by Karen Kirst
Bide your time, Tan.
He could hear Ross muttering the warning through their shared comms.
This ain’t the time to be hasty, he’d drawl.
Audrey’s safety was paramount. He couldn’t mount an attack until he was certain she was leaving with him.
They turned the corner. The first thing Julian noticed was that Audrey was alone. The second thing was that she was punching in the door code.
She’d slipped out of the ward, like she’d said she would.
Sergei noticed, too. He roared an epithet, raised his Taser gun and started for her.
Julian sprinted and tackled Sergei, knocking him down just before he reached Audrey. They hit the floor hard. The Taser clattered out of reach.
In the top position, he landed a blow to the man’s head. It didn’t faze him. Sergei got his hands around his throat and cut off his air supply.
Julian maneuvered his knee against his windpipe and applied pressure. His eyes bugged. Letting go, Sergei bucked him off and clambered to his feet.
Audrey seized Julian’s arm. “Here. Take this.”
She put something hard and thin into his hand. A scalpel, bless her.
Sergei did not appreciate her resourcefulness. His skin turning a mottled pink, he came at them like a raging bull.
Julian used the man’s rage to his advantage, easily dodging him and spinning to the side. Then he sank the scalpel into the soft flesh between his shoulder and neck. The big man fumbled. It was the opening they needed.
Grabbing her hand, he urged her into a sprint. Past the tanks. Past the mock living room.
Behind them, Sergei’s calls for help were answered. Footsteps raced after them.
They were almost to the double doors he knew led to the control room and main entrance when they surged open and in walked Chasity.
NINETEEN
Chasity—her college roommate, her coworker, her friend—stood between them and freedom. Between certain death and a chance at survival.
Audrey’s surroundings blurred. Chasity’s blue eyes were rife with indecision in her ash-hued face. Anguish pinched her mouth. She had a choice to make. Side with her criminal fiancé and his corrupt cousin or choose to do the right thing.
Audrey couldn’t speak, but she was certain her plea was stamped on her features.
A shot rang out. Julian’s arm came around her, shielding her.
The ping was followed by shattering glass and whooshing water. She couldn’t resist a peek behind her. Silvery piranhas gushed to the floor in a flapping, gape-mouthed river.
Josef was racing after them, full steam ahead.
Chasity called her name. “This way!”
Audrey’s feet moved before her brain had time to process the sacrifice her friend was making. Gratitude flooded her as Chas led the way to the main entrance.
“There’s a guard on the other side,” she said over her shoulder. “Be prepared.”
Julian released Audrey’s hand. “Roger that.”
“We can take my car,” she said. “I have a remote control for the gate.”
“Don’t wait on me,” he warned.
“We aren’t leaving you,” Audrey said.
“You’re stubborn, you know that?” he huffed.
The next second, they were out in the bright sunshine. Audrey was momentarily disoriented.
“Hurry!” Chas grabbed her hand and tugged.
The shiny new sedan was angled close to the warehouse. Chas tossed her the keys.
“Get behind the wheel.”
Audrey didn’t like the determined gleam in her friend’s eyes. “You’re coming with us.”
Beneath the warehouse’s overhang, she saw the goon sprawled unconscious on the ground and Julian racing to join them, an automatic rifle slung over his shoulder.
The main doors banged open. Josef emerged with Sasha on his heels.
“I have to stay with Lincoln,” Chas said.
“They’ll kill you!”
“No, I don’t think so. I’m too valuable. Nurses have more access to drugs than doctors, right?” A wobbly smile flashed.
“Right.”
Julian reached them. “No time to waste, ladies. We go now or not at all.”
Audrey had a terrible feeling that her friend had underestimated Gerald, but she couldn’t force her to leave.
Resignation twisting her features, Chasity stepped back.
As soon as Audrey got in, Julian followed suit. She whipped the car in Reverse, nearly giving them whiplash, then gunned the gas. The car lurched forward. Julian hit the gate remote, then twisted in the seat, the huge gun atop his lap.
“What’s happening?” Audrey demanded.
“Josef’s got Chasity. He’s shoving her into an SUV. Probably thinks she can lead him to hideouts we may use if they lose sight of us.”
Fear for her friend’s safety clashed with her own survival instincts. Barreling through the opening and onto the street, she gripped the wheel so hard her hands ached.
“I should’ve let you drive.”
“You’ll do fine. I’ll be the navigator.”
“Where are we going?”
He was silent a moment. “Storefront, but not until we lose Josef. Stick to the side roads.”
They might be out of the warehouse, but they couldn’t afford to be caught by military police or civilian law enforcement.
He guided her through the waterfront’s choppy grid of side streets. It being a Monday afternoon, there were plenty of employees in this business district who might call and report a high-speed chase. But she couldn’t focus on that now. Josef’s green SUV was gaining on them.
“Turn right.”
She yanked the wheel. The tires squealed as they careened onto a two-lane highway.
Behind her, a car horn blasted. She hadn’t thought to look for oncoming traffic.
