Nina stepped out of their way as Ross pushed the sign back out through the window, grabbed the nail gun, and secured the boards, the noise from outside diminishing as soon as he’d finished.
‘Okay,’ she said, sweeping her hair out of her face. ‘What about that power line?’
Ross hurried to the door and coaxed it open. His jaw clenched; then he slammed the door shut and locked it.
‘Looks like it’s blown at the mains or something,’ he said. ‘The sparks have stopped, but it could still be live.’
‘Okay, well, as soon as it’s light, we’ll have to find something to keep people away from it,’ said Nina. She looked at the growing piles of glass on the floor. ‘I’ll be back in a minute; I’ll go and find something to put that in.’
She hurried back towards the small laundry, her heart hammering.
She’d been frightened when she’d heard the glass shatter and the lights went out, but now that she had something to do and could keep herself busy for a few minutes, she was able to fight down the urge to panic.
She felt a familiar tightness in her chest and leaned against the washing machine, placing the flashlight on the surface next to her and concentrating on her breathing.
At the sound of footsteps in the passageway, she began to search through the cupboards until she found the dustpan.
The beam from a second flashlight hit the wall beside her.
‘Have you got any old newspapers?’ asked Ross, appearing in the doorway. ‘We should probably wrap those bigger pieces of glass.
‘Try looking in that cupboard there. I’ll go make a start with this.’
She wandered back towards the sound of Phil sweeping the broom through the fallen glass at the front of the truck stop.
Sean was speaking, his tone urgent.
‘We should’ve just kept going,’ he said. ‘We didn’t need to stop. We should’ve just kept looking, dealt with the problem, and gotten the hell out of here.’
Nina paused before walking into the shop area, the low murmur reaching her ears, and switched off her flashlight. She flattened herself against the wall and held her breath.
‘It’s too late now,’ said Dani. ‘We’ll stay here, see how things turn out. We can’t go back to Hudson’s place anyway.’
‘It makes things complicated.’
Nina jerked her head away from the doorframe at the sound of a chair scraping the floor, switched on the flashlight, cleared her throat, and walked through the door.
‘How are you both doing?’
Dani jumped at her entrance, a look of concern quickly replaced with a smile. ‘Getting over the shock of your front window imploding,’ she said, her tone light.
Nina’s gaze flickered to Sean who had his back to her, adjusting the candles placed around the counter to shed more light around the room. He seemed distracted, disturbed by her sudden appearance.
‘Me too.’ Nina moved across the room to where Phil had swept the glass into piles and began gathering it up in the dustpan.
Ross joined her, a pile of newspapers under his arm while he dragged the large waste bin from the kitchen. He crouched beside her and began wrapping the glass.
‘Having enough excitement yet?’
‘I could do with a little less now, I think.’
They worked until most of the glass had been removed; then Ross took the dustpan from her.
‘Me and Phil will finish here,’ he said. ‘Go and sit with our patient and grab some rest yourself.’
Nina rubbed her eyes. ‘If you’re sure?’
‘Go on – go. I’ll bring you a hot drink in a bit.’
***
Nina looked up from her book as the wounded man moaned and tried to roll over onto his side.
The movement tugged the covers down to his waist and tangled them around his legs as he thrashed out in his agitated state.
Nina folded the page down, dropped the book onto the chair, and moved next to him.
She gently rolled him back. ‘You need to stay still,’ she said. ‘You’ve been injured, and you’ve got a bad cut on that side as well.’
His eyes flickered open, then closed again, a low groan escaping his lips.
‘Where am I?’ he whispered.
‘Mistake Creek Truck Stop,’ she said. ‘We think you’ve been stabbed, but you’re safe now.’
His eyelids flickered again, and a frown puckered his brow before he twisted his head away. His chest began to rise and fall as he drifted back to sleep.
Nina rearranged the pillow under his head and pulled the blanket up, wondering again how he’d ended up on her doorstep.
