Page 16 of North

He made his way downstairs to car rental. “How coincidental is it that a known international terrorist is on the same train that Selah is?”

“Dunno. Still trying to unsnarl that, but just…keep your head on a swivel.”

“Roger.”

“By the way, watch yourself coming in. If this was deliberate…”

“Copy.”

“Call if you need anything.”

The rental-car counter gleamed, empty except for a clerk who looked like she’d rather be anywhere else. Her professional smile flickered on as he approached. “Welcome to⁠—”

“I need an SUV, something with four-wheel drive.”

She blinked. “Sir, I’m sorry, our SUVs and hybrids are all sold out. We have a couple compacts⁠—”

He slapped his credit card on the counter. “Fine. Whatever you’ve got.”

Ten minutes later, he threw his bag into a silly little Chevy Sonic. He’d probably need to Fred Flintstone the thing over the mountains.

His phone lit up as he pulled out of the lot.

Chloe.

He turned it on speaker. “You hear from her?”

“No. And I’m heading into the bush. North⁠—”

“I’ll find her, Chloe.”

“She loves you. You know that.”

He drew in a breath. “Yep.” Right now, it didn’t matter. “Be safe. I’ll text you when I find her.” North ended the call, his jaw clenched so tight it ached.

The GPS announced his projected arrival time as 11:47 p.m. in that too-cheerful voice. He pressed the accelerator harder.

Seattle’s lights faded behind him as he headed east. The mountains rose ahead, lumbering shadows against the star-strewn sky. Somewhere in those shadows, Selah needed him.

The memory of her eyes on that Nigerian night burned through him again. The trust. The connection that had sparked between them in that desperate moment.

He’d saved her then.

He’d save her now.