Page 62 of Mountain Refuge

“For how long?” He reached out to stop her, pulling back at the harshness in her eyes. “You can’t run forever. Let me help you.”

“You have no idea who you’re dealing with. It’s too dangerous. Why would you put your life in danger for a stranger?”

He shrugged. “I’m a nice guy.”

“You’re a bored author.”

Some of his niceness drifted away. “That’s an unfair assumption.” Despite the truth.

She tilted her head. “I know you’ve been checking up on us, Ryan. Whenever I hear about authors, I know how many hours they spend writing. I’ve yet to see you stay home long enough.”

“Again, that’s unfair. You have no idea what I do in my cabin.” His face flushed. “Fine. Forget I said anything. I’ll leave you alone and pray I don’t stumble across your dead body someday.” He turned to leave.

“I’m sorry. Don’t storm away.”

He turned back.

“I do appreciate your concern. Really. But, there isn’t anything you can do. I do promise to speak to the sheriff. Today. Whatever he tells me will determine my next step. The last thing I want is to bring danger to this town.” She pivoted, climbed the steps, and disappeared into the house.

~

“Are we really going to the sheriff?” Tracy buckled her seatbelt. “I thought you said the police can’t help us.”

“Maybe I was wrong. Running isn’t going to keep us alive. The Boss will find us. We need to be ready for him when he does.” She reached over and took Tracy’s hand. “I won’t let him take you again.”

“You mean you’ll try not to allow that to happen.” Tracy stared out the window. “If we’re going to come out of hiding, can we move somewhere with electricity?”

“We’ll see.” Taya chuckled and backed away from the house. She really hoped she was making the right choice. Not wanting to continue running was a sure thing. Wanting to draw The Boss out into the open was another sure thing. Hopefully, neither would get them killed.

“Why won’t you let Ryan help us? He seems like a nice guy.” Tracy cut her a quick glance.

“I don’t want to involve anyone that can be killed.” She couldn’t handle being responsible for the death of an innocent person.

“I dream of that cell every night. The cry of the other girls. The last time I saw Amber.” Tracy’s words broke off. “I want this to stop.”

“I’m trying.” She gave her niece’s hand another squeeze. “We’ll find you a counselor. Someone who can help you through this.”

“Betty is all I need.” She stared out the window. “What happened is private. Now, the sheriff will know. It’s only a matter of time before Ryan knows.”

“Maybe not. I’ll hold him off for as long as I can, but he definitely suspects something.”Nosy writer.

It didn’t make her mad that he wanted to help. It had been a long time since anyone had worried about Taya. She hadn’t been lying about not wanting to put him in danger, though. What could a crime author do to keep her safe? Write her a happy ending? Any happy ending she’d get would come by her own devices.

She parked in front of the red brick building that housed the sheriff’s department, then stashed her handgun in the glove compartment. “Keep Betty on her leash, okay?”

“Sure.” Tracy shoved her door open and clicked the leash on the dog’s halter. “Are you going to leave me in the waiting room?”

“Yes. Does that bother you?”

“A little. Bad people go in there, Taya.” Tears welled in her eyes.

“You have Betty. If someone bothers you, all you have to do is yell. I’ll come running. I’m pretty sure the sheriff’s office is the safest place to be.” Unless the sheriff was crooked, which she prayed he wasn’t. Even FBI agents could be bought. She’d even brought down a couple in her time.

Inside, the receptionist told them to sit, not batting an eye at the sight of Betty. Taya led Tracy to a line of hard plastic chairs and sat.

A couple of minutes later, the receptionist spoke. “You can go on back. First door on the right past the bull pen.”

“Remember. All you have to do is yell.” Taya cupped Tracy’s cheek, then headed in the direction the woman had directed her.

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