by Vella Day
“Well, you never can be too careful.” Nana stepped back and grabbed Jessie’s arm. “You didn’t find Roberta down here, did you?”
“No, Nana. If Roberta’s here, she didn’t stop by, but how did you get down here?”
“Come along, and I’ll show you,” Nana said.
“Let me put on my shoes.” Nana threw her an interesting look, one that Jessie didn’t want to dissect.
Dax doused the hurricane lamps then followed everyone down the tunnel. She’d made it no more than a few hundred feet when her grandmother stopped and pushed open a door that blended into the wall. Only now could she see how the handle was shaped like a curved rock, Flintstone style.
That was really clever. “When was that door put there?”
“Your grandfather had it installed years ago. We never told you about his hidden tunnel since we didn’t want you to snoop around and get lost.”
Jessie smiled at Papa’s ingenuity. When their group entered the tunnel, wonderful, bright fluorescent tubing lit the narrow hallway, and suddenly her aches and pains disappeared.
Dax doused his light and his shoulders relaxed as he looked around. “I’m not believing this.”
Nana tapped Jessie on the arm. “Your granddaddy had a fear of mine explosions. If the main entrance ever got blocked, he wanted another way out.”
Jessie looked to the ceiling and mouthed a thank you. Hopefully, Papa was good at reading lips.
Nana had to stop several times to catch her breath, but she was determined to lead the way. She should have stayed up top and let the others handle the rescue, but that was Nana—stubborn to a fault.
Bruno stepped next to her and leaned close. “You all right, Jess? I mean really all right?” He nodded toward Dax as if the man had harmed her.
“I’m fine. Shaken up maybe, but if hadn’t been for Dax, I would have been buried alive. He saved me.”
A scowl crossed Bruno’s face. “I’m glad. Just watch yourself.” With that, he pushed ahead. It was as if once he’d delivered the warning, he could move on.
“A jealous lover?” Dax asked, returning to her side.
From the look on his face, she’d say Dax was the jealous one. “Maybe, but you don’t have to worry about him.”
The tunnel had to be a few hundred feet long, or at least it seemed that way. Finally, they came to another elevator shaft, one that looked newer, less used. The three of them went first since the elevator couldn’t hold any more.
Emerging up top, they found themselves in a small room crammed full of empty, smelly coal cars, picks, and other mining equipment. The generator implied the town’s electricity might not have been restored, but all Jessie could think about was fresh air and answers.
As they stepped into the clear air at the back of the mine, Jessie shielded her eyes from the blinding sun and took in a big breath. The freshness smelled sweeter than honeysuckle and wild roses on a summer day. She spun around, only now remembering seeing that door. Grandpa had said it led to a small room where he kept dangerous chemicals. She’d bought his story and never tried to sneak in.
Lena raced up to greet them. Black and blue rings marred her eyes, nose and mouth, and her smile looked a bit lopsided. “Jessie, ohmigod, I never thought I’d see you again. Was Roberta down there?” She glanced over Jessie’s shoulder, as if she expected Seth to walk out any minute.
“No. There was no kidnapping.” Jessie didn’t need to discuss what happened.
“There wasn’t?” She enveloped Jessie in a big hug. This time, Jessie didn’t pull away, but stayed an extra moment to enjoy life. “I feel like such a fool for believing Seth’s story.”
“It’s not your fault. We were all fooled.”
Dax stepped up to Nana. “Margaret, may I borrow your car again for a very important mission while you drive Jessie’s cruiser back to your house?”
She brightened. “I get to be sheriff for the day?” She practically jumped up and down. “Wait until I tell the girls. They’ll be so jealous.”
Jessie rushed up to them. “I’m not so sure about Nana driving. It’s against regulations.”
“Maybe, but it’s damned hard to tail someone in a police car.”
“Point taken.” She dug in her pocket and dropped the keys in Nana’s hand. “You have to promise me you won’t go over the speed limit. I know how you like to race.”
“Me? You must have me mixed up with Eleanor. Why, that woman is a terror behind the wheel.”
