Chapter 14 #2
“After we give the software company their tech back, and halfheartedly try to convince them we didn’t already release everything on the internet, we should go to Salt Lake City. We have a few days, so why not see if there’s a way we can help?”
“I’m not going without the others, and we need to see if Zeyla and Maizie get through this unscathed first.”
He was right. They didn’t know what was happening with the RV and the chopper. Lord, help them, please. Just like they didn’t know what was happening with Ramon and the guys from Miami Security International.
“We need to ID the podcaster and send the information for that case you worked to local law enforcement.” He glanced at her for a second, then slowed for the blacktop. He pulled out onto the barren road and set off, going north toward the rendezvous where Maizie and Zeyla should meet them.
“True.” She still wanted to know that Ellayna was all right—before she tried to talk some sense into the girl. “But if something happened to their family because of the podcast—”
“Not because of you. As long as you know that.”
“I know.” She nodded. “I still want to try and help.” She reached over and hit the talk button. “How is it going, Maze?”
Kenna waited a few seconds, plenty long enough. Assuming they weren’t otherwise indisposed.
She tapped the button again. “Preston, can we get an update?”
Nothing.
She twisted in her seat, scanning the sky in the direction they should be. “I don’t see his helicopter.”
“We shouldn’t have split up. We should’ve stayed together.”
She wanted to point out that what he was feeling happened to be exactly what she felt in hearing the hospital in Pueblo had exploded, but now might not be the time to commiserate about caring for someone who regularly put themselves in dangerous situations.
Instead, she said, “Zeyla won’t let anything happen to Maizie.”
“I’m more worried about her driving the RV.” He tried to make light of it, but it didn’t quite work.
Jax hit the gas pedal again, probably breaking the speed limit. They sped around a bend in the highway and passed a parked cop car. The officer held a radar gun pointed at them.
“Uh-oh.” Kenna watched in the side mirror as the officer pulled out, following them. Red-and-blue lights turned on, and the siren started. “We could tell him my water broke, and I’m in labor.”
“He’ll try to escort us to the hospital.” Jax braked and eased to the side of the street.
“Good point. The truth?”
“Worth a try.” He stopped the car partly on the shoulder.
The cop parked behind them and climbed out of his car. Jax had the registration in hand before the cop started toward them, leaving the glove box hanging open. She closed it so he wouldn’t see the pistol tucked there. Jax slid the driver’s license from his wallet and eased his window down.
“Of course, we’re going to get a speeding ticket after fleeing armed gunmen.” She didn’t know whether to laugh or be annoyed.
The cop came into view by the back window.
She heard another vehicle, probably just someone driving on the highway. Or she thought so until the cop stopped by Jax’s window.
A second later, a black SUV slammed into him with a sickening thud.
The SUV blurred past, going way too fast. No time for anyone to avoid the intentional hit-and-run.
The cop slammed to the ground in front of their car, a ragged mess.
Kenna screamed, covering her mouth with her hands.
The SUV driver hit the brakes and swerved the car around in an arc, stopping with the driver’s side visible. Two windows lowered, and automatic weapons were pointed out at them.
Jax raised his window.
Muzzle flashes. The relentless pop-pop of rounds slamming into the car, rocking the vehicle.
Kenna ducked her head, but the armor held. The window caught bullets but didn’t shatter. The rounds barely made indents in the clear material, but the illusion of safety wouldn’t last.
She slid her phone from the cupholder and called 911.
“If we go, they’ll keep chasing us.”
Kenna said, “We can’t wait for Preston.” The call connected. “We need help! We’re being shot at, and one of your highway patrol officers is down! He was—” A lump clogged her throat, and she had to cough it out.
“Officers are en route.”
“If you have a helicopter, send it! And SWAT.” She had to breathe. My baby. “These people won’t stop until we’re dead.”
The phone fell from her hands.
Jax grabbed the gun from the glove compartment.
She grasped his elbow. “Don’t get out.” She didn’t want to be in the car all by herself. She also couldn’t stand to sit here, doing nothing to help, while he faced down armed men to keep her and the baby safe, risking his life for them.
“I could climb in the back, use the car for cover, and shoot them over the roof.”
“They should’ve installed turret guns with all the bells and whistles on this thing.” She had to distract herself somehow from thinking about the three men now approaching them.
Each man fired round after round at the body of the car. The windows. Any point of weakness they thought they could find, including the gas tank cover.
If one of them shot into the tank, would it ignite and explode?
Surely, there were safety measures in place.
Lord, help us. She needed the police to get here as quick as they could. Please don’t let us be too far out. She’d never prayed for the police to show at a scene as hard as she did just then.
And yet, part of her still wanted to be with Maizie and Zeyla, helping them. Or asking Preston to come here. But they couldn’t.
They would keep each other safe. She and Jax were on their own.
A man rounded the car to her side and tried the door. Locked. He jiggled the handle like he wanted to tear it off, and when it didn’t open, he lifted his weapon and fired at the window. Shooting at her from point-blank range.
The bullets embedded themselves in the window, but it didn’t break.
She wanted to curl forward and cover her head. That wouldn’t help her if this guy got through the car’s security measures.
One of the others hammered the butt of his gun on Jax’s window. Another man climbed on the hood and kicked at the spot that had been shot already, trying to weaken that point and get through the window.
Jax put the car in drive and hit the gas, going forward a few feet and then stopping sharply. The man on the hood fell to the side.
Red-and-blue flashing lights and the sound of police sirens drew her attention and that of the men around the car.
The cavalry had arrived.
She watched out the windshield at a stream of police vehicles, three of them, speeding up the road toward their car. Jax grabbed the wheel and started the car moving so the police cars passed them, and he pulled over with the police and gunmen behind them now.
He twisted in his seat. “One just hit a guy. Payback.”
She winced.
“They’re taking care of it.” He covered her shaky hand with his. “We’re good. We’re safe.”
Kenna wasn’t so sure about that.