Page 84
Story: Deadly Rescue
“Doing our best. Slow things down if you can.”
“We’re working on that. I’ve got to go. I’m driving like I’m in a rally race right now. I wish Andre was here.”
“Good god, Sprite. Hang up.”
I can’t. I’m concentrating on the road, so he disconnects. Mashing the little accelerator and grinding the gears, I drive like a possessed woman, pushing the little rental car to its limits through the winding English countryside.
When I make my stakeout spot, there’s only one vehicle parked in the overlook. A couple of kids are making out in the front seat of an old truck.
Discreetly, I pull the binoculars out and wait for signs of Mako and Scotch on the road below as my heart tries viciously to destroy my sternum.
I can’t imagine what kind of go-juice the baby is getting right now. Super-stress hormones can’t be good for the little thing.
Taking a few breaths, I try to get my center back. But holy hell— When the man you can’t do without is down there being exchanged for two million dollars, how is a girl supposed to keep her shit together?
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe.
The blue rented sedan they are driving finally appears in the distance. It winds slowly through the twists and turns in the dull gray winter landscape.
Pretending the car is losing power, Mako slows and speeds the thing at irregular intervals. Finally, it comes to a stop in front of me. A hillside several hundred yards long and small stream separate us. Mako climbs out. He pops the hood and sticks his head under, pretending to fidget with something. I know Scotch is ‘tied up’ in the back seat, but I can’t see him.
I frantically dial Marshall’s satellite phone again. “Where are you?”
“Waiting for clearance to land the jet.”
I can’t even reply, I’m so upset.
“Sprite. We’re coming as quickly as we can. What’s happening on the ground?”
“Mako and Scotch are in place. It looks like Mako is on the phone right now. Calling the target.”
“Copy. I’ll update you as soon as we land.” The line goes dead and I drop my head to the steering wheel. Tears well in my eyes.
This is so jacked, I can’t sit here and let them do this without cover. I’m too far away here. If I had a sniper rifle… And sniper training. I could do something.
I slip on my coat and stuff an extra ammo clip in the back of my jeans. When Mako’s looking the other way, I slide from the car. Hugging the tree line, I start a slow descent.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Mako’s voice carries to me through the car windows. Sounds like our plan is working.
After a few minutes of doing something under the hood, he climbs back in the car and tries to start it. The cable he unhooked keeps it from firing over.
“They bought it.”
We worked out the details before, but now that it’s almost time, it feels wise to revisit.
“Good. We’ll see how it goes. If Daddy dearest really cares about his kids, then he’s going to be easy to get close to. Then I can subdue him while you take care of any goons he might have along for the ride.”
Mako sits forward suddenly. “Looks like it’s game time. We got a limo at ten o’clock. Moving fast.”
“Just one?”
“Yep.”
“We’re working on that. I’ve got to go. I’m driving like I’m in a rally race right now. I wish Andre was here.”
“Good god, Sprite. Hang up.”
I can’t. I’m concentrating on the road, so he disconnects. Mashing the little accelerator and grinding the gears, I drive like a possessed woman, pushing the little rental car to its limits through the winding English countryside.
When I make my stakeout spot, there’s only one vehicle parked in the overlook. A couple of kids are making out in the front seat of an old truck.
Discreetly, I pull the binoculars out and wait for signs of Mako and Scotch on the road below as my heart tries viciously to destroy my sternum.
I can’t imagine what kind of go-juice the baby is getting right now. Super-stress hormones can’t be good for the little thing.
Taking a few breaths, I try to get my center back. But holy hell— When the man you can’t do without is down there being exchanged for two million dollars, how is a girl supposed to keep her shit together?
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe.
The blue rented sedan they are driving finally appears in the distance. It winds slowly through the twists and turns in the dull gray winter landscape.
Pretending the car is losing power, Mako slows and speeds the thing at irregular intervals. Finally, it comes to a stop in front of me. A hillside several hundred yards long and small stream separate us. Mako climbs out. He pops the hood and sticks his head under, pretending to fidget with something. I know Scotch is ‘tied up’ in the back seat, but I can’t see him.
I frantically dial Marshall’s satellite phone again. “Where are you?”
“Waiting for clearance to land the jet.”
I can’t even reply, I’m so upset.
“Sprite. We’re coming as quickly as we can. What’s happening on the ground?”
“Mako and Scotch are in place. It looks like Mako is on the phone right now. Calling the target.”
“Copy. I’ll update you as soon as we land.” The line goes dead and I drop my head to the steering wheel. Tears well in my eyes.
This is so jacked, I can’t sit here and let them do this without cover. I’m too far away here. If I had a sniper rifle… And sniper training. I could do something.
I slip on my coat and stuff an extra ammo clip in the back of my jeans. When Mako’s looking the other way, I slide from the car. Hugging the tree line, I start a slow descent.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Mako’s voice carries to me through the car windows. Sounds like our plan is working.
After a few minutes of doing something under the hood, he climbs back in the car and tries to start it. The cable he unhooked keeps it from firing over.
“They bought it.”
We worked out the details before, but now that it’s almost time, it feels wise to revisit.
“Good. We’ll see how it goes. If Daddy dearest really cares about his kids, then he’s going to be easy to get close to. Then I can subdue him while you take care of any goons he might have along for the ride.”
Mako sits forward suddenly. “Looks like it’s game time. We got a limo at ten o’clock. Moving fast.”
“Just one?”
“Yep.”
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