Race Against Time

by kimberly

  She studied Cole’s face, then nodded. “All right, but we all rode together today, you’ll need to get him back to the cabin.”

  He glanced from Anesia to Jenna. Suspicion filled both their eyes. Zoya sat, gaze down, hands clasped in her lap. And Andie looked pale, like the news about her father’s precious memento had pushed her over the edge.

  As they headed out the door to their vehicles, Sean had the feeling things were about to get worse.

  “We need to talk.”

  It was a barked command. Sean angled a look at Cole. “That’s obvious.”

  Cole’s shoulders dropped a bit. “Sorry. You’re not one of my soldiers. I shouldn’t treat you like one.”

  “I do understand. But orders being bellowed at me are not a pleasant reminder.” In fact, it made him want to punch someone. Like his father.

  They climbed into Cole’s truck. “I’m sorry, Sean. I need your help.”

  “Go on.”

  “Andie and Zoya were correct. I don’t know why he did it, but Viper switched boxes with Marcus. There were three that I know of. The leaders from our ops group each had one. Maybe he thought Marc’s held the secret to obtaining AMI, I don’t know. But this goes back farther than I thought. I’ll have to contact the FBI to see about getting Viper’s box out of evidence. Because that one, I hope, is Marc’s.”

  “So how did you know the other one wasn’t Marc’s?

  “The girls were correct. The etching on the bottom had been changed. It was planted.” Cole sighed. “Why, I don’t know. But I plan to find out.” A tic in his jaw showed Sean the tightly-wound anger.

  “What do you need me to do?” Cole might be used to all this stuff, but Sean’s brain was spinning. National security. Secret defense weapons. Treason . . .

  “I received another call this morning. Someone is either trying to hurt Zoya and Anesia, or trying to frame Anesia for something.”

  “What was the call?”

  “I’m not at liberty to say, but Anesia is family and I’ve got my guard up. I’m not clear what’s going on—the pieces are too scattered. But something is happening. On Anesia’s property.” Cole stared him down. “Don’t let anyone near them, you understand?”

  Sean gave a terse nod and a fierce protective instinct kicked into high gear. “I’ll keep my eyes peeled.” His cell phone rang, cutting off the rest of his thought process. He looked at the screen.

  Great. Just what he needed. He flipped open his phone, letting his anger singe his words. “What do you need, Father?”

  Cole snapped his head to look at him and then looked back to the road.

  “Well, is that any way to greet your dear ol’ dad?”

  His father’s syrupy sweet tone didn’t bode well. “Why are you calling?”

  “I’m sending the jet up there for you. It’s time you came back.” His dad sounded almost jovial.

  Sean’s anger heated up a notch, but he worked to keep his tone respectful. “That’s not going to happen, Father. I’ve stated my intentions.”

  “Don’t toy with me”—his father hissed—“You will listen to what you are told and get back here immediately!”

  “No.”

  “What did you say?”

  “I said, no. Disown me, disinherit me, whatever you want to do. I’m not taking orders from you any more, not when the road you’re choosing goes against what I know is right.”

  Silence. Had he hung up? Sean hoped so.

  “We’ll discuss this later.”

  “No, we won’t, Father.”

  “Yes. We will.”

  Sean pressed END.

  Cole shifted in the seat beside him.

  “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

  “You’ve got guts, man. I’ve heard the senior Connolly is quite a hothead.”

  “He’s always gotten what he wanted. Always. And no one has ever told him no.”

  “Well, there’s a first time for everything, now isn’t there?” Cole flashed him a grin.

  “Yeah. I guess you’re right.” Sean sat a little straighter in his seat. “Let’s get back to more important matters. What do I need to do to protect Anesia and Zoya?”

  * * *

  DETECTIVE SHELDON

  North Pole Police Department

  3:49 p.m.

  They’d ID’d the two dead men. One of the guns proved to be the murder weapon. That left one of three—probably the shooter—still alive.

  What was he missing?

