Shifting Targets (4 page)

“Just what do you intend to do?” Open concern
drenched Trip’s voice. “They’ll be watching…everyone will be
watching.”

“For Shye…yes…but not for Shadow.” She pushed
away from the table and walked to a window. “I’ve danced around
with Carter long enough. It’s been a long time coming. One of us is
going down.”

“Shye, no! Don’t risk your future going after
that prick. What about what we talked about last night?” He placed
gentle hands on her shoulders from behind. “Let me get Draven then
I’ll help you ruin Carter.”

She whipped around in his arms. “I’m sorry,
but no. I returned home from twenty years in the Air Force only to
discover that he’d duped my poor innocent parents out of their home
and sent them packing back to the reservation. The tables are about
to turn.”

Remle strolled to the sink, poured more
coffee and handed her fresh cup. “If you’re hell bent on doing this
your way, then you should let us help.” He cast Trip a peculiar
look and added, “No use trying to stop a woman like this, old
friend. The best you can do is back her up.”

“What do you know?” Trip growled.

“Most folks are afraid to venture up this
way. A strange old man living in a broken down house makes people
skittish. You’ve heard the talk.” Remle leaned against the counter.
A slow grin spread across his face. “Ghost stories about the man on
the mountain.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard the gossip but none of it’s
true. You’re talking as crazy as her, what’s this about?”

“Patience, Trip, my boy. Did I ever tell you
about my grandfather?”

“Oh hell.” Trip sighed and plopped back onto
his chair. “Here we go…another long journey to the past. Go on
then,” he said with a laugh. “Tell me.” He motioned for Shye to sit
back down.

Shaking her head, she remained at the window.
“I’m fine right here.”

Remle nodded still wearing the slight grin.
“When I was a boy—”

“Here we go again.” Trip rolled his eyes in
jest.

Shye walked over and playfully smacked him
atop the head. “Let him speak.”

Her action drew a wink from the older
veteran. “Thank you, Miss Shye.” He pulled a slice of jerky from a
jar, then offered them some. “As I was saying before
someone
rudely and impatiently interrupted me…” He smirked. “When I was a
boy we were dirt poor. My parents had nothing. Mother wove
exquisite blankets and she had a special talent for making the most
favored dreamcatchers around. My dad was known for his
woodcarvings. People traveled far to purchase their handmade
goods.”

“Your parents were Native American?” Shye
slowly took a seat.

“Yes. But you’re probably wondering about the
blue eyes and blond hair about now.” He gave his ponytail a playful
tug.

“It crossed my mind.”

“I never knew my biological parents. Mother
died giving birth and my dad didn’t want to raise a child on his
own. Times were tough. He couldn’t work and take care of a kid so
he dropped me off at the reservation. Nobody there wanted to raise
a white boy, but one woman took kindly to me. Since her husband was
an esteemed chief among their people, she was permitted to take me
in. They raised me as their own and I never had much trouble with
the others. They respected their Chief’s decision to give this poor
homeless orphan a home.” He paused for another bite of jerky then
continued. “I worked hard, learned their ways, and adopted their
customs and faith as my own. As the years went by the others no
longer noticed my skin or hair color. I had earned their respect. I
went off to war to get an education just like you, Shye.”

“Wow…what a wonderful story. Are your parents
still among the living?” She stole a glimpse at Trip who sat
looking somewhat shell-shocked.

“My dear mother is. Dad passed away not so
long ago.”

“I never knew this about you,” Trip
interjected. “Why are you telling us now?”

“One thing I’ve always loved about living up
here…so many eagles. They are beautiful creatures.”

A shiver raced over Shye. “Yes…they are…”

Remle stared straight into her. “Last night
while I was out back making some brew I felt something ride in on
the wind that my father had often spoken of in his campfire tales.
He was quite a storyteller, my father.”

Trip shifted in his chair. “Are you going to
clue us in?”

Shye shot him a foiled look. “Be
patient.”

He feigned a frown and sat back. “I’m glad
you two are enjoying this little bonding session but have you
forgotten about today’s news?”

