Race Against Time: A Novel

by Kimberley Woodhouse

  Andie squeezed his hand bringing his gaze down to hers. Tears brimmed her eyes. In a sudden rush of emotion, Cole was back on the side of Sultana, a treacherous mountain in the Alaskan Range. Stranded. With nowhere to go. And two injured women to care for. No matter how hard he’d tried, he couldn’t do it on his own then, and he couldn’t handle this on his own now. They needed to turn it over to the only One who could help them through.

  He gave Andie a slight nod and closed his eyes. “Father, we don’t understand what’s going on. But we come to You seeking wisdom and guidance and protection. We can’t do this alone. Please protect Anesia and Zoya, help us not to fear, but to trust in You. And Father, help us to forgive, just as You have forgiven us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

  As he opened his eyes, his gaze was drawn to Zoya first. Her face was bland. No expression. One hand clung to her mom, the other methodically stroked her dog’s back.

  Sasha stood by the edge of the couch like a sentinel, protecting her girl. Her ears on alert. Eyes darting around the room at each little noise. This animal had saved Zoya’s life. How many people would’ve risked everything to do the same?

  “Thanks, Cole.” His wife wrapped an arm around his waist. “Maybe I should fix something hot to drink for everyone.” When no response came from Anesia or Zoya, Jenna glanced at Cole—fear and hurt evident in her eyes—before heading into the kitchen.

  Andie went and sat beside Zoya’s stiff form. Didn’t say anything. Just sat there.

  “Zoya?” She’d already been through enough, but he needed answers. “I need to ask you some questions.”

  A nod. But she wouldn’t look him in the eyes.

  “Can you tell me what the guy looked like?”

  “Tall. Like a stick. Ugly. Mean face.”

  “Did you see what he was wearing?”

  “All black.”

  “Color of his eyes, or hair?”

  “Black. Awful black.”

  Cole ran a hand across his jaw. Not a lot to go on. Poor kid. “Anything else you noticed?”

  She stared at Sasha. “I didn’t have time. Didn’t even know he was there. Just heard that sound, like he was getting ready to shoot, and I looked up.” A tear slid down her face. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

  And like that, an invisible wall shot up. Gone was the sweet girl who loved to talk to him about Jesus. Gone was the face that so easily offered a smile. Gone was the soft-spoken encourager . . .

  Andie was right. The experiences were ripping Zoya apart. God, we could really use Your help.

  He nodded at Anesia and left the room. Right now, all he wanted to do was punch somebody. And worse. He wanted to mete out punishment—to serve vengeance on whoever stole the innocence and life out of that precious kid. And the FBI. He knew they were busy, desperate to bring the ring down, but Cole felt more pressure from them to keep everyone safe. He was only one man. And these people meant everything to him.

  A knock on the door broke through his anger. He walked back to the front. Checked through the peephole. Detective Sheldon stood on the porch. More official vehicles were parked along the driveway.

  “Anesia, I need to disarm the system and talk to the detective.”

  She gave him the code.

  After the detective entered, several seconds passed before he spoke. “We found blood. Hastily covered up with snow. But there nonetheless. Footprints seem to have been brushed away, so we haven’t found enough to get a cast yet, but we’ll keep searching. Appears to be at least two men.”

  “Anything else?” Cole eyed the shocked pair on the couch. “Zoya said she only saw one.”

  “Not yet. But the team is out there looking. We’ll keep a car here with surveillance around the clock. Apparently the second man came to help the shooter. That’s all we can guess at right now.” The detective turned to Anesia. “Please let me know if your daughter remembers anything else.”

  “Thank you, Detective.”

  They headed out the door.

  Cole stood on the threshold, watching the men leave. How could he protect them and find what he needed for AMI at the same time? The pressure built in his head.

  Sean raced toward them and took all the porch steps in one. He nodded to the detective. “You might want to hear this.” He bent at the waist to catch his breath.

  Cole closed the door behind him so they could talk on the porch. “What?”

  “I went around the perimeter of the property. And I found this”—he lifted a tiny, plastic-encased macrochip—“next to some Snickers wrappers.”

  “Did you touch anything else? Were there any footprints?” The detective crossed his arms.

  “No, I tried to leave it all untouched, and yes.” Sean straightened. “Appeared to be at least two sets.” He zeroed in on Cole. “How are they?”

  “Not good.” He shook his head. Sean was a good man. His concern was evident. And his anger.

  The detective sighed and turned to Sergeant Roberts. “Go with Sean and check it out, collect all the evidence.”

  “Mind if I have a look at that?” Cole lifted the chip up to the light. “Detective, I think you need to come back inside.”

  “Major Maddox, there’s something you need to know. That’s not the first one we’ve found.”

  “Excuse me?” His anger burned. “And you didn’t think it was important enough to mention? Do you even know what this is? Because I can tell you right now, sir, that this isn’t just a murder investigation.” He glared at the detective. “It’s a matter of national security.”

  * * *

  RICK

  January 30

  Anchorage, Alaska

  7:11 p.m.

  An elephant sat on his chest. The pills weren’t working. Neither was the amber liquid in the shot glass in front of him.

