Mojave Rescue

by Tanya Stowe

  Dirt splayed up in the air ten feet in front of the shed.

  If she kept aiming like that, Carter would know it wasn’t Norwood firing. She counted again, closed one eye and tried to aim for the shed.

  Carter popped his head out. She fired but lost the bullet again. No telltale spray of dirt or ping of metal indicated that she’d even come close. She absolutely had to do better or Carter would know it was her shooting. Then he’d do something crazy like charge the rocks.

  She fired again and again. Carter popped his head out here and there, like he was playing cat and mouse with her, growing braver each time.

  He must have realized Norwood was gone.

  Somewhere in the culvert below she heard the ATV engine start up. Carter heard it, too. He stuck his head out farther than usual.

  Drina took aim and actually hit the shed. Carter ducked back, but slowly...as if he knew he wasn’t in any real danger of being hit.

  A long time passed. Had the man moved to the other side of the shed, as Norwood had suggested?

  Sure enough, Carter peeked out from the opposite side. He looked to the left, about ten feet away at a stacked-high pile of sheet metal and damaged windmill blades. The equipment was only a few feet from the side of the hill. If he reached the shelter of that pile, it was a short distance to the edge of the cliff and a clear shot at Norwood.

  Suppressing a whimper, Drina took aim and fired. All she heard was an empty click. She was out of bullets.

  Carter took that moment to dash across the space to the safety of the discarded equipment.

  Drina dropped the gun. Now what? How could she stop him? She heard the revving of the ATV engine again. In minutes, Norwood would be climbing up the hill...straight into Carter’s line of fire.

  Frantically, her gaze searched the surrounding area...and saw nothing. No weapon. No help. Nothing.

  But she heard another engine.

  Norwood’s car was still running. Could she reach it? Carter wasn’t looking her way. His attention was focused on the culvert.

  Not giving herself time to think, she dashed across the open space back to the shed. Carter never even turned his head. He knew the real threat was down below with Norwood.

  Gasping, her whole body tingling with adrenaline, she rounded the corner of the shed. Her gaze landed on her computer, still resting on the short hood of the SUV.

  No way was she leaving that behind. She grabbed the laptop, tucked it under her arm. Halfway to the car she remembered the money. Money funded these men and their violent acts. She wouldn’t leave that behind, either.

  Spinning, she ran back to the shed and halted at the door. Whitson’s body still lay slumped on the floor. Drina paused, trembling and shaking. She had to pass close by him to reach her backpack.

  A shot rang out, galvanizing her into action. Leaping over Whitson, she stuffed the money into her backpack, slid the computer in on top, flung the straps over her shoulders and hurried back to the door.

  As she crossed to Norwood’s small car, she heard another shot. She slid into the seat but could barely reach the pedals.

  No time to move the seat closer. She grasped the wheel, shoved the gearshift into Reverse and shot backward.

  Slipping all the way back against the seat, she almost ran the car into a ditch. The briefcase on the passenger seat flew through the air and landed on her lap. She shoved it aside and pulled herself forward, then slammed on the brakes, pushed the gearshift into Drive and spun the steering wheel in the direction of the equipment.

  This time she was prepared when the car hit the slight ditch on the side of the road. The unlatched door flapped open...closed...open again. She gripped the wheel tighter and gunned the engine. The car jumped into the air. When it came down, her foot jammed onto the gas pedal and the engine revved.

  Carter, who still faced the culvert, heard the noise and spun.

  Drina cried out as he aimed the gun in her direction and fired. She ducked to the side, leaning out the open door. The bullet shattered the windshield. The car slowed almost to a stop. Drina saw Carter through the crack in the swaying door. He marched forward, taking aim again. Soon he’d be close enough to hit her. Drina pushed the gas again. The car was only a few feet from the edge. It would be over the side in seconds.

