Chapter 29 Lissa
Lissa glanced in the rearview mirror, the air squeezing from her lungs and her shoulders tight.
She clutched the steering wheel in a death grip.
The drive to xTerra was only an hour, and Cam had said there shouldn’t be any pursuit.
He’d also plotted her several routes on a map.
At first, they’d been lucky, but halfway to xTerra, a high-pitched whine became apparent, buzzing like a mosquito.
She turned her head, trying to home in on the sound’s origin.
“On the left.” Little Rod shouted.
Two bounding dirt bikes appeared in the periphery of her vision.
They weren’t on the road, but raced along in the nearby fields, jumping and catching air where they hit bumps.
She lost sight of them as the road twisted and turned, hoping they would vanish.
For a few minutes her mirrors showed nothing, but before long the bikes reappeared, running parallel to the road a few hundred yards away.
“Get on the floor,” she instructed the kids. Both complied without argument. She didn’t want to take chances if someone wasn’t just curious and shot.
Daisy, her eyes once more wide and fearful, remained calm.
Lissa had to give her credit. Until her parents had moved, she would’ve had few rights and had to maintain a low-profile.
The girl had grown up in a strange world—an odd combination of sheltered and terror-filled.
At least in xTerra, Daisy would grow up free of oppression.
“Who’s on the dirt bikes?” said Daisy.
“I’m not sure. I might be over-reacting.” Lissa glanced at Daisy, crouched on the floor of the passenger-side front seat. “Can you find me the fastest way back to the main highway?”
Daisy spread the map on the seat and traced the route with her finger. “Turn left at the next two junctions. That should put us on Route 471.”
“Hold on.” Lissa took the first left, the bikes still too close and gaining.
They remained in her rear-view mirror at the second turn when she left the gravel road for the cracked pavement.
She stepped on it, hoping to gain some ground despite the potholes and crumbling roadway.
The bikes followed, continuing to run near but off-road.
A couple of times, they detoured for gates and fences, but each time she hoped they were gone, she was disappointed.
So far, there had been no shooting.
She raced past the rock formation she’d scaled the night she was shot, the boulders seeming larger in daylight. “We’re almost there. When we stop at the gate, grab your stuff and run to the gate. Understand?”
Daisy nodded and worried at her lower lip.
“We don’t want to be shot.” Rod’s loud voice sounded excited. To him, this might seem like an adventure, but Lissa worried about getting there before being overtaken.
The SUV bumped off the pavement onto the maintained, smooth dirt and gravel of the final section. She didn’t slow her pace, the quiet land surrounding the road a blur of pale green and brown. A glance in the mirrors showed the two bikes, now farther back but on the road. Still following.
“Hold on.” She maintained speed until the last second, then slammed on the brakes. The SUV skidded, stopping just in front of the iron gate blocking the road. “Now.”
All three flung open their doors and ran for the gate. Her heart racing, Lissa carried her cat carrier while Daisy held the small suitcase Amanda had packed. Lissa grabbed Rod’s hand, making sure he kept up as they dashed toward safety.
In the background, the dirt bikes slid to a halt with a spray of gravel. About fifty yards back, the riders idled their engines. Perhaps waiting to see what happened at the gate. They weren’t aware that she was already known here.
“Stop right there.” An xTerra guard stepped from behind the gatepost. “Hands up.” He aimed his gun at Lissa.
She swallowed. “Cam Montgomery sent me.” She and the children stopped in front of the gate.
Lissa didn’t recognize the guard, and she broke out in a sweat.
She hadn’t considered not being recognized.
With Rod’s hand clutched on one side and the cat carrier on the other, she didn’t raise her hands.
Instead, she nudged the children in front of her, hoping they would help convince the guards she wasn’t a threat.
“Where are Dave and Sergeant Montgomery? Shouldn’t they be with you?”
“Cam and Dave should be back in a few hours. They sent us ahead.”
“Let her in,” said a deeper voice as Kory strode from the gatehouse.
Behind her, the whine of the dirt bikes changed as they turned around and headed back up the road. The buzzing faded as they left.
