by Vella Day
Once she picked up the cruiser, she began having doubts about going to the perfume factory alone at night—a factory that could possibly be hiding Blackthorn Base underneath it.
Don’t be a wuss. She was an officer of the law, duty bound to find out who’d killed Randall Tyler. It wasn’t as if she planned to sneak around; she’d be in her cruiser.
Since she and her dad had planned dinner together, she’d eat with him and then head over. As much as she wanted to ask him if he knew anything about any military base nearby, she feared he’d do something to stop her.
She called and asked if he wanted to come over to her place assuming he didn’t have something planned.
“How about we eat out? There’s a new place that opened I’ve wanted to try out.”
“Sounds great.”
It was a new steakhouse. A good meal would help settle her stomach. A half hour later, they met and had a really nice meal. “I broke up with Chris,” she announced, wanting to keep the conversation off her job.
“I’m glad. I never did like the guy.”
Now he tells her? “A long distance relationship was never going to work. So what have you been up to?”
For the next hour, he told her about what was going on with the City Council. She always learned something. And knowledge was power.
Just as they finished, his cell rang. Apparently, he was needed for some emergency. She didn’t like that he put his job above family, but if she didn’t have something to do, she might have complained.
Once they hugged goodbye, she headed toward Page. Gray clouds scudded overhead, covering the moon for most of her drive. The winds, with nothing to block their path, made her cruiser shake as she fought to stay in the lane.
Spotting the factory up ahead, she drove past the entrance and parked a short distance away. The cop in her said to call Kane, but her emotional side said she wasn’t ready for his ridicule. Kane also wouldn’t leave the Senator just to do a stake out for hours on end with probably nothing to show for it.
It wasn’t as if she’d need his protection anyway. Sky had already decided that this was a reconnaissance mission only. A rookie might have charged into the parking lot and looked around but not her. She was fairly certain there were cameras trained on the lot. She merely planned to take notes on who came and who went. A dirt road turnoff on the far side of a hill provided the perfect location. The headlights from any vehicle coming from the factory wouldn’t spot her. If they did see her and asked what she was doing there, she’d claim she was on official business. What that business was, she didn’t know.
Her stealth position, however, was unwarranted. By eight, only three delivery trucks had driven by, and none of them had even slowed as they passed by the factory. If something secret were going on, it might happen later. It didn’t matter. Sky was determined to stay here for as long as was needed.
When her cell rang, she nearly jumped, adrenaline jacking her heart. She checked the screen. It was the gossip queen herself. “Hi, Harriet.”
“I am glad I caught you. After you left, Kane stopped by to say that some lab called with the results you wanted.”
Sky sensed Harriet only called because she was dying to know which lab results. Sky could lie and say they were Randall Tyler’s tox screens, but dishonesty wasn’t her thing. Her pulse raced and she sat up straighter. “Did he say what was in it?”
“I tried to pry the information out of him, but his lips were sealed tighter than a frog’s ass.”
“Har-ri-et.” The woman didn’t have a censored bone in her body.
“Sorry, but it’s true. He told me he’d tell you and only you. Listen, I’m on my way out and just wanted to let you know.”
“Thanks.”
Sky pocketed the phone and leaned her head back to take a quick break when the rumble of large cars sounded up ahead. She sat up and lifted the binoculars to her eyes. Holy shit. Three camouflaged Hummers were pulling into the factory lot.
She waited a few minutes for something to happen but nothing did, though she wasn’t sure what she expected—that they’d storm the perfume factory with their guns blazing?
She had to assume these men worked in the underground Base. They would probably sneak in through the greenhouses, take an elevator down a few levels, and replace the other guards on duty. If so, those guards might be exiting soon.
Her stomach tumbled at the thought there might actually be captives below ground. In cages. Drugged. Needing help.
She rolled down the window, hoping to hear either voices or perhaps a door opening and closing. In the cold, dry Arizona air, sound traveled far. She waited for anything to indicate the occupants had left their vehicles or a new shift had started. After another fifteen minutes of sitting in the dark, she figured it was time to get a closer look at the mystery vehicles and check out the greenhouses that might be used for more than just growing plants to make perfume.
She drove to the factory. Except for a few emergency lights in the entranceway, the place was shrouded in darkness. She hadn’t noticed it when she and Kane had visited, but there were no street lamps illuminating the parking lot, nor did the sign stay lit to advertise its existence to passersby.
She headed up the driveway, but before she could put the car in park, three sets of bright lights flipped on and blinded her. Stunned, she sat there and blinked.
A man, dressed in a camouflage uniform, exited one of the trucks, the light from inside the cab illuminating the rifle slung over his shoulder. Oh, shit. He walked toward her, shoulders erect.
I got this. Sky eased out of her cruiser and stood tall.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
Think. “I received a call about a disturbance.” Sky looked around.
“Everything’s quiet here, officer.”
She smiled, hoping he couldn’t tell her lips were trembling. “I can see that. It must have been a false alarm. Probably some kids thinking it was a fun prank. Good night.”
