Finally she was on the verge of pressing her luck too far. The men were still talking as she circled back the way shed come, knowing shed better get out of the woods before they spotted her.
But she realized it was already too late when she heard a shout of alarm.
Hey, somebodys spying on us.
Her heart in her throat, she started running flat out for her car, hearing the crack of twigs and the rustle of underbrush behind her. She fumbled in her bag for the car remote, clicking the lock as she pelted through the woods.
She was only seconds ahead of them as she jumped into the drivers seat and started the engine. As she pulled away, she heard the sound of gunfire.
The back window and a taillight shattered as she sped away. But she made it onto Military Road and out of the park, and they didnt pick up her trail because theyd had to double back and circle around to get to the other parking area. Shed made it to the nearest police station, and the rest was history.
Her attention snapped back to the present when Wyatt spoke.
You okay? he asked.
Yes.
The Federal prosecutor has the pictures you took of the men. All you have to do is tell him exactly what you heard and exactly what happened.
Then I suppose Ill have to show up in court for Bobby Thompsons trial. He was the only one of the men who had been identified and arrested. He was locked up in a maximumsecurity facility while the others were still at large.
Not for months.
Does that mean were going to be together for months? she asked, sorry she couldnt keep the snappish tone out of her voice.
NOT NECESSARILY,
WYATT ANSWERED. Not if he could help it. He wanted out of this situation, but not until he got a suitable replacement.
He slid Carrie a sidewise glance, noting the way she was twisting her fingers together in her lap. He wanted to reach over and press his hand over hers, but he kept his arms at his sides because he knew that touching her was a bad idea.
His gaze traveled to her short-cropped dark hair. When theyd first met, it had been long and blond, but hed made her cut and dye itto change her appearance. She hadnt liked it, but shed done itthen refused contact lenses that would change her blue eyes to brown. And there was no way to disguise her high cheekbones, cute little nose or appealing lips. She was still a very attractive woman, even with the change in her hair and the nondescript clothing hed purchased for her. As they rode into town, she looked like a Federal employee whod come in on a Saturday to catch up on her work.
They made the rest of the trip into the District in silence, a silence hed tried to maintain since hed first met her. She probably thought he didnt like her. The problem was just the opposite. He liked her a lot. She had courage and determination, and she wasnt like a lot of rich women who thought that the world owed them special consideration. She was hardworking, smart and good at her job. She had all the qualities he admired in a woman, which was why he couldnt allow himself to get close to her.
To his relief, the long ride was almost over. At least they wouldnt be confined to the backseat of a car for much longer. While she talked with the prosecutor, he could wait in the reception area.
The buildings just ahead, he said in a low voice, breaking the silence inside the sedan.
Beside him Carrie sighed. I guess the sooner I get this over with, the sooner I get my life back.
Makes sense, he answered, wondering if she ever would get her life back. Would she ever feel safe again tramping around in the woods by herself, photographing the subjects she loved to capture in their natural environment? For just a moment he pictured himself going on those expeditions with her, carrying her equipment, making sure that nobody got out of line with her and no wild animals attacked her. Then he ruthlessly cut off that avenue of thought before it could go any further. He and Carrie Mitchell were from two different worlds. She had had every advantage growing up. She could have lived off her dad for the rest of her life, but she was trying to make a name for herself in a difficult profession. He was an ex-spook who came from a family in Alexandria, Virginia, that was barely making it. His dad drove a cab. His mom was a waitress, and hed known he wanted a different life, which was why hed joined the army and then the CIA. Hed seen a lot of the world, but he was home now and working private security. And even if their backgrounds matched better, he was too damaged to even think about a relationship with someone like heror anyone else, for that matter.
They were meeting Skip Gunderson, the Federal prosecutor, in a yellow-brick government building as nondescript as Carries clothing. Five stories tall, with a security barrier at the entrance. As a precaution, it wasnt the building where Gunderson normally worked. The meeting was at another facility that was off the radar of the D.C. press corps.
That was one of the unfortunate aspects of this whole situation. Although Carries identity was supposed to be confidential, somehow a cable news reporter had gotten wind of her name. Now everyone and his brother knew that she was the woman who had foiled a major terrorist plot. At least they hadnt been able to ferret out the location of the safe house where she was staying. Or photograph her disguisehe hoped.