Robert felt frozen in time, his legs made of logs, that would not move fast enough to reach his boys. Just then he heard a sharp, ear piercing whistle that caused the bear to stop and sniff the air. The boys scrambled up and darted toward their father. Robert rushed toward them even as he witnessed Honey Lynch appear some twenty five yards from the bears. Honey whistled again, and then began yelling at the bear all the while lifting her rifle and taking deadly aim at the mother. The first shot staggered the mother but the second brought her down just as Robert scooped his boys up into his arms. A sob escaped his throat but the boys never noticed as they buried their heads and tears in their father’s shoulders.
As he hugged his boys Robert watched Honey turn the rifle toward him and smile cynically. In that instant, he saw a dangerous woman toying with his sanity, wondering if the next time she pulled the trigger it would be at him. Suddenly, she slightly turned her rifle toward the rise of the hill where two hikers moved leisurely along a path on the ridge. She reloaded slowly, methodically. Robert thought he saw her straightened her shoulders just before she pulled the trigger twice. His mouth opened in astonishment as the two hikers fell. When he turned his eyes back to where Honey stood, Robert saw that she had vanished.
Setting the boys on the ground, they quickly grabbed their father’s hands and pulled him forward toward the breakfast crowd. When they broke through the trees a cheer went up from the rest of the visitors followed by a loud ring of the chuck wagon bell. Everyone talked excitedly as the three rejoined them. The boys quickly told how their father had saved them from a bear. Robert quietly mentioned to the singing cowboy about a woman ranger named Honey, shooting the animal in the nick of time. The cowboy didn’t know anyone by that name but wasn’t that lucky for them? He also mentioned about the hikers which concerned him even more.
“Maybe it was those convicts you were talkin’ ‘bout!” the cook broke in. “I’ll be sure to call it in to make sure. Now you folks don’t worry any.” He patted the air with his stubby hands. “There won’t be any bears at the old west town of Virginia City where we’re takin’ ya now! Now wasn’t that excitin’?”
Robert thought he could do without that kind of excitement and just wanted to get back to the cabin. But the terrorized boys appeared to have gotten their second wind and couldn’t wait to see the gunfight coming up on Main Street in about two hours.
~ ~ ~
Ms. Coleman took out pictures of her college age kids to show Tessa, since she asked about her family. She found Tessa an easy target to chat with about her life. No one at Enigma seemed all that interested. Why should they? After all, thanks to the librarian, Claudia, her life was an open book. Part of the job, she told herself. Nothing too personal around that bunch of killer brains, as she liked to call them. Deep down Ms. Coleman wondered if any of them had enough common sense between them to come in out of the rain.
“That’s right, Tessa. Dr. Cordova, or Sam,” she said rolling her eyes in contempt, “teaches advanced economics here at the university.”
“You’re part of the university?” Tessa asked in bewilderment.
“Oh my, yes! They all have second jobs. We don’t just go around saving the day all the time.” With that she gave a little giggle that made Tessa smile as she pulled up a chair alongside the glass topped desk.
“And the others? I mean if it’s okay for you to tell me.”
Ms. Coleman clicked her tongue. “Seems to me you’re in it up to your eyeballs, sweetie. You can go online anytime and see what they teach.”
Tessa’s eyes widened. “They’re all teachers?”
“PH.Ds,” she giggled again. “That means piled higher and deeper, you know.” She laughed at her little joke and Tessa joined in for the benefit of milking her for more information. “Dr. Zoric teaches art. Looks the part don’t you think?” She shivered. “That one scares the life out of me, what with those bloodshot eyes, greasy long hair and switchblade he’s always flicking out.”
Tessa continued her plastic smile. “And the others?”
“That astronaut teaches astrophysics or something like that. Way over my head.” Again she rolled her eyes upward with a breathy giggle. “Vernon manages the computer systems around here. Trust me, that’s a huge job. I believe last semester he taught a class called Government Conspiracies: Truth or Dare.” She leaned in closer to Tessa. “Those Pentagon types drop by sometimes and they usually get in a shouting match. He’s a loose cannon if you ask me.”
