Senior Trooper Markowitz answered. “No, he hasn’t been seen. But there are only a handful of places out here. There’s a revamped inn about to open, but that’s not until January. There are just a few folks who keep homes out here. Those who really like their isolation. Summertime, maybe you’d have more people. That’s why this is just so crazy. . . what the heck happened to the road?”

  “Maybe a damned crazy white rabbit!” the man who had identified himself as Barrie Stone said. “You don’t understand. This man in the rabbit suit might be highly dangerous. He’s a retired captain who saw all kinds of action overseas for the past twenty-plus years. Yes, we owe him our thanks, but...we can’t endanger the public with him, and with what his training has given him. Yes, I believe the man could have blown up this road.”

  “Well, we’ll get some more folks out here, get it cordoned off. Get some CSI in here. You fellows stuck out here—that vehicle of yours should climb this mess. Hell, it looks as if it could take on half the Blue Ridge,” Ben Sharpton said. “Why are you here—just staring at the road? You’re dressed for a jaunt in the woods. I guess you’re trying to find him without him seeing you first?”

  “That’s right, sir. The element of surprise could help us take him down with no one getting injured. We were just staring at the road ourselves, wondering what the hell—heck!” Stone’s clone in camouflage, identified as Rocky Morris, said. “Yes, we have to get on it—the search for our white rabbit.”

  “Gentlemen, I’d like your IDs first,” Markowitz said firmly.

  “Of course, of course,” Stone said. “Rocky, the troopers would like our IDs.”

  For a split second, Brodie thought Stone was suggesting they had to kill the troopers, the way he said the words.

  He started to draw his own weapon.

  But apparently, the two thought better of it—or they never intended it. He might have read something into the situation that had never been there. Shooting two troopers would have been serious enough to draw the wrath of law enforcement across the state and beyond.

  The two reached into their camouflage jackets and produced wallets that were identical.

  Hospital ID? Brodie wondered.

  Markowitz accepted the identification and nodded to her partner.

  “Well, then, gentlemen, good luck on the hunt for your rabbit.”

  “Thank you, officer—officers,” Stone said. “We still think this could have been him. We’ll be searching in the area—should you need us.”

  “We’ll be here,” Markowitz said.

  Stone gave her a salute and then he and the man Stone had identified at Rocky Morris walked off into the woods, choosing the north side of the road for their search.

  Brodie was on the south side.

  He waited; he wanted them well into the woods before he approached the troopers himself.

  He was about to do so when he sensed a rustling in the woods, behind him and toward the east. He listened for a moment.

  Someone was moving furtively in his direction. He could just hear it in the slightest sound of crunching snow, see it in the subtle movement of the pines.

  He tensed and listened a moment longer sensing direction and speed.

  He began to edge around himself, realizing he was going deeper into the woods, but his quarry was still trying to reach him.

  He angled around one pine, ready. He made a move, subtle and swift, reaching out and drawing his subject swiftly into the manacle of his arms.

  Then to his amazement, he heard Kody’s voice in a hushed and urgent whisper.

  “Brodie, no!”

  Chapter 4

  Kody had expected Brodie would head out to meet her as soon as he couldn’t reach her on the phone. Brodie would have come, knowing she was in trouble—or in danger. She thought she and the white rabbit would find him.

  She should have known better.

  He had her pulled hard against him—a hold that wouldn’t have allowed her to use a weapon against him had she been carrying one—but the iron bars of his arms eased as soon as he realized he had snared her.

  “Kody!” he murmured, relief evident in his voice.

  He saw she wasn’t alone; he saw the man standing just a foot from him now—wielding a machete, holding it as if he were a knight in ancient battle and the machete was a sword.

  “Unhand her, sir, this instant or you will meet dire consequences!” The White Rabbit demanded valiantly.

  She saw Brodie instinctively reach for his gun—it tended to be the quickest way to defuse a situation—as in knife usually beats fists, while gun usually beats knife or sword or machete. No matter how quickly a man could move, a bullet could usually move faster.

