Page 41 of Saving Jennifer
“No sign of the other one,” one of them reported. “Thompson and Reed are still searching, but the storm’s making it difficult.”
A tiny kernel of hope fluttered in Jennifer’s chest. Noah was still out there. She only had to hang on and he’d find her, come for her.
“We’re not waiting. Secure her. We move to the airstrip immediately.”
Rough hands searched her and found the Glock before binding Jennifer’s wrists with plastic zip ties, cinched painfully tight. They marched her through the forest to a mud-splattered SUV waiting on a narrow service road. Jennifer was shoved into the back seat, Skinner sliding in beside her while one man took the wheel and the other rode shotgun.
As the vehicle lurched forward, Jennifer stared out the window at the dark forest. Noah was somewhere out there—possibly injured, but knowing him, still fighting. She’d seen him overcome impossible odds before. If anyone could track her through this wilderness, it was him.
The drive was punishing, the service road little more than a rutted path through the mountains. Jennifer used the time to gather herself, to push aside fear and focus on what she could control. Noah had trained her for exactly this kind of situation, showed her how to observe, identify weaknesses, and to create opportunities.
“Your employer might be disappointed,” she said finally, breaking the tense silence. “The Amirs will still go to prison, even if I can’t testify.”
Skinner didn’t look at her. “Not my concern.”
“It should be. Karim doesn’t handle disappointment well.” Jennifer leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Remember what happened to the last head of security? That car bombing in Riyadh wasn’t an accident.”
That earned her a sharp glance. “You’re lying.”
“Am I? Why do you think Noah and I were in that cabin? He moved me because he knew Karim has a nasty habit of reacting negatively when he’s crossed or disappointed. Besides, he tried to hire Noah to be the head of security just days ago. Wonder if he thinks something might happen to you, Mr. Skinner?” The lie came easily, bolstered by just enough truth to sound convincing.
Doubt flickered across Skinner’s face—just a moment’s hesitation, but Jennifer saw it. She pressed her advantage.
“I can give you a way out. All you have to do is pretend you didn’t find me. You can tell Amir we weren’t in the cabin, and that you’ll have to keep searching. You’ll get to keep your job and the money he’s promised you, and your job is secure.”
“Shut up,” Skinner snapped, but there was less conviction in his voice.
“You know, if you’re unhappy with Mr. Amir, I have connections with Carpenter Security Services. I can get you a job there. No background check. No pesky interview. Think about the prestige of working for Samuel Carpenter.”
Skinner shot her a narrow-eyed stare, but didn’t say anything. Jennifer fell silent, satisfied that she’d planted a seed. She didn’t need Skinner to turn against Amir; she just needed him distracted, uncertain. Any advantage, no matter how small, improved her chances.
After nearly an hour of rough travel, the SUV emerged from the forest onto a paved road. Ten minutes later, they turned onto an unmarked drive that led to a small airstrip, its single runway illuminated by low lights. A sleek private jet waited on the tarmac, its engines already humming in preparation for departure.
As they pulled up beside the aircraft, Jennifer’s heart sank. Once on that plane, her chances of escape—or rescue—diminished exponentially. She needed to delay takeoff any way she could.
“I think I’m going to be sick.” She held her bound hands against her stomach, bending over slightly.
He eyed her suspiciously. “Nice try.”
“I’m serious,” Jennifer insisted, stumbling a little. “Motion sickness. The mountain roads…”
She retched convincingly, making Skinner step back in disgust.
“For God’s sake, get it together. You can be sick on the plane.”
“On Karim’s twelve-million-dollar interior? I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.” Jennifer straightened slowly. “Just give me a minute.”
Reluctantly, Skinner gestured to one of his men. “Take her to the hangar bathroom. Make it quick.”
The guard gripped Jennifer’s arm, steering her toward a small building adjacent to the runway. As they walked, Jennifer scanned the perimeter of the airstrip. The storm had passed, leaving behind a sky beginning to lighten with stars peeping through the cloud cover. The nearly full moon’s glow shone overhead. The surrounding forest was still shrouded in darkness, offering perfect cover for…what? A rescue that might never come?
No. She couldn’t think that way.
Noah is coming.
The hangar bathroom was little more than a closet with a toilet and sink. The guard shoved her inside, but didn’t remove her restraints.
“Two minutes,” he growled. “Door stays open.”