Two FBI thrillers: Before Nightfall and Mistake Creek

by Rachel Amphlett

  ‘I’m not surprised,’ he said. ‘You landed on me.’

  Nina glared at him.

  ‘Can you get her away from here?’ asked Ross.

  Nina opened her mouth to protest, but he ignored her and continued.

  ‘Quick. They’ll soon realise we’re not moving and will be over here to make sure they finish the job. You can’t have much ammunition left, right?’

  ‘Two rounds in this. One more clip.’

  ‘Ross, no – we can’t leave you!’ Nina spun on her knees to face Kyle, her hair plastered to her skin. ‘We have to take him with us!’

  He ignored her, ducked as another bolt of lightning tore across the sky, and kept his focus on the other man.

  ‘You know what you’re saying, right?’

  Ross nodded, his hands clutching his leg.

  Nina watched him set his jaw before he spoke again.

  ‘She can’t help both of us – your shoulder’s getting worse, and you’re the only one who knows how to get the back-up we need. If you try to carry me, I’ll slow you down – we’ll all get killed.’ He looked at Nina as he spoke. ‘Keep her safe for me.’

  Kyle reached into his pocket and drew out the last clip, discarded the spent one and slotted the replacement into the weapon. ‘Give us some cover to get to the barn if you can.’ He reached out and squeezed Ross’s shoulder, then handed him his gun. ‘Keep this other one for you, okay?’ he said, handing over the clip with two bullets. ‘I’ll do whatever it takes to get her out of here, I promise.’

  Ross nodded, his face pale.

  Kyle turned to Nina. ‘Okay, let’s go.’

  She shook her head. ‘I can’t – we can’t leave him here!’

  ‘Go with him, Nina,’ said Ross. ‘It’ll be okay.’

  Tears pricked at her eyes, then escaped and showered her cheeks. ‘It won’t be okay,’ she said. She angrily wiped the tears away with her sleeve.

  ‘We’re running out of time.’

  She looked up at the touch of Kyle’s hand on her shoulder.

  ‘We need to move now.’

  ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘That outbuilding, over there.’

  ‘We’ll never make it!’

  ‘Don’t look back,’ he said. ‘Just go.’

  ‘But Ross…’

  ‘We can’t help him. We need to move. Now.’

  16

  Nina’s arm was almost wrenched from its socket as Kyle hauled her over the rain-lashed forecourt, racing towards the large outbuilding that marked the boundary to the property.

  She sensed, rather than heard, the gunshots that reverberated around her as Ross tried to provide cover fire.

  She’d never been so terrified.

  Kyle slid to a stop by the outbuilding and threw his weight against the door.

  They stumbled, panting, into the dark space before he slammed the door shut, shoving the steel bolts across the wooden frame.

  Nina pushed her back to the hard surface of the shed wall and slicked her wet hair off her face. ‘I can’t do this.’

  Kyle turned from the doors and in two strides crossed the shed to her. ‘You haven’t got a choice,’ he said. ‘There’s no other way.’

  Her gaze flickered to the closed wooden doors. ‘He’s not shooting any more. He’s out of bullets, right?’

  She screamed as an explosion rocked the shed. Kyle forced her to the floor, sheltering her body with his.

  The sound reverberated around the enclosed space before dissipating.

  She raised her head to look over Kyle’s shoulder and shuddered at the gaping hole in the doors.

  ‘Now do you believe me?’

  She bit her lip, trying to work through the myriad of emotions running through her mind.

  ‘He’s dangerous – that’s Ross’s rifle, right?’ said Kyle.

  She nodded.

  ‘So we have to move. Now.’

  He pulled her up with him, dragging her to the back of the shed. ‘I’m presuming there’s a back door?’

  She pointed, not trusting her voice to remain steady enough to give directions.

  ‘Right, good – come on.’

  He grabbed her hand and began leading her through the myriad of discarded machinery and storage boxes.

  ‘Wait.’ She dug in her heels and forced him to stop.

  ‘What?’

  ‘If he’s got a rifle, and you’re injured, we’re not going to outrun it, are we?’

