Mountain Secrets by Elizabeth Goddard (good books to read for teens txt) 📕

So one of the agents had turned on them. The investigation was even more tainted.

“Everyone has a price, Blondie.” Nick sped up a winding country road. “Once we figured out the Feds were following us, it just took a little research to figure out who would turn because of debt and a gambling problem.”

“Which agent?”

Nick shook his head. “I’m not telling you.” He grinned. “After I deal with you, it won’t take much to get rid of lover boy too.”

Ice replaced the blood in her veins. Nick was going to kill Jason, as well, and she had no way to warn him that one of the agents was dirty. “Where are you taking me?”

“Someplace where they won’t find you until spring, if ever. And it will look like an accident. Just like you suggested on the ski hill.” Nick stared at the road ahead as a sinister smile spread across his face. “Got to hand it to you, Blondie—you have some good ideas. We could have been such a great team. Living large.” He turned to look at her as the road straightened out and his eyes were as cold as stone. “Now you won’t live at all.”

Terror crushed her lungs, making it hard to take in even a shallow breath.

SIXTEEN

Jason wrapped his arms around himself and drew his knees up to his chest. Even with his ski jacket on, it was chilly underneath the tarp of Nick’s truck, where he’d hidden.

The truck had been rolling away as he’d jumped in the back, too fast for him to get to the cab and pull Isabel free. If the passenger-side door was locked, he would have lost his chance altogether. Nick had been distracted by Isabel trying to escape when Jason climbed in the back.

The bed of the truck vibrated as it rumbled up a hill and slipped into a curve. Once Nick stopped, Jason would have a chance to get to Isabel. It had been at least twenty minutes and Nick hadn’t even slowed down.

Jason eased toward the side of the truck and peeked out at the winter landscape. Nick must be taking Isabel deep into the hills far from witnesses. He checked his pocket. Though he’d been issued another phone, he’d left it on the kitchen counter of the safe house.

He rolled back to the middle of the truck bed. His hand wrapped around a tire iron. That might come in handy.

He focused on the rhythm of the wheels turning for what must have been another twenty minutes.

Finally, the truck lurched to a stop. He heard the driver’s-side door open and slam shut. Then the passenger door eased open. He waited for at least three minutes before lifting the tarp and peering above the rim of the truck bed.

He didn’t see Nick or Isabel, but their tracks were easy enough to follow. They’d gone toward a cluster of trees. He grabbed the tire iron and jumped to the ground, pressing close to the truck to avoid being seen if they came back out.

He ran toward the forest, then dashed from tree to tree. Nick shouted something at Isabel, disturbing the quiet forest. Fearing for her life, Jason sprinted through the evergreens. An old log cabin leaning to one side stood in a clearing. Nick stomped past a glassless window. Jason lifted his head but couldn’t see Isabel anywhere.

Jason edged closer as fear was embedded in every muscle of his body. What if he was too late? He dashed toward another tree and then crouched as he approached the house. At least he hadn’t heard a gunshot.

Nick’s voice rose above the sound of scuffling. “If they ever find you, it will look like you froze to death. My hands will be clean. We are miles from everything. No one comes up this road this time of year.”

Jason raised his head above the rim of the window. Isabel lay on the floor with Nick kneeling beside her, removing the bandanna that bound her hands.

Isabel was still in pajamas and a robe. Her feet must be icicles by now in the slippers she wore.

His tire iron was no match for the gun he saw in Nick’s waistband. Because he’d just gotten up less than an hour ago, he hadn’t had time to grab his own gun.

If he could surprise Nick, Jason might be able to overtake him. Nick stepped through the door on the opposite wall from where Jason was hidden.

Isabel rose to her feet.

Jason made a hissing noise to try to get her attention. She saw him just as Nick, standing in the doorway, turned in the direction of the sound. Jason ducked down behind the cabin wall.

“Did you say something, Isabel?” Nick’s voice dripped with suspicion.

“Sorry I made that noise. I just wish you’d reconsider what you’re doing here,” Isabel said.

Nick stomped back into the doorway. “No one betrays me and gets away with it. You stay in this cabin while I drive away.” He lifted the gun and pointed it at her. “Don’t try to follow me.”

Jason pressed against the cabin wall, waiting for the sound of Nick’s retreating footsteps. A long heavy silence followed. Nick halted.

“You win,” said Isabel.

The answer must have satisfied Nick because he stomped away. Jason hurried around the side of the cabin. Nick was still in view with his back to the cabin. Isabel’s footsteps pounded inside the cabin.

Nick spun around. Jason shrank back along the side wall, hoping he hadn’t been spotted.

“I said stay in there. Go sit in a corner,” Nick said. His voice filled with rage.

Nick must be able to see Isabel through the glassless windows.

Isabel’s light footfall padded on the wood floor of the cabin.

Jason pressed against the wall, unable to gauge where Nick was at. The guy had almost a sixth sense for when he was under threat. Jason needed to wait, but if they waited too long, they would miss their ride out of here.

He peered out from the side of