Lissa sagged against the gate. “I’m glad you’re on duty. The others headed to Bill, Wyoming this morning.” Kory didn’t know about yesterday’s disaster.
Kory unlocked the iron barrier and swung it open while the guard continued to scan beyond the gate, his gaze tracking where the dirt bikes had disappeared. “If the others went to Bill today, yesterday must have been a failure.”
She raised her eyebrows and glanced down at the children.
Kory got the message and refrained from further questions.
“You’re Goliath, aren’t you?” Little Rod tipped his head back to take in Kory’s full height. “You’re even bigger than my daddy said. Maybe if I eat lots of vegetables, I can be tall like you.”
Kory threw back his head and laughed. “Let’s get you inside. Singh, take Lissa’s keys and drive Dave’s SUV inside. We’ll report their arrival and send them on once everyone’s caught their breath.” He turned to Lissa. “That sound good?”
Lissa nodded. “Thank you.” Her legs felt rubbery as the adrenaline of the last fifteen minutes subsided.
She exhaled, trying to relieve the constant pressure around her chest. Though safe, some of her stress lessened, but she continued to worry about Cam.
Following Amanda had been another risk. She wouldn’t feel right until he returned.
Kory’s eyes flicked to the kids again. “We expected all of you to return together. I imagine you have a story.”
“This is part of it.” Lissa pulled out Amanda’s second letter, the one addressed to Robin and Kory. “Rod and Amanda sent it. Read this now, then again when you’re with Robin.”
A spark of curiosity appeared in his eyes as he took the paper and unfolded it. Before he read it, he glanced down when Rod slipped his hand into the Lieutenant’s. The big man’s face softened. Kory cleared his throat and glanced at Lissa.
She nodded. “There’s definitely a story.”
***
After Kory reported their arrival at the Outpost, rather than jump straight back in the SUV, Lissa stayed at the entrance, waiting for Cam.
Kory rummaged through the desk’s drawers and found paper and a couple of pencils to entertain Rod.
The little boy sat drawing wild machines and monsters while Daisy got a book from her suitcase and settled on the couch to read.
So far, both were handling the loss of their father and disappearance of their mother surprisingly well.
They were just quieter than expected. Maybe their loss hadn’t sunk in.
Kory disappeared outside with the letter and returned a few minutes later. “Do you know what this says?” He kept his voice pitched low.
Lissa’s mouth went dry. She probably shouldn’t have snooped, but she had.
The letter asked Robin and Kory to raise Daisy and Rod as their own if Amanda didn’t return.
Lissa nodded. “Amanda left on her own. Cam and Dave followed, but she said goodbye to the children. She wrote another letter for us.”
Lissa glanced around, but all Watch members except Kory were outside, beyond earshot.
“She names Eli Blake as a person of interest. He knew John Slains from before, and she confirmed they worked with the former mayor.” She shot a look at the children.
They didn’t seem to be paying attention, but that meant nothing.
If she’d just lost her dad and her mom had disappeared on a mission for vengeance, Daisy would be listening to every word, even if it wasn’t obvious.
Kory jerked his head toward the door and stepped outside. Lissa followed.
“How certain is the Eli Blake information?” Kory’s mouth was tight. “I’ll call the name in as soon as we’re done with this conversation.”
“I don’t think Amanda would mention anything if she weren’t sure.”
Kory nodded but made no move to return inside. “That tracks with my thoughts.”
Lissa waited. “Are you okay?” The possibility of additional children might be a lot to digest.
He nodded. “Our family with one kid was about to become two. If Amanda doesn’t return, we’ll have four. It’ll be fine.”
“Robin made quite the impression. How did she know Amanda and the kids?” Robin and Kory had spent time at the Slains’ compound in Wyoming, but Lissa didn’t know the circumstances.
“Hiking across country from Boise to xTerra, the Slains intercepted us. I was pressed into their militia. Guess they figured someone my size would be an asset.” He shrugged.
“They sent me on patrol with Rod for ten days and kept Robin, who was pregnant with our first, back at their compound. A hostage. She taught the kids every morning and did chores the rest of the day.”
