Page 63 of Fire on the Moon

She clenched her teeth before relaxing her jaw. “Actually, I know now that my whole plan was a stupid idea.”

“All you wanted to do was make your father happy.”

“Yes, but it’s too bad I didn’t consult Decorah Security before I went charging down to Florida.”

Zane answered with a small nod. She’d gotten herself into deep kimchi by contacting her uncle. And he couldn’t help wondering if trouble had followed her north. But how?

“Why don’t we repeat our Florida routine and stop at a discount department store.”

She agreed and directed them to a shopping center where they both bought outfits suitable for the cooler Massachusetts weather. Then they drove to a chain motel not far from the nursing home.

Brand and Jonah waited in the car while Zane and Francesca checked in. When they were alone together, she stepped into his arms, and he clasped her tightly.

“My dad tends to get confused,” she whispered. “What if he can’t help figure how to get out of this fix?”

“Let’s hope for the best,” he answered, holding her for a few moments before easing away. “You go ahead and get dressed first.”

“You’re not going to shower with me?” she asked, obviously trying for a light tone.

“If I do, we’re not getting out of here any time soon.”

She squeezed his hand, then disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door.

He was pacing around the room when she came out, freshly showered and dressed and looking anxious again.

He showered and changed clothes in record time. When he came out, she was sitting at the table by the window, her head cupped in her hands.

“Let’s do it,” he said.

“I’m kind of afraid to go over there,” she answered.

“Because?”

“Because I may not like what I’m going to hear.”

“We’ll deal with it.”

“How—enter the Decorah Security fugitive protection program?”

“If we have to.”

She clenched her fists before turning toward the door.

Outside, they slipped into the back seat of the car with the two waiting Decorah agents occupying the front.

“I’ve arranged for us to go in separate vehicles,” Jonah said. “So it looks like you’re alone.”

“You think someone’s watching the nursing home?” Francesca asked, an edge of tension in her voice.

“Not necessarily. But from what you’ve said, stuff keeps happening.”

“You’ll take this car after we pick up our vehicle,” Jonah said.

Zane sat back and relaxed. From the sound of his friend’s voice, he had something tricky in mind.

Jonah didn’t disappoint. He drove to a strip mall a few miles from the motel where he and Knox went into a flower shop. When they returned they were wearing caps advertising Nelson Floral and holding a couple of flower arrangements.

“We were able to rent the shops delivery van for a few hours,” Knox explained. “Perfect for a nursing home.” He turned to Francesca. “You go in and talk to your father. We’ll be lurking nearby. What’s his room number?”

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