Sky spun on her heels, pulled open her door, and eased in. As if this had been a routine check, she turned the cruiser around and left, keeping an eye on the rear view mirror. Thankfully, they seemed to have bought her story and didn’t follow her, but as soon as she turned left out of the lot, she floored it, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.
After two miles, she relaxed and slowed. Her mind spun, trying to figure out who those people were. A curve up ahead forced her to slow, and as she rounded the bend, the road narrowed, pinched by two cliffs of red rock. Suddenly, her car lurched, and her foot instinctively hit the brakes, her neck snapping forward. Sky managed to brace herself from hitting the wheel, but barely. What the hell was that?
Pulse jackhammering, she checked the side view mirror then the rear view mirror, but no one was behind her. She must have hit something. Once she caught her breath, she slowed, ready to pull over to check it out.
Without warning, a loud bang was followed by a clang. Someone had slammed into her. Shit. Then that someone, or something, hit her again, forcing her hands to slip off the wheel. She pressed on the brakes, trying to stop, but the pressure from behind pushed the car off the road straight into the rocks.
As she crashed, the airbag exploded, smashing the material into her face. Her nose pressed in, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. Her body continued its forward momentum, and stopped only when the seatbelt pinned her. A huge pain stabbed her chest and shoulders. Finally, the car halted, and her head slammed back against the seat.
Nothing registered at first. Then like an unexpected tsunami coming ashore, a huge ache rushed in. Sky didn’t move a muscle, fearing something terrible had happened to her. Blood rushed to her head and hammered against her temple.
Her vision blurred and she blinked. What looked like a larger than life wolf darted back across the road. For a split second, she wondered if that had been a shifter like the article claimed existed.
No, it couldn’t be.
Then feeling returned to
her feet and hands, along with the belief the damage was not as severe as she’d first thought. Anger devoured her. Someone had run her off the road and it wasn’t her having swerved to miss some animal. The rearview mirror was askew but the side view mirror showed no one was behind her. How the hell had they disappeared? It had to have been one of those Hummers with the black tinted windows with its lights off. Fuckers. If the airbag hadn’t exploded when it did, she would have seen them speed on by.
Sky grabbed the door handle and pushed hard to get out, but that only caused her shoulder to scream in pain. Damn it. Nothing better be broken.
On second thought, she wouldn’t be able to drive out of there, so she might as well stay warm inside the car. The first thing she needed was help. She wanted to call Kane, but her dad would be royally pissed if he weren’t able to play big man on the scene, directing the tow truck and the paramedics. On the other hand, he might be upset if she interrupted him during his emergency meeting. But hell. She was injured and needed help.
Fortunately, her cell phone hadn’t dislodged from her top pocket. When she dialed her father’s number, his voicemail picked up after the first ring. Ugh.
“Dad, it’s Sky. Someone ran me off the road, but don’t worry, I’m fine.” Blood dripped down her nose, and she wiped the mess away with the back of her hand. “I’ll call after I get towed out of here. Bye.”
She leaned her head back against the seat, and her neck muscles tightened. “Ouch.” Rubbing her neck didn’t even help. Perhaps her prognosis wasn’t as good as she thought. Steam hissed from the radiator, and she couldn’t imagine the cost of this repair.
She didn’t want to call her boss and tell him the just-fixed cruiser was once again headed for the shop, but she was duty-bound to report the accident, so she called the office. Harvey answered on the third ring. Using energy to keep her voice from shaking, she briefly told him what had happened. It didn’t surprise her that he asked only about the cruiser, and not if she had been injured.
“I’ll call Morton’s and then let the Chief know you messed up his car again,” he said. “He won’t be happy.”
“I know.” She didn’t need him to tell her that.
“I’ll send Elmer to write up the report and take your statement.”
She was pleased Elmer was well enough to return to work, though by the time he made his way out there, she might bleed to death. “Thanks.”
Once she disconnected, she dialed Kane’s number, wanting his expertise and comfort. A wave of lightheadedness swamped her, and she inhaled deeply to make sure she sounded strong. She had the sense Kane would freak if he thought she was injured.
Chapter Thirteen
Kane was debating which tactic to take with the Senator in regards to the probe when his cell rang. Sky’s caller ID blinked on, and his pulse notched up. Maybe she’d changed her mind about helping. “Hey, there.”
“Kane.” Her voice came out weak, forcing him to increase the volume on his phone.
“Sky? What happened?” He jumped up from the sofa and headed outside for better reception.
“I need your help. I was in an accident.”
“Are you hurt?” From the way her voice trailed off on the last word, it appeared she had been. The silence that followed sliced through his gut. “Sky?”
“Maybe a little. Everything’s stiff, but there’s only a little bit of blood.”
“Jesus Christ. Where are you?”
“I’m on 89, about two miles north of the perfume factory.” She sucked in a breath, clearly in pain.
“Do you need an ambulance?”
“No.” She nearly shouted that answer, which implied she was better than he’d first thought.
“Hold on. I’ll be right there.” He swiped the off button and raced back inside the RV to the Senator. “Sky’s been in an accident. Lock the door and don’t let anyone in but me.” He grabbed his keys and sped out to his Jeep without waiting for a response or providing any more information.