“Amanda was in charge of Robin?” Lissa couldn’t imagine Robin taking orders from anyone for long.
Kory shook his head. “Robin was caught in a power struggle between John’s wife, Shelby, and Amanda. Shelby is Robin’s sister. It was a shock to find her there, as both sisters thought the other dead. They’d been separated in the early days after the asteroid.”
“That’s right. Amanda is not Shelby’s biggest fan.” Amanda’s harsh opinion of her sister-in-law had shocked Lissa.
“Neither am I,” said Kory, his voice becoming a growl. “She gave Robin a black eye while I was away. We refused to stay longer and escaped the night I got back. I was shot busting through their barricade at Wright, but we made it here. The rest is history.”
“You’re really okay with taking the kids?” Lissa’s heart hurt. What if nobody wanted them?
“Absolutely. They deserve a chance. Obviously, I’ll have to talk to Robin, but she’ll say yes.
She’s talked about both a lot. They’re good kids and stole her heart years ago.
She would have brought them with us when we split if she could have.
” He ran a hand through his hair. “How likely is Amanda to make it back?”
“She disappeared before dawn. My guess, she doesn’t plan to return.” Lissa’s heart spasmed again.
“That’s the sense I got from her letter.”
“We should know in a few hours. If Cam and Dave can help her at the Slains’ compound without endangering themselves, they will.” Lissa’s voice cracked. “I just hope they don’t get captured or killed.”
Kory exhaled. “I’m on duty today and can’t leave the Outpost until tonight.
I get that you’d prefer to wait here for Cam, but I’d like to ask a favor.
Can you carry on, talk to Robin, and give her the letter?
The kids can stay with you for the day, giving her time to prepare.
With the new baby expected any day, I don’t want to show up with two new kids in tow without giving her a chance to even ready a room. ”
Everything he said made sense. Plus, it would keep Lissa’s mind busy while she waited. She nodded. “Okay. You’re right.” She’d been selfish to want to stay at the Outpost, but she’d go. She’d have to wait a little longer to find out if Cam was okay.
Kory passed her the letter, which she stowed in her front pocket. They returned inside.
“Who’s ready to head into xTerra?” said Lissa. She’d take them to the cafe and other public buildings while she got the letter to Robin.
Daisy looked up, hope shining in her eyes. “I’m ready.” She jumped to her feet.
“Me too.” Rod scooted off his chair, dropping the pencil. “It’s been too long since I talked to my pretty teacher.” He turned to Kory and cocked his head to the side. “Will you come too?”
Kory squatted in front of the exuberant little boy. “I’ll be home for dinner tonight, but I’m on duty and can’t leave until my shift is over. I’ll send a message when Cam and the others get back. Hopefully, your mom will be with them.”
Rod’s gaze turned to the floor, and Lissa’s heart broke for him.
His voice was just above a whisper when he said.
“I don’t think my mom wants to live anymore.
Not without my dad.” He leaned into Kory and wrapped his arms around the big man’s neck.
“I want you and Robin to take care of me and let me go to school.”
Kory hugged the little boy. “I didn’t grow up with my parents either. My dad died when I was about your age, but I promise to take good care of you and your sister.” He looked up at Lissa. “Robin and I both will.”
To Lissa’s surprise, the big man’s eyes were filled with unshed tears.
He must be a wonderful, caring father. Maybe one day she and Cam would have kids, too.
She had a feeling he would also make a terrific dad, even if his had left years ago.
Growing up without a parent was something she and Cam also had in common.
Though it was her mother who’d done the deserting.
Rod let go. “Okay. I’m ready, Lissa, take me to Robin, please.”
She stretched out her hand. “Okay. My cats are probably excited to get out of their carrier once we’re finished traveling.
Let’s go.” She took a breath. Trying not to dwell on what might have happened in Bill.
With luck, the men would return with Amanda.
Daisy and Rod were incredibly brave, but losing both parents in less than a day would be devastating.
She sighed. Hopefully, Cam and Dave didn’t run into further complications.