by Rachel Dylan
The guy grunted, and Max took that as a no. No surprises there.
As they held the men at gunpoint he leaned in to her. “Where in the world did you learn to incapacitate an attacker like that?” He guessed her to be only about five feet four, but she was a powerhouse.
Her brown eyes were wide as she looked up at him. “Self-defense classes.”
“That looked like a whole lot more than self-defense class.”
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I’d rather not talk about it.”
He was intrigued. Sydney Berry had secrets. And if he was going to be able to keep her safe, he probably needed to find them out. But at the moment he was just glad that her first secret actually worked to their advantage.
He was kicking himself for taking his eyes off of her earlier. She was his first and only priority. Granted, she wasn’t officially in the Witness Security Program, known commonly as witness protection, but he had been tasked to keep her safe until everything could be sorted out.
Sirens sounded in the distance. He looked at her. “Why don’t you get in the car? I’ll handle this, and then we can be on our way.”
She frowned but then got into the sedan.
A moment later the local police arrived, and Max filled them in on the specifics. He’d also looped in his FBI contact. Then he made the call he was dreading. Reporting this incident to his boss, Deputy Elena Sanchez, was hardly the way to make a good first impression, but he had no choice.
Then finally he was ready to hit the road with Sydney. But not to the original safe house. That was too risky now.
He wouldn’t feel even an ounce better until Sydney had safely completed her testimony in the morning. And even then the threat of the East River gang still loomed large.
Once they’d been driving for a few minutes, he decided to break the silence. “Want to talk about what happened back there?”
“You think those men were connected to East River or someone else associated with Diaz?”
He decided it best to be open and honest with her about the threat. “I think East River has put a hit out on you.”
“I had a feeling you were going to say that,” she said.
He saw her look out the window and take note of her surroundings. “I know it seems like I’m driving in the other direction now, but given what just happened we’re going to an alternative safe house.”
“But we’re not staying there long?”
“No. After you testify we’ll go to another location. This is just for tonight. We have a list of safe house options already planned for you.”
“I guess I don’t get much of a say in this, huh?”
“You always have a say, but you should know that I have your best interests in mind. Also, I’m sorry about what happened back there, however, I’m thankful that you were able to defend yourself.”
“Me too,” she said quietly.
He looked over at her. As she stared out the window he could see the tension tightening her features. He tried a different topic of conversation. “How long have you been a sketch artist?”
She turned to look at him, and her shoulders immediately seemed to relax. “I’ve been drawing forever, but I started taking it seriously during college. I didn’t finish school and instead took art classes with my tuition money. Then I started with small jobs and it grew from there. Referrals are very important in my business. But I do more than just draw faces. That’s what you think of when you think of a sketch artist. I’m a forensic artist. I can do a lot more, like crime scene re-enactments and stuff like that.”
“I imagine the work comes and goes.” He wanted to engage in conversation to try to calm his own building nerves, as well.
“Yes. I’ve been very busy as of late, but those first few years were tough. I took other odd jobs to make ends meet. I worked at a library for a bit and as a server at a restaurant. All to pursue my real dream.” She shrugged. “With all the high-tech advancements, the field is changing a lot, it’s really exciting. Computers can do a lot, but there’s still something to be said about a human hand.”
“I’m a big fan of using technology in investigations. I had an experience with a traditional sketch artist in the past who wasn’t on point.” That was an understatement, but he didn’t think it was the best time to go into his misgivings about sketch artists right now.
“Don’t get me wrong. The technology for doing things like facial reconstructions or accident simulations is absolutely amazing,” she replied. “But I still trust my abilities to use pencil and paper and sketch based on the eyewitness interview for the purposes of identification.”
He didn’t reply because it only would have led to an argument that he didn’t think she would want to have right now.
“You said you were at the FBI before. How long have you been a marshal?”
He didn’t really want to give an exact answer. “Not very long.” He could feel her gaze on him as he drove.
“Hey, don’t tell me I’m your first witness.”
He smiled. “Okay, I won’t tell you that.”
“Wow.” She blew out a breath. “I am your first witness.”
“That’s true, but I’d been with the FBI for a decade. It’s not like I’m new to law enforcement, so I’m not a true rookie.”
“I can imagine that working as an FBI agent in the gang unit is a lot different than guarding a witness, though.”
“Don’t give it another thought. You’re safe now, and you’ll stay that way.”
“No offense, but we just met. You’re asking me to put a lot of faith in you.”
“I know. But that’s the way it has to be. No one else on our team has the same knowledge of the threats to you like I do. I’m thankful that I got assigned to your case and was able to connect the dots, or this afternoon might have ended very differently.” He paused as he pointed to a house up ahead. “We’re here on the right.”
“This looks like a regular neighborhood.”
“That’s exactly the point. We’re trying to blend.”
He’d actually never been to this safe house before during his training, but he was getting the idea that they were all generally the same. This was a two-story house, painted a pale blue on a nice size lot.
