The Last Target by Christy Barritt

especially when he knew they could never be together. Even if Rachel didn’t have the convictions that she did, Jack knew there was no place in his life for a relationship. So why was it so tempting to toy with the thought whenever Rachel was around?
    He looked across the way as Aidan squealed with delight at the prairie dog exhibit. “He really loves animals, doesn’t he?”
    “Animals and superheroes.” Rachel smiled. “He’s all boy. I’m always a little nervous that I’m not going to be able to help develop those boyish qualities in him. I can’t exactly teach him to play baseball or how to be tough or to think like a man.”
    “Your uncle doesn’t ever come down?”
    “Not very often. Busy with his job, you know.”
    “I do know about busy jobs.”
    Silence fell for a moment. Rachel cleared her throat. “Any news on George Anderson?”
    “We have witnesses that place him at work at the time the shooting in the park occurred. But that doesn’t mean he’s not involved. We’re still investigating him.”
    “How about Nancy? Do they have any idea who shot her? How’s her family doing? Have all of my board members been contacted?”
    “Whoa. One question at a time. The FBI is handling Nancy’s death, and, last I heard, they don’t have any leads. I’m not sure how her family is doing. I had Luke contact everyone on the board and inform them that you’ve been taken somewhere safe after your office exploded. They all seemed to understand, especially given the circumstances. We also warned them all to be careful.”
    “What about the backup of my computer files? Were you able to access them?”
    “There’s someone at the office working on that now. Right now, the apparent connection of the people on this hit list is Operation 26 Letters, though we don’t know why.”
    The group began to walk toward the Africa exhibit where Aidan would get his award. Jack scanned the crowds, just as he’d done every five minutes since they’ve been at the zoo. Everything appeared peaceful, like a normal day at the Virginia Zoo. But the most peaceful moments could be deceptive.
    “You look worried,” Rachel whispered.
    “Not worried. Just alert.”
    The teacher looked back at them, and Jack pulled Rachel closer.
    “Is that really necessary?” Rachel’s voice held an edge of agitation.
    Was it necessary? A good question, but why miss an opportunity? “Look happy, so no one gets suspicious,” Jack said.
    A smile crossed her features. Jack could tell she tried tosoften the tight lines at her lips, but it didn’t work. Her smile looked forced. And he was pretty sure she was blushing again.
    “Ms. Reynolds?”
    Rachel’s head swung toward the voice. Jack looked up and saw a woman with a cameraman trailing her. She thrust a microphone in Rachel’s face. Rachel raised a hand to shield herself from the lens just as Jack stepped between them.
    “I’m Vanessa Rodgers with Channel 8. We’d agreed to do a Top Kid of the Week special on your son, Aidan, and his award here at the zoo today.”
    Rachel’s shoulders sagged and she frowned. “I’d totally forgotten. Listen, I’m sorry to do this to you, but it’s not a good time. Some things have happened since then and—”
    “By ‘some things,’ do you mean the bombing of the building housing your nonprofit, Operation 26 Letters?”
    “This is not the time or place,” Rachel muttered.
    “Does the FBI have any leads as to who was behind the bombing?”
    “No comment,” Jack said. He kept Rachel moving but the reporter stayed on them.
    “Is it true that it was an anti-military group behind the attack?”
    “No comment,” Jack repeated. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave, ma’am. This isn’t the time or place to ask those questions.”
    “Can we set up a time somewhere else then?”
    “Please, just leave,” Rachel said.
    Jack heard the strain in her voice.
    “Is everything okay?” Patricia appeared with a worried expression on her