  Reaching across, she tugged the briefcase down onto the floorboard, directly onto the gas pedal, and rolled out the door. She hit the dirt hard, but turned quickly to see the car shooting straight toward Carter. He lunged away and fell backward over the side of the hill. The sound of twisting metal and shattering glass echoed through the culvert before the motor stopped abruptly.

  Drina sagged against the ground. Taking a deep breath, she sucked up dust and felt grit on her lips. Trying to catch her breath, she rolled onto her backpack and looked up to see the blue sky fading into twilight.

  She needed to get up. Carter might come marching over the hill any moment, pointing his wicked gun right at her. But she couldn’t move. Couldn’t force her body into action, even when she heard another motor close by.

  She opened her eyes as the quad spun around next to her, kicking dust in the air. Norwood extended his hand.

  “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

  The half smile floating over those oh-so-perfect lips gave her the reassuring charge of energy she needed. She gripped his hand. He pulled her up and she climbed onto the back.

  “Hang on tight. It’s going to get bumpy.”

  Drina wrapped her arms around his waist. With her cheek pressed against his warm, strong back, only one thought went through her mind.

  We’re safe. We’re safe. We’re safe.

  Norwood gave the quad gas. Dirt and gravel spun out behind the big wheels as he headed toward the road. Drina had to loosen her hold slightly as they hit bumps, but not too much.

  She wasn’t sure why he’d betrayed his partners in crime...especially since he’d probably leaked the information that led to her kidnapping in the first place. Was he hoping to sell her plan and pocket the money for himself? Or was he on her side? Was that why he had risked his life to save her? She wasn’t certain but right now his strong, sturdy body was the only solid, stable thing in an exploding world. She clung to him with all her might.

  The ATV reached the dirt road leading back to town. They dipped down into the culvert and started to climb the other side. Drina glanced back at the shed and the pile of equipment behind it. Still no sign of Carter. They were safe, really safe.

  With that thought, they crested the hill and a helicopter surged in the air directly in front of them.

  The black machine hovered above, menacing, kicking up wind and gravel. Drina squinted and narrowed her gaze just as a man in dark clothing leaned out of the side, a long rifle poised in his hands.

  “Hang on!” Norwood yelled and turned so fast, Drina almost slid off the side of the quad. A series of wind turbines were located along the ridge to their right. The turbines rose over two hundred feet in the air, and the blades were over a hundred feet wide. The helicopter couldn’t follow them into the clustered turbines of the wind farm. If Norwood could put enough distance between them and the helicopter, they might be out of the rifle’s range.

  Drina clung to his back, trying to remember the range of a rifle. She worked with weapons. She was sure ranges were one of the useless details she’d picked up over the years, but for the life of her, she couldn’t put her finger on a number.

  Figures were safe. She knew numbers like she knew her own name but even they deserted her as she hung on to a man she thought was a traitor and hurtled over a narrow ridge, expecting to feel a bullet pierce her back at any moment.

  They reached the first turbine and Norwood jerked the ATV sharply to the left. A bullet pinged the side of the turbine’s tower and bounced away. Zigzagging erratically, Norwood made it to the next tower before another bullet
hit, this time striking the ground where they’d been moments ago. Drina flinched and glanced back.

  The helicopter wavered up and down in the darkening sky, then adjusted so the sniper could take aim.

  Where was the ever-present desert wind? Why did the gusts fade now when they needed them most? Drina heard the crack of another shot and cringed. She ducked, hunching up against Norwood, her body pressed against his. The zing whistled by, too close for comfort, and struck the metal turbine ahead of them... A direct hit.

  Norwood jerked to the side, sinking down into the narrow gully below them. There were tall turbines on the ridge across and behind them. The helicopter couldn’t follow or come up on the other side. Another bullet struck the side of the hill but it was off. The marksmen in the helicopter couldn’t site them this deep in the gully.

  The gulch’s bottom was too narrow for the quad’s wheelbase so Norwood was forced to zigzag up and down the sides. Their wavering path slowed their escape. Still, the sound of the helicopter came from farther and farther above them. Drina couldn’t look up. All of her concentration was focused on hanging on to Norwood’s slender waist as their path dipped and rose along the bumpy gully bottom.

