Secret Obsession (Carder Texas Connections #6)(16)

“Go!” he shouted at Lyssa. “In the car.”

She raced across the alley and into the SUV. Noah followed. “Get out of here, Rafe!”

The vehicle peeled out the side street, just in time to see two more police cars and an ambulance speed into view.

“No matter what Al says, the customers will remember us,” Lyssa said, looking back at the commotion surrounding the diner.

“It can’t be helped. Besides, we’re not staying in Chicago. I’m getting you to safety. In Texas.” He turned on Rafe. “You didn’t see anything?”

“Not a damn thing, Noah.”

Rafe turned a corner, the diner faded away, just like the past year of Lyssa’s life. Her fingernails dug into her palms. She had to do something. Chastity’s death was her fault. “Can I look at the book?” she asked.

Noah handed her a sealed bag. She viewed the order pad, still open to Archimedes’s note, through the clear plastic.

She stared at the spiral symbol and the message. “What is he trying to tell me?” she asked. “What does this mean?”

One glance from Noah sent a shiver through her. His expression had hardened, his eyes had gone flint cold.

“He’s communicating, all right. He wants you to know he’ll find you. Wherever you go.”

*

EVEN INSIDE THE SUV, frozen ice laced the air. The headlights illuminated the road leading to the small airport, the asphalt shimmering with ice crystals. Noah gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white as he squeezed the frustration into submission. He should’ve dragged Lyssa to his plane the moment he’d arrived in Chicago.

He didn’t delude himself with the hope that the outcome at the diner could have been different. He doubted leaving town would’ve saved Chastity. Archimedes had planted his message carefully, wanting Lyssa to know he’d been watching.

The psycho was toying with her, and Noah had fallen into the plans. He hated making a mistake; he wouldn’t underestimate Archimedes again. He’d allowed Lyssa’s arguments in that alley to sway him. No more.

He glanced into the rearview mirror, studying her expression. A woman had died in front of her, but Lyssa hadn’t broken down. Still, he could see the unease settling over her. Archimedes had peeled away her confidence in Noah and his team.

He had to regain her trust. Once she was at the safe house in Dallas, they’d all regroup and he’d figure out a way to corner Archimedes without putting Lyssa in danger.

Noah turned the vehicle toward Koritz Field, the lights on the single runway in view.

Rafe leaned forward in his seat. “You landed the Lear here? Cutting it a little close, weren’t you, Noah?”

“I like to keep the enemy guessing.” He lifted a brow at the former Green Beret who Noah trusted more than anyone to have his back.

Rafe simply shook his head. “You’re insane.”

Lyssa peered out the front window. “What’s the problem?”

“The runway is too short, especially at night,” Rafe said. “Barely able to handle Noah’s new plane. He took a risk landing here.”

“The field is uncontrolled. No air traffic control tower.”

“Which makes sneaking in and out easier,” Lyssa said, admiration lacing her voice. She leaned forward, her arms resting on the back of the seat. “Archimedes can’t follow the plane. That’s good.”

Noah grinned at her. “I’m glad someone appreciates my brilliant strategy.”

“Smart doesn’t necessarily equate with sane.” Rafe scowled at him, adjusting his eye patch.

“You never have liked to fly.”

“With you,” Rafe snapped.

Lyssa said nothing. Not a smile at the forced joking. He met Rafe’s gaze and the man shrugged. He’d tried—he’d also been halfway serious.

Her silence sent the hairs on the back of Noah’s neck to attention. He didn’t like the contemplative look on her face. He’d seen it before—on Ransom Grainger’s face when his boss was planning a mission.

He pulled the SUV into the parking lot next to the only other car at this time of night. Probably belonging to the fixed-based operator’s lineman. Another reason Noah had chosen this little FBO. At this time of year, there was no skydiving and therefore, the airport was pretty much barren, especially so close to midnight. He favored two types of setups. Either one with too many people or hardly anyone. Both had advantages and disadvantages.

When it came to Archimedes, deserted won the battle. The guy could blend into a crowd. Which is why not one identifiable description existed of the man who had killed so many people.

Noah slid from the seat. “Wait here. I’ll make sure we’re fueled so we can take off.”

“No need,” Rafe said from the passenger side.

“The Lear’s ready? Who?”

“Zane. Our favorite computer jockey evidently likes propellers as much as you do. Elijah’s staying behind to analyze the evidence with the other forensics squints and hopefully get us a lead. He’ll join us as soon as he can.”

Lyssa twisted her fingers in her lap. “I think Elijah should go with you. Now.”

Her voice was too calm. Noah twisted in his seat, that bad feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. “You mean go with us.”