Impact (Book 5): Black

of a clue. Once we get past it, we still have another six hundred miles before we reach Denver.” He scratched his chin. “I don’t know if a cat in a box can make it.”
Part of why he’d agreed to allow Haley on board was how obvious it was Butch had been smitten. He judged it likely the youngster would have stayed in St. Charles to be with her, rather than stick it out with him on the boat. To avoid forcing the issue, he’d accepted Haley’s offer to join them. At the time, they were all being pursued by TKM, so it was safer to stick together. However, with each town they’d passed along the river, he wondered if she’d be safer on shore. It was his first chance to speak in private with Butch about his concerns.
“Don’t worry about her. I’ll keep an eye on her pets. I love that little dog, don’t you?” He laughed, checking the shore as if expecting the dog to run out of the woods to him.
“Well, it’s just—” Ezra started to say, before Butch stopped him.
“I know what you’re thinking. Is JJ Butcher going to blow the mission because he’s got other things on his mind?” He took a deep breath. “I can’t deny she’s a ten on this Kentucky boy’s country music volume meter, but I made a promise to you, E-Z. We’re going to find your daughter. From what I’ve seen, she’s as tough as either of us. I think she’ll help us more than slow us down.”
Ezra had expected such an answer. It would have shocked him if the kid had suggested dropping her off. However, he’d made his position known, as did Butch. By the time Haley and her pals were back on the pontoon boat, he knew he could rely on his friend.
“What were you two boys talking about while we were gone?” Haley passed a glance between him and Butch, but she spent more time on his buddy.
“My daughter,” he said dryly. “I told her we’d meet in Denver, but we’ve been dragging butt the last few days. I’d like to find a phone so I can call and see if she’s waiting for us.”
“You can use mine!” Haley said, pulling a slim black smartphone from a pocket in her Yoga pants.
“Oh, thanks.” Ezra dialed Grace’s number, but it didn’t ring. It instantly went to voicemail. Her voice message had been changed.
“Dad, if you get this message, I’m heading east on a train. Please don’t go to Denver. TKM is trying to hurt us. They’ll try to hurt you if you show up.” She hesitated before continuing. “If you hear this, please tell me you’re all right. And tell me where you are. We need a new place to meet. For now, I love you.” It ended with a smacking sound, which was obviously her clapping into the microphone.
He thought about what to say. He glanced at Butch. “Things have changed. I have to leave a message.”
After the beep, he spoke. “Hi Grace. Me and Butch are on the river, moving closer to you. I think we’re close to Columbia, Missouri. That puts us…about a week out of Denver, though we won’t go there now.” He laughed. “But seriously, we’re making our way slowly out west where we can meet up. Wherever you end up, I’ll get there. Please call me back at this number. It belongs to a young woman traveling with us. I love you, kiddo. Talk soon.” He clapped once, laughing as he did it, then hung up.
“I hope you win your game, E-Z,” Butch said with sarcasm.
“Oh, I’m just happy to have some fun with her. Winning isn’t part of it.”
Butch laughed. “Whatever you say.” He then clapped while wearing an expectant expression.
Ezra shook his head. “Don’t get me started. One game is plenty for me.”
“Party pooper,” Butch said, pretending to be hurt.
After handing the phone back, and securing all the loose gear on the floor, it was time to start the boat.
Ezra got in his captain’s chair, followed a second later by Liam. The little brown puggle hopped on his lap and braced his front paws on the steering wheel, as if ready to pilot the boat himself.
“Oh, sorry,” Haley said, trying to grab the pup.
“It’s fine,” Ezra replied. “I’m currently winning my clapping competition and I feel like this little guy is going to bring us more good luck today.”

CHAPTER 2
Sidney, NE
 
Grace and Asher trotted inside the entrance of the railway repair shed, which reminded her of an oversized barn made of metal. The inside was spacious, about a hundred yards long on each side, with enough room for all six tracks to go in through the front doors. Like the repair yard in Denver, the place had several hoists and cranes, some holding pieces of the numerous coal cars in for repair.
Asher stood closest to the exit. “If TKM has an attack helicopter, we’re screwed.”
Many of the men stayed outside the building, as if they didn’t share the urgency of she and Asher felt. Robert came in, however. “I don’t think there’s a military base within hundreds of miles of here. I’ve never seen a helicopter at this shop, if it comforts you at all.”
“It doesn’t,” she said dryly.
Robert gestured to Asher’s rifle. “At least you have one of those.”
She was glad to have it, for sure, but it wasn’t exactly comforting. “If we have to go against a helicopter, I don’t think any weapon in our arsenal would make a difference. Plus, who knows how many men they have on board?”
The helicopter was almost there. She had enough time to look at her ruined Chevy park service vehicle, aware her friends needed to stay hidden inside. Two injured people and one teenager were no threat