Page 17 of Thin Ice

The indecisiveness in her was something he wasn’t accustomed to. Abby never once hesitated on the battlefield. Seeing her rattled like this had him worried. “I don’t know. Maybe, but after everything that’s happened, trusting anyone but you and the team is hard.”

She smiled and he was happy at the sight of it. “I feel the same way. How are you holding up?” She indicated toward his injured leg, but the concern he saw in her went much deeper.

“Hanging in there. It doesn’t hurt so much.” He covered her hand. “I wish this was over.” Brookes wished for so many things. But he’d take what she could give him.

“Me too,” she said. “I’ll be glad when we’re safely in our new headquarters.” She took a bite of her sandwich. A dollop of mayo clung to the corner of her mouth. Brookes couldn’t help himself. He swiped his thumb across it, and she sucked in a breath. Though it violated some code she possessed against being involved with someone she worked with, Brookes had no doubt Abby had feelings for him. “I’ll be glad when this is all over for good. When there are no more threats from Legion. No more running. Just the ability to live our lives in peace. The way God intended.”

“I’m so ready for that.” The words came out on a heartfelt sigh. She glanced to where Victor sat, talking quietly with Kinsley. “But what will our world look like then?”

He couldn’t even imagine. “I don’t know, but we sure need him back in command.” Brookes watched the president with his secret service agent. They had a close relationship, much like his and Abby’s. There were feelings there. What would their future look like?

While he contemplated all these things, the radio suddenly went crazy. “We have a confirmed report the terrorists were heading west on Highway 50 toward Seven Corners in a medical van for a clinic in Bellevue.” The dispatcher gave the van’s license’s plate. “All units, the fugitives are considered armed and dangerous. They have nothing to lose. Use extreme caution. Repeat, use extreme caution.”

“They know what we’re driving. But how? Even if there were people waiting at the shipyard, they wouldn’t know it was us in the van.” Abby’s shocked gaze went to his.

“The only person who knew what we were driving was Tom. He was going to loop some of his like-minded friends in on what’s happening. It could be one of them.”

“Maybe—” But Abby didn’t sound convinced. “Wait, the car that passed us.”

There were men inside and they’d definitely been curious. “It’s possible.” But it didn’t matter at this point. They couldn’t be seen in the van again, which meant they were stuck in this house until help arrived, which would be hours from now.

“We can’t wait that long. Call James back and see if he has any suggestions.”

Abby grabbed the new burner phone.

“Stop. Hold up a minute.” Kinsley had been listening to the radio calls. “I may know of someone who will help us and he’s closer.”

Brookes waited. He sure hoped Kinsley had someone trustworthy in mind because otherwise, they were on borrowed time.

“My brother. He’s with the FBI. He’ll help and he won’t turn us in.”

“Call him. Tell him to come alone,” Brookes told her. “You may trust him, but at this point, I don’t trust anyone but the people in this room.”

Chapter Five

Abby handed Kinsley the phone and she punched in a number. The answer came in seconds.

“Joe, it’s me. Is this line secure?” She nodded and waited. “Good. I need you right away.” Kinsley explained what happened. “Yes, I know I’m wanted, but you know it’s all lies.” She listened for a moment. “Thank you. Hurry.” She punched the end button and handed it back to Abby before slumping against the wall. “He’s on his way now.”

“They’ll be watching him,” Brookes said. “They know you’re his sister.”

“Joe will take the necessary precautions. He’s half an hour out.”

“I hope we have that long.” Abby pointed to the police radio as the search to locate them increased. “It won’t be long before they come this way. We need to keep moving. How are you feeling?” she asked Kinsley.

“If you’re asking if I’m up to walking, then don’t worry. I’ll pull my weight and we may not have a choice.”

“Hang on a second.” Brookes rose and went to the back of the house.

Abby followed. “What are you thinking?”

“We can’t take the roads, but what if we head out across that field?” He pointed to the open space behind the house covered with snow. “There are woods past it. At least we’ll be out of sight.”

Abby pulled out her phone. “Let me see if we can do a search and see what’s beyond here.” She brought up the location on Google Maps and enlarged it before showing it to Brookes. “There’s a road on the other side of the woods.”

“Someone’s coming!” Victor called out from the front of the house.

Both she and Brookes rushed to the living room and looked out the window.

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