He pulled the sedan all the way into the driveway and stopped the car.
“Can I get out?” she asked.
“Yes, but first let me just do a quick security check. You stay here and keep the doors locked.”
Before she could answer he had jogged up to the front door and opened it. He quickly surveyed the house, conducting a security sweep. Satisfied it was all clear he went back outside to get Sydney. Her expression appeared unreadable as she sat in the passenger’s seat. He really wanted to know what was going in that head of hers.
He opened the car door for her, and she stepped out bedside him. She was a pretty woman, no doubt, with a simple and natural beauty about her. But she gave off a very strong vibe. One that said loudly, “Back off.”
“This way,” he said. He took her arm and escorted her to the front door, even though he got the feeling she didn’t appreciate him invading her personal space. “Another marshal will be over in a bit with dinner and everything you’ll need for tonight and tomorrow.”
“You aren’t leaving, are you?” she asked as she made direct eye contact.
“No. I just didn’t want you to think we were going to be totally shut off from the outside world without the things you would need.”
“What I really need is to be at my own home.”
“I understand. Let’s get through your testimony in the morning, and then we can re-evaluate.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
He walked over to where she stood in the living room. “I promise. And I won’t make you promises I can’t keep. I hate it when people do that to me and—”
A loud crash rocked the room as glass flew against his body. His face burned and he felt blood trickling down his ch
eek. Smoke surrounded him. He dove toward Sydney, hoping it wouldn’t be too late.
Excerpt from Out of Hiding
Chapter One
Sadie felt the bullet whiz by her head as she crouched down in the wet dirt. Darkness surrounded her, but she wasn’t alone. Her gut screamed loudly that something was terribly wrong. And she always trusted her gut. She had company, and if that bullet was any indication, they meant business. The sound of the crackling leaves told her someone was moving quickly in her direction.
Dressed in all black, she lay flat on the ground in the dark woods. No one was going to see her. That bullet wasn’t meant for her but was intended for someone else. Who? She didn’t want to stick around long enough to find out. She prayed that Megan wasn’t out here in the woods tonight—alone, scared, and with bullets flying. It was no place for a sixteen-year-old girl.
She checked her gun and kept her position low against the damp, muddy ground. Her night vision goggles were a blessing. It was then she saw what she dreaded the most. The letters FBI on a dark-colored flak jacket as an agent trounced his way through the woods. Why the FBI was involved in whatever was happening in these woods she didn’t know, but she didn’t like it. They were invading her turf.
Sadie had her first solid lead on the Vladimir network in El Paso, and she didn’t want to give up the opportunity. She’d been on stakeouts for weeks, desperately trying to determine if Igor—the man who had taken everything from her—was in El Paso. Her intel had been that something related to the Vladimir crew was going down in the woods tonight. She had hoped that whatever it was wasn’t going to involve Megan—the missing girl she was looking for. Sadie knew that Vladimir’s crew was responsible for her disappearance. That’s why she’d sought out the job just days ago.
Technically, she was still in the Witness Security Program commonly known as Witness Protection, although they didn’t consider her to be in immediate danger anymore. She’d followed all their rules over the years. Her new life, her new name, everything. Done by the book. Not a single deviation from the protocol given to her by the U.S. Marshals. There was no way she’d let them know what she planned to do now that she had confirmation Igor sought to set up shop in her own backyard. It was only a matter of time before Witness Protection realized Igor’s activities had expanded down to El Paso, and then they’d want her to move. She needed to act fast if she had any chance of taking out Igor’s network.
She slowly stood up using a large tree as a shield. Thankfully, she was small of stature. By the time she’d registered the crunch of a stick right behind her it was too late. A large hand grabbed her shoulder with another muffling her scream.
“FBI, don’t move,” the deep voice said directly into her ear.
Didn’t matter who he was, when a man put his hands on her, he was going to pay. She’d trained for moments like these. She slammed her foot down on his, and he groaned. But he didn’t loosen his grip. Was this guy made of iron?
Trying another approach, she went limp in his arms, shocking him into loosening his grip, giving her a moment to slide away. She’d only taken two steps when he tackled her, knocking her to the ground. She could barely breathe. She squirmed against him, but she was no match for his size and strength. He had to have been at least a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier. For a moment, fear seized her. She said a prayer asking God to keep her safe and then fought back.
“Stop struggling,” he said quietly, his voice steady. “I promise I’m not going to hurt you.”
She didn’t believe him. She knew better than to trust the Feds. Trust them, and she could end up dead like her parents. He adjusted his grip just enough for her to knee him in the stomach. Big mistake on her part. Now he seemed raving mad.
“I’m trying to save your life here. You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into. You should not be here in these woods right now.”
The thing was, she actually wasn’t a stranger to life-and-death situations. So this one didn’t faze her too much. “I already dodged one bullet and was doing just fine on my own.”
