Chapter 19 #2
He was torn, and it pissed him off further. It was Chen’s fault Alaska was scared. Chen’s fault Brick had to leave her. Chen’s fault that she might have a relapse and retreat into her mind to protect herself.
The man was going to pay. For terrorizing Alaska. For scaring The Refuge’s guests. For being an evil human being.
But first, Brick had to find him.
Doing what he could to quiet his worry about Alaska, Brick thought back to what he and Chen had discussed throughout the day.
They’d spent a lot of time together. Making small talk…
or so Brick had thought. Now he realized the man had been pumping him for information.
Trying to figure out his routine, his schedule.
A conversation he’d mentioned to Alaska came to mind. Chen had asked Brick about his favorite spots on the property. At the time, he’d assumed the man was just trying to learn more about The Refuge in order to suggest improvements, but now he wondered…
He’d told Chen that Table Rock was one of the best places to have a picnic.
He’d described the not-so-difficult trail to get there, how the guests enjoyed the peace and quiet of the area, the view. How it was a great spot to decompress.
Chen had been full of questions. How far away was it from the lodge? Could people who weren’t used to physical activity get there easily? Was it accessible in the dark?
Most importantly, Brick had readily admitted that he and Alaska hiked out there all the time—including at night, because it was one of the best places to see the stars.
Was it possible Chen would think that was where he and Alaska were tonight? That they didn’t hear or know what was happening back at the lodge and cabins? Was he that stupid?
After everything else the man had done so stealthily—the dark web, coming to the States, booking all the clients—would he really assume when he didn’t find Alaska at his cabin, that they’d be out at Table Rock?
It was worth a shot to find out. Otherwise, with no other idea where to start, Brick could search these woods for hours and still not find him.
He stopped briefly, listening, straining to hear any sign of human life in the trees around him. He heard nothing but the normal sounds of the forest at night.
Knowing he was taking a chance, but needing to find out what was going on back at the resort, Brick dialed Tiny’s number.
“Tiny.”
“It’s Brick. What’s the situation?”
“The fire at the POW cabin is out. Three of the guests assisted Stone and Owl and they were able to get it under control before we lost the entire thing.”
“Good. How is everyone?”
“Nervous, but holding it together. Many of the guests have taken positions at their windows and are keeping watch for that asshole. Since the fireworks and the gunshots, it’s been quiet. Tonka’s down at the barn with the animals…and Henley.”
“What’s she doing here?” Brick asked. It was unusual for the therapist to be at The Refuge this late.
“She was in an unplanned session with one of the guests when everything started. As soon as she realized what was happening, she left to go help Tonka.”
“Um…Tonka doesn’t need help,” Brick couldn’t help but say.
“You and I know that, but apparently, Henley doesn’t. Or she didn’t care. I’m assuming all is well down there, because I haven’t heard from him.”
“Good. No word on Chen’s whereabouts? Wait—where are you right now?”
“I’m with Spike and Pipe. We’re starting a grid search for this asshole. He has to have a car around here somewhere. He certainly didn’t walk in from Los Alamos.”
“Agreed.”
“How’s Alaska?”
Brick tensed. “She’s freaked,” he admitted. “Not because of Chen…but because I left her back in bunker one-eleven by herself.”
“Fuck,” Tiny breathed.
“Yeah. She practically pushed me out of there. She knows I need to be out here searching.”
“Got any ideas on where he might go?” Tiny asked. “You spent more time with him than the rest of us.”
“I’m going to start my hunt at Table Rock.”
“Table Rock? Seriously?”
“He was oddly interested in the place today when we were talking, and I mentioned Alaska and I spent quite a bit of time out there.”
“Right. Okay, we’re on the other side of the property, but we can switch directions and head that way now.”
Brick wouldn’t mind the backup, but there was no way he was waiting on his friends. “I’m not too far from there.”
“He’s armed,” Tiny reminded him.
“I know. This asshole is not taking me down,” he vowed. “But…in case something does happen, I need you to get to Alaska as soon as possible. Don’t wait, Tiny. Get to her and get her out of there.”
“I will,” he promised without hesitation.
