Honey threw both hands in the air, and Tessa gasped and pointed to the road.
“Well, someone has to do it. And it pays very well, I might add. Besides, I’m semi-retired. Got your family to thank for my new lease on life. They struck a tender spot deep inside me. Made me want to be better. Why, until tonight, I’d not offed anyone since—well, since then, I guess.”
“So, you’re saying I’m a bad influence.”
“Looks that way. But I don’t hold any hard feelings toward ya for making me backslide.”
“Thanks.”
Honey reached over and poked Tessa’s arm with a fist. “Ahh. You’re welcome. I knew we’d be good friends. I don’t know why everyone talks so bad about you.” She shrugged and twisted her lips to the side. “For some reason, I didn’t get much pleasure out of it like in the past. Hmm. Wonder why?”
Hands over her face, Tessa shook her head in frustration. “I can’t believe the day I’m having. My parents are somewhere between Denver and Sacramento, my husband is stuck in Chicago, my kids are staying with a bully who runs the world like it’s boot camp and probably has a hit out on him. Then there’s the weather, my poor car, a questionable man of God who stole from me, and, to top it off, my sidekick is an assassin who has turned me into a fugitive.”
“And you thought this was going to be boring.” Honey smiled while she adjusted her mirror. “I think we might have company.” Honey laid her hand on the gun inside her coat and gave a little pat while slowing down.
“So help me, Honey, if you hurt law enforcement, I’ll shoot you myself.”
She smiled over at Tessa. “Would ya now? My best friend has turned into quite the bad girl. You’re going to make our Captain Hunter a very happy man.”
“What’s the plan?” Tessa growled and slapped Honey’s arm with the back of her hand, drawing another devious smile. “I see a roadblock up ahead. There’s an exit before that. We could pull over and surrender.”
“Good idea.”
“What? Really?” She took a deep breath. “Finally. The voice of reason.”
“You’re such a bad influence, Tessa Scott.”
The snowplow slowed and took the exit with the Highway Patrol car following. A second one appeared and moved ahead of them at a faster pace. It didn’t take long for the second car to stop at an angle, blocking the road leading into what Tessa thought might be the small town of Truckee. She felt confused since she’d not ever been on this particular road.
“Okay. Pull your ski mask down farther and tuck those curls up inside. Can you pretend to be a new driver? Don’t look so adorable.”
Tessa nodded.
“Here we go.”
“What? I thought we were going to surrender?”
“Well, what does surrender really mean these days?” She grabbed what looked like identification papers and work orders off the dashboard.
“It means to capitulate, give in, give oneself up, yield, concede, submit, give way, defer, acquiesce, back down, cave in, relent, succumb, quit, crumble. Does any of that ring a bell?”
“Oh. Guess I misunderstood. You Americans and so many fancy words.”
Honey brought the snowplow to an idling position and pulled her own ski mask down, with the state highway insignia showing above her eyebrows. Both women had stripped the men of their jackets before too much blood soaked them. They didn’t appear to be state issued, since they were different colors of burgundy. Inside the trucks were fluorescent vests they slipped on over the coats.
“Do you think this coat makes me look fat?” Honey asked offhandedly as she ran her hands down the front. Tessa glared at her, hoping to convey irritation at her lackadaisical attitude toward their current situation. “Relax. We’ll be okay. A walk in the park, as you Americans like to say in the movies. Been in deeper—”
A rap on the door caused Tessa to jump.
Honey grinned. “Showtime. Remember. We’re tough, and this is no big deal.” She rolled down the window. “Good evening, Officer.”
~ ~ ~ ~
The cell phone vibrated in Chase’s pants pocket. He pointed to some scattered toys in the living room for Heather to pick up and then toward the marbles scattered below the steps for the boys to gather up. Then he answered, “I’m listening.”
“Chase, there’s a report a snowplow was commandeered at a convenience store. The girls were spotted on security not far from there. According to the locator on Tessa’s car, it hasn’t moved.”
