A dark-green sedan slid up to the curb. The trunk was opened and she was tossed inside. They waited a few moments and Dana heard three car doors open and shut. The car sped off.
Her heart pounded against her chest as fear clutched at her throat. She’d underestimated how daring they’d be in capturing her.
Dana’s body shook uncontrollably. It all happened so fast. She didn’t think. If she’d screamed and ran would he have shot her? She suspected a gunshot wound might be better than depending on Addison’s mercy.
Images of what might happen to her had her gasping for breath. I have to calm down and think. There has to be a way to get free of them. She checked the trunk for a safety lock. All the newer cars must have them. When she found it, she twisted her body, reaching to pull the latch. Finally her fingers grasped it. The cord pulled loose and dangled. They’d thought of everything. Her heart sank.
I mustn’t give up. Chayton and Steel will find me. Forcing her mind to calm she pictured Chayton and Steel. Then she started repeating one phrase in her mind, over and over. Green sedan. Help.
* * * *
Chayton had started working with a new mare. Her dark brown coat shone in the sunshine. He held the reins and spoke to her softly. His mind was half on what he was doing and half on Dana. She’d been so determined to go to work, but he’d had an uneasy feeling since she left.
When a cool breeze made him shiver, he stopped and opened his mind. Something was wrong. He knew it. Snapping open his phone, he dialed Steel’s number. The call went to his mailbox. Then Chayton tried the office.
“Hello, Dr. Melwyn and Wynters office,” the receptionist said.
“Hi, this is Chayton. I’d like to speak with Dr. Wynters.”
“She’s in with a patient. I can have her call you back. Steel’s waiting in the lobby for her. Do you want to speak with him?”
“Yes, please.”
“What’s up?” Steel asked.
“I’m not sure. Go in that exam room and check to see Dana’s all right. I have an uneasy feeling.”
“I did too, but apparently not as much as you. I’m going through the door to the exam rooms now.”
Chayton heard the receptionist calling to Steel. “Ignore her.”
“I am. There’s two doors shut. I’ll try the back one.” The door slammed against the wall.
“Hell,” Steele said. “She’s gone. The window is open, and there’s no sign of the patient. I’ll notify the sheriff.”
“I’m on my way to town. I’ll hook up the horse trailer. There’s no better tracker than Wind Chaser.”
Chayton hurriedly put the mare in the barn and saddled Wind Chaser. He balked at going in the trailer, but with encouragement did. Then Chayton drove to town.
Kel Reardon, the sheriff, and his men were combing the area for clues when Chayton arrived. “Did you find anything?” he asked Kel.
“Not yet. One of my deputies called just before Steel. He’d seen an unfamiliar car with four men in it. According to him the car took off fast toward the south, but he didn’t see Dana Wynters. He’s following it. Flint Rikward contacted me. He said he was also in pursuit.”
“Have you heard from either one since then?”
“No, and that worries me. I was getting ready to leave and check on them when I saw you. Maybe we should check the map in my office. It might give us an idea of where they’re going.”
“I’ll go with you, Kel,” Steel said joining them. “Chayton has his stallion. He’ll follow the car with him.”
“Good. We won’t be far behind,” Kel promised.
“Call if you have a good idea of where they’re headed.”
It didn’t take much time for Chayton to get Wind Chaser out of the trailer. When he was in the saddle, Chayton led the stallion to the back window. He got off and put Dana’s sweater that he’d remembered to bring, under Wind Chaser’s nose. The stallion threw his head back, and then down to the sweater again. Chayton walked Wind Chaser around the immediate area of the open window.
The stallion stopped right under the window. Then he moved back toward the street. His nostrils flared and his front legs went into the air. He sniffed along the curb and tossed his head.
“Good boy.” Chayton jumped in the saddle and Wind Chaser took off down the street heading south as the deputy had reported. Chayton leaned low over the saddle and let the powerful stallion race.
