She would survive, she repeated again and again. She must.
While she paddled, she assessed her wounds. She had a nasty gash on her forearm. But of all the cuts and bruises, the gash on her right knee was the worst. She whipped off her head scarf and wrapped it around her knee. Her right boot heel had snapped off when she’d fallen. Maybe if she removed the other boot, she could break that heel, too. At least she would hobble evenly.
When she tugged off her left boot, she noticed a thin, transparent, plastic-coated bracelet circling her ankle. A silver bead, no bigger than a small pea, was threaded on a wire inside the plastic.
Fear surged through her. Fox must have put this on her while she was unconscious. A shiver slid down her spine. Now she knew why he hadn’t followed her.
He didn’t have to. She tugged and yanked until the wire cut her flesh, but she still couldn’t remove it.
Fox was probably watching her with his scope right now. He knew her every move. The cry of anguish she heard was her own.
AN OWL HOOTED somewhere downriver. It would be dark in a few hours. Maybe, if the moon was full, she could keep paddling. She’d move all night if she had to. The only way she could escape was to reach help before Fox caught up with her. And he would. The bastard had this planned all along.
She used her anger as fuel to paddle. She’d be damned if she’d be bested by a psychopath like Fox. Her shoulders ached as she jabbed the wooden paddle into the water. The canoe hit a rock and the loud bang echoed in her ears as she righted herself. Damn, the river was widening but getting rockier. She would manage, she said to herself. She would manage somehow.
In the distance she heard it. The low whop, whop, whop, of a copter. Her heart leaped into her throat as she glanced around for cover. Maybe it was Mike. No, Mike had no idea where she was.
She gripped the paddle as her gaze searched in vain. Both sides of the bank were gravel with poor vegetation. If she beached the canoe, would she have time to hide in the woods?
What was the use? He’d find her as long as she was wearing that damn tracker bracelet.
The whop whop whop sound grew louder. She glanced up to see the tops of the trees rock and sway from the wind gusts as the Tiger’s rotors hammered down on the pines.
“You did very well, bitch. I never thought you’d get this far,” Fox said over the loudspeaker.
She clenched her right hand on the top of the canoe’s gunwale while gripping the paddle with her left hand, fighting to steady herself. But the wind rush from the copter’s rotors was pushing the craft toward the opposite shore.
“Steady as she goes,” Fox said with a laugh. “Let’s see how well you can swim.” He lowered the craft until the wind rush from the rotors flipped over the canoe, despite the rocks she had placed in the bow for ballast.
Wind and water beat at her, but she didn’t let go of her grip of the paddle. The river wasn’t deep. Although surprisingly cold, the water came up only to her hips. With the help of the current, she tipped the canoe right side up, then hung on to its side. She was a strong swimmer, but her legs were so tired the frigid water was already causing them to cramp. What did Fox plan to do next? Shoot her, like a fish in a tank?
She glanced up at him. She couldn’t see through his face shield but she could sense the bastard was laughing at her.
“That’s not swimming,” he called out to her. He brought the chopper even closer. This time the helicopter skids were barely four feet over her head. The thunderous roar was like a freight train; she could feel its vibrations ramming through her. The turbulence of the wind force and the water caused her to stumble facedown in the water. Squeezing her eyes shut, she surfaced and fought for air.
Dear God, was he going to kill her by setting the copter on top of her?
The blast from the chopper blades was deafening and she felt as if the force was sucking the air from her lungs. Waves of water blinded her. All she knew was to hold on to the paddle for dear life. Right now, it felt like her only link to sanity.
When she opened her eyes to look for the canoe, her hope sank as she saw the wind rush from the rotors lift the craft like a long silver kite into the air. It bounced and banged downstream, coming finally to rest among the rocks and driftwood along the shore.
She stumbled to her feet. The cold water was causing her legs to cramp. She couldn’t remain in the river like a sitting duck. Clutching the paddle, she turned her back on the wind and let its thrust push her after the canoe.