  Eventually it opened into a wider culvert and they entered the sandy bottom of a small stream. Their path straightened. The sound of the helicopter faded away as darkness settled over them. Norwood traveled a long time before switching on the quad’s headlights.

  The beams shot across the streambed, lighting bushes and rocks as they traveled deeper and deeper into the desert. Drina had no idea where they were headed. She only knew they were traveling far away from town and any kind of help. After a while, her grip loosened.

  A mile. That was the average range of a rifle. Funny how the number jumped into her mind now.

  I must be beginning to relax. This time we’re safe. Really safe... At least for the time being.

  At the moment she didn’t care. Only two things mattered. Her back wasn’t shivering in reflexive fear of being shot, and the man in front of her was strong, confident and sure. He might still be a traitor to their country, but he’d risked his life to save her, covering her body with his and returning for her when he could have made his own escape. Right now nothing else mattered. She pressed her face into Norwood’s back and closed her eyes.

  Odd thoughts came to her. The faint scent of lemony aftershave. She’d watched Norwood dive into dirt, run up and down a rocky ravine and scramble for his life, but still he managed to smell good. It seemed a silly thing to think about, especially since he’d betrayed everything Drina tried to accomplish. But somehow, the man made her feel safe. Protected.

  Right now Cal Norwood was the man of steel, larger than life, invincible...but he smelled like lemon sunshine.

  Another silly detail that lodged in her mind: she could wrap her arms around his entire waist and hold tight. How could such a slender torso manhandle this jostling, shimmying vehicle?

  The question faded in her mind as they hit a bump. Drina grasped him tighter and snuggled close, burying her face in his leather jacket.

  Shock. It must be shock bringing all these crazy, mixed-up thoughts to her mind. Joy at being alive must have heightened her senses because Drina was definitely not the type to romanticize. But right now it didn’t matter. They were safe and Norwood was wonderful. That was all that mattered for the moment.

  Drina lost track of time. They drove for what seemed like hours. The stream widened again into a dry riverbed. Above them on the bank, the headlights flashed on a black strip that looked like a paved road. After a while, Norwood slowed the quad to a stop and turned the light toward the bank. The brown crest of a small hut appeared above them. Norwood eased the quad into the V of some boulders along the riverbed and shut down the engine.

  Drina’s ears and body vibrated for a moment more, adjusting to the sudden stillness. The wind had picked up and carried a biting edge. She shivered. Norwood held out his hand again.

  “We need to find shelter so we can rest for a bit.”

  Rest? We need to find help.

  Drina wanted to speak but her teeth started to chatter and her body trembled. Overwhelmed by the sudden shaking, she took his warm, secure hand, and he pulled her up the bank. Her legs were sore from being bound and weak from the long ride on the quad. She could hardly force them to move. By the time they reached the top, she was out of breath.

  The small building was a brown tollbooth in the center of a divided road.

  “Wh-what is this place?” She barely got the words out between shudders.

  “It’s Red Rock Canyon, a state park for ATV riders. It’s been closed for several years. Cutbacks.”

  He hurried across the asphalt road and pushed on the locked door. Gripping her arms tight against her, Drina watched him jam his shoulder into the flimsy door several times.

  “Wh-why don’t you just break the w-window and unlock it?”

  “It wouldn’t give us much shelter from the wind then, would it? Besides, I don’t want to leave too much damage behind. It will make for an easy trail to follow.”

  With that, he gave the door a sturdy kick and it bounced open. He pulled Drina inside and tucked her into a corner.

  “Have a seat and I’ll see if I can’t find a water faucet outside.”

  Nodding, Drina bumped up against the wall and slid to the floor. Inside, out of the cold wind, felt so much better. Slipping her backpack off, she sighed with relief, but the sigh turned into a sob...and the trembling continued. She couldn’t control the shaking and suddenly, a thought jumped into her mind.

