The Knight Before Chaos

by Tierney James

  The intruders were barreling toward the front door when a slight movement on each side of the hall caught his eye. The boys were waiting, one in the living room, the other on the edge of the dining room. Sean’s voice boomed like that of a former drill sergeant he’d once had when he went into the Rangers.

  They pulled a rope tight across the floor, as little Heather’s hands swung the front door open. The intruders slipped on something before snagging their feet in the rope and fell forward through the door. When they hit the patches of frozen snow, they slid toward the steps.

  Chase jumped over their rope and ran to the door where he managed to swing Heather to the side then proceeded outside. The men groaned as they struggled to get to their knees. Two familiar faces appeared at both of the steps, leveling their weapons. It was the cops from earlier in the evening.

  “Officers,” Chase said calmly.

  “You again. I’m beginning to think you attract trouble,” one officer said as the other reached down and cuffed the intruders.

  The children ran out and hugged Chase’s legs so tightly he thought he might fall over. “It’s okay, guys. You all right?” Their heads nodded, and their arms squeezed tighter around his legs and waist. “Officer, there’s another one inside on the floor. They had a taser. Missed me and hit him.”

  One officer arched an eyebrow. “Lucky for you.”

  “There’s another one tied to a tree on the side of the house. He’s probably getting a little cold.” He reached down and lifted Heather up in his arms. She immediately put a choke-hold hug around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. “How come you’re here again?”

  The second officer led the tased intruder out of the house in handcuffs and grinned at Chase. “Your neighbor lady, a few doors down, Bridgette, I think. She was watching out her window and noticed these guys slipping around the house. She knew you were here with the kids. Said you two had a connection?”

  Chase rolled his eyes then dropped his free hand on Daniel’s head. “Be sure to thank her for me. I’ve kind of got my hands full here. But thanks again for your help. Guess I’ll be coming in to explain this in the morning, too.”

  “I’d appreciate it if we didn’t have to post a guard here for the rest of the night.”

  He fished a card out of his jeans pocket and handed it over. “What’s this?” The officer looked down at it for a few seconds before raising his eyes to Chase. He seemed to stand a little more at attention.

  “Call that number for me, and they’ll help you out. If you ever need anything, let me know. I owe you.”

  The officer elbowed his partner and showed him the card. His eyes got a little rounder as they lifted to meet Chase’s. “Yes, sir. Glad we could be of help. Second thought, maybe we should leave someone at the entrance gate?”

  “I’d rather you get that piece of trash tied to the tree out of here. These kids have had enough excitement for one night. Oh, and can you get the power company to get our electric back on?” He started toward the door, Heather still in his arms.

  “Right away.”

  “Thanks, and Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas, sir.”

  He didn’t miss the new level of respect in their voices.

  “Come on, kids. I’m guessing we made a mess that needs to be cleaned up.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The snowplow roared to life. Honey let out a shout of enthusiasm followed by childlike laughter. After wiggling to adjust her position behind the wheel, she examined all the bells and whistles of her new toy.

  “Have you ever driven a big truck like this before?” Tessa hissed.

  She couldn’t believe she’d helped the Irish assassin drag the two men into the bushes. It proved a difficult task, considering one was tall and the other, rotund. It took both of them to get the job done. Honey took care of hiding the blood trail.

  “You know there are security cameras everywhere.” Tessa palmed her forehead. “We’ll probably be featured on the morning news, with the police parading us around in orange jumpsuits.”

  “Orange really isn’t my color,” confessed Honey.

  “Maybe horizontal black stripes, then. The police are looking for us.”

  “They’re looking for someone. Those security cameras in the back of the station were disabled. The motion sensors never even blinked. Besides, there were no lightbulbs.”

  “Well, there were cameras inside, and we were seen leaving with those jerks.” Tessa checked the side mirrors for trouble.

  “Maybe you can get your little tech buddy at Enigma…what’s his name?”

  “Vernon Kemp.”

  “Yeah. That’s the fella. Have him go in and do his thing.”

  “And how do you suppose I do that without a phone?” She puffed out a burst of air. “There will be hell to pay because I lost another Enigma phone. Whoever has it will have all my contacts.”

  “Come on, sweetness. Surely Enigma put a kind of failsafe on such a sensitive piece of equipment.”

  Tessa knew that to be the case. Only her breath could activate any call, and her touch enabled the second layer of protection. She’d once thought having such a device would make her life easier. Now she feared someone might have a chance to hack into the database—if that was even possible. With any luck, whoever took the phone tried to get in, and alerts went out like someone storming Area 51. Vernon would backtrack her movements and hopefully figure out she needed help.

  “I guess you’re right. Our biggest concern right now is getting in touch with Chase and letting him know we’re on our way. I want to know my kids are safe.”

  “One more little concern.”

  “What now?”

  “We have company. The police are coming up behind us.”

  Tessa caught sight of them in the side mirror then glanced over at Honey whose lips curved up in a smile. “Holy Moly. Why are you smiling? What are you about to do?”

  “Have a little fun is all. You buckled?”

  “No. No. No. No,” Tessa said scrambling to find her seat belt. “Dear Jesus, save me!”

