“In case you don’t know what I said, I asked if my darling missed me.”
“I am not nor never will be your darling. Why are you doing this?”
“Revenge. I work hard for my job. For my family. Your McGregor comes along and gets all the praise, all the glory. I work as hard as he.”
“And that justifies you killing his wife, his son, and his unborn child?”
“It was meant for him to die in the car, not his family.”
“And the difference being? His wife would still have been a widow. His children fatherless.”
Ramon eyed her harshly. “You do not understand. You will never understand. Buckle your seatbelt. The ride will be bumpy. And do not think you can get away. The child safety locks are on to the back doors. There is no escape for you, Melanie McGregor. I need the money you’ll bring to me today. Duncan will kill Spencer, then he’ll go to jail. He will no longer be the best agent in the Bureau.”
“He never was. He was only doing the job that was set before him.”
Ramon started the car and pulled out slowly. His dark eyes still held her attention as he watched her through the rearview mirror.
“You will do well without him. And when I get your children, I will make sure that you are in the same area where your pretty daughter will be kept.”
All the color drained from Melanie’s face.
“Do not worry. I know of her whereabouts. Soon after I deliver you, I will go to get her and the boy. He will work well in our sweatshops. He will learn how hard work can be.”
Melanie stared out the window watching the trees as they went down the hill. Ramon was a very sick man who desperately needed help. She had to get out of the vehicle before they reached the park. She’d have to think fast, very fast.
“Gone. How the devil could it be gone?” Duncan said as they reached the spot they’d left the SUV.
“One guess,” Spencer said. “The same man who slashed the tires on my car. He’s always one step ahead of us.”
“Might as well start running down this hill until we find someone to give us a lift or a car to hotwire. It’ll take too long to wait for a taxi and the cars from the Bureau are headed to the park,” Spencer offered.
Duncan rubbed a hand over his hair. What a time for bad luck. A truck pulling an oversize load was coming their way. Duncan waved them down and flashed his badge. “We need to borrow your…” He stopped in mid-sentence. “Hey, Bufford, remember me? You helped us when someone cut our brake line?”
The old timer driving the truck looked him over. “You bet I do. What’s happened now? Another wreck?” Bufford spat tobacco juice as he opened his door.
“No, some hombre stole my vehicle and left all of us stranded. He’s taken off with my wife, too. Kidnapped her, and I have to get to the bottom of this hill before he does.”
“I can fit two of you in the cab. The other three will have to climb in the back and hold on. I know of a way I can spin this baby around and block his way. He’ll have to go down that way you almost flipped over on, but he’ll have to get by me. Let’s just hope he hasn’t already gone that path.”
Duncan jumped in after Spencer. “Yeah, let’s just hope.”
Wilson, Hargrove and Harris climbed in the back of the truck and held on as Bufford started down the road.
Much later, Ramon pulled the vehicle off to the side for a moment. “Just have to call my dealers and let them know we’re on our way. You know, we’re close to that little spot where you almost flipped. Of course, I was hoping that you wouldn’t flip. I only wanted Duncan dead. I needed you.”
Melanie turned her nose up then turned back to the window. Ramon dialed the number and waited.
“Ramon, here. Yes, I am almost there. Seen any agents?” He spoke in Spanish, unaware of Melanie listening to every word. “The others I have killed. I saw no sign of them when I took the woman. The Galloway man I killed first. I didn’t want him to talk. Shot him right in the heart.”
Melanie tried not to show her alarm or he’d know she could understand. She felt bad for Chris Galloway. He’d been a sick man who’d needed help. He hadn’t deserved to die, no matter what he’d done. He would have gone to jail for his crimes, but to be shot in cold blood … It made her cringe inside.
“The front entrance of the park. I remember. I will fly down and get the children when I sell you the woman.” Ramon continued to speak in Spanish. “A white van and a blue Lincoln. Yes, I know those will be the two vehicles that I look for.” A second later he closed the phone. “Too bad that you cannot understand me, my little bird.”