Perspiration dampened her neck, and her chest felt heavy. Julian’s hand settled on her knee.
“You’re doing good. Hang in there.”
In her side mirror, she saw the SUV enter the oncoming lane and attempt to blast past the sports car behind her. That driver, already disgruntled because she’d cut him off, increased his speed.
“He’s not going to let them pass,” she cried out.
Audrey returned her gaze to the road ahead. A heavily loaded dump truck was approaching. He blasted his horn to warn Josef.
Julian gave her knee a light squeeze. “Speed up.”
Her body taut, she glanced out her window. “Julian, they’re going to crash if Josef doesn’t do something.”
“Maintain your current speed. We need to be out of the field of debris.”
She heeded his warning. Focused entirely on the road ahead. Spindly pine trees flashed past them. In the distance, water shimmered in the winter sun. The road rose up ahead to meet a high-arching bridge. Josef couldn’t be allowed to catch up on that bridge. A hard nudge perfectly landed could send their small sedan careening off the edge.
A single, slow hiss left Julian’s lips. Audrey’s gaze flicked to the rearview mirror. The scene was like an orchestrated movie stunt. The dump truck’s brake lights flaring red. The sports car keeping pace with the SUV. Josef’s last-minute decision to jerk right.
Too late.
The SUV’s right wheel glanced off the sports car’s bumper, sending the vehicle straight into the dump truck’s front end.
Head-on collision.
“Don’t slow down,” he commanded, gripping her shoulder. “Keep driving.”
Tears choked her. “Chasity.”
“You can’t help her.” He muttered something under his breath. “Cars are stopping. Someone will call nine-one-one.”
The car flew up and over the bridge. On the other side, he instructed her to pull
over, where they changed places. They drove for what seemed like an eternity, neither speaking. The silence was like a funeral pause.
Audrey kept replaying the accident. The SUV had rolled and flipped multiple times before rocking to a stop—a mangled heap of steaming metal.
By the time Julian jimmied the storefront’s locked door, the tears were flowing down her cheeks. He shepherded her inside and, after closing and securing the door, hugged her close.
“Go ahead, sweetheart. Let it out.”
Overwhelming devastation sucked her into a whirlpool of grief, and she couldn’t stem the sorrow. Julian offered comfort and reassurance. He was her refuge. Her friend. He was the man she trusted with her life...and with her heart.
His soothing words and tender ministrations calmed her.
“I’ve soaked your shirt,” she said, slipping out of his arms and swiping at her wet cheeks.
“I don’t mind.” He handed her neatly folded paper towels. “Come upstairs and drink something.”
She trudged up the stairs behind him.
“Have you had anything to eat today?” he said.
“I told Lincoln I wasn’t hungry.”
At the thought of Lincoln’s reaction to the news of Chasity’s almost certain demise, her eyes welled up again. Her stomach churned. She deliberately tamped down the fresh wave of emotion.
“What was the emergency? The one Sergei insisted you help with?”
“Zachary had become agitated and ripped out his chest tube.”
“Ouch.”
“It was chaotic for a while. He was having trouble breathing, which led to him panicking. Gerald shouting orders at us didn’t help.”
“But you got him stabilized?”
“I’m confident he’ll recover with no lasting problems.”
In the kitchen, Julian removed a fruit juice container and poured a good amount into an old-fashioned blue glass. “Drink this.”
“Zachary will keep Gerald preoccupied, but for how long?”
He poured some for himself, as well. When he’d downed the contents, he set it in the sink and turned to look at her.
She took another sip. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I have a feeling I won’t like it.”
“I’m considering turning myself in.”
“You’re not serious.”
“Hear me out. We’ve got three groups after us. We can’t hole up here forever. Eventually, someone will recognize us or report suspicious activity. I’m sure Cade and Tori would agree to hide you somewhere. Meanwhile, I’ll return to base and let the provost marshal investigate. With me in custody, the heat on you will lessen.”
“I’m not on board with that plan. Think of another one.”
“It’s the best one I’ve got.” He tunneled his fingers through his hair and sighed. “The marine corps is our best chance at a fair hearing. I can feed them information and assist in the investigation with a clear head if I know you’re safe.”
“You won’t be safe.”
He stepped over and cupped her elbows, holding her close. “I will be among my own. I can’t say the same of a civilian jail system.”
Exhaustion, combined with her current mental state, made significant decisions impossible. “We should wait until tomorrow to discuss it further.”
He didn’t agree, that much as obvious. But he gave in to her wishes.
Releasing her, he gestured to the windows overlooking the woods and church beyond. “Just in case Gerald installed a tracker on Chasity’s car, I’m going to park it a couple of streets away and hike back.”
She didn’t like the idea of him walking around town on a busy weekday. Sounds of activity leaked through the windows. Cars passing by. Pedestrians chatting. Delivery trucks dropping packages at nearby shops.
He tipped up her chin. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep my head down.”
