Hell's Highway

by Gerri Hill

  “May I help you?”

  Cameron glanced at the nurse, noticing the constant low beeping of the monitor on the wall, Andrea’s vital signs updating by the second as the numbers continued to change. She cleared her throat, then held up her FBI credentials.

  “I’m Special Agent Ross,” she said. “I’m just here to check on my agent.” She finally moved into the room, her eyes again going to Andrea’s face.

  “We had to sedate her. She—”

  “Sedate her? She was sedated when she came in. I don’t understand.”

  “When she came to, she ripped the IV out of her arm and attacked the doctor,” the nurse said with a slight smile. “Pompous ass that he is, I’m glad she took a swing at him,” she said quietly, looking over her shoulder to make sure she wasn’t overheard. “We had to restrain her. He gave her a sedative so that he could examine her.”

  “She was abducted and drugged. Using an IV. So I guess she—”

  “Oh, my. Well, we didn’t know. She was nearly hysterical. She kept calling for someone named Cameron. I assume that’s her boyfriend. Or husband. Maybe you could find him? She would probably be more settled if he was here.”

  Cameron felt a sting of tears but blinked them away, somehow feeling as if she’d failed Andrea by not being here for her. She nodded at the nurse, her hand reaching out to touch Andrea’s.

  “It’ll be awhile before she wakes up. You look like you could use some coffee,” she suggested.

  Cameron sighed. “Coffee? No. I need something much stronger than coffee.”

  The nurse leaned closer. “There’s a bar a couple of blocks down. Is that what you mean?”

  Cameron smiled her thanks. “I’ll be back shortly.”

  She found Reynolds waiting, his phone to his ear. He motioned her over when he saw her.

  “Jack says the trucking manager is throwing a fit. Demands an attorney,” he said.

  She shook her head. “No. If we suspect terrorist activity, we don’t have to follow all of the Miranda rights,” she said.

  “Terrorists? That’s reaching a bit. Even for you.”

  She smiled. “We found explosives. Could be a hideout of a terrorist cell.”

  He studied her for a moment then nodded. “Okay. I’ll buy it.” He went back to his call with Jack and Cameron waited while he gave the other man instructions. When he put his phone away he looked at her questioningly. “Well?”

  “They had to sedate her again. Seems she attacked the doctor,” she said with a smile.

  “She’s your partner. I’d expect nothing less,” he said with a smile, showing a sense of humor Cameron hadn’t seen before.

  “Come on. I’ll let you buy me a drink. We have about an hour.”

  They walked down the dark sidewalk silently. Cameron in her dirty jeans and T-shirt, Reynolds in his suit pants and tie, minus the jacket that he’d covered Andrea with. It was now part of the crime scene. Her boots were silent, his dress shoes making a nearly metallic clicking on the concrete.

  It was late, or early, depending on how you looked at it. The bar was sparsely populated, only a handful of tables occupied. Some of the patrons were dressed in street clothes, others still in scrubs, no doubt having just come from their shift at the hospital.

  They chose the bar instead of a table and Reynolds motioned for the bartender. “What would you like?” Reynolds asked her.

  “Bourbon. Straight up.”

  The bartender waited, patiently wiping down the bar. Reynolds held up two fingers and the bartender nodded.

  They both sighed, then smiled at each other as their drinks were served. They silently touched glasses.

  “You married, Reynolds?”

  “No,” he said with a shake of his head. “Like everyone else on this team, I’m single. I’m not sure this job and marriage is a good mix. This line of work is not really conducive to marriage. Neither was the military.”

  “You got someone?”

  He smiled. “I have a friend,” he said. “In Chicago. I see her whenever I get back there. But she knows our relationship will never be permanent. I don’t think she’d want it to be. She’s a surgeon. Dedicated.” He watched her for a moment. “You?”

  She smiled. “Who would put up with me, Reynolds? Besides, I’m a loner. Always have been.”

  “Yeah, but now you’ve got a partner,” he said.

