“And the woman,” his man said looking over at Tessa.
Essid shrugged. “Whatever you please. Just be quick about it if you want to get out of here alive.” He nodded and closed the door behind Essid.
With outstretched hand, the Libyan moved to Tessa’s side and handed her the loaded weapon.
~ ~ ~
The evening at Lake Tahoe once again remained cool and crisp. Tourists meandered slowly from shop to shop, café to café. Music began to drift over the lake as a black SUV passed through the traffic of Incline Village. Darkness fell quickly up here and the Scott family couldn’t make out the lodge they’d been ushered to at Squaw Valley once again.
Robert looked at the bulky driver before turning his head to look in the backseat at his three kids fighting sleep in the hopes of just one more swim in the pool before bedtime. He’d been awakened the night before by pounding on the door. FBI agents, in full military style outfits, startled him by their aggressive behavior. They quickly told him a female forest ranger had tipped them off as to their location.
“You mean Honey,” he said bewildered. “I don’t understand.”
“Honey works for us, Mr. Scott. She’s been tracking a mob boss out of Vegas who killed three people last week in the desert. An eye witness came forth but by then he’d skipped. This cabin you’re renting actually belongs to his ex-wife, who by the way disappeared last year. We think he’s nearby. Honey spotted him in town after she left you. Get your kids. We’re taking you some place safe while we finish this. Sorry for the inconvenience. We’ll do right by you.”
Robert had tried to reach Tessa but only got an answering machine. When he and the children were settled in the luxurious resort accommodations, he noticed a message from her. Her voice seemed a little too calm. Tessa’s confidence gave him assurance she wouldn’t try and look for them in the middle of the night. “Sounds exciting, babe. Talk to you soon. Kiss the kids for me. I’m having a good time too.” He had no way of knowing it wasn’t really Tessa’s voice only a reproduction of what Tessa sounded like.
He’d frowned at the message. Had she lost her mind? Why wasn’t she demanding they come home? Was that even her voice? Maybe he didn’t sound concerned enough when he’d left the message. But then again, he really had tried to make light of the situation. Secretly he had wanted her to inform him in so many words she was either coming up to take over or he should get his butt home where her babies would be safe. It never happened so he continued the vacation without her at Squaw Valley.
Squaw Valley had been the site of the 1960 Olympics. There were fun places to have your picture taken if you wanted to pretend you were receiving a gold medal. The scenery took your breath away anywhere you looked. He and the children had taken the tram up the mountain, went ice skating, swam, and explored every shop and café before their FBI driver had offered to take them into town for a little shopping. Sean Patrick couldn’t get enough of the big guy and asked him a million questions. All were answered with patience and respect as they ate dinner by the lake that night. Robert had a few questions of his own but the driver always seemed to evade a direct answer.
Government bullies, he thought silently. No telling who really owned that cabin. The thought occurred to him that maybe the president needed it to go over some peace accord in the Middle East. That would make this guy Secret Service, not FBI. He didn’t really care at this point. Tessa would be proud of his sudden spark of imagination. The kids thought he was a superhero and the government would pick up the tab for everything. Tessa wouldn’t need to know the money saved on this little trip would now enable him to buy that golf club he’d been wanting but couldn’t afford. No cooking, picking up after the kids or spending money; this was turning out to be a relaxing vacation after all. He just needed to make sure he looked a little ruffled with exhaustion so Tessa would fuss over him upon returning home.
A slight pain of guilt once again surfaced as he thought of the way he had been treating her of late. He left everything for her to do: kids, yard, pay bills, make sure repairs were done, cook, clean, and of course the nonstop laundry saga. Some days he worked twelve and thirteen hours at the law firm. He just didn’t feel like doing much when he got home.
Tessa worked so hard at making their lives perfect. He’d forgotten how wonderful and beautiful she could be. The children adored her, the church depended on her and former parents of students often dropped by the house to just say hello. She always had time for a down and out friend or make a batch of cookies for that cranky old fart next door who complained about everything. He’d never understood why Tessa put up with him.
