by Sheila Kell
“Ten seconds.”
Danny’s mind had a tough time wrapping itself around Wayne’s words. Ten seconds from the initial sound signaling a problem to setting them down on the ground? Impossible. Although he hadn’t kept count, it had to have been longer. Or had it? Maybe that was just how it’d felt since so much rushed through his brain at mind-warping speed. If he was right—and the FAA examiner was always right—it’d been the longest ten seconds of Danny’s life.
“You expertly handled the situation. And a nearly soft landing to boot. I never felt the need to take control.”
Danny didn’t know how the nearly soft landing happened—although that’d been his hope. The need to land before more trouble occurred had been his only requirement.
Thinking back, Danny’s heart fell at his failure in his emergency procedures. “The transponder,” he croaked. “I didn’t—” He hadn’t changed his transponder to the emergency code of 7700, so the tower would see them on radar and be prepared for an emergency landing. Even without being under tower control, their aircraft—a small blip on the screen—would flash to notify the controller. Although at their low altitude, it’d be iffy if the radar picked them up. Of course, he also didn’t reach out to them via radio on VHF Guard, or 121.5 MHz, to declare an emergency and receive priority control.
Shit! He wanted to shout. After the sweat and terror—yes, inside suppressed terror had churned—he’d fail the examination anyway for not doing either.
“You didn’t have time for either. If you had, we wouldn’t have landed safely.” Wayne paused. “Or, at all.”
“But—” He knew Wayne was right, but he’d not completed the proper procedures.
“Even I didn’t have time. My focus had to be on whether I had to jump in before it was too late. I couldn’t break away either or it might’ve been too late to react.” Wayne shrugged. “Besides, as low as we were, they probably wouldn’t have seen us on radar.”
Well, they were on the ground. No need for the FAA to send out a search party. He’d notified base operations, so that should count as a point in his favor on the exam.
They’d survived. He couldn’t think it enough. Like in the movies, he’d almost touched all over his body to ensure he remained in one piece. Sanity prevailed on that one since they hadn’t wrecked.
Standing and staring blankly at the helicopter, Danny answered Wayne’s questions about his actions and inactions during the flight. Why he took them? Why he didn’t?
Neither had grabbed their flight bags, but Wayne had recorded their pre- and post-flight conversations to transcribe later. He assured Danny it’d be easier for the interviews and paperwork that’d have to be completed. Danny hated paperwork. Hated it with a passion.
We survived! broke into all thoughts again, bringing his mind back to the moment. Even wearing his aviators, the glint of the sun off the windshield of the bird that he’d landed without power, made him thankful the weather had been in their favor.
While he’d glanced at the crop, it hadn’t registered, so he checked again to see what he’d have to replace. He nearly laughed. Being former DEA, he should’ve noticed immediately the type of plant. Then his body went on alert. Shit. “Wayne?” He slowly drew out the name and didn’t really regard it as a question.
“I see.”
Circling around, Danny ensured the field was clear around them with no visible structure or person in sight. “You call the sheriff. I’ve got another call to make.”
Not arguing that Wayne should’ve been giving the orders, they both turned to their phones. Wayne dialed 911 while Danny hit speed dial.
Stone—Alpha team’s new computer support—answered Danny’s call before the first ring ended. “I was just about to check on you. Your name popped up on an aircraft landing.”
Danny chuckled, despite the seriousness of his situation. A HIS program captured an agent’s name when it popped into any emergency, hospital, or police report. At first, Danny hated the thought of being tracked, but now he appreciated it. If he hadn’t been in a position to phone in, someone would’ve arrived to check on him. Family.
“I landed safely. My problem is we landed in the middle of a pot field and”—he squinted at spots afar, and his gut clenched— “I see a welcoming party coming our way.”
Chapter Two
“Number?” Stone quickly responded.
Danny squinted harder to make out the number of dots in the distance as his mind raced on how to keep himself and Wayne safe, if this party turned into a threat. “One”—a ding sounded in his ear— “maybe two.” Pulling the phone away, he glanced quickly at the screen and breathed a short sigh of relief that someone from the teams would respond to the emergency alert that Stone had just sent. Not knowing anyone’s ETA, he had to plan to survive and protect his examiner. Maybe, his mind hoped, they aren’t armed. He silently scoffed at that idea.
“Are you carrying?” Stone asked.
“Only my backup weapon in my ankle holster.”
“Standby.”
Danny wanted to reach out and choke Stone for that. He needed help now. Before the dot—which he expected was at least one ATV with the owner of this field aboard—reached them. And he believed the rider, or riders, would be armed. He focused on options of how he’d protect Wayne without cover. Except for something with a large gas tank on it.
“The sheriff’s ETA is twelve minutes. Boss and Sugar’s ETA is five, maybe four.”
While Boss—Ken Patrick, HIS Alpha team leader—and Sugar—Samantha Patrick, former team sniper—were perfect backup, five minutes—even four—might be too late. He held confidence in his abilities as an agent, but this situation might test him.
“Armed?” Danny asked, meaning his boss and former teammate.
