THE MARINE'S LAST DEFENSE

by Angi Morgan

  Whatever had taken place in their dark corner of the whiteout this morning had vanished. Just like his ex-wife had needed him for her own purposes, Sabrina Watkins did, too. His place was either as a long-distance husband or the hired help.

  He wasn’t looking for a permanent relationship. Hell, he wasn’t looking for any relationship. So what was the big deal about losing this one before it had really begun. You’ve only known her for two days.

  “I can hold Dallas while you rest.”

  He stroked the pup’s soft fur and rubbed her tummy when she stretched her paws into the air. “She’s fine where she is. You’ve already discovered I don’t share well. Now it’s the pup’s turn to learn who’s boss.”

  He closed his eyes and was met with another death stare chiseled into his memory. He’d seen too many deaths to count. But he knew. He’d always know the number of people who had lost their lives on his watch. Larry and the kid may have been murderers and trying to kill them, but Jake hated having their deaths on his conscience.

  You killed them both. It’s all your fault.

  He jerked awake, unable to get her words out of his head. He and Jerry had tried to help the kid after he’d deflected the knife into his abdomen, but nothing could be done. He’d washed and washed again before they’d gone wheels up. He would never get all the blood off.

  His hands were clean, only figuratively stained. Bree knew it and should keep her distance. She rested her head against the window. He missed her head on his shoulder.

  “I should have sent you to jail. You would’ve been safer.”

  She rotated to face him within the confines of her seat belt. The plane still pitched in the wind. “Maybe those men would be alive if you had. Should I wish that you’d never gotten involved?”

  Did she think he’d enjoyed taking their lives? “You can say whatever you want. But maybe you should also know that if there were other choices, I would still make the same decisions I made today.”

  She looked shocked. Surprised that he would stand by his actions. The actions that had killed two men and probably began a statewide manhunt for them both. But he’d also meant making love to her, picking up the evidence cell and speaking to her at the diner.

  He stared into her rich amethyst eyes and knew he’d be a happy man waking up next to them every day. Could he make that happen? Make her understand? Maybe see that he was more than a way to rescue her family?

  “I get it, Bree. I’m a means to an end. Been there a lot over the years. No hard feelings.” He reached into his bag of gear, tossing Larry’s cell onto the seat. “We have the money. We have a phone to contact them. All we need is a car when we land and a place for the exchange.”

  “And a giant miracle.”

  “Miracles are for amateurs.” The machine was back.

  * * *

  “AH, FOLKS, I THINK we may have a little problem.” The pilot pointed to just off the runway as they landed.

  Bree leaned around Jake, who had been checking his gear and keeping Dallas silent with a stern look and snap of his fingers. The snowplow had cleared a small area for planes and next to it were two police cars.

  “You just had to do things your way.” Waffling between fury and desperation, she could only stare through the plane windows.

  “Wasn’t me. Think about it. If I’d called the police, I wouldn’t have fled the scene of a double homicide.” He removed the gun at his waist and zipped it into the bag. “The police are normally smart, Bree. Add two and two together and they ended up with Amarillo. It’s not a big leap from my truck to a plane headed here.”

  He was right. The desire to admit he was correct brought the words to the tip of her tongue, but she bit her lip instead. It was over. There wasn’t a possibility they’d be together. Ever.

  She’d failed her family.

  Ernie slowed to a stop. “The tower’s telling us to open the door and throw out any weapons we might have. Then exit one at a time. I’m supposed to go first, then open the rear door for you guys.” He showed his empty hands in the window, opened the door next to him and got out.

  Bree unhooked her seat belt, took Dallas into her arms and kissed her between the ears. “I’m going to miss you so much, you sweet little puppy.”

  “You’ll see her again.”

  “I don’t know how I’m going to survive in jail without pets. I’ve always preferred four paws to the two-legged variety.” If they couldn’t arrange a ransom exchange... She couldn’t think of her family. She’d be a hysterical mess by the time her feet touched the ground.

  “We’ll convince them to help with the rescue of your family. You have enough evidence here to prosecute. We convince the police to back us up while we get names and an exchange site. It’ll happen. Trust me.”

  “If they don’t go for your idea, well, thanks anyway. For everything, Jake. My gratitude isn’t nearly enough for what you’ve lost helping me.”

  The outside door opened. She shifted to the nearest seat, ready to climb down. He darted behind her, holding her elbow in spite of the no-touching rule. “It’s not over. There’s still a chance to free your family.”

  She climbed through the opening and made kissing sounds for Dallas to come to her. She looked at Jake one last time, wishing she hadn’t pulled away and hoping he knew she didn’t blame him.

  “Thanks for trying, but it’s time to give up.”

  She expected to be thrown to the ground, searched and hauled off to a horrible little interrogation room. She hoped not to cry or be hysterical during the entire interview, since she knew there was no hope of a rescue for her family.

  Ernie was placed in a police car and driven away. Dallas was on her leash, walking in circles, looking for a place to go in the snow. Two officers held guns on her, and after a minute, Jake tossed his black bag to the ground and stood next to her, his arms folded behind his head.