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  With the children sitting at the breakfast bar eating scrambled eggs and cinnamon toast, Chase returned to the porch to watch the second police car arrive to help with the prisoners. The officer he’d given the business card strolled over to speak to him.

  “Thought you’d like to know this appears to be an organized theft ring law enforcement has been tracking in Sacramento. They’ve been inching toward Nevada county for a couple of months. Each of these guys have a record. They’ve hit three neighborhoods in the last week. Lucky you were here to stop them.” He grinned. “That first bunch we took in were most likely working with them. We’ll know more in the morning.”

  “And you know this because?”

  “The frozen one you tied outside asked if we had them, too.” He chuckled. “Nothing like a dumb criminal.”

  Chase extended his hand. “Thanks again for showing up. Appreciate your service.”

  “Seems to me I should be thanking you for all your service. You have a Merry Christmas.” The officer started down the steps then came back and handed him a piece of paper. “Almost forgot. Told to give you this from someone named Vernon Kemp. Came in over the radio a little while ago.”

  Chase nodded and slipped the paper in his pocket as the yard lights came on. The Christmas lights now twinkled inside the house as well.

  The children finished the food he’d prepared for them and carried their plates to the sink. He was surprised to observe they rinsed them off and stuck them in the dishwasher, with Sean Patrick rearranging a few things to make everything fit. Daniel added the dishwasher detergent and turned it to start. Although Heather missed a few spots with her limited reach, she wiped down the counter where they’d sat. The idea they were used to chores impressed him with Tessa’s parenting.

  He doubted it had anything to do with her husband, Robert, since he wasn’t around for the important moments
. What could Robert be thinking, leaving a knockout wife and three great kids alone so much? How many times had he considered making his intentions known? Once or twice he’d even toyed with the idea of making Robert disappear altogether. Unfortunately, his conscience and sense of honor prevented him from stepping over the line he’d drawn in the sand when it came to Tessa. She worked for him. Complications with a female agent only meant the mission at hand would be compromised.

  “What ya thinkin’, Chasey?” Heather’s little voice always had the power to make him grin.

  “What good soldiers you guys are.”

  “Are we going to play princess school now?”

  The boys moaned but hushed when he held up a hand. “We need to clean up our mess first. What did you boys throw down on the floor to make it so slick when those guys slid out like a seal on its belly?”

  He looked back over his shoulder and could see residue left on the floor in the hall. The burglars had likely absorbed most of it on their slide out, but he stepped around it to avoid suffering the same fate. When he walked back to where the hardwood was a sticky mess, the children hurried after him.

  “Baby oil. Mom keeps it in the powder room,” Sean Patrick offered with a boyish grin. “Grabbed it when you were in the kitchen getting your butt handed to you.”

  Chase grabbed him in a headlock and gave him a noogie, causing the children to laugh.

  “You disobeyed a direct order.”

  Sean Patrick pulled away and shrugged. “Good thing, too. You’re kind of new at this stuff, aren’t you?”

  “I guess I’ve learned a lot from you three tonight. Maybe I should let you clean up all this mess ASAP. Now move it,” he snapped.

  The boys rushed toward the kitchen, but Heather stood her ground and smiled up at him.

  “I don’t think you were talking to me,” she cooed.

  It hurt to force an angry frown down on her, especially when her eyes grew wide. “You are just like your mother. Yes. I was talking to you. You disobeyed me and will help your brothers.”

  Her bottom lip jutted out.

  “Now!”

  He half expected tears but instead got a cold stare. Again. Exactly like her mother. After a pivot on tiny feet, she moved at a snail’s pace down the hall toward the kitchen, stroking the head of her fluffy unicorn.

  “Women,” he mumbled.

  While the children cleaned the floor, he wondered if the burglars had been a distraction to throw him off the real threat. Whoever planned on an attack was still out there—waiting. He needed to wrap this up and fast. He pulled the paper from his pocket and read it.

  In minutes, he’d located a secondary phone Tessa had hidden in the bottom of a tampon box in her bathroom. Part of him thought it was genius especially since fishing around in a tampon box creeped him out a little. He knew she kept a loaded Beretta on top of the cabinets in the kitchen but hadn’t been able to get it. The one he’d replaced in the dining room didn’t have ammo, so it was useless. He needed to reprimand her for that slipup. According to the note, he needed to call in as soon as possible.

  “Vernon?”

  “Your tech genius is here to serve.” He beamed. Chase could imagine him sitting in front of four or five computer screens, divided between gaming and national security. “Looks like you’ve been making friends with the Grass Valley PD.”

  “Yeah. Not sure they’re happy about it. Glad they reached out.”

  “Can’t send reinforcements tonight, Chase. Black ice everywhere. Sac International Airport was closed a couple of hours ago. Too slick to try and make it up to you.”

  “Any idea who is after me?”

  “No chatter. You’re not known for leaving any loose ends, Chase.”

  “True. Honey is sure someone is coming for me. Those guys tonight were bumbling idiots. I think they were a distraction. Maybe make me feel overconfident I’d cleaned up another mess.”

  “Too easy.”

