“I have to go.” Hawk abruptly disconnected the call, leaving Isaac battling a wave of helplessness.
He didn’t know much more than he had before Hawk phoned, other than to have his suspicions confirmed about why the gunman had gone after Leah and Ben. Still, hearing that Hawk was investigating illegal weapons under the supervision of the ATF was something. Most criminals on the streets knew exactly where to find guns that they wanted, since they were practically everywhere. Isaac couldn’t even begin to think of where to start, especially considering Hawk’s claim that he’d stumbled upon something big.
Isaac stretched out on the bed fully dressed, thinking about the little bit Hawk had revealed. He remembered his team had been called to a mall shooting about a week ago. He’d been the negotiator for the tactical situation, while Caleb had functioned as the sharpshooter. The weapon they’d recovered at the scene had been obviously illegal, with the serial numbers filed off.
Isaac sat up, knowing the gun was likely still in the evidence room. The possible connection was thin, but still worth investigating.
He picked up his phone, but then hesitated. It was well after midnight and the gun wasn’t going anywhere tonight. No sense in dragging Caleb or Deck out now.
It could wait until morning.
Isaac turned the television on low, scanning the various news channels. Unfortunately, no baseball spring-training games were on this late at night.
The sound of a car engine caught his attention. He rolled off the bed, grabbed his weapon and crossed over to the window. He peered through the slight opening in the curtains, trying to see what had caused the noise.
The parking lot appeared deserted, but then he saw the quick flash of taillights moving away.
Could be nothing, but after the troubling conversation with Hawk, Isaac didn’t want to assume anything, especially if dirty cops were involved. He stared at the now-empty parking lot for a minute and then eased back, walking toward the connecting door, intending to get Leah and Ben up. They wouldn’t like leaving again, but he’d rather play it safe than sorry.
He’d taken only two steps when the sound of breaking glass echoed through the night. He stumbled and glanced over his shoulder at the same time his eyes started to burn.
Tear gas!
He dived through the connecting door, slamming it shut behind him. He needed to get Leah and Ben out of here now!
Leah woke up with a start when Isaac came barreling through the connecting door into their room. She gasped and stared in shock when he shut it behind him and then ripped the comforter off her bed and stuffed it along the bottom edge of the door.
“Grab Ben. We need to get out of here.”
Leah didn’t question Isaac’s command as her eyes began to burn. She scrambled out of bed, grateful she’d slept in her clothes, and quickly roused her son. She tugged his winter clothes on despite his sleepy protest.
“Use these to cover your faces,” Isaac said, handing her two wet towels. She threw one over her shoulder and drew Ben up against it, then draped another around her neck so that it was close to her mouth. It was the best she could do while carrying her son. “This way,” Isaac said, urging her toward the bathroom.
It didn’t take long for Isaac to break open the small window there. “I’m going out first so that I can help the two of you through, okay?”
She clutched Ben close and nodded. It wasn’t easy for Isaac to get his broad-shouldered frame through the small opening, and she let out a sigh of relief when he finally made it.
“Okay, Ben, it’s your turn.” Isaac said.
“No, don’t wanna go!” he wailed, grabbing her around the neck and hanging on tight.
It nearly broke her heart to pull him away. “We have to, Ben. Mr. Isaac is out there to catch you, and I’ll hold you once we’re outside, okay?”
“No-o-o,” he cried, deep wrenching sobs that tore at her.
Leah forced herself to push him through the window into Isaac’s waiting arms. She wiped her own tears away before attempting to climb after her son. She could hear Isaac whispering soothing words to Ben, and he stopped crying except for the occasional hiccuping sniffle.
Isaac’s strong hand guided her through the opening and soon she was on solid ground. She took Ben and tossed the wet towels aside, gulping in deep breaths of fresh air.
“See those trees fifty feet from here?” Isaac asked in a low whisper, his breath tickling her ear. She swallowed hard and nodded. “I want you to run there, and I’ll be right behind you.”
After hiking Ben higher in her arms, she took off at a slow jog, mostly because she couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of her face. She didn’t realize she was holding her breath until her chest started to burn. She took a deep gulping breath and the tightness eased. After what seemed like forever, she reached the trees, darting behind them and sagging against a solid trunk.
Isaac joined her a few seconds later. “See anything?” she whispered.
He shook his head. “No, but we need to keep moving.”
Of course they did. She sighed and pulled herself upright, shifting Ben to her other hip. Her arm muscles screamed in protest, but she forced herself to ignore the pain. Although maybe once this was all over, she’d have to start lifting weights so she wasn’t so weak.
“I’d take him, but I need to cover your back,” Isaac whispered, reading her thoughts.
“I’m fine.” She made her way through the trees, grateful to see there was a clearing on the other side. She glanced up and noticed there was a church steeple not far away. “Isaac, can we go to that church up ahead?” she whispered.
“Sure, but keep to the shadows, in case they’ve figured out we’ve escaped.”
Leah picked up her pace, despite her weary muscles. The church steeple was like a beacon, drawing her closer. She silently prayed as they made their way down the street, putting as much distance as possible between them and the American Lodge.
Leah wanted to cry with relief when the church loomed before her. Although as they approached the steps, it belatedly occurred to her that the doors were likely locked.
“Wait—I want you two to stay hidden over here,” Isaac said, drawing her away from the front steps.
She didn’t have the strength or the will to argue. She huddled down near the corner of the building with Ben on her lap, not even caring that her jeans were getting all muddy again.
Too afraid to close her eyes, she peered through the darkness, making sure there were no cars coming toward them. From this angle she couldn’t see what Isaac was doing, but since she was fairly certain the church was locked up, it didn’t matter. Maybe he was checking for a side entrance or something.
Cold from the ground seeped through her clothing, making her shiver. She thought she might be warmer if she stood back up, but struggling to her feet wasn’t easy, especially with Ben’s weight in her arms.
“Leah?” Isaac seemed to pop up out of nowhere. “Come on. Let’s get inside.”
Inside the church? She was surprised but grateful as Isaac supported her, his arm anchoring her waist. Once they were safely in, he closed the door behind them.
She sank into a pew and then carefully set Ben down beside her. Clasping her hands together, she bowed her head and prayed.
“Thank