morning we’ll have to run into town,” he said. “I’ll need a couple changes of clothes. I had a duffel bag in the vehicle I left behind, but we’re obviously not going back there.” He tapped the backpack she clutched on her lap. “Do you have enough to get by?”
“I should.”
“Let’s get you into the cabin.” He got out, pulling the seat forward. Roscoe dropped to the ground with a grunt. His stubby tail wagged as he scoped out their new surroundings.
Claire clutched her backpack as she followed.
Alex quickly opened the door, flipped on the light and ushered Claire in.
The cabin was sparsely decorated but appeared to be clean. When he went into town for clothes, he’d have to grab some groceries, as well. There was no telling how long they would be there.
“It’s not exactly paradise,” he said to Claire, “but it’ll have to do.”
She gave him a cool look. “Compared to where I’ve been staying, it is paradise. At least it has running water.”
“How did you get by in that shack?” Alex asked.
“I took the Jeep into town a few times a week. There’s a truck stop that has showers. I had a propane cookstove, water jugs, a cooler. I made it work.” She moved into the cabin, placing her backpack on the table.
“You went into town and no one recognized you?”
“I was careful.”
“How careful?” It seemed like an awfully big risk to take. She had told him a bit about the Jeep. He already knew she’d purchased the Jeep it in cash from an old farmer. She hadn’t changed the title card on it and the thing didn’t have insurance.
They should ditch it as soon as they had the chance. Not only was it illegal to drive, but Xavier’s men had seen it. They’d be on the lookout for it.
“I wore a disguise every time I went to town.” She frowned. “I had no choice. I needed an internet connection. I used the connection at the local library. They had chairs scattered all over the upper level. I could charge my laptop and research at the same time. No one paid any attention to me.”
“Care to tell me what you were researching?”
“I can do better than that. I’ll show you.”
She tugged the backpack’s zipper down. Reaching in, she pulled out a black binder. “Xavier Ambrose killed Jared. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough evidence to prove it.”
She handed the binder to him.
“Tell me what you need from me.”
A sharp laugh cut through the cabin. “What I need from you?”
He realized that could be a loaded question. Or maybe not. She was looking at him as though the only thing she needed was for him to go away.
“You need help,” he said firmly. “That’s obvious.” He offered up a small smile. “Though I have to admit, seeing you take down two men with nothing but pepper spray was a pretty amazing sight. You must’ve used the good stuff. Police grade.”
He knew the stickier spray wouldn’t blow back in the sprayer’s face. The heat of the red pepper spray would be debilitating. Because it was a gel, it was harder to clean off. She had made a good choice.
“I didn’t take them down with just pepper spray,” Claire corrected, “I took them down with Roscoe’s help. Without him startling them the way he did, I think the outcome would’ve been very different.”
He couldn’t argue with that.
“Read through that information and tell me what you think,” Claire requested. “That’s all I need from you right now.”
He clenched the binder in his hand.
Roscoe whined as he leaned against Claire’s leg.
Alex knew he was being ridiculous, but he felt as if Roscoe was holding a grudge. Though Claire was too panicked to realize it was Alex coming out of the woods at the shack, he was pretty sure Roscoe had known. The dog had stuck by Claire’s side, not acknowledging Alex until he’d commanded the dog’s attention. Even now, Roscoe was making it clear who his real owner was.
Alex couldn’t blame him. He’d abandoned the dog, as well. It didn’t seem to matter that Alex had spent countless hours working with Roscoe, turning him into the disciplined animal he was today. They’d spent many afternoons going for jogs or playing fetch. But in the end, the dog had become Claire’s, and Claire’s alone.
“I should take him out,” she said.
“I’ll do it. I’m not having you walk around out there in the dark.”
“You said there was no chance we were followed.”
“I stand by that.”
“Then what do you care if I’m outside, alone in the dark?” She wrapped her arms around her slender waist.
He heard the challenge in her words and sighed.
“Look, Claire, I don’t want to fight with you. I think we’ve done enough of that to last a lifetime.” He raked his free hand through his hair. He wanted to ask her about Mia, but one look at Claire, so on edge, warned him it wasn’t a good time. He couldn’t imagine the conversation going well right now. So, he’d wait. Instead he asked, “Can we call a truce? Can we concentrate on the current problem instead of getting bogged down by the problems of the past?”
“Yes. I’m sorry.” Her shoulders drooped, and she seemed to deflate in front of him. “I’m not myself these days. I’m exhausted. I’m terrified I’m going to spend the rest of my life in prison, paying for a crime I didn’t commit.”
“That’s not going to happen. I won’t let it.” It was a promise he intended to keep. “You’re not on your own anymore. I’m going to help you figure this out.”
And if he didn’t? If they couldn’t find the proof she needed? He had a backup plan. He’d get her and their daughter out of the country. He had the resources to do it. He wouldn’t allow her to be sent to prison when he knew she was innocent. And then...well, he couldn’t let himself think too far ahead. His mind was still reeling from what he’d discovered earlier in the day. He and Claire needed to have a serious talk about the little girl staying with Beth.
Soon.
Just not quite yet because, despite how anxious he was for answers, Claire looked as if she were about ready to collapse from exhaustion.
“Thank you.” Her words were a breathy whisper. “I don’t think I’ve said that yet.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
“I do. Even though you’re standing right here, I’m having a hard time grasping the fact that you came after me.” Her lower lip trembled as he watched her fight for composure. “I was so
