Page 47 of Edge of Desire

“I do.”

“There’s something else you need to know since we’re talking about safety. This house has a panic room. You know what that is, yeah?”

“Yeah, if it’s the kind you see in the movies.”

“I’m gonna show it to you now, but I need to get this cleaned up so it looks like we were never out here. Can you give me a hand?”

“Sure.”

“I need all the bullet casings picked up, okay? They look like these.” I held one up for her to see.

“On it.”

Thirty minutes later, we had everything tidied up and put away. I took her to the lower level of the house where there was a hidden trapdoor underneath the carpeting. We went down a flight of steps which ended at a steel door that had biometrics-recognition entry. I looked into the camera and placed my palm on the glass pad. It scanned my eyes and read my prints, and then the door slid open. Inside was a laptop with a satellite connection, two encrypted cell phones, nonperishable food items, and a refrigerator filled with drinks. The room also contained a bathroom, clothing, flashlights, and some other nonessential items. At the opposite end of the room was another door, which looked like the one we came through.

“Where does that go?” she asked.

“It leads to a tunnel that’ll get us out of here. The computer links to a satellite that can connect you to Pete or anyone else who’s safe and the phone is encrypted, so it’s safe too. The tunnel runs for about a mile and comes out away from the property where there is a motorcycle waiting to carry us away. The drill is if anyone hits this place, get down here ASAP, with or without me. Understand?”

“Yeah, but how will I get inside? That scanner thingy wouldn’t recognize me.”

“I’m going to change that so it will.”

“Do you think it’s possible they’ll come after us here?”

“I never rule anything out.”

“What if they do hit us and I make it down here and you don’t? I don’t know how to drive a motorcycle.”

“Call Pete and have him get someone out here. They’ll have a very difficult time getting through both of those doors, and by the time they do, you’ll be long gone.” I showed her where I stored the guns and supplies, such as water and food, along with a couple of backpacks. “If necessary, you can hide and live off the land for a couple of days until Pete can locate you. Just make sure you take that phone and call him.”

“But I don’t have Pete’s number.”

“Avery, are you trying to be a smartass?”

“No! I really don’t have his number.”

“Avery.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s programmed in the phone.”

“Right. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Um, Preston?”

“Yes?”

“This worries me. Scared is more like it.”

I pulled her into my arms and held her. “Don’t be. It’s all about taking extra precautions.”

“Boy, do you ever,” she said dryly.

Fifteen

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