The Cradle Conspiracy. Christy Barritt

let himself. He needed to stay awake. To listen.

      Whoever had followed them had been clearly desperate. Desperate people wouldn’t stop just because their car was hanging off a cliff. No, as soon as that driver got his car back in order, he would keep looking. Or, even worse, maybe he was working with someone.

      Either way, Devin couldn’t rest. His adrenaline still pumped through him, and his thoughts raced.

      If someone was determined enough, he could hit each of the side streets leading up this mountain. If he did that, he would eventually find this cabin.

      Devin didn’t want to think like that, but he had to be prudent. He had to face the fact that it was a possibility.

      If worse came to worst, he could bring someone else in to help them. He hoped it didn’t come to that, though. He preferred keeping his circle small, especially in situations like this. The fewer people who knew where they were, the better.

      He chewed on the theory about Anita having an abusive ex. It could be plausible. What if Colby’s father was trying to get him back and would stop at nothing to do just that? It made sense, and it was the most plausible excuse he could think of.

      Devin called Detective Jenson and ran the theory past him.

      “That’s an interesting idea,” Jenson said. “I’ll look into it. But until we know this woman’s real identity, I’m not sure we can prove any of it.”

      “Any headway in that area?”

      “We’re running her fingerprints and photo through one of our programs. We’ve also sent a team to her house to see if we can find anything there. So far, there’s nothing.”

      “That’s unfortunate.”

      “Whoever she really is, she was careful to conceal her true identity.”

      “She’s either smart or desperate.”

      “Maybe both.”

      “Maybe both,” Devin conceded.

      After Devin ended the call, he stepped toward the window and peered outside.

      Darkness stared back. A good acre of trees stood between the cabin and the road. The lane snaking through the woods to the cabin was concealed by the forest, so unless someone was looking for the entry to the place, a person could pass it.

      Devin had a lot of great memories of coming here as a child. Memories of hiking through the mighty pine forests surrounding the mountains. Of fishing with his dad at the creek that was only a short walk away. Of taking their catches of the day and grilling out on the back deck. His mom would make her grilled corn salad. They’d play games outside and just enjoy each other’s company.

      Family time. He remembered that far more than he remembered the birthday gifts he’d received.

      He also remembered bringing Grace and Willow here. He’d wanted to share the memories with them, though Grace had been more of a city girl. He’d been hoping she’d warm up to the idea of a cabin life, but it had felt too much like camping to her.

      Still, this was the place where a person could find peace. Could he say the same when all of this was over? He didn’t know.

      Devin paused as something in the distance caught his eye.

      Was that light between the trees?

      Devin sucked in a breath.

      He squinted.

      A flashlight? Coming through the woods?

      No, Devin realized. It was the distant headlights of a car passing on the lane.

      He tensed. It could just be someone traveling through the area. Or it could be the person who was looking for them.

      He pulled the gun from his shoulder holster and waited.

      Another set of lights went past.

      Two cars in five minutes? Or was it someone who’d driven past, missed the lane and turned around to come back and check it out?

      His mind raced through possibilities. Should he wake Sienna and Colby and run? Or stand his ground?

      Right now, his bets were on standing his ground. Until he knew if he was overreacting, he had to keep a cool head.

      He continued to wait, looking for another glimmer of illumination through the foliage outside the cabin.

      He saw nothing.

      But he didn’t let down his guard. Not yet. Because he knew there was a chance the driver had cut his lights. That he was traveling by foot.

      And, if he was, Devin would be ready and on guard when he arrived.