“What about Captain Hunter?” Tessa ask casually. He was the one that really interested her.
Ms. Coleman smiled wickedly and winked. “Now isn’t he a peach? Always says ‘hello, Ms. Coleman, how are you today, is that a new hairdo, makes you look so young. If I were a few years younger I’d set my cap for that one,” she laughed. “He’s solid.”
“Does he teach here too?” Tessa said off handedly.
“Sure. Renaissance literature and the romance languages. Dr. Hunter is a popular professor; always has time for his students.” Another giggle. “The women in his department are pretty fond of him too. Seems to me he has a new lady friend every couple of months. Never lasts very long.”
Good to know, thought Tessa trying to imagine the warrior teaching literature and escorting a lady to dinner. “And Benjamin Clark?”
At this Ms. Coleman sobered. “He heads Enigma. That’s enough.” She pushed her chair back suddenly and stood. “I need some refreshment. Anything?”
“Water?”
“No problem.” Ms. Coleman disappeared into another room, leaving Tessa alone at the desk.
Tessa started to stand when she accidently caught her sleeve on a folder, pulling it to the floor. The contents spilled out and she bent down quickly to pick it up, not wanting Ms. Coleman to think she’d been rummaging through her things. When she came across a memo that said, leave out of T. Scott’s folder, her curiosity got the best of her.
Ms. Coleman returned to see Tessa sitting quietly at her desk. “Here you are, Tessa.”
“Thank you, Ms. Coleman.”
“Oh please, call me Glenda.”
“You know I drank so much coffee that I really need to use the ladies room, Glenda.” She stood and made a movement that made her knees knock together. “It’s that time of the month too. Is there anything…”
Ms. Coleman smiled in understanding and pointed to the door. “Just outside there to your left. You’ll find everything you need in there. Need some change?”
Tessa backed toward the door. “No thanks. I put some in my pocket before Chase locked my purse in the car.” Tessa pulled out a flat wallet from her pocket about the size of a coin purse and held it up in the air. “Thank you, Glenda.” Tessa smiled sweetly and casually opened the door.
~ ~ ~
The gunfight turned out to be very entertaining for the Scott family. Although still shaken by the events of the morning, Robert too, enjoyed the activities at the Ponderosa Ranch and town. The boys easily ate a Hoss burger, but Robert had to finish Heather’s. After that he longed for a nap. Souvenirs, horseback riding and warm summer sun eventually wore the children down. All three were asleep before they ever left the park.
Knowing that he shouldn’t talk on his cell phone with the children in the car, Robert pulled over at a scenic overlook to try and reach Tessa one more time. He just didn’t understand why she wasn’t picking up. By the sound of her voice two nights ago, Robert had thought she’d forgiven him and Tessa would soon be joining them. How was he going to tell her about the bears? He shuttered to think what might have happened if Honey had not come along.
That created a longer list of questions. Why hadn’t Honey joined them in the park? Who were those men she shot? What if Honey really wasn’t a ranger? Strange no one knew her. Someone that looked like Honey Lynch would certainly leave an impression on a man. Yet, the two cowboys didn’t know her. He’d heard sirens soon after they left. Was it possible the police were involved?
Closing his phone,
he pulled back onto the highway. Another twenty minutes and he turned onto the gravel road that led to the cabin. His heart leaped into his throat when he saw a Nevada Parks Department truck in the driveway. Honey Lynch stood outside the driver’s side with her hands stuffed into her tight jeans. She was out of the uniform that she’d been wearing that morning. Her red, scoop neck tee shirt didn’t leave much to the imagination. It appeared she hadn’t bothered to put on a bra as well.
~ ~ ~
“Hi!” she called with a wave, peering into the car. Seeing the sleeping children she smiled over at Robert with hooded eyes suggesting something, he wasn’t sure what. “Wore them out did you?”