Stone snorted. “What a stupid question.”
He’d realized that as soon as the words had left his mouth. Those two were always prepared. Especially after all they’d dealt with as agents.
Leaving the call open, Danny dropped his phone in his left pocket. The bird was the only possible shelter, but a stray shot to the gas tank concerned the hell out of him. Hoping the possible threat didn’t carry rocket launchers—aware of the damage one would do—they had to take the chance and use the helo as cover. At least on the step with the doors open as protection. Their calves would be exposed, but it’d have to be a risk he’d take.
“You don’t think that’s a nice welcoming party?” Wayne’s hopeful voice held a tinge of strength, which Danny should’ve expected since the man had been a Navy pilot.
“Doubtful.” Reaching down, Danny removed his weapon and checked the load. It shocked and pleased him when Wayne pulled a weapon from an ankle holster. He wanted to ask why his examiner carried a weapon on an examination, but he’d probably be asked the same question in return and wasn’t prepared to answer.
“The bird’s our only option,” Wayne calculated. “It’s not a good one.”
“Agreed. Landing in this open field seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“Hmph. No other choice existed.” Wayne snapped his clip back into his weapon and pulled back the rack to load the chamber. “That is, if you wanted us to survive.”
True, but he may’ve put them in a situation that reversed that outcome.
Engines revving drew closer and the two ATVs put distance between the vehicles, as if to surround them as only two threats could do. He and Wayne couldn’t play stupid like they had no clue where they’d landed, but Danny had to try something. They couldn’t run; they couldn’t hide for long, and he didn’t have a second clip.
“Use the bird for cover. I’m going to welcome our guests.” Danny’s firm voice made no difference to the former naval officer.
“I don’t think so,” Wayne argued.
“I need you taking pictures of who’s approaching and shoot the pics off to the sheriff
’s department before we engage.”
“I’d rather you went in the bird since I’m responsible for you.”
“But, we’re on the ground now. My agency is on the way and can handle what we can’t. Now, take the damn pictures.”
The reality must’ve penetrated Wayne’s mind. “You know they might kill you before I can get what we need.”
Danny didn’t have to be told that. Still, one of them had to do it and standing here wouldn’t provide enough time if a shootout or other unfortunate incident occurred. And, he’d be damned if he’d allow these men to get away with breaking the law and possibly murder. That shouldn’t be his first thought, but it bled into his bones as the threat approached.
Lethal determination wove up his spine as he could make out the figures of three men—two on one vehicle and one on the other. Time would tell how this interaction played out. He needed Boss and Sugar now.
“Go,” Danny ordered and tucked his weapon in his right flight suit pocket. Greeting the men with a weapon in his hand would surely bring trouble. More trouble than he wanted or needed.
“I still don’t like it, but I agree we need to do it.” Wayne shifted. “I’ll still be backing you up and will be back out here once I’ve sent the pics off.” His flight examiner hurried out of sight.
Narrowing his eyes, Danny made out the features of the men and their pissed expressions. His heart raced, and he took slow, calming breaths to keep control of his actions.
“I’m so glad you arrived.” Danny shouted over the noise of the four-wheelers with fake relief in his voice. He waved his left hand in a hello gesture, keeping his right hand on his pocket, so he could quickly retrieve his weapon if needed. “I’m sorry I landed in your field, but my helicopter died. I sure could use a ride back to civilization.” He hoped they hadn’t made out Wayne, so the two trespassers would have an advantage.
With no answer, Danny swallowed, itching to draw his weapon, and tried again. “We called base ops, and they’re on their way.” The men tensed when he’d told them someone knew where they were. “I’m sorry if I landed here. I’ll compensate for the crops I killed.”
The riders disembarked, throwing their legs across the seats. Still on alert, Danny couldn’t get a good look at the man on the back of one vehicle, but the hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention. When the man stepped in view with a shotgun held low at the man’s side, Danny nearly drew his weapon. Only patience and training held him back, hoping to resolve the situation without gunfire.
The man didn’t hold the weapon threateningly, so Danny remained still, somehow knowing Wayne had his back. Damn, he couldn’t see all the men straight up unless he took his focus off the weapon.
Silence remained between his greeting party, and the tension from the three men held strong. The man with the shotgun never took his eyes off Danny, but through his peripheral vision, the other men scanned the area as if they expected someone to jump out and interfere. As one began to move toward the helo, Danny knew as soon as they tagged Wayne, their welcome would change.
Within moments of the man moving out of his sight, the click of the door opening sounded loudly in the still air. The man began yelling in Spanish that we’d reported them to the authorities. How he knew that, Danny had no clue, but he didn’t have time to ponder it.
Adrenaline snapped into his veins as the man lifted the shotgun and, with what appeared to be menace, cocked the weapon, dropping the shell into the chamber. Without thought, Danny launched himself sideways. He ignored the painful impact of his left shoulder and the ground, pulled his weapon and fired as a shotgun blast boomed in the air.
