Special Assignment: Baby

by Debra Webb

  He nodded finally. “All right, Beecham.” He slapped the man on the back and produced a smile. “You’ll do fine.”

  Beecham whooped and jumped clear off the floor. Court glanced to his left to find Ferguson watching him. Ferguson looked away too quickly. Instinct warned Court that Ferg was up to something. The first thing Court needed to do was find out what had happened while he was at Sabrina’s. Moving up Fahey’s schedule couldn’t have been easy—there had to be big-time motivation. Unless Fahey moved the schedule up himself. That was a possibility, but every fiber of Court’s being warned him that there was more to it than that.

  Court pushed past the clutch of volunteers in front of him and threaded his way to Raymond at the fringes of the crowd. He tapped his friend on the shoulder and Raymond turned toward him. Raymond would know the deal.

  “What happened?” Court asked. “I thought we were on with Fahey for day after tomorrow.”

  Raymond pulled him to the side. “Joshua got word that the ATF planned to send in another mole. He figured he’d better get this done now.” Raymond’s expression turned angry. “Bastards think they can stop us. I hope I get to kill the next fed in our midst.” He grinned at Court. “Hell, Joshua let you take care of Benson. Didn’t it feel—” Raymond shrugged at his obvious inability to put his feelings into words “—hell, I don’t know, liberating to put a bullet in that bastard’s head?”

  Court nodded as if he understood exactly what Raymond meant. To slow the building disgust that threatened to overwhelm him, Court allowed the image of his son sleeping so peacefully in his crib to fill his mind one last time, then he stored it away.

  Right now he had to focus on the mission. As he surveyed the room once more, his gaze locked with Neely’s. The look that passed between them was unexpectedly revealing and oddly calming.

  Court had been made.

  SABRINA PACED THE FLOOR for more than half an hour trying to decide what to do. How could she just show up at Austin’s? What did he have to do with any of this? How could she think when Court had gone back to the compound knowing that an ambush might be waiting for him? He had risked his life to bring Charlie home to her.

  And now he knew about Ryan.

  Sabrina retraced her path, in the opposite direction. She’d seen the hurt in his eyes. He would never forgive her for keeping that secret. She’d been wrong to do it. Sabrina rubbed her eyes wearily. She’d thought it was the right thing at the time. Court would surely have felt trapped.

  Or would he? She thought she knew all there was to know about Court, but she was obviously wrong. Though she knew Court was a good man, an honorable man, she hadn’t known until tonight how far he would go—just how much he would sacrifice—for someone else. He’d put his life on the line for Charlie. And for her, just last night. Any man who was willing to give his own life for another would do the right thing by his own son.

  Sabrina collapsed into the nearest chair. Court would have done right by her and by Ryan, had she only given him the chance. She closed her eyes and restrained the tears. God, she’d made a terrible mistake. Not one that had cost her, not really, but one that had cost Court…and Ryan. She opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She’d hurt Court and their son by keeping her secret. She’d been wounded, her heart broken, and she’d selfishly chosen the one path that would ensure that Court would be repaid in spades. But she’d been wrong.

  So very wrong.

  Sabrina pushed out of her chair. She had to check on Charlie and Ryan. One way or another she had to keep Charlie safe until she decided what to do. She rolled Daniel’s name over and over in her head, considering how he fit into all this. She had no way of knowing. She only knew that he had helped her in the past. Could she turn to him now, for this? And Court had insisted she go to Austin.

  Moving quietly, she mounted the stairs and eased soundlessly into Charlie’s room. He was asleep. At rest, he looked like the little boy she’d been left to raise. Had she done such a bad job that he couldn’t stand the sight of her now? Sabrina’s chest ached to have the relationship with her baby brother that she’d once had. How could things have gone so wrong so fast?

  Deciding to stay here the night, and careful not to wake Charlie, Sabrina slipped back into the hall. She descended the stairs, other thoughts whirling inside her. She’d made so many mistakes with Charlie and Ryan. How would she ever right all these wrongs? She prayed that she would have a second chance with Charlie.

  And a second chance with Court.