  When she’d first met Norwood, she’d mentally made fun of his strict adherence to rules and the impression he gave off that he could save the world. Well...he’d just saved Drina and everything in her world. Hot tears of shame and relief rolled down her cheeks.

  * * *

  Norwood returned to the shed and slipped inside, out of the cold wind. He placed a large rock against the door to hold it shut. “There are faucets outside but all the water is turned off.”

  His only answer was a sob-like sound. He turned. Tears sparkled on Drina’s cheeks.

  “I—I can’t stop.” She seemed barely able to get the words out.

  Cal dropped to the ground beside her. It was her fault she was here. Her own disregard for security had resulted in her kidnapping. Still, her statement sounded so pathetic, he couldn’t stop himself. Reaching across the space, he put an arm around her. His gesture seemed to release a flood of emotion. She spilled into his arms so suddenly, Cal was caught off guard and his arms spread wide as she wrapped hers around his waist.

  He could almost feel Drina’s pent-up emotions washing out of her. It felt awkward, uncomfortable...as if he sat chest deep in a sea of feelings he didn’t need or understand.

  Then she reached up, wrapped chilly fingers around his neck and buried her cold cheeks and nose in the curve of his neck. Skin to skin. Life to life.

  This he understood. This need he knew well. Basic needs. Men and women. Even her sobs reminded them both that they were alive. He enfolded her in his arms and held her close while hot tears soaked his shirt.

  He’d studied this woman, knew her schedule, her goals. He knew more about her than about any other woman. But he’d never been this close, never held her in his arms. Somehow she felt right. He’d also seen the terror in her eyes as she lay on the floor of the shack. That image flashed through his mind, and a wave of tenderness he couldn’t explain washed over him. He pressed his lips to the top of her head.

  Her breakdown only lasted a minute or two. Then he felt boundaries going up, brick by brick, as she sealed her emotions inside once again. After another moment or so, her hand pulled away. She wiped the dampness from her cheeks.

  Truth be told, Cal was disappointed. Her waiflike figure contained some pretty soft curves. It felt good to hold something re
al, something soft and gentle. Not just basic instincts but something more. For too long, his life had been all about emptiness and sharp edges. Drina was a sudden reminder that there was more to life. Thankfully, they were both still alive to enjoy it. Cal allowed himself a moment to appreciate the gift.

  But only a moment. The fact remained that they were in this mess thanks to Drina’s willful disregard for security protocols. His mission was destroyed and both their lives were in danger.

  In spite of the fact that she was still trembling, he pushed her away.

  She wiped at wet cheeks again and sniffled. “I’ve soaked your shirt.” Her voice sounded hoarse and rough.

  “It’ll dry.” His tone was brusque. He needed to shake the unexpected effects of her nearness. He didn’t want to but he had to give her credit. “You were incredibly quick thinking back there. I owe you. You saved my life when you drove that car at Carter.”

  Her motions suddenly stilled. “Did I k-kill him?”

  “No. But he did have to jump away quickly and you gave me the pleasure of watching him tumble head over heels down the hill. I’ve wanted to do something like that for two years.”

  She straightened and gazed into his face. Moonlight poured in from the large windows above them, lighting her pert nose and lips, puffy from crying...red lips that seemed very kissable.

  “Norwood, are you a traitor?”

  All thoughts of kissing disappeared and his ire rose. The snarky scientist was popping up again. Ms. Gallagher was nothing if not unpredictable. “You should call me by my first name if you’re going to accuse me of something so terrible.”

  She didn’t miss a beat. “Cal, are you a traitor?”

  His jaw tightened “Always quick thinking. I see why they call you the wonder kid.”

  “That’s not an answer.”

  Leaning back against the wall, he shook his head. “No. I’m not a traitor. In fact, the consensus with my team was that you were the traitor.”

  “Me? Why in the world would they suspect me?”