Page 76 of The Death
“You can. It’s all about practice. And lots of training.”
“Is that what the SEALs taught you?”
“Them and the FBI.”
“Maybe you can teach me?”
Joe looked at his son. He’d grown up so much in the past year—maybe a bit too much. “Sure. But I hope it’s a skill you won’t need after today.”
“It’s a skill that you still use when the chips are down.” Michael paused. “Though I wish I’d stayed with Mom. Maybe I could have helped her.”
“I don’t think so, and I know that isn’t what she wanted.”
Michael nodded. “I know that she told—” He froze. “Stop!”
Joe whirled toward him. “What is it?”
“Someone is watching us.” Michael crouched in the tall grass. “Get down, Dad.”
Joe crouched next to him. “Where is he?”
“I—I don’t know. But I could feel it.”
With Michael, Joe knew it was always more than just a feeling. The boyknew.
“Any idea what direction?” Joe asked.
“No. But I think he recognized me.”
“If he saw your face, he was probably on the trail ahead of us.” Joe felt for the spearpoint knife in his belt sheath. “Remember those boulders we passed? I need you to go back there and wait for me. I’ll be there in a minute or so.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Just do it, Michael.”
“I want to stay with you.”
“I’ll be back in a minute. It’ll be okay. Just hide behind those boulders.”
Michael’s eyes were wide as he stared at his father. “You’re going to kill him, aren’t you?”
“Only if he tries to kill me first.”
“You know he will.”
“He came after our family, Michael,” Joe said quietly. “And right now, he’s standing between us and your mother. Wait at the boulders.”
Michael nodded. “What if you don’t come back?”
“I promise you I’ll be back. Don’t worry.”
But Michael was clearly worried. Joe hugged him close and then motioned for him to leave. Michael finally pulled away and started back down the trail.
Joe ducked low and moved through the brush, trying his best not to disturb the thick branches. If someone had indeed beenwatching him and Michael, he was probably twenty yards farther along the trail, where the path was slightly elevated. Joe found a hiding spot and looked around. There was no one to be seen. Maybe Michael was just mistaken, though his “feelings” had never failed him before. But it was possible that his emotions had caused him to—
Wait. There was something up ahead…
Joe shifted position to get a better look. There was definitely a man up ahead. He was also crouched in the bushes. He had a gun in one hand, a phone in the other. He was punching a number. After a moment, he spoke just loud enough for Joe to hear.
