Deadly Escape

by Colleen Helme

  “So when can we go home?” I asked, addressing the men at the table while their mouths were full. Just before I’d come into the kitchen, they’d been discussing if they could keep me there a little longer. I knew they needed my input to do the right thing. “You know what? I think I’m done here. I’ve helped you out. More than I wanted to, by the way, so I think you should send me and Ramos home now.”

  Wells gaped at me. This was not how he’d wanted things to go. He was hoping I could be persuaded to stay at least one more day and talk with some people who might know more about this group who’d wanted Cypher. Maybe he could tell me I was in danger or something?

  “Uh,” he began. “There might be a problem with that.”

  Both Gabriel and Blake frowned at him. Then Gabriel spoke up. “I see no problem. She has done all that we asked and then some. She needs to go home to her family. With our thanks. You cannot keep her here.”

  “She might still be in danger,” Wells said, but it didn’t sound convincing to anyone.

  “Absurdité,” Gabriel said. “The only danger I see for her is if she stayed here.” Wells didn’t back down, and Gabriel continued. “Mon Dieu! She was almost killed. Explain that to her husband if you wish, but I would not wish to do so.”

  My brows rose. Yes, Chris was not going to like it, but it was Uncle Joey they should be more worried about. That brought a smile to my lips, but they were missing the point. It wasn’t up to any of them. Not anymore.

  I had my purse, my credit cards, and my phone. I didn’t need Wells’s permission to leave. Sure, he had a problem, but now that he knew about it, he could fix it. Without me. Wasn’t that what he had trained agents for?

  “While I’d like to stay and chat, I’m going home now, with or without your help. Good luck Director Wells. I’m sure you’ll get to the bottom of this mess.” I motioned to Sloan. “Sloan’s a great agent. You should get her to help you with it. If you’re smart, you’ll have her run the investigation.”

  While I reveled in her surprise and Wells’s consternation, I turned to Blake. “Blake, it was nice to see you again. I’m glad you’re doing better, but I’d rather not hear from you anytime soon.”

  “I understand,” he said, guilt washing over him. “And I’m sorry for what happened.” He hoped that I didn’t blame him too much. He’d tried to shield me from Wells, but he couldn’t leave me out of his report, so it was his fault that Wells knew about me. Too bad he’d taken me to Paris with him in the first place. Still, he couldn’t regret that, since I’d thwarted Cypher’s plans and managed to capture him.

  I guess he had a point, but why did he have to tell Wells? I had a fleeting worry that this was never going away. But if they thought they could just whisk me off whenever they wanted, they’d be in for a surprise, because I wouldn’t stand for it.

  Last, I glanced at Gabriel, and warmth filled my heart. “Gabriel. I’d say it was worth it to see you again, but I’d be lying.”

  He came to my side with a wide smile and took my hands in his. “Chérie, I’m so sorry this happened. I would not wish it for the world. You don’t know how my heart stopped when I realized you were gone. Taken by that bastard. I would have ripped his heart out for you. I’m glad he’s dead. We both know what was in his soul, and the world is a better place without him.”

  He said that for Ramos, as a way of thanks, and Wells, as a way to show his solidarity for Ramos’s actions. Cypher was his prisoner and, therefore, his responsibility. Because of that, he was the one with the power to pass judgement.

  I nodded my head in agreement, moved by his passionate speech. “Thanks Gabriel. I don’t blame you, or anyone for that matter. I’m just glad it turned out all right.”

  Wells had heard enough and knew when to retreat. He stood. “I guess I can’t keep you here any longer. I do apologize for what you’ve been through. As a civilian, you have offered a great service to your country, and we owe you a debt of gratitude that may never be known. I will make arrangements for your return today.”

  He turned to Sloan. “Please drive them to the base and see them off. Then I’d like to see you in my office. Blake, if you’ll accompany me back to headquarters, we have work to do.”

  Holding out his hand to Gabriel, he spoke. “I guess we’re done here. Thank you for bringing Cypher. I hope it’s not a problem to go home without him.”

  “No. Not at all.”