Trees waved and bent nearly double by the turbulence as she fought her way toward shore. She gripped a tree and pulled herself into the underbrush, then darted a glance over her shoulder to see what Fox would do next.
Suddenly she realized this powerful rush wasn’t caused by just one helicopter. There were two. Was she seeing double? With her eyes continually filling with water and debris from the wind force, she couldn’t be sure. Shielding her eyes with one hand, she peered through the slits between her fingers. She couldn’t believe what she saw. Another helicopter, a smaller craft, hovered over Fox.
From the cockpit of the Tiger, Fox was craning his neck for a glimpse of what was causing him to sway and buck. The abrupt movement bounced Fox against the instrument panel. As she watched, the Tiger suddenly lurched forward and was brought to land farther upstream in the shallows. What was going on?
She wiped the sand from her eyes with the hem of her T-shirt and looked at the second helicopter.
Mike! Dear God, was she dreaming? It was Mike! He was piloting the smaller helicopter, but somehow he appeared to be also controlling Fox in the Tiger.
“Drop your weapon, Fox,” she heard Mike say from the second chopper. “Climb out and lie facedown, spread eagle, on the shoreline. The Forest Service airboats will be here any minute. You’re surrounded. Fox, you know the drill. I’d love nothing better than for you to give me the excuse to finish you off for good.”
The door slid open and Fox jumped into the stream with a splash. Where he landed, the water was barely to his shins. Instead of giving up, he drew a gun and fired at Mike’s chopper’s engine. When he saw that he’d missed, he darted into the woods farther downstream near where she had entered the woods. Fox fired several more shots at Mike again. The forest was too dense to see Fox, but from the sound of the blasts, she knew Fox had to be close.
Why isn’t Mike returning Fox’s fire? Then it dawned on her. She’s directly behind Fox in the line of fire. Mike couldn’t shoot because he was afraid he’d hit her.
What was Fox trying to do? Was he planning on overtaking her and use her as a hostage to protect himself from Mike?
Once Mike saw Fox heading for the woods, he immediately moved his chopper downstream and landed in the shallows, now drawing Fox’s attention away from Brianna.
Oh, Mike. She realized that his concentration was mired by her. She must do something to help.
Suddenly, another shot fired from her left. She ducked into some bushes. She couldn’t see Fox, but she heard him. A branch cracked. Yes, he was looking for her.
She inched around to see where Fox had moved. Peeking between two leafy branches, she spotted him crouched behind a huge uprooted pine. He’d removed his helmet, and in profile, he seemed even more frightening. He changed clips in his handgun, then sharply drew up the gun with both hands and trained it on Mike.
She gripped the handle of the canoe paddle with both hands and crept back, then circled behind Fox.
The sporadic gunfire and Fox’s yelling at Mike seemed to shield any noise she made as she sneaked behind Fox. When she was within several feet of his blind side, she swung the canoe paddle with all her might. “Game’s over, mister. You lose.”
Fox turned toward her just in time to catch the edge of the paddle right in his Adam’s apple. Stunned, he fell to his knees, choking. Instinctively, his gun hand swung around from his right side just when her second swing with the paddle landed edgewise across his wrist, breaking it. The gun flipped harmlessly to the ground.
Fox hunched over on all fours. Her third blow whacked him on the back of the neck. He collapsed, facedown in the weeds.
She dropped the paddle and stood there, dazed. Suddenly the woods seemed still. The wind had died down and the helicopter rush was gone. Mike? Where was Mike?
Maybe Fox had landed a lucky hit when she was circling back to overtake Fox. Her chest constricted with fear. Please God, no. I couldn’t bear it if something—
“Brianna!”
She whirled around and gasped as she leaped into Mike’s arms.
Chapter Seventeen
Brianna leaned back in her office chair and glowered at the pile of letters that needed to be signed, the phone messages that needed to be returned and the stack of reports that needed to be written. Her muscles still ached from the ordeal three days ago. The stitches on her knee itched and her bruised elbow hurt like hell. But she had to face getting back to her life. And work was her life.
