Chapter Twelve
Logan wasn’t one to wallow in self-doubt but today was the exception. Were they doing the right thing? There were pros and cons to the decision and they’d talked about them all, but he still wasn’t confident that they’d made the right choice. What if he ended up getting his family or one of his friends hurt or killed? He wanted to be confident, but he had to admit that this situation had him sideways. He was so fucking sick and tired of it all. Wade would never give up as long as he breathed air and he’d always be a threat to Ava and the kids.
Logan stood firmly in between Wade and his family.
“We’re almost ready to go,” Reed said, joining Logan and Jared in the office. Amy and Mike were on guard duty around the perimeter. “The twins are finishing breakfast so maybe ten minutes?”
They’d been staring at the monitor on the wall again. The same map but this time they were looking for a safe destination.
“This sucks,” Logan said flatly. “What a clusterfuck.”
“It is,” Jared agreed. “Are you worried about making a move in daylight? We could wait until tonight.”
“I’m worried about goddamn everything,” Logan replied, his tone laced with bitterness. “He’s had enough time to get here. That is, if he wanted to. But we don’t know where he is. He’s playing his games again. Shit, he could be photographing bears in Yellowstone like a fucking tourist while we scramble around trying to find somewhere safe. Or he could be sitting out there watching every move we make and when we leave he’ll either ambush or follow us so he can keep fucking with me.”
“If he’s out there, we’ll find him,” Reed said confidently. “He can’t hide forever.”
“Can’t he?” Logan asked, pointing to the map. “We don’t know where he is and we’re depending on a tip line and questioning people to find him. You would think with a reward on the line, someone would turn the bastard in but it’s almost like the public is rooting for him to get away. And in the meantime, the body count climbs higher.”
Jared stood and pointed to a spot on the map. The summer camp. “We know his last known whereabouts and that’s more than we had a few hours ago. We also know that he stole a silver Honda minivan, which is a hell of a lot more than we knew before. We’re getting tips in faster than we can process them. We’ll get him. We’re in a better position than ever.”
Logan laughed but he really didn’t think it was funny. “Jesus, you are such an optimist. We’re like sitting ducks and you think we’re winning the game.”
“I think we are. He’s one man. We have multiple teams searching for him.”
Slapping his hand on the oak desk, Logan ground his teeth in frustration. “That’s another thing that bugs the shit out of me. Wade has to have help. One man couldn’t do this alone. Think about it. Transportation. Money. Food. Shelter. His face is plastered on every television and phone screen in three states.”
“I agree,” Reed replied, nodding his head. “But we’ve looked through all of Bryson’s mail. It was sick as shit and the authorities have checked out the few people we flagged. Nothing.”
“What about friends or family of Marilyn?” Jared asked. “Could he be getting help there? Or maybe someone that is or was employed at the prison. A guard or even a janitor or cook.”
“We’ve checked them all out. There was nothing there. I only wish there was,” Logan said, falling back into the soft leather chair. He was exhausted and he didn’t have the answers that he needed to keep his family protected. He’d thought this would only last a few days, a little summer camping trip that the kids would love. But they were beginning to ask questions, wondering what was going on. They were smart. Hell, they were probably a hell of a lot smarter than he was and they knew something was going on. He had to get them back home and into their normal world and life as soon as possible. “I still hate this playing defense stuff. I think we need to get out ahead and take the offensive. Go after him.”
Clearly Jared didn’t like the idea. He jumped out of his chair and began to pace the small space.
“We already have several teams looking for him.”
“I’m talking about baiting a trap. With me.”
Jared was already shaking his head. “We are not going to do that. We said we’d keep you alive. That is dangerous and frankly we’re getting too old for that shit. At least I am. Besides, Ava would cut off your balls and ours, too. Misty would help.”
“Kaylee would as well,” Reed agreed. “They’re not thrilled about all this danger crap. But I might have an idea. It’s a longshot…”
Logan was ready to hear any idea no matter how outlandish.
“I’m listening.”
“It might already have been done–”
“Maybe but let’s hear it anyway. We could use a fresh idea or two.”
Reed stood and walked over to the windows that overlooked the side yard. Mike could be seen from there keeping watch over the long driveway from a limb in a big oak tree. The marshal was as steady as they came and absolutely no nonsense.
“You say that we’ve checked out all of the employees of the prison. All of Marilyn’s friends and family. We’ve read through all of the mail and the cops have checked out a few of the more menacing pen pals.” Reed paused, scraping his hand down his face. “It’s just I remember this one case I worked on when I was a rookie. The local body shop had a theft problem and they were convinced that it was an inside job. We agreed as there was never forced entry and the thieves always seemed to know where to find what they wanted. But it wasn’t an inside job per se. It was a former employee from years before who had left town and returned. He knew enough about the business to easily steal and the owner hadn’t ever changed anything, including the locks. The guy was able to use his old key that he’d never returned.”
