Warrior Nights

by Sheryl Nantus

  “They’re not my boys,” he snapped back, his patience beginning to wear thin. “And yes, the Sons’ standard operating procedure is to isolate the target, the area they’re working in. I’d put money on someone between here and Denver cutting the land lines. It won’t scare the locals, who’ll blame it on the storm.” He nodded at Kara. “They followed her here to find me. In a way, this is your fault.”

  Marie slammed the phone down and reached for her cell phone, still glaring at him. “Explain.”

  He hadn’t wanted to tell her, but given her reaction, it needed to be said. “It was your sending out Kara’s prints and photograph that triggered their search engines. They had her image in their files as a casual acquaintance of mine, and they hadn’t been able to find her since a year ago when we both disappeared from the hotel. I ended up in the Ridge, Kara went…”

  He paused. “Wherever. But when her picture came across the wires, they traced it back to here. Plan was simple. Come to town, flash my picture around, ask if anyone recognized me.”

  “You’re the one who brought her in.” She growled. “You asked me to run her prints. Remember that.”

  “I will,” he said.

  Marie held the cell phone out in front of her, raising and lowering her arm with a snarl. “No damned bars. Think they took out the towers?”

  “Might be a bit extreme for them,” he deadpanned. “But the coverage here in town gets spotty at the best of times. We’ve got the first major storm of the season hitting us hard. I wouldn’t be surprised.”

  She dropped the phone on her desk and moved around to the nearby computer, running her fingers over the keyboard.

  A shake of her head confirmed Liam’s fears.

  “Computer network’s down. Can’t even send out a damned email.” She glared at Liam. “Do they have their own satellites, or did they shoot ours down?”

  “Jamming technology. They’ll set it up in the hotel room, throw a blanket as far as they can to cut wifi, Bluetooth,” Liam offered without smiling. “When it comes to tech, they’ve got the best. It won’t last forever—eventually people in town will notice it’s too much to blame on the storm and get curious, ask around. But by then the Sons will be gone.”

  “Is there another way to call out?” Kara asked.

  “Not until the storm quits and the plows come through. This isn’t that uncommon, losing all communication with the outside. People just hunker down with their books and board games.” Marie glanced at the windows. “When the storm ends, people’ll start shoveling out, the volunteer fire department running the small plow around to open up the streets. But we’re isolated until the big guys come down the highway and connect us with the outside world again.”

  Kara put her empty cup of coffee down and stood up. “Take those cuffs off of him—we’ve got work to do.”

  Marie stared at her as if Kara had grown horns and a tail. “What? Listen, you’re lucky I haven’t tossed your ass into a cell. I still might.”

  Kara crossed her arms. “No. No, you won’t because we’re all that stands between you and people dying.”

  The police chief eyed her. “I’m listening.”

  “This isn’t about what he did in the past, who he was.” She pointed at Liam. “It’s what he is now. You knew him as Jack until a few minutes ago—he’s the same man.”

  Marie gave an angry shake of her head. “He lied to me. And this entire town.”

  “Because he had to. Because he’s changed. Because he’s trying to atone for his sins, work his way back into Odin’s good graces.”

  The chief’s eyes narrowed.

  “Look, this isn’t about him—at least, not right now. It’s about saving your town.” Kara turned toward the windows, the panes clotted with wet snow. “If they haven’t found McKay by now, they will soon enough and know we’re onto them. If they have found him, they’re going to be angry and know that Liam’s searched his room and gotten the data. Then what will they do?”

  Liam stiffened in the chair, his mind racing.

  “I can tell you what I’d do,” Kara continued. “I’d play it cool, keep the facade up of their company retreat going until the snow eases up and they can move out of the building. After that, they’re going to pillage and burn their way through Everett’s Ridge until they find us. They’ve got the mayor and the rest of the hotel residents there, hostages they can interrogate and use as human shields.” She swallowed hard. “Lizzie’s there, along with the other seniors. They’re not going to put up a fight.”

