No Place to Hide by Lynette Eason Read Free Book Online

already left, but she wasn’t taking any chances.
    “Clear!” Sam’s voice came from the kitchen.
    She picked up the pace and cleared two bedrooms and a bathroom. All in the same state of upheaval as the den, but no sign of anyone still in the house. “Clear!”
    They met back in the foyer. “What do you think they were looking for?”
    She shrugged. “Whatever Lockwood stole from Wainwright Labs.”
    “But why look for it here?”
    Sam sighed. And holstered his weapon. “I don’t know. All I know is the two of them are together and they’re running when they should be turning themselves in. Why run if you’re not guilty?”
    “You either run if you’re guilty . . .”
    “Or?” he prodded.
    “Or you’re innocent, but don’t have a hope of proving it.”

6
    MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23
4:30 A.M.
    Jackie supposed she’d finally snapped. Because driving the back roads, heading for Virginia, with a wanted man lightly snoring in the passenger seat didn’t say positive things about her sanity. Then again, she was wanted too, so . . .
    On the positive side of things, they were almost to her grandfather’s home. The home she’d spent the last two years of high school in. The home she’d had in college. The home her uncle had promised was hers for as long as she wanted it. As she drove, she pushed aside the memories. Even the good ones. She didn’t have time to think about those. She had to figure out how to help Ian prove his innocence.
    If he was innocent.
    Which she thought he was.
    But what if she was wrong?
    Doubts assailed her. She figured now would be a good time to start praying.
    If she was a praying woman.
    Which she wasn’t.
    At least not usually.
    She’d stopped praying after John was killed. Scenes from their last day together flashed across her mind and she sucked in a deep breath. Six years. It had been six years and the grief could still rip into her if she let it.
    She didn’t. She’d come to grips with her past and moved on. Still. Some memories wounded more than others.
    Gus whined from the backseat. He seemed to sense her inner turmoil. She glanced in the rearview mirror. The dog moved closer and laid his big head on her shoulder. And just stayed there.
    Her mind circled back to John, a good man, a good cop, and a partner in more ways than one. She just didn’t understand a God who let good people die while evil people seemed to live and flourish.
    God. She snorted.
    She and God had a complicated relationship and she had a feeling that was her fault. No. Correction. She knew it was her fault. She believed in God, she just wasn’t sure she believed him. Two very different things. It would almost be easier if she just didn’t believe in him, if she could just convince herself that he didn’t even exist. But she couldn’t. She’d felt his presence too many times in the past. At least up until six years ago. No, the problem wasn’t trying to figure out if he was real, the problem was, she just didn’t trust him anymore. He’d thrown so many curve balls at her in her lifetime that she’d finally gotten tired of trying to dodge them. She’d given up on love and she’d given up on God.
    She climbed the winding road until she reached the gravel strip that led to the parking area of the cabin—a three-bedroom, two-bath ranch-style log cabin home. Not what most people thought of when picturing a mountain cabin.
    The home sat tucked into the mountain on one side. Her favorite part of the house was the rambling deck off the back that overlooked the mountains. When inside, she felt like no onecould see her or the house. Private and secure. Jackie instantly felt better. She cut the car off and Ian jerked awake. Gus moved over to Ian’s side of the car and snuffled his ear. Ian gave the dog’s snout a gentle push away and yawned.
    “We’re here,” she said.
    Remorse flashed across his face. “I can’t believe I didn’t help you drive.”
    “You were exhausted. I’m better off with