The lights were off, but a crack of lightning illuminated the room. Emma gasped when she saw that the bokor priestess stood in the center of the kitchen with both palms out flat in front of her face. Emma felt rather than saw Sumner directly behind her.
“Duck,” Emma said as the woman blew on her hands. A fine white powder flew outward and settled on Emma’s face, while a portion of it hit Sumner. Too late, Emma thought. She heard Sumner cough. He stepped past Emma, grabbed the woman by one arm, spun her around, cranked her wrist into the middle of her back and pushed her forward. The priestess stumbled into the far wall next to the French doors. She cackled loudly. Her laugh sounded mad.
“Devil’s Breath hit you. You be mine now,” she said. She cackled again. Sumner pressed her face-first into the wall and looked back at Emma.
“What was it?” he asked.
“Probably scopolamine,” she said.
“Burundanga,” the woman said.
“Burundanga is the native name for it,” Emma said.
“What does it do?”
Emma moved back in line with the hall that led from the kitchen to the front door and checked for intruders. The rest of the house stayed dark. In a few long strides she was once again at Sumner’s side by the wall.
“It’s an anticholinergic. Hallucinations and delirium along with amnesia afterward.” She could smell the strong scent of the woman’s patchouli oil perfume and hear her heavy, erratic breathing.
“She sounds like she’s on some sort of drug herself.” Emma leaned over to look out the glass panel and checked the backyard. She heard the sound of a car door slamming.
“They coming for you,” the woman said. “Now they kill you.”
Sumner let go of her arm and shoved her aside. Emma hauled open the French door and ran onto the terrace. It was three steps down to the lawn, which had turned into a sea of mud with two inches of water rushing past. She placed her gun in her coat pocket to keep it dry and splashed into the streaming flow while working her way to the garage. It was still closed and the Jeep still parked in front. Water formed deeper pools on either side of the asphalt drive, but the vehicle’s high clearance kept the bulk of it dry. Sumner, who had followed her, crawled into the passenger side while she got behind the wheel.
Headlights from another vehicle illuminated the edge of the property. Emma fired up the engine and hit the gas, turning the Jeep in the opposite direction from the house. She flipped the transmission into four-wheel drive.
“I’m going to drive over the lawn and through the trees to the access road. It’s made of dirt, but hopefully four-wheel drive will be enough to get us out of here.” Sumner leaned between the seats while he watched out the back of the car.
“Go,” he said.
Lightning cracked through the sky, illuminating the lawn to Emma’s immediate left and the pool farther left of that. She hit the gas again and they moved out. The Jeep slowed as it transitioned from the asphalt to the grass, but only for a moment. It sank a bit lower in the water-sogged lawn but to Emma’s relief kept moving forward. She drove past the pool and toward the trees in the dark, using the wipers but keeping the lights off. The car slipped sideways a couple of feet but corrected when she eased off the gas.
“How long before the drug kicks in?” Sumner asked. He kept his eyes on the area behind them.
“With any luck it won’t. Scope inhaled in powder form is a weak way to administer it.”
“I got some in my mouth and swallowed it,” Sumner said.
“Oral ingestion is a much more efficient form of dosing.”
“Well that’s just great,” he said. “And if it does work?”
“You’ll feel it in half an hour, maybe forty minutes.” The rear tires slipped a little lower when they hit a depression in the lawn and the car shifted its weight to the back.
“You think she told the truth? About what it was?” Sumner asked.
“I hope so, because the alternatives are much, much worse.”
“What else could it be?”
Emma didn’t want to think about that, but she kept her eyes on the approaching tree line while she answered.
“You mean what poisons are available to her on a tropical island?”
“Yes.”
Emma inhaled. “Any number of deadly plants and animals grow in a tropical environment. One of the worst would be a tetrodotoxin. It’s the poison in a puffer fish.” The car slid to the left when it hit another depression. Emma pressed on the gas and mud flew in all directions.
