Page 68 of Once Removed (Blackhawk Security)

Chapter 21

Glancing behind him again, Brody studied Lainey in the truck. She was watching him walk into the compound, and he wondered if she was worried about him.

Of course she was. She’d be worried about anyone walking into the compound with Larsen on the loose. Brody patted the left side of his jacket, running his hand over the familiar shape of his holstered Sig Sauer. With Larsen still loose and looking for Lainey, Brody would carry this gun everywhere until Larsen was behind bars.

He’d heard the truck doors lock, so he knew she was safe. Her eyes were fixed on him, and even from fifteen feet away, he saw the fear in her gaze. He wiggled his hand, trying to reassure her he’d be fine.

She nodded. But didn’t take her eyes off him.

Brody turned and hurried down the driveway and through the slightly ajar gate. He heard voices ahead of him and stopped. Listened.

A woman. And a man. The man sounded nothing like Larsen, and Brody relaxed. The two of them made no effort to speak quietly, and it sounded as if the woman was upset. Her voice rose, and Brody frowned. There was something familiar about her voice.

He hurried the rest of the way into the compound and found a tall, red-haired woman standing beside a taller man with dark hair. They were staring at the burned buildings as they talked.

“Hey,” he called, and both of them turned around. The woman was the same one who’d been stuck on the road a few weeks ago. Brody frowned. “Mel?”

“Jones?” The woman jerked her head toward the wreckage of the mess hall. “What the hell happened here?”

“No time to fill you in. You need to get the hell out of here,” Brody said. “Right now.” He waited, uneasiness rising as they studied him for a long moment. Didn’t move.

Brody’s gaze flicked between Mel and the guy. “Who’s your friend?” he asked.

Mel studied him coolly. “My partner. Devlin. We came to look the place over again before we made an offer to the owner.”

“Now that you’ve seen it, the two of you need to get your asses in gear. Leave.” As he spoke, Brody kept his eyes moving. Scanning each building. Watching for movement. A flash of light. Anything that could pinpoint Larsen’s location.

Mel and Devlin didn’t budge. Simply stared at him, not speaking. Finally Mel said, “Decide you want the place yourself, Jones?”

“Why would I want this place?” Brody asked. “You need to pay attention to what I’m saying.” Brody’s voice was sharp. Impatient. He didn’t care that he sounded rude. This pair needed to get a clue.

“The guy who burned down those buildings killed a lot of people, and he’s desperate. He’s been hiding here, and he might be watching us right now. Get moving!”

As Mel and the man ran toward him, Brody gave them the short version of the fire and the events that had happened the day Brody had met Mel. “The sheriff is looking for Larsen, but no luck so far. He and his deputies will be here later to search all the buildings.”

As the three of them rushed up the hill toward the road, Brody heard the sharp crack of a gun. Shotgun, it sounded like. He pushed harder, running toward the truck and Lainey. He heard Mel and the guy right behind him.

When they reached the road, Brody saw Larsen yanking Lainey out of the truck. Brody’s windshield was missing -- the result of a shotgun blast at close range.

Lainey was resisting, but Larsen tossed the shotgun aside and pulled a knife out of his belt. He held it to her throat, and Lainey froze. Stared at it, her eyes wide. Terrified.

“Walk,” Larsen growled. “Or I’ll use it on you.” He leaned close to Lainey, who flinched away from him. “Used it on Ron. It’s easier the second time.” He smiled, and Lainey swallowed. “I know from experience.”

“What… what do you want, Larsen?”

“I think you know what I want,” the guy retorted.

“I have no idea,” Lainey said.

As he spoke, Lainey stumbled backward across the street, staring at the knife in Larsen’s hand. Behind her, the tree and scrub-covered hillside loomed above her. If Larsen got her among those trees, it would be more difficult to find them.

Brody turned to glance at Mel and the man, motioning them to get behind her car. “Brought a satellite phone. Calling 911,” Mel mouthed

Brody nodded and crouched behind his truck. He didn’t want Larson to see him. Not when he held a knife at Lainey’s throat. Who the hell knew what the guy would do? He was desperate. Had nothing to lose at this point.

Brody didn’t want to shoot at him, because Larsen was too close to Lainey. Any sudden movement could put Lainey in front of a bullet.

How could he stop Larson without using his gun?

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