Page 152 of The Deadly Shallows

Scott’s eyes widened. “Brooke? Brooke Kesler? What are you . . . ?”

“Hi, Scott.” She turned her glare on his dad. “And Frank. Or should I say Gator?”

“You’re right,” Frank said to Dwayne. “She is nothing but trouble, but we’ll take care of that.”

Dwayne laughed.

“And one more thing to take care of.” Without a blink of an eye, Frank raised his gun and shot Dwayne, the bullet embedding in the center of his forehead.

“Dad, what are you doing?” Scott gaped at Dwayne’s lifeless body.

“Extra weight. He’ll just slow us down,” Frank said.

“But . . . you’ve known him for twenty years.”

“And he was a good soldier. Took orders. Now I need you to do the same and move.”

“But why is Brooke . . . ?”

“Insurance.”

“For what?” Scott frowned, zipping up his down jacket.

“In case her boyfriend catches up.”

As he exited what remained of the barracks, Noah surveyed the grounds. A group of people approached from the east. He caught sight of the back of one of their blue jackets with yellow lettering. US Marshals. He needed to find out who was in charge but wanted to check on Brooke first. His gut had been uneasy ever since they’d parted, and knowing Scott Mirch was on the loose only compounded it.

He headed to the medic tent but didn’t see her. He scanned the grounds, nothing.

His heart hitched. No. Please, Lord. No.

One of the medics in the tent was busy directing the rest of them.

Noah rushed to his side. “I’m looking for Brooke Kesler. She’s a medic from North Carolina. She was helping.”

“I’m going to need more,” he said.

“She isn’t in uniform—tall, long brown hair, jeans, and a thick brown jacket.”

“I know who you’re talking about, but she was wearing a thin gray jacket.”

“That’s her.” She must have taken his jacket off for some reason. “Do you know where she is?” He looked back at the opening of the tent and saw a US Marshal striding toward them.

“She was helping a soldier over by the tree line,” the medic said. “I was about to bring a kit to her, but another medic went to help. I looked over again, and they were gone.”

“The other medic,” Noah said, trying to keep the panic from setting in, “did you know him?”

“No. I’d never seen him before, but there are so many flooding in.”

Knives sliced down Noah’s throat. “Can you show me where you last saw her?”

“Over there,” the medic said, pointing at the tree line.

The marshal stepped to Noah’s side. “US Marshal Gus Harris. I was told you’re the one who alerted Leavenworth. Can I—”

“Marshal Harris, a medic has been taken hostage,” Noah said. “I need to find her now.”

“How can I be of assistance?” he asked.