Not a local. Ross’s words echoed in her head.
So, none of them knew who the mysterious stranger was, where he came from, or whether he would harm them.
Her fingers traced the curve of his shoulder as she checked the bandage wrapped around it. A little blood covered the centre, and she frowned. The last thing they needed was an infection to take hold before they could get medical help for him.
He began to snore softly, and Nina sighed, realising that she’d be none the wiser until he either regained consciousness or medical help reached them. And that wouldn’t happen until the creek level had subsided or the landslide had been cleared – whichever came sooner.
Somehow, she didn’t think he’d be able to afford the costs of a medi-vac if the emergency services deemed a helicopter extraction necessary.
Nina picked up her book and slumped back into the chair next to the bed, trying to concentrate on the words as she flicked the pages.
She jumped at a sound from the passageway, then relaxed as Ross appeared carrying a steaming mug of coffee.
‘Here,’ he murmured, handing the drink to her. ‘I thought you could do with this.’
’Thanks.’
‘How’s he doing?’ he asked. ‘I thought I heard voices?’
Nina shrugged and blew across the hot surface of the drink. Something in the tone of Ross’s voice made her hesitate before she answered.
‘It was nothing. He was mumbling. Incoherent.’
‘Huh.’ Ross looked over his shoulder at the figure on the bed. ‘Hopefully he won’t get an infection.’
‘That’s what I’m afraid of.’
She managed a smile as he reached down and rubbed her arm.
‘We’ve done everything we can for him, Nina. With any luck we’ll be able to get through on the phone in the morning and call for help.’
‘I know. I just feel responsible for him until then.’
‘You always were the one who insisted on caring for the injured wildlife we found as kids.’
Nina laughed. ‘Yeah, some things don’t change, do they?’
He grinned and pointed at the coffee cup in her hands. ‘Drink that. Give me a call if you want more or need a break, and I’ll take over.’
‘Thanks.’
She lowered her gaze back to her book as Ross turned and left the room, and she tried to concentrate on the words in front of her. Several minutes passed before she looked across to the stranger lying on the bed.
She wondered if anyone was looking for him, whether someone, somewhere, was worried that he hadn’t returned home.
Or whether he had a home.
She tossed the book aside after she caught herself reading the same paragraph for the third time.
A gust of wind shook the building, and she raised her eyes to the window panes, which still rattled as if the wind was trying to tear them from the framework.
Another thought struck her, and she stepped back to the narrow bed and gently picked up his left hand. No tell-tale marks of a wedding band were visible against his tanned skin.
She moved his hand, running her fingers over his skin. Rough, a few cuts – not deep – and not the hands of an office worker. An outdoors type then, but doing what?
Nina exhaled loudly, frustrated. She hated mysteries too. Everything in her life up until the storm was ordered, precise. Controlled.
>
Then the man’s fingers tightened round her own, and she gasped as he pulled her down towards him.
‘Don’t make a sound, Nina. Your life depends on me.’
7
‘What the hell?’
The man slowly let Nina’s fingers slip through his, watching her intently.
Her mind reeled. ‘What’s going on?’ She glanced over her shoulder, towards the open door. Ross was only seconds away. All she had to do was scream, and he’d be there.
‘Don’t scream,’ murmured the injured man. ‘I won’t hurt you, okay?’
She looked down to where he lay, her heart racing.
His gaze held hers. ‘Whatever you do, keep your voice down.’
She took a step back, startled. ‘What do you mean?’
‘You’re in danger, Nina. I have to get you away from here,’ he said, his face calm. ‘I’m telling the truth. Please believe me,’ he whispered. ‘You can’t trust anyone.’
His eyes were alert, any sign of fever gone – if he’d had a fever.
The confused man who had asked where he was only a short time ago had disappeared. In his place lay a man fully aware of his surroundings, his whispered voice belying a strength as yet unseen.
