Danger at the Border (13 page)

He had to find her. If anything happened to her...He shut the thought down. He would not go there.

The dogs had quieted but now were frantically barking again.

The front door burst open. A white-haired man stood in the doorway with a shotgun aimed at Jeff’s chest. “What are you doing in my home?”

“Thank you, God,” Jeff murmured while raising his hands. “Are you Henry Roscha?”

“I am,” Henry said, his eyes narrowed. “You’re that border guy that went off with the fish lady.”

“I am,” Jeff said. The two tactical team members appeared with their weapons aimed at Henry. He needed Henry’s cooperation. Jeff motioned them back. They kept a distance but both men kept their weapons trained on Henry. “I need your help finding Sherman.”

“Why should I help you?” Henry’s finger caressed the trigger. “You shot my nephew and left him to die by the stream.”

Surprised, Jeff vehemently shook his head. “No, that’s not how it went down. Aaron shot Randy.”

Henry’s lips twisted. “Aaron wouldn’t hurt his own cousin.”

“You were in Newhalem. Didn’t you talk to Randy?”

“He was too heavily guarded,” Henry said. “I couldn’t get in to see him before they put him in an ambulance and took him off somewhere.”

“Listen to me.” Jeff needed this man to understand. “I don’t have time to quibble with you. Randy helped Dr. Cleary and me escape from Sherman’s compound. Aaron shot him. Now Aaron has kidnapped Dr. Cleary. I have to find her before he harms her.” The thought of her hurt or worse tore Jeff up inside.

“I don’t believe you. Sherman said you gunned down Randy,” Henry shot back.

“You can ask Randy himself when he gets out of surgery,” Jeff said. “But by then it might be too late for Tessa. Please, we have to find her.” A thread of desperation wound through his voice. “Where would your brother go? Where would he take her?”

“Why should I help you?”

“It’s the right thing to do,” Jeff said. Desperation made him add, “Because Randy helped us.”

For a tense moment, Jeff was afraid Henry wouldn’t relent. Then he slowly removed his finger from the trigger and lowered the shotgun. “I knew one day Sherman and his illegal activities would bring shame to this family.”

Jeff refrained from pointing out that Henry was guilty of accessory by allowing Sherman to use his dogs and for not turning in his brother. “He’s on the run. Where would he go?”

“He has property outside of the country. His safety net, he calls it. Some strange-named country with no extradition.”

“All the airports, shipyards, train yards and roadways are crawling with agents looking for him and Aaron. There has to be a place where he’d lie low until he thought it safe.”

Henry stroked his chin. “He keeps a jet in a hangar at Mears Field.”

Jeff’s stomach sank. Fear for Tessa twisted in his heart. Aaron had kidnapped Tessa from Bellingham two hours ago. It would be an hour’s drive to Mears Field from there. But a four-and-a-half-hour drive for Jeff from Glen Lake, since there was no direct route.

He needed a chopper, fast.

Because once Sherman’s plane took off, it would be almost impossible to bring them down without causing injury to everyone on board. Including Tessa.

But it was total supposition on his part that Sherman and Aaron would even bring Tessa on board. What if they killed her before they ever reached the plane?

All sorts of horrible scenarios played through his head, making his blood boil and fear bubble. Her lifeless body could be lying in a ditch or shallow grave along the highway. It could be days or more before she was found.

Standing here awfulizing, as his mother would say, wouldn’t help him find Tessa.

“Take him into custody,” Jeff said to the tact team. While they cuffed Henry, Jeff called Coleman and filled him in. “I need a chopper to take me to Mears Field stat. And call the airport tower and tell them to ground all planes.”

Not that Jeff expected Sherman to comply. But it might buy Jeff enough time to get there.

* * *

Tessa stood in the aisle of the sleek jet, thankful they weren’t in the air yet. She sought to come up with a plausible excuse to move closer to the open door. She held the makeshift weapon she’d made out of the empty water bottle against her side beneath her jacket. Even if she could make it out of the plane, she would still have to contend with the guards on the ground.

Let’s deal with one obstacle at a time.

“I’ve never been in an aircraft like this,” she said aloud to Sherman, who was now reading a magazine. “Could I take a peek at the cockpit?”