The next thirty minutes was the longest half hour he’d ever experienced, having no idea if she was bleeding internally or if she had a concussion. Sky seemed the type to understate her condition. Dear God, what had she gotten herself into? Fortunately, he encountered few cars on the road. God Bless the small towns of Arizona. The glow from her headlights bounced off the rock wall ahead, making her easy to find. Since there were no other cars nearby, apparently, he was the first to arrive.
Kane killed the engine and was by her side in five seconds. The driver’s side window was up, and he flashed his light inside. Sky’s eyes were closed, and blood had caked her forehead and cheek. His muscles tensed as he rapped on the window. She jerked and immediately covered her eyes. Damn. He hadn’t even identified himself. He lowered the light. “It’s me, Kane.”
He waited a second for her to react before tugging on the handle. It was locked. At least she’d had the sense to protect herself. As he pulled, she pushed, and the door opened. When she levered her legs out of the car and stood, she swayed, and he grabbed her shoulders to steady her. The flashlight in his hand lit the front of the cruiser. The damage would be a bitch to repair.
She winced. “Ouch. My shoulder.”
“Sorry.” He eased her down to the seat. “Tell me what else hurts?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’m going to put you in my Jeep. Did you call for a tow?”
“Harvey is taking care of it.”
Kane slipped his arms under her legs before she had a chance to resist. “Wrap your arm around my neck.” Not only did she hold on, she rested her head against his chest, and an overwhelming sense of need rushed through him. He tried not to think of her body next to his as he carried her the ten feet to his Jeep, but he couldn’t help it.
Once at his car, he slid her onto the seat, careful not to let her head hit the roof. “Hold on. I have a blanket in the back.”
“Are you always so prepared?” Her voice quivered.
“I was a member of FAST.”
“What’s that?”
“Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team. You have to be prepared for every eventuality.”
“Hence the shovel, the flashlight, and the blanket.”
He chuckled. “Yes. If you get hungry, let me know. I have some power bars too.” He smiled. “I never know when I’ll have to rescue a beautiful damsel in distress.”
Before she shot back a retort, a tow truck rolled up behind them. A young man jumped out, waved at Kane and Sky, then surveyed the damage and whistled. “Ms. Sky, you sure are hard on your vehicles. It might take me more time to fix this than it did to repair all those bullet holes.”
She held the blanket tight around her shoulders. “Please don’t repeat that to the Chief.”
The young man smiled. “You betcha. I’m getting rich off your bad luck.”
“Ha. Ha. Not funny.” Sky shivered.
Just then, a cruiser rolled up. An older officer eased out and walked toward them. Kane leaned in. “I thought Harvey was coming.”
“No. He sent Elmer Peacemaker. He has the late shift.”
She explained he’d been ill, which might be why Kane hadn’t met him. He vaguely remembered Harriet mentioning that.
“You okay, Sky?” Elmer asked.
From the blood on her shirt, he had to see she’d been injured.
“I’m good.”
“Care to tell me what happened?”
Kane stepped over to him, and kept his voice low enough for Sky not to hear. “I need to take her to the hospital. Can the report wait?”
“Oh, sure. I’ll make note of the damage, and Sky can tell me everything later.”
Kane nodded then turned back to her. “Elmer will take care of everything. Let’s go.” For once, she didn’t argue.
On the ride back, Sky kept her eyes shut, and he worried there was more to her injury than she was saying. As he reached the turn off at 89 to Savory, he headed north toward Page instead of returning back. While he assu
med Savory had a local doctor, she might need an X-ray or need some other type of advanced exam and assessment that the small town couldn’t provide. Good thing she kept her eyes closed, because if she knew where he was headed, she’d be upset.
In less than fifteen minutes, he entered Page proper and followed the signs to the hospital. After parking near the emergency room entrance, he cut the engine and came around to her side. When he opened the door, she was sitting up, her lips pressed together. He was happy there wasn’t a lot of light to see the fire in her eyes.
“I am not going into any hospital. I’m fine.”
“What are you worried about? That your boss or your dad will find out about this?”
She flinched. He must have hit a nerve. Harriet would have to fill him in on the father-daughter relationship. The boss relationship, as he understood it, was bad.
“No.” She flicked off the blanket. “Oh, crap. My purse is in my cruiser.”
“I’m sure the tow boy won’t steal it.”
“That’s not the point. My insurance card is in there.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of your payment.”
She cocked her head to the side and stared at him, acting as if no one had ever offered to do something nice for her. And here, he thought he had demons. Sky Nash was one complicated bundle, though in truth, it might be fun to unravel her, one issue at a time.
Inside, he made her sit wrapped in the wool blanket while he spoke to the admittance nurse. After Sky filled out the paperwork, they were told to wait until the next doctor was available.
“Tell me again what happened,” he said. She opened her mouth then shut it. “Don’t leave anything out,” he commanded.
She started with learning the name of the beheaded man and his connection to the perfume factory.
“That’s excellent work.”
“Thanks.”
“What happened once you arrived at the factory?”
She told him about the three Hummers and how she thought she’d left the lot alone. Their lights-out maneuver reminded him of his military days. Christ. This was worse than he thought.