Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Dana Mentink (novels to improve english txt) 📗

The radio crackled. “Constable Antoine here. Where are you?”

Layke glanced out the window into the dark morning. “Just passed the post office.”

“Tell them we’re heading toward the AlCan Highway,” Hannah said.

He relayed the information.

“On my way,” Constable Antoine said. A siren pierced through the radio. “Will intercept there.”

Another shot hit the bumper and the Jeep swerved.

Gabe yelled.

Their vehicle jerked side to side as Hannah fought to keep it on the icy road.

“Hang on!” She yelled as she wrenched the wheel right and sideswiped a snowbank.

Layke bounced and hit his head on the window. Pain registered, but he fought to suppress it and tugged a crying Gabe closer to him. “It’s okay, sport. God’s got this.” Had he just said that? Hudson said it all the time.

“Sorry!” Hannah pulled the Jeep back to the road and turned onto the highway.

The truck followed as another shot rang out and hit the back end. How long before they incapacitated them?

Sirens and flashing lights appeared as Constable Antoine’s Suburban lurched onto the highway, crashing into the truck.

Layke peered behind them. The truck stopped momentarily and jerked around before heading in the opposite direction. Good job, Constable Antoine. “Pull over, Hannah.”

She obeyed and veered the Jeep to the right.

“Stay with Gabe.” Layke got out and headed toward the dented Suburban.

Constable Antoine maneuvered the cruiser to the side and spoke into his radio before exiting. “Only got a partial plate before the truck sped off. Alaska plates. I’ve called it in. You okay?”

“Good. The boy is a little shaken. The assailants breached Officer Morgan’s house with teargas. We barely got out in time.” Layke rubbed the goose egg forming on his forehead from his slam into the window.

“First they compromise your hideout at the cabin and now here? How do they know where you are?” The officer took off his hat and scratched his head.

“No idea.” The question had also raced through Layke’s mind. A limited number of people knew their whereabouts. Could it be a mole? Dare he even think that? He knew it could happen, but in the little time he’d spent in the Yukon, the people seemed genuine.

“I know what you’re thinking. Our detachment is tight-lipped. It’s not us.”

“Not saying it is, but it’s too much of a coincidence for me. Someone is leaking information.” Layke took his notebook from his jacket pocket. “Listen, did you have anything to report on the injured assailant?”

“No. So far he hasn’t turned up at any hospital.”

“You check local vets?”

He shook his head. “Closest vet is in Whitehorse.”

Five hours away. Would they go that far? “What about medical centers?”

“Closest is the Beaver Creek Health Center on the Alaska Highway. Nothing so far.”

“Okay, keep me updated and let me know what you find on that license plate. Any word on the attackers at the corporal’s house?”

“Nothing.”

“Okay, thanks. We need to go.” He turned to leave.

“Where will you go?” Constable Antoine said.

Layke stopped. Could he trust this officer? The rule book in his head told him he needed to convey the information, but his gut told him to hang tight. Why was he following his gut all of a sudden? “Best no one knows.”

The officer pursed his lips and climbed back into his vehicle.

Layke had annoyed the local police, but it couldn’t be helped.

He trusted no one at this point.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Layke brushed aside his growing trepidation over a possible mole and opened Hannah’s door. “I’ll drive.” He glanced at Gabe in the back seat. The boy’s gaze darted back and forth as if checking for the masked men. His agitated state was evident. Layke nodded toward him and turned his eyes back to Hannah. “He needs a mother figure right now.”

She looked down before he could read her expression.

What was that about? He’d like to hear more of her story but didn’t have time at the moment. They needed to take cover.

Hannah stepped out of the car and climbed into the back seat without a sideways glance at him.

He winced but ignored her sudden change of mood and moved to the driver’s seat. He punched Murray’s address into his phone’s GPS and hit Get Directions. Once Hannah buckled herself in, he pressed Go and pulled onto the highway. It would take just over an hour to get to his half brother’s place. Perhaps the distance would put the enemy behind them for good, and they could concentrate on who this gang was and where they were located. He could only hope.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Sorry, we won’t be able to go to Tiki’s Tourist Trap today.”

“I grabbed some food before we had to leave.” She held up her backpack. “You want a chocolate chip granola bar or roasted almond? Pop-Tart?”

“Ahh…no. Almond bar please.” He grinned and checked the rearview mirror for any tails, but only a hint of the rising golden sun stared back at him from behind a snowcapped mountain. Breathtaking. He could get used to this. Then again, he’d have to get used to the darkness and bone-chilling cold.

Hannah dangled a granola bar in front of him. “Watch out!”

He turned his gaze back to the road to see a timber wolf dart across the highway. He swerved in time to avoid the beast. An oncoming car blared his horn. Layke pulled back into his lane.

“That was close,” Hannah said.

Stupid, Layke. Pay attention. You’re not used to these roads. “Sorry. Can you open the bar?”

He heard rustling before she once again reached over the seat and handed it to him.

“Thanks.” He took a bite and swallowed. “Sport, close your eyes and take a nap. It will be a bit before we get to Murray’s. You too, Hannah.”

“I’m okay. I’m more worried about you. You were just pulled out of freezing waters not that long ago. I should be driving.”

He couldn’t argue there. He was tired but needed to stay in control of this situation. He’d rest tonight.

An hour and a half later, his GPS directed him to take the next right, which would put