Robert didn’t answer her as he slipped the keys into his pocket and reached over to unlock Sean Patrick’s seatbelt. Honey opened the door and ruffled the boy’s hair until he opened his eyes, clouded with sleep. “Hi, Sean Patrick. Did you have an exciting day?” Honey asked as he nodded and took her hand to pull him out. She opened the back door and unfastened Daniel’s seatbelt, noticing that Robert had gently lifted his little girl up into his arms, where she quickly snuggled her curly head into his neck.
At that moment, when the boys joined their father, putting arms around him as they walked toward the house, Honey felt a pain of regret. She looked around her at the beauty that engulfed this place before her eyes went to Robert who had all but ignored her for his children.
She heard sweet whispers to his little girl and instructions for the boys to assist in opening the door. Torn by two masters, she thought regretfully; good and evil. Sometimes it was difficult to distinguish between the two which made her job easier. But this family, innocent of any wrong doing, teetered on the threshold of destruction without a clue to their precarious position or what lie ahead for them.
Honey waited only a few minutes before the boys returned with fishing poles and ran to the lake. Robert carefully closed the screen door so Heather would finish out her nap. He walked toward her, shoulders pulled back, jaw set and anger in his eyes. The boys called something to him and Robert waved.
“Looks like they’re not traumatized by the bears,” Honey said with a smile as she too waved to the boys. “Guess I have some explaining to do.”
Robert eyed her with caution and put his hands on his hips. “What were you doing there? I mean, thank God, you were, but why were you there?”
Honey narrowed her eyes against the afternoon sun as she pulled a pair of sunglasses off the dash of her truck. “I’m working undercover for the FBI, Robert,” she lied. Why was it people were so trusting of those magic letters, FBI? He dropped his hands to his side and tried to meet her eyes, now covered with dark mirrored glasses.
“You don’t work for the forest department?” Robert’s reasoning power shifted into overload.
“Yes and no. I work a lot of places, this being one of them. The FBI wanted those two men I shot today.” She saw him cringe then look toward his boys. “They were dangerous men. They had escaped from a facility in Las Vegas five days ago. I’ve been tracking them.”
“Are they dead?” Robert asked drily, not sure if he wanted the answer.
Honey smiled, revealing a pretty smile, except for a small chip on one of her lower teeth. “No. It was a tranquilizer gun, Robert. The bears are long gone and the FBI got their men.”
“I didn’t stick around because I had to secure the scene. Didn’t want all your breakfast buddies discovering their lives were in danger. The California and Nevada Parks Department frowns on that. Tourism means money up here. If people think they’re not safe they won’t be spending those must coveted dollars up at Tahoe. They’ll go someplace else and I’d get transferred to Alaska or some other god forsaken place,” she laughed leaning back against the truck. “I hear about threats and I make sure they don’t happen.”
Robert sighed as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He extended his hand to Honey and pulled her into a friendly embrace. “Thank you, Honey, for saving my boys’ lives. I can never thank you enough.” Just then the screen door slammed and Heather stood on the steps rubbing her eyes. Robert quickly ran to her and scooped her up in his arms.
“I can think of several ways you could thank me, Robert Scott,” Honey whispered to herself as he walked back to where she stood. He was a good looking man, strong and lean. Honey tickled Heather’s barefoot as Robert joined her at the truck. What did a girl have to do to get a little attention, she wondered as the sun bounced off Robert’s wedding ring.
~ ~ ~
Glenda Coleman noticed a red light flash on her phone. She rose slowly, smoothing her skirt and fussing with her hair. Opening the door to Benjamin’s conference room, the efficient secretary poked her head inside. “Yes, Director?”
“Would you ask Mrs. Scott to rejoin us, Ms. Coleman?”
The secretary looked over her shoulder with a little concern. “She went to the ladies room about fifteen minutes ago. I’m afraid she might be sick.”
The entire group jumped to their feet, startling Ms. Coleman. She looked confused as Sam darted past her and out the double doors toward the ladies room. “What is it?” Ms. Coleman ask, suddenly troubled by the commotion. “Should I call the doctor?” Ms. Coleman said backing up as the team began to spill into her office.
