by Mimi Barbour
“Oh, yeah!” Both men laughed and nodded simultaneously.
Nik sighed. Then he spotted the video and pointed. “What have you got?”
Conley rewound the scene on the monitor, and soon Nik and Maya watched as a familiar SUV pulled up outside the entrance and two men roughly forced a struggling teen from the back seat. By her slender build, long black hair and darker skin tone, she looked to be Oriental, and the name Mai burst into Maya’s conscience. Hearing Nik’s exclamation, she glanced at him, and their shared look spoke what was in both their thoughts.
Soon, the tape revealed another figure breaking cover, stalking the premises, his hood pulled over his blond curls.
Juli! Maya’s shock registered.
“Julian?” Nik uttered the name of the man they both recognized. “Son-of-a-bitch! What the hell is he doing here?”
“You know that person?” Conley pointed at the screen as it showed Juli disappear into the darkened yard.
“Yeah! He’s my pal from out of town.”
“Shit, man. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize him. What the hell has he got to do with this case?”
“Beats me! He just keeps popping up at the most opportune times. Have you got anything more on video?”
“Nothing that shows what’s going on down there. Hold it! Look.” He pointed to the other monitor showing real time. “They’re forcing those two in that truck. I think they’re getting ready to leave. Maya, isn’t that the same eighteen-wheeler you two have pictured on your case board? The one Al Bard got picked up in?”
“You’re right! Uh-oh! The SUV is leaving too. Looks to me like they’re the same two dudes who brought in the young girl. Only, they’re going in the opposite direction.”
Maya stopped with her hand on the latch. “You guys hang out here. Keep your eyes open, okay? We’re going to tail the rig with Julian and the girl. Maybe they’re going to pick up more hostages, or it could be they’re shipping the ones they already have to another city. Whichever way they’re headed, we’ll keep you informed.”
Chapter 43
Nik followed Maya to their vehicle and threw her the keys. Intuition had him heading to the passenger side. Not only did she know the district better than he did, but she also drove like a demon, there were no two ways about it. Chances were they’d need her skills. Only problem he worried about was being able to stomp down on his reactive panic if things got too crazy.
Soon as she hit the gas he knew they were in for a wild ride. Wheeling the car around, laughing with joy, she cut in and out of the traffic until they were only two cars behind the truck. “Max has never let me drive his car. No matter how much I begged.”
Nik gulped and said a silent apology to his brother who, as far as he was concerned, never had to know his toy had been handled by this pro. “He was just protecting his investment.”
“You mean he was a big baby. I tried every trick to get him to hand over the keys, but it didn’t happen. I wish he was here now.”
Nik looked out of the side windows and grinned. Hey, bro, you should see her handle this ride. Ha, you’d be shitting yourself.
The squeal of the wheels caught his attention and he leaned harder on the handle near his arm. They’d followed the truck to a dark road he didn’t know and there weren’t any more vehicles separating them. Suddenly, out of seemingly nowhere, a black SUV crawled up beside them. Shit! He’d seen them head off in the other direction. How the hell could they turn up here?
“Looks like we have company.” Maya’s enjoyment sparked excitement in her cheerful voice. Their situation didn’t faze her one little bit.
He watched her handling the powerful machine like she was doing what she was born to do. Incredible! Even sexy!
Thick red hair framed her face, revealing her profile: high cheekbones, pretty, pert nose, and lush smiling lips. Her relaxed expression made him tense more. Wasn’t she taking any of this seriously? Shit!
Nik, on the other hand, hated not being in control and was beginning to feel the saliva building in his mouth and the bile activating in his stomach. No goddamn way would he allow this shit to catch him now. He took deep breaths and, using sheer willpower, forced back the alarm. Slipping his gun from his holster, he got ready for whatever would happen.
Meanwhile, Maya fought to keep the car on the road while the black beast seemed determined not to let that happen. Gunning the engine and having it respond with a huge burst of speed, Maya was forced to cut off the SUV and overtake the truck. The driver, not liking their shenanigans, tried accelerating also. Only the he didn’t have the same skills as Maya and couldn’t handle the speed. The big monster began fishtailing like crazy.
Caught beside the weaving eighteen-wheeler and the SUV forcing them there, Maya had to either speed up and take a chance on getting rammed by the swaying mass or hit the ditch. At this speed, neither was a good option.
Handling the car like a qualified NASCAR driver, she connived to keep the car under her control, using the brake, steering wheel, gas pedal, and sheer guts. Strangely, Nik began to see the game she played and enjoy watching her reactions and her sheer genius in handling the powerful vehicle.
But, unfortunately, the driver of the truck didn’t have the same skills as she did. The long trailer swung out too wide cutting off the road, swerving crazily.
Forced by circumstances, Maya had no choice but to drive Max’s baby over the approaching embankment.
Chapter 44
The tree that stopped their headlong descent wasn’t kind to the front of the Lexus CT. However, there was no question that the quality of the manufacturing saved their lives. Surrounding airbags inflated on impact and kept them both from being killed.
Sometimes shock could hold off the pain after injuries, and Maya was sure that was what happened in her case. Calm, glad to be alive, even giddy, but nothing hurt—yet. Funny thing, the moon stung her eyes. It was bright, but also wavering and annoying.