  Was it this Rick Kon’? He picked up a profile. Too many holes.

  Dave’s gut told him that Anesia didn’t know anything, but the FBI were sure barking up her tree. Why weren’t they more concerned with protecting her and her daughter? So much at stake, and a kid stuck in the middle . . . and Dave was afraid the Naltsiines were in greater danger than any of them realized.

  Of course, the FBI wanted him to share information from his investigation, but the more he gave, the more they kept to themselves.

  Something just didn’t add up.

  Dave had no choice. If he wanted answers, he’d have to find them on his own.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  ZOYA

  January 30

  3:50 p.m.

  Mom and I hopped in the car. I buckled up, thoughts tumbling over one another. Mom didn’t say a word.

  What was she thinking? Was I in trouble? I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t figure out why. Was it because I was worried or angry? I didn’t know. Didn’t know anything really.

  Mom pulled out of the parking lot. She didn’t say a word. She knew me too well. But I couldn’t let her see what was going on. I had to protect her. But how? Did she notice something was wrong? I wanted to talk to her. But then again, I didn’t.

  As we drove onto the roundabout something caught my eye.

  I squinted. A man turned around.

  Orange hat.

  I gasped.

  He stared at me. Then smirked.

  They were following me?

  No! This couldn’t be happening.

  Did Mom see him?

  “We’re gonna have a talk. And you’re going to tell me what’s going on, is that understood?”

  My heartbeat quickened. Not now! God, if You’re there, help me! “Why should we talk? It won’t do any good.” Try to keep her off the subject . . . yeah. Keep her off the subject. I swallowed.

  “Excuse me? I’m the one who will determine that, young lady.”

  We drove on in silence.

  After about fifteen minutes Mom pulled onto our road. Soon we’d be to the house. If I could keep her sidetracked until then . . .

  Minutes passed by. Each moment my anxiousness grew. Was the man following us? Would he hurt Mom? Did I need to do something?

  Mom still said nothing. As if she were waiting for me.

  We pulled up to the house. “Go to your room. I’ll be up in a minute, and we’ll talk.”

  Before she could scold me again, I opened the door and hopped out. I couldn’t let her find out about the note. About those men . . . They would kill her.

  I ran into the house, glancing around. Was the man here?

  Sasha jumped up and ran over to me, tail wagging.

  “At least I don’t have to worry about you questioning me all the time.” I patted her head. Somehow that comforted me. Eased my shaking. Would she protect Mom? Of course she would. But Sasha couldn’t stop a gun . . .

  Mom came through the front door and walked into the office, then shut the door behind her.

  A walk. I’d go on a walk. Maybe for a day or two.

  “Stay, Sasha.” I walked over to the back door. She whined.

  “No, girl. Not this time.”

  She obeyed. But I could see the worry in her eyes.

  Once again I glanced around, then slipped out the back door.

  Tiny plate-like discs of ice scattered here and there crunched and crackled underneath my feet as I walked. I neared the end of our property. Thoughts and emotions wouldn’t
stop swirling within me.

  Where was I going? I couldn’t trespass on other people’s land, and if I took the road Mom or Auntie would find me.

  I should have taken Sasha. She could have comforted me, kept me company. But then again she would have made noise and Mom would’ve known what I was doing.

  It’s cold out here. I wonder if there are any wild animals watching me. What’s Andie doing right now?

  Andie? Why was I thinking about Andie?

  Thinking of my best friend brought on the tears.

  No. I wouldn’t cry. Couldn’t. Had to be strong.

  I wrapped my arms around my middle and kept walking.

  A twig snapped behind me. My back stiffened.

  What was that?

  I jerked and turned around. I couldn’t see anything through the heavy foliage.

  A click.

  No. A gun.

  I gasped. I could hear my heart hammering. Everything went into slow motion.

  A man stepped out from the cover of trees. His smile chilled me.

  I stared as his arm raised and a gun pointed at me—

  Something growled and attacked his arm.