  ‘Have you got any better ideas?’ He folded his arms and glared at her.

  ‘Yes.’ She pointed behind him.

  The gleaming metalwork of the motorbike stood sentinel next to the door.

  Kyle grinned. ‘Good thinking. Can you ride?’

  ‘Yes. Can you?’

  His smile disappeared as his gaze fell to his bandaged shoulder. ‘Guess I’m pillion.’

  ‘Come on.’ She hurried over to the machine and ran her hand over the chrome handlebars, then swore under her breath.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘No keys.’

  ‘Here, let me.’

  She stood aside as Kyle bent down to the bike and pulled out a plastic casing containing three wires.

  ‘Can you find a piece of loose wire in here? Something I can hook around these?’

  Nina ran over to the workbench in the corner and sifted through discarded tools and debris until she found a short length of electrical wire.

  ‘Will this do?’

  Kyle took it from her and twirled it between his fingers. ‘Perfect.’ He lowered his head to the side of the bike and pulled the wires from the plastic casing, then poked one end of the electrical wire into place. He glanced up at Nina. ‘You realise when this starts up, we’ve got to move fast, right?’

  She nodded. ‘Yes. Where are we going?’

  ‘Head towards the creek. We’ll check John’s car, then try to head into town. I need to try to get to a mobile phone as soon as possible. I’ve got to get a message to my field office; otherwise our problems are going to be the least of their worries tonight.’

  ‘What if the creek’s flooded? What if we can’t get across?’

  ‘Let’s concentrate on getting to John’s car. There are some things I’m going to need if we’re going to survive being out here tonight.’

  ‘Shouldn’t we just try and get to the nearest police station? There’s one in the town – we could skirt around the creek until we find somewhere to cross.’

  ‘No time,’ said Kyle. ‘If they find us before I’ve made my phone call, we’re finished anyway. I can’t let that happen.’

  ‘But you promised Ross you’d keep me safe – so we should be riding to one of the farms near here, right?’

  He dropped the wires from his fingers and stood, a thunderous look etched across his face.

  ‘Lady, I’ve got more important things on my mind right now than keeping you safe.’ He stepped forward and pushed her towards the motorbike, thrusting one of the crash helmets into her hands. ‘Get ready.’

  She stumbled towards the bike, cursed, and then swung her leg over the saddle and quickly ran her gaze over the dials. She bit her lip. It had been over ten years since she’d ridden, but as she fastened the helmet strap under her chin then reached out and wrapped her fingers round the unfamiliar handlebars, she realised it was too late to back out.

  She didn’t have a choice.

  She raised her head at the sound of the back door to the barn being swung open, and then Kyle jogged back to the bike and bent down to the wires.

  ‘Ready?’

  She tapped her foot on the gear lever to make sure the bike was in neutral, flexed her fingers, and then nodded.

  ‘You’d better be,’ he growled. ‘On three.’

  17

  The motorbike engine burst to life with a roar that shook the wooden-slatted walls of the barn.

  Nina kept her feet planted firmly on the ground as Kyle launched into the pillion seat, his arms wrapping around her wai
st.

  ‘Go!’ he yelled in her ear.

  She flicked her toes against the gear lever, released the clutch, and feathered the back brake, sending the bike shooting forward across the dirt floor.

  She cried out in terror as the bike began to slide under her, and then felt the FBI agent shift his weight.

  ‘It’s okay – go!’ he urged. ‘It’s just the surface we’re on.’

  Nina gritted her teeth, flicked the bike into second gear, and held her breath as the machine shot between the open doors of the barn.

  As they exited the building, Kyle’s hand moved from her waist to her head and pushed down.

  ‘Keep your head down!’ he shouted. ‘Make yourself a smaller target for them!’

  Nina’s breath escaped her lips in short gasps, the familiar tightness beginning in her chest.

  ‘Not now,’ she murmured, and concentrated on keeping the bike steady as it bounced over the threshold and onto the rain-soaked soil.

  Kyle yelled out as the machine lifted off the ground, hitting a pothole, then crashed back to the ground, sending his body lurching into hers.