  “Good. It was a pleasure to meet you. I wish you a safe journey home. Sloan can drop you off at the hotel, and I trust you can find your way from there.”

  “Yes. That is acceptable. I’m sorry you did not get more from Cypher, but the names he gave you should give you somewhere to go in your search, yes?”

  “Yes,” Wells agreed, but he couldn’t decide if they were legitimate. What if those people were nothing more than a smokescreen for the real group who’d wanted Cypher? Now we’d never know.

  “The names were real,” I said to assure him. “Cypher wasn’t lying about that.”

  Wells let out a breath. Searing disappointment flooded over him that he had to let me go. What I could do was amazing, and he wished there was some way to keep me. Maybe at some point in the future, he’d try again.

  Ramos was thinking that I needed to shut up now if I wanted to go home, and I picked up the same sentiment from both Gabriel and Blake. Oops. They were right, of course, but I hated letting anyone down, even if it was Wells. Did that make me too trusting, or naïve, or what?

  Blake and Wells stood to leave. Wells shook my hand, thanking me again, and Blake enfolded me in a big hug, remorseful for how it had turned out. He handed me his card, telling me that, if I ever needed him, he was just a phone call away.

  After they left, both Ramos and I gathered our wet clothes and stuffed them in plastic bags to take home with us. I also grabbed two more cans of diet soda, since I wasn’t sure when I’d get more. While Gabriel took out his phone to make arrangements to leave, Sloan cornered Ramos for one more chance at love.

  I shook my head and headed into the bedroom to call Chris, noticing I’d missed several texts and phone calls from him in the last few hours.

  “Shelby? Where are you?” he asked. “Are you okay? I thought you’d be home by now.”

  “It’s a long story, but I’m headed to the airport to leave soon. I should be home sometime tonight. I’ll call you when we land.”

  “O..kay.” He drew the word out like he didn’t believe me, and I wished I could read his mind over the phone.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked. A shiver of unease ran down my spine. “Are the kids okay?”

  “Yes…they’re fine. It’s just…there was this breaking news story about a suicide bomber in Washington DC. Someone had taken a video on their phone of a man and woman running into the Potomac River. The video wasn’t clear enough to see details, but it kind of looked like you. And…the guy…I could have sworn it was Ramos. You don’t know anything about that do you?”

  “What? It was on the news?” Dammit! This was not how I wanted to tell Chris what had happened.

  “Shelby? What the hell! It was you?”

  I let out a breath. “Yeah. It was horrible. I thought I was going to die.” My eyes clouded with tears and I sniffed. “I guess I can tell you now. I was here because of Cypher. They brought him to the states, and the CIA director wanted my help because of how I’d helped in Paris. But Cypher escaped and tried to kill me.”

  I heard Chris swallow over the phone. “That’s…that’s…I can hardly believe it. That bastard. What the hell happened?”

  “He’s dead.”

  “Which one?” he asked. “The CIA director or Cypher?”

  “Cypher. You mean…you thought we were talking about Wells?”

  “They’re both bastards in my book,” he said, still breathing heavily. “Was Blake involved, too?”

  “Uh…sort of, but he…well…he was trying to protect me.”

  “Wait a minute,” he gasped. “So, is Ramos
there with you?”

  “Yes. Let me explain. I was leaving Thrasher Development when a CIA agent named Sloan showed up and demanded I leave with them. Ramos knew her and tried to stop them but ended up coming with me instead.” I almost added that it was a good thing too, since he’d saved my life, but decided now was not a good time to tell him that part.

  “Honey…” I said into the silence. “This has been awful. I’m lucky they’re letting me go. I told Wells I was done, but he wanted to keep me longer. That’s when Gabriel and Blake persuaded him to let me go, so I’ll be home in a few hours. All right? I’ll tell you everything then.”

  “Sure. Okay. Good.” After a few more deep breaths, he continued. “So you’re all right now?”

  “Yes. I’m fine…but…I could really use a hug from you about now.” My eyes filled up with tears again, and my whole body began to tremble. “It was pretty bad.” I sniffed, unable to say more without totally falling apart.