Jessie rolled her eyes then turned to Dax. “I know time is important, but given we’re covered in dirt, could I at least get a change of clothing? We’ll be spotted immediately if we go to the Navy Yard looking like this.”
“You’re right.” He turned to Margaret. “Change in plans.” He told her they’d both drive back to her place but that he’d need the Cadillac afterward.” He glanced at his watch. “I hope we’re not too late.”
“We won’t know until we reach a phone and call.”
He smiled. “I love how practical you are. Let’s go.”
From Jessie’s house, Dax was able to contact his former partner, Jake McCray, and explain what he knew about the impending nuclear disaster. Last year, Jake had transferred from Baltimore to the Annapolis area and would be in a good position to help.
“Only one nuclear sub is scheduled to be docked,” Jake said. “It’s the USS Edgemont. I’ll contact the Admiral and see if he can put us on the list to get in.”
“I’m no longer on the Force.”
“True, but you have a high security clearance and defused bombs for the military. If explosives are involved, I want you to have my six.”
“Can’t hurt to ask him.” Jessie came down stairs, cleaned up and ready to go. “We’re heading out now. See you in ninety.”
“Can he help?” she asked after Dax hung up.
“He’s certainly going to try. Jake has a lot of connections. His wife’s father is an Admiral at Annapolis.”
“That’s handy.” She grabbed a service revolver from a drawer, nodded, and marched outside. Dax followed, pride heavy in his chest. Jessie Nash was one helluva woman.
For most of the drive, she remained quiet, and he was worried about her. He bet she’d been trying to make sense of her near death experience, the betrayal by her friend, and the possible radiation leak.
With little traffic to speak of, they arrived at the base a few minutes early. Jake had made good on his promise as their names were on the list.
“Will your friend be here?” she asked.
“If he’s not, it means he’s working furiously to pull as many strings as possible to make sure nothing happens to the sub.” Dax did a quick sweep of the parking area that Jake told him would give him the best access to the sub. “Let me give him a call.” He punched in Jake’s number, thrilled at being once more connected with technology.
The phone rang and Dax drummed his fingers on the wheel. The sun might be shining, keeping Dax’s demons asleep in their coffin, but things appeared almost too calm.
“Hey, ole buddy, where are you?” Jake sounded cheerful.
Dax tilted his head to hold the cell between his ear and shoulder while he maneuvered into the lot. He spotted the ship and hoped they weren’t too late. “Where are you?” As if his ex-partner were a magician, Jake stepped from behind a vehicle right into Dax’s path, forcing him to slam on his brakes. His relief washed away his anger. “You are such a jerk,” Dax said without any malice and hung up.
Dax parked. “Wait here,” he said to Jessie. He slid out and gave his old partner a bear hug. “You look good, you sly dog.”
“You too. You learn anything more?”
“Nope.”
Jake had been an officer in the Navy before joining the Baltimore PD. “I spoke to the Admiral who in turn called the commander in charge of the sub. He said there’s been no breach.”
Relief washed through him. “That’s good. Either we arrived in time or it’s an inside job going on now. Giv
en the effort they took to stop us from snitching, I doubt it was a hoax.”
“The Admiral is sending men, but you know how those things take time.”
Jessie slid up next to him, and he introduced them. Even though he’d asked her to stay put, it was probably best that the two meet.
“How do you know Amanda hasn’t been here and gone?” she asked, her eyes glistening in the sun.
Dax scoured the park. “If she’d harmed the sub, the person in the control room would have the entire base here. We might actually be too early.”
Jake straightened. “Since this is a terrorist operation, I also called a friend of mine at the FBI, but they’re even slower to react.”
“I guess some things don’t change. You ready?” Dax asked Jake.
“You bet.”
Here goes. The shit was about to hit the fan the moment he told Jessie he wasn’t taking her onto the sub. He was about to explain her role when she held out her hand and pointed to a white Ford Taurus. “That’s Amanda’s car.”