  The spirits had cursed him. And now there was nothing he could do about it.

  The phone rang.

  “Yeah?”

  “We have a mess that needs to be cleaned up.”

  Please, don’t let it be Zoya. “What?”

  “Our man was unsuccessful today.”

  He let out the breath he’d been holding. So Zoya was still alive.

  “You need to dispose of him. And I’m putting you in charge of eliminating our problem.”

  “Sir?”

  “The girl. She’s too skittish. And from the way she’s reacted when he makes himself known, she definitely recognizes him. You need to get rid of the witness. No questions. No buts. Just do it.”

  Maybe the spirits hadn’t cursed him after all. Was this the way out? “I’ll take care of it.”

  “Good. The sooner the better.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And Rick?”

  Here it comes. His chest tightened to the point he didn’t think he’d ever be able to take another breath. “I’m listening.”

  “You’re my best man. My second-in-command.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t make me kill you too.”

  The vise around his heart squeezed harder.

  “Get the job done.”

  * * *

  ANESIA

  January 30

  Naltsiine Kennels

  9:31 p.m.

  The nightmare just wouldn’t end. After Cole spoke with the FBI, another set of armed and uniformed people came to her house. With more questions. Always the questions. New ones, and the old ones. Over and over and over.

  If Anesia didn’t know any better, she’d think they suspected her of stealing AMI. The only thing going for her was the fact that all the boot prints they collected were from men’s boots.

  Andie and Zoya sat side by side in a big overstuffed chair. Legs all tucked up under them, their heads
leaning together. Neither one speaking. Would the trauma to these two never end?

  Cole’s voice echoed off the wood floors. “Thank you for coming. I’ll be in touch.” He closed the door on the last batch of FBI personnel and walked toward her.

  Jenna wrapped an arm around Anesia’s shoulders. “They’ve cleared you for now, Anesia. But this doesn’t look good. Somehow Dan’s brother, your property, and tiny macrochips . . . it’s all connected to stealing AMI.”

  Anesia placed her hands on her hips in exasperation. “I’m a mother for crying out loud! And I own a dog kennel! Why on earth would I steal Marc’s stupid program?”

  Jenna squeezed her shoulder and went to sit on the couch.

  Great. Now she’d hurt Jenna. The one person who’d always stood beside her. “I’m sorry.”

  Her friend looked up at her. “I understand. It feels like a fresh stab wound every time AMI is brought up. I’m thankful Marc turned around in the end, but the consequences keep following us. Such destructive power.” Jenna shook her head. “I should be apologizing. Here we are facing an unknown enemy and I’m feeling sorry for myself.”

  Andie stood up and joined her mom. “Daddy wouldn’t want us focusing on all the negative stuff. God’s brought us so much good from all this mess.” Her spunky syats’ea eyed each person in the room. “Cole and Sean for starters.”

  “You can’t argue with her there.” Cole smiled and patted Sean on the back.

  Anesia’s heart beat a little faster. Sean. The complexity of the man unnerved her at times. As she learned about him in layers, the more she trusted him. Liked him. As their gazes collided, he frowned. She’d embarrassed him by not responding last night. Maybe even hurt him. Would she ever get the chance to let him know how much she respected him? How drawn she was to him?

  “Mom?” Zoya rested her head in her hands on the arm of the chair.

  She walked over and knelt in front of her daughter. “You okay, sweetie?”

  “My head hurts. And I’m really tired.”

  “Let me get you some medicine. It’s been too long of a day and you just had a concussion.” Was that only yesterday?

  “I don’t want to be alone.”

  “Okay. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “No. I don’t want to be alone when I sleep.”

  “Would you like to sleep in my room?” Her heart broke at the forlorn look on Zoya’s face.

  “Yeah.” Zoya lifted her face. “Auntie Jenna?”

  “Yeah, Punkin?” Jenna walked closer.

  “Can Andie stay for a few days?”

  “Sure thing. Cole and I already decided that we were going to stay here for a while. And when you’re feeling better, you can come stay at our house too, okay?”

  Zoya nodded. Exhaustion and grief and fear all mixed in her eyes.

  “Let’s get you two settled and then us adults are going to talk for a while, all right?” Anesia lifted her daughter’s limp hand and tugged. The poor kid had no energy. “Hey Cole, would you mind carrying Zoya for me? I don’t think she’s got any strength left.”

  Cole was at her side in an instant and lifted her precious child into his arms. Sean stood watching. His hands flexed at his sides. The muscle in his jaw twitched. If only she could read what was going on in that head of his. She turned to the stairs.

  Not a sound came from Zoya. It was like she’d given up. Once they made it to Anesia’s room, Cole laid her on the bed.

  “I don’t want to be alone.” Zoya’s words were hollow. Full of fear and dread.

  “I’ll stay with you.” Andie slid onto the bed next to her. “Don’t worry. I won’t leave. Not even to go to the bathroom. Not until your mom is here, okay?”

  Zoya nodded and clutched Andie’s hand.

  Anesia kissed the tops of both of their heads. “I love you. We’ll be downstairs.”