Chapter Three
Immediately, the other man in front of Danny drew a weapon from the back of his waistband, racing to the ATV, firing behind him as he retreated. Danny fired and missed—an oddity for him—and quickly rolled on his back after hearing two shots. That turn was in case Wayne needed him or if the asshole attempted to shoot him in the back.
Seeing Wayne drop out of the seat, using the door as the only protection it provided, his examiner fired three quick rounds. Rolling back over and flattening himself on the ground, Danny ignored the unmistakable odor of the pot plants. Frustration wrenched him as he watched the third man race away on an ATV. With the drop in the man’s shoulder, one of them landed a shot.
“Did you get his pic off?” Danny’s question came out more breathy than usual in a combat situation. Of course, a close-range shotgun, with no cover, hadn’t occurred before today.
“Yeah.”
Danny jumped to his feet, keeping his weapon trained on the man who’d held the shotgun. Seeing the weapon had dropped from the man’s hand, Danny closed in, kicking the weapon out of the way.
“Mine’s alive but needs an ambulance,” Danny heard from behind him.
“Mine too.” Stepping back from the man’s possible reach, he scanned the area, watching the other man get away. He’d left his phone line open with HIS headquarters, but with it lodged in his left pocket, he had no idea if they’d heard anything—surely the shotgun blast—or if he’d broken it during his dive.
The corners of his lips lifted when he saw a truck racing through the field and cut off the retreating ATV. Backup had arrived. Then he heard a thump. Turning, expecting the other threat to be back in the ballgame, but seeing Wayne on his back mixed in with the crop sent a jolt to his system. Quickly reaching Wayne, Danny gulped at the redness of his examiner’s hand that clutched to the side of his lower abdomen.
With a steely resolve, Danny took the chance no other threat was imminent and replaced his weapon in his pocket. Down on his knees, he jerked the phone from his pocket. A quick visual assessment screamed the urgent need of medical attention. With his phone to his ear, lodged between his shoulder and cheek, he demanded, “I need Life Flight and two ambulances.”
“Copy. Life flight. Two buses. Standby” was the response he received.
Dropping the phone, so he could use both hands to staunch the blood flow, he urged Wayne, “Tell me.”
The pain blazing on Wayne’s face reinforced Danny’s request for Life Flight. “One bullet. I don’t feel the pain in my back, so maybe lodged.” His examiner groaned and took a few deep breaths that seemed to help calm him. As calm as the man could be with a bullet in his abdomen.
Seeing the blood flowing around his hands, Danny didn’t need to see the wound. He couldn’t do anything about it anyway, so he did the one thing that could help. He kept his hands over Wayne’s to staunch the flow of blood.
Wayne hissed. “Fuck, it hurts.”
“I expect it does.” Danny visually examined Wayne’s body for any other injuries. He’d first thought of the two shots between Wayne and the third man but remembered the man who got away wildly shooting behind him. The metallic tinge of blood floated from Wayne. “Are you injured anywhere else?”
Gritting his teeth, Wayne’s voice began to waver. “Isn’t this enough?” His eyes fluttered and his consciousness began to slip.
“Stay with me, Wayne.”
The blood flow from Wayne began to slow, but it hadn’t stopped, which worried the hell out of Danny. He’d been the one to land them here. He’d been the one who’d decided to greet the men with fake pleasantries instead of standing their ground from the beginning. Losing Wayne would weigh heavily on him. But, most importantly, Wayne’s family would suffer a great loss.
Shifting those thoughts aside, he jerked his head around at the roar of an engine. Relaxing a notch, he turned to see Wayne struggling to keep his eyes open as Danny’s gut wrenched at the pain Wayne suffered.
Hoping to give Wayne a smile, he asked, “So, did I pass?”
A quick grin appeared on his examiner’s face before it turned to a painful grimace. “You did good, kid.”
Good? He’d gotten his examiner shot. Who does that and passes their licensing exam?
Blessed relief slid through his system at the echo of the Life Flight. The approaching sirens actually shifted into an angry mood. He understood the sheriff’s department had a large area to cover, but their slow response helped not one iota.
“He’s out,” Sugar stated.
“This one too,” Boss responded.
Without a need to glance up, Danny knew they stood guard over the two threats. That released one focus of his mind. “Did you get the other guy?” Danny didn’t want someone trying to return with backup.
“He’s in the truck,” Boss answered. “How is he?”
Assuming he meant Wayne, Danny answered, “Not good.”
“Tell them we’re friendly,” Boss stated on his phone, over what Danny expected to be the HIS emergency line. The last thing his group needed was the deputies to pull their weapons on armed agents of HIS.
In no time, everything turned into a controlled chaos as the emergency teams from both Life Flight and the ambulances jumped into action and the deputies directed the scene. Reluctantly, Danny lifted his hands to a paramedic who—with another paramedic—quickly assessed Wayne and hurried him to the waiting helicopter.
After finding out where they would take Wayne, Danny nodded and turned back to what he knew would be twenty questions and a grueling interrogation from law enforcement.
He gave a quick statement on the scene, then was asked to go to the station and provide a more complete one.