He waved a hand, apparently too engrossed in his reading material to bother with her anymore. His overconfidence in her vulnerability worked to her advantage. “Ask Aaron.”

Her insides twisted with distaste. Aaron barred the open exit. He stood on the metal frame facing outward, talking to one of the guards at the bottom of the ramp. One good shove could send him out of the plane.

Then what? Sherman had a gun. And she was sure Emil did, as well. But she’d rather die fighting than submissively comply with Sherman. Aaron had underestimated her once. Hopefully, he was arrogant enough to do so again.

Praying Aaron couldn’t see her in his peripheral vision, she took a cautious step forward and noticed the coatrack full of wooden hangers right next to her. Carefully, she took a hanger off the rod and tested its weight. She could do some damage with it, so she tucked the hanger under her other arm.

Gathering her courage, she put one hand inside her jacket around the bottle and slipped the homemade weapon closer to the hem so she had better access for when she needed to use it.

She glanced back to make sure Sherman was still preoccupied. His graying head was bent slightly forward so he could read the magazine on his lap.

Inside the cockpit, Emil had his back to her, as well, while he fiddled with buttons and levers.

Aaron hadn’t noticed her approach yet. Drawing strength from the adrenaline pumping through her veins, she moved in and rammed into him with her whole body, sending him tumbling completely out the plane door.

Ignoring Aaron’s surprised shout, she rushed into the cockpit as Emil turned his stunned gaze on her. Aiming the bottle at his face, she quickly loosened the cap. With a pop, the white plastic lid flew off, hitting him between the eyes. He yelped with pain. The distraction gave her time to slam the cockpit door shut and throw the latch. They were locked inside.

She saw the gun lying on the copilot’s seat. Emil recovered enough to leap for the weapon.

Using the hanger like a hammer, she pounded on him with all her strength. His hands came up to defend against her blows. While still banging the wooden hanger over his head with both hands, she maneuvered herself into the copilot’s seat and sat on the weapon. She reached beneath her and brought the gun up, aiming at his forehead.

Bloodied and bruised, he raised his hands in the air.

Aaron battered on the locked door, cursing and screaming. His palpable anger seeped through the barrier, making the hairs on her arms stand at attention. She was thankful he couldn’t get in. He’d kill her without hesitation.

“Use the radio and call the authorities,” she instructed Emil, pleased at how calm she sounded, considering she was unsteady inside.

Emil didn’t move. His gaze slid from her to stare out the plane’s front window. His eyes widened.

Tessa risked a glance. Men dressed in black with automatic weapons filed inside the hangar. Her hopes rose. Jeff.

There were shouts. Gunfire. More shouting. Then eerie silence. The minutes stretched. Had the good guys won? Or was her life still in danger from the men outside the cockpit door? And what of Jeff?

A knock made her jump.

“Tessa!”

She blinked. “Jeff?” A gush of relief made her hands tremble. Keeping the gun aimed at Emil, she unlatched the door and jumped back just in case her mind was playing tricks on her.

Jeff filled the doorway.

Tension oozed out of her, making her tremble as love and affection filled her soul. God had answered her prayers. Her heart, her soul, rejoiced.

“Honey, give me the gun,” Jeff said.

Realizing she had the weapon aimed at him, she lowered the barrel and let him take the gun from her trembling hands. With a little gasp, she flung her arms around him. “You’re really here.”

The relief and tenderness on his face made her heart skip a beat.

“Sir.” An officer behind Jeff gestured toward Emil, slumped in his seat and looking resigned to his fate.

Jeff led her out of the plane so the officer could take Emil into custody.

With satisfaction she saw that Sherman sat in his wheelchair, the blanket and gun gone, his hands in cuffs resting on his thighs. They’d put a stop to him once and for all. No longer would he be able to grow and sell illegal marijuana or make money off the suffering of others. A win for the good guys.

Then her gaze landed on Aaron. He knelt next to the two guards, their hands all bound with white zip ties behind their backs. He was going to jail for a very long time. Elation bubbled up in her chest. She pumped her fist. “Yes!”

Jeff’s deep rumbling laugh made her giggle as the last of the tension left her body. Her knees wobbled. Jeff handed the gun to an agent and then tucked her into his side, the gesture both comforting and familiar. By his side, a place she willingly would stay for the rest of her life.