“Hallucinations?” Sumner asked.
“Not really. More like paralysis and deep coma. Depending on the amount, death.”
“Well let’s hope the amount was low.”
“Let’s hope she told the truth and it was Devil’s Breath. That’s bad enough.”
She heard the first gunshot as she entered the tree line.
“They’re here,” Sumner said.
Chapter 44
Once in the trees, the wind lessened but the darkness was worse, if that was possible. Emma turned on the lights and swerved to avoid a flailing tree branch that had cracked but not broken off. It swung back and forth in disjointed arcs. Some of the trees made creaking noises as the wind hit them. At one point the trunks were spaced so closely that the Jeep couldn’t squeeze through.
“Tuck the sideview mirrors in,” she said. Sumner, still facing toward the back of the car, turned and opened the window on the passenger side. He flipped the mirror in while Emma did the same with hers.
“Does that buy you enough space?” he asked.
“We’ll see,” she replied. She inched forward. The car fit but the trees moved and scraped along the driver’s side. The wheels slipped and the car shifted, causing the back of the car to hit one of the trees. Emma grimaced at the scraping sound but kept the car moving. After a few seconds they were past the narrowest portion of the opening and she could breathe easier again.
“They’re on to us,” Sumner said. “I see headlights coming our way. Bet that the voodoo woman told them our direction.”
“I hate that woman,” Emma said.
“She’s got a screw loose, that’s for sure.”
Emma turned onto the dirt road and depressed the gas pedal. The car moved out, flinging dirt and mud in all directions. She flipped on the fog lights, deciding that visibility was no longer an issue. The woman, she thought, must have told Joseph their direction.
After a few minutes on the access road she reached the asphalt. She had an overwhelming urge to hammer the pedal down in order to make the best time possible but fought the impulse. Water rushed across the road, and the combination of the wet and grease would mean she’d be hydroplaning in an instant.
“You’d better turn around and buckle up,” she said to Sumner. “We’ll hit Deadman’s Curve in a couple of minutes. I’m going to take it as fast as I can.” Sumner reversed and sat down, snapping the belt into position.
“Wish we had a better car,” he said.
“I know. This thing is top heavy. Carrow has an Aston Martin that turns on a dime. I would love to be driving that one right now.” A branch cracked and fell onto the right side of the road and Emma swerved to avoid it.
“But the Aston wouldn’t have the clearance you need to avoid the debris,” Sumner said, “so that might not be the right one either.” He lowered his window and rain sleeted into the car. “The rain is falling almost sideways.” He returned the mirror to its normal position and closed the window. Emma did the same with hers and wiped her face once the window was shut.
“How good a shooter is this guy?” Sumner asked.
Emma slowed for another turn. “Kemmer seemed to think he was a pro. I can’t tell. He fired and missed, but both boats were bucking up and down so much that it was nearly impossible to get a decent shot off.”
Sumner had his phone in his hand, and the small screen lit up the car’s interior.
“I’m calling Stromeyer,” he said. “I hate to exp
ose them to whatever virus is spreading on this island, but we need both her and Banner. They should be able to get clearance to land despite the quarantine.”
“Isn’t it dangerous for them to fly through the storm?” Emma downshifted into second on the curve.
“It’s risky, but I think Banner can do it. He’s a competent pilot. Of course, if the wind gets any worse then the only guys who will be flying are the hurricane hunters. Ah, no. I can’t get a connection.”
“You can use the one at Carrow’s villa.”
“If we get there,” he said.
Emma turned onto a fairly long straightaway and shifted back up into third. She glanced into the rearview mirror. The road had curved once before straightening and she couldn’t see more than fifty meters behind her. No car appeared, but she could make out a glow that lit the area.
“Think that’s their headlights?” she said. Sumner checked the sideview mirror.
“I do. What car did Carrow drive?”
“His own Jeep. Just like this one.”
“So we won’t be outclassed by their vehicle.”