Nina sank into the chair next to the bed, her legs shaking. She placed her hands on her thighs and tried to ignore the thump of her heart.
‘I’m sorry I scared you,’ he said. ‘I didn’t mean to.’
Nina raised her hand. ‘Shut up a minute, okay?’
She closed her eyes and breathed, forcing the air into her lungs, fighting down the panic.
‘Are you okay?’
She opened her eyes and glared at him. ‘I’m asthmatic. Unless you want me to pass out before you’ve had a chance to explain yourself, shut up and let me breathe.’
‘Have you got an inhaler?’
Nina ignored him while she waited until her lungs filled with oxygen and the wheezing subsided. ‘It’s in the front room, on the counter.’
‘You should carry it on you.’
She glared at him, and he fell silent again, watching her. She exhaled, then stood, waiting for any dizziness to wash over her. When it didn’t, she stepped closer to the bed.
‘I’m sorry.’
She raised her hand. ‘You said. How do you know my name?’
‘Lucky guess. I’m guessing this was your father’s business?’ He didn’t wait for her response. ‘We’ve had the place under surveillance for a while now. I didn’t realise you were back.’
‘What’s going on?’ She crossed her arms. ‘Why am I in danger?’
‘Keep your voice down. There are some bad people here,’ he whispered. ‘I recognised a man’s voice.’ He raised his gaze to the open door. ‘Who’s here – apart from you?’
‘Why should I tell you?’
‘Please.’ His eyes bored into her. ‘I promise I won’t hurt you, but I need to know who else is here if I’m going to protect you.’
‘I don’t need protecting!’ Nina hissed.
‘Yes, you do. You just don’t realise it yet.’ He reached out for her hand. ‘Please, tell me.’
She sighed. ‘There’s a truck driver, Phil, who’s staying overnight because of the storm. Apparently he’s a local, but I’ve only met him today for the first time. A man and a woman turned up on a motorbike about half an hour before you showed up – we’ve persuaded them to stay rather than push on towards town too. The road floods about six miles from here. Then there’s Ross Flanagan– he’s local. His father owns a farm; he’s there now with Ross’s younger brother. Ross has been helping me here and couldn’t get away in time to beat the storm.’
He nodded and then frowned. ‘What do the couple with the motorbike look like?’
‘Dani’s shorter than me, long blonde hair, about forty I guess. Sean is older. Short silver hair. Tall, broad across the shoulders.’
His grip tightened, and she noticed his jaw clench. ‘How long have you known this Ross guy?’
‘Why?’
‘Humour me.’
‘We were at school together. I only came back three days ago. My father’s ill – I’m selling this place.’ She stopped and put her hand to her brow. ‘Why the hell am I telling you all of this?’
‘You need to understand – you can trust me.’
‘Who stabbed you?’
‘It’s better you don’t know.’
‘Did you fight back?’
‘I didn’t have time.’
‘Where were you?’
‘About four miles from here.’
‘And you walked?’
‘Nina, listen to me.’ He grasped her hand tighter. ‘You have to do what I tell you.’
‘What?’ She tried to pull away.
‘Listen to me,’ he urged. ‘We’re in a lot of trouble. I don’t know if –’
They both fell silent at the sound of footsteps.
The stranger squeezed Nina’s hand and then let go.
‘Cover for me,’ he said, and closed his eyes. ‘Please trust me.’
Nina twisted round as Ross appeared in the doorway, a perplexed look on his face.
‘Everything okay here? I thought I heard voices.’
Nina glanced at the stranger, his eyes closed, jaw slack, and then back to Ross.
‘Yes. He was mumbling in his sleep. I couldn’t make out a word he said.’
‘Poor bastard.’ Ross joined her and slipped an arm round her shoulders. ‘How are you holding up?’
‘Tired, I guess. A bit stressed out.’
‘Your breathing’s a bit rough. Where’s your inhaler?’
‘In my bag.’
He squeezed her closer. ‘Best go and get it. Last thing you need is to lose that.’