She could only pray he felt the same way, but she didn’t get a chance to ask him as he propelled her toward a waiting SUV. She stopped and turned into his embrace. “Don’t send me away.”

Cupping her cheek in his big, strong hand, he said, “It’s only for a little while. I need to see this through.”

“You promise?”

He dipped his head and kissed her. A tender promise. Did she dare hope that meant he cared for her? She prayed he could love her.

He opened the door. Agent Tremont sat at the wheel. She was relieved to see him alive and in one piece.

He saluted her as she climbed in. “Dr. Cleary, I’m sorry I failed you before. It won’t happen again.”

She waved him off. “I’m sorry you had to suffer on my account.”

“I’ll see you soon.” Before Jeff closed the door, he said, “I promise.”

* * *

Two evenings later, Jeff stood outside Tessa’s hotel room door in Seattle. His palms grew damp with nervous anxiousness. He was finally going to see her.

She’d asked to be taken to the more metropolitan city rather than back to Bellingham. Jeff had wanted to come sooner, but they both had to give their statements, and Jeff had so much red tape to sort through that it had taken a full two days. With no immediate threats to the country that needed his attention, he’d hightailed it here to fulfill his promise. The first of many promises he planned to make to Tessa, if’d she let him.

He’d showered, shaved and changed into fresh slacks and a dress shirt beneath a wool coat. He held a dozen red long-stemmed roses in one hand. Tonight he was going to declare his love. He prayed Tessa felt the same way.

The danger to her had been neutralized—Sherman, Aaron and the others were in custody on their way to a detention facility. They would never harm Tessa or anyone else ever again. She was free to decide her future. With or without him.

He prayed with everything in him she’d choose to have a life with him.

She was an amazing woman, and he wanted to spend every moment with her. Jeff shook his head and wondered why he was surprised that Tessa had been so resourceful at taking care of herself. Independent, self-reliant and self-assured. These were words that described her. But also caring, compassionate, loyal and brave.

She was everything he’d ever want in a woman. For her alone would he risk opening his heart.

Having almost lost her, he knew that if he didn’t confess his love and fight for a future with her, he’d regret it for the rest of his life. Safe wasn’t what he wanted anymore. He wanted messy commitment, full of love and laughter and light. Full of Tessa.

He lifted his hand to knock just as the door flew open.

Tessa. His breath caught. She wore a silky emerald-colored dress that was modest yet clung to her curves like the garment had been handmade for her. Heeled pumps emphasized her pretty legs. And her auburn hair had been gathered up in back by a fancy clip.

His fingers twitched with the urge to undo the hair doodad and tangle in the mass of curls. She had a touch of makeup on, enough to enhance her pretty features, not hide them. He held out the flowers.

She took them and buried her nose in the soft petals. “I was afraid you’d change your mind and not knock.”

Regret for making her doubt him tugged at his conscience. Apparently, she’d been watching out the window, waiting for him to arrive. “I’m sorry.” How did he explain his struggle with the fear that she’d reject him? “Are you ready?”

“Let me grab my coat and purse,” she said and disappeared from view. A moment later, she reappeared in a black knee-length belted coat over her dress and a small purse clutched in her hand.

She kept the flowers with her, pressing them against her chest like a shield. Were her nerves as tied in knots as his? He hoped that would prove to be a good thing.

They made small talk on the cab ride to the Space Needle and took the elevator to the SkyCity Restaurant. They were seated at a table near the window, where the rotating panoramic view of the Emerald City, Elliott Bay and the distant mountains could be fully enjoyed. Jeff barely noticed.

Candlelight flickered from a votive on the table and deepened the contours of Tessa’s pretty face. He had trouble taking his eyes off her to read the menu. She ordered Alaskan halibut. Jeff ordered something with beef and scarcely paid attention to his selection. His nerves stretched taut with the effort to contain the feelings wanting to burst from his chest.

Somehow, they made it through the meal with more small talk and shared laughs. One day he would remember what the conversation consisted of, but at the moment all he could think about was telling Tessa he loved her.

“Our meal comes with a free admittance to the observation deck. You game?” he asked her as they left the restaurant.