Sipping his coffee, Ryker focused on the computer screen. His phone indicated less than a fifty percent charge on the battery, but he had a charger in the SUV, so he didn’t hesitate to use it as a hot spot for his computer.
The Blake-Moore Group’s website hadn’t been updated or changed in any way since the last time he’d checked. He did another search on both Kevin Blake and Harper Moore, but knew that both men were experts at staying off-grid.
He tried to think of another way to figure out who Blake or Moore had sent to pick up Olivia. The way the man had grabbed and dragged her backward on the street, while the other one had grabbed Aaron, led him to believe they hadn’t been sent to outright kill either of them.
Not until they had whatever it was they wanted.
But what?
A physical item? He rolled the idea over in his mind. With Olivia on the run it didn’t make sense that she’d have anything of value on her person. No, it must be a memory. Something she knew that must be important.
But Olivia said she didn’t know anything. Didn’t understand why Blake-Moore had come after her. How would they figure out what it was the mercenaries wanted?
The whole thing made his head hurt.
Ryker tried another angle, checking on some of the companies who’d provided reviews about the great work the Blake-Moore Group had done for them. As he scanned the reviews, he read about a hostage rescue the Blake-Moore Group had performed roughly four years ago.
It was old news, but he couldn’t help but wonder if this was one of the first missions Olivia’s husband had done. He remembered how she’d mentioned the Fourth of July celebration and how there had once been a lot of camaraderie. It made sense if they were celebrating their success.
They’d been a legitimate group once; the hostage rescue proved that. But something had changed over time. Maybe it had been taking on Todd Hayes as a client. Maybe they’d started with lower-level government workers and had eventually proved themselves worthy.
Yet he knew Colin Yonkers had played a role in selling guns to the enemy. It was possible that Tim hadn’t realized how far Colin had gotten into trouble until it was too late.
He straightened in his seat. What if Tim had confided in Olivia? Could be that he shared something he shouldn’t have.
“I hav’ta go potty.” Aaron’s young voice coming from the living room drew him from his dark thoughts.
“This way, sweetie.” Olivia took her son’s hand and led him to the bathroom.
Ryker quickly turned off the computer and tucked it into Olivia’s large bag. He put his phone in his pocket, making a note to charge it once they were in the SUV. He finished his coffee, then quickly washed the cup and replaced it in the cupboard.
As soon as Olivia and Aaron were finished in the bathroom, it would be time to hit the road. They weren’t that far from Nashville, but he’d also considered heading north to where he knew Duncan O’Hare and the Callahan family were located.
The Blake-Moore Group wouldn’t expect them to double back the way they’d come.
He wasn’t sure Olivia would like that idea, but having others available to help watch over her and Aaron was more important than staying hidden in the forest.
Olivia and Aaron emerged from the bathroom fifteen minutes later. She crossed over to take her bag, surprised to find the laptop in there.
“Sorry, but I thought it would be easier for me to carry it from now on,” he explained.
“I just need a change of clothes for Aaron. He wants to wear big-boy undies.” She set the laptop aside and rummaged around for what she needed, then replaced the computer.
“We need to leave,” he reminded her. “We can stop for breakfast on the way.”
“This will only take a minute.” She took Aaron over to the sofa and managed to get the squirmy boy into clean clothes.
“Ready?” He took the discarded pajamas from her and stuffed them into the bag, before looping the strap over his shoulder.
“You know that’s basically a glorified diaper bag, right?” She held out a hand. “I’ll carry it.”
“I don’t mind.” The surprise in her eyes made him wonder if her husband hadn’t liked carrying the black-and-white zebra-striped bag. He didn’t understand what the big deal was. Besides, adding the laptop made the bag heavy. Better for him to shoulder the burden. “Let’s go.”
He followed her and Aaron outside. The sun was nice, but would grow impossibly warm as the day went on.
Olivia buckled Aaron in his car seat, while he set the bag on the floor of the passenger-side seat. Within minutes they were on the road.
“Why are we going back the way we came?” Olivia asked.
“There was a family restaurant I thought would be a good place to have breakfast.” He knew he’d have to discuss his plan to head north in more detail soon.
“I was thinking the fast-food restaurant we used last night would be better. I remember seeing a play area for Aaron.” She glanced at him. “Their breakfast sandwiches are decent.”
“Sure, why not?” He was more than willing to make her happy. After several miles, he turned into the parking lot. He parked off to the opposite side of the building from where the play area was located.
The restaurant was situated near the base of a mountain with a hiking trail that led down to a tree-laden ravine. Ryker looped the diaper bag over his shoulder, then swept his gaze over the area, scanning for anything out of the ordinary.
There was nothing suspicious, so they went inside and ordered their breakfast. They chose a table in the back, near the indoor play area. Aaron drank his chocolate milk in ten seconds flat, then wanted to go down the slide.
“Go ahead,” Olivia said. “You can eat your breakfast bagel