The sound of a polite cough interrupted them. Ross’s arm dropped from her shoulders.
Phil stood in the doorway. ‘Got a minute?’ he asked, and beckoned them away from the room.
They followed him into the passageway.
‘What’s up?’ said Ross.
‘Listen, I was just thinking,’ said Phil. ‘The rain’s eased a bit – why don’t I drive up the road and see how things look?’ He jutted his chin towards the room. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m worried about that wound of his. The sooner he gets a doctor to take a look at him, the better.’
Nina peered over her shoulder at the man on the bed, who snored quietly, his good arm flung across the pillow as he slept. She thought she saw his eyelids twitch. ‘It makes sense,’ she said. ‘But I don’t think you should be taking your truck. What happens if you get stuck? You won’t be able to turn it around.’
Ross nodded. ‘She’s right. But what about taking my pick-up truck? I’ll go with you.’
‘And leave her here with three strangers?’
Ross sighed. ‘Fair point.’ He looked at Nina. ‘What do you think?’
‘You could always take my dad’s old pick-up truck,’ she suggested to Phil. ‘It’s got a full tank of fuel, and the tyres are in good condition.’
Phil grinned. ‘Perfect. I’ll need a flashlight as well. Maybe some rope, just in case?’
‘There’s plenty of rope in the back of it,’ said Nina. ‘And there’s a spare flashlight on the counter in the front room – help yourself.’ She pulled the car keys from her pocket and tossed them to Phil. ‘Just make sure you bring it and yourself back in one piece, okay?’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
8
Once Phil had disappeared through the back door and run towards the truck, Nina shut the door and followed Ross back through the building to the shop area at the front.
Sean was standing next to the front door, peering out through the glass panel, while Dani paced back and forth behind him. They both wheeled round at the sound of footsteps.
‘What’s going on?’ said Dani. ‘Where’s he going?’
Candlelight flickered across her face, highlighting the frown lines that creased her brow.
Nina res
isted the urge to ask why the other woman was so concerned about Phil’s whereabouts, replaying the conversation with the wounded stranger in her mind. Instead, she turned to Ross, who held up his hand in an effort to calm the other woman.
‘It’s okay. Phil’s going to take a look at the creek level, to see if the bridge has flooded or not.’
‘We need to think about getting that man some medical help, if we can,’ said Nina.
The headlight beam from the truck shone through the gaps in the wooden boards as the vehicle drove across the forecourt. Its brake lights flickered once before they heard the roar of its engine over the rain beating on the roof.
Sean returned his gaze to the gap in the door. ‘How long do you think he’ll be?’
Ross shrugged. ‘Half an hour, maybe. Depends on how bad the road is.’
The other man grunted in reply.
Dani stalked across the room, flung herself onto one of the stools, and crossed her arms.
‘I guess we just wait then,’ she pouted.
***
Kyle Roberts concentrated on keeping his breathing steady, despite the temptation to open his eyes, grab Nina, and run that encroached on his training and common sense.
When the older man had made the suggestion to see if he could make it into town, he knew his time was limited. Now, he was still stuck here, waiting and hoping he’d get a chance to do the right thing.
He twisted his head, the soft cotton pillowcase feathering his cheek, the scent of Nina’s perfume permeating his senses, and forced himself to concentrate.
Two men were still in the building – the neighbour, Ross, and a stranger who had appeared on a motorbike with a pillion passenger.
He listened to Ross’s voice in the background. Could the farmer’s son be trusted, or was he the one who had blown their cover?
Someone had.
He cursed under his breath. He’d expected the truck stop to be abandoned, considering the boards that were nailed over the windows. He hadn’t factored the owner’s daughter being there, or her preparations for the incoming storm, into his plans. John hadn’t mentioned she’d returned after all this time.
Now he’d endangered her.
Two FBI thrillers: Before Nightfall and Mistake Creek Page 25