“Snowplow? What are you talking about, Vernon?”
“When they left the casino, they were caught on camera several times. For whatever reason, they didn’t take the car. I was able to figure out the direction they went by tapping into the security in the area.”
“This is starting to sound like you’re going to give me bad news.”
“Yes, sir. They entered the convenience store and talked to two men in state highway gear.”
“Did their faces show?”
“Not much. But it was Honey. Mostly, she kept her back to the camera. Tessa seemed to be mouthing at her. To Honey’s credit, she remained calm and in control. A few minutes later, they walked out with the men.”
“What about the plows?”
“One of them is missing, and the two men haven’t checked in or answered their cell phones or truck radios. I’m guessing the girls stole it.”
“Can you go in and delete any footage of them coming and going over the last few hours?”
“Already done. There’s a roadblock on the mountain. I’m trying to patch into their communication system so I can listen in. Be easier if I knew which truck they stole. Working on the info now.”
“And who might be after me?”
“No clue. The only one who seems to be not a fan and is still alive is the tribesman, but we know he’s playing nice with the Russians right now and up to his neck in a double life. Besides, he thinks you’re more of a nuisance than a threat.”
Chase chewed the inside of his bottom lip as he considered the possibility the man, Roman Darya, Petrov, aka the tribesman, might be planning an attempt on his life. That wouldn’t be his style, and Petrov knew Tessa would never forgive him if harm came to any Enigma agent. The two had a history, and Chase figured the only reason the unpredictable agent hadn’t made a move against him was due to his infatuation with Tessa, whom he’d kidnapped and brainwashed a year earlier.
“No. It isn’t the tribesman. He wouldn’t sneak around if he wanted me dead. Besides, he’d much rather have me suffer at the thought of him taking Tessa again.”
“Know anyone in the Bilderbergers?” The secretive group continued to inspire conspiracy theories from the left and right about their agenda. In reality, it bolstered a consensus around free markets of Western capitalism and its interests around the globe.
“No. Why?” Chase knew they came from all walks of life, such as political leaders, experts in industry, science, finance, academia, and the media. He wondered at times if they weren’t the real money behind Enigma.
“That Angelo guy appears to be everywhere. He managed to become a CEO of a big European tech company several years ago. Made a killing in the market and left them high and dry. He was part of the Bilderbergers and not very well respected, as I understand it. Several military types in Poland wanted his head on a stick. Even the Pope weighed in on him.”
Chase couldn’t help but grin. Angelo was one of those enigmas that never ceased to amaze him. He posed as a saint but nearly always left the impression he might be up to no good and couldn’t be trusted. In spite of it all, something about the guy made Chase like him.
“No clue, Vernon. Anyone else?”
“No. But you got company standing in front of the house at the edge of the driveway. Calling the police now.”
Chapter Seventeen
The kids finished up their jobs and joined Chase in the dining room. They yawned and stretched as the old regulator clock struck midnight. He glanced toward the front door and went to ch
eck the locks and the alarm system to make sure it had been activated. While he lowered the shades again, he glimpsed the kids sitting on the steps. Sean Patrick was nodding off against his brother who had already leaned against the stair railing. Heather was stretched out on the bottom step like a spoiled feline, sound asleep.
“Okay, boys. Bedtime. Up you go.” He rubbed the top of their heads and pulled them to a standing position.
“Got to brush my teeth,” Daniel slurred.
“Not tonight, buddy. You can brush them extra hard tomorrow.” Both boys nodded their acceptance and trudged like zombies up the stairs.
Heather resembled a limp rag doll when he reached down and lifted her into his arms. Once again, she touched his heart by snuggling in close and patting his cheek. He might never be blessed enough to become a father, but he had tonight. He wasn’t going to let anything spoil it.
“Boys, can you come sleep in your mom’s room tonight so I can keep better tabs on you?”
