Somewhere Far (A Piper Woods FBI Suspense Thriller—Book Four)

By Molly Black

Former FBI Special Agent Piper Woods, expert tracker and survivalist, left the force behind after a traumatizing case to live far off the grid. The FBI needs her help, though, when a killer disappears deep into a National Park. Only Piper can track him and chase him down the rapids and waterfalls and harsh terrain that may just lead to both of their deaths…

“Molly Black has written a taut thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat… I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next book in the series!”
—Reader review for Girl One: Murder

SOMEWHERE FAR is book #4 in a long anticipated new series by critically-acclaimed and #1 bestselling mystery and suspense author Molly Black, whose books have received over 2,000 five-star reviews and ratings.

A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the Piper Woods series is a riveting mystery, packed with non-stop action, suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.

Future books in the series are also available.

“I binge read this book. It hooked me in and didn't stop till the last few pages… I look forward to reading more!”
—Reader review for Found You

“I loved this book! Fast-paced plot, great characters and interesting insights into investigating cold cases. I can't wait to read the next book!”
—Reader review for Girl One: Murder

“Very good book… You will feel like you are right there looking for the kidnapper! I know I will be reading more in this series!”
—Reader review for Girl One: Murder

“This is a very well written book and holds your interest from page 1… Definitely looking forward to reading the next one in the series, and hopefully others as well!”
—Reader review for Girl One: Murder

“Wow, I cannot wait for the next in this series. Starts with a bang and just keeps going.”
—Reader review for Girl One: Murder

“Well written book with a great plot, one that will keep you up at night. A page turner!”
—Reader review for Girl One: Murder

“A great suspense that keeps you reading… can't wait for the next in this series!”
—Reader review for Found You

“Sooo soo good! There are a few unforeseen twists… I binge read this like I binge watch Netflix. It just sucks you in.”
—Reader review for Found You

• Language: English
• Publisher: Molly Black
• Release date: Sep 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781094378923

Book preview

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S O M E W H E R E

F A R

(A Piper Woods Mystery—Book 4)

M o l l y   B l a c k

Molly Black

Bestselling author Molly Black is author of the MAYA GRAY FBI suspense thriller series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the RYLIE WOLF FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books; of the TAYLOR SAGE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eight books; of the KATIE WINTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eleven books (and counting); of the RUBY HUNTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); of the CAITLIN DARE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the REESE LINK mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the CLAIRE KING FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); of the GRACE FORD FBI suspense thriller, comprising five books (and counting); and of the PIPER WOODS mystery series, comprising five books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Molly loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.mollyblackauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Copyright © 2023 by Molly Black. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Jacket image Copyright Leo Abu-Saa used under license from Shutterstock.com.

BOOKS BY MOLLY BLACK

PIPER WOODS FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

SOMEWHERE SAFE (Book #1)

SOMEWHERE SANE (Book #2)

SOMEWHERE WHOLE (Book #3)

SOMEWHERE FAR (Book #4)

SOMEWHERE WRONG (Book #5)

GRACE FORD MYSTERY

NEARLY MINE (Book #1)

NEARLY SAFE (Book #2)

NEARLY FREE (Book #3)

NEARLY GONE (Book #4)

NEARLY HIS (Book #5)

CLAIRE KING MYSTERY

ONCE HE SEES (Book #1)

ONCE HE LONGS (Book #2)

ONCE HE TAKES (Book #3)

ONCE HE FEELS (Book #4)

ONCE HE KNOWS (Book #5)

REESE LINK MYSTERY

BEYOND REASON (Book #1)

BEYOND REACH (Book #2)

BEYOND REPAIR (Book #3)

BEYOND DOUBT (Book #4)

BEYOND NORMAL (Book #5)

BEYOND HOPE (Book #6)

CAITLIN DARE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

COME GET ME (Book #1)

COME FIND ME (Book #2)

COME TAKE ME (Book #3)

COME CATCH ME (Book #4)

COME SAVE ME (Book #5)

COME STOP ME (Book #6)

RUBY HUNTER SUSPENSE THRILLER

IF I RUN (Book #1)

IF I TELL (Book #2)

IF I LIVE (Book #3)

IF I FORGET (Book #4)

IF I RETURN (Book #5)

KATIE WINTER FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

SAVE ME (Book #1)

REACH ME (Book #2)

HIDE ME (Book #3)

BELIEVE ME (Book #4)

HELP ME (Book #5)

FORGET ME (Book #6)

HOLD ME (Book #7)

PROTECT ME (Book #8)

REMEMBER ME (Book #9)

CATCH ME (Book #10)

WATCH ME (Book #11)

TAYLOR SAGE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

DON’T LOOK (Book #1)

DON’T BREATHE (Book #2)

DON’T RUN (Book #3)

DON’T FLINCH (Book #4)

DON’T REMEMBER (Book #5)

DON’T TELL (Book #6)

RYLIE WOLF FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

FOUND YOU (Book #1)

CAUGHT YOU (Book #2)

SEE YOU (Book #3)

WANT YOU (Book #4)

TAKE YOU (Book #5)

