Travis wondered if Rena doubted him. She knew nothing about him and had not seen any credentials – he couldn't carry them while undercover. He said he worked for the FBI and she acted as if she believed him. Could she think he might be taking her out into the woods to kill her and dump her body? The brave soul came with him without a whimper, not a tiny protest.
Rena watched Travis drive along the dark, curved roads, changing gears efficiently, easily handling the truck while scanning ahead and to the rear. She should be afraid, but somehow – with this man taking care of her – she felt safer, more protected than ever in her life. The steady confidence he exuded and the direct, yet gentle, look from his eyes won her over from the start.
"Is anyone following us?" She broke the silence when they'd travelled several miles without seeing another vehicle.
"No, I haven't seen anyone, and I'm taking an indirect route, so I think we're okay. I hope you like camping. I didn't want to risk renting a cabin or checking into the state park. We're going to a camping spot I found. Supplies are in the back and a couple of other agents set up camp before dark. There will be four of us. We might even get in a bit of fishing." He grinned at her, hoping she would be relieved to know other agents would be around.
"Sounds good. I haven't been camping since I was a junior in college. I've missed it. I make a pretty mean camp stew and biscuits."
"Hope you get the chance. I brought MREs (meals ready to eat) ... just in case I'm supposed to cook." They laughed together. He asked, "Did you finish college? You're pretty young to be finished with all that, aren't you?"
"I started when I was seventeen and had my degree in business admin by the time I turned twenty-one. Uncle Avery's idea...he wanted me to join his investment firm. I worked there for a year, but decided I wanted something different. I've worked for the Red Cross since, in the accounting department. I like helping to make sure the donations actually get to the needy."
"All those numbers would drive me crazy, but sounds like a worthwhile job. We're almost there." He turned off onto a loosely graveled road, and then took a narrow, rutted, dirt road that became more like a rabbit path after a mile or so. He finally stopped beside a dark SUV and shut off the lights and ignition. "Feel up to a walk?" He removed the keys as he opened the door and slid out.
"Guess so, though the dark is not my favorite time for a hike. What can I carry?"
Travis handed her a backpack, flashlight, and tackle box. He pulled on a larger backpack, shouldered a rifle and several fishing rods, then picked up a large box. "If you go first and shine the light down the path over there, I think we can get this in one trip."
Rena led the way along a rough trail through the trees. Without the powerful light, they wouldn't have made it ten feet. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a clearing lit by a flickering fire in front of a large cabin tent.
"Stop where you are!" a voice called from the woods beside her.
"It's okay, Jeff. We're Rena Caldwell and Travis Benchley. You picked a good spot for a lookout. I didn't know you were there until you spoke. Go ahead, Rena. He's with us."
Travis and Rena put down their load near the tent and shrugged off the backpacks. Another agent joined them for the introductions.
"Special Agent Jeff Davidson, Agent Sara Richards, meet Rena Caldwell, our protected target. Rena and Sara, you'll be sharing the tent for what's left of the night while Jeff and I take turns on lookout duty."
They shook hands all around while exchanging greetings, then unpacked the supplies. Rena found jeans, shorts, several tops along with various changes of underwear, a couple of pink towels, a pink washcloth, and personal toiletries in the backpack she'd carried. Smiling, she wondered how well the clothes were going to fit. She could hear the rushing sound of water nearby as she placed her pack at the foot of the bedroll laid out on an air mattress Sara pointed out as hers.
"We set up a camp toilet and river-fed shower behind the bushes down the trail to the right, or west, of camp. There's a white towel to hang on the front of the bushes when it's occupied. Camp rules are we each clean up after ourselves and we share the cooking. Don't wander to the north or east, which would be left of or straight behind the tent, because you could fall in the river," Sara warned. "Also watch for snakes, particularly in the heat of the day. They like to sunbathe on the warm rocks."
