Marty saw Jake's shoulders tense as he listened to the person on the phone. She sat up in the bed, clutching the sheet to her breasts. Something was wrong.

"When?" Jake snapped. He listened for a few more seconds then said in short, distinct syllables, "We're on our way right now."

"Jake." She placed her hand on his back and felt tremors beneath her palm.

He sat there silently for a moment then spoke in a cold, harsh tone. "Bobby Hammond broke out of jail. They think he's on his way to get the kids."

She wasn't sure if it felt more like an icicle was stabbing her in the heart or if she'd been hit by lightning. A sensation of fear exploded within her. My God, the kids. They were in danger and she and Jake were an hour away from them. There was no time to waste.

They didn't fritter away time talking. Marty was out of bed in seconds, quickly slipping into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. She moved swiftly, gathering up her strewn clothing, stuffing things into a suitcase. They spoke little, each of them focused on preparing to hit the road.

At last she thought they were ready to go. She took another quick look around then turned to face Jake. For a moment they fell into each other's arms, sharing their fear, their panic.

"It will be okay." Her voice was confident, reassuring. God wouldn't let these children suffer anymore. They'd been through enough.

"I pray to God you're right." His answer was muffled, his mouth buried in her hair. "You've got to be right."

 

The drive to the farm was tense. They didn't talk much, their thoughts full of the kids.

Jake finally broke the silence. "They said they've already got a car with cops on the scene."

"That's good, Jake. At least they're not alone there with just Nora and Joe."

"I know, but I can't wait to get to them. I want to see for myself that they're safe and sound."

Marty murmured reassuringly, then Jake continued.

"Bobby Hammond is a monster. He killed my sister without remorse and he did it right in front of her children. I've always wanted to get my hands on him." He paused, swallowing hard.

"And I swear, if he touches a hair on either of those kids' heads, I will make that dream come true."

The venom in his tone scared her, sending shivers down her spine. The worst part of it was that she knew he meant every word. Now fear for him overcame her. The idea of good, kind, sweet Jake going up against a cold-blooded killer was unfathomable. She reached over and took his hand, unable to speak.

Without a word he picked her hand up and kissed the back of it. He didn't let go and they kept hold of each other for the rest of the ride until he had to call and alert the house that they were home.

Clouds scudded across the sky by the time they pulled into the drive. It somehow seemed appropriate that the night had turned gloomy. It matched the mood.

A state trooper's car was parked in the drive near the house, but Jake ignored it and marched straight to the door, taking her hand and pulling her along. She practically had to run to keep up but she didn't mind. She was just as anxious to see the kids as he was.

He turned the key but was stopped by the chain.

"Joe. Norah." He hollered through the opening. A plain clothes detective answered his call and removed the chain and opened the door.

"Mr. Stryker. I'm Detective Gabe Hollister. Glad you're here." The stocky man with blonde hair and a square jaw stuck his hand out and shook Jake's and nodded at Marty. "Come on in and I'll fill you in on what I know."

Detective Hollister led the way to the kitchen where Nora and Joe waited with hot coffee and fresh cinnamon rolls. Nora always baked when she was nervous. Marty had already figured that out.

The four of them shared a group hug, a serious expression on each of their faces. They shared the same feelings, the same fears. Everyone was concerned about the kids, about Hammond's mental state, about each other's emotional state.

"Are the kids in bed?" Jake asked.

"They are. Poor darlins don't know about their father, thank goodness." Nora dabbed at her eyes with the edge of her apron. "They were already asleep when the call came in."

"That's one good thing, at least." Jake ran his hand through his shaggy hair. "Okay, Detective, fill me in on everything."

They all took seats around the kitchen table and listened to the man talk. Bobby Hammond had escaped early that evening from the small town jail where he was being held awaiting trial. An hour later a man was found stabbed to death, his car missing. Then that car was found abandoned about fifty miles north of there and it was assumed Hammond had grabbed another vehicle. There were APBs out from Georgia to Tennessee but so far no one had seen Bobby Hammond.

"As far as security here goes, we've got two men stationed outside and myself inside. We've got more men coming. We'll stand shifts, two men outside, one man in, at all times. We're requesting that none of you go anywhere for now. We don't want Hammond to snatch anybody and we don't have the personnel to give you each a bodyguard." He stared at each of them meaningfully.

"What about the kids? I'd really rather they didn't know what's going on." Jake ran a hand across his chin.

"If you can find a way to explain our presence, we'll go along with it."

"Jake." Marty placed her hand on his arm and looked up into his face. "I think maybe it would be best to be honest with them, at least to a certain extent."

He flinched at the idea. He didn't want those little ones to be scared, to be tormented with thoughts of their maniacal father on the loose. The look in his eyes made Marty reach up and touch his cheek.

"Don't you think it's better to tell them their father has escaped, just to make them understand why they can't play outside, why there are strangers in the house? They're smart children. I think they would know if you lied to them. Instead, let's tell them he's escaped but don't say a thing about the possibility of him arriving here. Instead, let's reassure them that they're safe, that everyone's here to protect them."

He didn't say anything, just stared at her with a harsh expression on his face.

"They'll be frightened." He jutted his stubbled chin out in determination.

"Jake, they'll be more scared if they think you're not being honest with them. Their imaginations will run wild. Don't make them more frightened than they have to be."

He held himself rigid for another moment then finally his shoulders sagged in defeat.

"You're right. I can't lose their trust. We'll tell them a modified version of the truth."

Marty felt the weight of her advice crash on her shoulders.

God, she prayed she was right.