Jerking away from the offending nuisance, she turned to Nik. “Are you okay?” She’d heard him moan and saw the terror he couldn’t hide. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m fine. Just a little PTSD kicking in.”
“Post-traumatic stress disorder! Holy shit. That’s why you’re stateside. Hold it! Do you hear what I hear? They’re coming. Play dead but keep your gun handy. If they make a move to shoot, do it first.”
“Shush!” This was in Nik’s area of expertise. First he undid his seat belt and then hers. Slowly opening the door a crack he stopped, copied her and let his head fall forward.
Maya heard the squabbling between the men before seeing them.
“Hold that flashlight steady. Man, you got shit for brains if you think I’m crawling through that fucking swamp just to see if they’re goners. You know how much bacteria lives in those infested swamps?” Whining worse than a little girl, the big dude, the same one that had lit Nik’s fuse at the office, grunted his way to within ten feet of the front of the car, cussing the whole time.
“Shut up, ya big baby. You’re spookin’ me. Look, no-one can be alive in a smashed up wreck like that one, right? But just to be sure, I can smell the gas. You got a lighter?”
“Yeah. Here.”
“Cool! I’ll just light this little ol’ branch, throw it on the heap and we’ll be on our way.”
“Good idea, Stocker. You’re smart. You know Birdy’s pretty shocked and says he won’t drive the big rig anymore tonight.”
“You kidding me? That stupid prick! How about you, Bubba? Can you drive it?”
“Nah! I don’t have a commercial driver’s license and I’ve never driven with air brakes. I warned him the boss would be pissed.”
“What’d he say?”
“Screw the boss. After the ride he just survived, there’s no way in hell he’ll get behind the wheel again.”
“Then I guess we’ll have to fetch the two passengers and take them with us. The boss’ll have our asses if we don’t deliver the girl. They have a specia
l customer waiting. And that little shit who’s been a thorn in our sides for so long will get his later. Guess the new shipment will have to wait till morning.”
Finally, the wooden stick caught and Butterball Bubba threw it where it landed in the brush next to the mangled vehicle. Before the two men reached the road, the explosion shot into the sky similar to those seen in a high-octane action movie, all fire and sparks and heat.
Stocker didn’t wait to see the outcome.
Shit-for-brains ducked for no reason, then stopped to watch. “Cool!”
Chapter 45
Maya sputtered and struggled to her feet. “How the hell can you move so fast?”
“Basic training, special ops—the will to live. Sorry I had to haul you out my side. I was terrified they’d see your door open and come back to finish us off.”
“Considering we just made it to the swamp before it blew, please don’t apologize. In fact, I intend to make it up to you later, sugar. But now, we have to find a way to get Juli and the girl. Come on.”
Checking his phone for a signal, Nik shook it with disgust and replaced it back in his pocket. “Where’re we going?”
“They said Bard wouldn’t drive the truck. I want to see if he really left it behind.”
Apprehension lit Nik’s features. Although the moon wasn’t full, there was enough light for them to see their way going back up the same path their vehicle had formed on its descent. There was also enough moonshine for her to see him backing away. “Don’t be a girl. I just wanted to see if there’s a CB in the semi.”
Relief flooded over his face and he helped her up the hill. “Good. For a minute there, I though you intended to drive it.”
Maya didn’t answer him. That way she wouldn’t have to lie. Nor did she admit that most drivers today didn’t even have CBs anymore. But some of the older models such as this ancient piece of shit did.
The same step-daddy who’d taught her how to drive, take an engine apart and hot-wire anything with wheels, had always said she handled an eighteen-wheeler better than most of the idiots on his route.
Though she’d missed the hell out of Charlie, the long-haul trucker who’d been his successor had been surprisingly kind. A braggart of a guy, Mike had liked teaching her what he knew about mechanics and there wasn’t much he didn’t know. Enjoying company on some of his overnight trips, if her mom hadn’t wanted to travel along, Maya’d always been up for it. Her depression over losing Charlie had lifted under Mike’s tutelage. He’d trusted her and she’d never let him down. Instead, her mother had taken care of that by getting caught in the sack with her next step-daddy, the Kung-Fu expert.
Nik hauled himself up the step to look inside the cab, then tried the handle. “Sorry, this baby’s locked tight.”
The rock she used to break the passenger window did a good job. In no time at all, she was inside the cab and checking for the phone. It was there but dead. The pigsty of a truck hadn’t been looked after at all. Compared to the spotless interior of Mike’s cab, this stinking, garbage heap made Maya’s skin crawl. How could any driver have so little respect for such a marvelous machine?
Nik followed her to the passenger side and stood on the running board so he could see what she was doing.
Finding the right wires under the dash, in no time she’d started the engine and the roar of the motor made talking difficult. Yelling, she ordered, “Get in.” Her voice brooked no refusal.
Get in? “What the hell are you talking about? You think I’m crazy—getting into an eighteen-wheeler with you behind the wheel? I’d rather jump from a helicopter with no parachute.”