Rena laughed. "Hopefully, the sound will keep me from falling in, and as far as I know, I don't walk in my sleep. But if I see a snake, everyone will know from the screams. I don't know about you, but it's been a long day for me and I'm tired. I think I'll visit the john then try out this bed you made for me."
"Take a flashlight," reminded the other woman.
Chapter Seven
After a breakfast of hot coffee, well-browned flapjacks – cooked in an iron skillet over the campfire and doused with syrup – Travis issued orders. "I need to drive back toward town until I can get a cell signal and check in with headquarters. I also have to contact our contractor and make sure he believes I've done the job. Jeff, you're in charge. Sara, I don't want Rena out of your sight. Got it?"
"Got it," Jeff answered, and Sara nodded.
"Will you check on Katie and let her know I'm all right?" Rena asked.
"If headquarters okays it, I will. They have to make sure Katie's a safe contact first. I should be back soon. Anything we need while I'm out?"
"Beer," from Jeff.
"Trail mix with raisins," from Sara.
"Chocolate bars," requested Rena.
Travis laughed and then waved as he headed down the trail toward the truck.
* * * * *
Sara and Rena puttered around camp, cleaning, gathering dry firewood to add to their stack, and then each taking a turn in the camp shower once the day became warmer. Jeff kept watch and regularly circled the camp, making sure no one came around.
"Travis has been gone longer than I thought he would. Think something's wrong?" Rena finally asked.
Sara shrugged then said, "Probably something he needed to do for headquarters. He'll be back soon. Maybe we should start lunch. What do you think we can come up with?"
They were dishing up lunch – hash made from Spam, onions, and diced potatoes, served with crackers and cheese – when Travis returned. Jeff came in from his lookout location to eat and hear the news.
Travis accepted a plate and a bottle of water from Rena. "Headquarters nixed a call to Katie or anyone in town. They're still working their way through background checks. So far no one has more motive than Avery Watkins—"
"No!" Rena interrupted. "It can't be Uncle Avery—"
"Rena, I know it's hard to believe or accept, but money and greed does strange things to people." He put down his plate and reached for her hand. "Listen to me. Your uncle had some questionable dealings in the past year with a couple of men from Atlantic City. It's possible he's not directly responsible for the contract on you, but someone else could be using you to collect a debt, or as payback for something."
Tears filled Rena's eyes and she clutched his hand. "So, do you think he knows about this? Is he in danger?" Her heart ached at the thought of her beloved uncle betraying her, but even more at the realization he might be in serious trouble of some sort and could be hurt or killed.
"Agents are watching him and they were able to get a tap on his phone. If someone is after him, we'll know. The additional money for taking care of you was at the drop site, but when I dialed the contact number, it was disconnected. We won't be getting any more info from that avenue. I sent the money by courier to the FBI office in Atlanta, Georgia. They'll see if they can raise some prints and check the serial numbers against robberies and such."
"So, our orders are the same, then?" Jeff spooned a large bite of hash onto a cracker and crammed it in his mouth.
"Yes. We keep protecting Rena and wait for further developments. After the Fourth, we'll see about moving to a motel or a safe house, if we haven't resolved the issue.
Rena withd
rew her hand and stood. She walked to the edge of camp, listening to the water crash over the rocks in the river as she tried to gather her thoughts. Not only was her life, and possibly that of her uncle, at risk, but she couldn't help Katie as promised, and was ruining everyone's holiday. Double darn – no parade, no fireworks, and no dancing. On top of that, Travis – the man who instantly attracted her and kissed like a Don Juan – turned out to be paid by the government to protect her.
"Jeff, catch a nap. I'll take over the watch. I need you to drive out this evening and contact headquarters for developments. If you go southeast about seven miles to the main highway, that's where I got a clear cell signal." He stood and stretched, checked his weapon and made sure it was concealed, then walked over to Rena. "You okay?"
"Maybe... Well, not really. I need to talk to Uncle Avery and find out what's going on. If he's in trouble or needs money, I'll... He should know – I would just give it to him... I don't want him to get hurt." She couldn't stop the tears from welling up, but she refused to give in and lose control.
