by Barb Han
Dade had never driven so fast. Questions pierced the quiet. Could he get there in enough time? Was she hurt?
She wouldn’t go with Samuel willingly, and he had to know authorities were closing in. Did he realize that he had nothing to lose? Because that would mean life or death for Carrie.
Samuel was bound to figure out a few things on his own—like that he’d be the most wanted man in the county if they put two and two together. Maybe he realized someone had come across his aunt’s RV and figured he had to act. The thought didn’t do good things to Dade’s blood pressure.
He parked alongside the railroad and kept a low profile as he ran into the dilapidated grounds. He wasted no time jogging the perimeter and came upon a silver sedan in the second lot. He texted the license plate to the sheriff. There was blood on the passenger seat.
The sun would rise soon, bathing the area in light. Dade positioned himself to come in from the west. Where on the grounds would Samuel take her? Dade’s first thought was the Ferris wheel, which was the highlight of any fair. But it was also high up and would expose them too much. It would require too much power to get working and it would take a large generator for that. Dade doubted Samuel would go to those lengths. Maybe something smaller in scale. Maybe he’d had a favorite ride as a kid. Thinking back, there was the tilt-o-wheel, and it seemed like most kids loved any spinning-type ride.
What was the name of the other ride that had been so popular with everyone? It had been even more popular than the wheel ride. Dade remembered. It was called the round-a-bout. It had a bench-like seat with a metal bar that came down to secure riders. Hormone-fueled teenage boys took dates on it so their bodies would be smashed together when the ride spun in a circle.
Where was it located in on the grounds? And then he remembered that, too. Dead center. It was one of the big draws, and its central location practically ensured that no one would pop in and out—there was too much temptation along the way to entice people to spend more. To the opposite side was the midway. Across from that was the trail to the less popular rides and fun houses. Pretty much all roads led to the tilt-o-wheel.
Dade moved quietly through the high weeds covering the once vibrant scene, remembering there’d been a time when this place had thrived. Happy kids had skipped along the streets now vacant save for the overgrowth that came up to Dade’s belt. Rust covered rides, and even though the property had been cordoned off and marked as no trespassing, it was easy to access. Dade had the financial means to do something about that once this was all over. He needed this place to be something other than a beat-up old ruin where the love of his life... Was he admitting what his heart already knew? Carrie was the love of his life?
A resounding yes echoed in his ears. The noise had come from a place deep inside him, and although he was the only one who could hear it, that didn’t mean it wasn’t loud. Carrie was the person he’d thought of when he was overseas. She’d been the one he wanted to talk to, to laugh with. And as corny as it sounded, he’d wanted to see her belly full with his baby after he put a ring on her finger. She seemed intent on fighting the chemistry between them, but he had to give it another shot. Would she walk away so easily if she knew how deep his feelings ran for her? If she knew that he wasn’t going anywhere?
He scanned the empty grounds, trying to convince himself that this was no different than any other assignment. Except it was. This was personal.
He’d been an idiot. The first time he’d had a chance to tell Carrie how he felt, he’d been a jerk instead capitalizing on the chance, and he’d blown it big-time. But now? He was just being a good old-fashioned idiot. He of all people should know that it was impossible to go back and change the past. But letting it control his present and his future? That was about as smart as a piece of driftwood.
The good news was that he was never too old to learn, and he couldn’t even go there mentally about the possibility of bad news when it came to Carrie. He needed to have another chance with her. And if she’d take him, he needed to make it right.
Dade checked his position against the sun as his cell buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and checked the screen. Kyle had called the sheriff and wanted to help find Carrie. Dade relayed his location and then he did what he’d done on countless missions...located his target.
The sight of Carrie caused his heart to stutter. Seeing her there, propped up on the broken-down carousel in that summer dress, sent his thoughts spinning. Her motionless body slumped over the safety bar sent rage thrashing through his body.
He drew on every bit of willpower he had to stop himself from charging over and taking her off that ridiculous ride. He needed to locate Samuel. The man had to be around there somewhere. Getting Carrie out of there and to safety was the only thing important to Dade.
Samuel had a gun. Dade had no doubt the desperate guy would shoot if he felt cornered. Given that he had no idea what other weapons Samuel had, charging in like a bull was an even worse idea, despite every muscle in his body fighting to do just that.
After changing his vantage point a couple of times in order to gather as much intel as possible, Dade surmised that Samuel had to be inside the control booth of the spinning ride, and he had to be working on something. If this was part of the fantasy he’d built up in his mind, he might be trying to get the ride working. Dade needed time to ensure Kyle made it to the fairgrounds. Going in alone would be a last resort, because if anything happened to Dade without backup, Samuel could kill Carrie.
His own family would be there in a heartbeat, but the ranch was too far and Dade needed support now. He could only pray that Carrie was still breathing. He quashed the unproductive thought. Samuel would want her alive so he could carry out his date fantasy.
Dade’s cell buzzed again, indicating that Kyle was on-site. Dade directed his newfound friend to his location, advising him to keep a low profile.
After giving Kyle a minute to get up to speed with the situation, Dade said, “We need a distraction, something to draw him out.”