Robert smiled back at the children. Sighing, he admitted to himself that he knew why Tessa did all those things. She did them because she loved them. That woman was his angel. This important lesson she’d thrown at him was a gift. When he saw Tessa in a few days nothing was going to stop him from showing her how proud he was of her.
Removing the small box from his pocket, Robert lifted the lid. The necklace he’d purchased was a sterling silver cross with a cubic zirconia diamond in the center. He and the kids had picked it out at the jewelry store next to the restaurant at Squaw Valley. Heather made the final decision deeming it “pretty enough for Mommy”. The boys caved, having picked out a turquoise bear to celebrate their brave encounter. When Robert suggested they might not want to bring that up around their mother, they gave way to Heather’s choice. Tessa would love it. She would insist on wearing it immediately, promising the kids to never take it off and lovingly kiss him for being so thoughtful and sensitive.
His heart missed her. That forest ranger certainly made an impact on him. She’d flirted, laughed and wasn’t so subtle about her availability. Had it all been a trick to distract them from her real purpose? His thoughts began comparing Honey and Tessa. Some kind of mental checklist appeared, as only a lawyer likes to do, comparing and arguing the merits of both women. In the end, Tessa’s attributes surpassed Honey’s with a considerable lead.
Closing his eyes, he could almost feel her soft, unblemished skin between his fingers. How had he been so lucky to marry such a woman? He unbuckled his seatbelt as the SUV came to a stop outside their fancy resort cabin. As the beefy driver helped the boys out of the backseat, Robert gathered Heather up in his arms, noticing her curly hair felt just like Tessa’s. He walked up the steps as the driver opened the door and flipped on the lights. He hoped his wife had not worked too hard while they were gone. A smile played around the corners of his lips. Probably took long baths and naps every day, he mused. That would be okay too. She deserved it.
“Carter?” Vernon said as he watched Zoric and Sam check their weapons. “They just beat the hell out of the captain and Honey is incapacitated.” Vernon had located which room Essid had taken Tessa and the captain by using his heat sensors. Finding the computer access to the room had been child’s play for him. They could actually watch the movement of each person in the room.
Carter frowned at seeing his friend beaten, bound and gagged. “We can’t worry about them now. We’ve got to get those people off the fifth floor before Essid melts this place down.”
“What about them?” Joe said pointing to the computer.
Zoric pushed passed him toward the door. “They’re on their own for now.”
“Essid and Mansur are taking the elevator to the lobby.” Vernon informed them as he grabbed his rifle. “The stairwell is clear.”
Sending Joe to the sixth-floor stairwell door had been a last second decision. Setting a five-minute lock time on the door would prevent the last two Libyans from surprising them. Chances were they’d panic and use the elevator. By the time they had the hostages to the door, locks would be released. Elevators were to power down at the same time. Escape would have to be through the roof.
“Let’s move, people!” Carter ordered. “If Mansur can’t handle his brother, we’re all going to be front row center to a Libyan bar-b-que.”
Chapter 31
T
he heat forced sweat mixed with blood, into Tessa’s eyes as she tried to wipe her head and nose on her shoulder. Her hand shook nervously as she lifted the gun to aim at Honey. She wasn’t sure if it was aimed at her chest or her head; it didn’t really matter. Tears threatened to blind her already foggy vision as she pictured her children trusting this woman who pretended to care for them.
The handsome face of Robert, smiling, teasing her about playing all day with the children instead of paying the bills, tugged warmly at her heart strings. All the picnics, Christmases, and vacations at the lake would be held only in pictures if this terrible information were true. How could she exist without them? Why would God let this happen? But then again why did any tragedy in the world occur?
Men like Essid created chaos and disaster for their own glory. It had nothing to do with Islam or being American. It had to do with being evil. They destroyed anything that threatened their narrow world view and kept decent people terrified to stand up and resist. Tessa had to admit her resistance evaporated when Honey blurted out she’d killed her perfect family. Revenge blinded her now. She’d become just like them.
