Page 22 of Thin Ice

“Though good news, it worries me, too. Legion isn’t above using those nuclear weapons if they’re backed into a corner.” And Brookes couldn’t imagine the nightmare that would take place if that happened.

Chapter Six

“This is it.” Joe turned onto a drive with a gate and parked. “Hang on a second, and I’ll unlock it and we can drive through.”

“No, let me. Do you have the key?” Abby waited while he fished it from his pocket. As she glanced around the piece of property, it was evident no one had lived there in quite a while. Joe handed her a small key and she got out and went over to the gate. A simple lock hung from a chain wrapped around the gatepost. Abby unlocked it and swung the gate free.

It squeaked from years of lack of use. Weeds grew tall around what had once been a pasture. The drive was completely overgrown, and the house wasn’t visible from the road. Not exactly inviting, but the perfect place to hide out. . . unless someone connected the farm to Kinsley. And they would in time. This place was only a temporary reprieve.

Joe drove through far enough for her to relock the gate before she hopped inside, and he continued. Thick brush slapped against the underside of the SUV. The drive swept through a group of trees.

“How long has it been since you came here?” Abby asked while wondering what they might find once they reached the house.

“Several years.” He glanced to where his sister leaned against the headrest with her eyes closed. “My mom inherited the place from her parents when Kinsley and I were just kids. Maybe six or seven. I don’t know if you realize it, but Kinsley and I are twins—not identical but fraternal.”

The resemblance between brother and sister was strong enough to be identical.

“When our parents died a few years back, Kinsley and I came here to scatter their ashes. I haven’t been back since. Kinsley comes here from time to time.”

Kinsley had opened her eyes and smiled. “That’s because I was always more of an outdoors type than you. You hated it when Dad brought us hunting here.”

Joe grinned. “Not true. I loved hunting; I just hated having to compete with you. You were ruthless.” Joe’s phone rang inside his jacket and he pulled it out and checked the number. “That’s my boss. This is the second time he’s called on my private number. I won’t be able to stall him much longer.”

“Take it,” Brookes said. “If you don’t, he may think you’re in danger.”

Joe hit the accept button. “Director Doyle, what’s up?” Joe couldn’t hide his nerves.

“Yes, sir, I have heard the news.” Joe stopped to listen. “What makes you think I’ve heard from my sister?” He shot Kinsley a glimpse. “I will. I appreciate the call.” Joe hit end with a bemused expression on his face.

“What’s going on?” Kinsley sat forward in her seat.

“Director Doyle asked me if I’d spoken to you or the president. I told him I hadn’t, but I don’t think he believed me. What he said next was strange. He told me if I were to speak with the president, I should let him know he has people in power who still support him and don’t believe the lies that are being spoken about him.”

“It could be a trap,” Brookes warned. “They may be trying to use your connection to your sister to ferret us out.”

“Possibly.” Victor gave his opinion. “But I know Director Doyle. He’s an honest man. I think we should arrange a meeting with him.”

“That’s not a good idea, Mr. President.” Kinsley turned to the man beside her. “Brookes’s right. They’re probably trying to get you to come out of hiding. They’ll have men waiting for you to take you to jail. . . only you’ll never make it there.”

Victor shook his head. “I realize it’s a risk, but we can’t keep hiding out, Kinsley. At some point, we have to fight back.”

The SUV grew quiet. In front of them, the house came into view and Joe parked out front and turned to the president. “I, for one, trust Nick. He’s an honest man. Let me set up a meeting. Have him come here alone. Hear what he has to say. It may be our only chance.”

Kinsley didn’t seem nearly as convinced as her brother. “All right, but if there are any surprises, we can’t guarantee his safety. Make sure he knows that.”

“I’ll call him back once we’re settled inside.” Joe climbed out and helped his sister into the house.

Abby hung back with Brookes and Victor.

“What do you think?” Abby asked them both.

“This could be a bad idea, Victor. I know you trust his man, but you don’t know what type of pressure he’s been under. We’ve seen how deceitful Legion can be.”

“That’s true, but at some point, we have to start trusting people again. Let’s see what he has to say.”

Abby huffed out a breath. “All right, but we station people around the place. If something looks off, we shut this down right away.”

Victor smiled. “Thank you both for having my back. You’ve been through so much, and I can’t thank you enough for coming to rescue me and Kinsley. That means a lot. It was I who made it possible for Kincaid to rise to power. I should have seen through his lies, but I didn’t.” He shook his head. “But I won’t just let them take this country out from under the hardworking people who voted for me. I’ll fight until I have nothing left to give to keep that from happening.”

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