  “I’ll be here, Shelby. I’ll always be here for you.”

  “Good. I’ll be there soon. I love you, Chris.”

  “I love you too.”

  We disconnected, and I hurried into the bathroom to blow my nose and get control of myself. Telling Chris brought it all back, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever be okay again. Just thinking about it sent my heart racing, so I had to keep my focus on the fact that I was alive. I’d survived. That was the important thing.

  Of course, it also helped to know that Cypher was dead, and he could never hurt me again.

  We dropped Gabriel off at the Watergate Hotel. He wasn’t shy about kissing both of my cheeks before he left, which was pretty nice, and he soon disappeared inside the building. After that, the drive to the base was a little awkward, since Sloan and Ramos weren’t real talkative.

  I picked up that neither one of them was happy with the other, but for differing reasons. At least Ramos sat in the front seat this time, since Gabriel had beaten him to sitting beside me when we first got in. Ramos’s thoughts were shuttered, and I didn’t want to pry.

  But Sloan was an open book. She wasn’t about to give up, reasoning that Ramos might not want her now, but that could always change. There was still that spark of desire between them, even if Ramos tried to deny it. Maybe, someday in the future, the timing would be better. Life was full of change, so it could still happen.

  She pulled into Langley Air Force base and drove to the same building we’d come from before. If I wasn’t mistaken, the same small jet waited for us on the tarmac. To my surprise, Sloan hugged me goodbye, telling me thanks for putting in a good word for her with Wells. She assumed I’d seen something about it with my premonitions, and it filled her with confidence.

  Wow. I’d never thought about wielding that kind of power, but she was right, and it was something I’d have to remember for future use.

  Hugging me also gave her an excuse to hug Ramos, and she held him as long as she could. Regret poured from her about what she’d put him through in Cuba, and piqued my curiosity. Maybe he’d tell me what had happened on the way home. Whatever it was, she sure felt guilty.

  Then I picked up that she wanted to kiss him, even with me standing there. I cleared my throat, and Ramos ended the embrace, stepping away before she could follow through. Thank heavens. She mumbled something about a favor, and I tried not to roll my eyes.

  After a quick goodbye, we boarded the plane. I slumped into the same seat as before, and Ramos sat beside me. We sat in companionable silence until the plane had taken off and reached its cruising altitude and speed.

  Ramos took my hand. “How are you holding up?” he asked.

  I squeezed back. “To be honest, I don’t know.”

  He nodded, content to let me speak or keep it to myself.

  “I’d like to know what happened,” I began. “I remember the flash bang. But how did Cypher get me out of there? Everything was a blur, and I thought someone was leading me away to safety. That’s why I went with…him.” I didn’t say that I thought it was Ramos. But I just needed to understand why it wasn’t.

  Ramos sighed. “It took everyone by surprise. But you have to know I tried to get to you. I was back in the control room with Blake when the flash grenade went off. The power went out at the same time, and we couldn’t get the stupid doors open.

  “We finally broke the handle off the door and got inside. Both Gabriel and Wells were down in the hallway, and you were gone. Cypher’s cell held the guy they’d brought in, but Cypher was nowhere. I ran out the south doors in time to see a couple of cars driving off, but they were too far away to follow.

  “It was an incredibly well-executed operation and, without knowing you had a tracking device in your watch, I don’t think we would have found you. I’ve never been so grateful for something in my life.” He glanced at my wrist, surprised my watch wasn’t there.

  “It quit working after our swim in the river, so I put it in my purse. Is yours working?”

  “Surprisingly, yes. We’ll have to get yours fixed first thing.”

  “Yeah, no kidding. So what happened after that?”

  Ramos shook his head. “It took some time for Wells and Gabriel to recover, so Blake took charge. He’s the one who should be running that place. Anyway, we got the power restored, and I used my phone to find your signal.

