Stowaway (26 page)

“Lamanto?”

He turned at the sound of Samuels’ voice. The older man looked at him in concern.

“You okay? Alexander said you’re recovering from a gunshot wound. Are you sure you’re up to this? You look like hell.”

Nick grimaced. He couldn’t help how he looked or the lack of sleep, but he wouldn’t back down from the mission.

“I’m fine, just tired, and I’ll be even better when it’s all over.”

“Remember, you’re supposed to stay out of the line of fire. Alexander doesn’t want you getting shot at again.”

He’d given them all the information he could at this point. He’d warned them to keep a low profile. Any group of outsiders would create a stir if they approached Thornsbury. They’d have to move in slowly and with unmarked vehicles. He talked them into hauling Keri’s SUV from Miami, so he’d be leading the pack in her car.

“Understood.”

Samuels gave him another long, considering look. “Why doesn’t that reassure me?”

Nick chuckled. “You have my word,” he said, meaning it. He didn’t plan to take any unnecessary risks.

For the first time in his career, he wanted to avoid the main action. Ensuring Keri’s safety, and possibly the safety of her family, ranked higher on his priorities right now. He’d lead the team in the right direction, but then he planned to find Keri as soon as possible.

Chapter Seventeen

Feeling the urgency to move quickly, the team didn’t waste time at FBI headquarters. Their Thornsbury connection had informed them the militia would move off the mountain in intervals. One jeep would take the lead, the Cooper van filled with explosives would follow, and a second jeep would bring up the rear. The militia would have to be on the road today in order to get to Virginia and get in position to implement their plans tomorrow.

They all had their orders and rolled out of Knoxville in several unmarked cars. When they neared Thornsbury, they planned to pass through the area in fifteen-minute intervals to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

Nick rode in Keri’s SUV with a young FBI agent named Patty Edwards. She had a similar height and build to Keri. Her hair and eyes were darker, but she had her hair tied back and wore large sun glasses to shield her face. Behind the wheel, Edwards could easily be mistaken for the car’s owner.

Even so, they took a ten-mile detour across back roads to avoid driving directly through town. Too many of Thornsbury’s citizens would recognize her car and that could stir unwanted interest in their movements.

“We’re less than an hour from the base of the mountain now,” Nick told Edwards as he settled more deeply into the bucket seat. “If we’re right about the terrorist timetable, we should see one or more of their vehicles soon.”

She nodded and her hands tightened on the wheel. He’d tried making small talk to help the young agent relax, but it hadn’t helped much. He didn’t know if it was the mission or being paired with him that made her more nervous, but he didn’t care. She handled the car with skill, and he’d never again underestimate the ability of a determined female.

That thought made him frown. All he really wanted to do was find Keri. Their mission was crucial, yet concern for her had his concentration splintered. An official at the airport had confirmed her arrival in Knoxville, but that didn’t reassure him much. He hoped to hell she hadn’t headed back to the cabin.

Lost in thought, he didn’t see the jeep until Edwards drew his attention to it.

“Military vehicle approaching,” she said tersely.

Nick slid low in his seat and watched the oncoming vehicle through his own dark glasses. He pulled the bill of a baseball cap low on his forehead and tipped his head back as if sleeping.

“Keep looking straight ahead. Don’t glance their way when we pass and don’t show any interest.”

While Edwards kept her gaze forward, he took the opportunity to stare into the passing jeep. It held two unfamiliar men in camouflage uniforms. Nick flipped out his phone and called Samuels.

“Just passed the first vehicle. A closed, olive drab, heavily fortified jeep.”

“That’ll be the point men,” said Samuels. “We’ll stay out of sight and let ’em pass until we’ve dealt with the bigger threat.”

“Right,” said Nick, breaking the connection. He relayed the information to Edwards and they grew quiet for the next fifteen minutes. The road narrowed a little as they passed through a few miles of heavily wooded countryside. Tree branches overhung the road on either side, the canopy of leaves blocking most of the midday sun.

A teenage boy driving a compact car sped by them just before they cleared the dark green tunnel. Nick hoped the kid got wherever he needed to go quickly. A few miles later, Edwards alerted him to another oncoming vehicle.