Ignoring Trip’s impatience, Remle simply
grinned. “My father’s favorite story was about a painting that hung
on his bedroom wall. Now I never could see what was missing in that
mysterious piece of work and he never told me. But he did love to
repeat the legend of the one who walks without a shadow.”

Shye gasped, clutching one hand to her chest.
“You are Chief Blackwater’s son?”

“Adopted son.” He didn’t speak for a few
minutes as if giving her and Trip time to absorb the shock.

“I’m sorry for my disrespect.” Trip lowered
his eyes. “I did not know”

“No worries, my friend. I understand more
than you think.”

“You know who I am?” Shye looked up with a
humble heart.

“When I heard Trip’s bike rumble up my drive
I wandered back to the house. But when I saw he had company I
decided to hang back and see who. There have been occasions when he
brought his prisoner here for the night before traveling on and
turning them over to the law. I didn’t expect him to come riding in
with a beautiful woman. He’s been gun shy of the female persuasion
for a long time.”

“Really?” Shye arched her brows in disbelief.
“A gorgeous single man like him?”

“Anyway,” he went on. “I felt a sudden chill
in the air when you arrived then while you were standing in the
moonlight gawking around I noticed something very peculiar. Only
one of you cast a shadow on the ground…and it wasn’t you, my
dear.”

“No, it wasn’t. I only cast a shadow by day.
I am forbidden to walk in the shadows of darkness.”

“My father entrusted me with the story
foretold by your great grandmother of a prodigy child. He said if
she ever came to me that I was to trust and help her.”

“You know what she is?” Trip appeared as
shocked as she felt. He simply stared at his friend as if
frozen.

“
Nagi
Howiwacipi
…the ghost
dancer.” He gave Shye a piercing stare. “You are Shadow.”

They sat in stunned silence for a while,
sipping coffee. No one said a word as the revelation sunk in. She
pondered all the connections. Never did she think that by hitching
a ride with this hot rebel biker that he’d be chasing a man who was
connected to Carter. And then find out that Trip’s best friend, an
older man who lives an eccentric life in the Black Hills was the
adopted son of an esteemed chief. The correlations simply blew her
away.

Finally Trip broke the silence. “What about
our plan to take Draven out so he can’t kill Carter before Shye
gets her farm back?”

“Look at her. Have you ever seen more fire in
a woman? She’s on a mission and she doesn’t intend to fail. We at
least owe her the courtesy of hearing her out.”

Shye tensed while waiting for his
response.

“You’re right. I’ve been obsessed with
catching Draven for so long it makes me blind at times.”

Remle gave him an approving nod. “Time to
fall back and regroup. What do you have in mind, Miss Shye?”

“I’m going to shift the target,” she stated
without hesitation. “That dirt bag has put me and Trip in
everyone’s crosshairs. When I’m done, he’ll take my place on the
wanted list.”

“Are you going to rob the bank again?” Trip
asked.

“Just a little. I’m going to do exactly what
they don’t expect. Carter thinks I’ll be on the run. Now is the
perfect time to strike.” She smirked. “I need some help.”

Chapter Four

“I try not to speak when I’m in another
person’s shadow because my voice doesn’t change and it just feels
weird,” she told Trip as they sat parked on the outskirts of town.
“So don’t get freaked out when I walk up to you as Mike
Carter.”

“Make sure you show me the feathers so I know
it’s you, babe.” His hands trailed up and down her bare arms. “You
do realize how many things can go wrong with this plan?”

Shye stood firm. “I didn’t ride two hours in
the blazing heat to fail. Trust me, when I’m done nobody will even
be looking our way.”

“I trust you.”

“No matter what happens, don’t ride into
town. I don’t want anyone spotting you. It’s absolutely crucial
that you and I are
not
seen this time, okay, baby?”

“I’ll be right here. Be careful.”

“Always.” She offered him a warm smile. “I
love you.”

He accepted her kiss, sweeping his arms up
her back and into her hair. They clung to each other for a couple
intense moments locked in a heated exchange of unspoken desire.
Nothing had ever thrilled her more than working with high power
weapons until this hotter-than-hell biker rode into her life.

“Time for some fun.” She eased from his arms
before leaving him parked behind a thick cluster of trees.

