Whop!
The henchman sagged onto the stairs.
Up they went, side by side. At the top, two other henchmen awaited them. Sidney’s fingertips danced on her weapon. “Move.”
The pair of men parted, and at the top a table awaited with eight guests. One of them was Congressman Wilhelm. The other face she recognized was Adam Vaughn’s.
“Agent Shaw,” Congressman Wilhelm said, lighting up a cigar, “may I ask what you are doing here?”
“I could ask you the same,” she said.
“I don’t answer to anyone less than a senator.”
“I’m sure your voters would love to hear that.”
The congressman chuckled. “They only hear what I want them to hear.” He squeezed his date’s knee with the hand bearing his wedding ring. “And they only believe what I want them to believe.”
A few more henchmen crowded near the table. Congressman Wilhelm had a secret service agent on one side and his baby-doll date on the other. One seat over from AV, Rod Brown sat in a blue suit, eyeing a spot on the table.
“As always,” Sidney said, “you seem to be on top of things, so I assume you know you’re dining with a wanted man?”
“Beg pardon?” Wilhelm’s eyes slid toward AV, but shifted back to her. “What are you talking about? You’re not here to pester me?”
“No,” she said, taking out her flex cuffs, “I’m here for Adam Vaughn.”
“Adam? What on earth would you want with Adam?”
Adam Vaughn’s fine features darkened. His eyes scoured his men.
“That isn’t any of your business, Congressman. But I’m sure your spineless sources will fill you in soon enough. Mister Vaughn, I need you to come with me.”
“Stay put, Adam,” Wilhelm said, tossing his napkin on the table and getting up from his seat. “You listen to me, Shaw. You need to get out of here. Get out of here now. You’re in deeper than you know.” He plucked out his phone and started to dial. “Relax, Adam. I’ll handle this.”
Adam Vaughn was an attractive man, small in stature, with a head of coarse black hair and heavy eyebrows. He wore a white shirt with an open collar underneath a blue pin-striped suit. His eyes narrowed and his jaws were clenching. The atmosphere was ripe with tension. Sidney felt Smoke slide in behind her. She glanced back. His eyes were laser locked on AV.
“Let’s go, Mister Vaughn,” she said, using more authority this time.
AV had turned his attention to Rod. The big man’s head was beaded with sweat.
“Rod,” AV said in a European accent that was more deadly than charming, “look at me.”
Rod lifted his chin, started to turn, and began shaking uncontrollably.
“I’m sorry, AV. I’m sorry!”
“Nobody’s sorry, Adam,” Wilhelm said, covering his phone. “I’ll take care of this in a moment.” He rolled his eyes at Sidney. “You really don’t know what’s good for you.”
“Betrayer!” Adam jumped up from his seat and lunged at Rod.
Sidney drew her weapon. “Back off, Mister Vaughn!”
AV lifted his palms and backed off. “You’re dead to me, Rod.” He spat on the table. “Dead!” He came out from behind the table and faced Sidney. “You’ll soon be dead to me too.”
“Turn around — oof!”
AV kicked her in the gut, dropping her to her knees. He ducked under Smoke’s lunging arms and leaped over the rail and crashed onto a table below. A cry of alarm went up all over the restaurant.
Smoke catapulted off the rail and charged after AV, who was dashing toward the exit.
Sidney scrambled to her feet and headed for the stairs, tripping over Wilhelm’s feet.
“Watch your step, Agent Shaw,” he said with a sinister grin. “Watch your step.”
CHAPTER 22
Sidney hit the landing at the bottom of the steps just as Smoke vanished through the front doors. Panicked people spilled into her way.
“Move it!”
A path slowly parted between feeble bodies and bewildered faces. She powered through them, shoving a man and two women down. “Does anyone know what move means?”
While she was rushing by the hostess stand, two peacock goons blocked her path. She blasted two warning shots into the floor.
Blam! Blam!
One goon dove left and the other dove right. Everybody screamed. Through the door Sidney went. Sprinting on long, fast legs, she surged out onto the deck and saw Smoke racing through the crowd thirty yards away. AV vanished down the steps leading to the docks. Smoke disappeared right after him.
