Edge of Truth

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  “She’s your cover. Sunridge is small, and an outsider might be noticed. Use Gail however you see fit.”

  “She’s a civilian, and I’m not an outsider. I lived there when I was in high school.”

  “That was a long time ago.”

  True and her parents moved away shortly after she left for beauty school. Somehow, she’d manage to keep Gail safe and do her job.

  “You mentioned a bag?”

  “There’s a box already on board the plane. A female agent went to your apartment under the guise of investigating your death. While there, she gathered some of your belongings.”

  “My death?”

  “Yes. I put the word out that you died while at the hospital.”

  Her stomach sank. She’d been afraid something like that would happen. It made sense to make it look like Alvarado succeeded and thereby get him off her tail, but it would devastate her family should word get to them. Maybe since they were on an extended trip to Europe, they’d never have to know. Hopefully, all this would be cleared up by the time they returned to the states.

  “You’re authorized to get necessities. Save your receipts.” He handed her a metal briefcase. “Everything you should need is in here. Oh, and since you’re known in Sunridge, I didn’t prepare an alias for you.”

  She nodded. “Do I need to stay invisible in Oregon?” A few people there would more than likely remember her from her teen years, so she wasn’t sure how that would be possible, especially if she was doing nails.

  “Don’t make the evening news, and you should be fine. I think you’re relatively safe there. Luis Alvarado smuggles out of Peru, and you’ll be dealing with Mexican traffickers in Oregon.”

  “I want to know the second you plug the leak and get Alvarado in custody.” Kara stepped from the vehicle and looked around.

  A dark car parked about a hundred feet from Gary caught her attention, and her pulse accelerated. She ducked her chin and quickened her pace. The fewer people who saw her face the better. She strode across the tarmac. Jeff must’ve already boarded.

  The roar of the engines prompted Kara to take longer strides. Jeff stood in the doorway to the plane waving his arms. What’s he doing?

  She glanced over her shoulder. A man wearing a ski mask raised a semi-automatic and pointed it at her. She turned, crouched, and bolted toward the plane. A bullet whizzed by her head, narrowly missing her ear. Seconds later a searing pain tore across her right shoulder. Lord, help me!

  The plane rolled away from her. Partially concealed by the plane, Jeff fired at her unknown assailant. Rapid gunfire punctuated the air. She dug in and pumped her legs as fast as they would move, running in a zig-zag pattern as bullets pierced the tarmac. A sharp sting pierced her right calf.

  Her leg burned with every step. Intense pain continued to stab her right shoulder. She blocked the misery from her mind and pushed forward. Another twenty feet…ten…five. Kara reached her hand toward the moving door.

  Jeff grasped her forearm and yanked her inside. Her shoulder screamed in protest. The door closed, and the plane shot down the runway.

  Chapter 3

  Kara collapsed into the nearest seat and fumbled with the belt. Her arm burned like fire. She met Jeff’s scowl. “Did you get the shooter?”

  “No, he was using the Buick as cover. Gary may have had a better angle.” His eyes widened. “You were hit.” Jeff looked around the cabin and grabbed a towel from the tiny galley. “Here. Hold this against your shoulder.” He squatted and wrapped another towel around her leg.

  “You’d better buckle up.” The force of the plane jetting down the runway pushed her back into the seat.

  Jeff applied pressure to her calf. “I’m fine right here.”

  Kara nodded, in too much pain to respond, and closed her eyes. Her heart pounded as she tried to slow her rapid breathing. She gripped the armrest tight until they reached flying altitude then looked down at her stinging leg. Blood had seeped through the towel covering her calf. She closed her eyes and willed her stomach to settle. Dizziness overwhelmed her.

  “Oh no!” She grabbed a sick bag and let loose. Jeff leaned across the aisle and pulled her hair away from her face. Finally, her stomach relaxed.

  “Better?”

  She nodded.

  Jeff took the bag. “Be right back.”

  I can’t believe I puked. She never had a problem with the sight of blood. What had come over her? Kara turned and watched Jeff walk to the rear of the Beechcraft King Air 350.

