Page 54 of Facing the Enemy

“But your degree is in teaching?”

“Right. In the beginning, I believed education provided the solution to the mounting cases of child abuse, but I craved more involvement. The FBI offered me an opportunity to ensure justice was served, and that sealed my commitment.”

“Makes sense,” Carson said. “Mind if I turn on the radio? I lost my earbuds somewhere.”

Carson had hit the end of conversation mode. “Go ahead.” Lecturing would alienate him, and all I wanted to know was where he saw his future.

He found a pop station, and his body relaxed. Did I pity him for his stress and pressure or keep my boxing gloves on? He’d stolen a handgun. Underage, potentially dangerous.

My burner phone sounded with a call from Gage, and I answered. “I have a safe house for Carson, at least for tonight,” he said. “He’ll be under surveillance in case he tries to run. Don’t tell him. When you get closer to Houston, let me know so we can make a transfer.”

“All right. He’ll ask me about what’s next.”

“He wants to know, or you do?”

“Very funny. But true.” I forced a smile at Carson, who’d roused from his near-sleep mode. He turned off the radio, most likely guessing the caller.

“Would you like to join him?” Gage said.

“No. Not even an option.”

“If what we’ve uncovered is fact, you’re in danger.”

“So are you by association. I’m self-sufficient and I’m trained for trouble just like you are. I’ve covered your rear more than once.”

“That you have. For the record, I’m not convinced of his testimony.”

“Me either.” Someday I’d tell Gage about how he rooted me in reality.

“SAC Dunkin wants to talk to Carson and me first thing in the morning. Ethan Mercury is scheduled for a 10a.m. interview.”

I longed to be there. “How are the interviews scheduled?”

“They’re separate. I’ll tell you after I’m sure how it plays out. Should be interesting. By the way, have you slept recently?”

“I will tonight.” With one hand wrapped around my Glock under my pillow.

“Okay, talk to you later.”

I slid my phone into the Explorer’s console that fit my phone perfectly. “Get some rest, Carson. We have several hours left before reaching Houston, and that’s without stops.”

“How are you going to stay awake?”

I laughed. “You sound like Gage. I’m pulling over at the first place that offers coffee.”

He glanced around us at the empty stretch of highway and the desolate landscape on both sides. “Miss Jacobs, from what I see, any coffee out here will be nasty. But I need some too, so I can keep you awake.”

“I’m a big girl, Carson.”

“Nope. I’m selfish, doing all I can to stay alive. Wanna hear the plotline for my novel?”

“Mystery or thriller?”

“Postapocalyptic fiction.”

I groaned. “Why not? Reading about chaos, breakdowns in society, and massive deaths can’t be any different than today.”

He chuckled. “No zombies, medical pandemics, or aliens destroying the world. But the earth has collapsed, and people are struggling to survive.”