by R. Casteel
“Who, Steve?” He felt the adrenalin kick in as his heartbeat pounded in his ears. What do you have?”
“Two guys, dressed in black pants, long heavy black coats, headed your way.”
“Two people just left the van, heading towards the back of the house.” Charlie said. “Driver’s still with the van.”
“Charlie, take the van. Could be more than the driver still there. Steve, keep your eyes open. Those two on foot might have friends close by.
“Nick!” Taren yelled loud enough for him to hear. “Show time. Two on foot in the alley, two on the street out front and at least one in the van.”
“Okay, boys,” Taren keyed the microphone, “Let’s do this by the book.”
Taren watched the men approach. They glanced around quickly and walked towards the front door. As they reached the door, they unzipped their coats. Both men were heavily armed; one carried an Uzi and the other a sawed off shotgun complete with pistol grip and extended magazine.
He felt with a cold certainty that he wasn’t going to get out of this unscathed. There would be no spirit this time to heal his wounds. At least I have a vest.
Taren stood to the side of the door, the Mac-10 braced against his side. As he turned the doorknob, the door fragmented under the barge of bullets from outside. He felt a burning fire race across his leg as the gunman raked the door from side to side.
The air buzzed like hornets as the bullets passed just inches from his head. The wall on the other side of the room began to crumble as they pounded relentlessly into sheetrock and wood.
Taren was aware of continuous sound of gunfire in the back room and the alley.
The front door, what there was left of it, was kicked open and the man with the shotgun entered.
Taren fired, catching the man in a sweeping line from his hip to his shoulder.
With the sledgehammer force of an impact against his chest, Taren staggered. His right arm was suddenly useless, hanging limp at his side. Losing his grip on the Mac-10, it fell useless to the floor. Another blow slammed him in the chest, knocking him backward, driving him to his knees.
The second gunman stepped through the door. Taren pulled his pistol from its holster with his left hand and fired through the pale bluish-gray cloud of burnt cordite.
Chapter 13
Taneika sat at the kitchen table with Bill and Jeanie. She ate without really tasting what she and Jeanie had fixed earlier. The food was good, as was the company, but she felt this growing apprehension…something was wrong. The feeling had come over her in the early morning and wouldn’t go away. She had tried calling Taren, first at his house and then at hers.
The phone rang and Bill answered.
“Sheriff Yates.”
“Bill, Nick Strange….”
Taneika heard Nick’s voice. Apprehension turned to fear.
“I wanted to let you know that there was an attempt on Taren’s life this afternoon. He’s been shot, nothing serious. He’s in the Cody General Hospital.”
“Thanks, we will be there as soon as we can.” Bill hung up the phone. Taneika was pale; her hands trembled.
“You heard.”
“Jeanie, Taren is in the hospital. He’s been shot.”
“When? How bad?”
“Calm down, he’ll be fine. I’ll call the hospital and then the office. Throw some things in a suitcase and we’ll be ready to leave.”
Jeanie headed toward the bedroom. “Call and leave a message on the clinic’s answering machine.”
The trip to Cody was quiet. Fear, the unwelcome brother to worry, rode beside Taneika. Could I have prevented this?
The words of She Who Walks Ahead came back to her. His life is in danger. If he is worried about protecting you, keeping you from harm, then you will lose him forever. If you love him, then send him away.
The tires seemed to pick up the taunting chant. Send him away. Send him away. Send him away.
* * * * *
Nick met them in the lobby of the hospital. Taneika wanted to rip his heart out. This was his fault. His betrayal had caused this. She sat in the lobby with Jeanie as Bill and Nick walked down the hall. Resentment ate at her with the fierceness of a hungry wolf pack. Why had Taren been shot and not Nick?
Jeanie took her hand in a warm friendly grasp. “Relax…Taren will be fine.”
“I know that. This is all so unfair. I keep thinking…if I had been here, he might not have been hurt.”
“Taneika, you could have both been wounded, or worse. Just be thankful it wasn’t serious.”
“I am. It’s just….”
“I know.” Jeanie put her arm around Taneika. “I live with this fear every day Bill goes to work. Every time the phone rings, I wonder if this is the call telling me he is in the hospital or…that he has been taken from me. It never gets any easier.”
Taneika sat there with Jeanie’s arm around her, waiting for word of Taren, to see him and verify with her own eyes that he was going to live. She also waited for the chance to have a few minutes alone with Nick Strange.
Bill came back to the lobby. The smile he wore gave her a much-needed boost.
“I got in to see Taren. He’s doing fine. The worst of the injuries is his right arm. A round nicked a bone and he will be in a cast for several weeks.”
Taneika sat on the edge of the cushion. “When can we see him?”
She read the answer in his face before he spoke.
“I’m sorry, Taneika. Only immediate family members can see him. Security is tight right now. They are afraid of another attempt being made. I did tell him about your bringing in the drug runners you caught.”
“And?”
“He smiled and said. ‘Well I’ll be damned.’”
“That’s it? That’s all Taren said?”