  But Brodie was never rash. In the direst circumstances, he seemed to have an instinct that warned him when to act—and when to listen. The White Rabbit was now minus the gas mask and the rabbit head, but he was still in a body suit that resembled rabbit pajamas for toddlers. Because the mask was gone, Brodie saw the rabbit was indeed a man and maybe a man in trouble.

  Kody quickly and urgently whispered out a plea to the rabbit.

  “No, White Rabbit, put down your sword please. This is Brodie. I told you about him. He’s a good guy, he’s…” she paused and then winced as she added, “Please, I swear to you—he’s out for truth, justice, and the American way!”

  The White Rabbit slowly lowered his machete, but kept it tightly gripped in his hand as he stared at Brodie.

  Kody turned to her fiancé.

  “Brodie, listen, please. He’s not out to hurt us. You need to listen. The rabbit is...he’s on to something,” she finished a little lamely.

  Brodie stared hard at the rabbit. She knew he had acknowledged she wasn’t being held against her will. Being Brodie, he was cautious in any situation, but he trusted her.

  She could almost see his mind working.

  Sad to say, but while the rabbit might be crazy, he might also be on to something.

  “Okay. What is going on here?” Brodie asked, looking at Kody. He didn’t wait for her answer. He turned to the white rabbit, keeping his voice low but determined.

  “Sir, why are you in a rabbit costume? What happened to the road?”

  Kody decided she needed to do the answering, and quickly.

  “He’s in disguise,” Kody said, meeting his eyes and hoping he’d understand to play along. “There are dragon slayers out there. They’re going to try and kill the Golden Dragon. Brodie, I think the original plan was for someone specific to be on the road when it blew up, only they weren’t here yet. So, there are two men out hunting. I think the White Rabbit heard or saw something, and someone at that hospital is a criminal. Now they’re trying to blame it on the White Rabbit.”

  He was staring back at her, eyes narrowed in a frown.

  She frowned fiercely, looking at him a little desperately. She didn’t dare raise her voice. She knew the two men in the white camouflage were moving through the trees somewhere.

  “Something is going on,” she said. “Trust me—the rabbit isn’t evil. He’s, uh, in disguise, and I believe he might have good reason to be.”

  “The Virginia State Police are out there now,” Brodie said, keeping his voice just as low.

  “So are the men in the winter camouflage!” Kody said. “They’re near—somewhere. In the woods. Looking for the White Rabbit. I believe they’re the dangerous ones.”

  He continued to keep his eyes warily on the White Rabbit.

  “I’ve seen them,” Brodie said. “The men in the white camouflage. I agree that maybe our friend should be avoiding them, but the troopers appear to be legitimate; they don’t seem to believe the rabbit could have done these things.”

  “Captain Lynch,” Brodie said, lowering his head in acknowledgement to the man.

  She was startled when he turned back to the rabbit—and addressed him by name. Brodie obviously knew some things she didn’t.

  “Captain Avery C. Lynch, I believe you’re...right. Something is going on out here. It’s my belief you saw or heard something that has put you in harm’s way, and someone is planning something bad out here. Please, sir, you could help…”

  He paused, looking at Kody, as if pained.

  Well, of course. They’d been excited about the wedding, about Christmas with family and friends. Now, here they were, one day before the wedding and just two days before Christmas, standing in the woods by a road that had been blown up talking to a man who was dressed up like a white rabbit and thought an evil creature from literature was after them.

  Kody shook her head, smiling at him.

  Sure, brides were supposed to be a bit crazy about having the perfect wedding, but she’d fallen in love with Brodie because he always stepped to the fore if someone was in trouble. Because he would do everything in his power to help in a dangerous situation. Through him, she’d learned so much more about herself, about helping in this kind of situation, and even understanding her own ability to speak to the dead with greater acceptance.

  “Help us find out what’s really going on,” she said.

  He knew something already—at least about the rabbit.