  She shrugged. “I needed someone to watch my back. We bonded quickly in Sedona. For not having trained together, we just seemed to be in tune with each other. That’s what you want in a partner.”

  He smiled and tossed back the rest of his drink. “You two look really close. That’s good.”

  “Yeah. We’re close.”

  He looked at her drink and she nodded. He held up two fingers again to the bartender.

  “So? You and Carina?”

  “That was a long time ago.”

  “She doesn’t really fit in with the team, does she?”

  “No. But she’s good at what she does. This must seem very tame to her,” Cameron said. “Why did she leave the military?”

  “She is actually on loan from the CIA. Had a botched mission. Civilians died, including her lovers.”

  Cameron raised her eyebrows.

  “A man and his wife.”

  Cameron shook her head. “What was she thinking?”

  “From what I understand, that was common for her.”

  “I suppose,” she said, remembering the sexual appetite Carina had. “So? Her request to get out?”

  “No. The brass suggested she take a break. She’s on leave. For at least a year. They handed her over to Murdock.”

  She nodded, taking a sip from her fresh drink. “Eric seems good. Jack is Jack.”

  Reynolds laughed quietly. “I’m surprised you haven’t shot Eric yet. Or at least punched him out.”

  Cameron looked at him questioningly.

  “You know, for how he flirts with Andrea.”

  Cameron felt the slightest of blushes threaten. “I wanted to shoot him. Andrea wouldn’t let me.”

  Reynolds laughed outright. “Don’t worry. He knows what the score is. We all do.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. It’s a dangerous position, Cameron. I’m sure you know that. You let your emotions override your training.” He looked at her pointedly. “Like tonight.”

  “If breaking protocol saved her life, I’d do it every time.”

  He studied her intently for a long moment. “Is it the real thing? Or just an affair?”

  Cameron didn’t know why she was trusting him, but she was. “I’m in love with her. It’s not just a passing affair. She’s—” She paused, not knowing how, or even if, she could explain Andrea’s importance in her life. So she just shrugged. “Not an affair.”

  He nodded again. “I like you, Cameron. I don’t always agree with your tactics, but I like you. Collie made you out to be this rogue agent who was out of control and who wouldn’t play nice.” He smiled. “I see that too, of course. Not that I think you’re out of control, mind you.” He finished off his drink and slid the glass away from him. “You and Andrea seem to be a good fit. If it works for you, then great. But just be careful. We still have a serial killer to catch. That’s our top priority.”

  She tipped her glass at him before swallowing the last bit of it. “Thanks Reynolds. I like you too. Even if Collie trained you.” She stood and shoved the barstool back. “Thanks for the drinks.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Andrea sat on the edge of the bed, still feeling a bit out of it, but she was determined to prove she was fine. She just wanted to get out of there. She glanced at her arm, a dark bruise showing where she’d ripped the IV out earlier. She rubbed it, avoiding the bandage they’d placed there. The doctor—who she had slugged earlier—had released her. Whether or not it was because he truly thought she was ready to be discharged, she wasn’t certain. He’d kept a safe distance, even after she’d apologized for the fourth time.
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  “Andi?”

  She jerked her head up, then nearly collapsed as she tried to stand. Cameron rushed to her, strong arms holding her tight against her solid frame.

  “God, Cameron,” she murmured, clinging to her, burying her face against Cameron’s neck. She knew this wasn’t the time or place for this but she couldn’t possibly let her go. Only when she saw Reynolds watching from the doorway did she pull away.

  Cameron, too, took a step back, but she kept a hand on her to steady her. “Should you be up?”

  “I’ve been released. I just want to get out of here.”

  “Are you sure? I mean—”

  “I’m very sure.” She glanced at Reynolds, then back to Cameron. “Did you...did you find him?”

  Cameron shook her head. “No.”

  “We found an underground tunnel,” Reynolds said. He came fully into the room. “Agent Sullivan, you did a fine job tonight.”

  She wanted to laugh. No, she wanted to cry. She found she was too tired to do either. She knew they’d want a briefing but she was still too raw, too emotional. She shivered as she remembered his hands on her. When she’d woken up—the second time—the first thing she asked the nurse was whether she’d been raped or not. Her relief was visible as the nurse assured her she had not been.

