The Last Target by Christy Barritt Page A

face.
    Rachel nodded. “I’d forgotten that the media was coming to this event. I’m sorry, Patricia, but this just isn’t a good time, not with the bombing at my office.”
    Jack motioned to two of his men. They stepped forward and distracted the reporter while Jack led Rachel away. It was too late to pretend nothing had happened, though. Crowds of onlookers stared at them, including all of the children in Aidan’s class.
    Jack placed his hand on Rachel’s back. “It’s going to be okay. You did just fine.”
    “I can’t believe I forgot about that. How could I have forgotten?”
    “You’ve had a lot of other things on your mind, to say the least.”
    “And now everyone is staring.” She rubbed her forehead and closed her eyes.
    “They’ll start minding their own business soon.” His gaze scanned the crowd again for anyone suspicious. With everyone staring at them, everyone seemed suspicious.
    His job just got exponentially harder.
     
    Though Rachel was immensely proud of Aidan for his fundraising efforts, she was counting down the minutes until they could leave. Her cheeks still felt flushed from her earlier encounter with that reporter, and she self-consciously kept brushing her forehead when she noticed the looks the other parents gave her.
    She’d contacted the media herself about Aidan’s award. She was a former public relations spokesperson, so she had contacts within the media. She’d hoped to gain attention for the zoo and its projects. As a nonprofit director, she knew all about how important funding was for such groups.
    Of course, the reporter had seemed more interested in the bombing of her nonprofit than Aidan getting his award. She frowned. Go figure.
    She remembered Jack’s admonition that if the media reported on the list, the terrorists would simply get the publicity they desire and spark the fear in people that they longed for. She wouldn’t let that happen. That was one battle they wouldn’t win, if she had anything to do with it.
    But if she thought everyone believed her excuse that she just needed to get away, she was delusional. Patricia continually gave her fleeting looks, and a wrinkle of concern seemed permanently pressed between her eyes.
    “Don’t look so worried,” Jack whispered.
    Just the feel of his breath on her ear made her muscles tighten again. Why was she letting the man have this effect on her? Was she a teenager, inexperienced with the opposite sex? Hardly. But that’s what she felt like.
    “Mommy! Mommy! Look!” Aidan ran over and thrust his plaque into her hands.
    “Congratulations, honey. I know you worked hard to earn this. I’m so proud of you.”
    “I get to go feed the giraffes now!”
    Rachel tried to smile as he skipped away to join the zoo-keeper. She looked around, waiting to see someone out of the ordinary appear. She waited to hear gunshots, to feel a panicked frenzy spread throughout the crowd. Instead she heard children laughing, a lion roaring, a custodian pass with a squeaky cart.
    From below, she saw Aidan holding a handful of hay. She held her breath, anxious for him to be beside her again. From across the deck, she spotted Luke dressed in casual clothes. A woman stood beside him and together they pointed at the animals and she pulled up a camera to snap a picture. If Rachel hadn’t known who he was, she would have never guessed he was an Eyes agent.
    Finally, Aidan joined her back on the viewing platform and they began the last leg of their field trip to the zoo.
    Lord, You’ve gotten us this far. Is it too much to ask for a few more minutes?
    With relief, they approached the exit. Her heartbeat finally slowed as they stepped outside the gates. Jack still kept up his façade as they left by holding her hand as they walked through the parking lot. At least, Rachel justified, she did feel safe with Jack so close. Physically, at least. Her heart was a different story. Her heart fluttered with betrayal every chance it got.
    Jack lifted