  He knew the rabbit’s real identity.

  “Help us,” Brodie agreed quietly.

  Captain Lynch brought a finger to his lips. “Dragon slayers everywhere. They meant to kill the Golden Dragon earlier; they meant to take him here. Our mission, soldiers, is simple—save the Golden Dragon, and see to it we have no civilian casualties along the way.”

  The rabbit looked around, surveying the landscape around them and listening.

  “You know this man?” Kody murmured.

  Brodie nodded, now careful not to take his eyes off Lynch.

  “I know about him,” he explained. “A man who fought for his country—who has given decades of his life for his country.” He turned to her then. “I have no idea what is going on except an old—pre-Civil War old—asylum has been reopened and refurbished supposedly for the elite, but they’re working experimentally with PTSD. I believe our white rabbit was there, and whatever they’re doing for PTSD, well...it appears it causes a strange turn in the mind.” He indicated the rabbit.

  “Soldiers!” Lynch said. “The mission!”

  “We need to get him somewhere,” Brodie said. “I’m going to speak with the troopers. They’re staying until they get reinforcements to close the road, or get the fire department out here, or some munitions experts. Someone who can explain what happened. We need to know what their orders are regarding the rabbit. I’ll just talk to them—”

  “No, no negotiations through neutral parties,” Lynch said. “This is the situation; we don’t know who can be trusted. You’ve volunteered for this hazardous duty, but you will follow my orders!”

  Kody was very afraid Brodie wouldn’t accept anyone talking to him that way; but to her surprise, he was careful of and respectful to Lynch.

  “Sir, no negotiations. I’m going on a spy mission. We’ll find out more about what they know. Sir, with your permission, sir!”

  Lynch saluted. Brodie did so in return. He looked to the road and surveyed their position. “Stay here, watch for dragon slayers until I return,” he told them.

  Kody nodded gravely. Brodie whispered softly for her ears only, “I don’t know what the hell is going on here. I don’t want to just turn this man over to anyone. We need to get him away. My car is on the other side of the explosion; we can get him back to Austin’s place. Brian and Bruce are on their way; they should be here soon. Stay hidden—I don’t like the guys from the hospital. They should be out with tasers—not rifles. We’ll see what’s going on. You’re all right with this?” he asked her.

  “Hey,” she told him. “I met the White Rabbit first, remember?”

  He smiled, lowered his head and nodded.

  “Christmas Eve is supposed to be the wedding—”

  “He’s invited. No problem.”

  His smiled deepened; he turned and saluted Lynch again.

  “I will be on guard. As senior officer, I will staunchly watch out for the enemy and the soldier in my command!” Lynch said.

  Brodie walked away.

  The White Rabbit indicated a little indention in the trees.

  “Rock formation,” Lynch said. “We’ll take cover. It’s a fine hiding position from which to watch for the enemy.”

  The man knew his terrain. Kody never would have seen it; but this area, close to the mountains, offered sporadic little hills. Perhaps thousands of years ago, glaciers had moved over rock and created the scooped-out area he indicated, all but hidden by snow, pines, and bracken.

  She walked ahead of him; there was even a patch of earth with no snow beneath the low overhead of rock. She sat; he joined her.

  And he watched, ever the commander, responsible—his eyes out for the enemy.

  ***

  “Hey!” Brodie called, skirting around the crumpled asphalt and approaching the troopers. “Any idea of what’s happened here?” he asked.

  The master trooper, Ben Sharpton, stepped forward eyeing him carefully. Brodie could see the man wasn’t panicked in any way, but he was ready for trouble. Wary.

  “No, son, we don’t. What’s your business here?”

  “I have friends coming out this way. I was anxious to meet them,” he said. “I’m thinking they’ll have to find another way out. But...hey. Why would a road explode out here in the middle of nowhere?” He offered a handshake. “I’m parked off the road just the other side. My name is Brodie McFadden. I’m with the FBI,” he added, finding his I.D. He didn’t have an agent’s I.D. yet, but he did have the “consultant” badge that allowed him a lot of leeway.