Too bad for you that I can, you sick buzzard, Melanie thought to herself.
Ramon eased back on the road and started the downward journey once more. Melanie inhaled, thinking about the curve they were about to encounter. She could try yanking her hands around Ramon’s neck and choking him with the cuffs. Would he go over the cliff? Or would he grab his gun and shoot her? Surely he needed her alive. But she had to do something besides just sitting in the back. She unlocked her seatbelt but held it in place so he’d think she was still buckled in.
“Little bird, what are you doing back there?” Ramon jerked his head back to see.
“Nothing. I…” Melanie saw the huge truck coming right at them. Her eyes widened. “Look out! Ahead!”
Ramon turned back quickly and tried to avoid hitting the truck. He slammed on the brakes and the SUV flipped over twice in the gully.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 23
Duncan, Spencer and the others watched as the SUV flipped. They hurriedly jumped from the truck and ran over to see what they could do. Bufford set the brake, grabbed his shotgun and eased out to get a view of things.
Melanie tried pushing away the air bags. She’d been tossed up front from the movement and no doubt from unlatching her seatbelt prior to the accident. She noticed that Ramon was sprawled halfway over the airbag as if he’d tried pushing his way out. The SUV’s windscreen was shattered and bits of glass layered the front seats. There were some cuts on his head, but Melanie didn’t bother checking to see if he was all right. Giving no thought to the broken glass, she hurried to get far away from Ramon.
“Melanie! Melanie!” Duncan shouted, approaching the SUV. He yanked the door open as a gunshot sounded.
Spencer pulled him away.
Melanie heard the shot and didn’t look back. She kept going up the road, away from the vehicle. She was determined not to look back.
Ramon was out of the van, but before he could fire another shot, Spencer grabbed him and threw him to the ground. He immediately placed him in handcuffs. “You won’t be firing any more shots at anyone, mister.”
“She’s not in there,” Hargrove said, as he and Duncan looked inside.
“Where the devil is my wife?” Duncan said kicking Ramon in the leg.
“I’ll get you for that!” Ramon retorted.
“You’ll be behind bars!” Duncan shouted in his ear.
Hargrove and Wilson looked around.
“Hey, Duncan, look.” Hargrove pointed up the road.
“Melanie!” Duncan called out.
But she didn’t answer and she didn’t stop running. She seemed determined that Ramon wouldn’t get her this time. Or ever.
Duncan took off after her. The girl was so frightened she wouldn’t even look to see who was calling her and he didn’t blame her. It took his long legs just a few short strides to get behind her so he could pull at her arm as she struggled with him.
“No! No!”
“Melanie, it’s not Ramon. Melanie, look at me.”
She stopped pulling away and took a look at the strong hand around her arm. Her heart continued to thunder inside her chest. Tears exploded in great drops as she looked up to see Duncan holding her. “Duncan.” Never had she been so happy to see anyone in her life. “Duncan.” She rested her head on his chest as he pulled her into his arms, thankful she was all right.
“Oh, M
elanie, I was so worried, so, so worried,” he said as his hand rubbed her back in smooth circular movements. “I should never have left you alone. Never.” He pressed his head to her forehead.
She pulled away and looked into his eyes. “He said he was going after the children.” She sobbed.
“The children are fine. They’re heavily guarded. Don’t worry. My parents and sister are keeping an eye on them. Our parents and sister, sweetheart. Our family now.”
More tears escaped her eyes to roll down her cheeks. She had a small lump beginning to rise on her temple, and a few streaks of blood on her face and arms. Duncan lifted her in his arms and carried her down to the others.
“Melanie, did he hurt you? Did he do that to your face?”
“That must be where he struck me when I ran away. My head sort of hurts.”
“We’ll need to have you checked.”
“I really don’t want to go anywhere right now.”
“The paramedics are on their way. Wilson made sure to call it in when he saw the van tipped over.”