He wrinkled his forehead. A headache had started behind his eyes. Chayton reined in his horse after several miles, shut his eyes, and let his mind open. First there was nothing, but then he heard Dana’s voice faintly. Green sedan. Help.
His eyes popped open when he realized she’d sent him a message, and he’d received it. Wind Chaser was restless and wanted to run.
“Quiet boy,” he whispered to the horse. He led the horse deeper into the circle of trees right off the highway. Then he tied Wind Chaser’s reins and sat cross-legged on the ground. He settled himself and took deep breaths. Where are you, Dana? He sent the words out and waited.
* * * *
Flint Rikward heard the shots and saw the deputy’s windshield break. The police car swerved, and then regained control. The green car picked up speed and kept shooting at the deputy. The deputy drove a zigzag path behind them. Flint pressed his foot harder on the gas pedal of Russ’s truck. His determination and focus wouldn’t let these guys get out of his sight.
Flint passed the deputy. He glanced at him and saw blood on the deputy’s face. Gradually the patrol car slowed and stopped on the side of the road. Flint slowed just enough to punch in the sheriff’s number. When Sheriff Reardon answered, he said, “Your deputy is injured. Send help.” He gave the directions and clicked off.
Then he hit the gas trying to narrow the space between him and the kidnappers. He didn’t want to shoot at the car. He hadn’t seen Dana, so she was either on the floor or in the truck. In that regard, they had her rescuers at a disadvantage.
Flint’s cell rang. He grabbed it and said, “Hello.”
“This is Chayton. Don’t shoot at the car. Dana’s in the trunk.”
“I suspected as much, but how do you know?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll explain later, but don’t shoot.”
“I won’t, and I’m not going to lose them either.”
“I’m on my stallion. We’ll be heading in your direction. If they do get away, he’s a good tracker.”
Flint had just put down his cell when he saw a rifle pointed at him from the back left window. He swerved and the bullet missed him, but hit his windshield.
Another bullet whizzed past his ear. Flint swerved in the other direction, but the shooter made a lucky shot and hit his front left tire. At the speed he was driving it was too much for the vehicle. He lost control and rolled several times. When the truck stopped, he was upside down and the green car had disappeared.
“Damn, damn, damn,” he muttered. He worked to get the seat belt unfastened. Smelling gas, he hurried and managed to crawl out of the window. He ran as quickly as he could with a hurt ankle and lay flat as the truck exploded. Metal rained down around him. One piece hit his arm, cutting into it. Another knocked him out.
* * * *
Steel and Reardon flew out of town in the town’s helicopter. They were flying to the spot where Flint said the injured deputy had stopped. Gavin sat in the back seat behind Reardon with his doctor’s bag. An ambulance had left town earlier to race down the road and be available if needed.
“This helicopter was one of the best investments this town ever made,” Gavin commented. “I’m sure glad you took the lessons to fly it, Steel.”
“On days like today, I’m thankful I did, too.” Steel headed east, straight over the road the cars had taken. When they got closer, Reardon saw the patrol car. Steel sat the helicopter down off the road.
Steel, Reardon, and Gavin jumped out and ran. Reardon pulled the door open.
His deputy had lost consciousness. Gavin pushed Reardon aside. �
�He’s lost a lot of blood. A bullet grazed his forehead and one hit him in the chest. We’ll have to fly him to the hospital.”
Reardon and Steel carried the deputy to the helo and got him inside and lying down. Gavin worked on him while they flew to the hospital.
Steel settled the helo in the circle placed for him to land. They’d called ahead and a doctor and nurse rushed out with a stretcher. After he’d been moved onto the stretcher, Gavin gave a quick report and got back in the helicopter. “I may be needed again.”
Not wanting to lose a second, they lifted off and winged back in the same direction. Kel Reardon and Gavin watched for any sign of a body or a car. Further up the road they found what was left of the truck Flint had been driving.
Steel’s heart sank. These guys weren’t giving up, and they had Dana. He lowered the helo and they all ran toward Flint’s still body.
Gavin checked him quickly. Steel had got out and came to stand by them.
