Icy fear washed through Grace, and she felt lips against her temple. "Don't scream, I—"

The attacker never finished the sentence before Leo barreled into him, and they both flew to the ground with a thud and groan. It became clear quickly the guy wasn't fighting back.

Leo lifted his fist, stared at the dude, and froze. "Mark?"

"It's me," Mark answered at the same time Rose cried, "Don't hurt him!"

Sinking with relief, Grace stepped forward. "You scared me."

Unfolding his fist, Leo offered his hand and helped Mark to his feet. "I'm sorry, Grace." His gaze skipped around warily. "I was afraid of drawing attention."

"Were you followed?" Leo asked, suddenly alert.

"I don't think so. Colton and Peter are behind us making sure."

Leo's gaze sharpened. "What aren't you telling me?"

"I did something stupid," Colton answered, stepping into the clearing. "Or brilliant depending on how you look at it."

Amusement glinted in Leo's eyes, and he turned to Rose. "How do you look at it?"

Rose blushed beneath Leo's regard, but she managed a smile. "If there was any doubt how much trouble we're in, Colton settled it. Someone wants us dead."

Grace could tell Leo hadn't expected it put so bluntly. "Tell us what you did," he said solemnly.

"Hey, man, you were my inspiration." Colton's gaze glittered.

"I'm flattered." The word was thick with sarcasm.

Mark chuckled. "I cannot believe I'm still able to see the humor." He slapped Colton's back. "Our boy here used his phone to call 911 and told them we were in an abandoned building downtown."

Leo tensed waiting for the rest of the story. Grace's little fist moved to her chin.

"I left the phone in the alley and we watched from across the street to see who would show up," Colton explained, a vacant look in his eyes.

"Oh, no," Grace whispered. "Who was it?"

"No one. The building blew up."

"What?"

Peter gave a slow nod. "That was our reaction too. Luckily, no one was hurt."

"Wait a sec." Leo frowned. "You called 911? I thought you called Apple Rapids Police when you set up the first meeting."

"No, I called 911 both times. What are you thinking?"

"You only gave a general location. How did they know to ask you to meet in Apple Rapids at a specific restaurant?"

Understanding flickered in Colton's eyes. "Good question. At the time I didn't think to ask."

"None of us did, but Peter's theory about the phones being tracked suddenly doesn't sound so crazy."

Mark slid his hand over his face. "It's not possible to intercept an emergency call, is it?"

"Two days ago, I'd have said no." Leo's jaw tightened. "Now...I think we should get to the cabin." The crunch of footsteps prickled the hair at the back of his nape.

Mark spun around, and Colton went still, holding a finger to his lips. Grace and Rose moved closer to one another, and Leo crept toward the noise.

"Who's there?" Colton demanded.

Leo took another step and Peter shined the light revealing a boy and a girl, probably a few years younger than they were. They were both blushing fiercely, and the girl's mouth was swollen. From the looks of them, they'd been caught kissing.

"What are you doing here?" Peter snapped.

"W-we didn't think anyone would be out this late," the boy, who looked about fourteen stammered.

"I'm sorry." The poor girl's voice quivered.

"Do your parents know where you are?" Peter demanded.

Leo put a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Relax. They're just kids."

"Peter's jealous," Colton snickered. "He's still waiting for his first kiss."

Grace fought a smile, turning to the kids. "It's ok. You startled us is all."

"Sorry." The boy swallowed hard, a glimmer of suspicion lighting in his eyes. "What are ya'll doing?"

"Hunting crawdads. You interrupted our vibe. 'Sides the dads like it quiet or they get scared off."

All eyes landed on Peter at that comment. Colton rolled his eyes. Mark chuckled, Leo shook his head, and both girls bit back laughter.

"We need to get going," the boy said, eagerly, backing away with his girl.

"They're kinda young to be making out in the woods," Peter growled, frowning.

"Yeah, and you're an idiot. Seriously, crawdads?"

He shrugged, not seeing the problem. "They won't know the difference."

"Ok, city boy," Colton smirked. "You could have made up something about the stars."

Leo and Mark seemed on edge. "Forget about it. We need to get out of here."

They made their way back to the cabin.

***

Despite Dean's warning, Janessa followed him.

Holding a log from the woodpile high above his head, Dean charged outside the cabin with a battle cry, halting at the scene before him.

Illuminated beneath the moonbeams were two raccoons. One was perched on a picnic table holding a soda can while another nibbled on something in its claws. Both appeared as startled to see Dean as he was them.

Janessa laughed.

The swish of trees overhead drew her attention and she looked up as another raccoon shook pecans from the limbs of the tree, scraping the door.

"I think it's safe to lower the firewood," she teased, unable to hide her amusement despite Dean's chagrined expression.

Dean straightened, color spreading across his cheeks. "After what we've been through, we can't be too careful."

"It's ok. I'm glad you were willing to rescue me from the raccoon family."

"They're bandits." He straightened, his humor shining in his eyes. "Hey, I might have found more than racoons."

"You're right." Mischief sparkled in her eyes. "They may have had backup from the bunny family!"

"Glad you're amused by my humiliation."

"I'm sorry, Dean."

"Don't be. I like seeing you smile." He rolled his head. "Not at me, but I'll take what I can get."

"Hey, hey, hey, we're back!" Colton called strolling up, followed by Mark, Leo, Peter, and the girls.