DARE YOU (Book #6)

MAYA GRAY MYSTERY SERIES

GIRL ONE: MURDER (Book #1)

GIRL TWO: TAKEN (Book #2)

GIRL THREE: TRAPPED (Book #3)

GIRL FOUR: LURED (Book #4)

GIRL FIVE: BOUND (Book #5)

GIRL SIX: FORSAKEN (Book #6)

GIRL SEVEN: CRAVED (Book #7)

GIRL EIGHT: HUNTED (Book #8)

GIRL NINE: GONE (Book #9)

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

EPILOGUE

PROLOGUE

Soon, Ethan Blackwell thought, the knowledge as sweet as stolen nectar. Soon I'll be free again. He could feel the tickle of anticipation in his chest, like a thousand minuscule spiders crawling beneath his skin, as he stared out the small window of the prison van.

The van was a nondescript steel box on wheels, its insides just as bleak as its exterior. A row of benches lined both sides, bolted securely to the floor, and three men sat shackled to them by their wrists and ankles: Ethan Blackwood, Gabriel Wolfe, and Mason Cross. The oppressive air inside the vehicle seemed to thicken in the presence of this dangerous company, each of them harboring their own dark secrets.

Blackwood's thoughts turned to the two prison guards responsible for this transport. Owen Callister sat in the driver's seat, separated from the prisoners in the back by a mesh grate, his eyes locked on the endless stretch of road before him. The other guard, a man named Pete Drucker, sat among the prisoners. Sullen and mean-looking, he didn't bother hiding his contempt for the men he was tasked to watch over. His eyes darted between them like a snake tracking its prey, ready to strike at the slightest provocation.

Enjoy your last moments of freedom, he said, his voice a low growl. You'll be rotting away soon enough.

Blackwood met Drucker's gaze without flinching, his own eyes cold and calculating. He had long grown accustomed to the animosity of those who guarded him. But there was something about Drucker's seething hatred that made it sound as if each word carried a promise of violence behind it, waiting patiently to be unleashed.

You'll get what's coming to you, Blackwood thought. Just wait.

The silence returned, heavy and suffocating, as the men continued their journey. Blackwood tapped his fingers on his shackled wrist, wondering how much longer it would be. He stole a glance at Gabriel Wolfe. Wolfe caught the glance and gave him a crooked grin, his eyes dancing with madness.

Wolfe was a wildcard. His reputation preceded him, his name synonymous with chaos and destruction. Mason Cross, on the other hand, was an enigma. He had never quite fit in among the other inmates, his quiet demeanor unsettling in its own way. Blackwood found himself unsure of what to make of Cross, but he knew better than to underestimate anyone.

He'll stay out of the way if he knows what's good for him.

As the prison van rumbled onward, Blackwood felt the weight of the unknown press down upon him like a leaden shroud. But beneath that oppressive burden, the fire of determination burned brightly. Soon, he would be free again—and nothing would stand in his way.

The seconds ticked by as the van rumbled along, bouncing over potholes. Outside the window, the Colorado sky was blue and endless, heralding the start of a golden day. It was so close that Blackwood's heart ached with a sudden yearning for freedom. He needed to escape the cramped van with its stale, sweat-scented air.

Then he spotted it: An old ski lodge with a huge carved bear out front, impossible to miss. It meant they were halfway to the supermax prison—the perfect place to make their escape.

As the van shifted back and forth, Blackwood gave Wolfe a subtle nudge with his elbow. On cue, Wolfe shoved him back, turning to snarl at him.

You touch me again, Wolfe said, I'll tear your throat out.

Staring into those malevolent eyes, Blackwell almost believed him, despite the plan they had rehearsed in advance. Summoning as much defiance as he could muster (a difficult task when gazing into those wild, hateful eyes), Blackwell said, Go ahead and try, you ugly bastard.

That's enough, you two, Drucker said. If you're going to kill each other, do it after we drop you off.

Cross watched the scene unfold silently, his icy gaze never leaving Wolfe. Though he said nothing, Blackwood could feel the weight of his suspicion, and he knew that Cross was well aware of the ruse.

Keep your mouth shut, Cross. Don't try to be the good guy.

Stop looking at me like that, Blackwood said, shoving Wolfe away with his shoulder. You think I want to smell your rancid breath?

Drucker watched them, his lip curling up in amusement. He doesn't care what we do to one another, Blackwell thought, aware of a terrible flaw in their plan. They couldn't get close to Drucker, not with their cuffs, so they had to get him to approach them. But how was that going to happen if he didn't even care what they did to one another?

Wolfe leaned toward him, grinning madly.

I told you, Blackwood began, but before he could finish, Wolfe's head came forward and connected with his nose. There was an instant gush of blood, and he knew without doubt his nose was broken. His head rocked back, blood trickling down his throat and spreading across his chin as waves of pain radiated through his skull.

That got Drucker's attention. Cursing, he lunged forward to grab Wolfe, his baton clutched in his other hand.