For once, they didn’t put up a fuss but dragged sleeping bags emblazoned with pictures of the Avengers displayed in bold colors out of a closet. They had somehow managed to slip into their pajamas, but Heather was too far gone for him to insist she change. He laid Heather on the king-size bed, and she quickly rolled onto her stomach in the middle. The boys brought a white blanket with a Disney princess from her room. After spreading the cover on her little body, he helped the boys roll out their bags on each side of their sister. They quickly zipped themselves in and faced Heather. Sean Patrick reached out and laid an arm across her back. Daniel patted her head. She had them wrapped around her little finger, too.
This was his dream family. Chase found himself offering a desperate mental prayer. “Dear God, let them be safe tonight. Protect their hearts and souls against the evil that awaits me.”
He shoved the dresser in front of the door before layering on more clothes and exiting via the window. He slid down the snowy roof and managed to swing out onto the trellis then climbed down.
The snow had stopped, and stars now speckled the sky like diamonds. A breeze stirred the snow-laden branches, making them moan under the weight. No other sound reached him as he moved to the darker side of the house near the dining room window. Several spruce trees hid him in their shadow. A partial moon cast light across the snow, leaving the impression God had flipped on the spotlights.
Cold seeped into his bones, alerting him to the fact he wasn’t as young as he used to be. Although very little remained in Tessa’s husband’s closet, he’d grabbed a lightweight sweater and hoodie. He’d found two different pairs of gloves, but neither fit his larger hands. Knowing Tessa kept stretchy knit gloves, he retrieved a pair from the dresser drawer. With the extra give in the fabric, he could wear them. He’d left his sock hat downstairs, but the hoodie would keep him warm enough.
Whoever had been standing out front had moved on. He didn’t like it. Then he spotted something dark at the edge of the driveway. With stealthy movements, he approached the unknown lump sprawled facedown in the snow. A moan escaped the man wearing a Grass Valley PD uniform. Chase knelt down and rolled him over. He recognized the officer who had given him the note from Vernon.
“Officer Michaels. Can you sit up?” Chase slipped an arm under his shoulders and lifted. There was a trace of blood above his eye and a gash near the hairline.
The man rubbed his head and inspected the blood on his fingers before rubbing them in the snow. His brow wrinkled, but he quickly replaced the confused expression with a scowl.
“Got the drop on me. Your people called in saying you might need assistance. I parked my car outside the gate and decided to wait for a while to make sure there were no more ins and outs tonight. Guess this guy slipped by me.”
“Chances are he was already here and waited for you to leave. Not your fault. He’s looking for me.”
“And who are you, anyway? I mean, really. What makes you attract trouble?”
“Maybe we can have that conversation a little later. Right now, I need your help.” Chase helped him stand. “Can you walk?”
He nodded and patted his holster. “Guess he didn’t need my gun.”
Chase observed him closer to make sure he didn’t have a concussion.
“I’m good, man. Let’s find him. Where are the kids?”
Chase informed him of what he’d done to keep them safe. “Good. That should work until we get this guy.”
They split up to circle the house. Chase found the garage door pried open, and it would only be a matter of seconds before the alarm went off in the house. That would either scare the kids to death or send them into ninja mode.
The thought had touched his brain when a piercing whistle alarm went off. He sped up and raced into the laundry room where he saw a tan-and-white-clad figure move into the kitchen, reach the security alarm, and punch in a series of numbers. The alarm ceased. Chase wondered how he knew this information and figured Vernon would be able to unravel that as well.
Since his entrance had not been detected, thanks to the alarm, Chase prepared to neutralize the situation quickly in case the kids were trying to move the dresser and escape the bedroom. Why hadn’t he left a note taped to the door warning them not to come out, no matter what they heard?
“You’ve been a busy guy tonight,” he growled.
