* * *

  The sanctuary of the community church had been built of native stone, then added to as different denominations came and went. Sunday School rooms extended one arm of a T and a fellowship hall filled the other with a kitchen at the ell.

  The front parking area was deserted, giving Hannah a brief start until she remembered that the ladies usually parked in the rear for ease of access.

  “Nobody here?” Rafe asked, leaning forward to peer out.

  “In the back, I hope,” Hannah replied, proceeding. “Some of them bring portable sewing machines and don’t want to have to carry them far.”

  “Gotcha. Want to stop and let me out here so I can sneak around?”

  “And have you desert me when I need you?”

  “Hey, that hurts. I told you I’d help.”

  “Fleming made promises, too. He seemed so nice until he had enough information about my family to threaten us.”

  “Okay, okay, so you have trust issues. I guess I can see that. How do you intend to explain me to your grandmother?”

  “One thing at a time. First, you help me make sure she’s safe, then we’ll talk about what comes next.” She eyed him, hoping he’d be willing to turn himself in when the time came. After all, he hadn’t planned to escape any more than she’d meant to include him. Perhaps, told together, their stories would make enough sense to help them both.

  The van eased around the corner of the fellowship hall. Few cars remained in the parking lot. A familiar, nondescript green sedan sat at the farthest end of the area. The trunk lid was raised. A slight woman with short sandy-colored hair stood beside it, facing two burly men. Hannah gasped.

  “Is that her?”

  “Yes!”

  Rafe had his seatbelt off and was braced to jump out as soon as the van screeched to a halt. Thor followed in a blur.

  Hannah was right behind them. She screamed “Gram” at the top of her lungs.

  Before she could come between her grandmother and the men, Rafe’s outstretched arm stopped her. Momentarily distracted, she tried to push him aside. When she looked back at Grandma Lucy, the sixty-one-year-old had slammed the trunk lid on the arm of one of the men and was swinging her heavy sewing machine by the handle of its carrying case. It collided with the second man’s midsection, doubling him over.

  Hannah struggled to free herself from Rafe’s grasp while Thor bristled and barked at everybody. “Let me go.”

  “Hang on,” he rasped. “She’s got this.”

  “You have to be...” Wide-eyed, Hannah realized he was right. Lucy was braced like a warrior. She dropped the sewing machine and gave the hunched-over man a karate chop to the back of his neck, whirled and pushed the trunk lid down for the second time, making the first thug howl in pain.

  She acknowledged Hannah with a warning look before she grabbed the groaning man by his shirt collar, shoved him toward his partner, then watched as they fled, supporting each other.

  A second woman from the church group, elderly but stalwart, waved a cell phone. “I called the police, dear.”

  Hannah knew that was the right thing to do in almost every circumstance. This time, however, she wanted time to consult with her worldly wise grandmother and work out the best way to surrender to the authorities. If the police arrived before they had time to talk there was every chance they’d be separated and perhaps forever denied the chance to speak privately.

  Lucy joined her with a thankful embrace, then set her away to look into her face. “What are you doing here?”

  “I—we—came to rescue you.”

  “What’s going on. And who’s he?”

  “It’s a long story. I’m in trouble, Gram. Big trouble.”

  “Looks like it.” She eyed Rafe who was still supporting Hannah by grasping her elbow. “Why’s he wearing a prison jumpsuit under that jacket?”

  Rafe replied. “Like she said, it’s a long story. How about we go someplace quiet to fill you in?”

  “Might be worth hearing,” Lucy said. “You didn’t happen to get a license number of the car those two idiots drove off in, did you?”

  Hannah shook her head and blinked back tears, thankful her gram was unhurt but terribly worried about their tenuous situation. Lucy took control, beginning by pointing at the woman with the cell phone. “Go back inside where it’s safe, Norma, and keep everybody there until the police arrive.” She turned to Hannah. “You two, get in my car and we’ll go somewhere quiet to talk this through.”