“There was one other thing. ‘Tell Taneika to trust Nick. He saved my life.’ Not sure what that is about, and Taren didn’t elaborate on it.”
Taneika was confused. Could she trust Nick? Maybe, as long as I don’t have to turn my back to him. “Where’s Nick? I need some answers to a few questions.”
“Gone,” Bill answered. “Went out the back door, said something about looking for somebody that he hoped would resist arrest.”
“I’m going to go see Taren,” Jeanie announced. “Taneika, anything you want me to tell him?”
“Yes…” send him away “tell him that I’m…” send him away “thankful it’s nothing serious.”
“That’s all?”
Jeanie raised her eyes and gave her a disapproving glare. “Or is there something else you would rather have me tell him?”
She shook her head and watched Jeanie go down the hall. Her vision blurred. Tell Taren...I love you. Taneika blinked and a tear rolled slowly down her cheek.
Taneika stood at the window, looking out over the city. Its glow of artificial lights dimmed the stars and created a false sense of security in an insecure world. For the first time she was alone. Always before, she had her wolves to keep her company. Now, even Lobo was gone, back to the wild, free life in the mountains.
Maybe she should just chuck the whole college and higher education thing. Find a wolf pack and live in the mountains. But, could she be happy there? Could she be happy living in an atmosphere where family structure was so strong? So much had changed that it frightened her.
She became aware of Bill’s presence beside her and was startled to see his reflection in the window.
“Coffee? Not sure how fresh it is.” Bill held out a Styrofoam cup.
“Thanks.”
For several long minutes, he stood beside her. “It’s probably none of my business, but did you and Taren…have a falling out or something?”
Seconds ticked by like hours as she replayed their last time together. The things she had said that had ripped her heart in two. The pain she had caused Taren, the hurt and confusion that had been so evident in his face.
“Yes.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but in the quiet
waiting room of the hospital, it echoed down the halls. If not in reality, then in the crushed chambers of her broken heart.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
His voice was soothing, inviting, like her father’s would have been had he still been alive. “No. As you said, it really is none of your business.”
“Before I married Jeanie, I was rather a quiet shy person. People who knew me were surprised when I ran for sheriff. I don’t know who was more shocked that I had actually won the election, me or the people who knew me. Being married to Jeanie, I must have picked up some of her, shall we say, more aggressive attitude. If you don’t want to talk about your relationship with Taren, then you can listen while I ramble on.
“Nick told me about the attack. Taren took on two heavily armed men head-on. Nick said…it was almost like he didn’t care if he survived or not. That’s not like Taren. While never backing off from a fight, he has never gone out deliberately looking for one either.”
“Bill….”
“And you, taking on six drug runners with nothing but a bow. I’m not so certain it was an act of courage. Maybe it was like Taren, you didn’t care. Deep down inside, you just didn’t give a damn about living anymore.”
“Enough!” Taneika turned to face him. “I didn’t take time to psychoanalyze my actions in the woods. Taren and I were living in a sensuous make-believe world. One of us had to wake up and realize it wouldn’t work. We are too different to make it a long-term relationship.”
“At least you are right about one thing. You two are different. I could tell that as soon as I met you, and I’m not sure I want to know how different you really are. What is evident, at least to Jeanie and me, is that Taren chose to ignore, or in spite of them, overlook the differences. And you simply shoved him out the door, probably with no warning.”
“Bill, there is…there is more to it than that.”
“Did you even try to explain that to Taren?
“I couldn’t.”
“Dammit, Taneika!” Bill ran his hand through his hair. “You can’t play with people’s emotions like that.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry, hell! Taren almost….”
“Hey you two.” Jeanie came back into the waiting room. “Bill, I can hear you clear down the hall. This is supposed to be a hospital. You know, quiet.”
Bill turned on Jeanie. “Then you try to talk some sense into her.”
“Hon, as much as I agree with you, this is something they will have to work out by themselves.
“I’m hungry, lets go find a place to eat and maybe we will all feel better.”
Bill looked at his watch. “Better make it someplace that serves breakfast.
“I don’t feel much like eating right now. If you could drop me off at a motel, I’d appreciate it.”
“Taneika, are you sure?” Jeanie placed a comforting hand on her arm.
“Yes. I will catch something to eat later.”
* * * * *
Taneika stood outside the office door of the Frontier Inn, and watched as Bill and Jeanie drove away. She pocketed the money Bill had given her for a room and went inside.
“May I help you?” a small, dark-complexioned man with a heavy accent asked from behind the counter.
“Can you please call me a cab?”
A few minutes later, a City Cab pulled into the drive.
“You the lady needing a cab?”
“Yes. Please take me to the west side of town.”
“What’s the address?”
She handed him thirty dollars. “There isn’t one. Just drive west ‘til you use this up and I’ll get out.”
“Miss, that far out there’s not much around. Are you sure you don’t have an address?”
“Look, here is an extra ten as a tip. You get me out of the city and it’s yours. If you have a problem with that, I’ll find another cab.”
“Okay, get in. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Me too.