  He sat back down and held out a can of Ginger Ale. “This should help settle your stomach.”

  Kara took the can and drank some. Then she leaned into the seat back and closed her eyes. “Thanks. I don’t suppose there’s a first aid kit on board?”

  “Got it right here.”

  With one eye cracked open, she spied the box. “How are you with blood?”

  “Apparently better than you.” Jeff had her attention as he slipped on latex gloves and started to roll up her pant leg, bumping her wound in the process.

  She caught her breath. “Just cut it off.”

  Jeff took scissors from the kit and cut away her pant leg. He sat back on his haunches. “It’s not that bad really, only a graze.”

  “Sure bled a lot.”

  “Yeah, but you were pumping those legs hard.” He ripped open an alcohol swab. “This is gonna sting.” He motioned with his other hand and mumbled, “It would be easier if you could lie on your stomach.”

  Kara craned her neck and took in the cabin, which consisted of single seats running the length of the space. “Watch out.”

  Jeff moved aside as she stood up halfway then lay down on her stomach in the aisle, resting her head on her good arm.

  “That works.”

  A stinging sensation burned her right calf, but at least her shoulder had stopped hurting. She squeezed her eyes closed and held her breath, willing Jeff to hurry up.

  “You have evasive maneuvers down to a science. I’m surprised the shooter was able to get you at all,” Jeff teased.

  “Yeah, well, lucky, I guess.” She felt him put something cold and wet on her leg and pushed the pain out of her mind. Who had been firing at her? Definitely not the work of a sniper, or she’d be dead. Would Alvarado send an incompetent after her, or was this unrelated?

  “How’s that feel?”

  “Not good.”

  “Figured as much. At least it’s only a graze.” He wrapped a bandage around her lower leg and secured it in place. “That ought to do until we can land and get you to the hospital.”

  “I’m not going to the hospital. Gary scheduled a doctor to meet me at the field office in Bend. I’m sure he can fix me up there.”

  “We’ll see. I’d like to look at your shoulder. Can you get up, or do you need help?”

  Kara rolled over and held up her good arm. Jeff grabbed her wrist and pulled. Pain shot from head to toe. She winced. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Now for your shoulder.”

  She held tighter to the towel covering her wound. “I think the bleeding stopped.”

  He gently plied her fingers off her shoulder.

  She turned her head away.

  “Yes. The bleeding stopped. Looks like the bullet only grazed the outside of your shoulder. You’re going to have a nice scar to show off.”

  She heard him dig through the kit.

  “This is gonna hurt.”

  She gritted her teeth to avoid screaming like a baby. Oh man, why did it have to hurt so much? Then again, she’d never had much of a pain threshold.

  “Sorry about that. I’m going to tape the skin closed with some Band-Aids.”

  Kara nodded, and blinked back tears.

  “Okay. That’s the best I can do.” Jeff closed the kit, tossed the wrappers into a receptacle, then sat down across the aisle. “Wish I had a video of your moves out on the tarmac. The guys would’ve loved it. I’d name it ‘the flight of the crazy bird.’”

  “
I didn’t want to give them an easy target. It worked too, for the most part.” She touched her shoulder. “At least I’m alive.”

  “Yep. Maybe you could reenact the chicken run, and the DEA could record it to include in a training video.”

  Kara wanted to kick him with her good leg but grinned instead. He was razzing her like she was one of the guys. Couldn’t complain about that.

  Jeff watched Kara out of the corner of his eye. He hadn’t stated the obvious, and sooner or later she’d come to the same conclusion. Luis Alvarado knew Kara Nelson was alive and well. Gary had his hands full on the ground. Hopefully, he caught the shooter. “Any ideas on who shot at you?”

  “Don’t know. But Alvarado isn’t the only person who’d like me dead. You don’t work in this business for long without making enemies along the way.”

  “True.”

  “You think Gary caught the shooter?” Kara asked.