Emma caught a glimpse of headlights as the car behind them appeared on the short stretch of road that was visible before it was once again blocked by the mountain. She returned her attention to driving, because they were hitting the first part of Deadman’s Curve.
“The car that’s behind us isn’t a Jeep,” Sumner said. “It looks like a standard four-door.”
“Then it will take the turns better, especially in this wind. It’ll be less top heavy,” Emma said.
She eased off the gas and waited until the Jeep slowed to press lightly on the brake. To her great relief they stayed in contact with the road and the vehicle slowed in response. They weren’t hydroplaning. Yet.
“Here we go,” she said.
The road in front of her disappeared around a tight portion of the mountain, and she slowed into the turn. The car skid a bit but made it around without incident. At the second twist it slid out farther but she corrected and they made it around. “Last one,” Emma said. Her hands were sweating on the wheel and her throat was dry. The interior of the car lit up, telling her that their pursuers were close, but she didn’t take the time to check the rearview mirror to determine how close. She was nearly through the turn when a massive tree branch tumbled down from above. It landed in a flurry of leaves and bark and wood.
Emma hammered the brakes but it was too late. She felt the Jeep shudder in a shaking motion while it slid forward. They drove directly into the branch with a sickening, cracking sound. The Jeep spun 180 degrees and she saw the residual glow of their pursuer’s headlights growing brighter. The Jeep shimmied sideways to the edge of the road. It teetered precariously for a moment, the body parallel to the mountain, before it started sliding down.
“Shift your weight to this side,” Sumner said. He grabbed her right arm and pulled her toward him, but Emma was still strapped into the seat and had no time to unhook the belt. She felt the car tip, and then her window slammed into the ground and glass flew into her cheek. The air bags deployed with a booming sound and smoke billowed into the cabin. The Jeep, though, wasn’t finished falling. It rolled again onto its hood, and she heard the sickening creaking of bending aluminum and steel. The canvas roof above her head ripped off, but the side supports held. The steering wheel air bag deflated and she caught a glimpse of Sumner. His face was hidden by his own air bag, but she could see his shoulder and a portion of his head. The car rolled onto the passenger side and he grunted at the impact. He’s still alive, she thought.
The Jeep frame collapsed some more and bits of leaves and mud oozed through the broken window. The windshield cracked and popped and a crazy kaleidoscope of fissures snaked across the glass. Emma’s head slammed against a side support that had buckled inward. She felt warm blood run down across her temple.
Then the car picked up momentum, the creaking and straining noises of the frame louder as the body took the beating. The only sound that eclipsed it was the booming of thunder. Lightning flashed in a strobe light effect that lent a terrifying new level to the crash, because Emma could see the chaos all around her in short bursts. Mud was everywhere, and she felt it hitting her face and coating her clothes.
The Jeep slammed to a halt, but her body was still in motion and she felt the seat belt cut into her neck as she strained against it. She whipped sideways and then jerked violently back when her body met the immovable force of the belt. The driver’s side was up and the passenger side pressed into the mountain against some sort of protuberance. She hung above Sumner, who was slumped against the ground and what was left of the passenger window. He didn’t move.
Emma hung there catching her breath. Rain poured in through the missing window and ripped canvas cover. She grabbed at the frame above her shoulder to steady herself and reached down to try to unhook the seat belt, but it had contracted so tightly that she couldn’t get enough play in it to unsnap it. She pulled on the frame with her left arm to lift some of her weight off the belt while pushing on the button. It unsnapped, releasing the right side of her body but staying wrapped around her left armpit. She fell against Sumner.
“Are you okay?” she asked. Sumner inhaled and she saw his eyes flutter open.
“I’m alive. I can’t tell if anything’s broken,” he said. He sounded groggy.
Emma took stock. Her head injury felt raw but the blood had congealed a bit on her cheek. She moved her toes and fingers and twitched her arms and legs. It all felt intact. She knew that the muscle ache would begin once the shock wore off, but for now all she wanted to do was get out of the wreckage.