“Spencer?” she whispered.
“He’s okay. He figured out it was Ramon all this time. Said you probably had, too.”
“I did while I was trapped in that shed, but I didn’t have the phone anymore.”
“The phone that Spencer let you take?”
“What?”
“Yes. He told me.”
“He wanted you to know I was safe?”
“Yes. He did.” He paused in his steps and looked into her eyes. “There’s something else you should know. Harris was there when Allison was killed. He was locked in the trunk of the car and couldn’t help her. Riley threatened him. Harrison heard her screaming and being tortured. You might suggest a good doctor for him for some counseling until he feels up to going back to work. His dear brother, just before he drew his last breath, made some harsh comments to him. Harris took it pretty hard.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Duncan brushed a kiss to her cheek, and pulled her closer to him. “Melanie, I didn’t get to tell you just how much I really loved you. The moment I started to say it, you had to hurry and hang up on me.”
She traced a finger over his cheek. “I think I know, my darling. Can you please remove these handcuffs when we get to the vehicle?”
He raised a mischievous eyebrow.
“What is that look for?”
“What if I want to save them for later?”
“Later?”
“Yes, like you want me to wear my watch?”
“Oh no, Duncan. This will bring back bad memories.”
“Perhaps you’re right. But I do have my own pair.”
“You are still incorrigible.”
“And you, young lady, like me that way.”
Melanie smiled. “Can we go see the children after you settle all this?”
He thought for a minute. “Well, it will most likely take us two days to finish all this business. We haven’t really had a honeymoon, so we might as well spend two nights in the cabin before we head back.” He arched his brows a couple of times as she wiped her face.
An impish smile curved her lips. “Yeah, two days might call for quite a bit of paperwork.”
Duncan helped her to her feet and they headed back to the others. The paramedics had arrived. He took her to the ambulance where they were treating Ramon’s cuts. The others stood nearby.
“Don’t be scared. We’re all here, Melanie. And he’s handcuffed,” Duncan assured her.
“I almost forgot. I overheard Ramon make a call to someone.”
Ramon grinned. “Doesn’t matter. I was speaking Spanish.”
“I don’t know if any of you know but the people that Ramon phoned are meeting him at the entrance of the park. They will be in a white van and a blue Lincoln town car.”
Ramon’s eyed widened. “You understand Spanish?”
“Si, señor. And I speak it as well.”
Spencer dialed a number. “Thanks Melanie. We knew their whereabouts, but nothing of what kind of cars to expect.” He stepped away and relayed her the message to the contact.
“He’s ready to go,” the young paramedic said.
Wilson started to grab a hold of Ramon as Spencer finished his call and walked over.
“This is far from over, McCain and McGregor. They won’t be able to keep me behind those bars for long. And when I get out, I’ll be back once more, and when I return, I will get my revenge.” His eyes shifted to Melanie. A wide smile spread across his lips as he ran his tongue across the bottom lip. “Soon, my little bird, we will meet again.”
Duncan balled up his fist, but Melanie stopped him. “He isn’t worth it. Please.”
“Wilson, get him out of my sight. Ramon, I know for a fact you’ll never see the beauty of a sunrise or sunset again.”
“We will see.” Ramon turned and walked away with Wilson.
Spencer took some keys from his pocket and took off Melanie’s cuffs. “I made sure to clear out Ramon’s pockets after I cuffed him.”
“Thank you for all your help,” Melanie said.
“You’re most welcome. Sit over here and let the paramedics look at that knot on your head. That little toss in the SUV will probably set you back a few days.”
Melanie allowed the paramedics to take a look at her head while Hargrove, Spencer, and Duncan talked things over.
Harris walked toward her. “I’m really sorry about all of this. It was eating at my conscience … and Allison…”
Melanie cupped his hand in hers. “Harris, I want you to go talk to someone. Then come back to work. I’ll need you to keep an eye on the office while I take some rest. Can you do that?”