  “Let me toss this other scenario at you. They don’t know you’re still in town,” Marie offered. “Might be you got out before the storm hit. So they grab their buddy, jump in their van, and try to catch up with you. Could be on the side of the road right now, snowed in like I found you.” The tone of her voice showed her disbelief in her own theory.

  “They’re not going to leave a job half done in the hope we got through the storm to Denver.” Kara shook her head. “These men, they don’t mess around.”

  It was Liam’s turn to speak. “They were behind us when we left, back at the hotel. No one passed us on the road. We would have seen them on the way back into town. They’re still here. And they’ll want to finish their contract.” He searched her face, seeing the determination in her dark brown eyes. “Their original plan was stealth. They thought they’d slip into town, hit me and leave. Maybe take Kara with them and dump her body somewhere or kill her in my apartment, make it a murder-suicide and close the books. You’d do an investigation but have no reason to think anything other than what they’d set up for you to find. Done and done, they’re gone.”

  Marie nodded. “Given what I didn’t know about you until five minutes ago, it’d be a hot gossip item for a few months, then nothing. No extended family to ask questions, no one comes to claim the bodies, case closed. Damn.” She put a palm to her forehead. “This is too big for me to handle—I’m not ashamed to say it.”

  “You’re a wise woman,” Kara said. “Now uncuff Liam and we’ll figure something out. You know how much he loves the Ridge. Do you think he’d do anything to hurt it?”

  The chief chewed on her lip for a few seconds, obviously weighing Kara’s argument. Finally, she went to Liam and undid his cuffs, tossing them onto a nearby desk. A few more steps had her retrieving his pistol. She walked over and held it out.

  “For the last year you’ve been Jack Hammerson, a good man. Someone I trusted and liked.” She stared at him. “I want to believe you’re still that man. Tell me how we can save the Ridge.”

  Liam nodded and reclaimed the weapon. “First, you’ve got to leave.”

  Marie’s eyebrows rose. “Excuse me? I’m the only cop here in town.”

  “Yes. Which is why you’ve got to get one of those snowmobiles from out back and head out on the road.”

  “And where do I go?”

  “Try the Jarretts, hook up with Dwayne if he’s holed up there, see if they have cell service. Maybe go all the way to Denver, meet the plows as they turn off the main highway to come down this way. I’m making this up as I go along—you figure it out.”

  “But…” Marie started.

  It was hard to keep the anger at the Sons from bubbling up and over, clouding his vision. “Listen—if Kara or I go, no one’s going to understand what we’re talking about. If I reveal my true identity there’ll be trouble. I’m a wanted fugitive in many countries and Kara’s a ghost with nothing behind her. We start talking about a mercenary group hiding out in Everett’s Ridge and they’re going to lock us up while trying to figure out what we’re talking about. By the time they get around to acting on our information, it’ll be too late.”

  Marie gave him a knowing glare. “The badge makes the difference.”

  “Exactly.” The plan was coming together in his mind, albeit very rough around the edges. “We don’t have time to spare—once the snow stops and the plows head out, the Sons of Cain are going to be on the move.” He paused. “They might
be already working inside the hotel, scoping out the residents and who they can use for information and for protection. You’ve got to go get the cavalry.”

  She drew a deep breath and scrubbed her eyes before turning her attention back to the pair. “Okay. This is what we’re going to do. Latest forecast had the storm going overnight, dumping another dozen inches on us. Total snowfall, just over two feet. Then another wave in a day or so, depending on how fast the weather system travels.”

  Kara let out a soft gasp.

  “Yeah. Welcome to the Ridge.” The woman shook her head. “The two of you warm up and I’m going to go find you some uniforms. Got some spares in the back that’ll fit.”

  “For what?” Liam asked.

  “I’m deputizing you both, silly.” She held up a single finger. “I need help and it’ll be a lot easier for all involved if you’re looking official-like. So shut up and think of something past me shooting out of town on a snowmobile.”