Reason pushed into the back of her mind as her eyes cut to Chase shaking his head vehemently and trying to speak through the gag.
“I trusted you!” she screamed at him one last time before turning away from him before walking behind Honey. She kneeled down and shoved the gun in the back of her neck with one hand.
Honey stiffened, feeling the weapon push against her brain stem. Unlike Chase, she did not try to talk. It was as if she’d accepted her fate and waited patiently for Tessa to pull the trigger. Tessa noticed how the woman watched the amused Libyans even now. as she felt Tessa’s free hand jerk her head back by the hair.
“What you did…” Tessa choked, leaning in close to Honey’s ear. “Why would you do such a thing?” Honey stiffened when Tessa’s hand slide down her back and to her plastic cuffs. “I wish I could kill you for every life you took from me,” Tessa growled. “I hope you burn in hell, Honey Lynch.”
Tessa stood up next to the woman she’d trusted with her children, her gun held loosely in her hand.
“Are you,” Tessa swallowed knowing what was going to happen next. Would she be sorry later? This too didn’t matter. “Are you ready?” she asked again. Honey looked up at her with resolve in her eyes, hearing Chase trying desperately to free himself to save the assassin. Honey nodded slowly and turned her eyes back to the Libyans.
Tessa took a half step back as Honey swung her arms around with lightning speed. She aimed the knife Tessa had taken from her jeans, hurling it into the chest of the closest Libyan. Before Tessa realized it, Honey had sprung to her feet and slapped the gun from her hand and turned it on the second man, firing before he could even lift his weapon. Stunned by her speed, Tessa turned to Chase, pulling the gag from his mouth. He stared at her with his good eye in disbelief.
“Here,” Honey removed the knife from the chest of the Libyan, wiping the blood carelessly on the leg of her faded jeans before tossing it to Tessa. She stole a look out the door. “Cut him loose. Hurry. We don’t have much time.”
Tessa cut the cuffs and helped Chase stand. He appeared to shake off the pain as Honey tossed him a rifle. “Here come the hostages, Chase. We better hurry them along.”
When Honey slipped out into the hall the first bald computer hostage saw her and quickly turned to run. Zoric and Sam cut him off and shoved him around. “She’s with us. Now get movin’,” Zoric snipped. “Now!”
When the last of the hostages came through the door, Carter appeared and ran to Chase with concern. “You look like hell, buddy. Who’s your friend?” he said looking at Honey Lynch.
Chase smirked. “Seriously, Carter? You’re looking to score at a time like this?”
“Haste makes waste,” he said as they followed the last hostage up the ladder to the roof. “Are you two…” implying a romantic connection.
“No!” Chase said as he reached the roof. His hand still clung to Tessa’s as he hobbled after the team. He watched Director Clark wave them across the narrow catwalk in what little light remained and then over to the helicopter.
The helicopter once full, lifted off to take their precious cargo to a safe place before returning for the rest of the team. They were gambling that Essid had not planned to bomb his only escape route. The team left behind felt confident in waiting until the helicopter returned for them. In the meantime, they would try and locate Essid and Mansur, taking the appropriate measures when needed.
“Let’s go.” Chase said starting out over the catwalk as he tugged on Tessa’s hand only to find her resisting with her heels dug in. “What’s wrong? Come on this place is going to blow!”
“I’m” Tessa looked over the edge of the six-story building. “I’m afraid of heights. I can’t.”
Chase jerked her arm violently. “Get over there now or so help me I’ll give you something to really be afraid of, Tessa Scott.”
~ ~ ~
He felt her backing away as her eyes returned to the space separating the two buildings. The solar lights began glowing as twilight turned to dark. It was hard to understand how a catwalk made of metal could present such terror. Granted there was only a half inch tube railing with protection slacks every three feet, but unless there was an earthquake the chances of a person falling was almost nonexistent. The thought of a bomb going off underneath them presented a bigger nightmare in his mind than walking across a noisy bridge you could see through to the ground level.