“Of course. But do you still want me?”
“Why wouldn’t I? I heard what happened. You were an innocent bystander, just like me. Duncan explained about you overhearing Allison’s death. Even though you didn’t actually see it, those sounds had to be tormenting your mind.”
Harris saw the sadness in her eyes. “If there had been any way that I could have prevented—”
“I know, Harris, I know.”
“Melanie, I appreciate all of your kindness. I won’t forget this. I will make you proud of me.”
“I’m already proud of you.”
Harris released a sigh as Melanie stood up.
“Am I clear to go?” she asked the paramedic.
“You need to go have some x-rays taken.”
“Can I do it later?”
“I’d advise you do it now,” the paramedic said.
“Just give me a couple hours, and I’ll have my husband take me in.”
“Okay, but in the meantime, don’t be moving around too much. And if your head hurts take two of these. They can be taken every four hours. A head injury is no laughing matter.”
“Yes, I know.” Melanie smiled. “Thank you.” She thought of Matt as she gazed into his eyes. Looking at him was almost like looking at a grownup Matt.
“We’re done here,” the paramedic told the others. “You make sure she gets in for those tests,” he told Duncan. “She’s being a bit stubborn.”
Duncan nodded.
They watched as the two paramedics and the other two EMTs loaded the ambulance and drove away.
“So, what happens now?” Spencer inquired.
“After Melanie gets a good report from the hospital, she and I are going to spend two days alone in the cabin before we head for home. I want her to have some time to heal before we face the kids. By then the paperwork and another vehicle should be ready for us. The insurance company is going to have a field day with this.”
“Hey, we’ll bill it to Ramon’s insurance,” Spencer grinned.
Duncan winked. “Make sure it’s another Lincoln Navigator. Another nice black one. I like the way it handles. Oh, and makes sure it has those side airbags in the back, for the kids.”
Melanie slugged his arm playfully. “You only like the way you look behind the wheel. I hav
en’t forgotten how you approached me about that SUV the first time you saw me.”
Duncan kissed her cheek. “Something I have apologized for twenty times over in my mind. Love you, sweetheart.”
Melanie smiled at him. “I love you, my darling husband.”
“And what about you, ole man?” Duncan asked, as he slapped Hargrove on the back. “Got plans?”
“I think that I’ll fly back down and see Andrea,” Hargrove told him. “I need to spend a little time with her. Let her know I’m all right.”
Melanie noticed something in his expression.
“Seems our Tiffany and my mom have been planning a June wedding for the twosome,” Duncan informed.
“And Matt?” Melanie asked.
“Being an agent with dad, what else,” Duncan asked.
“Harris, come on, the Bureau has a vehicle waiting for us. We’ll head out now,” Hargrove said. “You coming, Spencer?”
“Yeah, give me one minute.”
Harris hugged Melanie. “Thank you for being my friend.”
“Thank you for being mine. I’ll talk to you later.”
Harris nodded, then walked down to where Hargrove waited.
Spencer pulled a letter out of his pocket. “You might want to read this one day. It’s from Jean. She and I were only friends. Nothing more. Ever. The child was yours. There are some things that the Bureau has to keep under their hats. I couldn’t tell you or Hargrove what was taking place.”
“I know, Spencer. Like you said, sometimes things aren’t the way they appear. As for Jean, I knew in my heart she couldn’t be doing anything like that. Even with that thimble of doubt playing with my heartstrings, I knew better than to believe she would ever cheat on me. Even when she spoke of divorce. Sometimes a man knows when his wife is or isn’t being faithful. There’s a feeling they get. Yet there’s a feeling that plays with their heart even when their wife’s being faithful.”
“I believe it’s called being human. We all make mistakes. And even an agent can be vulnerable.”
“Yes. I’ll take the letter and hold on to it. Thanks much, my best friend.”
“Next time ask your best friend to your wedding.” Spencer said.
Running On Fear Page 27