Everglades Escape

by Kathleen Tailer

  Only one man left. El Jefe. And, arguably, he was the most dangerous man of the bunch.

  Where had Senator Pratt run to? She imagined he had gone to the limousine, but she had yet to hear a car engine, so she didn’t think he had actually managed to drive away.

  Whitney heard gunfire from the building and raced back up, trying to stay protected as she did so. She held her pistol high, pointed at the roof, as she leaped up the stairs and took cover by the wall.

  After quickly glancing in the window, she pulled back again, safe behind the wall. The sight she had seen made her heart clench. Kilpatrick and the boat pilot were both down, presumably dead, and a dark pool of blood was soaking the floor beneath their bodies. Senator Pratt had returned and now had Theo in a headlock, his pistol pointed against the side of his forehead.

  “Miss Johnson, why don’t you come inside and join us?”

  Whitney took a deep breath, then swung around the door, her weapon instantly pointed at Senator Pratt.

  “I can see you’re a good shot, but I doubt you’ll risk it with this man as my shield.” Pratt’s voice was cold and filled with derision, like a man who was used to getting whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it. “Now here’s what’s going to happen,” he continued. “You’re going to drop that weapon, and you’re going to go to Lopez’s body and hand me the car keys. Then you’re going to let me drive away.”

  “In your dreams,” Whitney responded. “You’re going to prison.”

  “Not if you want this man to live,” Pratt said tightly. “I’ll shoot out the tires of the other vehicles. By the time you actually get somewhere to find help, I’ll be down in Cuba, driving my ’57 Chevy and living the high life.”

  “Shoot him,” Theo urged. “I trust you, Whitney.”

  “Not advisable!” Pratt snarled, tightening his grip on Theo’s neck and pushing the barrel of his gun even deeper into his skin. He took a step backward, then another, all the time dragging his hostage with him.

  What if she hit Theo? Could she live with herself if she missed? A wave of terror washed over Whitney and her gun wavered slightly in her hand.

  “Do it,” Theo said again, this time louder. “Take the shot.”

  Suddenly, motion erupted. Theo elbowed Pratt in the chest and the senator loosened his grip enough in response for Theo to drop a few inches. That extra space was all Whitney needed to be confident of her shot. She fired once and the bullet hit Pratt in the middle of his forehead, causing him to stagger backward, lose his grip on Theo and drop his weapon. He was dead before his body hit the floor.

  Whitney ran over to Theo and they embraced tightly, the fear and adrenaline pouring out of both of them and into each other. “I was so scared I’d miss,” Whitney said breathlessly.

  “I knew you could do it,” Theo responded. “I trust you. You’re an excellent shot.”

  “Yeah, but I’ve never had someone I love so close to the target, either.”

  He squeezed her tightly in response. “Thank you for saving my life. You’re one remarkable woman.”

  “You’re pretty amazing yourself,” Whitney responded with a smile. She reached up on her toes and gave him a tentative kiss. He responded and kissed her back. It was a sweet kiss, filled with love and promise. When she finally pulled back, her eyes were filled with fire and happiness. “Now, Mr. Theo Roberts, how about we escape the Everglades and get back to the real world?”

  He nodded and drew his fingers gently down her cheek. “Absolutely.”

  EIGHTEEN

  Whitney turned away from the hotel desk clerk, finally checked out and ready to leave the Miami hotel where she had been staying the last six weeks while she had debriefed and worked with the local Marshals and various multi-county police agencies to shut down the drug cartel. The project had been huge, but once her team had arrived, they had all worked together to arrest as many of the drug dealers as possible and shut down the operation.

  There had been many long hours and days that never seemed to end. But, ultimately, their efforts had paid off and her team had made such significant progress that it was time for them to turn the investigation over to the locals to tie up any remaining loose ends so they could return to Tallahassee.

  She hadn’t heard from Theo, and his lack of contact was breaking her heart. After Pratt’s death, she and Theo had found the car keys to one of the SUVs and driven into the nearest town to report the events at the airboat rental building. At that point, Theo had been whisked away in one direction, while law-enforcement personnel had surrounded Whitney and taken statements and collected evidence, all with her input. They’d revisited the scene of the helicopter crash and recovered the bodies of those that had died that day.

  Whitney had also made it her mission to check on the Martinez family, who was doing well and were now back home and entrenched once again in their daily routines. She’d also checked on John and Mark, the two scientists that had helped them when they’d first entered the Everglades. Both men had left the area right before the storm hit, and were already back in Gainesville, pouring over the data they had collected and writing their reports.

  Michael Kilpatrick had also lived, despite his wounds, and had been a fountain of information about the drug operation. He hadn’t had to enter witness protection, after all, since the threat against his life had dissipated, but he’d made a very sweet deal for leniency that Whitney had wholeheartedly endorsed.

  Upon doing a bit of research, she had discovered that Kilpatrick had only started working as a courier for the cartel to earn enough money to pay for his mother’s cancer treatments. He had gotten in over his head. But, down deep, he was a good man that had just made some mistakes, and he’d cooperated fully with the authorities before his deal was even officially in place.