“He has a cut on his arm and a knot on his head. Debris probably hit him.” Gavin felt along his extremities. “His ankle is swollen. He’ll need to be checked for internal injuries.”
Steel didn’t say a word, but inside his chest tightened at the thought of more time lost looking for Dana. The kidnappers had a good head start now. He called Chayton and explained what happened. “You are the last one looking for her. Keep on heading this way.” He gave him the coordinates of where they’d found the wreck. “We’re flying Flint to the hospital, and then we’ll be joining you in the hunt. Gavin called the ambulance. They’re turning back.”
“I’ve heard her thoughts several times,” Chayton told Steel.
“I thought you only picked up thoughts from your family.”
“Occasionally others can reach me, if I’m close in spirit with them.”
“Try to let her know we’re coming.” Steel snapped his cell shut and joined the others at the helo. Once they got Flint inside, he took off.
“He’s groaning and trying to open his eyes,” Gavin reported.
Steel’s fear and anger had tightened his muscles and his jaw clenched. When I find her, and I will, I’m going to make sure those men are in no shape to hurt anyone else.
Kel had glanced his way and as though he read his mind, he said firmly, “There’ll be no beating or lynching, Steel. They’ll be tried in a court of law. Believe me, they’ll hate being in jail, especially Gregor.”
“Gregor has money. He’ll buy his way out. I won’t stand back and watch him walk free.”
“Flint and the rest of the FBI have been after him for several years. They’ll get him convicted.”
Steel didn’t respond. His eyes searched the area around them for a green sedan. There was nothing in sight.
* * * *
Dana had curled into a tight ball when all the bullets were being shot around her. But she soon realized the men trying to rescue her weren’t shooting back. Thank goodness. It’d be ironic if she died from a rescuer’s bullet.
She heard the wreck and the explosion. The car she was in sped even faster down the road. Where are they taking me, and is there anyone left to find me when we stop?
Her muscles were strained from her position and her arms and legs were numb. She wiggled her fingers and tried to move her ankles. Pushing down negative thoughts, she attempted to think of what she’d do when they opened the truck. She repositioned her body with her feet toward the trunk opening. Ignoring her fear, she focused on what she must do and say.
Had Chayton got any of her silent calls for help? I must be going crazy to think he might. The car slowed slightly, but continued onward toward an unknown destination.
At one point they made a quick turn to the right and bounced over a rutted road. Dana’s body rolled when they made the turn. And when they hit a deep hole, her head hit the bottom of the trunk. She fought to reposition herself.
* * * *
Kel’s cell rang and he glanced at the name. “I was hoping the kidnappers were calling to make a bargain to release Dana, but it’s one of our local realtors. Hello, Peter. They’re renting the place starting today? You didn’t know them? Thanks for the info. We’ll check it out.” Kel ended the call. “Peter heard about the kidnapping. He remembered seeing a notice about someone renting the old Jamison cabin for a month. It might not be our guys.”
“It’s worth checking. Do you know where the cabin is located? Steel asked Kel.
“I know the general direction. Turn to the right and we’ll keep a lookout for the cabin and their vehicle.”
Steel flew the helicopter southward.
* * * *
Chayton had slowed so Wind Chaser would last longer. He’d have brought his truck, if he’d known the others would keep up with the car. Still, no one knew for sure where they’d disappeared to at this point. He’d passed the truck blown to bits and wondered how Flint and the deputy were doing.
Further down the road, Wind Chaser stopped. He sniffed the edge of the highway. Then slowly Wind Chaser moved along until they came to a narrow, rutted road. Chayton’s senses came to full alert. He patted Wind Chasers neck. “Good boy. Stand still. I have to call Steel.”
“What’s up?” Steel growled into the phone.
“I think I’ve found the road where they turned. Wind Chaser is pulling on his reins wanting to run, and he’s tired.” Chayton told them where he was located.
“Stay there. We’ll swoop down and pick you up,” Steel said.
“No, I’m going on in. I’ll divert them so they won’t notice the helo.”