The intruder stiffened his stance then slowly turned toward Chase. He lowered his head like a bull ready to charge. By the way he carried himself and showed no fear, Chase understood this beast would be an equal match. A smile spread across his lips as he narrowed his eyes. He tilted his head, releasing a loud pop from his neck.
“Whatever you want, we can do it outside.” Chase glanced toward the window over the sink to indicate his wishes.
“You were a hard one to find.” The man spoke with a South African accent. “Never figured you for a babysitter.”
“I’m guessing there are going to be a number of things you didn’t figure on tonight.”
“I like a challenge.”
In a blink of an eye, he pulled out a knife and hurled it at Chase who sidestepped it so that it stuck in the doorframe. Before he could react further, the man lunged at him, knocking him back against the wall. Both threw punches that met their mark on a jaw or gut, causing the other to stagger for only a second before catching a second wind.
Chase caught the man with an uppercut to the chin then kicked him backward. A wayward marble, left from earlier, met with the man’s boot and propelled him to the floor between the laundry room and kitchen, but not before he pulled a smaller Walter P90 from his vest pocket. Chase stopped short and raised his hands. “Why me?”
“Don’t know and don’t care. It’s a job. Got extra for it as long as I didn’t ask too many questions.”
“And who sent you?”
“That’s one of the questions I wasn’t supposed to ask,” he said, making an awkward effort to climb to his feet. “Why are you so special anyway? You were supposed to be in Sacramento tonight. By the time I caught up with you, I had to wait for your friendly bumbling idiots to get caught by the police. If you had been where you planned, this could all have been avoided. Now there are kids in the house.”
“They’re asleep. They won’t be a problem.”
“Hope not. Be a shame to kill them, too.”
A chill slithered up his back. “I’ll go with you. Do what you need to do away from here.”
The man screwed up his mouth in protest as he shook his head. “No. Gives you too much of a chance to take me out. I’ll give you credit. You give as good as you get.”
“So I’ve been told. Who are you, anyway?” Chase asked.
“Frosty the freakin’ Snowman.” He grinned. “And I take it you’re not a college professor as I was led to believe.”
“No.” Chase raised his chin and looked down his nose at his killer. “I’m the Silent Knight.”
“Like the song?” Chase nodded. The man revealed a gray smile and waved his gun at him. “
Why don’t you sing me a verse before you become permanently silent. Love to see the expressions on the faces of those little kids when they wake up and find you a bloody mess. Maybe I’ll find a bow and put on your chest.” When Chase continued to glare at him, he shouted, “Sing!”
He sang in a low growl in his throat.
“Silent night, Holy night,
All is calm, All is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace, asshole.”
Chase grabbed a string of Christmas lights twisted into a garland wreath on the kitchen window and tossed it to the intruder who let it fall on the floor. Because he stood in a puddle of melted snow, the lights short-circuited and sent an electric current up his leg, causing him to toss the gun. Chase caught it in midair. The man cried out as he fell back. Chase reached over and unplugged the lights then shoved the wreath aside with the toe of his boot and towered over the killer.
“Get up. You’ll live. Don’t make me wish I hadn’t unplugged those lights.”
He lay there a few seconds, trying to catch his breath then rolled to one side and eased to his knees. He looked over at Chase and threw a shoe he found on the floor at him, knocking the gun out of his hand. As he came up off the floor, Chase heard a zizzing sound, and the man started trembling again.
The police officer had slipped in behind him through the door and used his Taser gun. He managed to connect with the man’s legs, sending him back to the floor. The officer finished him off with a kick to the kidneys, slamming him face-first into a wooden bench. Teeth flew out of his mouth along with blood.
“Merry Christmas,” the officer said pleasantly.
Chapter Eighteen
Got a call about a stolen snowplow. You guys got some ID?” The highway patrolman with the square jaw tilted his head to the side. One eye closed almost completely. “Oh. Sorry, ma’am. Expected a man driving this thing.”
The Knight Before Chaos Page 11