  But somehow she doubted the latter. How could Court ever trust her again? Though he hadn’t blown up completely and threatened to take Ryan from her, time had been short. He’d had to get back to the compound. After he’d had time to think about what she’d done, how would he feel then?

  Sabrina pushed the agonizing thoughts away and peeked in on her baby. She smiled down at him. He was so beautiful. His silky hair ruffled, his lips pursed in sleep, probably dreaming of nursing. She’d loved the feel of him at her breast so much that she hadn’t weaned him until a couple of months ago. He still snuggled against her, but didn’t fret when he realized that Mommy wasn’t going to offer him nourishment or comfort in that manner any longer.

  Okay, Sabrina, lay down your tired head and close your eyes. She knew she couldn’t sleep if she didn’t at least try. In the morning she would go talk to Austin. She shuffled back to the living room and reached to turn out the light when a soft knock at the front door stopped her.

  Fear shot through her. What if Neely’s men were here now, looking for her? Maybe she should have listened to Court. The soft knock sounded again. Sabrina forced herself to be calm. If it were Ferguson or one of his bunch they’d simply kick the door down.

  Shoring up her shaky bravado, Sabrina peeked out the window to look for a vehicle. The outside light cast a large pool of light over the driveway directly in front of the house. Sabrina frowned when she found no vehicle out front. Could someone have parked farther down the drive? Someone who wanted to hide their identity until it was too late and she’d already opened the door? Fear tightened its grip on her. She moistened her lips and eased closer to the door. If whoever was out there decided to knock louder they might wake Ryan. She didn’t want that. But she needed to get her rifle like Court had told her before she opened that door.

  “Sabrina, it’s me,” a frail voice called out.

  Mrs. Cartwright?

  Sabrina quickly unbolted and jerked the door open. “What are you doing out at this time of night?”

  “I was worried about you, dear.” Mrs. Cartwright looked as white as a sheet and feebler than Sabrina had ever seen her look before.

  She peered out the door, past the stooped woman’s shoulder. “How did you get here?”

  Mrs. Cartwright smiled, the gesture triumphant and a little wicked. “Why, I drove, of course. I parked my car around back by your truck, just like I used to.”

  Sabrina’s eyes rounded. “But the doctor said you weren’t to drive anymore. What if—”

  The elderly lady made a sound of dismissal. “That old goat doesn’t know everything. It didn’t hurt a thing for me to drive over here.”

  Sabrina ushered her inside and closed and rebolted the door. “Why didn’t you just call? We’re fine here.”

  Mrs. Cartwright waved a frail hand. “Fool phone quit on me again. I should never have bought one of those no good cordless things. They’re too much trouble.”

  Sabrina offered a patient smile. The poor old lady had likely left the handset off the base too long like she had the last time. Now it wouldn’t work again until it re-charged. “What made you think something was wrong?” she asked, worried that Mrs. Cartwright would take off in the middle of the night when the doctor had given strict orders that she wasn’t to be driving. Jeez, just what she needed, Mrs. Cartwright keeling over with a heart attack from worrying about her.

  “Don’t you remember, dear, you were supposed to bring Ryan to me tonight. I waited and waited. When you didn�
��t come I was sure something was wrong.”

  Sabrina closed her eyes and sighed, disgusted with herself. She had thought she might have to go back to the compound. “I’m sorry, my plans changed.” She didn’t bother going into the details. She couldn’t talk about that right now. It was too hard…too much hung in the balance.

  “That’s all right, dear. I was just worried, that’s all. If everything is fine here, I’ll go on back home.”

  Sabrina shook her head at that suggestion. “I’d feel better if you stayed here tonight.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t do that. I haven’t slept anywhere but in my own bed in over fifty years.”

  “Please,” Sabrina pleaded. “I don’t want you to go back out tonight.”

  Mrs. Cartwright’s eyes were too knowing. “What is it you’re not telling me, Sabrina?”

  “We may be in danger. Court’s worried about something that’s supposed to happen with Neely and his men in a couple of days.”

  “Oh, Lordy.” The older woman’s face grew even paler. “I knew this would be the way of it when that charlatan came into town almost two years ago.”

