Suddenly, the forces that had sent him sliding reversed. He brought the swinging door with him and heard the lock catch just as the last inch of his hold came loose.
“Are you okay?” Kaitlin was yelling above the squeal of tires against the asphalt.
Gasping, Daniel managed to pull himself onto the seat so she could see him. “I’m in. I made it. Keep driving. It won’t be long before the guys who own this car report it stolen.”
Instead of following his orders, she smoothly brought the SUV to a stop on the shoulder of the road. “I need...” she began before starting to cry.
“What? Go. Get us out of here.”
“I can’t see,” she told him. “Can—can you drive?”
“Sure.” Righting himself all the way and carefully positioning his sore leg, he opened the troublesome door and stepped out. Kaitlin was climbing over the center console when he slid behind the wheel and lifted his wounded thigh into place with his hands. All she said between sobs was, “I’m sorry.”
Peace and self-assurance surged through Daniel as he took command. What a terrible choice he’d had to make when he’d abandoned those Good Samaritans. Yet he hadn’t, had he? Other law officers were close by, which solved that problem but added another. If the thugs decided to report the theft of their vehicle immediately, he and Kaitlin might not get far before they were pulled over.
He gave her a look he hoped was encouraging. “Put your seat belt on.”
“You, too.”
Drawing it across his chest he had trouble finding the clasp. She leaned over and helped, her hand on his, her closeness another gift from God that he more than appreciated.
“Got it,” she said, sniffling as she regained some control of her emotions. “I don’t usually fall apart like that. I guess I’m overtired.”
“We both are. It’s been a wild morning.” He chanced a smile in the hopes she was ready for a little teasing. “I can’t say I’m too impressed with your trick driving, though. Let’s not do that again, okay?”
She covered her face with her hands. “My poor truck.”
“And your ID,” he reminded her. “They’ll have that from your purse and the truck license so they know where you live. It’s a good thing you didn’t decide to ditch me and go home.”
“Not in a million years,” she said, finally returning his smile while continuing to sniffle. “I wonder if they have any tissue in here.”
“Take a look. We should check everything, anyway, just in case they left stuff we can use.”
Daniel was keeping his eyes on the road, so he didn’t watch her opening the center console but he couldn’t miss her reaction. “Whoa.”
“Did you find something to blow your nose with?”
“That’s not all. Look.”
A quick glance widened his grin. “Whoa is right. We’ve hit the jackpot.” Not only had Kaitlin found cash and the tissues she needed, when she’d moved the items on top she’d exposed a handgun and a box of ammo.
“Don’t touch that. Chances are it’s tied to more than one crime and covered with incriminating fingerprints. I am glad to know it’s in there. I just don’t intend to touch it unless absolutely necessary.”
“Gotcha.” She blotted her damp cheeks and blew her nose. “I should have known the Lord would provide.”
That brought a laugh. “You have a very strange mind, lady. You know that?”
“You can’t prove God didn’t have a hand in getting us a new vehicle.”
“I suppose you’re going to tell me He also rolled us in a ball and threw us down that hill back there?”
“Well...”
“Uh-huh. That’s what I figured. I can’t believe He would condone what we had to do to get away, either. I’m sure not happy with it.”
“Then why did we do it?”
“I saw no other options. If we’d hung around and told the troopers what was going on they either wouldn’t have believed our story or they would have tried to arrest the guys from this car. A bunch of innocent bystanders could have been caught in a crossfire, including the folks who pulled us out of the wreck.”
“Oh, my. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“We’ll call it commandeering a vehicle for the benefit of stopping a crime,” Daniel said.
“Will that get us out of trouble?”
He had to laugh. “Honey, we are so deep in this muddy mess it will take a battalion of lawyers driving heavy equipment to dig us out.”
“But we’re the good guys.”
“Yes, we are.” Had she noticed what he’d called her just then in a moment of carelessness? She wasn’t acting as if she minded, was she? It was best to watch his speech more closely, though, so he didn’t repeat any endearments. Not only were they not a real couple, they hadn’t even dated.
Coming to a fairly straight stretch of highway Daniel chanced a quick peek at Kaitlin. She’d shut the console and was looking away, keeping him from assessing her mood or well-being. “Kaitlin?”
“Um-hum.”
“You okay?”
With a nod she turned her head. There was a broad smile on her face. Her blue eyes glistened like summer sunshine on ripples in a lake. Was she still fighting tears? He suspected she was and offered comfort. “You won’t get in trouble. I’ll make sure of it. I’ll tell them I forced you if necessary.”
“Won’t work,” she said.
“In a way it’s the truth. None of this was your idea. Why won’t it work?”
She blinked. Sniffled. Continuing to grin she patted the back of his hand before saying, “Because nobody will believe it. After all the time we’ve spent together I know better.” Color rose in her cheeks. “You’re a real sweetie, sweetie.”
Daniel was speechless. He told himself that was because he was busy driving and keeping his eye out for more threats. Well, he was. He was also struck dumb by Kaitlin’s admission that she had not only heard his slip of the tongue, she was ready to reciprocate. He loved it. He also knew he should correct her mistaken notion immediately.
