CHAPTER 31
“Watermark Tower. Even if he’s been back to Portland, he hasn’t been to Watermark, or we would know. I have everything coded; it would have picked him up,” Liam said. “Even if my work failed all over the city, which it didn’t, the place is a fortress. He’d never get in, and Dace and Wylie are there anyway.”
“Th-that’s so far away,” Jessie stammered.
“He got the plane
. Who knows what else is rigged? And, we don’t have time to figure it out,” Luke insisted. “Watermark is our best bet.”
Another explosion caught their attention and had them moving to the front of the house. This time, it wasn’t as loud, nor did the house shake – it was further away. A smoke plume quickly filled the sky from somewhere in town.
“It’s a diversion; he wants us distracted,” Logan said. “We need to get going – what’s the new plan? Let’s go…”
“Helicopter,” Beck McCain offered. “It’s not out at the hangar. Let’s get the ladies and kids out of here.”
“And how do we know he isn’t counting on that and has it rigged and waiting. Not happening,” Luke said.
“The SUV’s. We brought them in from Portland, and they haven’t been out of our sight since we got here last night,” Liam pointed out. “BJ, you drive one; McCain has the other. Convoy out of here, and don’t stop until you get to Portland. I don’t care if the kids gotta pee – keep driving.”
“I know B.J. knows how to shoot,” Luke said of his brother in-law. “How about you McCain?”
“Part of being Blake’s family means you learn to shoot,” Beck said. “We can all shoot.”
“I can shoot a pea off a tooth pick long range,” Stone said to the men putting their plan together. “Where do you boys need me, son?”
“Stone, I’d like you to go to Portland. Be their eyes so they can just drive. Morgan, take your badge; you’re in the other rig – same reason,” Blake instructed.
“Got it.” Morgan quickly moved throughout the house, grabbing her weapon and badge, readying for the task she was charged with.
“Blake, I think it’s a good idea if Carly and I stay and head over to the hospital,” Doc said, kissing his wife, Everly’s forehead. “That’s a lot of smoke already, and if there’s more to come, McKenzie General is about to get hit hard with patients. I think we’re better served there, and security will be tight. But I want Ev and the baby out of here. I want them as far away as possible.”
“Agreed,” Blake said. “I’ll get a unit to escort you over and stay on site.”
“Don’t worry, man. We’ll take care of your family. We’re getting everyone out of here safe and in one piece. You stay safe here, though,” Beck said to Doc, referring to B.J. in the we
. B.J. nodded in agreement.
“Let’s load up – only take what you need for the car ride – you can get anything else you need once in Portland,” Luke added. “We need you guys rolling out.”
Everyone was quick to move outside and load up in the vehicles as planned. Getting the ladies and children out of town was priority one. Setting up a trap for Bolton, priority two.
Lou pulled her revolver from her bag and checked that it was loaded. “I’ll shoot anything that even comes close to hurting my babies.”
Blake glanced at Everly, grabbing her attention, then nodding in her Grandmother Lou’s direction. “Keep an eye on her. She’s pissed off and a little gun happy.”
“Don’t worry. I already have a list of rules for riding in the car with her gun,” Ev said before kissing Blake’s cheek and climbing into the vehicle. “Be safe, and get this asshole.”
“Scanner says it was behind Baker’s Bakery,” Liam reported concerning the explosion, looking at his brother-in-law, B.J. Baker. The bakery was his family’s business. “The buildings are
on fire. Engines are on scene.”
Shock and disbelief washed over the crowd. Baker’s had been a staple in their town for decades. A sullen look struck B.J.’s expression but quickly turned to one of determination. This group was tough, and as long as they had each other, they’d get through whatever this guy threw at them.
Sirens could be heard in the distance, seeming to get closer. Liam hit a few keys on his laptop and announced, “That’s one of the hotshot crews you’re hearing. They’re headed here. If that fire jumps and gets in the trees, we have the right people on it.”
Another powerful shake, followed by a delayed ear-piercing boom, had them all taking a knee to the ground to brace themselves while those already in the vehicles huddled together, covering the upset children.
“Shit! What’s he doing? Burning the whole town down?” Logan yelled before giving Carly a final kiss and putting her in the police car that was taking her and Doc Charles to the hospital.
“How is he doing it if he isn’t here yet?” Jessie asked.
“He has a strong remote signal,” Liam said, looking around as if the answers were right in front of him. “Towers. He’s probably bouncing off nearby towers while he’s on the move. That narrows things down. It has to be a specific signal; I can narrow the signal. Long range – it’s something long range. I can find it – I can find him
. I’m on it.”
Liam darted to the porch and took a seat, pecking away at his laptop keyboard. If he could do whatever it was he said he could, there was no way Bolton was getting away with this. Every time he detonated, he would make his location known. If anyone could sort through every single signal being used in and around them, or sent, and narrow it to one person…it was Liam.
The men looked at each other, realizing how big this one man show had the potential to be. They each understood that he could very well be setting the entire town ablaze to remain a step ahead of them at every turn.
“Control. He has exactly what he wants – he’s
in control,” Logan said furiously. “We need to play his game now! What do we do, Blake?”
“First, we get these vehicles on the road.” He turned to B.J. and Beck. “Take the backroad behind town. I don’t want you trapped in the chaos. It may be what he wants. You can jump back on the 91 and get out of McKenzie once you get to the other side.”
Smoke plumes began to rise everywhere as more fires were ignited. Some were accompanied with an explosion, some not. He really had been everywhere in McKenzie and left his mark.
