from Dave’s cell phone.
He picked it up and glanced at the ID. “Must be for you.”
Emily sat up, blinking hard. The number was from her aunt’s house. “Mom?”
“Don’t come here. The police have been here looking for us and will be back with a warrant. We have to leave.”
Air kicked out of Emily’s mouth. “Where will you go?”
Her mother told her, the words thin and tight.
“Mom, you can’t do that!”
“What choice do I have?”
The question slammed around in Emily’s head. “I don’t know. But—”
“If I can convince Ashley Eddington to listen, and we find something in that stuffed dog, she and Leringer’s daughter will speak out. They can get to law enforcement who’s not involved in the plot. I can’t do that. Neither can you. Since right now it’s all about arresting me.”
“And if she doesn’t listen, she’ll turn you right over to Wade. There has to be another way.”
“Tell it to me. Please.” Her mother had never sounded so old.
Emily gripped the phone. “You can’t go in your car. Everyone’s looking for it.”
“Aunt Margie said I can use hers.”
“Oh, great. So if you’re caught, Aunt Margie will be in trouble too—for helping you escape. Besides, if the police look through her house, they’ll find your car.”
Her mother hesitated. “That’s what I told her. But if I stay and they come back, she’s in trouble anyway.”
Emily pressed a hand to her forehead. This was so . . . “Where does Ashley Eddington live?”
“In San Carlos, of all places.”
“San Carlos!”
“I don’t know the street address.”
“So how do you—”
“Aunt Margie’s trying to find out on the computer. If we can’t find it right away, I’ll just have to start driving and trust she will find it by the time we get there. Right now I have to get Mom up. Without her having a complete meltdown.”
“You’re taking her with you? No way.”
“I can’t leave her! They’ll find her here for sure. Can you imagine your grandmother being taken away all by herself for questioning? She’d be petrified.”
“But they won’t hurt her. She doesn’t know anything.”
“Emily. An armed man broke into our house in the middle of the night and kicked down her bedroom door.”
Emily’s eyes searched the road. Had the whole world gone crazy?
She saw a sign to turn east for Fresno. Good. Still time to change direction.
“Okay, Mom. I’ll meet you in San Carlos.”
“What? No you won’t!”
“I can help. I’ll talk to Ashley. She takes one look at you, with your picture plastered everywhere, and you’re done for. You won’t get one word out.”
“Emily, no.”
“Okay then, what would you like me to do, Mom? I can’t go home. And cops are all over your house.”
“Go home with your friend. The one who’s driving you.”
And take the danger to Dave’s family? Plus leave her mother and Grand in danger on their own? No way.
“Does Aunt Margie have a cell phone?” Emily asked.
“Yes. She’s letting me take it.”
“Give me the number.”
For once her mom didn’t protest. Emily entered the number into Dave’s phone. “Okay. Call me when you’re about there.”
“Emily, I don’t want you to do this.”
“And I don’t want you to do this, so we’re even.”
Her mother breathed over the line. “This is insane.”
Yes, it was. But her mother was right—it was also their one chance. And time was ticking. It was already noon. Even if they could find the key to stop the terrorist attack, how long would it take computer geeks to do that?
“Listen, Mom, when you find out where Ashley Eddington lives, give me a call.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I’ve got my computer with built-in Wi-Fi, I’ll find out myself.”
Dave threw her a look.
“Emily, you are too hard-headed.”
“Well, wonder where I got that from.”
“It’s atavistic. You got it from your grandmother.”
“Sure, whatever you say. I’m hanging up now. Call me.”
Emily hit the Off button and turned to Dave. “Would you mind driving a little bit farther?”
Chapter 40
I opened the door to the room where Mom was sleeping. Even as I entered, I argued with myself. Maybe I should leave her. Maybe she was safer here than with me.
But if I left her, what would happen when the police came? To Mom and to Aunt Margie?
Mom was snoring softly, her mouth open. I inhaled a long breath. This wouldn’t be easy.
I shook her shoulder.
She snored on.
I shook her again, harder. She swallowed a snort and opened unfocused eyes. “Hunh?”
“Mom, it’s me. You need to get up now.”
“Why?” The question swam up from half-sleep.
“We have to go now. The Bad People will find us here if we stay.”
Her eyes blinked. She turned toward me, one hand finding her chest. “Can’t get up. Too tired.”
“I know. I’m sorry. But you have to.”
“No. Later.” Her eyes closed.