  “Don’t know, but we can find out.” Jeff pulled his phone from his pocket. Gary’s voicemail picked up. “Jeff here. Wanted to let you know all things considered, Kara’s fine. Bullets grazed her calf and her right shoulder. You catch the shooter? Call me.” He pocketed the phone. “Guess he’s busy.”

  Kara frowned and turned her attention to the file. Jeff stared at his own intel with unseeing eyes. Giving up, he laid the file aside and studied Kara’s profile.

  She shifted and glanced in his direction. He looked forward. But her image burned in his mind. Silky blond hair and a small face complemented her petite body. Guys probably hit on her all the time. Of course, that worked to her advantage when she was undercover. Too bad they were under the same chain of command, or he might ask her out.

  It’d been a long time since his last date—seven years. “Hmm.” Had it really been that long? Talk about being married to the job. There had to have been someone since Beth. But no, she dumped him when he announced he wanted to be a cop. Come to think of it, he’d signed on just after his last visit to see Eric and his family. It seemed the DEA had consumed all his time since.

  “What?” Kara said.

  “Huh?”

  “You said hmm. Why are you hmming?”

  “Nothing. Just thinking about the past.” He cleared his throat. “You have a plan for when we land?”

  Kara nodded and resumed studying the papers in front of her.

  She wasn’t going to make this easy. “Care to share?”

  She closed the file and turned to face him. “I’ll call my friend, go to the field office, and then to Sunridge. I figure we’ll meet up there. You have my cell number?”

  Jeff nodded. Hopefully, they wouldn’t have any more surprises waiting for them on the ground in Oregon, and if Kara thought she was driving to the field office alone, she was nuts.

  Kara sat in the Redmond Oregon Airport parking lot behind the wheel of a white Honda Civic. She reached up to start the ignition and moaned as pain shot through her shoulder.

  Jeff crouched at the driver’s window of the sedan. “You sure I can’t drive you? My SUV would be more comfortable.” He pointed to the black Ford Escape he’d been assigned.

  “That’s nice of you, but as much as I love your SUV, I think this car better suits my cover.” Jeff would be on a ranch, and an SUV could come in handy.

  “Yeah. I guess you’re right,” Jeff said. “Okay. I’ll give Eric a call before I show up at his front door.”

  “Why? You have the element of surprise. It’s better if he doesn’t know you’re coming.”

  “Maybe.” Jeff clenched his jaw, nodded, and walked away.

  Kara started the engine and headed out. The sooner she saw this doctor the better. Her leg still throbbed. She pulled out and frowned. Jeff was riding her bumper. “I don’t need a nursemaid.” Any other day, she’d lose him, but her shoulder hurt too much to even think about evading him. She settled in and tried to ignore the SUV tailing her and the man behind the wheel.

  Forty minutes later, Kara pulled into the DEA’s parking lot and did her best not to limp as she walked into the building. The doctor Gary promised was waiting for her in a tiny vacated office. Kara filled him in on her injuries.

  A deep frown creased the doctor’s forehead. He sat in a nearby chair. “Your body’s been through a lot of trauma in a short amount of time.” He sighed and removed the bandage from her leg and then her shoulder. “Looks like your partner did a decent job of cleaning the wounds, but you need a few stitches.” He applied a fresh wrap. “Too bad you didn’t call ahead and warn me of your new injuries. I could’ve met you at my office or the hospital instead.” He stood. “Let’s go. I’ll stitch you up at Saint Charles.”

  “No hospitals.”

  His brows raised high on his balding forehead. “The hospital is closer, but if you insist, I’ll stitch you up at my office.”

  “Fine. Then will you clear me for active duty?”

  “Not today. You were shot. Let’s give it a couple of days at least.”

  Kara bit down on her lower lip to keep her mouth shut. No sense in angering the doctor. Besides, what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. “If you’ll give me your office address, I’ll meet you there shortly. I have some equipment I need to requisition, and I need to give them some information about my cover while in Sunridge.”

