Fugitive Pursuit. Christa Sinclair

voice and his gentle touch. If she let them, thousands of thoughts could easily overwhelm—

      No. She closed her eyes for a few seconds and shook her head. He wasn’t her friend or a possible date. He was with her only because he wanted to collect the money he’d get for bringing her in to the authorities.

      Still, trusting him was a risk, but at the moment, she had no choice. Her ability to make sound decisions in such danger had grown weaker with each day.

      “Lil, I need to talk to Parker.” Zack stood before her with his phone stuck to his ear, his tone tense, his gaze scanning their surroundings. Seconds ticked by. “Hey, listen...Yes, I know, but I need you to stop for a minute. I need one of you to come pick me up on the Ponahochet side of Champlain Park...No, there’s no time to explain. You just need to make it as fast as you can...Parker, please. It’s important.” With a glance her way, he added, “And bring the first-aid kit.”

      He got off the phone and tucked it into his pocket. “They’ll be here soon.”

      With a push off the bench, she got to her feet and slung the backpack over her shoulder.

      Zack held his hand out toward her waist. “Where are you going?”

      She shook her head. “I can’t risk you getting into trouble for me.”

      He rolled his eyes. “You just saved my life. I’m thinking I still owe you.”

      “I can’t go to jail, either.”

      “What exactly do you think your sister’s husband has done that makes him such a menace?” A hint of disbelief still threaded through his expression.

      He killed my sister. She lowered her gaze to the bloodied sleeve. “Too much.”

      “Those guys we just ran into might be deputies, as you say, but they aren’t on my side of the justice fence. Clearly, you’re in over your head. Going into a state police station might be best.”

      “No.” She scanned the park. “I’ve made my decision. I’m not going.” She took a few steps in the direction of the park entrance. Two little girls giggled from their upside-down positions on the monkey bars, one wobbling back and forth, the other with big pigtails dangling next to her ears.

      Memories rushed forward to a time when she and Erin had been cared for, loved, cherished. Thoughts of the last time she and Erin had brought Charlotte for a playdate sprang to mind, as well. That day, Erin had insisted Drew needed her to bring him back to God. And for doing her duty as a child of God, Drew had killed her.

      “Where will you go?” Zack’s voice brought her back to the present. “Where you have the kid stashed? You can’t go back to the camping area I just found you in. Or your apartment across town. If the goon squad found you once, they’ll find you again. Are you planning to fight the next round while you’re less than one hundred percent?”

      She stepped around him. But he was right. At the moment, depending on him might not be the wisest choice, but she had no one else. Not even God would give her a break.

      When she turned back, Zack stood there, his eyes pleading for her trust. Several moments filled with tension ticked by. “Jamie, let me help you figure out what’s next.”

      Her head grew dizzy, but from the loss of blood, the adrenaline-charged events or as a result of his offer to help, she couldn’t be sure. Could she afford to accept his assistance?

      Could she afford not to?