“Okay, let’s see. I can...” Kyle paused to think, but Dade was already shaking his head.
“It has to be me. I won’t put you at risk.” Dade’s hand came up as Kyle started to argue. Dade’s mind was made up. The guy who went in first had the best chance of being killed on any mission, and this risk, this mission, was Dade’s. All he cared about was Carrie getting out safely.
Besides, Kyle had a kid, and Dade wouldn’t be responsible for a son losing his father. “The way you came down on your son. Do you think he’ll forgive you?” Dade asked.
“He already has.” Kyle studied Dade carefully. “The trick is forgiving myself.”
Those words, that truth, hit Dade like a stray bullet. He would chew on that later.
“Did you hear from the sheriff?” Dade asked.
“He’s still on-site at the crime scene. It’ll take him a while to get out here, but he said he’ll come in without lights or sirens,” Kyle said. “He wants you to wait for further instructions.”
“She could die. Every minute I wait could cost her life.” Having backup—the more, the better—was good. But Carrie could be killed, and then what would’ve been the point? Dade had to move. Now. “I’m going in from the other side. I’ll get him as far away from her as I can.”
“As soon as you do, I’ll move fast,” Kyle reassured.
Dade patted him on the shoulder. “I appreciate your help. I owe you.”
“No, you don’t. Feels good to be part of something again.” Kyle waved him off.
Dade could appreciate the sentiment. He stayed low as he moved away from his newfound friend. The point adjacent to the ride near the midway would lead Samuel in the opposite direction, away from Kyle and Carrie.
He’d need a distraction, though. What?
Dade preferred to face his enemy head-on. In this case, a blitzkrieg attack would be more efficient. It
would be a mistake to think Dade could get to Carrie without Samuel knowing. Wherever he was, he’d be watching his prize.
The sound of an old engine cranking up billowed through the morning air. Lights came on.
Dade crouched low, the weapon from his trunk extended in front of locked arms as he backed away from the noise. Until he got a good look at Samuel and a vantage point to take him out...damn. His training had kicked in, telling him to take out the enemy. But he was stateside now, and the sheriff’s words echoed. Samuel could have a mental disability. Some of the wind knocked out of Dade’s sail remembering those words. He wouldn’t shoot a mentally handicapped person, any more than he could shoot a woman or child.
So he would find a way to subdue Samuel instead if at all possible.
Pat Benatar’s “Love Is a Battlefield” blasted through the speakers, echoing eerily as the car Carrie was belted into made its first rotation around the carousel. Her slumped body sent Dade’s pulse racing, so he took in a couple of bursts of air and then slowly exhaled. He needed complete control of his emotions, and normally he could separate them from a mission. But this was Carrie, and he’d never forgive himself if he could’ve saved her and didn’t.
Dade figured Samuel was at the ride’s controls, so he maneuvered around the weeds to get a look. He stood there grinning, clapping like a child. The ride started spinning faster. Dade couldn’t make out what Samuel was saying over the song’s chorus. Sawmill had said that the fixated person played out a fantasy. Having a date at a fair included playing games.
Dade moved to the midway, which was located directly behind him. Since Samuel seemed to have been planning this “date” for a long time he would most likely have figured out how to power a game or two so that he could get the full experience. The fact that Coco had barked and yet Carrie hadn’t made a noise led Dade to the conclusion that Samuel had used something—that same drug he’d used on Tyson?—to make her pliant. He must’ve put the dress on her while she was out cold.
Dade scanned the area, looking for something to serve as a distraction. What could he use? What would be important to Samuel?
Samuel’s idea of a perfect date seemed to include the High Striker, more commonly known as the swing-the-mallet game. Dade figured it might be rigged so that Samuel could show Carrie how strong he really was. He must’ve seen the few times Dade had shown up as being emasculated. Damn. If Dade could only go back and change the past. There were so many things he’d do differently.
Dade needed to let it go, forgive himself like Kyle had said and concentrate on being the man he wanted to be now. He surveyed the area, careful to trace Samuel’s steps in the weeds. If anything was out of place or sent up a warning signal, Samuel would be tipped off that someone had figured him out. Since Carrie’s life hung in the balance, Dade had no plans to let that happen.
If he could make Samuel believe the game had been turned on by accident somehow...
He fiddled around with it and...bingo. The lights were set on a timer. Samuel’s elaborate plans would play to Dade’s advantage. If the lights turned on too early, Samuel might believe he’d messed up the timer. Okay. Good. Dade could work with that. Next, he scanned the area for a good hiding spot. There was a basketball hoop next to one of those dart-throwing games. Dade could hide in between them, and when Samuel bent over to reset the timer, he’d strike.
Adrenaline coursed through him. He needed a minute to get his nerves under control. He’d never once balked on a mission. But then, he’d never been on an assignment this personal before. Taking in a fortifying breath, he decided to use the tension to make sure he didn’t mess up. Adrenaline brought a clear focus as long as it was controlled.
He reset the time to light up in two minutes and then took his position. He fired off a text to Kyle letting him know what was about to go down.
Kyle immediately responded with a text telling Dade he was ready.
