Special Agent

by Valerie Hansen

  “Don’t be so sure. It sounds as if they have a new engine under their hood. Until reinforcements catch up to us we’re going to keep them in sight. If they really are connected to Kowalski I don’t want to lose them.”

  She braced herself as they took off in a squeal of rubber. “You think they are, don’t you?”

  “What I think is unimportant. It’s what we discover after they’re pulled over and searched that counts.”

  “I’d rather walk,” Katerina yelled. “Let me out.”

  He couldn’t, of course. If the men knew her by sight he’d be able to tell by observing their initial expressions when confronted. If they were merely unrelated lawbreakers he’d see that, too. Katerina had to be with him when the stop was made. This was too perfect a scenario to waste. Besides, if he let her out, she’d be vulnerable.

  “We’re staying together,” Max yelled back at her. “It’s safer.”

  “Doesn’t look like it to me!”

  Her blue eyes were wide, one hand fisted on the grip above the passenger door, the other grasping the edge of the seat. Yes, Katerina was fearful, but there was also a sense of wild adventure about her. Under different circumstances he might have guessed she was having the kind of fun a lot of folks experienced on a roller coaster.

  Had their current situation not had the potential to turn deadly, Max might have chuckled out loud.

  * * *

  Whipped from side to side on tight, fast corners, Katerina kept her lips pressed together despite the awareness that a good, loud scream would feel wonderful.

  Freeing.

  Speaking of freedom, Max seemed to be gaining on the old truck. “I think we’re catching them.”

  His “Yeah” didn’t sound as upbeat as she’d expected.

  “What’s the problem? We don’t want to lose sight of them, do we?”

  “No. But I don’t want to corner them all by myself, either. This isn’t technically my jurisdiction and if the stop didn’t go as planned, a lot of bureaucrats could end up twisting in the wind, me included.”

  “Is that what special agent in charge really means? You pay dearly for bad decisions?”

  “In this case it may be. Hang on. They’re slowing more.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Without armed backup? If it were just me and Opal I’d order them out of their vehicle and hold them at gunpoint.”

  Katerina arched her eyebrows and made a face. “Hey, it’s not my fault I’m still here. I told you to let me out and you refused.”

  “It was the right decision. It simply complicates things at the moment.”

  “Ya think?” She knew it was wrong to needle him but he’d been so convinced she was on the wrong side of the law that his current dilemma hit her as ironic. And amusing, provided the men in the big truck stayed away until reinforcements had time to arrive.

  “Um, is it just my nerves or is the truck stopping?”

  “Stopping. In the middle of the road, no less. The first car that takes that next corner too fast is liable to hit head-on.”

  She noted the hard set to the agent’s jaw, the way his big, strong hands gripped the steering wheel. Clearly, he was having to make some crucial decisions and she hoped one of them included turning around and running for their lives.

  Max eased his SUV to the far right of center and set the parking break. “You stay put. Lock yourself in. If anything happens to me, use the radio to call for help.” He handed her the mic. “Push this button, talk, then release it so you can hear replies.”

  “Whoa. Where do you think you’re going?”

  “To order them out of the traffic lanes before they cause an accident.”

  “I thought we were waiting for backup.”

  “You are.” Taking the mic momentarily he reported his position and plans to the county dispatcher, then stepped out and slammed the door.

  “A fine mess this is,” Katerina muttered. An answering whine from the rear of the SUV reminded her that Opal was back there. Releasing her seat belt, Katerina flipped onto her knees and shinnied between the backs of the front seats until she was within reach of the portable kennel box. Opal was not only drooling she was wagging her whole rear end.

  “If I let you out will you promise to behave?” she asked the dog. “Your partner might need you and I could sure use the company.”

  Woof.

  “That’s what I thought. Okay. Here’s your leash.” She opened the kennel grate and grabbed the dog’s harness. “Hold still, will you?”

  The friendly canine’s antics were enough to take Katerina’s mind off the tenuous situation and bring a smile. “Yeah, Opal, I agree. He’s the kind of guy to try riding a wild mustang with no saddle or bridle and then wonder how he ended up in a heap on the ground. I’m glad he’s your partner, not mine.”

  Together, they returned to the front seat. Opal took the passenger’s place so Katerina eased behind the wheel. The dash resembled an airplane cockpit with gauges she didn’t recognize and equipment that looked like multiple radios, not to mention the computer system she’d seen Max use briefly.

  Parked to the right rear of the bigger truck, Katerina could no longer see him. Neither could Opal, which clearly disturbed them both. The dog began pawing at the inside of the door.

  “No, Opal. Your boss said for us to stay right here and that’s what we’re going to do unless...” Unless I hear shots or something equally as bad, she thought. Her hands rested naturally on the steering wheel and she sighed. “Why didn’t I ask exactly what he meant when he told me to call for more help if he needed it. How am I supposed to know?”

  Woof.

  “My sentiments exactly.” Katerina had always talked to animals and was reassured to have Opal beside her. “You’re the one with the fancy training. So, what’s the standard protocol for this situation?”