“I’m going to climb out, carefully. We’re stopped, but nowhere near the bottom of the mountain, and I’m afraid to dislodge us and finish the ride.” Something hit the side of the car. “What the hell was that?”
“Where’s my gun?” Sumner said. Emma looked around but saw nothing that resembled the pistol.
“I don’t know. I put mine in my pocket. With any luck it’s still there.” Something else hit the undercarriage of the car with a clanging noise.
“What is that sound?” Sumner said.
“Maybe rocks rolling downhill? Whatever it is, we need to get out of this car.”
“Look up before you move. He could be watching from above.”
Emma paused. Sumner was right. She had forgotten about Joseph. She moved higher, doing her best to keep from any violent movements, and peered into the darkness. The car shifted and sank lower into the muck. Rain hit her face and she kept wiping her eyes, waiting for the lightning to illuminate the area. Finally it came and she saw that they were fifty feet down the mountain. From her angle she could only see the edge of the road and the rest of the mountain as it continued upward. Two people stood in a pool of light thrown by the headlights of a parked car. One had a gun.
Chapter 45
Emma lowered herself back down.
“Joseph is there with Carrow.” She fished in her pocket for her gun and found it. Her hands were unsteady but she was able to release the safety. She rose again and peered out. The two men were gone, as was the car. “They left. I can’t see anyone.” She put the gun back in her pocket and her foot on the console between the seats that housed the gearshift. She hoisted herself up and out of the wreckage. It sagged and began to slip, and she grabbed at the remaining frame.
“Hold it. I’m getting out,” Sumner said. She dug her heels into the mud and held on while Sumner unbelted and stood up. He hauled himself out of the window, swearing when the remaining shards of glass snagged at his wrist. He swung his right and then left leg out onto the dirt and stood a moment, swaying. He held onto the car’s wheel.
“You look shaky,” Emma said.
“I am.” He glanced to his left, said, “Oh shit,” let go of the wheel and staggered back. Emma felt her own nerves take a jump and she hauled her gun out of the coat pocket while looking up at the road above their heads.
“Is he there?�
� she said.
“Not the killer. The beast,” Sumner replied.
Emma turned back. Sumner was staring at a spot farther down the mountain. Lightning skated across the sky.
“There’s nothing.”
“Where the hell is my gun?” Sumner said. “I do not want to face that thing without it.”
“Sumner there’s nothing there,” Emma said. “But I’ll help you find the gun because we’re going to need it.” She worked her way around the car, doing her best to keep her feet from slipping out from under her. The muscle ache began and she felt the injury to her head begin to throb. Cold drops of water ran down her neck and seeped under the coat collar and she shivered. She looked inside the vehicle for Sumner’s gun. A flash of lightning lit up the interior and she saw it in the rear foot well. She reached through what used to be the roof of the car and snagged it by the trigger guard.
“You don’t see that?” Sumner pointed to a spot farther down the mountain. Emma squinted in the pouring rain.
“All I see is a bunch of scrub and a few trees. What do you see?”
“A misshapen beast-type creature with long claws for fingers and huge, pointed teeth. It’s coming this way.”
“It’s the scopolamine. You’re having a hallucination.” She handed him the gun.
“I want to shoot it,” he said. Emma reached out and took the gun back.
“Absolutely not. Don’t you dare waste a bullet on an imaginary creature.”
“It looks so real, it’s amazing.” The car began a slow slide downward, stopping again after three more feet. He looked at it. “There’s a thing with red eyes peering from inside the car.”
“More hallucinations. Interesting, though, because what you’re describing are exactly the two beasts that I saw when that witch poisoned my food.”
“Can people have identical hallucinations?” he asked. Emma came around to him and wrapped his arm over her shoulder.
“I’ve never heard of it, but anything’s possible. Come on, let’s go back up to the road. But on the other side of that branch.”
Dead Asleep Page 24