  Dallas whined. She didn’t like the snow at all and wanted to be held. After this trip, she would be completely spoiled. “May I pick her up?”

  One of the officers shrugged.

  “I don’t get it,” Jake said. “What’s going on?” Jake didn’t favor his side. If she hadn’t known about the laceration along his ribs, she wouldn’t have been able to tell.

  “We were given orders to wait.”

  A police car arrived and a familiar face flicked a finger at the officers to follow him. “Bring them inside.”

  The officers escorted them into the hangar. Officer Wilder took the leash from her and gave it to the man who’d dropped Jake’s bag at his feet. “Walk the dog, get it some water and then wait in the car, Powell.”

  Jake positioned himself between her and one of her former clients. He was probably as confused as she was at the strange treatment.

  “When I heard the news that Sabrina Watkins’s fingerprints had been found at a crime scene I spit out my coffee.”

  “Do you know this cop, Bree?”

  “I know his wife better, but yes, this is Kyle Wilder. I used to board his dogs when his wife forced him to take a vacation.”

  “Detective Craig?” Kyle extended his hand. Jake let it hang in the air. “Thanks for getting Sabrina back safely. I have an officer who’s going to escort you to Wichita Falls as soon as the roads are clear.”

  “I don’t understand,” Jake said along with her.

  “You left two bodies and the WFPD wants a statement. Numerous witnesses stated it was self-defense. Then I think the Dallas P.D. wants to clear up the confusion regarding a suspension.”

  “That I get, but you’re taking Bree’s rising from the grave all in stride. Are you arresting her?”

  Kyle raised an inquisitive eyebrow while nodding toward Jake. “Other than being wanted for questioning in the Richardson homicide, why would I detain her?”

 
What?

  “You let her go and she’ll be dead as soon as she’s out of your sight.” Jake placed his body between her and the officer again. “Is that your game? You the cop who switched the dental records?”

  “Funny you should mention that, Detective Craig. Since the explosion last summer, I’ve been working with state investigators on a joint task force.” He sat on the edge of a table next to the wall. “They’ve suspected that Griffin Tyler has been involved in racketeering and money laundering for a while, especially after Sabrina’s suspicious death. We found a couple of our officers who were a little too cozy with Tyler and have our eye on them, too. If you’re willing to testify, we might be able to drop any charges that apply.”

  “You’ve got the wrong—”

  “Jake.” She tried to tug him to face her. She took a step next to him when he refused to look anywhere but at the man he considered a threat. “I’m standing right here and very capable of speaking for myself. I’m not guilty of anything except running.”

  “Are you willing to cooperate?”

  “I’m willing to do anything. But first, I need to find my family. Griffin is holding them hostage in exchange for money I took when I left.”

  “That explains a lot.” He looked at Jake. “Doesn’t look like the roads will be clearing anytime soon. I assume you want to see this through?”

  Jake stuck his hand forward and Kyle shook it.

  “Where’s your task force?” Jake asked. “Once we place the call, we’ll want to move quickly.”

  “You’re looking at it. Things are a little different out here, Detective.”

  Jake pivoted and thrust his hand into his hair. Then his eyes locked with hers and he grabbed her shoulders. “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes.” And she did. If they’d been alone she would have admitted how sorry she was for thinking the worst of him. He’d defended himself and her. Anyone would have done the same.

  “My idea’s simple. Draw them out, see if we can’t get a confession and find out who they’re working for,” Jake said to the officer.

  “You don’t know?” Kyle asked her.

  “I didn’t know—”

  “She wasn’t—” Jake began at the same time, but her hand on his arm stopped him. She did her own questioning glance to see if he’d let her continue.

  “I survived because I overheard them planning to blow up the clinic. I’ve tried to put things together—like a list of clients who don’t exist or have never had pet surgeries. I’ll turn over everything just as soon as my family’s safe.”

  “I’d have to go through the department to obtain the equipment necessary for what you’re suggesting.”

  Her heart stampeded. “But the officer Griffin’s working with could find out and warn him.”

  Jake lifted his black duffel holding the money and electronics onto the workbench. “I can help with that.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  They’d made the call. Bree’s family was alive. And they were waiting in the pitch black fifteen miles southwest of town at an abandoned ranch for the exchange. Might as well have been on the moon for local response time. Why did criminals always have to meet in the dark? They’d waited all afternoon in the airport hangar updating Wilder, waiting on officers he could trust.

  Jake didn’t envy Wilder’s part in the rescue. He was on foot, waist deep in snow, waiting for a signal to move in and make the arrest.

  “You were right about not giving up.” Bree was in the passenger seat, gripping the bag of money like a lifeline. “I know this is coming late, but I really appreciate everything you’ve done. We’d all be dead if you hadn’t made the decision to help.”

  “Just follow the plan this time.” He would not let his guard down. “If that lunatic hadn’t insisted you be the one carrying the money, you wouldn’t be here at all.”

  “I recognized his voice. It’s the guy who was with Griffin at the clinic. I’ve had plenty of nightmares about him trying to kill me.”

