Free The Solomon Key by Shawn Hopkins

Scott turned the wheel violently to the right, taking the Bronco off the asphalt road and plunging it straight through a wall of foliage. There were a few huge bumps that sent both Edward and Scott bouncing out of their seats before even ground was rediscovered.
    Scott jerked his head backwards, stealing a quick glance at the damage they left behind and wondered if there was any way the soldiers operating the ASVs might miss their maneuver and drive straight past the secret path. It didn’t look too bad. The hard turn didn’t seem to leave skid marks on the blacktop, and the brush they ran over sprung back to at least half-life. He drove forward through the darkness for a few more seconds before stopping and turning off the car, killing the brake lights. Because better trained soldiers would be concentrated in areas of conflict and not up here in the middle of nowhere, he figured those chasing them were probably some of the less experienced. If so, the odds of them passing by would be much more favorable. In fact, the line of vehicles were going way too fast to notice any sign of a departure from Worden Road.
    “Looks like they passed right by,” Edward said, trying his hardest to see through the trees.
    “Hopefully they take it to the end. That should give us enough time.”
    He started the Bronco back up, turned on the parking lights, and continued bouncing forward across the uneven terrain.
    Edward finally released his breath. “Where are we going?”
    “I have a spot where we can spend the day.”
    Edward stared at him, watched him drive, watched his eyes. He didn’t appear to be nervous or scared, and the look on his face wasn’t a new sight to Edward. Indeed, he’d spent a good portion of his life around such cold professional types. But until now, Matthew Scott had shown no clear indication that he was one himself. “You plotted this path a long time ago.”
    It wasn’t a question.
    A slight nod, Scott’s eyes never coming off the invisible road ahead. There was very little light making its way through the canopy above, and he didn’t want to alert the helicopters by turning on the headlights. So it was a slow ride full of scrapes and dents attacking the sides of his old truck. “I made it,” he clarified.
    “You made it?” Edward asked in disbelief. He brought his big hand up to his bald head. “You knew this day would come...”
    Scott’s eyes darted over at him. “You didn’t?”
    Edward didn’t answer, just stared up at the colorful leaves that were the park’s sky. “This spot we’re going to, what is it?”
    “A cave.”
    “They’ll send dogs.”
    “I know.”
    “It’s not a coincidence that this park is here, is it?” Edward asked, a vague picture beginning to form in his mind.
    Scott quickly turned the wheel to avoid a hidden bolder that was occupying the left side of the path. “No. It’s why I picked this place.”
    Edward squinted. “Access north… why would you need that, Matthew?”
    But he only grinned as he brought the truck to a stop. “Okay, you get out. I’m gonna ditch this thing and then come back to get you.”
    Edward’s eyes flashed an ever-so-quick response that Scott interpreted as suspicion.
    “I promise.”
    Edward nodded without argument and pushed the door open, climbing down into a bed of wet ferns. Then he softly closed the door and brought the M4 up to his shoulder.
    As the Bronco began moving away from him, turning and disappearing through another wall of plant life, he hobbled over to a large tree and sat. Soon the sound of the Bronco faded, and the biological life of the forest filled its void. He looked at his watch. It was 6:34. He rested the weapon on his lap and pulled at his jacket, fighting against the cold October morning. As his breath materialized in front of him, he listened to the sound of a nearby stream. The wind was blowing through the trees, rustling the leaves. A few fluttered to the ground around him. He used to take Jack to