21

  Jack and Reese sped away from the hospital. The frustration of losing Ben gnawed at them, but they couldn’t afford to waste any time. They began circling the hospital, searching every corner, alley, and parking lot in the immediate area for any sign of Ben.

  “Keep your eyes peeled,” Jack said. “He couldn’t have gotten far on foot.”

  “If he’s on foot,” Reese said.

  They drove slowly, scrutinizing every pedestrian, every parked car, hoping for a glimpse of their missing ally. The minutes ticked by, but there was no sign of Ben.

  “We’re not going to find him like this,” Reese said. “We need to think about where he might go. If he’s trying to stay hidden, he wouldn’t just wander around aimlessly.”

  “The cabin. We need to go back to the cabin. He might have headed there, thinking it’s a safe place.”

  “But what if it’s not safe?” Reese said. “What if someone’s there, waiting for us?”

  Jack had already considered this. The risks were great. “We need the evidence we have there. We can’t just leave it. And if Ben is there, we need to get him out.”

  The drive to the cabin was tense, each of them lost in their thoughts. Jack tried not to let his mind race with the possibilities. There’d be time for that. Right now, he had to remain focused and ready for anything at the cabin.

  As they rounded the final bend, the cabin came into view, and Jack’s heart dropped. Flames licked the night sky, their vibrant orange and red tongues dancing against the darkness. The structure was engulfed in a roaring inferno, the heat palpable even from a distance. Thick, black smoke billowed upward in ominous, swirling columns, obscuring the stars and creating a suffocating haze. The crackling of burning wood filled the air, interspersed with the occasional pop and hiss as the fire consumed everything in its path. The once sturdy walls of the cabin were now a crumbling, charred skeleton. The roof collapsed inward with a thunderous crash. The acrid smell of burning timber and ash stung their nostrils.

  Reese covered her mouth, her eyes wide with horror. “We’re too late. Everything … all the evidence….”

  Jack tried to process the scene. The cabin was a total loss, the fire too intense for them to even consider approaching. “We need to see if there’s anything we can salvage,” he said, though he knew it was a longshot.

  They circled the perimeter, keeping a safe distance from the flames. Jack’s heart sank further as he realized the extent of the destruction. Whoever had set this fire had made sure there would be nothing left.

  Reese’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Jack, look.”

  She pointed to a trail leading away from the cabin. It was faint, but unmistakable—footprints in the dirt, heading toward the woods.

  “Ben?” Jack said.

  “Could be,” Reese said. “But it could also be whoever did this.”

  Jack nodded. “Let’s go. Stay alert.”

  They moved quickly but cautiously, following the trail into the woods. The sounds of the burning cabin faded as they delved deeper into the trees, replaced by the rustle of leaves.

  Every step felt like a gamble, the shadows around them playing tricks on their eyes. Jack’s senses were on high alert. Every snap of a twig sent a jolt of adrenaline through his system. They followed the footprints, hoping they were on the right track, knowing that every second counted.

  “Jack,” Reese whispered, pointing ahead.

  In the dim light, they saw a figure lying on the ground. Jack’s heart pounded as they approached.

  As they drew closer, the figure stirred, revealing a familiar face. It was Ron, Lacy’s ex-husband and one half of the father-and-son Leak Geeks team. He was injured and struggling to move. His face was bruised and swollen, with a deep gash above his right eyebrow. One arm hung at an awkward angle, and his clothes were torn and bloodstained. His breathing was labored, each inhale accompanied by a wince of pain.

  “Ron!” Jack and Reese rushed to his side.

  Ron looked up, pain on his face. He licked his lips before speaking. “They—they were waiting for me. I had to run. They set the place on fire.”

  “What were you doing here?” Jack said.

  “Ben asked me to meet him here.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “We need to get him out of here,” Reese said.

  “Can you walk?” Jack said.

  Ron nodded weakly. “I think so. But we need to hurry. They might come back.”