Don't! Cross cried, but he was too late. Before he could finish warning Drucker, Wolfe reached up with unexpected speed. The handcuffs gave his hands just enough length to grab Drucker by the collar and slamming him against the van wall. The guard's baton clattered to the floor, his eyes wide with shock and fear.

Blackwood, still reeling from his broken nose, kicked at Drucker's legs, trying to trip the guard as Wolfe fought to get his hands around the man's throat. Adrenaline surged through Blackwood's veins—aside from the broken nose, it was all happening just the way he and Wolfe had planned. He'd thought he must be crazy to have planned anything with someone as unhinged as Gabriel Wolfe, but so far it was paying off. His freedom was so close he could taste it.

As Wolfe and Drucker grappled, their limbs entwined in a violent dance, Wolfe managed to pry Drucker's gun from its holster. There was a deafening blast, and then Drucker slumped back, his face crumpling into an expression of confusion as his hand began to explore the ragged wound that had opened up in his abdomen.

The keys! Blackwood cried, his voice nasal. He reached for Drucker, but his cuffed hands held him back. Grab his keys!

Wolfe, however, had other designs. Leaning as far into the aisle as he could, he aimed for the grate through which Blackwood could see the windshield of the van. The gun went off several times in rapid succession, leaving Blackwood's ears ringing.

The van swerved suddenly, and Drucker stumbled to the floor. The keys attached to his belt lay tantalizingly close to Blackwood's feet, and he leaned forward, trying to grab them. His fingers brushed the keys.

Come on. Just stretch a little farther…

He heard the blare of a car horn, and he glanced out the window just in time to watch the outside world drift by as they careened off the side of a bridge. They seemed to be in the air for a long time, floating weightlessly. Then there was a bone-jarring crunch as the van landed and began to roll, each impact reverberating through Blackwood's body like a sledgehammer. His body shook like a rag doll, and he fought to keep himself conscious, knowing that he would need to flee the scene of the crash as soon as possible.

If he survived it, that was.

The van continued to tumble, rolling like some out-of-control amusement park ride, before finally coming to an abrupt stop. The silence that followed was eerie, interrupted only by a hissing sound from beneath the hood of the van.

Alive, Blackwood gasped, his voice barely audible over the ringing in his ears. We're alive.

Wolfe, seemingly unfazed by what had just happened, was already stooping to pluck the keys from the belt of Drucker, who was moaning and beginning to stir. Wolfe unlocked his cuffs with surprising speed, then tossed the keys to Blackwood with a savage grin.

Stop, Drucker murmured, clamping a hand around Wolfe's ankle. Stay where you are.

A hungry light blazed in Wolfe's eyes. He must have lost the gun during the crash because his hands were empty. With the ferocity of the animal whose name he shared, he lunged at Drucker, hands closing around his throat like a vise.

Wait! Cross shouted, straining against his restraints. The desperation in his voice was palpable, but he was powerless to stop the attack. Blackwood hesitated for an instant, torn between the need to survive and the growing sense of unease that gripped him as he bore witness to the brutal murder before him. He willed himself to look away, his mind rationalizing the gruesome scene; after all, no witnesses meant no one could pin this on them.

Several seconds passed as Drucker gasped for breath. Then, mercifully, his arms went limp and fell back. Wolfe rose, panting. Now for the other one, he said.

This wasn't part of the plan, Blackwood said as Wolfe unlocked the back doors. Neither was you breaking my nose, he added mentally, though he knew better than to express this.

Well, it is now, Wolfe said over his shoulder. He threw the doors open and dropped down.

Staring through the opening, Blackwood saw that they were on the bank of a river – the Colorado River, he guessed – that rushed past just twenty or thirty feet below them, the water sparkling in the sunlight. The sight was so beautiful that it almost brought tears to Blackwood's eyes.

Footsteps moved along the side of the van as Wolfe approached the driver's door.

Come on, man, Cross said to Blackwood, his eyes earnest. You have to stop him. That guard's innocent.

He's a free man, Blackwood said as he finished unlocking his own cuffs. And now, so am I.

Blackwood bent down, searching the floor of the van for the missing gun, and steadfastly ignored the sounds of struggling coming from the front of the van. His hands groped blindly through the debris, fingertips brushing against shattered glass and twisted metal, but the weapon eluded him.

Damn it, he muttered, frustration mounting. He knew he couldn't afford to waste any more time—someone would surely discover the wreckage soon enough.

Screw this, he thought, hurrying toward the door and stepping out into the sunlight. Before he could drop down to the ground, however, Cross's voice arrested him.

What about me?

Blackwood looked back, debating what to do. At the same time, Wolfe came around the side of the van, staring down at his hands with a look of reverence as if high on his own power.

What do we do with Cross? Blackwood asked him, wiping blood from beneath his nostrils with the back of his hand. He felt a strange need to defer to Wolfe, perhaps because he didn't want Wolfe to turn his homicidal rage on Blackwood. They may have worked together to pull off this escape, but Blackwood harbored no illusions about future loyalties.

Roll the van into the river, Wolfe replied nonchalantly as if discussing the weather. Blackwood glanced at the Colorado River, its murky waters beckoning ominously just a