  Instead of the silly, drooling look the dog had been exhibiting, she began to focus out the windshield and stare at the large truck. Katerina’s focus followed Opal’s. It almost looked as if the thing was moving. Backward. Toward them. There was little room to spare to the right before the ground fell away into a steep canyon!

  A few native live oaks rose above the edge, their canopies giving the false impression that there was solid earth below. Pines, however, clearly demonstrated that they were rooted far below with only their tops visible.

  What was the penalty for driving an FBI vehicle without permission? Katerina wondered. There was no time to ask and even less time left to decide. If they stayed where they were, that lumbering old truck could shove them off the road as if they were a child’s toy. Either she took matters into her own hands and saved herself and Opal, or Max would be scraping them up at the bottom of the canyon. Looking at the problem that way made it easy to act.

  Katerina dropped the idling SUV into reverse and wheeled it out of imminent danger by cutting the back bumper to her left. She was now back in the traffic lanes and could see oncoming cars slowing long before they got close to her. So far, so good. Now where was Max?

  The heavy truck kept backing until one set of dual axels was balanced on the edge of the berm. Then it began to jockey sideways in the roadway, clearly intent on reversing directions despite the cramped space.

  Katerina muttered a panicky prayer and gripped the wheel. She’d driven trucks pulling horse trailers and handled big vans at the ranch so she was pretty sure she could drive Max’s SUV without wrecking it. Steering it down a winding mountain road backward fast enough to stay ahead of an oncoming truck, however, was another story.

  Eyeing their surroundings, she looked for a way to slip past their adversary and escape uphill. It was impossible. The truck would soon be pointed straight at them and she’d have nowhere to go. A wall of rock rose to her left at the edge of the pavement. A dro
poff into a steep canyon lay to the right. She had lost her chance to mimic the huge truck and make a successful three-point turn before it took up the center of the road.

  There was no room left for evasion. They were trapped.

  FIVE

  Max jumped back, gun in both hands, feet apart in a shooter’s stance. “Stop!”

  The dump truck kept inching along.

  He raced to Katerina before the other vehicle could complete the last of its tight maneuvers, shoved her aside, slid behind the wheel and tromped on the gas. He was just in time.

  With the SUV slewing backward he whipped the wheel hard then slammed on the brakes. They skidded in a circle that left blackened swirls of rubber on the road.

  Katerina screamed.

  Max straightened their trajectory and sped downhill. Ascending traffic was already backed up for quite a distance. All he could hope for at present was that the thugs in the disguised truck would continue to pursue him and ignore innocent civilians.

  “Call this in,” he ordered Katerina. “Tell them what’s happened and give the dispatcher our updated position.”

  Although her hand was shaking as she reached for the radio, he could tell she had control of herself. Except for that one piercing scream she was actually responding to the crisis so well he couldn't help but be impressed.

  “Can’t you go faster?” Katerina asked as soon as she’d finished using the radio.

  “Yes, but I don’t want to lose him.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it doesn’t matter who is doing the chasing. We still need to know where these guys are and being ahead of them is almost as good as following.”

  “Says who?” She strained to see past Opal to check their outside mirrors.

  “Opal. Backseat. Go. Down,” Max ordered. The K-9 obeyed instantly.

  Katerina took advantage of the space. “Thanks. I wasn’t sure if she’d let me move over.”

  “You shouldn’t have opened her kennel.”

  “Sorry. I was afraid for Opal. If we’d been pushed off the road she might have been trapped inside the car. I wanted her to have the best chance of survival.”

  He had to give credit where it was due. “That was quick thinking when you backed up. Otherwise I might have had to shoot the truck driver.”

  “Would you have?”

  “Not if there was any other option,” Max said solemnly. “I don't suppose you'd like to tell me who you think is in the truck.”

  “How should I know?”

  “Just asking.” He continued to monitor the behemoth behind them and was satisfied it was still on their trail.

  Ahead, as the road straightened and the countryside opened into valleys and pasture, cars were lined up behind a farmer’s tractor and hay bailer in their lane. Max was not pleased. “Uh-oh.” He flipped on his red lights and hit the siren, hoping to clear the way. Most of the passenger cars pulled over but the farmer seemed oblivious.

  Max saw Katerina’s feet brace against the floorboard. Her hands pushed forward to the edge of the dash. “Look out!”

  He did the only thing he could since there was no room to pass; he slowed to a crawl. And braced to be hit from behind. “Hang on.”

  * * *

  As far as Katerina was concerned, he couldn’t have convinced her to let go if he’d tried. Every muscle in her body was taut, every nerve firing. This was scarier than her toughest dressage competition. At least when she was in the show ring she was in charge. Putting her life in this agent’s hands was proving to be a poor decision despite his valiant efforts to protect her. Assuming they lived through the next few minutes she intended to thank him, despite the fact he kept giving the impression he thought this predicament was all her fault.

  Then again, Katerina reasoned, her thoughts sizzling as they raced like a wildfire, if Max had believed her from the start, his choices might have been different and neither of them would be sitting here like a lame duck waiting to become roadkill.