Get down there, Sid!
At the top of the stairs, two more gunshots cracked off. The bodyguard on the dock was blasting away at the slithery Smoke.
Sidney took aim.
Blam!
Her bullet ripped through the back of the man’s shoulder, spinning him to the ground. Down the stairs she went, sidestepping the big man and kicking his pistol into the water. After Smoke and AV she went, weapon ready. A pitch-black 30-foot cabin cruiser at the end of the dock started pulling out of its slip.
No you don’t! She sprinted toward the end of the dock. Faster, Sid! Faster! Adrenaline surging through her limbs, she put everything into her jump. She sailed through the air. I’m going to make it!
Her foot clipped the edge of the boat, making for an ugly landing. She tumbled and bumped her head on the table. Bright starry spots drew in her eyes. She rubbed her head and forced herself up to her feet. A man in a captain’s hat was up the stairs behind the wheel. She took aim and said, “FBI! Shut it down!”
The man remained unmoving. Sidney went up the steps and put the gun to his neck.
“I said, shut it down.”
The man turned to face her. His face was pasty, hair ratty and stringy, eyes hollow and lifeless.
She gasped. Something evil, unnatural lurked behind his sunken eyes.
In a burst, the creepy man shoved her aside and lumbered stiffly down the stairs.
“Freeze!”
He kept going.
She fired a round at his leg.
Blam!
Unfazed, he stepped up on the edge of the boat and fell into the black water.
Sidney rushed down the steps and looked over the rail. The man was gone. Only the captain’s hat remained afloat.
I know I hit him … it.
“Sid!” a voice cried out. “Sid!”
She twisted around. Smoke’s voice was coming from inside the lower cabin. She burst through the doors. Smoke’s big frame had AV pinned down on the floor. The smaller man twisted away and sprinted toward Sidney. Smoke tackled his legs and launched a quick punch in AV’s ribs. The man sagged.
“Cuffs!” Smoke said, chest heaving.
“What?”
“Flex cuffs!” he added, sucking for air. He wrenched AV’s arms behind his back.
AV jerked them away.
“You are one strong little man!” Smoke punched both sides of his ribs again. Whap! Whap! “I’ll have no more of that, you swarthy Spaniard.”
“I’m not Spanish, you fool!” AV spat on the floor. “I’m something else.”
You’re something else, all right.
Sidney kneeled down and put her gun barrel to AV’s temple. “If you don’t remain still, something else of yours is going to be splattered all over the floor.”
AV’s struggles eased. He gazed up at her. His eyes were black pools. Insidious. Primal. Evil. Hair rose on her neck. Without averting her eyes, she handed Smoke the cuffs. He crisscrossed AV’s wrists and bound them.
“Do you have another pair?”
“I always have another pair,” she said, handing them over.
Smoke tied down AV’s legs, leaned back against the bed, and caught his breath.
Winded herself, Sidney sat back on the steps and wiped her sleeve across her forehead. She then asked AV, “Is there anyone else on this boat we should know about?”
“Do you see anyone else?” he said with a snee
r. “It’s just me and a couple of soon-to-be dead people.”
Smoke kicked him. “Where’s the captain?”
“He jumped overboard.”
“Really?” Smoke said, cocking his ear, “then who’s driving the boat?”
The blaring sound of a boat horn ripped through the chill night air.
Sidney’s eyes widened. She jumped to her feet, darted up the stairs, and raced up to the captain’s chair. A river barge was almost on top of them. She spun the wheel right and pumped down the throttle. The fore of the boat rose high, and the propellers sank the aft of the boat into the water. Sidney hung onto the wheel. The massive bulk of the barge cruised by with little more than a foot to spare.
That was close.
She throttled down the cruiser and watched the barge pass by.
Too close.
She scanned the black water. The barge’s wake beat against the hull. There was no sign of the captain—and she was certain the captain wasn’t any man at all. Cruising down the shoreline, she caught movement along the bank. A drenched figure lumbered out of the water, up the shore, and disappeared into the woods. A chill went through her.
