The Escape (US Marshals #1) - Lisa Harris Page 0,93

South America.

Movement on one of the screens caught her attention. Madison leaned forward as a man slowly approached. He stopped again and glanced around him, clearly hesitant, but the camera caught his face. There was no question of who it was.

Barrick.

He looked at Bianca, stepped forward, then turned around.

“We need to move now,” Madison shouted. “Something spooked him, and he’s running.”

The team moved into high gear. Madison and Jonas ran down a narrow hall toward the terminal with one of the airport police officers, who could stay in contact with the communication center by radio.

“Where is he?” Madison asked.

“He’s taking an escalator.”

“Where does it lead?”

“Out of the concourse to ground transportation and parking. But we’re not far and I think we can get ahead of him.”

Madison’s heart raced. After six days of chasing this man across state lines, they nearly had him in their grasp. They sprinted down the terminal, through the airport, then toward the parking area.

As they burst through the final exit to the outdoors, Madison caught sight of Barrick running toward them with two officers on his tail. They turned the corner and Barrick grabbed a roller bag from a passenger, throwing it at his pursuers to try to slow them down.

He turned back around, still running, but it was already too late. Jonas slammed into Barrick with his shoulder, completely taking him off guard. He wrestled him to the ground and three more police officers from the Airport–IAH Division surrounded him, their weapons aimed at their target.

“Cuff him,” Jonas said, taking a step back from the man and breathing heavily. “It’s finally over.”

Madison watched as Jonas rubbed his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“Oh yeah.” His smile widened. “Exhausted, but that felt really good.”

“We got him.” She smiled back. “Let’s get out of here.”

Thirty-Four

Twenty-four hours later, Madison pulled Danielle into a big hug on the front porch of her sister’s house, then took a step back. “I’m on my way home finally, but I had to at least stop and see you. I’m so sorry you got involved in this.”

Danielle squeezed her hand. “None of this was your fault.”

She shook her head. “Except it is. All of it.”

“I figure as long as he’s behind bars, we’re safe. Still . . . I was so worried that something was going to happen to you. You could have died.”

“I know, but I didn’t and it’s over. Barrick is safely behind bars, the threat to your life is over—”

“And the next time you go after some felon who wants you dead . . .” Worry lines appeared on Danielle’s forehead as she motioned Madison inside. “I’m sorry. I know you’re tired, but at least stay long enough for a glass of tea. I’ve missed you and the kids are actually all asleep—which means I might get about fifteen minutes of quiet.”

Madison laughed. “Sounds perfect.”

She followed her sister through the cozy house with toys scattered across the hardwood floors, between car seats and a stroller.

Danielle pulled a pitcher of iced tea from the fridge and poured them each a glass.

“Daddy’s still here and wants to see you,” Danielle said, “but I wanted to talk to you first. There’s something you need to know.”

Danielle set the two glasses on the kitchen table, then sat down.

“What’s wrong?” Madison took the chair across from her sister, soaking in the forested view of their backyard from the kitchen table.

“Remember how Daddy went to the doctor’s a couple weeks ago? They ran some tests that day, and we finally got the results back.”

Madison nodded, not sure she wanted to hear what was coming next. “And?”

“You know how he’s been forgetting things. Dates, names—”

“Yes, but he’s almost eighty. Isn’t that normal?”

“For the most part, but this is more. He’s forgetting basic things like putting his laundry in the dryer after he washes it, taking out the trash, and leaving the oven on sometimes.”

“I knew he was getting repetitive with his questions, but how did I miss all of this?”

“The changes have been subtle. I’m not sure any of us really saw it. While you were gone, he went on a walk in my neighborhood and forgot where he was. You’re busy with your job and I want you to know that’s okay, but this isn’t going away.”

A sinking feeling spread through her. “What are you trying to tell me, Danielle?”

Her sister hesitated before answering. “Madison, the doctor diagnosed him with Alzheimer’s.”

“Alzheimer’s?” Madison shook her head. “They have to have made a mistake. Memory loss is a part of