  She turned the key to the rental car over and over in her hand, knowing it was time to leave, but with her heart breaking. Theo had returned to his island a few days after Pratt had been killed. He’d been asked question after question until the authorities had finally exhausted him and then he’d disappeared into his life of obscurity. He hadn’t even said goodbye, but had disappeared one morning when she had been out at the Coast Guard station, interviewing the guardsmen.

  His absence had hurt more than she’d ever imagined it would. She hadn’t been looking for love when she’d come to the Everglades, but love had found her, and now, she didn’t want to leave it or Theo behind. He had saved her time and time again, and in more ways than one. Because of him and his encouragement, she now had hope. But what should she do? She had no way to contact Theo, and he apparently didn’t want to see her. She’d had several sleepless nights as she’d muddled through her options, but she had eventually come to a sad, inevitable conclusion.

  She had to let him go.

  Because despite all that they had been through together, Theo was a loner. He wanted to be by himself on that island, running his experiments and writing his reports. There obviously wasn’t a place in his heart for her, regardless of their feelings for each other. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but one she had finally come to accept.

  “Leaving so soon?”

  Hearing that voice again made her heart clench. A smile spread across her face and she turned, knowing who she would see before her eyes even settled on his face. Theo Roberts. Scientist. Doctor. The man who had won her heart and given her back her self-confidence and new hope for a future.

  “You came back...” It was a statement yet also a question.

  He took a step forward. “Yes. I tried to make it alone out there, because I wasn’t sure I could put the past behind me, but now I know I can, and I know why God brought you to my island. My life was so empty before I met you. You’ve brought sunshine and happiness back to me, and now that I’ve found them again, I want to share my life with you. I love you, Whitney Johnson. I can’t live there any longer knowing you’re alive and well
up in Tallahassee.”

  “Is that why you came back?”

  Theo nodded. “Yes. I love you. You complete me.”

  Whitney breathed out and touched her chest in a nervous gesture. “What does that mean?”

  * * *

  Theo took another step toward her. It hadn’t taken him long to realize he’d made a giant mistake by leaving Whitney in Miami. It had taken him some time to make the arrangements to close up the house and the lab, but he was now ready to make a commitment and move on to the next stage of his life. “It means I want to explore this relationship and really get to know you even better, if you’re willing.”

  “Oh, I’m willing.” Whitney smiled. “You’ve given me hope for a future, one that I never thought I could have. I can’t wait to see where this new path takes us, and I don’t think it matters, as long as we’re together.”

  He loved her smile. It made her whole face glow.

  Whitney reached for him and he embraced her tightly, convinced now more than ever that he was exactly where he needed to be.

  She suddenly pulled back and softly touched the spot where his head wound had healed. “But how will this work? I have to go back to my team in Tallahassee, and you work in the Keys.”

  He leaned back so he could see her face better and he drew his left hand down along her cheek. “Well, while you’ve been working on the case, I’ve been researching options. If it’s okay with you, I found a position at the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. It seems they were short a physician. I start next week.”

  Whitney squeezed his hand. “You’re going back to medicine?”

  He nodded. “Yes. You’ve made me realize how much I missed it, and how wrong it was of me to just turn my back on that part of my life.”

  “I think that’s wonderful, but what about all your work in the Keys?”

  “I finished as much as I could and wrote detailed analyses of my findings. It’s all ready for the next stage of the process, and John and Mark have suggested a few candidates to continue the work. I’ll be helping the university transfer the project, which they’ve agreed to do as soon as they select the proper person for the job.” He brushed some hair away from her face. “And I’ve been thinking a lot about your diagnosis. I have a friend I’d like to reach out to about your condition and get a second opinion.”

  Whitney nodded. “I’ve been thinking about that, too. I think that’s a good idea. I would like to set up that appointment. But even if the second doctor says I can have my own children, I want to explore adoption. I’ve started researching it and there are a lot of kids, both nationally and internationally, that need a good home.”

  Theo’s heart swelled. God hadn’t replaced what he’d lost—he would never forget his wife and daughter that had died that tragic day—but God had never left him, either. And He had given him a new love and a new chapter of his life when He had brought Whitney to his island. God was good. All the time. Theo would never forget that lesson ever again.

  He cupped her face in his hand and leaned toward her for a kiss, reveling in the softness of her lips against his own. He had found a fresh start with this remarkable woman and couldn’t wait to see where God would take them next.

  * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Treacherous Mountain Investigation by Stephanie M. Gammon.

  WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK FROM

  Courage. Danger. Faith.

  Find strength and determination in stories of faith and love in the face of danger.

  6 NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE EVERY MONTH!

  Treacherous Mountain Investigation

  by Stephanie M. Gammon

  ONE

  Alone on the summit of Manitou Springs Incline, Elizabeth Hart focused her camera phone down the slope on the town that had started her career. She clicked one perfect shot. When this project was complete, she’d sever the weight that had hung from her like a bag of rocks for five long years.