“Black van approaching,” she said.

He’d already noticed it. Hard to tell if it was the same van he’d seen at the marina, but definitely similar. Cooper had a fleet of them. He unfastened his seat belt and slid farther down in the seat. Edwards kept her eyes on the road while he watched out her window. The two men in the van didn’t even glance their way.

Once they’d passed, he called Samuels again.

“The casket van just passed us twenty-seven minutes outside of Thornton. Knifer McDowell at the wheel but an unknown with him. They’re driving at a moderate speed and didn’t pay any attention to us.”

“Good to hear. We’ll set up road blocks ten miles out of town where the road splits and try the tire spikes first. Part of our team is ten minutes behind you. They’ll stay hidden until the van passes. Then they’ll be in place to block the rest of the militia. Let’s hope they’re on the road before we intercept the van, so they can’t get back to the mountain. We sure as hell can’t afford to lose any of them or take the fight to their stronghold.”

“Damn straight. They’re heavily armed and willing to fight to the death.”

“Once we have ’em pinned with a road block, we’ll bring in the choppers. Have you passed many other vehicles?”

“Nothing since the van.”

“We don’t want any civilian casualties, but I can’t risk pulling cars off the road, either, or detaining them without reason. Once you’re sure you’re clear of the militia, watch out for family vehicles.”

“Will do,” said Nick. He broke off the connection and told Edwards the plan.

“Will you recognize all of them?” she asked.

“I got a look at the compound last week. Two jeeps and several pickups, plus the militia leader’s personal truck. Hard to know how many will take part in the attack. I figure they’ll use untraceable jeeps and mercenaries or fanatics, but the big men in charge won’t be anywhere near.”

“The militia leader isn’t one of the masterminds?”

“Not the brains or the money man, just a puppet. A very dangerous, fanatic puppet.”

“You’ve met him?”

“Yeah, he knows this car, its owner and me too. I haven’t seen him yet. If we see another jeep or a black pickup, I’ll duck out of sight. If he tries to get your attention, ignore him.”

Edwards nodded in understanding.

The second jeep approached within a few minutes. Nick slid as far down in the seat as he could fit then ducked his head out of sight.

“Passing them now,” Edwards told him quietly. “The driver threw up a hand to me, but I didn’t look close enough to ID him. Two men in the jeep, dressed like the other ones.”

Nick waited until she gave him the all clear, straightened into his seat again and phoned Samuels with the latest information. A few more miles down the road, they approached the filling station at the base of the mountain. The same station he and Keri had stopped for gas last week. One rusty pickup was parked near the back. A car sat out front, but he didn’t see anyone milling around outdoors.

“Is this where we’re supposed to wait for word from Samuels?” asked Edwards as she slowed to turn into the lot. At his nod, she continued. “How much farther to the militia compound?”

Nick started to explain but got cutoff by the sound of a distant explosion. A few seconds later, the shock waves rocked the SUV and had him swearing.

“The damned van must have exploded. That’ll alert the final jeep. They’ll be heading back this way, and we can’t let ’em get to the mountain road. Turn around and go back the way we came,” he demanded sharply.

“We have orders to stay here.”

“You can stay if you want, but I’m gonna make sure Russ Carson doesn’t go into hiding.”

Instead of arguing, Edwards whipped the SUV through the filling station and reversed directions. Nick tossed the ball cap to the floor and drew his weapon.

Within a few minutes, they’d reentered the narrow, heavily wooded stretch of road. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, making crazy geometric patterns on the blacktop.

“Slow up. This is the best place to cut them off. They’ll have to pass through here with your team members in hot pursuit,” said Nick. “Block the road, and I’ll see if we’re carrying any flares.”

She did as he said, parking the SUV lengthwise across both lanes of the road. Nick sent a silent apology to Keri for involving her SUV in another possibly destructive situation. The government might end up owing her a new ride.

They hopped out of the car and started to move to the rear when they heard the roar of an approaching vehicle.

“That’s the jeep!” shouted Nick. It came hurling toward them at an excessive speed, traveling way too fast to avoid a collision with the SUV. “Get to cover!”

