In the background, the dirt bikes slid to a halt with a spray of gravel. About fifty yards back, the riders idled their engines. Perhaps waiting to see what happened at the gate. They weren’t aware that she was already known here.
“Stop right there.” An xTerra guard stepped from behind the gatepost. “Hands up.” He aimed his gun at Lissa.
She swallowed. “Cam Montgomery sent me.” She and the children stopped in front of the gate. Lissa didn’t recognize the guard, and she broke out in a sweat. She hadn’t considered not being recognized. With Rod’s hand clutched on one side and the cat carrier on the other, she didn’t raise her hands. Instead, she nudged the children in front of her, hoping they would help convince the guards she wasn’t a threat.
“Where are Dave and Sergeant Montgomery? Shouldn’t they be with you?”
“Cam and Dave should be back in a few hours. They sent us ahead.”
“Let her in,” said a deeper voice as Kory strode from the gatehouse.
Behind her, the whine of the dirt bikes changed as they turned around and headed back up the road. The buzzing faded as they left.
Lissa sagged against the gate. “I’m glad you’re on duty. The others headed to Bill, Wyoming this morning.” Kory didn’t know about yesterday’s disaster.
Kory unlocked the iron barrier and swung it open while the guard continued to scan beyond the gate, his gaze tracking where the dirt bikes had disappeared. “If the others went to Bill today, yesterday must have been a failure.”
She raised her eyebrows and glanced down at the children.
Kory got the message and refrained from further questions.
“You’re Goliath, aren’t you?” Little Rod tipped his head back to take in Kory’s full height. “You’re even bigger than my daddy said. Maybe if I eat lots of vegetables, I can be tall like you.”
Kory threw back his head and laughed. “Let’s get you inside. Singh, take Lissa’s keys and drive Dave’s SUV inside. We’ll report their arrival and send them on once everyone’s caught their breath.” He turned to Lissa. “That sound good?”
Lissa nodded. “Thank you.” Her legs felt rubbery as the adrenaline of the last fifteen minutes subsided. She exhaled, trying to relieve the constant pressure around her chest. Though safe, some of her stress lessened, but she continued to worry about Cam. Following Amanda had been another risk. She wouldn’t feel right until he returned.
Kory’s eyes flicked to the kids again. “We expected all of you to return together. I imagine you have a story.”
“This is part of it.” Lissa pulled out Amanda’s second letter, the one addressed to Robin and Kory. “Rod and Amanda sent it. Read this now, then again when you’re with Robin.”
A spark of curiosity appeared in his eyes as he took the paper and unfolded it. Before he read it, he glanced down when Rod slipped his hand into the Lieutenant’s. The big man’s face softened. Kory cleared his throat and glanced at Lissa.
She nodded. “There’s definitely a story.”
***
After Kory reported their arrival at the Outpost, rather than jump straight back in the SUV, Lissa stayed at the entrance, waiting for Cam. Kory rummaged through the desk’s drawers and found paper and a couple of pencils to entertain Rod. The little boy sat drawing wild machines and monsters while Daisy got a book from her suitcase and settled on the couch to read. So far, both were handling the loss of their father and disappearance of their mother surprisingly well. They were just quieter than expected. Maybe their loss hadn’t sunk in.
Kory disappeared outside with the letter and returned a few minutes later. “Do you know what this says?” He kept his voice pitched low.
Lissa’s mouth went dry. She probably shouldn’t have snooped, but she had. The letter asked Robin and Kory to raise Daisy and Rod as their own if Amanda didn’t return. Lissa nodded. “Amanda left on her own. Cam and Dave followed, but she said goodbye to the children. She wrote another letter for us.”
Lissa glanced around, but all Watch members except Kory were outside, beyond earshot. “She names Eli Blake as a person of interest. He knew John Slains from before, and she confirmed they worked with the former mayor.” She shot a look at the children. They didn’t seem to be paying attention, but that meant nothing. If she’d just lost her dad and her mom had disappeared on a mission for vengeance, Daisy would be listening to every word, even if it wasn’t obvious.
Kory jerked his head toward the door and stepped outside. Lissa followed.
“How certain is the Eli Blake information?” Kory’s mouth was tight. “I’ll call the name in as soon as we’re done with this conversation.”
“I don’t think Amanda would mention anything if she weren’t sure.”
Kory nodded but made no move to return inside. “That tracks with my thoughts.”
Lissa waited. “Are you okay?” The possibility of additional children might be a lot to digest.
He nodded. “Our family with one kid was about to become two. If Amanda doesn’t return, we’ll have four. It’ll be fine.”
“Robin made quite the impression. How did she know Amanda and the kids?” Robin and Kory had spent time at the Slains’ compound in Wyoming, but Lissa didn’t know the circumstances.