Some life. Never had she felt more miserable, empty and alone. Well, she better get used to it.
With a deep sigh, she shoved the reports to one side and cradled her head in her arms on the desktop. Why hadn’t Mike called? It had been three days since he walked out of her apartment with an “I’ll see you.”
What the hell did that mean? When would he see her?
He’d been so loving, so attentive when he carried her to the Field Service airboat and held her during their flight back to New York. She couldn’t have felt more cherished if he’d wrapped her in cotton wool. After their ordeal, all she wanted was to be held, be loved, as only Mike could love her. He’d remained glued to her side at the hospital when she’d been hydrated with IV fluids and the gash on her knee was sutured. He’d remained overnight by her side, then demanded to stay with her until Saturday, when Nora arrived, insisting on caring for her.
Brianna was surprised when Nora mentioned that Mike had called her. He’d asked Nora if she would come to New York and take care of Brianna. Brianna still felt the sting of disappointment. She’d been enjoying the time with Mike, and she thought he had, too. It seemed that they couldn’t get enough of each other. But once Nora arrived, Mike left, and she was damned if she’d beg him to stay.
What did you expect him to do, after you practically told him all along that you never wanted to see him again once the stalker was caught?
She mentally shook herself. Get to work, Brianna, she commanded sharply. Get on with your life. Mike is out of the picture, just the way you wanted it.
She limped out of her chair and took a seat on the leather couch, propping her throbbing knee on the hassock. She closed her eyes and forced herself to relax.
She should be counting her blessings. Fox was in jail, awaiting a trial date. From what Mike had said, Fox would be sent away for a long time. Simone had taken the news well. Although devastated that David Malden was the man stalking Brianna, Simone had said she’d realized that the man she knew as David Malden wasn’t her type long before. He was a companion and they had enjoyed the Broadway shows.
Mike was safe and no one else had been harmed, thanks to Mike and the TALON-6 team, who’d also performed a magnificent job. If Mike hadn’t been the person hired to apprehend Fox, who knows what might have happened? If she’d left the matter to the authorities, the outcome could have been very different.
Mike. Yes, she was more than grateful. She owed him her life. And now he was gone.
The door opened as Simone rapped gently then tipped her head inside. “I don’t want to disturb you, but…”
“Come in. You’re not interrupting anything.” She rubbed her temples. “I seem to be woolgathering.”
“You’re not woolgathering, you’re exhausted from your ordeal. I thought the doctor told you to take some time off.” Simone studied her with the same motherly attention that Aunt Nora did.
“Please don’t mother hen me, Simone. I’ve had all of that I can stand from Nora.”
Simone’s mouth quirked. “You’re a terrible patient, Doctor,” she teased. She took a seat across from Brianna. “Did you see the message I put on your desk from Kristi McFarland?”
Brianna looked up. “Yes, I see that she took my advice and went to stay with her parents.” She smiled, so relieved.
“Kristi was disappointed not to have spoken with you directly, but I told her you’d call her when you returned to the office.”
“Thanks, Simone. I’ll wait and call her in a few days. When my head clears.”
Simone smiled in sympathy. “If you’ve got a few minutes, I’ve been meaning to speak to you.”
Brianna swallowed and felt the pang of empathy for her friend. She paused, hoping to somehow say the right words to comfort her. “I’m so sorry that Reginald Fox involved you in all of this.”
She waved her hand. “I’m just thankful that you’re all right and that he’s in jail.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what I would have done if—”
Brianna reached out and patted her hand. “Simone, it’s you I’m worried about.”
She shrugged. “I’m not as foolish as you might think. Several things that David, er, I mean Reginald Fox said about his past didn’t ring true.” She pursed her lips. “I was foolish enough to think that he was lying to try to impress me, but now I see that he was only trying to get close to me so he could get to you.”
“You were smarter than he thought you were.”