"I know it's hard, especially when we don't know all the facts. We should have more info soon." He wanted to wrap his arms around her, comfort her, and take away her pain...but this was not the time or the place. The sound of voices filtering through the trees reminded him of the job he should be doing. "I need to check the area. Stay near the tent."
Travis greeted a couple of fishermen working their way down the river and gently steered them away from the campsite by suggesting a fishing hot spot farther south. Once he made sure they were gone, he took up watch in a hidden position.
* * * * *
While Sara napped, Rena searched through their supplies for the cast iron Dutch oven and the makings for her camp stew and biscuits. She'd have to improvise with some ingredients, but she found most of the essentials. Chopping, slicing, stirring, and cleaning up her mess afterward helped keep her mind occupied and off the danger threatening her. She couldn't help occasional thoughts of how she would remain sane and keep herself busy if this went on day after day.
"The smell of whatever that is will have all the men around here coming out of the woods for a taste," Travis insisted from directly behind her as she stirred the stew. "I'll wake Sara and Jeff so we can eat. I need him to take his drive soon and be back by dark." With daylight savings time, they still had a couple of hours of light, but darkness came quickly to the mountainous area with little twilight in between.
Rena replaced the lid on the pot and used an oven mitt to slide it to a flat rock at the edge of the fire to stay warm. "It's just camp stew. It's ready and so are the biscuits. They're a little brown, but should be okay. My timing was off. We can always dip them in the stew." She gathered bowls and spoons for four.
Travis paused, staring as a shaft of sunlight broke through the tree canopy and highlighted her. So beautiful... She almost stole his breath. Beams of light brought out a few red and bluish highlights among her dark tresses. Her skin looked smooth as beige porcelain. She was vibrant and healthy, and with a shake of his head, he determined to remain focused and keep her that way.
The pot of stew disappeared. Travis and Jeff almost fought over the last biscuit, finally halving it at Sara's laughing suggestion. They finished the meal with canned peaches, slivers of hoop cheese, and coffee. Sara insisted on taking care of clean-up while Travis kept watch and Jeff drove off to call headquarters.
Rena decided to take a shower before the water in the sun-warmed, portable tank cooled with the coming night. She'd just rinsed the soap from her hair when she heard someone outside the hanging canvas walls shielding her from the world.
"Get dressed," Travis insistently whispered. "Something's not right. Hurry up."
Rena grabbed her shorts and tee shirt and struggled into them while dripping water. She stuck her feet into her sneakers and stepped out of the opening straight into Travis' back.
He reached for her hand, kept his pistol at the ready with the other, and led her toward the river instead of to their camp.
"What about Sara?" she whispered, only to be shushed by Travis.
"Not now... Quiet!" he demanded, and moved faster.
Trying hard not to trip over rocks, exposed tree roots, or underbrush, Rena swallowed the panic rising in her throat which threatened to choke her. She heard an odd call off to her left which sounded like an out of breath whippoorwill.
Travis stopped dragging her and remained in one position long enough to softly return the call. He tugged on her arm until she crouched down behind him.
He turned his weapon in the direction of crackling twigs and rustling bushes then heaved a sigh of relief when he recognized the female FBI agent. A shootout in these woods was not his idea of fun. Lowering his Glock, he waved her closer.
Sara joined them, breathing heavily. After a moment spent catching her breath, she crept close enough to whisper, "They found us. They're destroying the camp, and I think they disabled the SUV. Four toughs with automatics. I think one even had an Uzi. What now, Travis?"
"Crap, crap, and double crap!" he hissed. "I would love to catch one of them and ask some questions, but our first priority is to keep Rena safe and out of sight. Let's move farther north to higher ground. Maybe we can see if they're searching for us or if they leave."
"Let's hope Jeff doesn't come back and blunder into them," Sara added.
Travis led the way into the trees and brush which lined the riverbank, and headed upriver. Sara brought up the rear, her Sig P229 held firmly in a two-handed grip, ready to take action, as she watched their back trail.
