Evans Creek Book 2: In Good Hands

Chapter 40

"Baker!" Carl bellowed.

Rowdy turned to see the agent and his partner heading toward his car.

"If he's going to where Suzie is, I have to go with him. Twice Jack has managed to hurt her when she was under my protection. I have to be there."

"Go."

"I—my son—and Brody—" Rowdy looked at Carl as the man neared his car and turned to Dennis. "Please, Dennis. I have to go to Suzie. Will you and Ebony take care of my boys?"

"We will. Nothing will make me leave them this time, not until I hand them over to you and Suz."

"God, I hope she's still okay. She was an hour ago when they were spotted..."

"Go."

Rowdy ran a hand through is hair. "That's almost three hours north of here—and with these roads. They were spotted almost an hour ago. She could already be—"

Rowdy groaned and shoved his hands in his hair again, but this time he grabbed hold and tugged in frustration.

"Ahh!" he growled, releasing his hands and stomping his foot as he turned toward the car.

Carl was in the passenger side and closing his door. The younger agent was walking around the car and saw Rowdy.

"Baker!" the agent waved. "Hurry up."

"Rowdy." Dennis didn't shout, but his friend stilled and looked over his shoulder. "Carl will probably want to be there when they make the arrest. There's only one way for him to get there that fast."

"Fly? The nearest airport is in Kentucky."

"Helicopter."

"Helicopter." Rowdy repeated, feeling the first bit of hope he had since he realized how close Suzie was. "Wait! I'm coming!"

Dennis watched as Rowdy ran to the car and jumped in the back seat. His friend would be sorry that he left in such a hurry.

Rowdy wasn't wearing a coat.

---

Suzie sat in the little restaurant quietly enjoying breakfast.

As much as one could when one's stomach was in knots, one's nerves were shot, and one could barely control the trembling in one's hands.

"Finally," Jack smiled at her over the table for two as he sipped his orange juice. "We finally have time for a proper sit-down breakfast. It's nice, isn't it, darling?"

Jack's voice sounded sincere.

And when she forced her lips into a smile and lifted her chin to meet his eyes, that's what she saw: a warm, kind man that was glad to sit down to a quiet breakfast with his wife.

"Yes. Nice." She mumbled. "Sorry, darling." She nearly choked on the words and covered with a big fat fake yawn. "I'm just a little tired is all."

"I know, love." Jack said, reaching a hand across the table to touch her.

It was all she could do not to jerk her hand away like his touch burned.

Because it did—but in a bad way.

He was the devil incarnate.

Or a demon at least. He had to be. How else could he be so sweet and sincere while he plotted her death a little less than an hour from now?

"Driving so far is always exhausting, but we'll be home soon and then you can take a nice long rest."

Suzie trembled as the words "eternal rest" crossed her mind.