I leaned against the bed and gathered myself, then shook her again.
“Leave me alone!”
“Mom, you have to get up.”
“I don’t wanna.”
“I’m sorry. Just move to the car, that’s all I ask. You can sleep there.”
“No. Here.”
How long had the police been gone? How long until they ran down a judge and got a warrant? Given the attention the media was giving this case, probably not long.
“Here. Let me help you up.” I slid an arm beneath her shoulders and pushed her to sit up. She rose like a puppet, her face blank. Then her arms came up, offended and waving. “No.” She grabbed my arm in her weak hand, trying to pull me away. “I don’t want to!”
“Shh, Mom, it’s okay.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“You can’t treat me like a child. I want to sleep!”
“I’ll get you some tea before we go, how about that?”
“I don’t want tea, I want you to leave me alone.”
Anger chewed at me. This was so unfair to my mother. Who were these men, that they could do this to us?
“Mom, come on now, stand up. You’re almost there.” I nudged her feet toward the floor.
Her jaw locked and her face flushed. Her arms waved more wildly, hands hitting at me. “I’m not getting up!” Her voice rose, panic-hollowed and old. “I’m not.”
“Stop it.” I chased her jerking hands, caught them by the wrists. “You have to calm down. Look at me, look at me.”
“Nnno!” She squeezed her eyes shut and fought harder.
“Mom, pl—”
“No!”
She opened her mouth wide and screamed. A second time, and a third. I let go of her wrists and stepped back, palms up. She shrieked a fourth time, and fifth, and sixth, until I lost count and my head vibrated. The sound bounced off the walls and slashed my ears, my heart.
What if the neighbors heard?
Tears trickled down my cheeks. Why did she do this to me?
My mother’s eyes opened. She glared at me, fists clutched to her neck and chest heaving.
Aunt Margie scurried into the room. “What—?”
“She won’t let me sleep!” Mom thrust a forefinger toward me. “Tell her to leave me alone!”
“Yes, dear.” Aunt Margie bustled over to the bed. “It’s all right now.”
“Tell her to go away!”
“I’m going, I’m going.” I backed up more. In fact, I considered going all the way to the front door. Walking outside and down the street, letting the policeman find me. I couldn’t do this anymore.
Mom’s face scrunched up, and she started to cry. “Why does she treat me like this?”
I leaned against the doorway, soul-sick.
Aunt Margie sat down beside Mom and put an arm around her. “Shh, now, she’s only trying to help you.”
“She’s not helping!”
My aunt patted Mom’s shoulder as she locked eyes with me.
“Did you find it?” I mouthed.
She shook her head. “You can see where I was on the screen.”
I took her cue and left the room, hoping Aunt Margie could calm Mom down. She couldn’t fail any worse than I’d done.
“Listen, Carol, you remember you told me about the Bad People?” Aunt Margie’s voice filtered to my ears as I walked down the hall. In the bedroom I stopped and prayed. “Lord, help me do this. I’m terrible on my own.”
The memory of Mom’s screams still zinged my nerves.
How much time did we have before the policemen showed up? I checked my watch. A new sense of urgency filled me.
With a deep breath, I headed to the desk and sat down. The monitor showed hits from a search for nathan eddington + san carlos. The top links were for newspaper articles about his death. I searched for a few pages, then got a better idea. In California, the tax evaluation on homes was public information. I typed in nathan eddington san carlos tax. Up came a link for the San Mateo County property evaluation for the Eddington house.
Address: 1287 Sloat Street.
For a moment I stared at it, wishing it hadn’t been this easy. Now I really had to go there.
I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down the address.
Back in the hall I could still hear Aunt Margie’s soothing voice. Mom was quiet. I went to the bathroom. Then to the kitchen, where I guzzled a glass of water. I put the address in my purse. After that I found myself in the TV room, trying to think what needed to be moved from my car to Aunt Margie’s vehicle. Probably everything.
Except Samuelson’s gun. That still lay in the tote bag. If the lights went out tonight and stayed that way, would Aunt Margie need it for protection?
But if the police searched her house and found it, she could be arrested.
She may be arrested anyway, as soon as police spotted my car in her house.
I dropped my face in my hands. I couldn’t even make this simple decision. How was I supposed to drive over three hours back to San Carlos? I’d fall asleep at the wheel. And that would be just the beginning of what I faced.
Footsteps sounded in the hall. I walked that direction—and saw Mom headed for the bathroom.