  Jack and Reese helped Ron to his feet, supporting him as they made their way back to the car. The fire raged behind them, a stark reminder of the dangers they faced. The acrid smoke burned their lungs and eyes, but they pressed on, determined to get Ron to safety.

  As they reached the Jeep, Jack looked back at the burning cabin. “We need to find out what happened here. And where Ben is.”

  Reese nodded. “But first, let’s get Ron to a safe place and get him some help.”

  “We can’t go back to the hospital.”

  “Let’s bring him to Lacy’s then.”

  They drove to Lacy’s bar. The streets were nearly empty, bathed in the dim glow of streetlights. The bar’s neon sign flickered in the darkness, casting light intermittently on the aged pavement. Jack parked the Jeep, and they helped Ron out, supporting his weight between them. His every step was labored. Each movement elicited a wince of pain.

  Lacy was just about to close up when they came in. The interior of the bar was quiet, with only a few stragglers finishing their drinks. She looked up from wiping down the counter, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of them. The sight of Ron’s bloodied and bruised form made her gasp, and she dropped the cloth she was holding.

  “What happened?” she asked, rushing over to help. Her voice was filled with concern and panic as she took in Ron’s injuries—his bruised face, the gash on his forehead, his broken arm hanging at an awkward angle.

  The patrons at the bar glanced over curiously, but a stern look from Jack kept them from asking questions.

  “Can we take him in back? Jack said. “It’s not safe to take him to a hospital right now.”

  Lacy hurried to the door and waved them forward. “Of course. Bring him through.” She led them past the bar and through a narrow hallway to a small, private room at the back. The room was lit with fluorescent lighting. A few old chairs and a table cluttered with papers and empty glasses adorned the area. The faint smell of stale beer hung in the air.

  Lacy grabbed a first aid kit from a cabinet and tended to Ron’s wounds with practiced hands. She dabbed antiseptic on the gash on his forehead, and he flinched, sucking in a sharp breath.

  “What happened to you, Ron?” Lacy asked, her voice trembling as she worked. She glanced up at Jack and Reese, her expression a mix of fear and confusion.

  Ron winced again as she cleaned his wound. “Ben asked me to meet him at the cabin. Said he had something important to discuss. But when I got there, the place was already on fire. I tried to get out, but they caught me.”

  “Who caught you?” Jack pressed, leaning in closer. His eyes were intense, searching Ron’s face for any clue. “Where was your car?”

  Ron shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t know. They wore masks. Said something about making sure we didn’t find out the truth. And I guess they took my car.”

  Reese exchanged a worried glance with Jack. “We need to find Ben. He could be in serious danger.”

  “What happened to Ben?” Lacy asked.

  Jack filled her in on what had happened at the hospital.

  “Mark may’ve had it coming. Ben, too, I suppose. He’s been digging for a while. With good reason, I’ll add. But digging is digging, and sometimes you strike a sewer line and end up covered in shit.” Lacy finished bandaging Ron’s wounds. She splinted his arm. “I’ll take care of him. You two go find Ben. And be careful.”

  “We’ll want to talk with you tomorrow, Ron,” Jack said.

  Ron nodded. “I won’t go anywhere.”

  “Come on, Reese. Let’s get moving.”

  22

  Jack and Reese stood just outside Lacy’s bar. The night air was cool. The clouds began to obscure the night sky, casting the street in a somber shadow. The occasional distant rumble of thunder hinted at an approaching storm.

  Jack rubbed his temples, trying to think clearly despite the exhaustion weighing him down. His time in town had been non-stop. The intensity of the situation continued to ratchet up. Part of him wanted to bail, just leave it all behind. This wasn’t his battle. He found Reese. Delivered the news. He didn’t want to abandon her here, but she could go with him. Screw the FBI and witness protection. With him, she’d be safe. He was about to say all that to her when she turned toward him and cleared her throat.

  “I’m really worried about Ben. We have to find him.”

  “We’ve got nothing to go by.”

  “Maybe the hospital tech guy restored the footage around the time of his disappearance.”