He grabbed Edwards arm and they raced to the side of the road. From the shelter of a massive tree, they steadied their weapons and prepared for a fight. Instead, they watched a horrendous wreck unfold.

The jeep’s driver hit the brakes hard, burning rubber for half a mile before turning the wheel sharply to avoid the SUV. It spun on two tires and hit a tree on the right side of the road. Next it bounced across the road and hit a second tree on the opposite embankment. Sparks flew and smoke started rolling from the engine. Then it took another bounce and kept rolling like a giant, crumpling ball on a pinball machine.

Edwards whistled softly at the carnage.

The FBI’s chase vehicles slammed to a stop farther down the road, agents piling out of the cars as the jeep shuddered to halt. Upside down, crushed and with tires spinning, it landed in a smoldering heap.

Nick and his temporary partner started moving toward the wreckage.

Walt Merritt holstered his gun and picked up his hat. “Promise me you won’t leave the house for any reason.”

“Cross my heart,” Keri told him, standing on tiptoe to press a kiss on his cheek. “I have no desire to see or talk to anyone right now. I plan to be the quintessential hermit.”

“That’s a damned big word for such a little person,” chimed Jack as he joined his dad by the door. He grinned and pointed to his cheek. “But you can plant one on me too.”

She swatted him with the flat of her hand. “I swear I’m not leaving this house. I’m not getting involved in any manhunts or undercover operations or militia plots. I’m still on vacation!”

“We’ll be back or call you as soon as this thing is resolved. Lock the door behind us and don’t let anyone trick you into leaving the house. Let the machine screen phone calls. Until you have an all clear from me, stay put.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied, nodding as she always did when he lectured her on safety.

Her dad shoved his hat on his head and then, in an uncharacteristic display of emotion, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.

“Love you, baby girl.”

Keri hugged him back, tears clogging her throat. “I love you too, but now you’re scaring me,” she added, shifting out of his arms and staring into his eyes. She knew how badly he wanted to avenge his wife’s murder, and now he had the ammunition he needed for a confrontation.

“Promise me you’ll be careful and you won’t take any unnecessary risks,” she pleaded.

“I’m gonna do the same thing I’ve been doin’ most my life,” he said, opening the front door and stepping through it. “My job.”

Jack followed his dad. Keri flashed her brother a look, begging him to be careful and watch out for their dad. He gave her a reassuring wink. “I’ll have his back.”

She closed the door behind them, locked it and slid the deadbolt into place. Not that she expected any visitors. Unless someone had caught sight of her returning home, nobody knew she’d cut her vacation short. She hadn’t contacted anyone since returning. Didn’t care to see or talk to anyone, either.

The Merritt home sat amidst three acres of woods just outside the corporation limits of Thornsbury. The decades-old, two-story frame house wasn’t easily seen from the highway and most folks called ahead if they planned to visit. Her mother used to invite friends for coffee, card parties and various other social events, but the open-door policy and congeniality had died with her.

“I’m just not much of a socialite, Mom,” Keri whispered to the photograph of her mother. “I’d rather curl up with a good book than entertain people,” she said, glancing at the book she’d left on the end table.

For the next half-hour or so, she tried to lose herself in the story but couldn’t concentrate. Nick filled her thoughts, shoving everything else from her mind. She missed him so much, and she hated missing him. Hated knowing he had such a stranglehold on her emotions. She’d never been the type to pine for a man. Hadn’t even understood the old-fashioned term until she’d returned home alone.

Standing and stretching, she moved toward the answering machine and clicked the play button just to hear his voice. She hadn’t erased any of them. His first call had informed her dad she’d left Miami. After that, he’d left several short, succinct messages in increasingly worried tones.

It served him right to be worried. He’d abandoned her in a strange place in the care of strangers. Maybe not strangers to him but definitely to her. And against her wishes. That was just wrong on so many levels, she reminded herself every time she thought about forgiving him.

He’d made his last call from Miami International Airport, just a few hours after she’d left Florida. He’d probably arrived in Knoxville shortly after her too. Had they both been in the same building for a while? Had they missed each other by minutes?