He flashed her a grin. “I always like to hear that.” More laughter from the operatives listening to their conversation. “What was I right about?”
“We escaped the ambush.”
“The bug in the kitchen meant our plans to use your childhood home were compromised. The most likely place for an ambush was on the road to that house.”
“Who planted the bug?”
David scowled. “One of the FBI agents. Probably Wells.”
She blinked. “He wants to protect me from the Butcher.”
“He’s also the one who touched that exact place on the door frame before he left the house earlier in the day. Jordan and Jones didn’t.”
Emma shuddered. “He listened to us all day. What if one of the agents planted a tracker on your vehicle? They could be following us.”
“We checked the SUV,” Jon murmured. “No trackers.”
She relaxed against the seat. “Thanks, Jon.”
“We’ll be at the safe house soon,” Eli said. “Try to relax.”
“Drink your tea,” David murmured. “Eli, do you know if the safe house has a supply of herbal tea?”
“We’ll check. If the kitchen doesn’t have a supply, we’ll buy some.”
“I’ll be fine without tea,” Emma said.
“Hey, we need coffee to survive. Picking up a box or two of tea isn’t a problem.”
That made her laugh. “I don’t suppose the safe house has knitting needles and yarn.”
Silence, then, “Do you want knitting supplies?” Eli asked.
Excitement blossomed inside Emma. “Yes, please. If Archer has a knitting store, I can buy what I need in under ten minutes.”
David wrapped his hand around hers and squeezed gently. “Stores have surveillance cameras.”
“I might have a compromise,” Eli said. “My wife is friends with a woman who owns a knitting shop in Otter Creek. I’ll talk to the owner later this morning. We’ll find a way to get the supplies you need.”
“Thank you, Eli.”
“Are you sure we can trust her?” David demanded.
“Positive. Her husband is a detective with the Otter Creek PD, and she’s Ethan Blackhawk’s sister-in-law.”
David whistled. “I’ve worked with Ethan on a few cases. He’s impressive in the field.”
“No one’s better,” Eli agreed. “We’re ten minutes from the safe house.”
Emma finished the last of her tea when the three-vehicle caravan turned into an almost hidden driveway. The long, winding drive ended at a large, two-story cabin with a wraparound porch.
When they parked, David said, “Wait here.” He climbed from the vehicle and walked to her door, his gaze scouring the surrounding area.
Jackson, Rafe, and Cal joined David in standing watch while Eli and Jon checked around the cabin. Within five minutes, the two men walked inside the structure. Soon, Eli stepped onto the porch and gave a hand signal.
David opened Emma’s door. “Let’s go.” He helped her out, tucked her against his side, and rushed her to the porch and inside the cabin.
Emma removed the comm device and handed it to Eli with a smile. “I’ll feel a little lonely without the voices in my head.”