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l and heading for the outskirts of the small town, making our way to a house on the west side. It’s a ranch-style house normally occupied by Elissa Garden, one of the intelligence agents for the Carson Alliance, but she isn’t there to meet us.
“I thought we she was going to be here,” I say to one of the soldiers.
“That was what I was told, but clearly she isn’t.” He shrugs and uses a keycard provided by Spat to open the back door, and we all move inside. “She may have been called away. I’ll find out.”
Inside, the house doesn’t look like a house at all. It’s much bigger than one would expect looking at the front of it. It’s rectangular and goes back almost to the wooded area behind the property. All the rooms have been gutted, and the house is divided into three areas, each of which is blocked by a thick metal door.
The house is empty of people, but the front room is full of all kinds of surveillance equipment. The soldiers activate some of it, and a map of the area is displayed.
“If anyone with a tracking device comes into the area, we’ll know.”
“All the military should have one,” Riley says. “We’ll be fine here, Galen.”
“How long will it take you to reach Milton?” one of the soldiers asks me.
“Four hours,” I tell him. “I’ve got the route plotted. As long as there aren’t any delays, I should get there long before Mills Pharmco opens for the day.”
“Taylor Wick confirms he is at the checkpoint and ready for you.”
“Good.” I look to Riley, who won’t meet my eyes.
She’s been quiet since we arrived at the house, watching and listening but not offering any words. I go to stand by her, and she starts shuffling around in her medical bag.
“This should keep you going,” Riley says as she inserts a needle into my arm.
Closing my eyes, I feel the rush of energy as the drugs hit my bloodstream and circulate through my body.
I place my finger on Riley’s chin and tilt her head up to meet my gaze.
“I love you, Riley.”
She closes her eyes, nodding and pressing her lips together. She reaches her arms around my neck and hugs me tightly.
“I love you, Galen. I can’t guide you this time, but I’ll still be tracking where you should be at any given moment. Make sure Wick notifies us when you reach the checkpoint.”
“I will. You make sure you stick with these guys, and don’t do anything stupid like try to follow me because you think there’s trouble. There’s a four-hour gap in the time I may return to the second checkpoint. No panicking.”
“I won’t.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” She smiles up at me, but her eyes are dull. She slides her hands down my arms and grips my fingers.
“Don’t worry,” one of the soldiers says, “we’ll keep an eye on her.”
“You better.” I stare him in the eyes, and he nods once, acknowledging my warning.
If anything happens to her, I’d probably kill the guy.
“Be careful,” Riley says. “Get in; get out.”
“I’ll be fine,” I tell her. “You are the one who needs to watch out. If there is any sign of trouble, and I mean anything, do not wait for me. Get the hell out.”
“I will.”
I stare at her as I keep holding her hands. I’m afraid to let go, afraid this will be the last time I ever see her. I’m not worried for my own safety, but my heart aches with the thought that something might happen to her when I’m not here. It’s almost enough for me to take her with me all the way to the pharmaceutical company.
Almost.