Keeping one eye on the streets and the other
to her front, she slunk along the edge of town using her combat
training to remain undetected by using trees, shrubs, buildings or
anything available to conceal herself.

Brace yourself, Carter, you’re going
down!

She reached a phone booth behind the
drugstore without any trouble. After dialing the number to the
bank, she cupped one hand over the receiver. “This is Sherriff
Roone’s secretary.” She kept her voice low and muffled. “We just
apprehended Shye Halayi and the Sherriff thought Mr. Carter might
want to come in during the interrogation in case he has any
questions.”

“Oh I am sure he will,” the teller replied,
excitement evident in her voice. “I have a few questions myself for
the wench.”

“He should get here as soon as possible.”

“We’re on our way.”

“I’m sorry, miss, but only Mr. Carter will be
permitted. This investigation is not open to outside parties. We
can’t risk critical information slipping out before court. I do
hope you understand.”

Jill sighed loud enough into the phone.
“Yeah, I’ll tell Mike. I’m sure he’ll head right out.”

“Thank you.” Shye hung up the phone then
crept through back alleys, using extreme caution to avoid being
seen.

At the rear entrance of the bank she hunkered
down behind a dumpster, knowing Carter would exit here to his
waiting SUV. Time had swung past noon placing the sun into perfect
position for casting long shadows. A squeaking sound drew her focus
toward the back door. Out walked Carter dressed in a gray
three-piece suit over a coral shirt. She never made a sound while
creeping along behind him to assume his shadow.

Grabbing the black feather, she whispered for
Nagi
and instantly the brutal July heat vanquished beneath
the icy cold grip of shifting. Moving with a speed that impressed
even her, she ducked behind his car until he slid behind the wheel.
She walked beside the long, tall black vehicle as he backed up then
she slipped behind a nearby tree before he turned the wheel and
drove away.

Have a nice trip!
She wanted to laugh
out loud but controlled herself. The Sherriff’s office was a solid
forty-five minute drive one way. By the time Carter figured out
he’d been duped, Shye would be riding north on Trip’s bike.

Mustering all her courage, she boldly walked
into the bank through the rear exit and into the vault. This time
she made sure the security camera caught her at each angle while
she filled two canvas sacks with as much money as they would hold.
The bags were heavy but she felt supernaturally strong today—be it
sheer will or powers from beyond, it didn’t matter right now. Her
mission for today would end in a blaze of glory.

Once outside again, she ran full speed
straight through the center of town carrying the bags of money in
plain sight. People began gathering on the sidewalk, clearly
baffled by what they saw. She found Trip right where she’d left him
and shoved the money into his hands. Speculation shadowed his eyes.
Oh yeah,
she thought and pulled the feathers from under the
stifling collar. He grinned and handed her what she’d received from
Remle for assistance in her outrageous plan. Nodding her thanks,
she turned and stalked back into town carrying an RPG rocket
launcher.

Pedestrians began screaming and running amok
when Shye, using Carter’s identity, took a stance in the town
square with the weapon braced on her shoulder. She waited for word
to reach the bank and counted each employee as they ran outside to
escape the coming wrath. She heard people shouting
he’s
crazy
—
he’s gone mad
—and saw them dialing their cell
phones for help. None of it mattered. She had her target in
sight.

Their calls would create chaos and with the
reception drop-rate in these hills, she knew it would take police
longer to get here than it would for her to get away.

“Stop him!” someone shouted. “He’s out of his
mind!”

A couple of brave but foolish men attempted
to advance on her so she whipped out her shotgun with one hand and
fired a couple warning shots at their heads. In a flash they
dropped to the ground and scurried back.

Idiots! Don’t even mess with me today!

Everyone stood back in utterly visible shock
as she took aim once again. When the stream of people fleeing the
bank ceased, she squeezed the trigger.

A loud pop followed by a strong whoosh filled
the air as the first grenade fired. With lightning speed she
reloaded and released a second grenade. An explosion rocked the
ground. Flames shot out and up in every direction. A blast of heat
radiated through the air yet she felt nothing but cold. Townspeople
ran for cover. Screams of panic flooded the area amidst the roar of
a blazing fire.