  Shudders quaked her. Manitou Springs, Colorado, was trouble. She had planned to never step foot in it again. Gravel crunched under her feet as she jumped onto the closest boulder and pulled out a worn piece of paper.

  With a shake of her head, her topknot fell to blanket her chilled shoulders. The sweat she’d worked up on the mile hike was plummeting her core temp and this cotton tank was no match for the cool July morning.

  She’d forgotten this climb had always fallen closer to intense than fun on the adventure spectrum—even when she hadn’t been so alone.

  Fisting the faded letter in her hand, she kneaded her knuckles deep into her pectoral. Visiting Manitou Springs on the tail end of her Colorado project should have been easy. Why couldn’t she let go? “I’m not alone anymore,” she whispered. “God will never leave me or forsake me.”

  If only her recent trust in God’s love would stop the shivers from winding down her spine. Just being in this town brought life and color back to moments best unremembered. That was exactly why she’d almost given a solid pass when American Travel magazine had sought her out to create content for a Rocky Mountain regional showcase.

  She shoved the wadded paper back into her pocket. If she aced this project, she’d have her foot firmly in the door for the magazine’s full-time travel editor position—and the chance for a steady paycheck. Lucas deserved that security.

  She rolled back her shoulders at the thought of her son. It was simple enough. For Lucas, she’d relive every Manitou memory.

  Shielding her eyes, she surveyed the valley. This view from Pikes Peak was worth every muscle-quivering, solitary tread. She’d post a social media shout-out to her hotel’s concierge for suggesting the early hike because these views would go a long way toward solidifying her chances with American Travel. Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs, and the Garden of the Gods glimmered like gold.

  She looked up at the sky. “And thank You, too.” She might still be new to her relationship with God, but she knew where to give her appreciation.

  A group of hikers ascended from the false summit a few hundred steps below. The trail was beginning to buzz with activity and she closed her eyes to savor her last drop of solitude.

  Her phone vibrated. She opened her eyes. A picture of her four-year-old son lit the home screen. She pushed away the memories, shrugged back into her mommy armor and swiped the Answer button.

  “Mommy!”

  Liz grinned at the precious pixelated face and held her phone at arm’s length so Lucas could see the mountain behind her. “Good morning, handsome. Guess what I just did.” She caught her forced smile in the corner thumbnail. She was an expert at the having-it-all-together act.

  That’s all it was. An act. Someday, Lucas would see right through it. But for now, he just rubbed chubby, dimpled fists over his eyes and grinned. “Adventuring?” his small voice asked.

  “You bet.” She stood and turned to show him the two-thousand-foot descent into the valley. She’d teach Lucas to seize every day—even if it scared her to death. “I climbed a mountain.”

  “Wow.” His tiny head bobbed in excitement.

  Nostalgia and disillusionment wrapped twin vises around her middle. He looked just like his father. The note burned like an iron in her pocket. When she was finished with this hike she’d leave it in a trash bin and finally put Riggen Price behind her. Forgetting that man was the best thing she could do for her son.

  The screen pixelated again, sliding Lucas’s lazy smile and dark hair with a white patch on his cowlick into a crazy kaleidoscope of color. Pieces of her heart seemed to slide around in the same disjointed disarray.

  She kissed the screen to the sound of garbled giggles and shoved all thoughts but those of her son away. “Mommy loves you, kiddo. I’ve got to get back to work. Tell Aunt Kat I’ll be home tonight.” Kat would be listening in the background. Liz pitched her voice higher. “Tell her I’ll pack everything u
p in time.”

  The picture cleared as Lucas fish-kissed the screen. Kat passed into view behind him and disapproval flitted across her sister’s face.

  What had she done to deserve that look now? Shouts below her dragged her attention from asking. Like human stairs, hikers stood on separate railroad ties and gestured her way. She kissed the screen and ended the call before waving back at her fellow hikers. No doubt Kat would regale her with a complete list of her failings soon enough.

  The hikers’ shouts didn’t stop. They rose up the slope with avalanche force. A man jabbed the air in front of him with his trekking pole. The others pointed. Their words flew away on mountain wind. She tilted her head, trying to pluck their muffled message from the air.

  Then scrapes sounded behind her and rocks cascaded around her feet. Before she could turn, callused palms scraped down her biceps. Hot fingers dug into her bare skin.

  Terror leached down her spine. She tried to heave her body forward but all she felt was the scrape of her thighs against jagged stone as she was wrenched back and over a boulder.

  She threw her head back as an arm wrapped around her skull. Her heart jolted to a stop. Another arm squeezed her waist with python strength and moist breath flooded her ear canal as she was pressed back into a hard embrace.

  She flailed her arms. Fear pulverized her gut. Help! She squeezed her phone, fumbling with the emergency sequence on her power button. But pain slashed through her wrist and her grip opened.