Janessa got up and hugged Grace, then pulled Rose into their hug.

Dean noticed Leo's guarded stance which put him on guard.

"Let's take this reunion inside," Leo suggested and they filed into the cabin.

Mark pulled a plastic bag from his backpack and dumped it, peanut butter crackers, granola bars, raisins, and other filling but non-perishable foods littered the kitchen table.

"You get the prepaid phone?" Dean opened a package of crackers and handed them to Janessa.

"Yes," he replied grimly.

Tension threaded Dean's muscles. "I don't like the way you said that."

"You'll like what I'm about to say even less."

They filled Dean and Janessa in on the explosion while they ate. "You really think that's connected to Colton's phone call?"

Leo's brow knitted. "Until we know otherwise, we'll assume it is."

"Then we're dealing with some seriously dangerous people with a lot of money and connections."

"Right. This is wild," Janessa breathed.

"How much time passed between Colton's call and the explosion?"

Mark appeared to replay the scene. "Not even ten minutes."

Dean's brow furrowed in concentration. "If that's even possible to trace a call and get a bomb planted in that time, which I'm not sure it is, that would take manpower and lots of cash."

"I know we joked about the mob, but we may want to rethink that," Colton suggested, clearly disturbed at the idea.

"Like we'd stand a chance against mobsters," Peter scoffed.

"David defeated Goliath," Janessa said. "Maybe God is on our side."

Dean moved swiftly across the room. "This disaster would make the news," he said, flipping on the small TV.

"We have a TV? Awesome."

It didn't take long to find the local channel showing a single firetruck in front of a smoky building.

"They're saying it's a fire? Turn it up."

A reporter stood in front of the building with a firefighter. "Chief Torres, can you tell us what happened here?"

The chief wore mirrored glasses which made him difficult to read, but he appeared to study the black plume hovering over the burned building. "It appears to be an electrical fire, but we're still investigating."

"Do you suspect foul play?" the reporter asked, bringing the mic back to the chief.

A moment of hesitation. " Not at this time, but like I said we're still investigating.

"Are there any witnesses that can give us insight into what happened?" the reporter asked, undaunted by Chief Torres' vague responses.

"I'm not at liberty to answer that."

"Then there have been witnesses. You just can't give me their names?" the reporter pressed, an eager glint in her eyes.

"I need to get back to my men." Chief Torres gave her a curt nod and walked off.

"Thank you, Chief Torres," the reporter dutifully chimed. "There appears to be more to this story and we will get to the bottom of it. This is Abigail Lightfoot reporting, please stay tuned."

The news switched to the weather.

Dean scratched his jaw. "You said you saw someone go into the building right before the explosion?"

Mark nodded. "Yeah, with a black bag."

Gripping his temple, Leo appeared thoughtful. "There is no way a piece of a bomb wouldn't have been found."

"Dude, the building blew up." Colton shook his head.

"Forensics can do incredible stuff. I think Leo's right."

"Well, the chief wasn't too talkative. He probably wants to sort the facts before getting the press involved."

"I think he knows more than he is letting on," Dean said.

"Yeah," Janessa agreed. "Like someone is trying to cover up a crime."

"Wait, turn it up!" Rose cried, pointing to the television where Abigail Lightfoot was talking.

"This area is still reeling from the body found just south of here not far from where good Samaritan teens were helping build and repair homes. Police are working to find the identity of the body and information. It is possible these crimes are connected and we have a serial killer at large."

"Say what?" Colton gaped.

"I have Lulabelle Krimmel here, and she says she spotted murder suspect Peter Mitchell near the building before it turned into a raging inferno."

Lulabelle flashed a toothy smile for the camera and spoke loudly into the mic. "Why yes, I saw him clear as day. He looked exactly like his picture on the news. It was Peter Mitchell."

"She's lying." Mark's gaze sharpened, alerted at something the so-called witness said. "Peter wore Colton's baseball cap and glasses the entire time we were out, even indoors."

Their reactions were overshadowed by reporter Abigail's wide eyes and parted lips. She turned to the camera dramatically. "Apple Rapids, I have a witness who says they saw alleged murderer Peter Mitchell."

Lulabelle smiled big for the camera, and once again Abigail pushed the mic at her. "Do you think Peter had something to do with the tragedy that happened here today?"

"It sure looks like it," Lulabelle grinned, delighted at the attention. "I hope he's caught as soon as possible. If there's anything I can do..." Lulabelle launched into a long monologue Abigail had to cut off.

Pulling the microphone away, she thanked Lulabelle and turned back to the camera. "What an exciting day in Apple Rapids! We will certainly keep everyone up to date as this drama unfolds. Abigail Lightfoot signing off."

"The body. Mr. Archer. You don't think..." Tears filled Grace's eyes and Leo looped his arm around her shoulder.

"We'll believe he's alive until we know otherwise," Leo whispered.

Dean nodded. "He's right. Archer loved God. If anyone could pull off a miracle, it would be him."

"Maybe she saw past the disguise." Peter seemed worried.

"Or she's looking for her fifteen minutes of fame." Leo's jaw tightened.

A picture of Peter appeared on the screen and he went ashen. Grim silence followed.

I'm putting everyone in danger." Peter's gaze connected with Leo, then slowly met everyone in the room. "It's me they want. I'll make sure they find me, and you all will be safe."