  Nina heard him swearing under his breath and realised he must have knocked his injured shoulder against her.

  The motorbike picked up speed, and Nina kicked the gears into third before leaning the machine into a tight right-hand turn, away from the barn and towards the main road.

  In her peripheral vision, she could see the bike’s owner running from the direction of the main building, the rifle raised, and gritted her teeth. If he fired now—

  ‘Swerve!’ yelled Kyle. ‘Don’t give him an easy target!’

  Nina pushed the handlebar on her right, sending the bike into a sharp turn, then left, and zig-zagged her way across the cracked concrete surface of the forecourt.

  With each bump, Kyle grunted under his breath, his good arm tightening around her waist.

  She heard the first gunshot and cried out in terror. She felt the bike shift under their combined weight and flexed her fingers before easing it into a final right turn, the machine reaching the asphalt of the main road a fraction before she heard the report of a second gunshot in their wake.

  Nina straightened the bike, then kicked it into fourth gear and opened the throttle.

  They picked up speed quickly, the rain stinging her face as they powered away from the truck stop. All the time, she concentrated on her breathing, her heart hammering as she thought of the man they’d left behind, and wondered how she’d ever forgive herself.

  ***

  Ross had turned his head at the sound of the motorbike’s engine roaring to life, his gaze following the two figures huddled together on it as the machine tore across the forecourt of the truck stop and away into the night.

  The wind had whipped Nina’s hair out from under the helmet, and despite the fear, his mouth had twitched as he imagined the conversation that must have ensued between her and the FBI agent, before the pain from the wound to his leg brought tears to his eyes.

  The motorcycle’s original owner had shouted from the entrance to the truck stop as the bike had raced past, his swearing carrying across to where Ross sat propped up against the wheel of his pick-up truck, out of sight, firing at Sean to try and distract him.

  The sound of the rifle being fired at the escaping couple scared him, but when he heard Sean curse again, he breathed out, relieved to know they’d managed to escape – for now, at least – and his thoughts returned to his own survival.

  He twisted until he could see through the truck’s cab, calculating whether he’d be able to avoid being seen, in the hope that he could drag himself away from the vehicle and hide while he waited for help to come.

  One glance at the holes that had been ripped into the door and dashboard by the rifle blasts told him enough about the success of that idea. He’d be dead the moment he emerged from behind the shelter of the vehicle.

  His eyes flickered as he tried to work out if he could crawl and hide somewhere else before Sean found him, but both the outbuildings and the accommodation block were too far.

  He discharged the clip from the gun as Kyle had shown him and replaced it with the last magazine, the one with only two bullets. His hands shook with the effort, liquid fire streaming from his leg wound as he tried to concentrate.

  Torrents of water ran down his face, and he shifted in the mud to try and keep the dirt from his leg, gasping from the pain that shot through his body.

  Between rolls of thunder, he heard footsteps approaching. He flicked the safety off the weapon and set his shoulders against the vehicle, aiming at the approaching figure from his right.

  ‘Stay where you are!’

  Dani’s blonde hair became illuminated by the next flash of lightning before the place was thrust into darkness once more.

  Her raucous laughter reached him, but her footsteps never wavered.

  ‘Ever shot someone before, Ross?’ she called. ‘I don’t think you have. I don’t think you will.’

  Ross bit back a curse, removed his other hand from his leg and clutched the gun in a two-handed grip. It still shook.

  He pulled the trigger anyway.

  And missed.

  He heard the thud of the bullet as it hit the wall of the building behind Dani, moments before her laughter reached him.

  ‘Want to try again?’ she teased. ‘Don’t forget to save one for yourself.’

  Ross fired, then cried out with frustration as the trigger pulled against an empty magazine. Another tremor seized his body, and he dropped the gun to the ground, clutching his leg in agony.

  He removed his hands from the wound, and as blood oozed from between the skin and bone, an idea formed in his mind.

  He wiped his hands on his t-shirt where it covered his stomach, the red stains quickly absorbed by the thin cotton fabric.