  Horns behind them started honking. Katerina peered into the side mirror. Her jaw gaped. “Where’s the truck?”

  Instead of answering, Max grabbed for the mic. “This is FBI Special Agent West again. Be advised, we’re now southbound and stuck in traffic. Suspect vehicle has turned off on a farm road near mile marker 92, heading west and kicking up a dust cloud. If you have eyes in the sky you may spot the truck. Otherwise, we’ve lost him.”

  The radio crackled. “Copy. Do you still need backup?”

  Katerina was astonished to hear him say, “Negative,” before signing off.

  “What do you mean, ‘negative’?” She continued to watch the disappearing dust. “Are you just giving up?”

  “We need to choose our battles. If those guys were who and what we thought they were, they’ll be back. The secret is to stay alert and be ready for anything.”

  “Easy for you to say,” Katerina grumbled. She plopped back in the seat. “What now?”

  “We could make another stop.” His gaze was less intimidating this time than she had expected. “Are you up for that visit to the scene of the explosion?”

  Her wry sense of humor surfaced and helped her cope. “Garwood Ranch? Sure...why not. I was just almost shoved into oblivion on a winding mountain road. After that, how hard can it be to face my grumpy father?”

  “On a scale of one to ten?”

  She made a face at him. “Very funny.”

  “Hey, you started it. Would you rather check out the ranch tomorrow? With all our racing around we’re actually not far from our hotel.”

  “Could we put it off?” She hated to give in to fatigue but the stress of the last couple of days had left her easily exhausted. She stifled a yawn.

  “Sure. I have some files to look at and I imagine you and Opal could use a good night’s sleep.”

  “Only if I get my own room,” Katerina quipped. “I like your dog but I’m too tired to fight her for the bed the way I had to when we shared the front seat. She takes the space she wants and I get whatever is left over.”

  “She knows how important she is to me,” Max said, smiling.

  Katerina knew when she was bested and kept her thoughts to herself. Truth to tell, she would have gladly shared any space she had with Opal. At least the dog didn't make judgments about her character. The thing that made Max's actions so unbelievable was knowing that he still believed she was in league with the men who had influenced Vern, yet was willing to help and protect her. At times like this, Katerina actually wished she did know more about her former fiancé’s illicit acts. If she’d paid more attention when they were together she might be able to aid law enforcement and be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

  Sighing, she relaxed against the seat and gazed out the window. Summer sun and California drought had browned most of the grass on the rolling hills. Fire danger was already extremely high, which was why the South Fork Founder’s Day parade had been temporarily postponed, much to Mayor Garwood’s chagrin. She hoped the predictions of upcoming storms would come to fruition and temper the danger despite the fact that she wouldn’t be riding Moonlight in the parade for the first time in years.

  Mulling over happier times, she had managed to let go of much of her earlier tension when Max asked, “Did you ever hear Kowalski mention the name Dupree?” which set her back on edge as if she had never calmed down.

  “No. I read it in the newspaper but Vern never told me he knew them.”

  “This is a big state but you live in a small town. Surely you must have realized your boyfriend needed a job. What did you think he did?”

  “Sold insurance,” Katerina said with a frown. “When I asked why he didn’t try to sell some to Dad, he said he never mixed business with pleasure.” She made a face. “I should have guessed that his
relationship with me was part of his business.”

  “What about his living arrangements? If you were still at home, where was Kowalski?”

  “He had an apartment in Oakhurst. I thought he was spending his time at the ranch to be with me, not to use my family’s transport vans to disperse drugs.” She looked to Max for confirmation. “That’s what the paper said he was doing. Is there more you’re not telling me?”

  “All I can say is that the Dupree organization is widespread and can be deadly. Details are classified.” Max paused as if making a decision before continuing. “You probably read that we lost track of a member of our team, Jake Morrow.”

  “Oh, no.” Katerina was truly sorry. “That’s terrible. Did you find him?”

  “Not yet. But we will.”

  “No wonder you’re so determined.”

  “It’s my job,” Max countered. “I always do it to the best of my ability no matter what.”

  “I know,” she said soberly. “I just wish I were able to help.”

  “Yeah.” Max’s jaw muscles clenched. “So do I.”

  * * *

  The hotel named after Bret Harte was as quaint as any B and B in the gold country. Three stories of restored Victorian splendor were nestled in the shade of live oaks and buffered by steep hills to the west. In the canyon behind, where brush and trees had not masked the long-ago activity, Max could see displaced remnants of rocks and soil from placer mining.

  He parked in his assigned spot, then let Opal out on a long lead. “Dog first, then we’ll go in,” he told Katerina.

  She had shifted sideways in the seat and drawn her few belongings into her lap. “No hurry. It’s kind of embarrassing to check in using a pillowcase for luggage. I suppose I should be thankful it’s not a plastic grocery sack.”

  “They know you’re with me and I’m working here. Nobody will think anything of it.” He quirked a smile. “I take it your former lifestyle didn’t include a lot of making do with what was at hand.”

  “Don’t hold that against me, okay? I’m learning the hard way.”