That’s wasn’t a man. I swear it!
CHAPTER 23
“Excellent job, Sid,” said Jack Dydeck. “Just excellent.” He paced the floor with his fingers locked behind his back. They were back at the house: Jack, Tommy Tohms, Sidney, Smoke, and a couple of other agents. AV sat cross-legged, head down, by the fireplace. “You erased a name on the Black Slate in one day?” He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it. “I’m proud of you, Sid.”
“There’s really no need. It’s my job, and I can’t take all the credit.” She nodded at Smoke. “He helped.”
Smoke sat quietly on the sofa, eyes intent on AV. He hadn’t said much of anything since they journeyed back from the Potomac and Jack and his men picked them up.
“I’m sure he did,” Jack said. “We’ll be sure to send him some new books to read back in prison.”
“Wait,” Sidney said, “I thought we had two weeks?”
“Sure, to get Mister Vaughn here. That’s all over now.”
“Hold on.” Sidney was not hiding the irritation in her voice. “There are reports. Interrogations. Investigations of his operations. The list goes on. I want to be thorough.”
“We’ll handle that, Sid. You go get some rest and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
“No, I’ll handle it.”
Jack offered a smile. “Tomorrow. Back in the office. Around noon. We’ll await Mister Vaughn’s caretakers.” His tone became stern. “You look exhausted, Sid. We can stitch up this mess tomorrow. Go.”
“What about him?” She looked at Smoke.
Jack sighed.
“Tell you what: seeing how the two of you caught headquarters with their pants down, well,” he scratched his head, “they aren’t sure what the next step is. I’m waiting on their call to advise me on what to do with Mister Smoke, so the two of you head up the road and grab a bite to eat. I’ll call you back after Mister Vaughn is picked up. We’ll take it from there. Fair enough?”
“I’d rather stay,” Smoke said. His eyes were still glued on AV.
“I don’t care.” Jack glowered at him. “You can go eat or sit here handcuffed.”
“Come on,” Sidney said to Smoke. “Let’s go.”
Slowly, Smoke rose from the sofa and headed out the door. Sidney was one half-step behind.
“Give us a couple of hours, Sid,” Jack said. “I should have it all wrapped up by then.”
“All right,” she said, glancing down at AV.
His eyes fastened on hers. “Soon, Pretty. Soon.”
Goosebumps rose on her arms. She tore her gaze away and went back outside. She was short of breath.
“You okay?” Smoke said.
She swallowed and took a breath. “Yeah. Let’s go.”
***
“You’ve been awfully quiet,” Sidney said to Smoke. They were sitting in a truck stop restaurant almost ten miles up the road from the house. Smoke’s burger and fries were getting cold. “Did you lose your appetite?”
“Tell me about that captain again.”
“I don’t know.” She covered her yawn. “It was dark. I’ve been tired.” She took a sip of coffee. “His face was clammy. Veiny. Like a, well, I don’t know.”
“Like a zombie?”
“I wouldn’t take it that far.” She wrinkled her forehead. “Zombies don’t drive boats. It might have been sick from something.”
“You said it again.”
“Him. It. It was ugly. Ugh. He was ugly. Just let it go.”
“But you said you shot him. Hit his leg. But didn’t slow him.”
“Adrenaline.”
“You said he walked up the shore and disappeared.”
“It might have been someone else. It was too far to see.”
“I don’t think anyone else would have been swimming in the Potomac.” Smoke pushed his plate aside, scooted back into the booth, and stretched his legs out.
“Make yourself comfortable, why don’t you.”
Smoke closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.
He’s getting weird on me.
“Are you all right?”
“I have a confession.” His eyes were still closed.
Oh great. Please don’t give me some sappy story about the last time you ate Pop-tarts with your sister.
“Great. There’s a Catholic steeple down the street.”
“I’m worried.” He opened his eyes and looked worried.
“So?”
“I don’t get worried.”
“Well, I guess you’re just one of us now.”
“AV. He’s not normal.”
“No, most criminals aren’t. What’s the matter? Are you afraid he won’t be a good cell mate?”