  “If it’s okay with you, can we go over this in the morning? I just want to go home.”

  The drive back to Indio was made in near silence. Andrea had taken the backseat, letting Reynolds ride up front with Cameron. She’d positioned herself so that she could see Cameron in the mirror, but the rocking motion of the truck lulled her to sleep. She’d not even stirred when Cameron dropped Reynolds off at the hotel.

  Now, nearly three in the morning, she stood holding Lola, watching as Cameron moved about the rig, getting ready for bed. Cameron had been attentive, but quiet. Too quiet. Andrea knew exactly what was going through her mind.

  “You want to talk about it?” she finally asked.

  Cameron looked at her but shook her head. Before she turned away, Andrea saw her tears. She put Lola down, then grabbed Cameron’s arm as she tried to move away.

  “Come here,” she said.

  She thought Cameron was going to resist but she relented, letting Andrea pull her into her arms. Cameron’s tears were silent at first and Andrea rubbed her back, letting her cry. Then a sob escaped and Cameron clung to her as she wept.

  Andrea squeezed her own eyes tight, not willing to give in to her emotions. Not yet. Cameron needed this right now. Andrea could wait.

  “I’m sorry,” Cameron mumbled against her neck. “I feel so weak.”

  “You’re not weak, sweetheart,” Andrea whispered.

  “I am weak,” Cameron said as she pulled out of her arms. She wiped at the tears on her face, rubbed a finger under her wet nose. “I’m very weak.” She took a step away from her as if trying to get herself under control. “I could hardly do my job. I was so worried about you,” she admitted.

  “But you did do your job. You found me. You saved me.”

  “What if I hadn’t?” Cameron ran her hands through her hair, pacing now. “Maybe this was a mistake. I’m not sure I can do this.”

  Andrea tilted her head. “What are you talking about? What’s a mistake?” She raised an eyebrow. “Us?” Andrea was taken aback, not knowing exactly where Cameron was going with this. “Us?” she asked again, motioning between them. “This is a mistake?”

  Cameron nodded. “I can’t keep worrying about you. I can’t keep being afraid I’m going to lose you. I could have lost you tonight, Andi. Then what?”

  Andrea felt a touch of anger, but she knew Cameron hadn’t intended to sound so selfish. It was just her vast insecurity rearing its ugly head again.

  “So we’re back to that?” She walked closer to Cameron, standing just in front of her. “Your sole existence is not dependent on me. Just like mine is not dependent on you. I love you. You love me. What we have is something...what we have—us—is something I’ve only dared to dream of. That’s why we’re afraid. That’s why it hurts when we think about losing the other.” She took Cameron’s hand, holding it tightly. “I feel it too. If we didn’t have what we have, then you wouldn’t be so afraid. So this is not a mistake. This is beautiful what we have between us.”

  Cameron’s eyes searched hers but she didn’t say anything.

  “Would it be better if we didn’t work together? If you had a different partner?”

  “God, no. No. I wouldn’t trust anyone else.” She dropped Andrea’s hand, moving away again. “I almost went crazy tonight.”

  “But you didn’t. You did your job.”

  Cameron met her eyes, holding them. “It was so close, Andi. Too close.”

  Andrea took a deep breath, hoping to assuage her fears. “Cameron, our goal was to get him to lead us to his safe house. That was the goal. When I realized he’d made me for a cop, I could have done something. I had a gun. When he took it, I could have disarmed him. I could have grabbed the wheel and rolled his truck, something. But I knew you were behind me, I knew what our goal was. I knew you were coming for me. I didn’t want to abort the mission.” She reached out, cupping Cameron’s face with one hand. “I knew what my job was and I did it. Just as you did.”

  Cameron finally nodded, turning her head to kiss Andrea’s palm. Andrea watched as her eyes slid closed and a soft sigh escaped.

  “I’m sorry,” Cameron finally said. She tried to smile. “It just occurred to me how selfish I’ve been.”

