The Escape (US Marshals #1) - Lisa Harris Page 0,26

down.

Even though they’d found a trail after about an hour of searching, Madison was worried they were going in circles or at the very least going deeper into the forest. Still, she was certain they were close on Barrick’s tail despite the fact that he was trying his best to leave no trace. The rain had made that impossible.

They just had to catch up with him.

“How’s your arm?” she asked, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

“The bleeding seems to have stopped and the pain is minimal.”

She glanced at him. “What are you thinking?”

“Just going over in my mind what we read in his file. We know he’s violent, but he’s also charismatic and manipulative.”

“Which won’t do him any good out here. He’s a city boy, out of his element, and his options are limited.”

“True, but he has spent some time hunting. I don’t think we can totally dismiss his ability to survive temporarily out here. And if he runs into people, he has the ability to manipulate the situation to his advantage.”

Madison frowned. “Then we need to get to him first.”

But where was he?

A scream pierced the morning air.

Madison froze momentarily, trying to determine which direction the cry had come from, then rushed down the trail, with Jonas right behind her. At a bend in the trail, Jonas pulled out his gun. A woman in her thirties, dark hair pulled up into a ponytail, was hovering over a man wearing only a pair of briefs. An orange jumpsuit was jammed into the bushes.

The woman put her hands up and stumbled backward. “Please, please don’t shoot us.”

Madison held up her hand. “We’re US Marshals, and we’re here to help. Where’s the man who did this to you?”

“I don’t know. He took off running.”

Jonas handed Madison his backpack. “Stay here and help them.”

Madison knelt down beside them. “Can you tell me what happened?”

“He . . . he came at me from behind.” She was nearly hyperventilating.

Madison put her arm on the woman’s shoulder. “What’s your name?”

“Amy.”

“And your partner?”

“My husband, Keith.”

“Good. Amy, I need you to take a deep breath. In and out. Slowly. You’re going to be okay. Keith, I don’t want you to move, but can you talk to me?”

“Yeah.” His eyes were open, but there was a large bruise forming on his cheek. “I think I’m okay. He just knocked the wind out of me and my head hurts.”

Madison pulled out the first aid kit from the pack. “Did he hit you?”

“He punched him in the face and stomach,” Amy said. “What’s a prisoner doing out here?”

“Plane crash,” Madison said. “We were on a prisoner transport.”

“A prison transport?” A look of fear registered in her eyes. “Are there other prisoners out here?”

“No. He was the only one.”

The only one who survived.

“We’re trying to track him down. Can you tell me exactly what happened?”

“I didn’t even hear him coming. He grabbed me, held a gun to my head, and told me not to make a sound, then forced my husband to take off his clothes. He put the clothes on, snatched our backpacks, then he just ran.”

“What was in your backpacks?”

Amy rubbed the bridge of her nose with her fingers. “Just basic supplies for a day trip. Food and water, sunscreen, Keith’s phone, insect repellent, and a first aid kit. Stuff like that.”

“What about weapons?”

“My husband had a knife and a gear repair kit.” Amy blew out a sharp breath. “He also has our car keys.”

Madison carefully checked the husband over for injuries, still aware of her surroundings, but Barrick was long gone. He’d got what he needed, a clean set of clothes so he no longer looked like a prisoner, more supplies, and the keys to a vehicle.

“What about a map?” Madison asked.

“There was one in my pack, but I have a grid map in my pocket. He didn’t take that, or my phone.”

“So he could find his way out,” she said.

Amy nodded. “He left heading east along this trail. If he keeps going that way, he’ll hit one of the main roads leading out of here.”

“How far?” Madison asked.

“We’re about, I don’t know, an hour from where we parked our car.” Amy glanced at her husband. “What are we supposed to do if he takes our car?”

“As soon as we get somewhere with cell coverage, we’ll send someone to help you,” Madison said. “I’ll leave you with the rest of our food, but hopefully you won’t have to wait long.”

“Barrick’s moving quickly,” Jonas said after doubling back.