  “Can you tie into Tessa’s security here at the house and alert the police if you see anything? I’ve got these kids to watch, and they make my head spin. I might miss something.”

  “On it.”

  “Any word from the girls in Reno?”

  “Nothing.”

  “I’m not sure if I should feel good about that.”

  “They tried calling earlier, but it was garbled. I keep trying to call them back. Hopefully, they’ll reconnect to let us know what to look for. Oh. A strange call came into the answering service. Left a message for you. Strange it wasn’t garbled at all. Clear as a bell, actually.”

  “What was the message?”

  “Said Hebrew 13:2. That’s it. What’s it mean?”

  Chase walked down the stairs and could see the kids cleaning the hallway floor with great delight and mischief.

  “‘Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning Angelo is not far away.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Are you going to stop?” Tessa knew her voice had gotten louder as the flashing lights got closer. A devious laugh spilled from behind Honey’s gritted teeth.

  Their truck had reached the highway that led over the mountains. The snow fell heavier here, and the prospect of plowing the drifts created a sense of panic. What did they know about driving or plowing through a snowstorm? This could be an accident waiting to happen if Honey got it in her head to try and outrun the police.

  The Reno police stopped their cars, giving the two women a chance to put needed distance between them.

  “Maybe they weren’t after us,” Tessa said, checking the side mirror.

  “They’ve contacted the Highway Patrol. These guys can’t go over the mountain in those cars. Expect reinforcements. In the meantime, let’s see what this baby will do. Come on, Tessa, have a little fun.”

  “Fun? There are two dead guys—”

  “Well the second one might still be alive. It was your idea, so you’re to blame.”

  Tessa let out a frustrated scream while pounding her fists against the dashboard. “News alert! You’re a psycho.”

  Honey shrugged. “Now that hurts, coming from my best friend.”

  “Let’s be clear about something. We are not friends. You are trouble. And if we get caught, I will be blabbing the God’s truth as fast as they can write it down.”

  Honey turned a dead stare at her, revealing a threat of violence. “Don’t threaten me, love. Being my friend is going to keep you alive…if you know what I mean.”

  Tessa gulped her pride along with the fear rising inside her. “Friends it is, then.” Her eyelids batting away in her fear. Honey’s mouth turned up in a wide smile as she reached over and pinched her cheek.

  “Ahh. I’m touched. Just think we can have tea together, go shopping for weapons, shoes, of course, and maybe grab lunch while your wee ones are at school. Maybe I’ll come sit in one of your classes to see what I’ve been missing.” She snapped her fingers. “I know. Invite me to be a guest speaker. I could open the eyes of those budding socialists you teach.”

  Tessa wiggled back in her seat and took a few deep breaths. “It’s good to have options,” she mumbled. “I’ll pencil you in when I get home. Next, you’ll be wanting a girls’ weekend.”

  “I think that’s what we’re havin’. Bet you’ll remember this one.”

  Tessa grinned in spite of herself. “I think you may be right.” Was the FBI agent at the airport after Honey? “By the way, when I tried to find you at the airport, I saw an FBI agent outside. He wouldn’t be looking for you by chance?”

  “And how do you know he was FBI?”

  “We’ve had a couple of run-ins, shall we say.”

  “Did he see you?”

  “Pretty sure he did. He looked a little surprised, so maybe—”

  “I wish you’d told me earlier.”

  “Would that have been before I was robbed, my car got damaged, or yo
u killed two state employees?” She groaned and palmed her forehead. “I bet it was his Escalade we stole.”

  “You’re kind of a whiner, Tessa. Did anyone ever tell ya that?”

  “Yes. Your other best friend, Samantha Cordova.”

  “She is no friend of mind. I don’t trust her, and you shouldn’t, either. I know you work together, but she’s out to get you fired if not killed. She’s jealous.”

  Dr. Samantha Cordova was a senior agent at Enigma and had been put in charge of her training. The Bataan Death March of WWII must have inspired her methods. She remained the most beautiful and lethal woman Tessa had ever met. The woman didn’t miss a day or opportunity to inflict pain and humiliation on her psyche.

  The only way Tessa survived the daily harassment was to make fun of her and prove over and over she had plenty to offer the team. If Samantha was jealous, it had to do with Captain Hunter intervening on her behalf from time to time. She liked being the queen bee, and having another woman to compete with didn’t go over very well.

  Tessa only nodded her acceptance of Honey’s declaration of what she considered truth and decided to focus on the here and now.

  The truck shifted gears as they continued to climb away from Reno. The two women focused on the road. Honey ignored the radio calls from the highway department and sang Christmas carols at the top of her lungs. Tessa cringed at the possibility of spending the holidays in jail. Would Enigma let such a thing happen? Of course, they would because, technically, they didn’t exist.

  “Will you please shut up?” Tessa adjusted the radio to hear the chatter going on about the missing truck. Most of it concerned trying to find out why they hadn’t called in to give their location.

  “Probably should have loaded those jerks onto the truck, dumped them up here, and covered them up with the snowplow.” She quipped. “Find them in the spring.”

  “You’re a sadistic—”

  “Careful. You know I’m a little sensitive about my control issues.”

  “Control issues? Is that what they call it these days? You kill people for a living.”