“You’ll have time later to explain how you ended up in the middle of an active FBI investigation packing heat and wearing night vision goggles. For now, let me get you out of here safe and sound.”
She shuddered. Those promises had been made to her before. And they’d been broken—every single one of them.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she hissed. She struggled against his secure grip.
“Yes, you are, ma’am. Listen to me.” He paused, his breathing ragged. “Things are only going to get worse. You might not be as fortunate the next time a bullet gets fired. And I don’t want to have your death on my conscience. I have enough guilt to last a lifetime. So when I say three, we move for that next tree. You hear me?”
Realizing her current options were limited, she relented. He was right. Her best move for now was to retreat. She’d taken a taxi tonight and made her way to the woods on foot. It wasn’t as if she had her own ride out of danger. She’d have time to get away from him once they got to safety. “Okay.”
“One, two, three, go go go!” he said in a low voice. They sprinted from their current position to the next tree and squatted down. That’s when she heard another round of gunfire. Automatic weapons this time. Her heartbeat quickened, but now was not the time to panic. She’d been in worse situations without the valuable experience that she now carried with her after years of being a private investigator.
“What next?” she whispered, trying to catch her breath.
“Make a run for that far tree. My Jeep is beyond it. I’m hoping that will work.”
“And if not?”
“I’ll think of plan B.”
He sounded so sure of himself. Typical for FBI types. She wasn’t going to count on him to get her out of here safely. She’d survey her options once they made it to the next tree before she jumped in the Jeep of a total stranger—even if he was in the FBI. Hadn’t she already learned that tough lesson?
“Now,” he barked.
She ran ahead of him using her small size and speed to her advantage, making it to the tree first. Though he wasn’t far behind. She saw the dark Jeep parked behind a cluster of trees providing them with additional cover.
“Let’s go for it,” he said.
Making a split second decision that she prayed she wouldn’t regret, she slid into the passenger side and ducked down low. Before she could even steady herself, the FBI guy had turned the ignition and floored it. The bumpy ride had her on high alert as he navigated the vehicle over the rough terrain.
She stayed down not knowing if they were safe from the gunfire and started plotting her escape. No way was she being taken in by the FBI to “explain herself.”
They drove a few minutes in silence as the Jeep weaved through the wooded area and onto the country road that would eventually lead back into town. Then he spoke after checking his mirrors. “We’re in the clear.”
She eased up into her seat and looked around at her surroundings, including the man driving. She wasn’t wrong in her initial assessment. This guy was tall and bulky. She already knew from the encounter in the woods that he was strong. His brown hair was cut short. She couldn’t see his eyes since they were focused on what lay ahead. She told herself to remember that he was one of them.
He glanced over at her. “You want to tell me now what you were doing out in the woods?”
“My job,” she snapped. Who knows what he thought she was doing, but her answer was completely truthful.
“And what job is that?”
She sighed, already not enjoying this line of questioning. “I’m a private investigator.”
“You’re not plugged into our FBI investigation, though. I would’ve known it.”
“I have no idea what investigation you’re working on.” She let out a deep breath and figured she needed to provide an explanation. Maybe it would help her get away from him sooner. “I was in the woods searching for a missi
ng girl. You may have even seen a local news story about her. Her mother recently hired me. I’ve been looking everywhere. I didn’t see or hear anything until I felt the first bullet whiz by my ear.” She was telling the truth. She had to make sure Megan wasn’t in those woods tonight. It appeared that her leads had been correct. Something was going on with the Vladimir crew. And the FBI was involved. She said another silent prayer for Megan.
“Wow,” he said. “You were in the wrong place at the wrong time, Ms. P.I. lady. I’m going to need to bring you in, though. Gotta take your statement. Make it official.” His southern drawl was unmistakable.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I promise it’ll be quick. You are carrying a weapon. I assume you have a permit for that and all.”
No way she’d allow him to take her in, but she didn’t have to tell him that. Her past struggles with the FBI were her own. Better to have the element of surprise.
“Uh, oh,” he said. He jerked the wheel hard to the right sending her into his right arm. “We’ve got company. Hold on.”
“I thought you said we were good.”
“They came out of nowhere.”
She turned around and saw a large dark SUV that was gaining on them. But FBI guy had some moves and was taking the curves on the dark country road with finesse as he drove toward the more populated area of town.
“Who are these people?” she asked as she clenched her fists. Were they connected to Vladimir?
“The less you know the better.”
“Why don’t you let me take a shot? I could probably blow out their tire.”
“You’re that good of a shot?” he asked with disbelief dripping from his deep voice.
“You better believe it,” she said without hesitation.
He paused for a second and glanced over at her. “If you think you can, then go for it.”
She was going to show this FBI guy that she was no slouch. In fact, she could probably outshoot him. All the time she’d spent at the range over the past few years had paid off. She turned around and was glad they were in a Jeep. Granted it didn’t provide them with much, if any, protection, but it also meant she’d have an easier time getting off an unobstructed shot.