Two minutes passed. The lights blared. Dade held his breath, waiting for a sign it was go time.
The music stopped. The ride stilled. And it was now or never.
He took his position, careful not to leave tracks through the underbrush.
He’d like to be closer to the game and, to be honest, he wanted a better position to make sure Kyle made it safely to Carrie.
Seconds dripped by until a minute had passed with nothing. And then two. By the third minute and with no sign of Samuel, Dade’s patience wore thin. He was risking Kyle’s and Carrie’s lives, and the weight of it sat heavy on him.
Maybe he should move to get a better look. But then, doing so could expose him if Samuel was kneeling somewhere close, watching. Dade already knew the guy liked to hide and watch.
Dade checked his phone again, waiting for a text from Kyle that Samuel was on the move. No text came.
He took in a sharp breath, needing to come up with a different plan. And then his phone vibrated. The screen said Samuel was on his way. He was glancing around, suspicious, according to Kyle.
As soon as Samuel came into view, Dade would fire off the text that told Kyle to move in. He waited.
Nothing.
Samuel’s caution sent warning bells flaring.
Dade knew he would win on strength alone, but he had no idea what tricks Samuel had up his sleeve. He just needed the guy to show up so that Kyle could get to Carrie.
And then he heard the sound of movement in the tall weeds. Could be an animal. His cell was already in his hand and the text ready to go. All he needed was to see Samuel and then hit Send using his thumb.
Samuel appeared. Dade thumbed the button on the flat screen of his phone as Samuel began inspecting the game.
Dade stayed low as a confirmation text arrived. Kyle was on the move. There’d be no more contact until Carrie was off the ride and safely inside Kyle’s truck, unless she wasn’t breathing, in which case Kyle would text immediately.
Even from a distance of twenty feet, Dade could see Samuel’s rifle.
Patience won missions. Normally, Dade had an abundance. This was different, and his hands trembled from the adrenaline spike. He clenched and released his fingers...waiting. Controlling his breathing.
Seeing Samuel didn’t help. Another shot of adrenaline coursed through Dade as he watched Samuel follow the power cord, no doubt looking for the timer. He was aware of his surroundings, watching for anything unusual. A hunting rifle rested on his forearm, but that was better than a handgun. It would buy Dade an extra second or two, which could mean the difference between life and death.
Samuel turned his back. The moment to strike presented itself. Dade flew from in between the games, launching himself toward Samuel with a primal grunt. He made contact with the back of his knees, and Samuel’s head flew backward.
The two landed with Samuel on top, but Dade quickly disarmed the man and tossed the rifle as far away as possible. It landed with a click and a thud. Using his powerful thighs, he put Samuel in a scissor-like lock. Dade spun, reversing their position and was shocked by the smile on Samuel’s face.
“If I can’t have her, no one will.” Those dead eyes would haunt Dade forever—especially if Samuel killed Carrie.
Dade drew back his fist and knocked Samuel out with one punch. He immediately located his cell and called Kyle.
“Stop. Whatever you’re doing. Stop. He rigged the ride to kill her,” Dade got out through heavy breaths.
Kyle shouted the curse word that Dade was thinking.
“Don’t go near her,” Dade said.
“Too late. I’m already on the platform.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Samuel Jenkins is tied up with an electrical cord where those lights are,” Dade told Sheriff Sawmill when he arrived half an hour later. “He was unconscious when I left him. Either way, he’s not going anywhere.”
Sawmill instructed one of his deputies to check it out.
“What are we working with here?” Sawmill nodded toward the ride.
“Dade?” Carrie’s voice was weak and her head bobbed as though she’d had too much to drink, but this was the first sign of life. Hope ballooned in Dade’s chest.
“Can you be still for me?” Dade asked her. If she so much as moved, the whole place could explode for all they knew.
The bomb robot was scanning the area, and it was slow going.
Carrie didn’t respond. Her head lowered to her arms that were positioned across the bar.
“There are a bunch of wires underneath the ride. I have no idea what kind of device. I emptied Samuel’s pockets in case he woke and found the cell I already handed over.” Sawmill had called a bomb squad to be flown in from the city. He’d called in a few favors for the speed, and Dade figured the sheriff needed a win on this one as badly as he did.
A man covered from head to toe with protective gear urged them to step back.
“I have no plans to get in your way, but I’m not leaving.” Dade folded his arms, standing his ground on the perimeter.
The officer started to protest, but the sheriff stepped up on Dade’s behalf.
Time was the enemy and the bomb guy needed to get to work as far as Dade was concerned, not worry about him in case there was shrapnel.
“Killing his aunt most likely triggered this,” Sawmill said. “We won’t know for certain until we complete our investigation.”
“If Samuel is familiar with sedatives, that could explain how he got past Brett’s dog,” Dade said, and the sheriff was already nodding.
All Dade needed was for Carrie to come out of this alive. It was time to pick up the pieces and move forward in all areas of his life. He’d forgive his father, himself. He’d build the life he wanted moving forward, a life with Carrie.
“I can’t stay here this close in case...” Sawmill’s voice trailed off. “My men are looking to me as an example and they’ll insist on joining me if I don’t move back.”