Vernon clicked something on her computer and turned the screen around for everyone to see. “Betty Crocker has left the building!” he smirked at Chase Hunter. “See that?” He said pointing to Tessa moving toward an ATM structure outside the building. “Where did she get the card?”
Chase slammed his fist down on the desk. “She must have gotten it out of her purse last night when I was in the shower. I took her phone and thought that would be enough.”
Zoric put his bony hand on the shoulder of the much taller Chase Hunter. “I’d suggest taking her into the shower with you next time, my friend.” Zoric’s humor could not be disguised in his raspy voice.
Benjamin Clark glared at Chase with narrowed eyes. “Once again we seem to have underestimated our Grass Valley housewife. What would have made her bolt? I thought she was on board with us.”
Ms. Coleman noticed a file folder on her desk that had been repositioned. “This,” she said lifting up the file of information. “I went to get her some water. She must have gone through it. She knows about her family,” she said with irritation, knowing that this was her fault. “Director Clark, I’m sorry. I trusted her.”
Ben sighed. “She’s good at that, Ms. Coleman.” His eyes watched the security loop on the computer screen. Tessa removed roughly three hundred dollars from her account, punched in another account number, and took another three hundred from savings, the daily maximum. Hailing a yellow cab, Tessa took one look behind her and disappeared into the backseat, and into congested morning traffic. “Vernon,” Ben said with an eerie calm.
“On it! The cab is stuck in traffic just four blocks from here.” Vernon loved having access to street cameras, traffic monitoring devices and information the general public had no idea was available. It was a one man peep show for him. “Better hurry, Chase. Police are on the scene to get traffic moving after a little fender bender.”
“Oh no!” Ms. Coleman started lifting other files on her desk and pulled out a couple of drawers.
“Ms. Coleman?” Ben asked impatiently.
“My Enigma phone! It’s gone.” Her eyes went to Ben. “Will she be able to use it?”
Chase shook his head in disbelief. “That would be like putting the launch codes for thermal nuclear war in her hands.” He motioned to Vernon. “Do what you can. Maybe we can track her with it. She’ll probably try and call her husband.”
Sam returned after trying to make her way downstairs to follow Tessa. It didn’t take her long to realize the woman was gone. “When this is all over I want to wring that little Wal-Mart housewife’s neck.”
Chase started out the door with Zoric. “You’re going to have to wait in line.”
Chapter 18
B y
the time Chase and Zoric reached the yellow cab, someone else rode in the backseat. The driver in a thick Indian accent waved his hands in alarm, saying the crying lady jumped out after paying him twenty dollars for a ten dollar fare. He motioned the direction in which she’d gone and begged to leave.
Vernon broke in on Chase’s earpiece: “See a car rental nearby, Chase? Got a hit that our little Grass Valley commando paid cash for a blue Chevy Equinox; no destination or return date listed, but plans to keep it at least a week. Clerk added a note that the woman appeared upset.”
“If that vehicle has On Star get them the stats and shut her down.” The two Enigma men were already in the Hummer, zigzagging through traffic toward the Interstate 80 on-ramp.
“Me again, dude.” It was Vernon. “Yeah. Refused the On-Star option. Guess she thought it might be a problem.” Vernon chuckled and continued. “Don’t worry. I have enough info to hack into On-Star and get her stopped. It’s going to take me about twenty minutes. She’s a piece of work. Are you sure she doesn’t work for us? Wait a minute.” There was a pause. “Headed east about five miles from Auburn on Interstate 80 and she’s breaking the speed limit. Want me to call the highway patrol?
“Negative. I want to take care of this myself.” Chase stormed.
Tessa finally regained some composure and realized her driving could draw unwanted attention to her location. Her thoughts raced at supersonic speed, jumping from one image to another. A blaring horn jolted Tessa to swerve back into her lane and concentrate on the road.
All this time she’d believed her family vacationed in a safe location, unaware of the sinister world of terrorists, isotopes and a secret government agency called Enigma. Yet she discovered by accident that two unsavory characters were actually watching her family. Why would they do that? Why would they not want her to know?
The Enigma Series Boxed Set Page 20