  He knew all about nightmares and didn’t want that for Bree. His hand covered hers without discussing it with his brain first. His brain would have reminded them that there was a no-touching policy in effect. “I’m... It’ll be okay. Just follow the plan. You get to your family and run. Leave the rest to me.”

  He wanted to comfort her. Wanted more. His family. Her family. The whole package.

  Dead Larry’s phone rang.

  “Yes?” Bree answered, as they’d instructed.

  “That’s on this road? Okay.” She disconnected. “We drive to the feed lots we passed at the corner, get out and wait.”

  “Did you get that, Wilder?” he said, for the benefit of the transmitter he shared with the cop. He’d only had two. When Bree ran and she was out of sight, he wouldn’t have contact with her.

  “It’ll take me ten or twelve minutes on foot,” Wilder answered.

  “Got it.” Jake put the Jeep in gear and battled the snow-covered road. “Remember. Don’t move forward until your family does. You drop the bag and get to cover.”

  “Got it.”

  “I have confidence in you, Bree.” He couldn’t tell her just how much. Wilder could hear everything they said. Instead, he squeezed her hand again when he pulled to a stop.

  They parked and got out, waiting in front of the darkened vehicle.

  “Wilder?” Jake whispered, barely moving his lips.

  “At least five minutes away.”

  Three bodies turned the corner, close together as if their legs were— “They’re not going to be able to run. Their legs are lashed together as if they’re in a three-legged race.”

  “They’ll run. Follow the plan,” Bree said with confidence.

  “Right. The only cover is in the lot with the cattle. They’re tied together. You can’t get them through the pipe fence, so you’ll have to bring them back to the car. If something goes wrong, run up the road through the pens. Walk slow now. Run later. You’ve got the knife in your pocket, right?”

  She looked up at him. “Should I go?”

  He wanted to shout no but nodded yes. He wanted to kiss her, but she’d already opened the door and taken the first step away. Where was the “machine” when he needed him?

  * * *

  BREE WALKED SLOWLY, the snow crunching under her boots. She slowed even more, wanting to meet her family as close to the drive into the feed lot as she could. The wind hummed through the electrical wires high overhead. Another front was moving in from the south behind her. She could smell the cattle to her left, hear them moving toward the fence where they expected to be fed.

  “That’s far enough.” A shout came from somewhere behind the buildings. It was the voice she’d never forget.

  Her family stopped. She stopped and dropped the bag at her side. She’d soon be face-to-face with her nightmare.

  “Open the bag.”

  She unzipped the duffel and a spotlight shone on her from the top of a grain silo. She left the bag in the snow. “Here’s half. I want my family back.”

  “You were supposed to bring me all the money.”

  “And you’ll get it if you just let them go.”

  “Sabrina Watkins.” The voice was closer, in the direct path of where she intended to run. “You and your boyfriend have cost us a lot of time and money. Our entire operation here is...kaput.”

  She saw the outline of a gun in his hand as he walked toward her. Kyle had told them Larry had a brother. She could see the resemblance, especially in their horrible, evil eyes.

  “Stay back, boyfriend,” he shouted. “I think we’ll do this the hard but fun way. Pick up the money and walk to me.”

  “What?” This wasn’t the plan. How could she get her family out of here if she was with him? But Jake was there. He could get her fam
ily out.

  Waving his gun like a flag, he stomped the ground. “Sit!” he screamed, and pointed at her family. They tumbled into the muddy snow, tied like they were. “See, dog trainer? I’m a good trainer, too. They obey or the punishment is my partner shoots. Now pick up the money and come with me.”

  “No! That’s not the deal,” Jake shouted. “The rest of the money’s hidden. We’ll tell Tyler where to pick it up.”

  “Tyler’s dead. He can’t find anything.” He waved over his shoulder, pointing to Jake. “I think your boyfriend likes you.”

  Three quick shots were fired. “Son of a b—” Jake dove to the far side of the Jeep.

  “Pick up the money, Sabrina.”

  “You’ll leave my family alone?”

  “Maybe.” He raised the opposite hand into the air. Her family cringed. Her father covered her sister as best he could with his body.

  “All right. I can take you to the rest of the money.” All she had to do was make it into the cattle lot. They couldn’t shoot her family if they were trying to shoot her. She picked up the bag and looped it over her shoulder.

  Her nightmare lifted his arm, attempting to grab her. She sidestepped, scooting through the snow and getting a couple of steps ahead of him. “Let them walk to the Jeep.”

  “Sure.”

  They stood as she got even with the cattle. Thank goodness, her father encouraged them to shuffle faster. She walked backward, watching her family and staying more than a lunge away from their captor.

  They were very close to Jake by the time she was at the gate.

  * * *

  RUN! JAKE’S FIST hit his leg again and again. He pulled his knife from his boot, ready to cut the ropes and get Bree’s family to safety. He inched around the fender, trying to spot the man who’d fired at him.

  “Wilder, from the angle of those shots, cover the top of the silo.” Bree was at the gate and out of time. Run!

  “I’m crossing the south pen. Damn snowdrifts and manure.”