  The man screamed and fell, smashing his head into a fallen log. Blood dripped and pooled into the clean white snow.

  Sasha turned to me and barked. She walked over and licked my hand, easing my speeding pulse.

  The gun lay a few feet away. I should take it. But what if he woke up?

  “We need to get Mom!” No sooner had the words left my mouth than we started running back the way I had come.

  “Mom!”

  We were at least a mile away, she couldn’t hear me. But yelling for her helped anyway. Maybe Sean was out and would hear.

  Oh, God help me!

  I wasn’t getting enough air, but I couldn’t stop. I ran. Sasha nudged my leg, as if prodding me to go faster.

  Couldn’t. But had to.

  “Mom!” Air stopped filling my lungs. Out of breath . . .

  Sasha ran ahead and barked. Soon the house came within view.

  Derek ran out from the barn.

  I couldn’t focus. Everything was a blur. A man had just pointed a gun at me! I couldn’t believe it. Didn’t want to. I gasped for air.

  I could hear myself wheezing. Had to keep running. Almost to the house. My legs gave out and I fell. My gloved hands picked up a handful of snow.

  No. No! The tears fell.

  Had to get up, get to Mom . . . I pushed up and continued running. Almost there.

  Nothing would stop those murderers from killing the only witness.

  Me.

  * * *

  ANESIA

  January 30

  Naltsiine Kennels

  4:19 p.m.

  Zoya’s scream split the air, and the hair on the back of Anesia’s neck rose. She jumped up from her desk and flew out the front door. No shoes, no coat. Didn’t matter.

  Zoya was in trouble.

  Barreling around the house, she heard her daughter scream again and ran in the direction of the soul-piercing sound. There. She spotted her daughter rounding the corner past the barn. Sasha barked at Anesia and just about toppled her over as she ran full-force into her legs. Then the dog ran straight back to Zoya.

  “Mom!” The seconds stretched into hours as they ran for each other.

  Anesia caught and wrapped her precious baby in her arms.

  “Mom!” She gasped for air. “Mom . . .” Another gasp and a shiver.

  But as Anesia tightened her hold, she realized Zoya wasn’t shivering. She was shaking.

  “Zoya, talk to me. What happened?”

  Glassy eyes gazed past her shoulder. “Mom . . .”

  Anesia knelt in front of her only child, pushing her an arm’s length away so she could check her over. “What?”

  Zoya looked her in the eyes. “A man. With a gun.”

  “What? Where?”

  “Tried to kill me. Sasha . . . knocked him down . . . hit his head . . . blood everywhere . . .” Her daughter’s tiny frame collapsed in the snow at Anesia’s feet. Zoya sucked in air.

  Oh God, no!

  She spotted Derek standing by the barn. Once again, God was looking out for them. “Derek! Get over here!”

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Help me get her in the house, please.” Not until that moment did Anesia feel the cold seeping into her own bones. Her socks were drenched, and her feet were burning. Frostbite happened all too fast at these temps.

  As her stocky employee helped them into the mudroom, Anesia realized Zoya was shaking harder. Was she in shock?

  “Derek, go check the perimeters of the house and barn.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He started to head out the door.

  “And Derek? Just so you know, Zoya said there’s someone out there. I’m calling the police. Please make sure no one else approaches the house.”

  His dark eyes flashed at her. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Anesia locked the door behind him and ran through the house, checking all the doors and windows, and setting the alarm system. Back in the mudroom Zoya lay unconscious. As Anesia pulled all the wet outer gear off her daughter, she also stripped off her own wet socks and jeans. She yanked on a pair of dry sweats and socks from the mudroom shelf and ran to the phone. All the while talking to Zoya.

  “Wake up, honey. You’ve got to tell me what happened.”

  The cordless handset beeped as she dialed 911. Anesia ran her hand down Zoya’s face. “Honey! Wake up!”

  The operator came on. As she explained that someone had attacked her daughter, Zoya began to moan and flail around.

  “-Yats’e’e?” Her daughter wouldn’t respond.