  Jack shook his head. “That was a pro job. The system was down for sure. Probably dismantled. We’ll never see what happened.”

  “So what do we do?”

  Jack shoved his hands in his pockets and tipped his head back. The sky was completely covered now. “We can’t go back to the hospital. Far too dangerous. Guarantee someone is watching it. And honestly, Reese, I need some damn sleep. My gut feeling is we’ll be contacted. So, let’s rest up and wait for that contact.”

  “Where should we go?”

  “Your place is too risky. If Hennessey’s men are looking for us, it’ll be one of the first places they check. The Lewiston Inn is our best bet. Sam’s place has been secure so far, and we know it’s a place we can trust.”

  Reese glanced back at the bar, her worry evident. “Do you think Ron will be okay with Lacy?”

  Jack offered a reassuring nod. “She’ll take good care of him. He’s safe for now.”

  With their decision made, they climbed into the Jeep and headed toward the Lewiston Inn. The streets were quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced by an oppressive stillness. As they drove, Jack couldn’t help but keep an eye on the rearview mirror, half-expecting to see a tail.

  When they arrived at the inn, the familiar sight of the neon vacancy sign flickering in the darkness brought a small measure of comfort. Jack parked the Jeep in the back lot, and they hustled inside the building. The warm glow of the inn’s interior was a stark contrast to the tension outside.

  They found Sam behind the bar, wiping down glasses and tidying up. He looked up as they entered, a mix of surprise and concern crossing his features. “You two look like you’ve been through hell. What happened?”

  Jack and Reese exchanged a glance before approaching the bar. Jack leaned against the counter, the weight of the night settling heavily on his shoulders. “We lost Ben. The cabin was burned down, and we barely made it out. We need a place to stay for the night and some advice.”

  Sam’s expression darkened as he listened. “Lost? You mean … he’s dead?”

  “We don’t know,” Reese said. “He was hurt in an accident. Him and Mark Cundiff.”

  Sam nodded. “I know him.”

  She continued. “Both were in the hospital. Mark was in much worse shape than Ben. Anyway, Mark coded. We went out to see what was happening. Jack saw someone hurrying to leave and went to follow, but lost the guy. The staff lost Mark, and by the time we returned to the room, Ben was gone. Security was no help, had no footage.”

  “We rushed to Ben’s cabin,” Jack said.

  “I know of it,” Sam said.

  Reese continued. “It was in flames. The entire thing engulfed. Every shred of evidence we’d found went up in smoke.”

  “We followed some footprints,” Jack said. “Found Ron, Lacy’s ex-husband. Beaten up pretty badly. Said he hadn’t seen Ben, but was there because Ben asked him to meet him. Not sure who set the fire, but I’d guess it was whoever caused the accident, maybe even the guy I saw in the hospital.”

  Sam set down his rag and crossed his arms over his chest. “Damn. Sounds like things are getting serious. Let’s talk. Maybe I can help.”

  As they settled onto the barstools, the atmosphere in the inn felt like a fragile sanctuary, a brief respite from the chaos swirling around them. They knew they couldn’t stay hidden for long, but for now, it was enough.

  The soft murmur of distant conversation and the clinking of glasses created a backdrop that was comforting in its normalcy. Sam’s eyes bore into them, filled with a mix of concern and curiosity.

  Sam leaned against the counter. “I’ve been keeping an eye on things around town. Seen some shady stuff going on.”

  Jack’s interest piqued. “Let’s get right to it, then. What do you know about Hennessey’s operations? We’ve uncovered bits and pieces, but most of our evidence went up in flames with the cabin. And, honestly, it just felt like a game of Clue. We were going from this place to that, finding sometimes conflicting information, all of it leading to another location that led to another location. It’s been frustrating.”

  Sam nodded. “Sounds about right. Hennessey’s a snake. On the surface, he’s all about that new development project, making it seem like he’s trying to revitalize the town by bringing money in to that spa. But beneath that, there’s a whole different story. I’ve heard whispers, seen some things that don’t add up.”