  “But, Gram...” Hesitant and more than a little frightened, Hannah eyed Rafe, then Thor.

  It was Rafe who complied first, putting Thor into the back seat and holding the front passenger door for Hannah. As soon as she was seated he closed her door and joined the dog.

  To Hannah’s amazement, Lucy slid behind the wheel as if they were merely friends going for a pleasant Sunday drive. She’d seen her grandmother stand up for herself before but never physically. And never in such apparently overwhelming circumstances. Now, as Hannah’s trembling fingers fumbled the catch to fasten her seatbelt, Gram was acting so calm it was even more unsettling.

  If it hadn’t been for the escaped convict in the seat behind them Hannah might have questioned Lucy about her hidden expertise. She’d lived with Gram since her teens, but she’d never seen anything like the encounter in the church parking lot. It was as if she’d glimpsed a part of her sweet grandmother she’d never imagined existed.

  Boy, was that true. The safety belt clicked. Hannah straightened, staring at Lucy. The older woman was smiling.

  “Um, Gram?”

  Lucy laughed. “I know, I know. You’re surprised I was able to defend myself.”

  “Yeah, a little.”

  Pointedly glancing in the rearview mirror, Lucy eyed Rafe. “Bear in mind that I’m capable of much more than you just saw,” she warned. “So don’t even think about trying to overpower me to steal my car. Keep your hands to yourself and mind that dog or you’ll find yourself cuffed and back in prison so fast it’ll make your head swim.”

  Hannah didn’t know what surprised her more, Gram’s threat or Rafe’s immediate “Yes, ma’am.”

  She swiveled to look at him and her jaw gaped. He was grinning almost as widely as Lucy was.

  FIVE

  Rafe felt as if he’d parachuted into a fractured fairy tale.

  Hannah’s grandmother was nothing like he’d imagined she’d be, and he was both curious and fascinated. No wonder the pretty dog trainer had been so brave in the face of Fleming’s threats. She came from strong stock and a family that functioned well in difficult circumstances. That strength of will was a gift, a trait many people coveted but few possessed. When it was used for good, as in policing or firefighting or other forms of lifesaving, it was a valuable asset. Used the way men like Fleming did, however, it was dangerous.

  He decided to plead his case before Hannah explained her part in the escape. “Your granddaughter had been threatened by a guy in the training class. She was told harm would come to you if she didn’t help him escape.” Seeing the older woman’s gray eyes narrowing he raised both hands and quickly added, “No, not me.”

  “Who?”

  “Deuce Fleming. He’s...”

  “I know who he is. I didn’t like it when Hannah told me he was in the class.”

  “She really didn’t have a choice.”

  “There’s always a choice,” Lucy countered. “She could have found a way.”

  “Hey!” Hannah raised her voice. “I’m sitting right here.” She made a dour face. “If I’d had the slightest notion you were a martial arts expert I might have resisted more.”

  Lucy snorted wryly. “Yeah, well, you didn’t need to know everything.”

  “I do now. Where did you learn those moves you used back at the church?”

  Sighing, Lucy paused, then explained. “Years ago your grandpa Rob worked for the government. He was worried about being gone on long covert assignments so he taught me some simple self-defense moves. It’s been a long time since I practiced but thankfully it all came back to me when I needed it.”

  Rafe chanced leaning forward slightly to make the conversation more personal. “He’d be proud of you.”

  “He always told me he was.”

  The approach of a police car from the opposite direction caused Rafe to duck. When it had passed he resumed his position behind Lucy’s right shoulder. “Your family never suspected what your husband did for a living?”

  “My daughter and son-in-law, Hannah’s parents, knew. They were government agents, too.”

  A gasp from Hannah was enough to make Lucy reach for her hand. Rafe paused to give them time for silent communication. “What happened to them?” he finally asked.

  Before Lucy could answer, Hannah said, “They were killed in an airplane accident when I was sixteen. I’ve lived with Gram ever since.”