With her heart trying to drum its way out of her chest, Rena remained quiet and hiked along between her two protectors. She just couldn't fathom how much danger they were in – all because she'd come here for a vacation. No, that wasn't right – her uncle got into trouble and rather than come to her, he'd... He'd what? Made some kind of deal? Thrown her to the wolves?
She stopped, the shock of her own thoughts filling her mind, and Sara walked into her back. The sudden jolt shook her free of her overwhelming fears, but Travis stepped back to see what was going on.
"Are you okay? Can you go on?" The waning light couldn't hide how pale she'd become and her eyes revealed confusion and fear. He reached out a comforting hand and gently gripped her upper arm. "Rena, look at me." When she complied, he went on, "You aren't in this alone – it's going to be all right. We just have to stay out of their reach until our agents can get to the bottom of what's going on. Come on, we need to keep moving. You can do this."
Rena nodded her head, and then they were walking once more. She focused on putting one foot in front of the other, not tripping over roots, rocks, or vine-like undergrowth while keeping up with Travis. Better to concentrate on where she stepped than on all these questions.
Chapter Eight
When they reached the top of a rocky hill, Travis called a halt and turned to stare back toward their camp. The canopy of trees kept him from seeing the camp or the vehicles. But he could see the dirt road, a winding ribbon of treeless brown, the only route in or out to their camp other than by foot.
"Take a break, ladies. I'll keep watch and see if our toughs leave. Maybe I can spot Jeff." No one would drive the winding dirt road without lights, even at this time of the evening, and they should give him some idea of the comings and goings.
"Sounds good to me," Sara agreed. She tucked her weapon into the back of her jean waistband and sat down.
Rena didn't speak, but checked a spot near a wide protruding rock for snakes and spiders, then sat down to lean back against the hard surface. She combed her fingers through her hair, which had partially dried as they walked. The curls were in a tangle and it soothed her to slowly work through them. Tired, afraid, and confused, her body demanded rest to recover. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes.
Travis eventually located the old truck's headlights along the dirt road, headed toward their camp. A few seconds later, two sets of lights appeared, movin
g away from the camp. Concern for Jeff's safety filled Travis' mind, but he had no way to warn him. Then he observed something unusual. The old truck's headlights flashed three times and the lead car returned the signal.
"Well, I'll be..." Travis ground out as he watched Jeff and a man from the lead car meet between the vehicles. "Do we have a traitor in our midst?"
The men remained close to each other, as if talking for several minutes, one patted Jeff on the shoulder, and then they returned to their vehicles. Jeff backed the truck into a wider spot and allowed the two cars to continue on their way. He drove in the direction of the camp once again.
"We need to stay here for the night," Travis decided. "No use risking a broken leg traipsing around in the dark."
"Well, it's not the Hilton, but we should be safe enough," Sara agreed. She pushed to her feet. "Maybe Rena will share her rock with us and we can get some sleep."
Rena spoke without opening her eyes. "Come on over." She patted the ground on either side of her. "Just don't ask me to move. I don't think I can right now."
Travis and Sara sat down on either side of her, weapons in their laps, and they all dozed restlessly through the night.
At some point, Rena snuggled against Travis and his arm automatically wrapped around her shoulders to draw her closer. His chin fit perfectly atop her head and her freshly washed hair smelled slightly of lemon. He didn't sleep much after that, but enjoyed her closeness and knowing she was safe for now.
* * * * *
At first light, Travis gently disengaged his arm from around Rena and stiffly got to his feet. He stretched and checked his weapon then told the women it was time to rise.
"We can hike over to the campground and find the Ranger Station. I'll call in and arrange a ride for us from there – and have Jeff picked up for questioning." He looked at his two companions as they stretched and tried to work the kinks out of their bodies from the night spent sleeping on the ground. "Unless one of you has a better suggestion?"
Carried Away by Love Page 6