  Reese leaned in, her eyes locked on Sam. “What kind of things?”

  Sam took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. “The public project, that’s just a front. He’s talking about new businesses, more jobs, a better future for Lewiston. But the real agenda is far more sinister. He’s using that project to cover up a network of illegal activities. Drug trafficking, money laundering, you name it.”

  Jack exchanged a look with Reese. “We’ve seen some of the financial records, the shell companies. It all makes sense. But what’s his end game?”

  Sam rubbed his chin. “Power and control. Hennessey’s trying to cement his position as the undisputed ruler of this town. He wants to expand his operations, and Lewiston’s just the beginning. He’s got contacts in other cities, probably even in law enforcement and politics. Without something solid, you can’t just walk up and arrest the guy. Hell, he’s got the police locked down here. I wouldn’t trust a single one of them.”

  Reese’s lips thinned. “And we’re sitting here with nothing to show for our efforts. We need more than just whispers and suspicions.”

  “I might have something that can help.” Sam reached under the counter. He pulled out a worn, leather-bound notebook and slid it across to them. “This belonged to a friend of mine who was looking into Hennessey before he disappeared. It’s got names, places, transactions—everything he managed to dig up.”

  Jack opened the notebook. The pages were filled with meticulous notes and diagrams. “This is gold. With this, we can start piecing things together again.”

  Sam leaned in closer. “Be careful. Hennessey’s men are everywhere, and as you’ve seen, they’re not above using violence to keep their secrets. You need to stay one step ahead.”

  Jack nodded. “Thanks, Sam. We owe you one.”

  “Just bring that bastard down,” Sam said.

  Reese closed the notebook and slipped it into her bag. “We need to get some rest and start fresh in the morning. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

  Jack agreed. “Let’s head to my room. We can go over this and plan our next move.”

  Jack and Reese thanked Sam again before heading upstairs to Jack’s room with a bottle of wine. He couldn’t shake the exhaustion from the day. The stress. The anxiety. The worry.

  Inside the room, Jack locked the door behind them. Reese set the leather-bound notebook on the small table by the window, grabbed two glasses, and dragged a second chair over to the desk. Jack joined her.

  He opened the notebook again, skimming through the pages filled with names, addresses, and detailed accounts of Hennessey’s dealings. “This is a treasure trove of information. We just need to figure out how to use it.”

  Reese leaned on his shoulder, reading along with him. “We should start by identifying the key players mentioned here and cross-referencing them with what we already know. We can’t afford any mistakes.”

  They spent the next hour poring over the notebook, cross-referencing names and dates with the fragments of information they still had. It was tedious work, but it felt good to be making progress again. The storm outside finally broke, and rain pattered against the window. The sound was soothing, lulling them into a relaxed state.

  “We need to be strategic about our next moves,” Jack said. “We can’t just go barging into places anymore. We need solid evidence and a plan.”

  Reese nodded. “Agreed. We also need to consider how we’re going to protect ourselves and the people who are helping us. We can’t underestimate Hennessey any longer.”

  “Maybe I should take Marcus Wade up on his offer and meet with him. If I do it someplace public, there’s a chance we don’t shoot each other.”

  Reese laughed then apologized for doing so. “Just caught me off guard.”

  Jack looked at Reese. Really looked at her for the first time since finding her again. She was beautiful. Even after the day they’d had, the woman looked amazing. “You’ve been incredible through all of this. I know it’s been hard, especially with everything that’s happened to Brenda.”

  Reese’s face softened. “We’ve both lost people we care about. But that’s why we have to see this through. For Brenda, for Ben, for everyone who’s been hurt by Hennessey’s greed.”

  They continued to sift through the notebook, finding more connections and potential leads. As the night wore on, their fatigue caught up with them. Jack closed the notebook and leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. Reese leaned against him. Her soft lips brushed his neck. He turned and kissed her.

  Jack set the notebook on the nightstand and turned off the light. They settled into the bed, in each other’s arms, and let the tension of the day ebb away as the rain continued its steady rhythm against the window.