* * *
Brady ended up spending the night at the storefront. He wasn’t able to make it on his lunch break, as promised, so he came straight from the air station Monday evening, paper sacks stuffed with juicy cheeseburgers and fries. He’d even thought to include chocolate shakes piled with clouds of whipped cream. Fast food had never tasted so good. After Julian and Audrey devoured their meals, they told him about their harrowing ordeal.
The pilot was as stoic as they came, but even he couldn’t mask his shock and dismay. He brushed aside their warnings and insisted on staying. Before leaving for work Tuesday morning, he promised to return at lunchtime with more food and necessities. Julian could only hope for a chance to repay his friends for what they’d done.
Midmorning, they decided to pass the time with a card game they’d unearthed in the supply closet. The downstairs door opened without warning. Voices ricocheted off the bare walls.
Audrey bolted to her feet, fright draining the color from her cheeks.
Julian put his finger to his lips. Whoever was down there, they weren’t looking for fugitives. The feminine voices were cheerful and friendly. The one male inserted a word or two.
He scooped up the cards and pointed to the bathroom. Nodding, she rushed into the tiny space first. Julian followed. Audrey had to inch between the toilet and the shower to give him room.
“Who are they?” she whispered.
Kicking up his shoulder, he didn’t completely close the door. The trio seemed to be drifting closer to the main entrance. If they came upstairs, they’d see their belongings and possibly report suspected squatting. Please, Lord Jesus, let us catch a break.
“The building’s been vacant for several months, but as you can see, the owners keep it maintained. They pay to keep the electricity and water hooked up.”
Julian closed and locked the door. Turning around, he rested his weight against it. “Must be a real estate agent showing the place to potential renters,” he whispered.
She finger-combed her red waves with short, jerky strokes. After supper last evening, they’d both taken advantage of the chance to wash up. Audrey had emerged wearing a pink sweatshirt emblazoned with the words Marine Wife. She’d blushed beneath the weight of his stare. Brady had shrugged and blamed the fact he wasn’t accustomed to shopping for anything, much less women’s clothing.
More and more, in those rare, quiet moments he wasn’t being chased or shot at, Julian’s mind entertained thoughts of a future with her. It was beyond tempting. He used to be afraid of further disappointing his father. Now, he was more afraid of disappointing Audrey, of failing her. Hurting her.
Their heavy, slow treads marked their decision to inventory the upper floor. Of course, they would want to see it.
Audrey pressed her lips together in a tight line. Abandoning her hair-combing, she fit her palms together in a prayer gesture and squeezed her eyes shut.
Julian kept his gaze trained on her.
Would they be discovered? Trapped in a bathroom awaiting the police?
“What’s all this?” one of the women asked.
“I have no idea.” That must be the real estate agent. “It appears someone has been using the kitchen.”
“Are those sleeping bags?”
The agent made a tsking noise. “The owners will have to be notified.”
“I’d contact the police.” The man’s voice boomed.
Audrey’s lids popped open. Her pained gaze met his, and he wanted to soothe away her hurt and worry. He wanted—no, needed—to see her happy and carefree again. How many times had he ridden in the elevator with her? Nodding instead of speaking. Noticing her sweet smile, her perky ponytail and cherry slushies. Now he wished he’d engaged her in conversation. Invited her to his favorite Chinese restaurant.
Lost opportunities loomed large.
“This is a safe neighborhood. I’m sure there’s a good explanation.” The agent was attempting to reassure her clients. “Let me show y
ou the bathroom.”
Audrey’s lips parted. Julian’s blood turned to sludge. He maintained even pressure against the aged wood.
The knob turned. Jiggled.
“It won’t budge.”
“Do you have a tool to unlock it?” The man spoke again.
“Not with me.”
“We can see it next time,” the other woman chimed in. “I’d like to go now in case the squatter returns.”
They retreated downstairs. The back door opened and closed.
“Julian, what now?”
Without phones, they couldn’t reach out to Brady. “We wait until they leave, then start walking. Too risky to use Chasity’s car. There’s a public park three blocks from here, where we can make plans to meet up with Cade or Brady.”
They crept out of the bathroom and, going to the windows, spied on the trio. The couple climbed into their vehicle and left. The agent paced along the buildings, her phone glued to her ear. She did not look pleased.
“Who’s she talking to?” Audrey wondered aloud.
“Probably her realty company.” She ended that call, then made a second, brief one.
“She’s not leaving.”
Julian had a bad feeling, and for good reason—a Jacksonville PD patrol car rambled down the lane. A man exited the car, his steely gaze roving over the building’s rear facade.
Audrey wrapped her fingers around his. “This is the end, isn’t it?”
TWENTY
She was going to be separated from Julian. She’d be interrogated. Locked in a jail cell. He’d be whisked off to Camp Lejeune and the provost marshal.
Would he ever be released?
Would she?
“Hide in the shower,” he ordered. “I’ll surrender. He won’t have cause to search.”
“No.”
His eyes pleaded with her. “There’s no reason for you to get caught up in this. Brady will take you somewhere where Gerald and crooked cops like Craddock can’t reach you.”
“I can’t let you face them alone. You’ll need me to corroborate the facts.”