  The calm voice on the other end assured her that someone would be there as soon as possible. Did she want them to stay on the line with her? No. She just wanted them here. Now.

  “Mom . . .” Dark eyelashes fluttered.

  She pulled Zoya into her arms. “Oh, hon, you had me worried.”

  “It was awful, Mom. I was so scared.” Her daughter jerked away from her. “Is he still here? What if he’s in the house?”

  “No one’s in the house. It’s locked up tight and the alarm is set. Now just calm down and tell me what happened.”

  Fat tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I should’ve listened to you, but . . . I . . . I can’t seem to think straight. I snuck out the back door and went into the woods on the west side of the property.”

  Not a time to scold her daughter. But oh, the consequences. This would cause even more guilt to heap onto Zoya’s already burdened shoulders. “It’s okay, baby.” She wiped tears. “Shh. It’s okay. Just tell me the rest.”

  “I was standing there trying not to think about all this junk when I heard a twig snap and then . . . I heard a gun cock.” More tears streamed in tiny rivers and dripped off Zoya’s chin. “There was this man. He was going to shoot me, Mom! He was going to shoot me!” Sobs wracked her small frame.

  Icy fingers clutched Anesia’s heart. Someone tried to kill her daughter.

  Again.

  “And then Sasha came out of nowhere, growling and snapping. She knocked him off his feet. He hit his head on a fallen log and started bleeding all over the place. That’s when I ran. As fast as I could. I couldn’t stop screaming for you. I just wanted to be home.” The tears stopped then, but as Zoya climbed into Anesia’s lap, she saw the anguish and terror in her daughter’s eyes. Small arms wrapped around her waist and squeezed with a force so strong she thought she might snap in two.

  And then the anger came. Filling her gut with a searing hot flame. Whoever did this better not live to see tomorrow. Because if he did, Anesia would kill him.

  * * *

  SEAN

  4:29 p.m.

  He banged on the door and jiggled the doorknob. The echo of Zoya’s screams still ringing in his head. He’d heard them from the entrance to the Naltsiine property. The terrifying screams of someone in pain. In trouble. “Anesi
a! It’s Sean. Anesia!”

  What could’ve happened? He continued to bang as loud as he could on the door. He tried the knob again. Locked. Anesia never locked the doors during the day. Something was terribly wrong.

  “Anesia! Zoya!” He pounded until his fist throbbed from the pain.

  The dead bolt clicked and Anesia opened the door an inch, keeping the chain intact. Her eyes were filled with fear and skittered about until she recognized him. “Oh, Sean. I’m so glad you’re here.” She lifted the chain and opened the door.

  Before it could register, she was in his arms. Holding onto him with a fierceness he’d never known. “Anesia. I was so worried. I heard the screams. What happened?”

  Sobs shook her frame and she held on tighter. As tiny as she was compared to him, he loved the feel and fit of her against him. “It’s Zoya. Someone tried to shoot her in the woods.”

  He stiffened. He should have been there! Should have protected them! “Have you called the police?”

  She nodded against his chest. “They’re on their way. I called Jenna too.”

  Sean’s arms tightened around her and he kissed the top of her head. “It’s okay. I’m so glad I got home when I did.” Even the anger he held against his father couldn’t compare with what he felt toward the shooter at this moment. Every instinct screamed at him to search and destroy. How dare anyone attack his girls? He squeezed Anesia one last time, then eased her away. “You go on inside and lock everything back up. I’m going to see what I can find.”

  Fresh tears streamed down her face and she shook her head. “Sean, be careful. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.” She grabbed the front of his coat.

  He took her hands in his and squeezed. “I’ll be back. I promise.”

  She hesitated, but then went back inside. He didn’t leave the porch until he heard the lock and chain.

  Taking the steps in one long leap, Sean headed out to search the property. If it took him the rest of his life, he would help bring the shooter to justice.

  For Anesia.

  * * *

  COLE

  4:34 p.m.