“We have more fires. They’re popping up everywhere. The scanner is going crazy,” Liam said. “He’s ahead of them. The town is in a state of emergency, and they are calling in help from surrounding areas. McKenzie’s on fire, guys. It’s on fucking fire.”
“What are you doing?” Blake asked Jessie when she jumped out of the SUV. “Get back in there, and get out of here.”
“Why? So he can follow us to Portland? A lot more to burn there and more people, too,” Jessie said. “He may not be able to get to me there, but he can cause hell for everyone else there. It isn’t fair. I won’t do it.”
“Blake, she’s right,” Carter interrupted. “We need to contain this.”
“It’s not up to you, Carter,” Blake chided. “Or you, Jessie…it’s not safe here.”
“It’s not safe anywhere I go. He’ll find me,” She argued.
“I’m sorry, Blake, but they’re right,” Logan added. “Use your head, not your heart, man. You know what you need to do.”
Blake paced back and forth with white knuckled fists. He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. This is where his past was taunting him. He was trying to control everything around him to spare his heart and the lives of those he loved most. Now, he was the one running rather than facing his fear and taking it down.
“Okay, okay…let’s get them out of here,” Blake said, pointing to the vehicles as he pulled Jessie into his side.
With a police escort to the outskirts of town, the two SUV’s left. Should they run into traffic issues or barricades of any kind, the unit would get them through and on their way to Portland.
“We need to get going,” Carter said in frustration. “We don’t have much time left.”
“Yeah,” Liam said, his hands pouring over the keys quickly, his expression full of confusion. “I can’t see him. I’ve used the state cameras along the 91 before, but they’re offline. I can’t see a thing. Son of a bitch. What are the odds of those being down for maintenance today, of all days?”
“This weekend is the worst for traffic. There’s no way. The rodeo is in town, and its summer,” Declan added. “No way that was planned.”
“Yeah, he’s been in there. He took them down,” Liam said. “He knows what he’s doing. I can’t see a thing. I can’t even get into their mainframe and pull them back online. He blocked me…he blocked everybody.”
Liam set down one laptop and picked up another. “I have the code done and the program is running. It’s sorting through thousands of signals a minute and lining them up. Anything within the parameters I wrote will be flagged until it finds a pattern for us. It’ll work; it’ll just take time now.”
“Well, we know what he looks like and what he’s driving – we’ll see him,” Luke said. “Unless he strays, then we’ll need that computer of yours to find him, brother.”
“You’re not going with me, Jessie. He’ll expect that. If he sees me, he’ll assume you’re nearby. He’ll tail me to get to you. We just need to hide you somewhere, but where?” Blake asked.
“He’s right,” Logan agreed. “The only place he didn’t hit last night was your place, Blake. He must know he’d be too exposed, and it’s suicide walking onto that property. How he knows, who knows, but he must. It’s going to be our best bet.”
“The fires last night. I have to wonder what that was about. He drew you out – away from your place, Blake,” Declan said. “How do we know it isn’t a trap.”
“Because your brother,” he said, nodding to Liam, “set up all of the security out there. I can see everything, including when someone tries tampering with the system he set up. Liam really did create a fortress. He hasn’t been there, nor has he tampered with the system.”
“Okay. If you’re sure, I’ll get a unit to take her out there,” Logan said. “As long as they’re inside, they’ll be safe.”
“No. Not happening,” Blake said. “You go, Logan. I don’t trust anyone right now outside of our team here. You know the house, the area, and how to use all of the…security
.”
“Security?” Carter said with a raised brow. “Explain, security.”
“Let’s just say it’s more than bells and whistles that’ll go off,” Blake said with a shrug. “We’ve encountered some pretty bad assholes in our day – you never know when one might want to find you.”
“Touché,” Carter replied.
“Okay. You can count on me,” Logan said with pride. Logan was the one person Blake trusted with his world - Jessie. “I’ll protect her with everything I have.”
Blake nodded and offered a quick smile, “Which is why I want you with her.”
“Let’s roll,” Luke said, securing his weapon.
Logan walked away and got in his truck, offering a quick private moment for Blake and Jessie. Blake pulled her into him and held her tight, kissing the top of her head. He whispered in her ear, “Stay in the house, no matter what, and listen to Logan. He’ll always make the right choice.
“Jessie, I need you to listen,” he added, his voice still low. “You know where the O’Reilly cabin is, right?”
She nodded and stilled in his arms, holding him tighter as she took everything in. His smell, the feel of him, how he held her.
“If something happens, run, and don’t stop. Go to their cabin. I have a metal box under the front deck. There are supplies and a gun
. There’s a key to get in – you lock yourself inside and hide in the closet at the back of the house until I come for you. You hear me? You run – then you wait for me.”
Jessie pulled away so she could look up at him. She was confused by what he was saying. Why would he have her do that unless something wasn’t setting right with him? He didn’t trust anyone; what did he know, or suspect? Whatever it was, he wasn’t sharing it with anyone, including her. He also wasn’t telling anyone where to find her should something go awry.
She nodded her head, tears streaking her cheeks just as a horn sounded. Carter had a hand out of his window and hit the side of the vehicle, hurrying Blake.
“I love you, Jessie,” Blake said, with a final kiss. “More than anything. This is it. It ends today. I’ll see you soon.”
She smiled at his reassurance and promise to see her soon. He was defeating her monster and coming back for her. “I love you, too. Be safe. Keep all of them safe. If anyone can, it’s you, our fierce protector.”