Smoke raised his eyebrows at her.
“Sorry. That was uncalled for.” She leaned forward. “It’s been a really long day.”
“Agent Shaw, did you get a good look when AV jumped off the balcony?”
“I was there.”
“Well, so was I. There aren’t many people aside from Olympic athletes who can jump that far in a single bound.” He sat up. “He made a mistake and ran for the boat, thinking the bodyguards would stop us. If he had run into the city, we never would have caught him.”
“So he’s fast.”
“And strong.” Smoke narrowed his eyes at her. “I have a hundred pounds on him. It took all I had to wrestle him down.”
“He’s in shape. Adrenaline. Maybe he’s on something. That wouldn’t be a first. My father told me he saw a man on PCP burst out of his handcuffs once.”
“No,” Smoke said in a hushed voice, “I’m telling you, he’s not normal. Just like that captain isn’t normal.”
“Don’t overthink it.” She finished off her coffee and checked her phone. No messages from Jack yet, and it had been two hours. She yawned. “I wonder why this is taking so long.”
Smoke started to ease himself out of the booth. “I say we head back.” His eyes were restless. “I have a bad feeling.”
Can’t disagree there. But I’m not going to let him spook me either.
“Sure, why not.” Sid fetched some bills out of her bag. “Do you want a doggie bag?”
“What?”
She dropped the money on the table. “Lighten up a little, will you?”
***
Driving down the road, Sid couldn’t shake the butterflies from her stomach. Smoke was uncomfortable. It made her uncomfortable.
What is his deal?
She’d texted Dydeck before they left and hadn’t heard back. Jack was always quick to reply. Ahead, the half-moon shone brightly behind the rising mist of the late evening. She barreled down the exit ramp, merged onto the highway, cruised a few more miles down the road, and turned into Benson Estates.
A pack of dogs darted across the road. Sidney slammed on the brakes. Her heart was jumping.
“Whoa.” Smoke leaned forward in his seat. “Were those coyotes?”
“Coyotes aren’t that big,” Sidney said, peering into the night. The pack had vanished behind the houses. “Those were wolves.”
“Like timber wolves? I don’t know about that. But they were big. Shepherds, maybe.”
“Wolves, trust me. I’m pretty familiar with the breeds of dogs.” She let off the brake pedal and eased on up the road. It was the second time she’d seen them in a day.
“Care to fill me in?”
“No.”
“So, you used to be a veterinarian?”
She didn’t reply.
“Really? Is it that hard to share the smallest detail of any of your history?”
“No. I’m just staying focused right now.” Driving slowly, she surveyed between the houses they passed. “Just keeping it professional.”
“I agree, but I think you should work on tuning up your social skills.”
After a long pause, Sidney said, “I was a K-9 cop in the Air Force.”
“Oh.” Smoke nodded. He sniffed the air. “Funny, you don’t smell like a canine cop. They usually have a scent about them.”
“I’m not one now, obviously.”
“Just a little humor, Agent Shaw. Take it easy.”
She almost cracked a smile as she pulled the car alongside the curb of the house. The two black SUVs were still in the driveway.
Unbuckling his belt and getting out of the car, Smoke said, “It doesn’t look like anyone else has shown up.” He headed for the front door. Sidney followed in step behind him. The lights were on inside. The front door was wide open. No sounds came from within. “That’s weird.”
“Sure is,” she said, drawing her weapon.
Smoke stopped at the threshold. His arms fanned out, shielding her.
“Wait.”
Sidney’s body tingled with tiny fires. She slipped underneath Smoke’s arm and stepped inside. Blood dripped from the fireplace mantle. The stench of death was thick. She gasped.
CHAPTER 24
Sidney stumbled back into Smoke, mumbling, “No … no.”
Blood pooled on the floor. Splattered on the walls. Two agents lay in mangled heaps of flesh. A man was disemboweled, his frozen gaze fixed on the hearth. It was Tommy Tohms. A woman lay with her elbow and neck snapped. The third agent sat on the sofa, coated in blood. His head was missing. Twisted clean off.
Smoke Rising Page 9
