His only withness

, observing the po

through the proce

boy's review of suspected Project

cognized a single face as t

her son. Wade couldn't help but notice the dart

her f

like a baby. She looked like she'd

e'd acted when he'

m to cooperate. Af

enough to know Project Liberat

hand on her shoul

een a

way from his

have leaned on

h

. All that changed when Wade's own

had directed the b

ect his friend's memory. Maybe he

hadn't. He'd chose

ring through him

t, not wanting to cause her any additional discomfort. McCann caught

rtist was almost d

red in crystal clear detail Tom had done an incre

the signal that they were through,

riskly out of the

ade, who winked i

looked his way,

sight of him might

battered chair

ve to sit still for long. McCann returned almost imme

to someo

nk?" he asked a

nto hi

out there." M

d. "If this guy's

t

other the kid's

heard you the f

u

You have my

head toward a sm

side of the room. "W

Wade. They aren't going to bro

ss. R

of Pine Ridge Estates a short while

nated this devasta

pro with

sk did Tom prese

usly had a clear

only hope the sus

iew in'

how far would the bomberhell, Proje

on destroying only property, not liv

inspector had die

to avoid paying

avoid get

in the Summer heat, and Wade sil

d have left the investigation up to McCann and his

ck toward his du

nly one responsible for Tom. Wade

in life, but he planned

ing his wi

ock of hair from

elling inside her

oday. Brave

k of a day, and

He'd practically f

head bobbing dange

of

protest her suggestion that he

or his Uncle Wade as she'd tucke

life, knew he missed his father terribly, but invi

his breathing had grown even and

ful s

's hand on her shoulder earlier at t t

tangle of fury an

ne to lean on wanted someone to h

n wasn't an option,he'd made his c

e conse

rang, she rushe

top the ringing before

spoke into

hat greeted her

e caller ID r

the machine enoug

e pressed the phon

yone t

deafening, and ju

ller drew in a dee

minded your ow

gruff, and chille

iously male, but

kn

erri was barely

trepidation squeez

k to the c

dead, and she f

pressed to her ear,

ted his in

phone and raced

ieved breath whe

nmoved from wher

Unha

r own room, ang

and she snatched

g Wade's numb

er-promised Tom

ties a

lied.

the phone on

it?" Kerri hear

worked to calm h

e ag

ded groggy, as i

t two days had cau

caught u

, Wade. T

t happened?" Hi

ert and

told me not to tal

n her vision as s

willing herself t

ld have minded o

lling

ice boomed. Nom

ar slid down her f

swiped

er. Don't answer

in until I

protest, Wade w

r into Tom's room

her son sleep, sile

hone as far away f

sliding his pickup into the mouth

r since she'd told him

about Tom's involvement? Was M

the media been lu

Project Liberati

in

the ignition and launched himself f

uck and the house in

open just as he rais

l up." Moisture

taken up permanent residence there

ched for it, pryin

tense f

e pressed a hand

ove away, a measu

ugh

eep

the kitchen and

f into the seat th

er p

ver thought this

her, putting one

oved him away, ra

nk." She scowled at him.

gave me

word is worth ju

i cut him off befo

thou

mouth to protest

ht." he sai

kered through her feat

h. I should have left you and Tom

d her chin in his

r a moment before she pushed away f

tchen

n't care whether

oftly, intently.

hat's one promise

nn in the mornin

d the

r said no

trust him not to tellanot

ntently, then nod

arely detectable.

to be w

reached for her as she passe

meeting his look

termined to exh

he family ro

memb

kitchen. Wade waited until she'd

oom door open an

an inch. He pluc

filled the water re

tion of sleepin

e else

and Tom were asle

nstairs. Sta

e front door and

deliver papers. H

ver the gravel dri

ere out there, s

witness to the

is such a good id

e behind him. He t

plate, going thro

An exhaus

y to get some sle

d towel, taking

chin toward

k her head and frowne

e returned his focus to the drive,

out into

either." Kerri st

. "Sofa wasn't touched and if I'm

ne mis

tecting just the slightest hint of a

been

eatures hinting at the warmth he'

watching o

e and towel away from him an

watching

f Thomasaloneo

papers along the

ountless t

ha

out

a tight knot in

ocket, wrapping hi

o his

had made the cal

lsons than just t

here they lived?

e he set out eve

r ro

t as he pushed out into the warm A

ones toward

ive, but suddenly Wade couldn't im

r alone in th

boy to round the

lane, headed towa

lf mile dow

ct size. Correct approxima

's brake until the boy was far enou

w unnecessar

ced against hisback as he careene

bike back onto the shoulder, then ba

e as he did so, holding his body up

ilenced, but an order was an order

et was the only way they could

couldn't afford to be derailed now by a witness

he local inspe

ele

n site had been clear when he'd set

d the scene, only hearing about the

edeem his mistake and kee

closing the gap between the van and

t-an

ouldn't be a first

t it would be the l

nd the threat of exposu

anen

couldn't afford to be derailed now by a witness

he local inspe

ele

n site had been clear when he'd set

d the scene, only hearing about the

edeem his mistake and kee

closing the gap between the van and

t-an

ouldn't be a first

t it would be the l

nd the threat of exposu

anen