Page 45 of The Knight

“That is the most ridiculous idea you’ve come up with yet.” She wiped the last of his blood from her hands. If she never had to pry a bullet out of someone’s arm ever again, it would be too soon.

Abe tugged his tattered shirt over the fresh dressing as he stood. The fabric, more holes than shirt, did little to hide the bandage. “Somehow they found us, even though Asta’s house was a goddamn Faraday box. They hunted us down like animals in the middle of nowhere. I want to know how.”

Freya’s exhausted mind struggled to keep up. “You took your phone out to call Fox,” she pointed out, fighting the urge to close her eyes. Just for a second.

“I hiked up the hill to use it.”

“They could have used it to triangulate. Ruled out all the possibilities.”

“I was speaking to Fox on a secure network.” Abe’s frustration was palpable. “I’ll admit it’s harder but not impossible to track a location, but they were fast in finding us. Too fast.”

Silence hummed between them.

“Abe.” She locked her hands on her hips. If only to stop herself from keeling over from tiredness. Living life on the run was more exhausting than Hollywood movies made it out to be. “Just what are you getting at?”

“We’ve been careful, but we’re missing something.”

“And?” A headache threatened behind her eyes.

“I’m saying they are tracking us somehow. It’s the only explanation.”

Freya’s mind raced despite her fatigue. The implication was clear if terrifying. If Abe was right, nowhere was safe. “How does this work?”

“We took clothes from your house. Raptor had already been there.”

Her eyes widened. “You think it was me?”

“Not you, but perhaps your clothes.” He looked uncomfortable, but she didn’t care.

She flapped her arms at her side, exasperated. “Just what do you expect me to do about that? Besides, I’m wearing Asta’s clothes right now.” She made a sweeping gesture at the cotton dungarees and long-sleeved top.

“Not everything you are wearing is Asta’s.” He scratched the back of his neck.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

My underwear?

“That’s ridiculous,” she said, her voice low. But his gaze never wavered.

He’s serious.

“We need to check everything.” He cleared his throat. “Every piece of clothing, every accessory.”

“Everything?” Heat rushed up her neck, flooding her cheeks.

Abe nodded as he showed her his palms. “I’ll turn around.”

“And you think that makes it okay?” She hugged herself, arms locked across her chest, her cheeks flaming. “We’re in the middle of nowhere.” She waved at the low bushes hunkering down in the wind. The bobbing poppies and endless black grit. “And it’s freezing.”

“Then there’s no one to see, is there?” Abe looked over his shoulder, his eyes intense. “I’m not asking you to take them off for long. Just a few moments so we can check things over.”

Her arms tightened, her fingers digging into her sides. “You first.”

“What?”

“You heard me.” Her voice gained strength, fueled by indignation. “If you expect me to strip out here because I might have a tracker, it’s only fair you do the same. Who knows, maybe someone bugged you?”

He faced her, muscles bunching in his jaw. “Raptor has had no opportunity to?—”

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