  Sabrina nodded her agreement. “You can go with us to the Lonesome Pony in the morning. Court said we’d be safe there. Daniel Austin is his friend.” She didn’t see any point in mentioning that Court had wanted them to go tonight.

  Mrs. Cartwright took Sabrina’s hand and patted it gently. “That’s what we’ll do, then. We’ll go together. It’s about time I found out what I’ve been missing by not sleeping someplace different.”

  A smile spread across Sabrina’s face. She felt better already. Everything was going to be fine. Court said he’d done this before. He could take care of himself. All she had to do was keep Ryan and Charlie safe. And Mrs. Cartwright.

  Sabrina showed Mrs. Cartwright to her bedroom. She felt certain the stairs would be too much. Sabrina could sleep on the couch. “You can sleep in here with Ryan,” she offered.

  “I always keep a glass of water on the table,” Mrs. Cartwright said hesitantly. “Could I have some water, dear?”

  “Of course.” Leaving the elderly woman to prepare for bed, Sabrina switched off the living room light as she headed to the kitchen. She finally felt as if she might be able to sleep, herself. Without switching on the kitchen light, she located a glass and filled it with cool tap water. Everything was going to be fine, she told herself again.

  Just as she was halfway through the living room on her way back to Mrs. Cartwright, headlights flashed across the front window, stopping Sabrina dead in her tracks. She raced to the window, water sloshing, and peered past the edge of the curtain and through the open window. The warm, gentle breeze brushed against her cheeks. She quickly recognized the vehicle Ferguson had driven earlier that day. Terror snaked around her heart. Voices sounded as several men climbed out of the truck.

  She dropped the glass of water. It crashed on the floor, sending water and shards of glass across the hardwood. Sabrina skirted the debris and ran for the bedroom. “They’re here. I have to hide you and the baby. Now.”

  Mrs. Cartwright’s gaze connected with hers for an instant before the danger registered. “Where can we hide?”

  “In the old fruit cellar.” Sabrina grabbed her sleeping child and hurried across the dark living room and into the kitchen, Mrs. Cartwright on her heels. She skirted the dining table and kicked aside the edge of the oversize area rug that extended from beneath it. She passed Ryan to Mrs. Cartwright and threw open the old wooden trap door. She assisted the elderly woman down the steps.

  “What about you?” Mrs. Cartwright asked worriedly. Fear glittered in her eyes as she held Ryan protectively in her arms.

  “I’ll be fine. I have to get Charlie. Just, please, keep Ryan quiet and don’t come out no matter what happens until you’re sure they’re gone.”

  Mrs. Cartwright held on when Sabrina would have turned away. “Take care, child.”

  Sabrina nodded, then dashed up the steps. Why hadn’t she listened to Court? She closed the door and covered it once more when she heard the first crash against the front door. She hurried to the living room and turned on the light. She glanced at the second-story landing and prayed that Charlie would wake up and hide. The front door burst open just as she reached for it.

  “I told you I’d be watching you,” Ferguson said, sneering as he led a group of three men into her living room.

  “What do you want?” she demanded, her voice steadier than she would have expected.

  “Why, I want you, sweetheart, didn’t you know?” The other men tittered with laughter. “Neely sent me. He requires your presence.” Ferguson snickered. “Now, where’s that skinny little brother of yours?”

  “I don’t know where he is. He didn’t come home tonight.” She folded her arms over her chest and gave Ferguson her best glare. She prayed with all her heart that Ryan would not wake up and start to cry. Please, God, she prayed protect them all.

  “Search the house,” Ferguson barked to his men. “Leave no stone unturned,” he added in true Joshua Neely fashion.

  Sabrina held her breath as two of the men bounded up the stairs and the other stomped around downstairs. Her heart threatened to burst from her chest. She held her breath as one man circled the kitchen, opening cabinet doors and slamming them shut. Please, please don’t let my baby wake up, she prayed again. She kept expecting to hear Charlie’s voice, but it never came. She frowned with a new worry. Could he have sneaked out of his room without her knowing it? Or maybe her prayer was answered and he was hiding.

  When the banging of doors and furniture and the stamping of heavy boots finally ceased, Ferguson was fit to be tied.

  “Where is the damn kid?” he demanded in reference to Charlie.