  Andrea did smile. “Yes.”

  Cameron gave up the fight, pulling Andrea into her arms. “Now, do you want to talk?”

  Andrea shook her head. “I’m tired. I just want to go to bed. I just want you to hold me. Keep me safe.”

  Cameron nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

  Andrea kissed her neck, then moved to her lips. “That’s all I ask.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Andrea stood behind the glass mirror, along with Eric, Jack and Carina. Rowan was at the rig again, which he’d dubbed “control central.” Reynolds and Cameron were in the interrogation room, questioning the manager of the small trucking company.

  “Where was he headed?” Reynolds asked.

  “I told you. Vegas.”

  “Then where?”

  “Then he swings down Ninety-five to Needles.”

  Eric leaned closer. “You okay?”

  It was the second time he’d asked. She smiled and squeezed his arm. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

  Carina watched them but said nothing. Jack’s eyes never left the glass.

  “And his name?”

  “I already told you. Henry Waters. That’s all I got.”

  “Henry Waters died in 1957. We pulled your records. You pay him in cash. Now who is he?”

  “I told you. I don’t know.”

  “Why did you pay him in cash?”

  “We pay a couple of guys in cash.”

  Andrea watched Cameron as she stood in one corner, letting Reynolds do the questioning. She could tell by the look on her face that she’d had enough.

  “Jesus Christ, Reynolds.”

  Cameron nearly shoved Reynolds out of the way as she grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt, slamming him against the wall.

  “Listen, little man, I’ve had enough of your bullshit. I want to know his goddamn name. Now!”

  Eric gave a quiet laugh as the man’s mouth actually quivered.

  Carina, too, laughed. “She’s so sexy when she’s like that.”

  “She sure is,” Andrea murmured.

  “He’s an ex-con. I’m not supposed to hire ex-cons, but I can’t keep drivers so I do what I can. A cop put in a good word for him. I thought it was cool.”

  Cameron released him. “What’s his name?”

  “Leonard Baskin.”

  “And the cop?”

  “Buddy Burke. From Barstow. It’s his half-brother.”

  Andrea saw Cameron’s shoulders
stiffen. She, too, recognized the name. He was the officer from Barstow who had showed them where the first body was found. Cameron was already walking out of the interrogation room, phone to her ear.

  “We move the rig to Barstow. Reynolds, pack up your team,” she said, pausing as her call was obviously answered. “Murdock? We got something.”

  Chief Hudley of the Barstow police department looked from Cameron to Reynolds in disbelief, still shaking his head.

  “No way my officer is involved. No way.”

  Cameron leaned forward. “We just want to talk to him.”

  Cameron watched the muscles in his jaw clench and un-clench. He finally reached for the phone.

  “Contact Officer Burke. Have him return to the station.” He glanced at Cameron. “You may speak with him, but this is in no way an interrogation. I know Buddy. He’s a good cop.”

  “I’m not saying he isn’t. It’s his half-brother we’re interested in.”

  “And this will be kept confidential. I don’t want—” His phone buzzed, interrupting what Cameron feared was going to turn into a lecture. He nodded without speaking, then hung up. “Burke is not responding.”

  Cameron stood, pacing. “Do you have a locater on his car?”

  “Yes, we can track it. It’s going to take a little time. I’ll need to get the tech guys to—”

  “I want to be involved in this. I can have my—”

  “No. This is my officer. This is my jurisdiction. The FBI gets to back off,” he said, pointing at her.

  Reynolds was about to protest but she stopped him. “Come on.” She pulled out one of her cards and tossed it on the chief’s desk. “Keep us in the loop.”

  Once out of his office, Reynolds spoke. “What’s going on? You never back down like that.”

  Cameron took out her phone, already dialing. “We have our own tech guy. We don’t need his.” Rowan answered immediately. “I need Buddy Burke’s home address. Then I need you to locate his patrol car.”

  “Is this my okay to hack their system?”

  “Yes. Just be quick about it. Call Andrea with his home address. Reynolds and I will go after the car.”