His brain working a mile a minute, Logan could see what Reed was trying to describe.
“You’re saying that it might be someone who used to work at the prison?”
Reed nodded. “Or the county jail. Or even one of his transport details. We’ve checked out current employees and cops. What about the ones that were there when Bryson was first incarcerated?”
Jared looked like he was on board with the theory. “That’s how he might have met them. We need access to former employee files. Everyone who might have had any sort of contact with Bryson.”
Logan was excited about this new direction. It at least gave them a direction which he felt they were sorely lacking. “That could be a boatload of people, but I think you’re onto something. If he made friends with someone inside besides Marilyn, they could be helping him now.”
“I’ll make the call,” Jared said, dialing his phone. “Then we need to get out of here.”
Wade knew where they were. Would he find them where they were going?
* * * *
“We need to pick up camping gear along the way,” Jared said, making a list as Reed and Logan packed the vehicles. They should have been on the road thirty minutes ago, but they’d argued about whether to head to a populated area or somewhere far more remote. Remote won. “And then we need to stop at a grocery store to pick up supplies.”
Reed shoved the last suitcase into the trunk. “Can I ask a question? How come you’re not lifting anything heavier than a pen and Logan and I are heaving luggage around?”
Grinning, Jared tapped his pen against the small tablet. “Because I’m the brains of the operation and you’re the brawn.”
Logan wiped his hands on a handkerchief from his pocket. “You are such an asshole. I don’t know how Misty puts up with you.”
“Frankly, I don’t know either,” Jared said. “Are we ready to go? It feels like we’re never going to leave.”
Logan nodded toward the house. “Let’s get them loaded into the cars.”
Jared loped off to round up the woman and children, but Logan placed a hand on Reed’s arm staying his movement.
“Can we talk for a minute?”
“Of course.”
“I know you think we should head for a population center near law enforcement and hospitals.”
Reed hadn’t made any secret of that. During the discussion, he’d made his argument but lost.
“I get why you’re against it. You have a point about innocent lives. I was thinking more about our lives, honestly.”
“You made a good argument in there and the more I think about it the more I wonder if you’re right.”
Logan didn’t change his mind without a damn good reason and Reed had a good idea why he’d done it.
“But not for everyone,” Reed guessed. “You think that the women and kids should be in a more populated area.”
“I do,” Logan agreed. “When Griffin and Jason arrive, I want you and Jared to take our wives and the twins and put them on a plane to Florida where Evan can keep an eye on them. They’ll be safe there.”
“If that’s what you think, then you should go, too.”
His friend was already shaking his head. “I’m the target. And the bait. I have to stay here, but they don’t have to. I need them out of the line of fire. I don’t think you want Kaylee here any more than I want Ava and the kids.”
Reed had been going back and forth about it. He loved having his wife there and they’d grown closer in the last few days, but as the danger had ratcheted up he’d thought more and more about sending her away. The only reason he hadn’t done it was that he didn’t think she’d go and leave her best friend.
“I don’t but she’s stubborn as hell. Ava is, too. She isn’t going to want to leave you.”
“I’m not planning on giving her a choice. Every day that Wade is on the loose becomes more dangerous for all of us. I can’t put her and the kids in the line of fire. I want to keep them close. That’s the selfish part of me. But deep down inside I know that they’d be better off away from me. Wade doesn’t really want them. He wants me.”
“So what do you want to do? Everyone thinks we’re headed for the middle of nowhere.”
“We are to a certain extent. We’ll go to that cabin that Jared knows about and meet the others there. Then you’ll take the women and children and get the hell out as soon as I can make the arrangements. I’ll go after Wade and end this shit once and for all.”
It sounded like a good plan to Reed but there was one problem… Two, actually.
“Our wives are never going to let you do it.”
“I don’t take my orders from Ava.”
Despite the dire situation they were in, Reed couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled up. “Yes, you do. And I take orders from Kaylee. They’re always right so we’d be fools not to listen. Once our women get wind of this plan they’re going to barbecue your butt.”
“I have an ace in the hole, my friend.”
“Really? Do tell.”
The twins were running toward them, Kaylee and Ava on their heels carrying two small backpacks – one pink and one blue.
“Them.”
“Them?” Reed echoed. “I don’t understand.”
“Colt and Brianna. I’ll tell Ava that the kids aren’t safe near me. She’d take a bullet for those two, so she’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe. Even leave me.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am. You’ll see.”
Considering that Ava and Kaylee always seemed to be one step ahead this ought to be quite interesting to watch play out.
Time to hit the road.