“Funny guy! I can drive. Get in. We need to follow that SUV. We both know the cargo is too damn precious to lose. Now get the fuck in the truck!”
“You are nuts. No way in hell am I getting in there with you behind the wheel.”
“Fine. Then you drive.”
“I can’t drive one of these long-hauls.”
“I can. Get in.”
He stuck his hand out toward her perched behind the wheel, looking even smaller than normal—his index finger pointing at her face. It was trembling. He was shaking. Foreboding carpeted him instantly. “No Goddamned way. And nothing you say is going to convince me to get into this pigpen with you behind that fucking wheel.”
Chapter 46
Slouched in the front seat of the massive, noisy semi, staring at all the various levers, lit dials, and switches, and then glaring at the busy woman driving next to him, Nik was pissed. “Threatening to withhold sex is low and just downright… mean.”
“You’re right. I’m so ashamed.”
“You’re so not funny.”
“Look, I had to persuade you to give me a chance, didn’t I? You want to save Juli, don’t you?”
“Is that a trick question?”
”What about that young girl? Man, anything could be planned for her tonight. I’ve heard they hold special initiations, betting on virgins and who gets to break them in. Disgusting old men who have lots of money and no morals. If there’s any way we can stop that from happening, we have to try, right?” Convincingly, she smiled his way.
“Watch the road, Maya! Jesus save me from hard-headed women.” Nik lowered his arm and curled his hand into a fist. He wanted to grab at his stomach but wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing his reaction to her handling of the monster she seemed able to control so easily.
“Nik, I really do know how to drive these rigs. One of my step-daddies taught me everything he knew about trucks, motors, and driving. You’ll have to come with me some weekend to the racetrack. It’s a hoot.”
God give me strength! “You race? Shit, woman, don’t you have any hobbies that aren’t dangerous?”
“You mean like knitting?” The sneer was evident.
Nik had to laugh. The little minx had gotten to him again. “No! I meant like reading and hiking, things that aren’t likely to put you in the hospital.”
“Sure, I like doing both those things. I’m not the dare-devil you seem to believe.” Just then she spotted headlights ahead and, shifting gears, the air brakes huffing, she revved up the engine and they took off.
Nik’s eyes were glued to the faded white line in the middle of the road. Oh, Lordie! This is not good. Sweat broke out, only short breaths were possible and his pounding heart made him feel like he could pass out. No way! That can’t happen. Maya needs me for backup. This shit’s not gonna win. He just wished he didn’t feel so weak.
Nik knew when the SUV spotted them approaching. Of course, it would be just before they sped up.
“Try your cell. See if you can call for backup now. Maybe we can get a roadblock set up further along this stretch.”
Following her directions, Nik made the call and in a surprisingly short time, it was done. “They’re heading for the first intersection and will set up their squad cars. Five minutes max.”
“Good. They should make it. We’re still ten or twelve miles from that location. I don’t want to force them to drive too dangerously so I’m hanging back. Do you think they made us?”
“Oh, yeah! They sped up.”
“There’s a lot of trucks that travel this road. Look, they’re slowing down again. I’ll back off too. Be ready for me to pull a stunt when we have them penned in. Don’t panic. I know what I’m doing.” She reached her hand out to cover his. He patted hers and quickly replaced it on the wheel.
Laughing, she winked at him. “Just so you know, I can’t wait to be alone with you after this is over.”
“Just so you know, I intend to extract full compensation for the added stress you’ve inflicted.”
“Oooh! Now I’m really excited.”
“Just don’t get ahead of yourself. We still have to survive the next little while in one piece.”
“Hell, with that to look forward to, I’ll be extra careful.”
Laughing, unable to help himself, Nik felt the tenseness in his muscles ease. Then she pulled the stunt he’d
been warned to watch for.
“Sh-itt!”
Chapter 47
Jackknifing a truck took skill and muscles and a whole lot of a macho. After they’d seen a similar incident, Mike had explained to her how it could be done successfully.
Sadly, the driver hadn’t been able to control the skid and the truck had flipped. Since she’d never had the guts or a reason to try it before, only luck would determine if her skills were good enough.
Fighting the wheel with all the strength she could muster, Maya swung that big baby around so the semi now blocked any access to the road they’d just traveled.
It skidded and shuddered, almost flipping, but, somehow, using various levers and working the brakes, praying the tandems were set back far enough to help control the beast, she pulled off the wheelie and they skidded to a jerking stop. Dust, flying everywhere, adding a dimension of unreality to the moment.
Seconds passed before either of them moved or spoke. Nik broke the silence first. “Dammit, lady, you are amazing.” In a voice a few notes higher than normal, those were the only words he uttered before they heard gunfire. Maya saw him stiffen. Still dazed by her struggles with the eighteen-wheeler, she didn’t react. But he did.
“We’re sitting ducks up here.” His words never registered and she didn’t move.
He pulled her down in the seat and before she knew it, he’d maneuvered them out of the passenger door on his side and onto the ground. Now, weak as a kitten, having used up all her grit fighting to control the truck, she let him take over.
Carrying most of her weight, he shuffled them to a safe vantage point. Then he left her for a few seconds to do reconnaissance.