“Oh, he was charming and attentive when he wanted to be, but his moods could be so changeable. I thought it was because he was afraid to trust. But now I understand why.” She glanced away, fingering the top button of her blue cardigan. “The night before he stole the helicopter, I told him that I didn’t think we should see each other again.”
“How did he take it?”
“Not very well. But we were at a restaurant, so when he pressed me for more of an explanation than I was willing to give, I left. I wanted you to know that. I knew you’d be concerned for my feelings.”
Brianna felt a wave of relief and admiration for her secretary. “Oh, Simone. I just want what is best for you. I believe you’ll meet the right one when it’s time.”
Simone smiled. “Well, I think I might have already done just that. A widower whom I’ve known through my church, asked me out. I’ve always admired him. He’s very good-looking, and I guess he’s finally able to get on with his life.” She smiled shyly. “He’s a banker. Just to be on the safe side, I asked Mike to run a check on him before I go out with him again.”
Brianna laughed. “That doesn’t sound very romantic, but I think it’s a good idea.”
“So did Mike.”
Surprised, Brianna asked, “When did you speak to him?”
“Last night. I’d called him several days ago and left a message on his answering machine. He’s been out of town.”
Brianna pushed down a flutter of resentment. He left town and didn’t tell her? But why should he? They weren’t joined at the hip. “I’m really not interested, Simone.” Brianna struggled to her feet. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d better sign those letters so they can go out in the morning mail.”
Simone hesitated, as though wanting to say something, but thought better of it. She rose and left the room, closing the door with a soft click.
Try as she might, Brianna couldn’t concentrate. Her head pounded. She felt so tired and unlike herself. Picking up the Dictaphone receiver, she opened the first report. Before she said two words, Simone knocked on the door again.
Brianna glanced up. “What is it, Simone?”
“Your new client is here, Dr. Kent.”
Brianna stifled a feeling of irritation. “New client?” She took a deep breath. What was the matter with Simone? Her secretary had strict orders not to book any appointments for the next few days. She quirked her mouth. “See if you can reschedule the client with Larry. I’m not up to seeing clients just yet.”
“I’m afraid this client won’t take no for an answer.”
Brianna fr
owned, her irritation growing. “Why not? Who is it?”
Simone smiled, then stepped aside as Mike came through the door. The secretary’s smile widened as she discreetly shut the door and went back to her desk.
Brianna felt the air rush out of her lungs. “Michael,” she said, her voice breathy. Dear God, not another goodbye. She couldn’t stand to see him walk out of her life again. “I thought we’d said everything to each other, Mike. I don’t think—”
“I’m here as a client. Didn’t Simone tell you?”
“Well, yes…” She looked up at him. “A client?”
“Yes, Doctor.” He pulled up a seat in front of her desk and sat down. “You see, I’m having a problem with my love life.”
She studied him, noting the serious look in his eyes. “Your love life?”
He nodded, then paused, as though thinking carefully before he spoke. “I’m divorced. The biggest mistake of my life. You see, we were young. Very young. I was head over heels in love with her, but I had no idea how to tell her so. Oh, I showed her.” He shook his head and grinned. “We had no trouble in that department.” He stopped, his blue eyes studying her, and she found it difficult to maintain a professional demeanor.
“Mike, I don’t see the point to all this.” If he was playing games, she needed to put a stop to it.
“I messed up, big time, Doc.” He paused. “It’s all right if I call you Doc, isn’t it?”
She leaned back. “Do whatever makes you comfortable, Mr. Landis,” she said, then quickly added, “within reason, of course.”
“Of course.” He grinned. “I made lots of mistakes, and now she doesn’t believe that I’ve changed. She—”
“Enough, Mike. Okay, I get the picture.” She threw down her pen. “Look, the trouble is with me, not you. I can’t be the stay-at-home wife, waiting and wondering if I’m going to see your face flash on the TV news as the latest casualty in some covert operation somewhere.”
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