Target on the Mountain by Elizabeth Goddard (the chimp paradox .txt) 📕

something. They said he betrayed his country.” Tom spat the words out and shook his head. “Jenny was in the kitchen when they showed up. I wasn’t going to let them inside, but they pretty much forced their way in. Something about them just worried me. When you called, I went in the other room. That’s why I couldn’t talk much.”

He stopped for a second. “Anyway, Jenny told me after they’d gone that she’s pretty sure she saw at least a half dozen more men in the woods surrounding the house. They were coming from the direction of your place. She said they were armed to the teeth.”

He blew out an uneven breath. “They’re coming after you, too, Rachel. And they’re not going to stop until they find you and Liam. And I don’t think they care if that’s dead or alive.”

THREE

It felt as if the ground had been yanked out from beneath her feet. Was it possible that this whole thing was all about someone trying to frame Liam for a crime they had committed? What were they trying to cover up?

“You saw their IDs? They were definitely CIA?” she asked in shock.

Callie trotted back from her exploring as if sensing her owner’s unease.

Tom nodded. “I did. They looked like CIA to me, or a very good forgery.”

Alex pulled out the driver’s license they’d taken from the man who attacked them. “Is this one of the men you spoke with?”

Tom took the ID and studied it before shaking his head. “Nope, that’s not one of them. The two who did the talking were both dark-haired. Average looks. Around the same age as this guy, though. They were definitely trying to be intimidating and let me say, they accomplished it.” He handed the ID back to Alex.

Perplexed, Rachel turned to Alex. “It could be the same man from this morning. Was one of them injured?” she asked Tom.

Tom appeared alarmed. “No, at least not that I could tell. What happened this morning?” His concern was obvious. Rachel gave him the amended version.

He shook his head. “Unbelievable. I told Jenny I thought I heard shots pretty early this morning. I’m sorry I didn’t come to your aid, Rachel.”

She patted his arm. “I’m glad you didn’t. They might have killed you.”

That chilling reality hung between them, keeping everyone silent for a while.

“Still no word from Liam?” Tom asked, breaking the quiet.

“No.” And she was terrified for Liam’s well-being, especially after what the man who broke into her house had said. She had no idea how many days her brother had actually been missing or if the person he’d gone there to meet had set him up. The only information she had was where he was going, a dangerous location near the top of Midnight Mountain.

“Do you need me to help with the search?” Tom asked, and his generous offer came as no surprise even though she knew she couldn’t accept.

“Thank you, Tom, but it’s too dangerous. We’ll be okay.” Rachel wished she felt as confident as those words sounded.

Tom bowed his head. He had been so protective of her since Brian’s passing.

Alex touched her arm. “I hate to say it, but we should probably get going. Those men know the general direction we’re heading. They’ll keep coming after us.”

She swallowed deeply. She hated to let Tom go. Would she see him again?

Please, God...

“You’re right.” She faced the older man again. “We left the horses up on top of the mountain.” She didn’t want to leave them in the elements too long.

“Don’t worry about it. Callie and I will fetch them and take them home with me,” Tom assured her. “You two get going. The less time spent out in the open like this, the better. Jenny packed you food in the four-wheeler’s storage compartment.”

Tom stared at her for a long time with worry creasing his face. She knew he was concerned for her safety and so she tried to ease his mind.

“We’ll be okay, I promise. Thank you for the use of the four-wheeler. And thank Jenny, as well.”

Tom and Jenny had been like family to her since her own parents passed away three years ago. Without them and Liam, she wouldn’t have gotten through losing her husband.

After years in the trenches of a different and terrifying kind of warfare, Rachel had thought she’d left behind the dangerous life she’d once led. Yet here she was right back in the thick of it again, and suddenly she wasn’t so sure she could survive this time.

She hugged Tom one more time, hating to leave him, but Alex was right. Tom needed to get home to Jenny and they’d need to put distance between themselves and the men hunting them. And she had no idea what they’d face once they got up on the mountain.

“Be careful, Tom. Those men could still be close and watching your place.”

Tom stood up a little taller. “Jenny stayed behind in case they came back with more questions. She thought it might look suspicious if we were both gone. She’s a better shot than I am and can handle herself in any situation. If they know what’s best for them, they’ll steer clear of her. And don’t worry about me. I know this countryside better than anyone. I’ll give them the slip if they’re still hanging around my property. You two just watch your backs.”

Alex pulled out a piece of paper and wrote something down. “If anything comes up and you feel threatened, call this number. Ask for Jase Bradford. Tell him what’s happened and he’ll send help right away. He’s a friend and you can trust him,” Alex said, and she believed it was just as much for her benefit as for Tom’s.

“I will.” Tom put the number in his shirt pocket and then hugged Rachel once more. “Stay safe. And find Liam.”

“We will.” She drew in an emotional-riddled breath and turned to Alex. “It’s been a while since you’ve been up on the mountain. Do you