Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(53)

“Get out,” Farzam ordered. No way would he let a woman steal what little remained of his dignity.

“Zane Morgan caused your downfall,” she said. “His death could rebuild your life, correct?”

Farzam paused. “Perhaps. If I could start again somewhere Khalid has no reach.”

“That can be arranged.”

Farzam stared at his fingers. No one gave something for nothing.

“What do you want?”

“I’m giving you a gift. Your heart’s desire.”

She pulled a poster from a bag she carried at her side. A flyer with a photo of an actor. Farzam read the words. Zach Montgomery IS the Dark Avenger.

“What is this supposed to be?”

She took out a second poster and Farzam gasped. The hairstyle changed, a beard, a scar on his cheek. This man he recognized. “Morgan?”

She held the posters side by side. Now, Farzam could see. The same shape of face, the same eyes.

“Zane Morgan is Zach Montgomery. And I know how you can find him. I can even provide transportation to Colorado in the United States.”

“Farzam, no. What will we do without you here?” his wife protested.

“Silence,” he said. “I’m listening.”

“I thought you might. I know about your brief but very interesting stint in your country’s military. If Zach Montgomery dies, I guarantee you safe passage back and enough funds to provide you with a home, a job, and a new identity anywhere in the world.”

Farzam’s knees shook. He clutched the rickety chair. His grip broke the arm of the dilapidated furniture. He snagged the two posters and stared at one, then the other. Back and forth. Zane Morgan, Zach Montgomery. The world around him faded away: his wife, his nieces, his home. The images morphed until he met the eyes of the man who had seduced his brother-in-law and sister into betraying the family. The man who had ultimately cost him his son.

The man whose death would save his son.

He crumpled the papers. “How do I get to America?”




Very little could rival the night sounds in the Rocky Mountains or the crisp air. Zach just wished he had a few more supplies for a night on the side of the mountain.

An owl hooted nearby, and Zach bent over, shifting a small log onto his good arm. Jenna’s place was with Sam, but it would take forever to gather enough firewood to keep all three of them warm for the night.

Jenna had really come through. If she’d been squeamish, she hadn’t shown it. Not many could complete a shoulder reduction in the middle of nowhere. Jenna Walters—McMann—was a woman who had his back.

And Sam—well, that kid was something else. He made Zach think of his brothers, and the connection they used to have. A bond Zach had done his best to destroy over the last five years. He’d thought he’d made the right choices; now, he had to wonder. As his entire life slipped away—not only his acting career, but more importantly his national security work—he recognized for the first time how truly alone he’d become.

With the flashlight balanced in the V of his jacket, kindling and dried grass clutched in his bad arm, and a few logs propped on his left arm, Zach reached his limit. He made his way to the front of the cave and dropped his supplies.

Jenna looked up from where she’d laid out the space blanket, the protein bars, and the canteen from the pack. Fishing some matches from the side pocket of his backpack, he knelt at the mouth of the cave.

Sam stared at him, disappointment clouding his face. “Aren’t you going to rub sticks together?”

Zach chuckled. “A good woodsman brings matches, buddy. Want to help?”

His young friend nodded and crawled to the entrance.

“We can’t build the fire in the back of the cave. The smoke isn’t good for us, so we’ll build it at the entrance.”

Sam nodded eagerly as Zach took him through the steps to place the logs where air would circulate to give the fire the best chance of catching.

“Did you chop the tree down?” Sam asked, his eyes wide.

“I’m using dead wood. It burns more easily.”

With that, Zach struck the match. He took Sam’s hand, and together they lit the kindling, blowing gently until the flames began to feed on themselves.

“We did it,” Sam said, beaming up into Zach’s face. “Look, Mommy.”

“Good job.” Jenna smiled gently.

“Now you’re a wilderness expert,” Zach said, ruffling Sam’s hair. “You hungry?”

Sam nodded his head.

“We have two protein bars,” Jenna said.

Sam frowned. “But there are three of us.”

“Luckily, we’re in the mountains in June. There’s lots of good stuff to eat. I found some wild cucumber a few feet away from the cave, and I even came across wild strawberries.

“Watch the fire, Sam. But don’t get too close.”

Zach dug into his pocket for a knife. He snagged the flashlight and walked outside, turning back toward the cave. If he’d been alone he’d never have risked the fire, but Jenna and Sam needed the warmth. There wasn’t much chance the flames would become a beacon to the wrong people. They’d traveled far into the wilderness. Only a fool would try to track them at night. And Zach didn’t work for fools.

His mind plotted a route home to get Jenna and Sam on the road as quickly as possible. He wouldn’t be able to carry Sam, so he’d need to take the easiest route for them. Zach crouched down beside the wild cucumber. Pine needles crackled behind him.