“You sure? There must be a hundred white Ford Taurus’s in the lot.”
“See the little turtle on the back of her bumper?”
“Ferocious little bugger. What about it?”
“Our tenth high school reunion is in two weeks and the turtle was our mascot. Brian gave both of us stickers. When we get back, take a look at my cruiser. I put it on my bumper.”
“Well, God Bless Brian. Remind me to thank him.” If Amanda was nearby, they could be sitting ducks standing there. Not that he expected them to show their faces, but one couldn’t be too careful. “Jess, please don’t argue, but I want you to stay by the car in case Amanda manages to escape.” He handed her the keys.
Her lips pursed. Crap. She wasn’t going to buy it. “Fine, but only because my leg isn’t strong enough to run.”
Halleluiah. Dax leaned over and kissed her hard. “Wish us luck.”
“Luck.” She smiled, threatening to undo his resolve to leave her.
Jake grabbed his arm. “Let’s go, good buddy.”
Jessie smiled sweetly as Dax and his friend hiked to the sub platform. She couldn’t believe he told her to wait by the car. After all that had happened, he didn’t seem to understand her after all.
Jessie moved Nana’s vehicle and parked ten cars away from Amanda’s. Jessie slipped out and kept her gaze on the submarine. A guard stopped both men, checked their names on his list, and then let them enter. Jake’s connections must have been very powerful. Jessie wondered who Amanda had diddled to get by the guard, assuming she personally showed up. Then again, perhaps being a former Navy person entitled her to go where she wished.
As soon as Dax and Jake disappeared into the sub, Jessie waited a few minutes then followed. Her leg ached from sitting in the car for so long, but she couldn’t let a little pain get in her way.
As she made her way across the parking lot toward the guard, she saw him tap the mic on his shoulder. Hopefully, Jake didn’t mention what might be happening below or he’d never let her down there. With her head held high, Jessie climbed the metal steps. When she reached the guard, she flashed her badge, hoping he wouldn’t look too closely. A sheriff in West Virginia had no jurisdiction in Annapolis.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. It’s not safe for you to go below.”
She was afraid he’d say that. “You just let a police officer and a private investigator in there. I have it on good authority that—”
Before she could finish her sentence, gunfire rang out from inside the sub and every muscle in her body shot to alert. Indecision twisted her mind. As much as she wanted to make sure Dax wasn’t hurt, she needed to be ready to stop Amanda if she managed to escape.
Jessie flipped around and nearly tripped going back down the steps. The guard was shouting to someone over his mic, and she anticipated a deluge of officers to appear any moment. Gun ready, she found cover and waited.
Shouts sounded, feet stomped, and a mass of soldiers descended. Those who entered didn’t come out, and with each second that passed without seeing Dax, a piece of her heart died.
Chapter 27
Sirens sounded in the background, and when Jessie spotted the ambulances, her stomach tumbled. Either someone had been injured, or the paramedics were here as a precaution.
No one had exited the sub in the last fifteen minutes, which meant Amanda was either dead, injured, had been captured, or had never been on the sub in the first place. Jessie refused to believe anything bad had happened to Dax—not with all he’d been through.
As much as Jessie wanted to see if he was okay, she’d never be admitted entry now. Several paramedics raced by her, pushing two gurneys toward the boat. She debated following them, but she didn’t want to get in the way. A sub wasn’t a place with lots of room.
Now that the danger seemed to be over, Jessie stood and eased closer. Six minutes later, Dax came out next to a man on a stretcher. It was Jake. Damn. Ignoring the pain in her leg, she raced toward them, and this time the guard didn’t try to stop her. Lines creased Dax’s face, but otherwise he looked unhurt.
She wanted to hug and kiss him, but his distant gaze made her stay back. “Dax?”
He turned toward her and a small smile lit his lips. “It’s over.” He then squeezed his hand’s friend. “You’ll be running in no time,” Dax said. Jake held up his middle finger and Dax’s smile widened.
