Page 31 of Shadow of Hope
Ava had learned that Devan and Colin had grown up on a lake and were familiar with boating. Devan had also been a former Clackamas County deputy specializing in water rescue, which she assumed was why he proposed the idea.
“I like that.” Colin faced Micha. “I could go ahead to the ramp, and you could bring Ava in the boat. Then we take off for Portland.”
“We’ll have to cover our license plates in case he’s watching so he can’t track that vehicle,” Micha said. “But we can do that. I’ll let you drive, and I’ll ride shotgun. Don’t want a wussy former federal agent in charge of our weapon choices.”
Colin laughed. “We did use firearms in the FBI, you know.”
“Like when?” Micha smirked. “Once every five years.”
“Hey, now,” Reid said. “More like every three years.”
The guys laughed. Ava would join in, but she’d never even held a gun or wanted to. Ever. She didn’t even want to think about guns, much less joke about them.
“Sounds like a solid plan,” Reid said. “I think we’re done here, and you can go pack. While you do, I’ll get the decoy vehicles set up.”
“I’ll need time to visit our armory to prepare for the trip, too.” Micha looked at Ava. “Ready?”
Was she? Her stomach cramped hard as she stood. “Just a quick thank you for all your help. I will forever be in your debt, and I don’t know how to repay you.”
“As long as you truly are innocent of the charges, we don’t need repayment,” Micha said.
And just like that, at the mention of her potential guilt, the pain twisted her stomach. She wasn’t guilty of murder. She knew that. Hoped these guys knew it too. Even if they didn’t, they might be able to keep her alive.
Good. Great, even.But that didn’t mean they could prove she was innocent of all charges. She could still be looking at life behind bars with real murderers.
7
Micha remained fluid and rode the chop, piloting the aluminum fishing boat across the rough waves on the small lake. The public boat ramp sat in the distance under the cloudy afternoon skies, but he kept his gaze moving for any sign of a stalker. Micha wasn’t hooked on the boat idea. Not that he thought it was a bad one, but as he’d known would happen, they were sitting ducks on the water. On land they had a better escape route, but it was also the most likely route staked out by her stalker and therefore more dangerous.
At least Ava was hidden under a tarp, and as far as any stalker might think by the fishing poles stacked in the bow, Micha was going fishing. Of course, Micha was carrying as always. Sidearm and ankle backup. Plus, he’d lodged a rifle at his feet just under the tarp in case they came under fire. Again, something he doubted would happen, but he had to be prepared for anything.
He really had to forget his investigative days and revert back to the Marines, when his main training was how to stay alive and keep his teammates alive as well. He needed that training more than anything right now. The investigative skills would come in handy once they arrived safely at the suspects’ properties.
He aimed the boat toward the shore, where Colin stood by one of the company SUVs. They’d turned the license plates around when he hooked the boat trailer to the back of the SUV. They could change the plates back when he loaded the boat, with Ava under the tarp, back onto the trailer. Reid’s good friend owned a property down the road a few miles where they could park the trailer and let Ava out in a more secluded and defensible area.
“Just about to reach shore,” Micha said over the puttering of the small motor so Ava knew where they were.
“Good,” she said. “I can’t wait to get in a warm car. The metal got colder than I expected on the water and is seeping through the quilts you put down.”
“Sorry.”
“No worries. I’ll be glad to be safely out of here. But I have to warn you, I might beg you to keep cranking up the heat in the car until you can’t breathe.” She chuckled.
He laughed with her, careful to keep it down as sound carried over the lake, but he was glad she could still have a sense of humor. Still, it might not be the best idea. “Laughing is good, but make sure when we move you from the boat to the SUV that you stay alert and move quickly.”
“Aw, talk about a buzzkill.” She laughed again.
“I’m serious, Ava,” he said. “Your life could depend on it.”
“I get it.” Her tone bordered on dire now. “You should know I laugh when I get stressed, but I know what to do and how important it is, and I won’t let you down.”
“Thank you.” He fell silent as the water lapped at the ramp, and he pointed the boat toward it.
A flash of the video he’d reviewed before they departed came to mind. Ava on the veranda of the care center with Holly, handing her the cookie dough. But he couldn’t see the cookie dough, only that she handed something to Holly, and then Holly got sick that night. Didn’t look good for Ava. Not good at all, and Micha had an even greater desire to help her.
So focus, man. Do your job right now. Get her safely out of here.
He killed the motor and let the craft glide into shore.
