Page 33 of Don't Speak

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

I hated leaving Nikki this morning. She looked so peaceful lying there, her chest rising and falling slowly, her lips slightly parted with the cutest little snores escaping her.

I just wanted to stay and curl up with her.

She didn’t show any signs of having a nightmare, and I’d like to think I am the reason.

I, on the other hand, hardly slept. It was off and on, but the vision of Ben leaving the photograph on Nikki’s doorstep haunted my mind, making it impossible to stay asleep for any solid period of time.

I decided to handle it this morning, not giving him another chance to snap and leave another photograph.

Just as I’m finished looking over his file, there’s movement at the front door. Ben exits, turning around to give his wife a kiss, and makes his way to his car. Once he’s pulled out of the driveway and on the move, I put my truck in drive, wait five seconds, and follow him.

He’s driving over the speed limit, seemingly in a rush to get somewhere.

I maintain a proper distance, ensuring that no suspicion is raised.

We made our way through town and are currently headed out toward the next city.

The road is long, quiet, and lined with trees.

There shouldn’t be anyone for miles out here, but just as I think that, Ben pulls off the road and onto a dirt path nestled between the trees.

He disappears, and I keep going just a bit further, not wanting to draw attention.

I find another spot with an opening and pull off, driving my truck between some trees.

From the main road, you can’t see me back here.

I shut the truck off and get out, grabbing my pair of binoculars from the back of my seat and walking through the forest toward the direction of Ben’s car.

So far, it’s nothing but trees, but slowly, Ben’s car comes into view, which is parked in front of a cabin.

I remain out of sight, nestled further back in the trees, and bring the binoculars to my face.

From here, I can see the cabin’s front porch, and Ben is standing outside the door, seemingly waiting for someone to open it.

What I don’t expect to see is who answers the door. Gotcha, motherfucker.

James stands before Ben, taking a manila envelope from him before Ben enters the cabin. Well, I guess I’ve found where James has been hiding this whole time.

Now that I’ve found the where and the who, I head back to my truck, vowing to return when it’s dark outside to investigate a bit more. I fire up my truck and pull out, heading to the only other place I know Ben will go after this.

The Bunker.