Refuge Cove (New Americana 2)

She should have realized how swiftly a blaze could spread through the cheap, lightweight materials that most trailers were made of. What if Boone had died in the fire? She could’ve been guilty of murder. As it was, could she be arrested for arson? She would have to ask Judge Falconi about that tomorrow.

The plane was climbing, gaining altitude. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“We’re getting close to the Swenson place,” he said. “I don’t want to fly in low and spook them, especially since they’d likely recognize the plane. Keep an eye out. Even from ten thousand feet, you should be able to spot Boone’s truck.”

Emma’s stomach fluttered as the plane climbed and leveled off to a high cruising altitude. From higher up, the trees were a solid green carpet, with small patches of clearing. A blue lake looked like the turquoise stone in a ring. The boat on its surface was no more than a dot.

“It’s just ahead,” John said. “Look sharp. We’ll only be going over the place once.”

Emma glued her gaze to the window. Now, below, she saw it—the overgrown sod roof of a lodge-sized cabin, surrounded by small outbuildings and several vehicles and ATV’s. These looked ant-sized, but even at a distance, she recognized Boone’s camouflage-painted pickup.

“I see it!” she said. “It’s parked next to the cabin.”

“You’re sure it’s Boone’s truck.”

“Unless it’s got a twin, I’d know that truck anywhere.”

He kept a straight course until the cabin was well out of sight. Then he banked a turn and headed back in the direction of Refuge Cove.

“Are you going to radio the state troopers?” Emma asked.

“I’ll let them know where Boone is. But don’t expect them to go in after him. That cabin’s built like a fortress, and the Swensons have got enough guns and ammo to hold off an army. Bringing in a scumbag who deceived a woman with a fake wedding and took her money isn’t worth the risk of a bloodbath.”

Emma chewed on his assessment, knowing John was right, and that she mustn’t take it personally. “So what do we do now?” she asked.

“I’d say you have a choice,” he said. “You could let me fly you out of here, find a way home to Utah, maybe come back for Boone’s trial if he’s caught, or . . .”

“Or what? You said if Boone’s caught. What will happen if I leave?”

“Not much. Sooner or later, he’s liable to get himself caught. But he could stay holed up with his family for months. If he knows you’re gone, and the police are looking for him in town, he’ll have no reason to come in.”

“And if I choose to stay . . . ?” But he didn’t have to draw her a picture. After what she’d done, Boone would be mad enough to kill her—or make her wish he had. If he knew she was in Ketchikan, he wouldn’t be able to resist coming after her. She would be bait to trap him.

“You know that I want you to leave.” He lowered the flaps, putting the Beaver into its long descent. “Catching Boone isn’t worth your life.”

“I’ve already made up my mind. I want to leave Alaska knowing I got the man who wronged me and put hi

m away. I’m staying.”

“I wish you’d change your mind.”

“I won’t. I’ve got to see this through.” She paused in thought. “How will he know I’m still in town?”

“He’s got friends. He’ll know. But you’ll have to be careful. Boone’s a dangerous man.”

John focused on the controls as the Beaver made its descent toward Refuge Cove. Emma watched him, her thoughts churning. Something he’d told her sounded out of place, and suddenly she realized what it was.

“One question,” she said. “You seem to know a lot about that cabin and Boone’s family. Have you been there?”

There was a silent beat while he adjusted the flaps. “Yes, I have,” he said. “For now, that’s all you need to know.”

CHAPTER 5

After leaving the plane and picking up the Jeep in Refuge Cove, they drove back into town for a late lunch of hamburgers, fries, and colas. They were both hungry, and the little burger place just north of the tunnel was one of John’s favorites.

From across the table, John studied the woman who’d dropped into his life out of nowhere. He’d tried hard to talk her into leaving Ketchikan. But even in the face of danger, she could be as stubborn as hard-set concrete.

How could he make her understand what she was dealing with? Boone had a crazy vindictive streak—hell, the whole family did. He would do his best to protect her, but given Emma’s independent nature, he couldn’t be there for her all the time.