  As Anesia left the room, the anguish in her daughter’s eyes wrapped her heart in a tight squeeze. Would they ever get Zoya back?

  She grabbed the rail and started to descend the stairs, but stopped on the second step. God, I don’t know what You’re doing, but it sure would be nice to have a little help. Forgive me for my doubts, Lord. But I’m so afraid.

  Tears clogged her throat, but they wouldn’t come. And for once, she really needed to have a good cry. Lowering herself to sit, she released a long breath.

  A shadow rounded the corner.

  Sean.

  He looked up into her eyes. No words were exchanged, but he got the message. As he approached, he took time with each step. Reaching her, he lowered himself to the step below her in silence.

  The ball was in her court.

  Her fingers fidgeted.

  He sat. Patience and something undefined written all over his face.

  Maybe it was time to just let it all out. “Sean, I need to apologize. I couldn’t collect my thoughts last night and everything overwhelmed me. I never wanted to hurt you. And . . . hopefully you see now how much I . . . need you.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It was entirely my fault.” His words were too stiff. Even for him.

  On impulse, she reached out and grabbed his hand. Their fingers intertwined.

  “Anesia—”

  “Sean, let me talk before I lose my nerve, okay?” Heart racing, she tried to find the words in her brain to express what she was thinking. Feeling. But the more she sat, the more her tongue tied itself into knots. “Oh, good heavens, you’d think I’d be better at this.”

  “It’s all right. You don’t have to say anything else.” He tugged on his hand to pull it free, but she refused to let go. “Too much trauma has encapsulated your family.”

  “No. I do have to.” She tightened her grip until she thought for sure she’d lose all feeling in her fingers. “You and I . . . what I mean is . . . I haven’t been attracted to anyone . . .” Ugh. She beat her forehead against the wall. The memory of his arms around her urged her on. She needed him. Wanted him in her life. Now more than ever.

  Start over. One word at a time.

  But she couldn’t. The words just wouldn’t come. She looked to Sean for help.

  He squeezed her hand. His face softened. “When no one is trying to kill you and there’s some semblance of order around here again, we’ll talk. As much as I’d like to have this conversation right now, I’m more focused on keeping you and Zoya safe.”

  She leaned against him. Even on different steps, their heads were at the same level. “Thank you. That means more than you’ll probably ever know. I don’t know how much more of this stress I can take. But I want you to know my feelings are . . . well . . . they’re real. And I wanted to tell you.”

  “Well, it’s about time!” Jenna’s voice drifted from down the hall. “Ow! Cole! Stop it.”

  “Jenna, you need to keep your little nose out of this. Let Sean handle it.” Cole appeared around the corner. “Go ahead, Sean. We’ll just wait for you in the kitchen.” He looked back toward his wife. “Where we can’t eavesdrop.”

  Anesia pulled a Kleenex out of her pocket, wadded it up, and threw it at Cole.

  Sean pulled her in for a hug and kissed her forehead.

  And, if only for a moment, that tender action eased her fear.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  SEAN

  January 30

  Naltsiine Kennels

  9:50 p.m.

  They entered the kitchen hand in hand. The change between him and Anesia all but electrified the air around him. But he felt her stiffen and attempt to withdraw. What held her back? Dan’s death? Or was it something else?

  Women had chased him for years because he was wealthy. He’d enjoyed the attention in college, but after learning their intentions, their greed, his broken heart decided to wall itself off. There’d been
plenty of rich socialites to hang off his arm for big events—his father made sure of that, had to impress the media with pictures—but he never allowed himself to discover if any of them had anything besides fluff and greed inside their head.

  This new Sean—the real Sean—living in North Pole, Alaska, opened up his mind and heart. Anesia captured it. Almost from their first meeting. Intelligent, beautiful, independent. She was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman to him. And for the first time in years, he allowed himself to dream about a future with a family.

  This family.

  But the anger returned. And the tension. To have a future, they needed to catch the killer and eliminate the threat to the Naltsiine girls.

  “Sean?” Cole’s look turned serious again. “Do you mind taking shifts with me?”

  “Shifts?” His introspection had made him miss something important. “I’m sorry.”

  “Not a problem. I was just saying if we took shifts, one of us would stay awake at all times until they catch the shooter.”

  “Good idea. You know I’ll do whatever it takes.”

  “Thanks. I know the ladies will feel safer that way.” Cole glanced at Anesia. “We all will.”

  Anesia gasped. “The dogs. I completely forgot about the dogs.”

  “Can it wait until morning?” Cole scratched his chin.

  “They haven’t been fed today. And by now, the kennel must be a mess. No one has been out there for hours.”

  Sean raised his eyebrows in question to Cole. “Think it’s safe? With all the chaos around here earlier, do you really think he’d come back?”

  “I don’t know. If he’s desperate enough, he might.”

  Anesia glanced up at Sean. Pleading. Those dogs were her livelihood. Her family. And she probably needed a small sense of normalcy. Some manual labor to get her mind off the horrors of the day.

  Sean decided to take the risk. “What if Anesia and I work together? We can finish it pretty quick.”

  “What about Derek? Wasn’t he here earlier?”

  Cole’s military stance told him the direction of the man’s thoughts.