Instead, he schooled his features and gave her a job designed as a distraction, hoping that was enough to keep her from pursuing the current conversation.
“Check the programming in the GPS on the dash and jot down any recorded destinations, will you? Then enter the address for my home station. I intend to go straight there.”
“Won’t the same kind of guys be waiting for you to do that?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “We’ll stop someplace on our way and buy different clothes. Disguises. It won’t be foolproof but it may help one of us get through.”
“One of us?”
Daniel was nodding as he spoke. “Yes. I’m going to write out a confession of sorts for you to give to Chief Broderhaven. Once he sees that, I expect him to arrange a way to bring me in safely. He’s done it before, when he placed me in that safe house.”
“The place where you were shot, you mean?”
“Not right away. I was there for months before anybody figured it out and came after me. My chief is totally trustworthy.”
“So, according to you, that makes two of us, me and him.”
There was nothing Daniel could do but nod. Kaitlin was right. He had no other proven allies on the inside. Although surely there were plenty, he didn’t dare take the chance of placing his life in the wrong hands.
Was it safe to use Kaitlin as his messenger? he asked himself. Maybe. Probably. Unless the information from her truck reached St. Louis before they did.
Pressing harder on the accelerator he upped their speed. Even if they didn’t stop to purchase disguises they might arrive too late. And there wasn’t a thing he could do about it.
* * *
In spite of their race down the highway, Kaitlin was able to nap. The seats of the expensive SUV were much more comfortable than her truc
k had been, and considering the trials they had already passed through, she gave herself permission to close her eyes and rest.
Slowing speed and a change in direction roused her. “Why are we stopping?”
“I need to stretch,” Daniel said, grimacing. “And you need to go shopping.”
“After the gas and breakfast, we’re broke.”
“But our friends aren’t.” He lifted the lid of the console.
Her jaw dropped. “We can’t touch that.”
“I’ll leave an IOU.”
“For real?”
The soft sound of his laughter soothed her. “For real.”
While she watched, he jotted a note on a scrap of paper from the pad she’d used to record the GPS addresses and exchanged it for some of the cash.
“I can’t go into a store like this. Look at me.”
“You look as if you camped in the forest then rolled down a hill in a wrecked truck, but otherwise I see no problems.”
She knew his chuckle was at her expense. Crossing her arms she shook her head. “Nope. Ain’t happening.”
Daniel had pulled the keys, opened the driver’s-side door and was slowly getting to his feet. “Would you rather stand out from the crowd in a store or attract attention in front of the police station we’re headed for?”
Casting around for an alternative, any alternative, Kaitlin noticed the supplies in the rear of the SUV. She circled to the hatchback. “Pop this open and let’s have a look. Maybe we won’t have to waste time shopping.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t think of this.” He made a face. “You can stop showing me up anytime now.”
“Why, when it’s so much fun to outthink you?” This is one of the things I love about you, she admitted silently. You can take a joke as well as deliver one.
“Okay, just keep it private. I’d hate to have the reputation of being outsmarted by a woman.”
“Hah!” She laughed lightly. “If I thought you were serious I’d take offense.” Another giggle. “Anyway, it’s too late.”
“Probably.” As she wiggled a heavy suitcase toward herself he took the handle and assisted. “As big as those two guys were, I doubt we’ll find anything in here that fits.”
“As long as it’s clean I don’t care if I swim in it,” Kaitlin said. She rummaged through the clothing and held up a blue broadcloth shirt with long sleeves. “Oh, goodie. Big and tall. My kind of dress.”
“You’re kidding.”
She held it up to her shoulders and checked the length. “Not in the slightest. It drops to my knees. Now all I need is a belt.”
“In your size? Fat chance.”
“Fat is the key word.” A tan-colored web belt was rolled up and tucked into a side pocket. By starting in front and wrapping both ends around her waist to cross in the back, she was able to bring it back to buckle in front.
“Okay. Your turn.” Kaitlin stepped back and scanned the parking lot. Nobody was paying the slightest attention to them. Impatient, she took out a plain white T-shirt and tossed it to Daniel before pointing across the street. “I’m going to go freshen up and change in that gas station restroom. I’ll probably be able to buy a comb and lip gloss there, too. Coming?”
“I’ll drive over so we’re close to the car for a getaway,” he said.
“Suit yourself.” She was already jogging away with her clean clothes. “I’m not waiting.”
Soap. Water. Heaven, she thought. “I am so looking forward to this.”
For a person whose habits included a daily shower and washing her hair, she was more than eager to feel clean again. If the restroom had a hot-air hand dryer she could even rinse out the clothes she wasn’t able to replace and dry them that way. Oh, joy!
Thoughts of the products available to her in the big-box store where Daniel had parked intruded. She dashed them away. Speed was crucial. In her opinion, so was cleanliness and since she had the chance to wash she was not going to blow it.
A quick dash down the toiletries aisle bought her a brush, shampoo and scented hand soap. She tossed a twenty onto the counter. “I’ll be back in a flash. Keep the change.”
