Chapter 6 - The Trap in the Timber Yard
The low rumble of the SUV engines vibrated through the floorboards of the Subaru. Searchlight beams crisscrossed overhead, illuminating the falling rain like silver threads.
"They're setting up a perimeter," Marcus whispered, looking out the side mirror. "They know we're in this yard. They're going to search it foot by foot."
Nolan turned around to check on the kids. Jamie was holding his shoulder, wincing, but he gave his father a brave nod. Leah was trembling, her thumb pressed against her lip to keep from crying.
"Listen to me," Nolan whispered, looking at Marcus and then at the kids. "They're hunting for me and the files. They don't know for sure if Leah is in this car. Marcus, can you get the kids out through the back forest path on foot?"
"What about you, Dad?" Jamie asked, his voice breaking. "I'm not leaving you!"
"Jamie," Nolan said softly, cupping his son’s cheek. "You have to be the man of the house for a little while. Take Leah. Keep that bag safe. Get to Agent Vance in Portland. If Miranda gets those files back, everything Emily went through—everything Leah went through—was for nothing."
"Nolan, you can't face four armed mercenaries alone," Marcus protested softly.
"I'm not going to fight them, Marcus," Nolan said, a cold, fierce resolve settling into his heart. "I'm going to distract them. I'll take the wagon, turn the lights on, and lead them toward the river exit. When they chase me, you three run into the woods."
"Nolan—"
"It's the only way they survive, Marcus," Nolan said, looking the former detective in the eyes. "Promise me you'll protect them."
Marcus swallowed hard, looking at his old friend. He slowly nodded. "I give you my word on my life."
Nolan reached back, pulled Jamie into a tight, hard crush of an embrace, and kissed the top of his head. "I love you, son. Keep your sister safe." He looked at Leah and smiled gently. "You're going to have a good life, Leah. I promise."
Before either child could speak, Nolan unlatched his door and slipped out into the freezing rain.
He quietly opened the rear hatch of the Subaru, letting Marcus, Jamie, and Leah crawl out into the shadows of a massive timber stack. He watched for five brief seconds as Marcus led the two children toward the dark treeline at the edge of the yard.
Then, Nolan climbed back into the driver's seat of the Subaru.
He took a deep breath. He gripped the steering wheel tightly.
For Emily. For Leah. For Jamie.
Nolan slammed his hand onto the horn, holding it down. The loud, blaring sound shattered the quiet night. Simultaneously, he yanked the headlight switch, casting two bright yellow beams straight into the eyes of the mercenaries across the yard.
"Hey!" Nolan screamed out the window, spinning the tires and sending mud spraying fifty feet into the air. "Over here, you bastards!"
The searchlights instantly swung round, pinning the station wagon in their glare.
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"Target sighted!" a mercenary yelled. "Take him down!"
Nolan slammed the car into drive, roaring across the mud-soaked yard toward the river gate, leading the entire wolf pack away from the innocent children slipping into the forest behind them.