  Chapter 4

  With Kara safely inside the DEA field office, Jeff pulled out of the parking lot. “Here goes nothing.” The whole flight, all he could think about was how his family would react to seeing him. Would they send him packing or welcome him? Considering their past, either option was viable.

  Thirty-five minutes later, he paused alongside the road and stared at the entrance to the ranch positioned to his left before crossing the single-lane country road. Then he drove under a sizable wooden sign mounted on upright logs, which read New Haven Ranch.

  Jeff drove along the gravel road taking in his surroundings. Sturdy wood fencing enclosed the pasture and bordered the drive all the way to the house. After one-quarter mile, the road ended in a huge yard with a circular gravel drive. He whistled long and slow—Eric had done well for himself.

  Several structures stood along the edge of the yard as well as a large barn. The barn door looked as if it were hand-carved, a grand star at its center. He’d passed houses along the road that didn’t have as much curb appeal. The two-story log house had a covered wraparound porch, furnished with a swing, a few chairs, and a small wicker table. A modest cabin sat off to the left. Must’ve cost some serious money to build a place like this. Could Eric really be involved in drug smuggling? He didn’t want to believe it, but where would the money have come from to support a place like this? He shook his head at the direction of his thoughts. He was here because it was his job, but Eric was innocent until proven guilty as far as Jeff was concerned.

  He parked in the driveway and stepped out of his vehicle into the scorching heat. Grabbing his duffel bag, he sauntered up the porch steps. An old-fashioned bell hung next to the entrance. He swung the rope attached to the bell a couple of times and a loud dinging sounded.

  A few seconds later, the door opened. Veronica, Eric’s wife, stood before him. “May I help—?”

  Jeff grinned. “Hi, Veronica. It’s been a long time.”

  Her eyes widened. “Jeff? Is that really you?”

  “In the flesh. I thought it was about time I come for a visit.”

  He studied her face for a second. Veronica hadn’t changed much in seven years, except for a few lines around her hazel eyes. She looked the same as the day they’d met.

  She opened the door wider. “We weren’t expecting you. Where’re you staying?” She laughed. “My goodness, that didn’t sound very inviting, did it?”

  Jeff chuckled. “Don’t worry about it, and no, I don’t have accommodations yet. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if I stayed here.” He rubbed his chin wishing he were back in Miami.

  Veronica’s face paled. “Here? Of course, you’re welcome to stay. We have plenty of room.”r />
  “Thanks. Is Eric around?”

  “He’s in the horse barn. Why don’t you head out there? I’m surprised he didn’t hear you drive up.”

  Jeff hesitated a moment in the entryway and took in the open layout. Dollar signs leapt out everywhere he looked, from the art hanging on the log walls to the expensive rugs covering the hard wood floors.

  A door squeaked, and the sound of steady footsteps filled the quiet house. Eric came into view.

  The strain on Veronica’s face relaxed. “Eric, look who’s here.” She turned toward Jeff. “Excuse me while I go and prepare your room.”

  Eric stuffed his hands in his denim pockets. “It’s been a long time, little brother. The banking business must be keeping you busy.”

  “Too long.” A little gray showed around Eric’s temples. “Veronica said I could crash here. I hope you don’t mind. I have some time off and thought it was about time I came for a visit.” Jeff studied his brother for any sign of their old issues. He seemed a little tense, but maybe it was the surprise of having an unexpected guest.

  Pride mixed with uncertainty shone in Eric’s eyes. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

  “Thanks, but I insist I earn my keep.” Jeff held his breath. Open access to the ranch was essential to the operation.

  “That’s not necessary.”

  “Come on. This city slicker could use a dose of country life. It’s been a long time since I worked the ranch at home.”

  Eric frowned, and his eyes took on a distant look. “You always did want more out of life than ranching. You find it yet?”

  “I think so. But ranching is in my blood.” Jeff loved working beside his stepdad as a boy.

  “Since you insist on having a working vacation, there’s more than enough to keep you busy. I’m shorthanded this summer. Two of my regular summer staff moved on, and I haven’t found anyone acceptable to replace them.”