  She strode past the pair, swearing to herself as she exited the main room.

  Liam sat down again. “Well, that was easy.”

  Kara let out a laugh. “Really?”

  “Compared with what we’ve got to do?” He jerked a thumb at the back of the room.

  She came over and caressed his face. “I’m so sorry.”

  He leaned into her touch, trying to commit it to memory. “About what?”

  “All of this. It’s on me. I brought them here.”

  He pressed his hand against hers. “No. It would have happened at some point in the future—I thought my client had walked away, given up after five years. I’m the one who did this, unfinished business coming to my front door, to my home.” He sighed.

  She bent down and kissed him, stirring the fire inside.

  “Damn love birds.”

  They broke apart to see Marie approaching with two sets of uniforms. “Get out of that damp clothing and into this—at least you won’t die of pneumonia.”

  Chapter Twenty

  If there was a greater plan here, Kara couldn’t see it. Right now, all she spied was death and destruction crashing down on Everett’s Ridge, their own Ragnarök, if they didn’t do something.

  She just couldn’t figure out what.

  The uniform shirt and pants were a bit tight, but dry and warm. Kara looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. The shiny metal badge on her chest had been a last-minute addition, Marie pulling the shield out of the desk and handing it at her.

  “You’re official now,” the woman announced.

  Kara drew her fingers over the raised surface. Wasn’t a breastplate and wouldn’t stop any bullets but she felt…

  Good. Right.

  She’d checked the wound in her side while changing—still oozing a little blood, but nowhere near as ugly-looking as it’d been earlier that day. The stitches were clean and tight—if there was a scar, wouldn’t be that noticeable.

  Kara offered a prayer up to Freyja. If they were about to fight for their lives, she could use a little celestial blessing.

  My lance couldn’t hurt. Along with my wings and armor.

  A tingling ran along her arms, and for a second, she thought her prayers were about to be answered.

  Nothing.

  Pushing down the nugget of greasy fear congealing in her belly, she went back out to the front.

  Liam was there already, grinning as he posed in his new uniform. He touched his pistol, now resting in the leather holster at his side.

  “Don’t ask,” Marie said, interrupting Kara’s unspoken question. “I’m not even sure I want him to be carrying. But desperate times call for desperate moves, and right now I’m pretty damned desperate.” She studied the Valkyrie. “How are you doing?”

  “Not great. But I can fight.” Kara couldn’t help smiling, admiring the way the blue shirt sat snugly on Liam’s shoulders and back.

  “Do you know how to use a pistol?” the chief asked.

  “Yes.”

  “No.” Liam’s voice carried over hers, stronger and more adamant. “This isn’t the time to give her a beginner’s course.”

  “I can fight,” Kara protested.

  Marie eyed her. “I’m not keen on giving you the two-minute drill. I’m still wondering if I should change my mind about him.” She jerked a thumb at Liam.

  “I need something.” Kara’s attention went to the police baton lying on a nearby desk. “How about that?”

  “I can live with that.” Marie handed her the wooden stick. “Be careful. Don’t rip those stitches out.”

  Kara let out a laugh as she tested the weight, swinging the stick through the air. “I’ll make do.”

  It wasn’t her lance but a fine substitute.

  The police chief donned her thick parka, the official patches and lettering on the back and front marking her as law enforcement. Goggles sat on the table alongside a set of gloves.

  “Right. This is how we’re doing this.” Marie pointed at the window. The snow was still blowing past, but it was getting darker by the second. “I’m taking the main road—I’ve got a full tank of gas and hopefully I’ll hit someplace or someone along the way who can help.”

  “If you reach my truck, you can siphon out the rest of the gas in my tank,” Liam offered.

  She eyed the pair. “Goes without saying that I’m not happy about this, any of this.”

  “I’m sorry. I never planned to bring any of my past into the Ridge,” Liam said.

