Page 48 of Rescued Faith

Jude looked up. “It went that well last night scoping out the Prescot place?”

“Let’s just say the mosquitos had a Penny Mitchell–sized feast.”

“You didn’t pack bug spray?” He gave her a “duh” look.

“I didn’t think I’d have to hunker down in the weeds the whole time. That place is guarded like Fort Knox.”

“So, what did you find?”

“Not Emma Kemper.” She sighed as she pulled up photos from her phone and then emailed them to Jude. “But once things quieted down enough, I was able to sneak into the big barn. They have a whole arsenal there. Boxes of weapons with serialnumbers filed off. Some short-barreled rifles and silencers. Are those registered?”

Jude typed something on his keyboard. “One Conway Wallis Prescot has a permit to run a shooting range on that premises and has one homemade SBR registered.”

“I guarantee you there’s more than one SBR there. What about silencers?”

“Nothing on record.”

“When was their last inspection?”

“Good question.” He clicked a few more keys. “Looks like it’s been over five years.”

“It is within normal business hours and the scope of your authority to make sure he has his paperwork in order.” She gave him a cheesy forced grin.

“You want me to walk onto a suspected militia compound alone for a routine inspection so you can see if your girl Emma is there?”

“Who said you’ll be alone? I’ll come with you. As backup. Besides, there’s something going on. Big Bobby made it sound like they had plans.”

“You know you can’t do a thing if you come. And what if Bobby Prescot sees you? You’ll blow your cover.”

“I’m okay with that.”

Jude paused, studying her. “Would you come back to the ATF?”

Penny stilled. “What do you mean?”

“You’re good at this, Pen. We could use the help. I know Last Chance feels like it’s the middle of nowhere, but we’re not far off the major routes between Denver and Salt Lake City. There’s more than enough work here for the both of us. You could recertify. Be close to your family. Pick things up with Bryce.”

Her stomach clenched. After everything she’d gone through? No way. She’d joined the ATF thinking she would fight forjustice. She’d never expected to fall for her boss. Or what had happened later. But it had been enough to know that working with others on a permanent basis was not for her. She couldn’t afford to get attached.. Because the fallout had been devastating. She’d lost her job, her heart, and her identity. She would never go through that again.

Not even for Bryce Crawford.

And the longer she stayed in town—for any reason—the more at risk she was of falling for him.

Falling foranyoneonly made her easy pickings. No more of that, thanks!

“First off, I’m not even gonna touch the whole Bryce thing. That’s done. In the past. Finished. As for the job…I’m flattered, Book. It’s high praise coming from you. But we both know I don’t exactly like following the rules when they get in my way. I like calling the shots. And you would hate what I would do to this very boring and gray office.” She grinned at him, trying to let him see the professional reasonings so she could continue to conceal the personal ones.

“All right. Can’t say I didn’t try.”

Penny forced her body to relax. Jude bought her reasoning. Bryce never would’ve let her off with such lame excuses. He would’ve kept pushing for the real answer.

Good thing he wasn’t here.

It had been bad enough in the downtime waiting last night. All she could think about was how sweet it had been watching him on the bottom of a doggie pile of sweaty kids on the baseball field. Or the sense of something new under all the energy and passion that drew her to Bryce Crawford.

He was still the same Bryce in most ways. But a difference she couldn’t pin down piqued her curiosity. And although she didn’t know what it was, obviously it was dangerous. Her guard was already slipping.

“Sooooo…are we going on a little field trip or what?” She leaned on the desk and batted her eyes.

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