Page 47 of Sam to the Rescue

Catlike, he slinks forward on the balls of his feet. His hands are open and ready for action. At some level, he must know he’s in deep shit and glances at the sky but if there’s a drone, it’s too high to see. For now, it’s only Sam to the rescue. If I fuck up, my partner, my best friend, and father of my child, could die.

So, this is what it feels like; to have to rescue the one you love? As I wait for his truck to turn onto the main road, I’m torn with guilt. I will never, ever, make him save me again. Well, if I can possibly help it.

Sitting in front of the diner, I let them pass. The plans in the folder show Syracuse as the target. I won’t lose them. Once they have a head start, I follow, staying as far behind as I dare.

God, I wish I had never had to pee that fateful day in the circus gun club. Like any reasonable adult, I should’ve gone before I left home. Then, I never would’ve found the barrels and we would be safe at home. Playing with the old knob radio, I pick up a university radio station. On site, a DJ touts all the fun to be had at the fair and the hundreds of people in attendance.

My resolve strengthens. No one is going to die today.

The truck slows, the distance between us shortens, and I barely have time to pull to the curb. After parking under a highway, Suds changes vehicles.

No, no, no. The drones will lose him. Oh God. My heart sinks. This is so not good. They’re going to kill him unless I put a stop to it.

Chapter 31

Suds

The moment I saw the nitrate bomb, I pressed on my belt buckle. That was over an hour ago, about the same time a school bus parked in front of the farmhouse. Expecting to ride with the rest of the mercenaries, I’m caught off guard when asked to drive a truck, solo. Where the hell are the Feds? Have I been made?

“Stay on the interstate, then take the fairground exit.” Fang tosses me a cheap flip phone. “I call, you answer. Understand?”

“Can I have my gun back?” If not, I’m pretty damn sure they’re not inviting me to the O.K. Corral.

Licking a sharpened eye tooth, the terrorist grins and confirms my suspicions. “Yeah, sure. As soon as we get there.”

Spidey alarms tripped, I’m still considering my options when the burner rings. “Stop under the freeway.” On his command, I slam on my brakes and stop behind a white van, the one with the explosives.

As the Ford’s old engine shudders, I glance in my rearview mirror. In it, a gold Impala pulls to the curb.Goddammit Sam, not so close.

Three COGs exit a dark Cadillac with guns drawn. Fangs and Edge wait, while Murder walks me to the idling doomsday vehicle. “The GPS is programmed. You veer off course, you die.”

I hesitate at his threat and he hisses under his breath. “Do it asshole, or say goodbye to your kid.”

“Prove it.” He’s bluffing but I have no way to be sure. Damn the FBI for putting me in this position.

“Do you need to see his dead body?”

“Hurt him and you will wish to God you had never been born.”

“You have three seconds to decide. One, two…”

I hop in the van and roll down the window. “Why me?”

Fangs laughs. “Nothing personal. Someone has to drive, it might as well be you.”

“How about after I park it, y’all let me go?”

“Maybe. Let’s wait and see how well you can follow instructions.”

Chapter 32

Sam

While my husband trots toward a white van, I remove my weapon from the holster, slide off the safety, and repeat my mantra. I am not a danger magnet. I am a highly paid professional private detective, former federal analyst, and an amazing mom.

Despite the positive self-talk, I have serious doubts. Shooting at the range is one thing. Firing my left hand out the window while driving, is quite another. I see no other choice. Even if there are drones overhead, the vehicle switch will be confusing, and we’ll lose precious time. Soon, the fairgrounds will come into view. Thousands are attending. If there is a bomb, I can only imagine the carnage.

Why doesn’t he pull to the curb? They must be coercing him but how? With what? My heart stops. Oh shit. Maybe they’re using Mikey as leverage. I reach for my cell phone, then recall I left it at home.