  “Not all on you. Plenty of people here got things in their past they’d rather not deal with.” She zipped up the parka and reached for the goggles. “Not like yours, but still… And like I said, you’ve been a good man since you’ve been here. If I were standing in front of the Lord, I’d speak proudly in your favor.” She held out her hand. “Good to know you, Jack.”

  Liam smiled and gripped the gloved hand tight. “See you soon, when you return with the reinforcements.”

  “That’s a promise.” She slipped the goggles on. “There’s a second snowmobile in the shed. I’ll leave some gas, but I doubt it’d be enough to make it all the way out. Worst case scenario, save who you can. Bring them to the station and barricade yourself until I bring back help. Keep trying the phones, the computers. Maybe they’ll make a mistake and you’ll be able to get a message out. I’ll stop once or twice on my drive to try and call ahead, sound the alarm.”

  “Will do.” Liam nodded.

  Marie paused before pulling him into a bear hug, her eyes wet. “Damn it, Jack. Don’t mess up a good thing by being a hero. Just hold down the fort until I return.” She released him. “We’ll work something out, I promise. You’ve been one hell of a help around this town and I can’t see the Ridge without you now.”

  Liam nodded, swallowing hard.

  She moved to Kara and pointed at the badge on her uniform shirt. “That means something. Means you’re going to be the one to run to trouble, not away from it. Good men and women die every day wearing that.” Her voice wavered as she continued to talk. “Lift your right hand, both of you.”

  They both did so.

  “I hereby deputize the two of you to help protect the Ridge until I get back.” She paused. “There’s a lot of words I should be saying but right now I’m worried as hell about this town and can’t think of them. But the most important thing, the one thing you both need to understand is that we’re all in this together. We all love this town and don’t want to see anyone hurt.”

  Kara swallowed hard, feeling an invisible weight settle on her shoulders.

  “Anyone asks, tell them we had an emergency and I had to leave. And if they want to dispute me putting those badges on your shirts, tell them to save it until I come back.” Marie gave them both a final nod. “Keep our town safe.”

  She moved to the door and was gone before Kara could say something, anything.

  They didn’t move until the roar of an engine split the silence, rising and then falling away to leave nothing but the winter quiet.

  L
iam turned to her. “So, what do you want to do now?”

  She paced between the desks, staring out the windows. “Are you sure they won’t come out until the snow stops?”

  “Very much so.” Liam cleaned off the nearby desk and pushed it toward the thick wooden front doors.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Keeping us safe for the time being.” He raised a hand before she could move. “Stay there. Last thing we need is for you to aggravate that wound.”

  She watched him shift the desk through the swinging counter and up against the door. He flicked the deadbolt, sealing the two mammoth doors shut.

  “I know they pull open,” Liam said before she could respond. “And if they want, they can get in easily. But let’s make it at least a little bit harder.”

  She nodded as he moved a second desk next to the first, then busied himself back behind the counter building a small barrier, moving other empty desks into a L shape.

  “I can…” Kara stopped as he growled at her.

  “Last thing we need is to try and make it back to Annie’s ’cause you ripped those stitches out. Just sit and rest. Please.”

  She did so, rocking back and forth in the office chair as he finished his redecorating.

  “There.” He glanced at the nearest window, set above the front doors. “Dark outside—time to go to sleep.” He stifled a yawn, and she realized he’d been awake nearly twenty-four hours nonstop, punctuated with various events. “I don’t know about you, but I could use some shuteye. We’ll camp here—gives us a good view of the door and the windows.”

  “But…” She placed her hand over her heart. “The Sons of Cain…”

  “Are going to be doing the same damned thing. They’re not going to try and dig themselves out until daylight.” He grunted. “Let me check the doors in the back and the pantry for some snacks and blankets—be right back.”

  She walked around the main floor, studying the bulletin boards. The darkness settled over the building like a shroud, punctuated every few minutes by a burst of wind.