Chapter 6
Chapter Six
When two sets of headlights cut across the runway, I start to move for cover. What kind of trouble have we got now?
God knows, it just keeps on coming.
Then a glint of light catches on something blue on the roof of the first truck—an unlit law enforcement light bar. Behind it is an ambulance.
A few seconds later a third vehicle arrives.
Based on the height and angle of the lights, I’d say it’s Agile’s other truck—the replacement for the one that blew up.
Boots hit the pavement and a shadowy figure starts moving around.
“Yo, Scout.”
I turn toward the voice and lift a hand as a familiar federal agent strides toward me. He snorts as his hawk-like eyes take in the scene .
The small white and black plane is lying inertly on its top. The damaged trucks are parked haphazardly. Plastic and glass parts are all over the ground. A gun and a knife are lying in the rain.
Clearly, a lot has happened.
Shaking his head, he rests a hand on his service revolver. “Didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”
I lift a shoulder. “What can I say? Trouble follows me.”
He adjusts the collar of his raincoat, pulling it higher. “Sorry it took me so long to get here. How many bodies?”
“Two. Behind the other truck.”
“Both rebels?”
I glance toward the two prone forms. “I guess. Armed. Not too smart. Our team had a run in with some in Santa Rosa. Seems like a similar type.”
He listens intently as I give him a two minute rundown of what happened.
“I don’t like it.” He frowns, turning introspective for a beat. “I especially hate that they tried to grab a woman. That’s an escalation from what we’ve seen before.”
A memory of the man dragging Aria from the plane flashes through my mind. It flares my anger again. “I don’t know what their intention was, but it wasn’t good.”
I turn my attention toward the truck where Aria is waiting with Griff. Her shadowed face can barely be seen through the gloom and rain.
But I don’t have to see her to know she’s watching us talk.
An electric sensation stirs at the nape of my neck. It’s been there the whole time she’s been watching.
My sixth sense pokes at me, but the message is muddy and the vague warning makes me crazy. I can’t stand chaos.
He tips his chin and focuses on the plane again as the other member of Griff’s dive team jerks bags out of the cargo area. Jackass attitude still on display.
“Where’s the pilot?”
“He’s hiding under the wing, crawled into a hole underneath.”
“Madres Dios.” He leans down, squinting through the darkness, even though we’re twenty yards away. “Is he in shock?”
“That and maybe concussed too. But the real problem is he’s armed with a flare.”
Resting his hands on his hips as rain runs down his Vandemora Federal Agent jacket, Torres shakes his head slowly. “I’m going to let the ambulance people take care of that.”
“Yeah, that’s why he’s still under there. I wasn’t ready to tangle with him. I had enough fun for one night. Maybe when he sees their medical uniforms he’ll feel safe enough to come out.”
“Hey guys.” My teammate, Justice, strides through the puddles. “Man, what the hell, Scout?”
I chuckle darkly. “You missed the party.”
“I can see that, what a mess. Looks like a demolition derby.”
For a few seconds, Agent Torres, Justice and I watch Brundage work. I should probably offer to help, but he’s grouchy as fuck and I’ve had enough. I’m out of gas.
Justice is on it though, he takes off at a trot to assist moving the dive equipment. Because that’s the kind of guy he is. Always ready to jump in and help.
Agent Torres, leans against the hood of his SUV. “How do you think that happened?”
“Probably just got too close to the edge of the runway. The ground is soft. ”
“The bandits must have heard it come in for a landing. Who was onboard?”
“Three plus the pilot. That guy, last name Brundage. The other two are in my truck.”
“They okay?”
“She’s fine. He’s sick as fuck. Needs medical care.”
“Not injured?”
“Something with his ear.”
His eyes turn reflective, then he nods. “Isn’t this the team of rescue divers your company brought in?”
“Affirmative.”
With a shake of his head, he mutters, “Well, shit.”
“My feelings exactly. Think you can get him in that ambulance and get him some medical care?”
“Yeah, no problem.”
“Good. I’m going to see if I can get my company truck back to Karma.”
Before he goes, Torres thumps a hand on my back. “Do me a favor, keep the rubber side down.”
“That’s my plan. That, and getting some fucking sleep. I’m dead on my feet.”
He stops and looks at me. “Are you sure you can get back?”
“I’ll stop and sleep if I have to.”
“Copy that.” He tugs at his hood again, fighting the rain. “I’ll call tomorrow and we can finalize the report.”
I throw up a hand and take off toward the truck.
Now I just need to get rid of Griff and his girl.