“All right, but be careful. They’re desperate.”
Chayton took hold of the horn of the saddle and swung his leg over. Leaning forward, he whispered to the stallion. “Move slowly. We don’t want them to see us.” He rode in the brush on the side of the narrow drive. When Chayton saw the clearing, he pulled the reins to the left and hid behind a large tree.
They hadn’t been here long. One of the men took a suitcase from the back seat and headed inside.
Raising his rifle, Chayton sighted the man in his telescope. A lethal calmness helped him aim straight. His shot rang loudly in the quiet countryside. The man fell like a rock and didn’t move. When another man came to the door, Chayton aimed and hit him through the screen. In the distance the faint sound of the helo was drowned in the noise of the shots Chayton fired.
The large trunk on the tree protected him, but pieces of bark flew in the air as the others returned shots. Wind Chaser raised his front legs trying to get away. Chayton had tied him much further back behind another tree. He called to Wind Chaser and the horse quieted hearing Chayton’s voice.
Peeking around the tree, Chayton saw Kel and Steel at the side of the cabin. Kel tossed a smoke bomb into an open window.
In a minute, Gregor and one of his men came out with a gun pushed tight against Dana’s head.
“Let us go. We’ll release her at the end of the road. Otherwise my man, Basil, will blast her brains out,” Gregor said, his tone cold as a winter wind. Dana stood perfectly still between them. Her face had paled, and her jaw clenched tight.
During the silent standoff, Chayton looked toward Steel. He nodded. Chayton still held his rifle where he’d had it on his shoulder. He focused on Gregor’s man holding the gun. Then he counted to three as his finger gradually pulled the trigger back.
Gregor yelled out, “Decide quickly, or she’ll be dead.”
Chayton shot off his rifle. His bullet hit the man, Basil, in his throat. A second shot sounded instantaneously with Chayton’s. Gregor dropped dead from a clean shot through his back to his heart.
Dana screamed. Blood spattered on her, and she fell to the ground weeping.
Steel and Chayton ran to her. Gavin checked the men.
“There’s one in the house,” Chayton said.
“These two are dead and so is the one by the car.” Kel walked in front of Gavin to the cabin and carefully opened the door.
“At least this one is still breathin
g,” Kel snapped. He walked out to where Steel and Chayton held Dana close and glared at them.
“You two are excellent shots. After killing the gunman you had a chance to take Gregor alive.”
“We didn’t know if he had a gun and might shoot Dana in revenge,” Steel said. “I wasn’t taking a chance.”
Kel studied Steel and then Chayton. He sighed deeply. “I suppose if it had been Sondra, I’d have done the same.” His body relaxed. “In fact, I’m sure I’d have done the same. Steel, the wounded kidnapper and Dana need to be checked at the hospital. Fly them in the helo. I’ll call for one of my guys to bring Chayton’s truck and trailer, and pick us up.”
Dana clung tight to both men. Chayton kissed her. “Go with Steel. I’ll be fine.” He yelled over at Kel. “Gavin’s receptionist has my truck keys.” When he looked back at Dana, she stared into his eyes and said, “You heard me.”
“Yes. We’ll discuss how later.”
Steel swung her into his arms and took long strides around the house toward the helo. Gavin and Kel carried the wounded man. In a few minutes the helo was in the air and headed to the hospital emergency room.
Chapter Twelve
Angie and Russ had returned from riding and sat at the kitchen table drinking cold cola. They’d been discussing Russ’s work with the FBI when his cell rang.
“Yes, this is Elden. He’s at the hospital. I’ll be right there. What? Good.” He listened for several minutes. “Flint won’t be happy, but I understand.”
Angie had leaned forward hearing Russ’s end of the conversation. “Is Flint hurt?
“He crashed the truck and Steel flew him to the hospital.” Russ grabbed his hat.
“I’m going with you.”
He gazed at her several seconds before agreeing.
“Okay. Don’t get hysterical.”
Captivating Cowboys [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 10