  “Once we knew where you were, Blake organized your extraction. We got to the house, but we had to take it slow so they wouldn’t suspect we were there. The agents used heat signatures to see where you were in the house. We ended up delaying because you were all in the same room, and it was too risky to move in. It also looked like the place was rigged with explosives, and no one wanted everything to blow up with you inside.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “I was so worried, and I wasn’t sure we could pull it off. Then you all moved into the garage, and left in the van. When we figured out where you were headed, Blake came up with a plan to stop the van.

  “At first we thought the van had explosives in it, and they were planning to park it in a public place and blow it up. Then you got out and started walking away, and we didn’t know what was going on.

  “When you got on the bike, Sloan and I moved to intercept you. It was her idea to borrow that stroller from a couple and run into you. I’m glad she did.”

  “Me too. It was perfect timing.”

  He shook his head. “I had no idea what he’d done to you. Seeing that vest on you…” he swallowed, holding back the words of how it had terrified him in a way he’d never felt before. He held my hand while he spoke, rubbing his thumb over my skin. “Let’s just say, I’m glad I killed him.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed, letting out a sigh. “He was one bad dude.” I absently rubbed my neck where he’d cut my skin with the knife. It still stung.

  “Did he do that?” Ramos asked, noticing the cut along my throat for the first time.

  I jerked my hand away, not sure I could talk about it without falling apart. After a moment, I took a deep breath and began, “As you can imagine, he taunted me with his knife quite a bit. Once he put the vest on me, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it out of there alive. But I knew you’d track me down, and that got me through it.” My eyes filled with tears, and I sniffed to hold them back.

  With a groan, he pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me. He rubbed my back, offering what comfort he could, while my tears ran freely. A few minutes later, I straightened away from him, then rummaged through my purse for a tissue. After wiping my nose, I sent him a tremulous smile. “Thanks. I’ll be all right,” I said, answering his thoughts.

  He wasn’t convinced, but decided to take my word for it. Besides, he could hardly think about the moment he saw the bomb strapped to my chest without breaking into a cold sweat.

  “Sloan’s still in love with you,” I said, wanting to change the subject before I started shivering again. “Are you going to tell me what happened in Cuba?”

  He swore under his breath, but it didn’t surprise h
im that I’d picked it up. “Do I have a choice?”

  I smiled. “Nope, especially since you’ve got my undivided attention.”

  For the next hour, he filled me in on his experience there, shocking me that he’d kept it hidden so well. When he finished, I could hardly believe it. “No wonder Sloan feels so guilty. She left you to die!”

  Ramos frowned. Part of him felt the need to defend her. She was just doing her job. It was his stupid decision to help her that got him into trouble. He should have known better. It was one of those times his lapse in judgement embarrassed the hell out of him. It made him look weak and vulnerable, and he despised that.

  “Hey, don’t be too hard on yourself.” I chided him. “Sure, emotions cloud our judgement, but without them, we’re nothing but empty shells. We need emotions to add color and meaning to our lives.”

  His gaze narrowed. He didn’t want a lecture about the meaning of life. Not now, and probably not ever, especially when it came to Sloan. I had no idea how she’d manipulated him and, if he couldn’t trust her, it was better to keep her out of his life. Besides, he was making an effort to change a few things. Meeting his brother was part of that. Wasn’t that enough?

  “Yes, you are, and I’m very proud of you.” Oops. That sounded a little condescending, so I quickly added, “It will be worth it, you’ll see.”

  He didn’t like my tone of voice, even if I was right, so I changed the subject. “I guess it’s back to the real world now. Gosh, it seems like we’ve been gone for ages. What do you think is happening with Leo Tedesco? Have you spoken to Uncle Joey? Is he still in New York?”

  Ramos let out a breath. He loved me, but sometimes I drove him crazy. “No, I haven’t had a chance to talk to Manetto. I’ve been a little busy today. I haven’t spoken with Ricky, either. But we can always hope that Leo’s been caught, and he’s back in prison.”

  “Yeah, that would be nice.” I nodded, but it was the Ramos-loved-me part that caught my attention. I loved him too, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. And it wasn’t ‘that’ kind of love, so it was totally okay.