The vise that had been around Brick’s heart loosened a fraction. Not all the way—that wouldn’t happen until the threat against Alaska was eliminated and she was in his arms, and he could make sure she wasn’t permanently damaged from having to hide out in the bunker.
“Thanks. I’m shutting my phone off so it doesn’t alert the fucker to my presence if it rings or vibrates.”
“Understood. We’ll be there as soon as we can. Out.”
Brick clicked off his phone and powered it down before shoving it in a pocket in his pants.
Then he set off toward Table Rock. Chen probably thought his plan was foolproof.
He’d made more than one telling comment that day about the guests who came to The Refuge.
It was clear he thought they were damaged mentally, without overtly stating so.
In fact, he’d suggested changing the name of The Refuge, and getting away from the impression it was a place only for those who suffered from PTSD.
Brick and his friends had dismissed the suggestion outright, but it was clear now that Chen didn’t think the guests would be any kind of threat to him or his plans.
He was wrong. They might’ve been startled by the cabin fire, fireworks, and the gunshots, but they were also strong as hell…
and most likely pissed someone was purposely fucking with them.
The closer Brick got to Table Rock, the more his resolve strengthened. Chen couldn’t be allowed to escape. He had to pay for the wrongs he’d done against women in the past, and for what he’d planned for Alaska. He was a menace to society—and literally no one was safe with him on the loose.
Brick didn’t really have a plan. First, he needed to find the man.
And there was only about a twenty-percent chance Chen would actually be anywhere near Table Rock.
The only good thing about this situation was that there was no way—absolutely no way whatsoever—he’d be able to get his hands on Alaska. She was safe where she was.
As long as she stayed put.
There was no guarantee she wouldn’t panic and leave the bunker.
Brick prayed she didn’t attempt it. He needed her tucked away, so there was zero possibility Chen could get his hands on her.
The only thing that could keep Brick away from the man was if he used Alaska as a shield. As a bargaining chip.
Brick did his best to slow his breathing as he neared the Table Rock area.
He wasn’t on any of the established trails, choosing instead to use the trees and undergrowth as cover as he approached.
Each step was deliberate and silent as he crept forward.
At one point, he crouched down and listened, as he’d done earlier.
Alert for any indication he wasn’t alone.
There.
It was faint, but the sound of a stick breaking might as well have been a huge neon sign pointing toward his objective.
Brick slowly and methodically moved positions, closer to where he’d heard the noise. The moon gave just enough light for him to see where he was walking.
His first glimpse of Chen made him stiffen.
He’d been expecting the man he’d spent the day with.
The city slicker who was out of his depth in the forest. But from what he could glean, Chen was well prepared.
He was wearing black from head to toe and had what looked like night-vision goggles over his eyes.
He was also carrying a pistol—his finger on the trigger.
The pockets of his pants bulged with whatever he carried with him, and Brick had to assume the man was more than equipped for an abduction.
He was probably carrying items to subdue Alaska…
zip ties, handcuffs, maybe even some sort of drug to knock her out once he got her back to his car, wherever that was.
He might not have his own gun with him, but Brick was far from helpless. And the one thing Chen didn’t account for was how noisy the forest could be. His every step announced his trajectory.
Keeping his eye on the man, Drake followed behind him stealthily as he made his way toward the huge, flat rock.
Brick knew his best chance was to take Chen off guard.
To surprise him. Which would be difficult, since the man had night-vision goggles.
For a brief moment, he thought of how useful his flashlight would be right now.
But there was no way in hell he would’ve left Alaska in that bunker without a light.
He could wait until Tiny and the others caught up with him, then they could surround Chen and force him to put down his weapon and surrender.
He swiftly tossed aside that plan. Chen wouldn’t stand around waiting for someone to find him.
He’d continue his search for Alaska, probably ending up back at the resort eventually—and who knew what he’d do then.
Desperate men acted rashly, and the last thing Brick wanted was to involve the guests more than they already were.
An idea formed as he hid amongst the trees. It wouldn’t be quite as effective without his powerful flashlight, but it should give him enough time to take Chen down, hopefully without the man getting off a shot.
Moving slowly so as not to make a sound, Brick pulled his phone back out of his pocket. He pressed the button to turn it on and waited impatiently for it to power up. He’d only have a split second at best. A single moment when he’d have the upper hand.