By the time she was done, a short line had formed outside the locked door. Kaitlin was beaming as she pushed past with apologies. “Sorry. Sorry.”
She’d rolled up the sleeves of the shirt and belted it as planned. A colorful scarf around her neck would have made the outfit look enough like a dress to have fooled most men and perhaps a few women. Even plain as it was, she was pleased.
An added plus was the expression on Daniel’s face when she walked out and he saw her. The only thing better would have been sandals instead of her work shoes and she spotted a rack of flip-flops by the exit. There was also a touristy T-shirt that was perfect for him and since she could see he’d already bought food and drinks she simply scooped up her choices and paid for them.
“You bought a ball cap, too. Nice,” Kaitlin said. “This shirt is for you. The white one makes you look as if you snitched it from your daddy.”
“Only if Daddy was a big, green, muscle-bound monster who roared when he was mad,” he said, picturing the Incredible Hulk.
“Works for me. Let’s hit the road. If we drive with the windows open my hair will dry the rest of the way.”
“And you’ll freeze.”
“So, I’ll turn up the heater, too.”
When Daniel gave a short chuckle and asked, “Do you have an answer for everything or is it just my imagination?” Kaitlin was more than ready.
“As long as you don’t require me to be right all the time, I have an answer for everything.”
NINETEEN
They had traded driving duties again and Kaitlin was at the wheel by the time they passed the city limits and caught a glimpse of the famous St. Louis arch in the distance. The GPS in the SUV piloted them through a series of interchanges, indicated which off-ramp to take and guided her along the unfamiliar city streets while Daniel went over his plan again, amending it as he talked.
“I’ve changed my mind. Just drop me off. I’ll go in while you wait outside.”
“Hey, I didn’t get all dressed up to sit this one out,” she gibed. “I even bought new shoes.”
“A bargain at less than five bucks, too.”
“I’m thrifty, especially when I’m spending hot money.”
Sobering, Daniel tried to dial back her enthusiasm by citing cold facts. “This isn’t a TV show, Kaitlin. These bullets are real. All you have to do is look at my leg if you want proof.”
“I know that. I also know I’m doing the right thing,” she said firmly. “I can’t tell you how, I just know, okay?”
“That’s a pretty shaky basis for infiltration into enemy territory.”
“Most of them aren’t enemies. You said so yourself. All I have to do is dodge the sneaky ones and deliver a note to your chief. What could be easier?”
“Just about anything.” When he reached across to touch her hand and felt her shiver it shook him, as well. “I don’t want you to risk it.”
“Too late.”
“It’s never too late.”
“Remember you said that when this is over.” He saw her cheeks growing more rosy before she said, “I don’t want to lose you, Daniel.”
“Of course not. I want us to continue being friends, too,” he said, assuming that was what she wanted to hear. Eyes flashing, she gave him a look that proved how wrong he was. Daniel rallied. “What? You don’t see us as friends? I sure do.”
“Fine. I guess it beats getting a dog.”
“Who put the sour lemon drops in your coffee?”
“Nobody.” Kaitlin was pulling to the curb at a bus stop that happened to be empty at the time. “The navigation system says we’re five hundred feet from our destination. You wanted me to let you out early so you could walk u
p, right?”
“Right. This is close enough. Hang on to the letter I wrote to Chief Broderhaven in case you need proof of your innocence. I’ll approach on foot so I don’t stir things up any more than necessary.”
Kaitlin lowered the power windows as soon as he’d slammed the door. “You can do as you please but I’m still going to see your chief and tell him everything.”
“No. This is police business. I make the rules, remember?” The stubborn set of her jaw and flashing of her eyes was more than worrisome. It was frightening. He grasped the door frame with both hands. “My way, Kaitlin.”
“Uh-uh. Not this time.”
“I thought we were friends,” Daniel said, hoping that approach would sway her.
Immediately before she pulled away and left him standing there by the curb she looked him straight in the eye and said, “If that was all you were to me I might listen.”
* * *
Knowing she had revealed too much, yet certain the clue to her deeply felt commitment had sailed right over his head, Kaitlin forged through traffic. She could see him reflected in the side mirror, struggling along in his black ball cap and the tourist shirt that fit so well it set off his muscular arms and chest. The sight melted her heart and nearly weakened her conviction.
Then she recalled all the things he’d told her about his complicated situation. The most important detail was the danger of being assassinated. She didn’t care who fired the bullet or wielded the knife. All she cared about was keeping Daniel alive.
Yes, she was being selfish. She wanted her dreams for them as a couple to be fulfilled. But even if he never learned to care for her as much as she cared for him, that was okay. Loving him, she only wanted the best, whatever brought him happiness. That was what her parents had never understood, wasn’t it? When you really, truly loved someone, you had to put their happiness first, even if it wasn’t in line with your own vision.
Her jaw clenched. So did her hands on the wheel. There was no place to park in front of the police station or at the jail next door. The only way she’d beat Daniel in the door was to leave the enormous SUV double-parked.
Marked for Revenge Page 17