  He gritted his teeth and pressed the wound once more, then wiped his hands on his t-shirt and repeated the motion.

  Hot tears mixed with the cold rain running down his cheeks, before he wiped his sleeve across his face.

  A sudden movement at his side caught his attention, and he shifted his weight, wrapped his hands around his leg, and groaned.

  ‘Thought I’d find you here.’

  Sean moved from the rear of the truck, keeping a wide arc between himself and Ross. He kept the rifle trained on the younger man.

  ‘Where’s Hudson?’ Ross used his good leg to push himself up into a sitting position against the front wheel and glared at the other man. ‘You work with him, don’t you?’

  Sean shifted the rifle stock against his shoulder. ‘No, I work for him. Security, if you like. To stop people like you from ruining his plans.’ He jerked his head towards the truck stop. ‘Although we were just meant to be babysitting the woman to make sure she didn’t get in the way.’ He chuckled. ‘Gave Hudson a near heart attack a few days ago when they discovered this place wasn’t completely abandoned like we planned.’

  ‘Why?’ Ross pleaded. ‘Can’t you see what he’s doing is wrong? Do you know how many people are going to die?’

  The other man shrugged. ‘I don’t get paid to have an opinion.’ He gestured to the gun lying in the mud next to Ross. ‘Throw it over here.’

  ‘Have you got him?’

  Sean’s head twitched up at the sound of Dani’s voice carrying across the forecourt, her tone brittle and stressed.

  ‘Yes,’ he called back. ‘Get your things – we’ve got to catch up with the bike.’

  His gaze flickered back to Ross, the rain trickling down his face and flattening his hair.

  Ross swallowed, unable to wrench his eyes away from Sean, until fire ripped through his leg muscles again, and he cried out in pain.

  He clutched his stomach, before glaring at the other man. ‘You bastard. You shot me!’

  ‘Gut shot as well as the leg, eh? I got lucky.’

  Ross held his breath as Sean moved closer, his steps cautious, the weapon pointed at Ross’s face.

>   ‘Don’t shoot him!’

  Dani’s voice screeched across the forecourt a moment before Sean’s finger covered the trigger.

  Ross raised his head as the woman came running towards them, her feet kicking up puddles of water, his hopes raised by her anguished cry.

  She barrelled into Sean and, reaching out her hand, forced the rifle away.

  ‘We don’t have enough ammunition,’ she hissed. ‘Save it for the others.’ She bent down and picked up Ross’s gun, wiping it on her shirt. ‘You won’t need this, either,’ she said, turning it in her hand. ‘But maybe I’ll use it on your girlfriend, eh?’

  Sean laughed, then leaned forward, and with a flick of his wrist, spun the rifle around until he was holding the barrel. He stepped closer, and in one swift movement, raised it in the air and swept it down, stabbing Ross’s abdomen.

  Ross cried out in pain, crossed his arms across his stomach, and fell sideways, curling up into as small a target as he could manage with the wound to his leg.

  Sean crouched down, leaning on the rifle, his eyes glittering. ‘See, why waste bullets on a man with gut-shot?’ he said. ‘Why not leave the bastard to die slowly, and give him time to appreciate the fact that he should’ve kept his mouth shut, eh?’

  He stood, then, and lashed out with his boot, catching Ross in the leg.

  Ross screamed, fighting the urge to pass out.

  Sean laughed before he spun on his heel and hurried back towards the truck stop, Dani trotting behind him.

  Ross gulped in air, sucking the oxygen into his lungs to try and counteract the pain in his abdomen. He coughed once, then turned his head and vomited. He growled under his breath, cursing the motorcyclist with every word that came to mind, until his breathing was under control.

  He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and tried to think straight.

  Dani had mentioned they were running low on ammunition, so they hadn’t found the sports bag under Nina’s bed.

  And if they were running low on ammunition, it meant Kyle and Nina still had a chance.

  He eased into a sitting position and ran his hands over his leg. Blood seeped from the wound, but slowly, despite the agony from both the original gunshot and the assault by the motorcycle rider.