  “FBI, eh?” Sharpton said, looking at him with narrowed eyes. “How about an answer to my question? What are you doing out here? Don’t tell me you boys had some chatter on an attack out here and didn’t let us know?”

  “Oh, no, sir, nothing like that. I’m friends with Austin Newton and his wife, Julia.”

  “That place hasn’t opened back up to the public yet. Hey, Ben, did you know Thomas Jefferson had something to do with that place?” Trooper Elise Markowitz said, stepping in. She looked over Sharpton’s shoulder at Brodie’s I.D., then she looked at him. “I know this man!” she said suddenly. “You’re one of the boys, right? They had three of them. Well, I knew your parents. Fine folks. Phenomenal actors and still, just down-home folks,” she said, staring at him, her curiosity growing. She didn’t wait for him to answer, she just kept talking. “Hamish loved the cabin he used to keep out in the woods. You still have that cabin?”

  “Yes, ma’am, we’ve kept the cabin,” Brodie said. “I was—”

  “Why aren’t you staying at your own cabin?” Sharpton asked.

  “I’m getting married and we’re having guests out to Austin’s place. Austin and Julia kindly offered it to us as a venue. We’re not having a large wedding, but the cabin couldn’t accommodate the people we’ve invited. So—”

  “That’s it—you’re out here socially?” Sharpton pursued.

  “I was decorating the inn and chopping wood when I heard there was a rabbit on the loose. My fiancée was on her way out here. I was driving to meet her when I came upon this scene. I find it hard to believe a mental patient—even if he managed to snag a machete—had the capabilities of blowing up a road, so I’m concerned and wondering what might be going on.”

  Sharpton must have decided he trusted Brodie. He shook his head. “Beats the hell out of me.” He hesitated, eyeing Brodie, glancing at his partner, and then shaking his head. “I don’t know—I’m concerned about the old asylum. I don’t like what they’re doing.”

  “Ben,” his partner murmured.

  Brodie lifted his hands. “Anything said is confidential,” he assured her.

  “First, I thought it was going to be a ritzy retreat for those stumbling around with addiction problems. Then, I started to hear that they while they were taking care of the super wealthy, they were also working with other ailments and they were considered way ahead in their field. State-of-the-art is how they bill themselves. It’s not a state facility or a federal facility—it’s private. They started taking in a number of our soldiers suffering from shock and PTSD and…”

  “Ben doesn’t like the word ‘experimental,’” Elise Markowitz explained. “Where do you think we got our vaccines and other medical breakthroughs saving lives, eh, Ben?”

  “Elise, I’m not against the onward march of medicine, but we’ve heard some strange stories coming out that place. And now, a large white rabbit with a gas mask and machete? I think I rest my case.”

  “There are always strange stories out of any hospital dealing with mental issues,” Markowitz said, and Sharpton shrugged.

  Sharpton smiled slightly. “We’ve worked together a while. We vote different parties; we argue many issues.”

  “But we get along great,” Markowitz said.

  Brodie laughed. “Well, I’m sure you two have lively discussions. You asked me if I knew about anything—if the feds were hiding information about any chatter or information regarding the area. I just don’t see this area as any kind of a target, but...is there anything either of you can think of that might cause someone to...damage the area. Or anyone in the area who could be in danger?”

  The two of them looked at each other.

  “Well, where we stand now, we’re approximately two or two and a half hours from D.C.,” Markowitz said.

  “Depending on traffic,” Sharpton said.

  “And who’s doing the driving,” Markowitz added.

  They looked at him, as if that explained everything.

  “And?” he asked.

  “Well, D.C. You have politicians. You have lobbyists. You have fanatics. But because of the hustle and shove of D.C., lots of those people—”

  “With money,” Markowitz said.

  “You don’t need that much money—land out here is reasonable,” Sharpton reminded her. “Especially compared with D.C.!”