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He drove to the station and pulled into the parking lot. He headed for the employee-only section and took a left into the impound lot and drove out the rear exit.

Still, no one had followed. “Okay, I think you can sit up now.”

“Are you sure?” Jennie’s voice quivered.

If he could only give her assurance that nothing would happen to either one of them. But he’d been there, done that before and it had turned out tragically.

“I haven’t seen anyone since we left your house.” He glanced in the rearview mirror.

Jennie helped Zoey into her seat and fastened her seatbelt.

Ever since the incident at school, the girl had been quieter than normal.

He glanced in the rearview mirror and found her sound asleep. His eyes widened as he spotted Jennie climbing over the seat and into the passenger’s seat.

“You do know that I could give you a ticket for that.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please.”

“You’re safer in the back.” His tone was a bit harsher than he intended. But the woman had triggered his protective streak.

She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.

“What?” Yup, he’d goofed, but he wasn’t wrong about her safety.

“I don’t like being told what to do. So far I’ve gone with your lead, but please don’t be demanding or keep secrets from me. It leads to dependence and that’s something I can’t do again. You have to understand that.”

“That wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry. I should have asked or said it differently.” He’d try not to make that mistake again. “But depending on someone to be there for you and dependence because you aren’t capable are two different things.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m on edge and that makes me a bit touchy.” She shifted in her seat and gazed out the window. Several minutes later, she asked, “Will you be there for me?”

He clasped her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “You know I will. You can count on me.” His breath hitched. Hadn’t he said the exact same thing in the past? The times when tragedy had struck. He vowed to himself that things would be different this time.

His phone rang. He released Jennie’s hand and hit the hands-free button. “Whitman.”

“You have a tail.” Brandon didn’t waste time getting to the point.

“What? When?”

“Dark blue pickup truck three cars back. He picked you up about five minutes ago.”

“How did he know?”

“Unclear, but watch yourself.”

“Where are you?”

“I’m about four cars behind him. I’ll try to move up and cut him off.”

“Roger that.” He gripped the steering wheel tighter, turning his knuckles white. “I don’t understand. How did he figure it out?”

Jennie clasped her hands together in her lap and glanced in the backseat where Zoey lay sleeping.

“What now, David?”

“We continue weaving through side streets and pray Brandon occupies him long enough for us to get to the cabin without being seen.”

Tears streamed down Jennie’s cheeks. “Why won’t he leave us alone?”