couldn’t hear what the dog’s owner was saying.
“Are you sure? I mean, she’s beautiful and obviously well taken care of. Okay. We’ll make sure she goes to a good home. Thank you and my condolences.” Briana ended the call. “Is it safe for me to sit up? I’m getting a crick in my neck.”
Rafe had been watching as he drove toward the interstate. “Yes, if you keep fairly low.”
She sat up, sliding low in her seat. “Apparently, we’ve just adopted a dog.”
“What?” He shot a glance her way.
“The man I talked to just lost his father. His father’s border collie, Lucy’s her name, keeps escaping the son’s backyard and coming to the cemetery behind the hotel to visit his former owner.” Briana leaned forward, smoothing her hand over the collie’s head. “She misses him. The man’s son has children, a full-time job and his wife works. They don’t have time to keep chasing down Lucy and bringing her home. And they’re afraid she’ll get run over, which would have broken his father’s heart.”
“What are we going to do with a dog?” Rafe asked, thinking of the complications a dog could add to the job of keeping Briana safe.
“I guess we’ll need to stop for a few essentials, like a leash, bowls, food, water and toys.” Her lips twitched at the corners. “And don’t even think we’ll drop her off at the nearest shelter. She’s been through so much already.”
“You’re running from a killer. We can’t afford the distraction.” Rafe frowned at Lucy. “No offense.”
“Yeah. I get that,” Briana said. “I also know that we aren’t leaving her in that hotel parking lot. It was only a matter of time before she was hit by a vehicle.”
Rafe wasn’t going to talk Briana out of keeping the dog. He sighed and cast a worried glance at the border collie. “Give us any trouble and your ass is getting booted out of this truck.” He pointed his finger at the dog. “Got it?”
Lucy barked and licked his pointed finger.
Briana laughed. “I think she gets it.”
“Border collies are one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs.” Rafe’s brow dipped as he changed the subject. “What worries me is how those guys found you.”
“Couldn’t they have followed me from Chicago?”
“Maybe, but I doubt it. I’m betting they’ve tapped into the GPS on your cellphone. They followed you to your apartment because you had the woman’s cellphone. They figured out who you are once they realized they murdered your roommate.” He held out his hand. “Give me your cellphone.”
She frowned. “You think they followed my cellphone? How?”
“Hacking into phone records.”
“So quickly?”
He nodded. “They probably have connections with hackers on the dark web.” He wiggled his fingers. “Your phone.”
She laid her cellphone in his palm.
Rafe turned the truck into a gas station, rolled down the window and started to toss the phone into the trash.
Briana grabbed his arm before he could throw it and pointed to a truck full of furniture and household items with a sign painted on the side that said GEORGIA OR BUST. She smiled, took the phone from Rafe, lowered her window and dropped the phone into the bed of the pickup.
Rafe chuckled as he left the station and drove up the ramp onto the interstate headed west. His gaze took in every direction, searching for the dark SUV with the busted window.
“Have we decided where we’re going?” Briana asked.
“I figure our current location has been compromised.” Rafe’s jaw tightened. “We need to get somewhere safer than the interstate. Safer than Illinois.”
Briana looked to him. “You have a place in mind?”
“I didn’t. But Hank Patterson sent me the location of a place that will work for us. We just have to get to Montana.”
Her eyes widened. “We’re going to Montana?”
He nodded, the idea resting well with him. He didn’t know what they’d do once they reached the hunting cabin in Eagle Rock, but Hank had assured him the cabin was remote, hard to find and he’d have the guidance and help he’d need to keep Briana safe.
“You might as well settle back.” He set the cruise control for five miles per hour over the posted limit. “It’s a long way.”
“How long?” she asked, her gaze seeking his.
“About twenty hours.”
“Wow, that is a long way from home.” She stared out the front windshield at the road ahead, the corners of her mouth turning downward. “But then, what home do I have? I can’t go back to my apartment. I need clothes, but I can