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Morgan’s life before she was even sure she’d really brought a naked man into the house.
    Back in the bathroom, he filled two water bottles and stuffed them into the packs. Did she have any food in the kitchen that he could grab?
    He shouldn’t risk it, but the thought of food made his stomach rumble. Another good sign. He wasn’t too sick to eat, and apparently his stomach wasn’t punctured.
    He made his way quietly down the hall and slipped into the kitchen. There was a box of crackers on the counter, and he found sliced cheese in the refrigerator. Probably what she’d had for dinner. He ate some and washed the food down with water from the sink.
    Feeling a twinge of guilt, he took a quick inventory of the kitchen and found granola bars and fig cookies. One of his favorites. There was also canned food, but he shouldn’t spare the energy to carry it. He did, however, take a knife that looked like it would be useful, rationalizing his pilfering with the knowledge that Morgan would be well rid of him.
    After wrapping the knife in a dish towel, he returned to the bedroom, where he stuffed the stolen items into his pack. He hadn’t spotted a back door, but a window would do just fine, since the house was only one story.
    If he’d had any money, he would have paid for the stuff he’d taken, but that wasn’t an option. He’d just have to chalk it up to necessity.
    As he congratulated himself on making a clean getaway, he heard a knock at the door and went stock-still.
    Christ!
    Morgan was in trouble. Unless that was the electric company at the door, coming to ask about her service.
    Yeah, right.
    He wanted to run down the hall and grab her before she could answer, but racing was still beyond him. And calling out would give him away.
    As the knock came again, he moved toward the sound, judging his balance and his fighting potential.
    Morgan’s back was to him as she faced the door. “Who is it?” she asked, and he was glad she had the sense to keep the barrier between herself and the people outside.
    â€œFederal Agents Richards and Becker. We need to talk to you, ma’am.”
    Federal agents my ass , he thought.
    â€œWhat’s this about?” she asked, playing dumb.
    â€œWe’re looking for a fugitive reported to be in this area, and we need your cooperation.”
    Jack shook his head as he recognized the voice as one of Trainer’s men.
    â€œReported by whom?”
    â€œA local resident.”
    â€œI haven’t seen anyone,” she answered, her voice not quite steady.
    â€œWe need to verify that.”
    â€œYou’ll have to take my word for it.”
    â€œI’m afraid we can’t do that.”
    â€œHold up your identification.”
    Apparently the men outside had had enough of playing federal agents—and enough of Morgan’s stalling tactics. Without making another plea for cooperation, they hit the door with something solid.

Chapter 5
    Jack was in no shape for a confrontation, but that didn’t stop him. He was already halfway down the hall when the lock broke and the door burst inward. He was moving faster than he thought possible, given that he’d taken the beating of his life a few hours earlier.
    But he wasn’t going to let these bastards get away with whatever they had in mind for the woman who had saved his life. He kept his gaze on the two men who barreled into the room like Nazi storm troopers on a mission to round up and kill enemies of the state. Despite the false names they’d given, he knew they were Danforth and Ryder, two of Trainer’s most loyal men. But not two of his smartest.
    Danforth saw him coming and was dumb enough to waste his breath and precious seconds on a victory shout. “Like I thought, the lying prick’s here.”
    Jack ignored the jibe and put on a desperate burst of speed, bashing into the militiaman with his shoulder and knocking him against the wall.