  The older woman cleared her throat, apparently fighting emotions, before adding her own explanation. “Actually, my daughter was taken—kidnapped—and was being flown out of the country. Her husband lost his life trying to rescue her. Rob blamed himself, of course. I did, too, at first. He’d been trying to break up a human trafficking ring and they’d targeted our daughter in retribution. That brought everything to a head and the brains behind the ring were arrested. The rest died trying to escape with their victims. All aboard were killed when their plane went down in the Rockies.”

  “Hannah’s mother, too?”

  “Yes. Missing and presumed dead with the others after the crash,” Lucy said sadly.

  Hannah stared, eyes wide, lips parted. “You told me Mom and Dad both died in a plane crash, but you never said anything about kidnapping or spies.”

  “It was the kindest way.”

  “Kindest?” She withdrew, leaning against the car door as if trying to escape. “How could you keep me in the dark like that?”

  “I didn’t do it to lie to you—I did it to keep you safe,” Lucy insisted. “And speaking of safe, what in the world possessed you to help in a jailbreak? I raised you better than that.”

  “I did it to keep you safe,” Hannah shot back. “How was I to know you were some kind of retired spy?”

  “My Rob was the actual operative,” Lucy countered. “I may have picked up a few tricks along the way, but basically I was just along for the ride.” She sobered. “And it cost me my family. You’re all I have left. I wanted—I want—to protect you. That’s why we have to make this right.”

  “You just told me everybody I love has lied to me my whole life. Why should I go along with anything you say?”

  Rafe decided it was time to chime in. “She may have been less than specific, but she did tell you how they died. My concern is how many guards at Lyell and how many others on the outside are in Fleming’s pocket. Going to the police right away will be fine as long as all of them are honest. Throw one bad one into the mix and anything can happen.”

  His glance connected with Lucy’s in the mirror. She was nodding. “And you know this how?”

  “Word gets around. Nothing is secret in a place like Lyell. I was in there long enough to learn who to trust.”

  “Is that why you hitchhiked in my granddaughter’s van?”

  “That was spur-of-the-moment.” To his relief, Hannah provided details of his being framed for murder, and his narrow escape from being shot by the crooked guard.

  “So, he tricked them?” Lucy asked.

  “Yes. I was sure we’d be stopped at the gate but we sailed right on through.”

  “Did you? Hmm. Maybe that guard was in on it, too, and thought you were sneaking Fleming out. Did you consider that?”

  “No.”

  “Meaning he might tell tales about how you managed to smuggle Deuce past him, probably blame you instead of admitting he was complicit,” Lucy ventured.

  Hannah’s voice cracked. “I can’t win.”

  Rafe and Lucy spoke in near unison. “Yes, you can.”

  “We’ll work this out. Together,” Lucy vowed.

  Rafe silently agreed. His goal had always been to uncover the people who were backing Fleming’s operations, in and out of prison. Putting himself back inside Lyell when his target was free would accomplish nothing. The only drawback to staying with Hannah and her grandmother was that that could put them in jeopardy when and if he caught up with the escaped prisoner.

  “You’ll need to back off and leave Fleming to me,” Rafe said flatly. “Whether the men who picked him up were on his side or not, he’s going to blame you for not carrying out his plan to the letter. You need to leave town. Make yourselves scarce until the manhunt is over.”

  “They’ll be after you, too,” Hannah said.

  He didn’t argue. “Forget about me. You two need to stay out of this, period.”

  The car was slowing as Lucy pulled into the parking lot of a strip mall with a big-box store. “This guy threatened my granddaughter and me. He’s also trying to frame her for a felony and ruin the life I swore to guard with every fiber of my being after her parents were killed.” She parked and turned off the engine. “What’s your stake in all this, mister?”

  “Okay.” Rafe didn’t have to pretend to be disheartened as his shoulders sagged. “Fleming is responsible for the kidnapping of the daughter of a friend of mine.”

  “Oh, no. Is she still missing?” Hannah swiveled to face him, clearly empathetic.