Aunt Margie approached me, her cheeks pale. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” She kept her voice low. “Don’t know how I managed to calm her down. For some reason the logic worked.”
“I know why.” My throat tightened. “Because you’re not me.”
“Oh, Hannah, don’t say that.”
“It’s true. I’m her caregiver. And she takes it out on me.”
“She doesn’t know any better.”
“I realize that. Still, it’s . . .” I looked at the floor.
Aunt Margie squeezed my shoulder. “You’re wonderful with her. It wouldn’t be easy for anyone.”
I managed a nod.
Down the hall the bathroom door closed.
My aunt turned toward the kitchen. “I’ll get you my car key and cell phone.”
“And I need to move our things over to your car.” I walked out to the garage and transferred the items over. When I picked up the tote bag, I hesitated, then took it into the kitchen. “Aunt Margie, there’s a gun in here. A big one with a silencer. Do you want it?”
Her eyes rounded. “Whatever would I do with that?”
“Protect yourself.”
She considered the bag. “I’d just shoot myself in the leg. You keep it.” She shuddered.
I returned to the garage and put it in the trunk of her car.
As I stepped back through the kitchen door, I found Mom standing at the sink next to my aunt, drinking water. “Margie has some water bottles for us,” she told me. “And some cookies. Isn’t that nice?”
Did she even remember her outburst?
“Yes, Mom, that’s nice.”
She set down her glass. “We’re going to find the daughter now, aren’t we. In Raleigh.”
I gave her a sad smile. She wasn’t too far off. “Yes.”
“So we can keep our promise to Morton.”
“That’s right.”
“He was such a nice man.”
“He was.”
“How he must have suffered.” Her chin trembled.
“I know. That’s why we have to fix this.”
Mom cocked her head. “Hannah, you can’t fix everything. Sometimes you just have to let God do it.”
Her words struck the core of me.
“Like the Bible verse says, ‘He guards the steps of His faithful ones, for a man does not prevail by his own strength.’” Mom’s gaze drifted out the window. “I can’t remember what book it’s in . . .”
My aunt and I exchanged a glance. What was that in her expression? Agreement? Surprise? Sadness?
Maybe all three.
I aimed another smile at my mother. “You’re a very wise woman, Mom.”
She beamed at me.
A few minutes later the three of us were in the garage, hugging each other. “Aunt Margie,” I had to warn her one last time, “you know you’re going to be in trouble if the police come and find my car here.”
She shrugged. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll handle it.”
But what if she got into the hands of the wrong police officer? Someone who was working with Wade and Harcroft? “Maybe you should go with us.”
That was insane. She’d be in even more danger with me.
Aunt Margie chuckled. “You want to be responsible for two old women?”
I opened my mouth, but no answer came.
She patted my arm. “Don’t you worry about me. Just go and do what you have to do. Someday you’re going to tell me the whole story.”
My throat tightened. I gave her another hard hug. Then turned to help Mom into the car. I buckled her seatbelt for her.
Aunt Margie moved to open the garage door. “I’ll be praying. Call me when you can.”
“I will.”
The garage door opened, and we backed out into the unknown.
Chapter 41
Stone picked up his cell the second it started to ring. The ID was from Fresno.
“Yeah, Mack.”
“I’ve spotted ’em. They’re driving away from the house in a blue car.”
Stone smacked a fist against his thigh. “Why weren’t you there sooner? Two minutes, and you’d have had them in the house.”
“Got here fast as I could.”
Stone seethed.
“At least we found ’em. I’ll follow the car. When they stop I’ll get ’em.”
“Don’t let them out of your sight.”
“Won’t happen.”
Stone checked his watch. Twelve thirty. As long as the women remained in a car the police weren’t looking for, law enforcement had less chance of finding them. Which gave his man some time.
“Check in with me every half hour, let me know where they are. If we’re lucky, they’ll lead us someplace important.”
“Will do.”
Stone ended the call and punched in Tex’s number to leave a message. “We’ve found the women in Fresno. Call me as soon as you land.”
Chapter 42
Mom was fumbling with the side of her seat. I glanced at her. “What are you trying to do?”
“See if the seat will go back. Oh. There.” Her arm moved—and the seat reclined. “Hah!” Mom eased herself back and settled in.
In five minutes she was asleep.
I drove out of Fresno and turned north on Highway 99. My back was ramrod straight, arms tense. Every thirty seconds my eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, looking for police cars. I saw none.
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