  Sabrina looked at him and said slowly, succinctly, “I don’t know. He isn’t here.” Despite her lack of knowledge of Charlie’s whereabouts, she felt relieved that these men had not found him. He had to have sneaked out his bedroom window. Wherever he was, she hoped he didn’t go near that militia compound.

  Ferguson nudged the tip of his weapon beneath her chin. “Your boyfriend left the compound with him just before dark. I figured he was coming here. To deliver your little brother and maybe have some more fun with you.” A round of vulgar chuckles passed through the men gathered around him.

  “I haven’t seen Court, and I have no idea where Charlie is. I thought he was at the compound,” she lied without wavering.

  “Well, not to worry. We’ll find Charlie boy. We’ve got Mr. Court Brody figured out, too,” Ferguson said with glee. “We know he’s a fed. Hell, I tried to tell Joshua when he fingered Benson that it was too big a coincidence. But he wouldn’t listen at first. But then, you see, word got back to Joshua that his plans were being leaked and we both knew Brody had to be the one. So we changed our plans.”

  Sabrina’s heart stilled. They were going to kill Court. “You can’t be sure,” she argued.

  “Oh, we made a positive ID, as the cops say.” Ferguson gave her one of his disgusting grins. “But you see, we’re one step ahead of dear old Court. We’re gonna do our deal at dawn tomorrow while his people are waiting until the day after. By then Court Brody will be history.”

  “Dead meat,” one of the others chimed in.

  “We don’t tolerate traitors,” Ferguson added. He snagged her by the arm. “And, as far as I can tell, you’re in cahoots with him, so that makes you a traitor in my book.”

  Sabrina tried to free herself from his hold. “Let me go!” She kicked at his shins, but he only laughed at her. She stopped fighting then. She needed to get them out of her house before Ryan awoke. Let them take her. At least her baby would be safe with Mrs. Cartwright.

  “Come on.” Ferguson dragged her toward the door. “You and your boyfriend can meet your Maker together.”

  Sabrina blinked back the tears as she allowed Ferguson to drag her out the door. They were leaving the house and that’s all that mattered.

  She on
ly wished there was some way she could warn Court and Charlie.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  THE SKY PINKED with dawn as Court stepped out of the jeep at the scheduled rendezvous point. Raymond killed the engine and scanned the area as if expecting something he didn’t see, then climbed out as well. He hadn’t said much of anything since their journey had begun just more than four hours ago. The silence proved more telling than anything the man could have said. Court already knew the verdict, he’d seen it in Neely’s eyes last night.

  Beecham and another of Neely’s soldiers, whose name Court couldn’t remember at the moment, scrambled from the rear of the jungle-green jeep. The entourage looked like a group of National Guardsmen, complete with camouflage uniforms, who had found themselves lost in the woods. Well, except for the car that had hung way back from the convoy during the long journey. The windows were tinted so Court couldn’t make out the faces of the passengers or the driver.

  Only a few miles from Canada and the Blackfeet Reservation, the view was an awesome one, despite the circumstances that brought Court here. The Rocky Mountains rose in the distance, everything in between sleeping in their shadow. He sure wouldn’t find a wide-open blue sky or a breathtaking view like this in D.C. It was a shame that they had come to such a beautiful place to do their dirty work. A lone eagle flew over the wilderness terrain, suspect, no doubt, of the one car, three jeeps and two supply trucks sitting amid the soaring pines.

  Court took a long, deep draw of the fresh, clean air. No matter how he denied his feelings, Montana was still home in an elemental way over which he had no control. His past, Sabrina, Ryan, his only true heart-and-soul connections to this world were right there on that ranch he’d so despised as a kid. And he’d waited too late to realize it, for any minute now all chance of righting that wrong would be taken from him. Neely’s sense of irony seemed a bit overdone. Surely he realized that Court sensed his impending demise.

  And that just made it more exhilarating for Neely.

  Ferguson barked a steady stream of orders to several of the men unloading from the vehicles, instructing them to fan out around the clearing and take cover in the edge of the woods. The others were ordered to take up posts around the two empty trucks. Neely sat in the jeep Ferguson had driven, watching his men scurry as they followed orders.