But then again danger, risks and impossible situations followed him wherever he went. He tended to measure the danger by how many lives were lost or how many of his bones got broke. So far this hadn’t been so bad. The last few days must be spinning out of control for someone like Tessa Scott. He looked around to see the helicopter returning for them. The other team members motioned for him to hurry who were safely on the roof of the other building. Chase grabbed her around the waist, squeezing her so hard he winched with pain.
“I got you, Tess.” He brought his face so close their noses touched. She reached up and laid her hand on his wounded cheek. The fate of her family still clouded her judgment, yet she was compelled to put her life in the captain’s hands once more. Their eyes locked in some unknown resolve as she nodded acceptance of yet another trial.
The sound of metal rattled beneath their feet as they awkwardly stumbled across the grated catwalk. It wasn’t wide enough for two to walk side by side so Chase walked sideways pulling her gently along, one step at a time. “Almost there, Tess! Don’t look down!” he yelled as she seemed to freeze, eyes turning downward in horror.
He once again felt her try to step back just as something pinged off the railing, stinging his thigh. Looking down he saw Essid aiming a rifle at him. The Enigma teammates raised their weapons and started firing unsuccessfully at the target. Essid had stepped back into the shadow of the BB building so he couldn’t be seen, except by Tessa and Chase.
“Faster!” he yelled at Tessa as he pulled her behind him to use his body as a shield. Another shot bounced off the grate between their feet causing Tessa to hop suddenly and lose her footing. A scream split the air.
Chase felt Tessa slipping away from him as her body slid between the widely spaced slats. He caught her by her collar with one hand, feeling the fabric start to rip away, as the other went instinctively under her arm. He jerked her upward with what strength he had left. Chase’s weapon clattered to the ground below all the while, struggling to hold on to Tessa. Stealing a glance downward, Chase could barely make out the bulk figure of Mansur running to Essid’s side. He knocked the gun from his brother’s hand just as he pulled the trigger. Shots sprayed precariously close.
Zoric made quick haste, jumping down to assist Chase with Tessa who still dangled from the catwalk. Awkwardly, Zoric kneeled down and reached out to grab Tessa under the other arm. Carter rushed in behind the two men hoping to get a shot at Essid. Once Tessa regained her footing
on the bridge, Zoric put his arm around her to force her forward movement. The space, now crowded with four people gave Tessa a feeling of safety. She extended her hand back towards Chase, afraid they were leaving him to fend for himself.
“I’m coming! Go!” he yelled as Carter now used his body to protect Chase as he hobbled behind him.
~ ~ ~
Before Chase and Carter could reach the other side Essid reached the gun his brother had knocked from him. He first lifted it at the catwalk, but seemed to think better of it and turned it on his brother Mansur. His brother stumbled backwards, falling carelessly to the ground. Frightened, Mansur began to crab crawl back away from Essid in fear as his brother sprayed insults and damnation at him.
Mansur’s eyes bulged as a clap, echoing across the air, stopped Essid. Feeling something penetrate his upper back then exit his lower abdomen, he looked down to see a red spot forming with dangerous speed. He slowly turned and looked up at Carter, who’d taken the shot. Carter’s weapon, still poised and ready, did not waver with the possibility of needing to take another skilled shot. Essid could now see Chase standing next to his team mate. He imagined the captain smirking in victory.
Everyone had abandoned him: Mansur, Honey, his men, and his cause. Why had Allah let this happen? He had to admit in that split second that he had never really believed in his faith. It had been a cause of convenience for his hate. He continued to look up as his hand reached in his pants pocket for his phone. At lease he could make the call by pushing just one button, any button, on his programed cell. He felt the button press under his index finger and smiled.
Nothing rumbled. No sound of shattering glass. No cracks and groans of concrete as it began to fall in on itself. He pushed the button again. And again. Blood began to ooze from his mouth as he crumbled to the ground. Mansur crawled to his side and gathered him in his arms.
The Enigma Series Boxed Set Page 35