Page 93 of When the Silence Breaks

Right. This was no time to celebrate. But she couldn’t helpbut breathe deeply, couldn’t help but hope as they picked up the pace, closing in on the evergreens, making progress in their escape. The wind howled across the rise behind them and down through the trees, cutting through her parka as if to remind her that danger was closing in.

Still? Or again?

Ryder led her into the densely packed evergreens of the surrounding forest, and she breathed in the scent of the thick woods. She watched where she stepped, over roots, small boulders, and fallen branches.

Then she bumped right into Ryder.

“Oh...”

His body was unmovable, and that alone sent panic through her. She took one step back, following his gaze.

Then she froze. A man stepped out from the trees. Hands raised. Calm. Wearing government-issue boots, a dark parka.

But she recognized him and released a breath. “Malcolm.”

Her old mentor. He’d warned her not to come and was a familiar face that she’d trusted with her life.

Before.

Ryder didn’t change his stance. “How’d you find us?”

Malcolm closed the distance—slowly, cautiously, hands still raised—and offered a half smile. A pained silence. Her gut clenched. She’d expected him to come, hadn’t she? To come to her rescue ... but now she couldn’t be sure on which side he stood.

“I’ve been tracking you since you left the tent. You didn’t think I’d let you wander off with the most dangerous cargo this country’s seen in decades, did you?”

Ryder gripped the pack strap on his shoulder. The one holding the decoy canister. But he didn’t relinquish it. What was Ryder thinking? Planning? Oh, if only she could read his mind.

“I thought you’d gone back to Langley after you warned me,” she said.

“You bring up a good point. I did warn you, and you didn’t listen—which I expected. I’m glad to see you survived. I was on my way back but then had to turn around. I came the moment I realized you’d slipped containment.”

With those words, he’d revealed his hand. He was the one to send Reid Maddox after her.Oh ... Malcolm.This wasn’t the man she knew.

Where’s Jeremy?But ... she had to play this right. Ask too soon, and she could destroy her chances of ever seeing her son again.

Malcolm’s voice was smooth, casual. Too casual. “I’m not the bad guy here, Sarah. I wanted this secret to remain buried, but here we are, and I’m just trying to fix things. Let’s get you warmed up. There’s a secure place. An abandoned ranger station a quarter of a mile away. We can talk, and you can hand over the items in question. I’ll take care of it. Make sure danger doesn’t follow you. Think of it as my one last hurrah before I retire.”

“I know just the one, and I’d rather head straight to Mercy Ridge,” Ryder said, his voice edged with a warning. “We’ve got people waiting. A sheriff who knows we’re alive.”

And Ryder’s brother, who never showed up? Ryder hadn’t mentioned him again. What had happened? Maybe they’d been too busy surviving to think beyond the next three minutes.

Malcolm’s eyes flicked to him, then back to Sarah. “You trust the local authorities with this?” He nodded toward the pack Ryder still clung to.

Ryder stepped back so he stood next to Sarah.

Sarah’s skin prickled. Malcolm was saying all the right things, but she didn’t know this man standing before them. He was different. He’d fooled her all along.

“Doesn’t matter who I trust, we’ll pass on the warm cabin,” Ryder said, shifting his stance.

Malcolm’s smile tightened. “It wasn’t a request.”

Behind them, two armed men wearing tactical gear stepped into view.

“You’re done playing wilderness hero. This is above your pay grade,” Malcolm said. “Hand it over.”

Sarah’s heart slammed against her ribs. “What are you doing, Malcolm? You said some things should remain buried. Why are you even here? Did you betray me? Are you the reason my brother is dead?”

Malcolm might have answered, but Ryder had unzipped the pack and held out the canister. Then he tossed it to Malcolm, whose eyes never left it.