They were in Colton’s kitchen, with the bright sunlight streaming in from the window, and the lake sparkling with dancing whitecaps.
A perfect summer day, if one wanted to fish or ski. A day to enjoy, if one’s powerful and psychotic ex-husband weren’t on the loose.
“Are you really sure?” Jewel asked again.
“Positive. The news release came over the wire from the AP.” He snatched the remote from the countertop and punched the television on. “I’m sure it’s all over the news.”
And it was. Special broadcast. Updates every hour. No, Leo Licciardoni had not been caught. Both federal and state police were looking for him. All the New York and surrounding airports had been locked down and they were watching both the highways leaving the state and the ports.
“Authorities feel confident he will be caught quickly and returned to prison,” the newscaster said.
A pounding on the door made them both jump.
“What the—?” He and Jewel exchanged startled glances.
Hand to her throat, she shook her head. “Leo wouldn’t knock.”
“I know.” Still, he crossed the room quietly, checking through the peephole. What he saw stunned him, though he shouldn’t have been surprised.
“Who is it?” Jewel stopped her pacing long enough to stare.
“There are five, maybe six news vans outside. I should have seen this coming.”
She groaned. “They all know Leo swore to kill me. They’re probably hoping to capture the event on live TV.”
He didn’t laugh at her joke. She was more accurate than she realized.
“What I don’t understand is why the police aren’t here offering protection.”
Her rueful smile was tinged with a hint of fear. “I ditched the FederalWitness Protection people. They only offer help once. After that, you’re on your own.”
His cell phone rang. Checking the caller ID, Colton saw it was Floyd. No doubt furious and about to fire him.
He didn’t answer.
“What am I going to do?” Jewel mused, almost to herself, still making her furious trek around his kitchen island, from the laundry room to the back door.
He shook his head, started to speak, took one look at her pinched and worried face and decided to go for it.
“We’re leaving town,” he said. “Now.”
Eyes wide, she went still, reminding him of a wild animal caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.“We?”
“Yes. The two of us.” He waved a hand, not daring to touch her, knowing he’d be lost if he did. “Grab whatever you want to take with you. There’s no time to waste.”
She stared at him, her eyes were huge and very, very green. “Why?”
He could think of several reasons. He could say none of them. “Let’s just say guys like your ex-husband should never win.”
After a moment’s silence, she nodded, accepting his explanation, which told him how desperate she was. “Thank you. But where can we go?”
He thought for a moment. “My hunting lease.”
“What?”
“I have a place I lease for hunting. It’s northwest of here, close to Possum Kingdom Lake. It’s accessible only by a single dirt road which winds up the bluff. You can see someone coming for miles.”
She moved restlessly, pushing her hair back from her face. “I don’t know.”