  “Yes. He was shot trying to get her back. It was touch and go for a while. I promised him I’d do everything I could to make things right, even if joining Fleming’s gang was what it took.”

  The closed expression on the older woman’s face lent an air of suspicion to her next comment. “So how did you manage to get thrown into the same prison?”

  “Friends in high places,” Rafe said.

  “Convenient. Care to mention names?”

  A barely noticeable shake of his head brought an arch to Lucy’s eyebrows. She was acting as if she’d guessed which side of the law he was really on while Hannah was still in the dark. Well, fine. Whatever it took to get her to agree to step back was fine with him.

  “So,” he said, leaning back and giving Thor’s head a pat. “It’s settled. You understand.”

  The two women had locked eyes and appeared to be communicating silently. Finally, Lucy nodded and began to smile. “Yes. It’s settled. We owe Fleming for what he’s put our family through. We’re with you a hundred percent.”

  “Wait, I didn’t mean...”

  Lucy fisted the car keys and started to get out. Pausing at the door she reached into the center console and took out a small automatic pistol which she passed to Hannah. “I’m going to go buy our new friend some street clothes. If he makes a move, shoot him.”

  Assuming she was kidding, Rafe started to smile. Then he looked at Hannah’s face. The joke was on him. Both the women he’d inadvertently allied himself with had a lot more courage than he’d imagined.

  With his back against the rear seat and Thor draped half across his lap, Rafe raised both hands, palms toward Hannah. “Thirty-four long. Shirt XL.”

  “Shoes?” Lucy asked.

  “Elevens. I prefer running shoes.” The joke had been inadvertent, but he took advantage of it by adding, “Pun intended.”

  * * *

  Hannah wasn’t used to holding someone at gunpoint and quickly decided it would be best if she didn’t actually point the pistol at Rafe so she lowered it to her lap, aiming away. Instinct told her she was in no danger from this man despite his imposing appearance and evident criminal history. Some of the tattoos on his well-muscled arms had looked more patriotic than menacing and he could have gotten the scar on his cheek and over one eyebrow in an accident rather than during illegal activities. His bearing was different from most convicts, too. Stiff and almost military. Still, she supposed he could have been involved in other activities during his career in lawbreaking.

  Sun shone through the window on Hannah’s side of the car, warming her shoulders and helping her relax a little. So many questions were whirling in her mind that it was hard to pinpoint what she wanted to ask. Finally, she decided to begin with personal information and made eye contact as an opening gambit.

  “You can lower your hands. I don’t intend to shoot you. At least not right away.”

  Rafe gave her a lopsided smile and began to stroke Thor’s thick coat. “Thanks. My arms were getting tired.”

  “Were you telling the truth? Is your friend’s daughter still missing?”

  He sobered. “Yes. After he was shot, the kidnappers disappeared with the girl.”

  “How long ago?”

  Rafe shrugged and Hannah could see his jaw muscles clenching before he answered. “Seventeen days. We think she’s being prepared to be shipped overseas. Since Andy intervened and got himself shot it’s been just over two weeks.”

  “Then she may be long gone.”

  “Yes. Unfortunately.”

  “What do the police think?” There was, of course, an underlying reason for asking this question. If Rafe answered the way she hoped he would, she might then be able to unmask his true identity. Assuming he wasn’t an actual murderer, she added, hopeful. When he said, “How would I know?” her hopes were dashed.

  “I just figured, since you seemed to be connected enough to worm your way into the same prison ward as Deuce Fleming, you must have an inside track.”

  “It’s complicated.”

  Scowling, she stared at him, trying to peer inside his brain and find the truth. “I don’t doubt it. Can’t you see it would help if Gram and I knew the details?”

  “Help who?”

  “Whom,” Hannah said, smiling as she delivered the grammar tip.

  “Whatever,” Rafe countered. “You already know the story of my friend and his daughter. Fleming’s people were behind the disappearance. I was there to get closer to him. That’s all.”