As soon as the paramedics loaded Jake into the ambulance, she faced him. “What about Amanda and the nuclear leak?”
“We stopped it in time, but I’m afraid she’s dead. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not sure I am. Tell me what happened.”
His lips pressed together as he maneuvered them away from the entryway. “We informed the Captain of our suspicions, but he maintained there hadn’t been a breach. At that point, there was nothing more we could do. As we were about to leave, the power went out.”
She grabbed his arm. “Oh, no.”
“Believe it or not, the panic never came. Several officers had lights, so we headed to the power station. The Captain was the one who decided our concern had merit. One man we ran into said three other people, all of whom had proper paperwork, had entered the area of the nuclear reactor earlier. Knowing time was crucial, we decided not to wait for back up, and a group of us went in. I forgot to remind the two naval officers to douse their lights, and before we could react, one of the insurgents opened fire.” He swallowed.
“Was that when Jake was hit?”
Dax stabbed a hand through his hair. “Yes.”
Jessie placed her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. “He’ll be okay, right?”
Dax tightened his hold. “Yes, with rehab.”
She leaned back. “You said Amanda was with two other people. What happened to them?”
“As soon as the insurgents opened fire on us, we returned shots. That’s when Amanda went down, but until they remove the bullet from the body, we won’t know who had the kill shot. Seth, Lena’s beau, was injured, and the third man is in custody.” He nodded to the gangway. “Here’s Seth now.”
Two paramedics carried Seth out on a gurney, an oxygen mask covering his face and tubes coming out of him like he was some kind of human octopus. It didn’t look good for him. A moment later, a man was taken off the ship in handcuffs.
Something about him tickled her mind, but she couldn’t pinpoint why he looked familiar. “If Seth was involved, it was no wonder he wanted Lena to tell me about the faked kidnapping. It was a ploy to get me into the mine, and I fell for it.”
He stroked her hair. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
Before Dax could say anything more, a uniformed man who might have been handsome had it not been for the black eye and bloodied lips, charged up the ramp. He was immediately detained by two MPs. “I need to speak with the Captain, goddamn it,” the man yelled. “Let go of me and that’s an order.” The MP said something, but she couldn’t make out the words. “There’s been a n
uclear breach.”
Dax squeezed her arm and headed back up the plank. She followed.
“Sir? The leak has been contained,” Dax said.
The man’s legs crumpled, and both Dax and the MP helped him up. “Thank God.” He twisted around. “I need to find my daughter then. That woman kidnapped her.”
The word kidnapped had Jessie’s pulse race. The woman he referred to was most likely Amanda. “Sir,” she said, “we might be able to help.”
The tall officer brushed off his uniform. He looked down at her. “And who are you?” His voice cracked.
She flashed her badge. “Sheriff Jessie Nash from Kerry, West Virginia. You said someone took your daughter?”
“Yes, a woman and a man took Kendall. I’m embarrassed to say they threatened me, saying that if I didn’t give them some information that would help them sabotage the sub, they would kill her.” His whole body shook.
She didn’t want to say they probably planned to kill her whether he helped Amanda or not.
Dax stepped up behind her. “Do you know if she’s still alive?”
“She was a little while ago. That woman let me talk to her on a satellite phone.”
Dax’s face brightened. “Satellite phone?”
“Yes, why?”
“If Amanda used one of those, ten bucks your daughter’s back in Kerry.”
“Please,” the father pleaded. “Kendall is eight months pregnant. I need to find her.”
Dax wrapped an arm around Jessie as he spoke to the man. “It’s a ninety minute ride back. There’s no guarantee that’s where she is, but it’s my best guess. You’re welcome to come with us.”
“Thank you. I’ll call one of my men to meet me there so we can bring Kendall back home.”
The three of them climbed into Nana’s Cadillac. She rode shotgun while the officer slipped in the back. Jake’s car sat empty, forlorn, abandoned. Dax might feel responsible for what happened, but it wasn’t his fault. He hadn’t pulled the trigger.
“I’m Dr. Mark Jalbert, by the way.”
