Page 24 of Critical Alliance (Rocky Mountain Courage 3)

But like Alex said, deputies were searching. The shooter had likely disappeared for the time being. Mackenzie followed her sister down to the small creek that flowed until it met the Grayback River and the waterfall. Enough daylight remained so that they could see where they were going.

Nora sat on a boulder and Mackenzie joined her, listening to the trickling brook.

“What’s so important that you came all this way to help? What do I need help with?” Nora asked.

To her shame, Mackenzie couldn’t say that it was to simply see her family.

“You could tell me why you keep saying it isn’t safe.”

Nora subtly shook her head. Mackenzie wouldn’t waste another minute and showed her the business card that Julian had given her. She had kept it on her person every moment.

“A Hanstech business card,” Nora said. “Rowan’s card.”

Flipping it over, Mackenzie scanned the QR code with her phone so the video came up. Freda from Knights Alliance spoke again. “You’re vulnerable to deadly attacks. They’re taking the stronghold!”

Nora stared, her eyes wide, then she burst out laughing. “Are you kidding me? This is what you wanted to show me?” She shut her eyes and shook her head.

“It’s a warning! I came here to warn you and to help you. And ... I get here and Rowan’s dead, and you’re scared, Nora. Telling me to go home because it’s not safe. What’s going on?”

“What does that message mean to you, and where did you get it?” Nora ignored Mackenzie’s question.

“Where I got it isn’t important.”

“Oh, I think I know already. Your ghost. Your apparition.” Nora’s gaze drilled through her as if to search for the truth.

And if Mackenzie wanted to hold her attention, she couldn’t play games. She didn’t want to give him up, but her sister needed to understand the warning was serious. Although she had a feeling Nora already knew.

Mackenzie nodded. “Julian.”

“What are you thinking, working with him again? You can’t—”

“I’m not. He bumped into me and stuck it in my pocket. Then he was hit by a car. He’s recovering in the hospital.”

“I don’t understand what it means. The words are like gibberish to me.”

“To get my attention, he found me and must have watched for an opportunity. He’s a brilliant hacker, and still, even he didn’t want to leave a digital trail. He used the character from a game we loved to play together to deliver the news—knowing that would get my attention. It means someone is coming for Dad’s company. They’re going to hack into it and exploit data, and deadly attacks means just what it means.”

She closed her eyes and thought of the game. The violence. Taking the stronghold indicated that no quarter was given, meaning when prisoners were taken, the victor showed no mercy and refused to spare lives. People were killed. She wouldn’t necessarily think that translated to this situation, except ... well...

She opened her eyes to use her own intimidating look on Nora. “I believe someone tried to kill Julian. Now Rowan is dead. Someone followed me on the trail today and shot at me.” Or Alex.

Nora gasped. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m telling you now. This is serious. And now it’s your turn. Why are you scared? Why did you say it’s not safe here?”

Because it wasn’t. Nora knew that ... how? What had happened?

What’s going on at Hanstech?She preferred that Nora offer up the information. Mackenzie’s heart pounded against her rib cage. Could the reason Nora was scared be related to the warning? And Rowan’s death? The shooting?

“And you told the police,” Nora said matter-of-factly.

“Of course. Yes. Except I haven’t told anyone about what Julian shared.” Sharing that would increase the amount of time she had to spend explaining herself to them.

“Because they won’t believe you.”

Nora said the words as if she understood firsthand.

That was part of it. “I need to find evidence first.”