“Pretty cold out tonight and you’re not dressed for spending any time outside. Why don’t you let me take you to a shelter? You can get a warm bed and a hot meal. I know one that is always open to women.”
“Thanks, but I don’t need a shelter.”
“They don’t call the law unless you want them to. All that’s required is that you need help.”
What is it with this guy?
At three a.m., the city streets were like a ghost town. The business had given way to houses and the occasional convenience store. The cab pulled into the Pelican Truck Plaza between Cody and Wapiti, Wyoming.
“Miss. This is the end of your twenty-dollar ride. We’re about ten miles out of Cody.”
“Thank you.” She handed him the fare plus his tip.
“Miss. I am worried about you, out here without a proper coat. Better go in and see if you can find a ride with someone. At least wait ‘til daylight if you are hitchhiking.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I will be fine.” Taneika got out and headed across the parking lot to the door of the truck stop.
As she sat at the counter, she heard the low voices of the truckers.
“I wonder if she’s cold. I wouldn’t mind warming her up.”
“Hell, she looks like more woman than you could handle, better let me warm her up.”
The waitress came up. “Coffee?”
“Please. I would like your hungry truckers steak special, rare, and ranch dressing.”
“That is a twenty-two ounce steak,” the waitress cautioned.
“Yes, I’m not very hungry, so I’ll just order one.”
The waitress’s eyes got bugged out and her jaw dropped.
* * * * *
“What the hell do you mean, she never checked into the hotel!” Taren roared.
“We dropped her off and went to eat. When we got back, we found she hadn’t checked in. She had the night clerk call a cab and I figured she came back here.”
“Give me my clothes. I’m leaving.”
“You can’t up and walk out of here!”
“Watch me.”
“Taren, those guards outside aren’t going to let you leave. Your life may still be in danger.”
“Then you don’t know the half of it. Fallings is missing. His wife hasn’t seen him since yesterday when he came home and beat the shit out of her. She’s in the hospital in serious condition. He cleared out the bank account and split.”
“You think he’ll go after Taneika?”
“It’s a possibility I can’t ignore.” Taren pulled on his pants and winced when the material went across his thigh. “Let’s hope he goes to Canada. At least we can extradite him from there.”
“We better find Taneika,” Bill helped Taren with his shirt, “in case Fallings is looking for her.”
“Pray we find her before he does.” Taren limped to the door. “I want him alive and behind bars.”
* * * * *
Taneika sighed and laid the fork down beside the empty plate.
“I can’t believe you ate the whole thing.” The waitress stood there with her eyes wide open. “I have seen some really big men almost cry when they couldn’t finish it. How did you do it? I would die to have a figure like yours. Course, working here doesn’t help any. I swear the calories must jump on me when I serve the food.”
“I stay active. The steak was delicious. Please give my compliments to the cook.” Taneika paid the bill and put on her jacket.
“I noticed you came in a cab. Is someone meeting you here?”
“No, I’m walking.”
“It’s ten degrees outside,” the waitress said with concern. “That coat is so lightweight you will freeze to death. Why don’t you let me check with some of the drivers? I know most of them and I will pick you a safe one to ride with.”
“Thanks, but I don’t have far to go.” Taneika headed for the door.
“Hey, doll baby, need a ride?”
She turned to face the men she had heard e
arlier. “Look mister, you got nothing I want to ride, and that includes your truck.” With a backward glance and a wink at the waitress, she opened the door and stepped out into the cold night.
As she walked across the parking lot, the large lights cast her shadow across the packed snow. She felt the eyes on her back from the people inside the restaurant. Twenty miles, no sweat, be home before the sun comes up.
Once outside curtain of light that surrounded the parking area, Taneika picked up the pace. She wanted to be home before the light of day or an increase in traffic forced her into the woods. With her senses alert for vehicles approaching from behind, she ran easily down the road. She knew that to sustain this speed she had to push her body past the pain barrier. The slower she ran the longer it took to reach her destination, and time was against her.
Sweat began to form on her face; she knew that the edge was close. This time she embraced it, welcomed the pain. She had only broken the barrier once before, when tracking down her father’s killer. Then she had been so obsessed with grief and blood lust for revenge that she hadn’t cared. The pain increased until she thought her heart would explode, her lungs burned and still she ran. The road blurred and then her vision cleared, the pain dropped away as quickly as it had come.
She was through the barrier.
Lengthening her stride, she increased her speed. At this grueling pace, she wasn’t overly concerned about vehicles approaching from behind and any vehicle she met would only see a momentary flash of her in its headlights.
A mile from home, she started slowing down. Climbing the steps to her door, she doubled over in agony. Stumbling through the door, she headed toward the bathroom. Weaving with every step, she bounced off the wall. She had to get her clothes off; they had to come off, had to….
Chapter 14
Taneika opened her eyes and stared into Taren’s concerned face. He held a cool washcloth that was pressed against her forehead. She looked down at her clothes that were crimson-stained and sticking to her skin. Attempting to sit up, the room spun; behind her eyes, bright explosions sent shock waves through her head.