Because he’d seen the same guy at the restaurant where Jenna got her milkshake.
Coincidence?
Possibly.
Or was he watching Jenna?
6
Samantha strained to hear where the intruder might be in the spacious suite. There weren’t that many good hiding places, but all he needed was one.
Silence reigned.
Had he left the same way he’d entered? But why jam the door?
So she’d have to find another way out.
Swallowing hard, she said a quick prayer. She was more afraid for Andy than for herself. Would her little boy stay in the bathroom?
She didn’t want to wait to find out. She had to get this guy out of here. Breathing more prayers, she moved toward the stairs. Would she meet him coming down as she went up? The thought sent more fear zipping through her. What she would give for her Glock right now! Or even her cell phone.
With her son’s safety in the forefront of her mind, she steadied herself and moved toward the steps, stopping to listen every few paces.
Sam listened. Nothing. Then had a thought.
The downstairs balcony. She could slip through the doors and up the outside stairs to the upper room.
As quietly as possible, she crossed the room and slid the balcony door open. Shutting it silently behind her, she gripped the rail and planted her foot on the first step. One by one, she made her way up the stairs. Her heart thudded in her chest, her training helping her keep calm in spite of her fear about Andy being discovered. How long would the three-year-old stay in the bathroom?
Not long, she felt sure.
At the top of the steps, she stayed to the side of the doors that led into the master suite. A shadow passed in front of the door and she jerked back.
Blood rushing in her ears, she waited a few seconds, then peeked around the edge.
“Mommy! Mommy! Where are you? Did you get him?”
Her stomach bottomed out and terror flooded her. “Andy,” she whispered. “Oh no.”
The shadow jerked. And spun for the stairs that would take him down to her son.
Jenna watched the face of the young man seated opposite her. He was nice, but he wasn’t Bradley. She still wasn’t sure what had gone wrong with them, but he’d declared he’d needed some space to pray about their relationship. Okay, she got that. And she’d tried to pray too, but all she could do was envision smacking Bradley upside the head with the hopes it would knock some sense into him.
She sighed.
“Where are you?”
Jenna jerked, saw the guy who’d introduced himself as Drake Walker staring at her with a small smile on his face. “Sorry?”
“I’ve been talking a mile a minute. When I asked you what you thought, you were still zoned out. Am I that boring?”
Jenna groaned, embarrassment clawing at her. “I’m sorry. I’m just … I’m …”
“What’s his name?”
Her shoulders wilted. “Bradley.”
“He’s a lucky guy.”
Jenna grimaced. “Well, he used to think so.”
“Want to take a walk? Find someplace a little more quiet to talk?”
She pushed aside her mostly uneaten pizza. “Sure.”
Connor watched Jenna and the young man stand. She looked sad, but grateful for the company. She was still thinking about Bradley. Good. Maybe that would put off the guy she was with.
What Connor found most interesting was the fact that the other man in the baseball cap also stood to follow.
Connor decided he didn’t like the way this was looking. Keeping a fair distance, he followed behind the three, wondering what the man was up to.
Jenna and her escort turned to head up the steps. Their shadow followed. Connor’s uneasiness morphed into a raging fear when the man reached around to the small of his back and wrapped his fingers around the butt of a gun.
7
On the top floor of the suite, Samantha slid the sliding glass doors open with a thud. “Hey!”
He turned, dark eyes glittering in his pale features.
“What do you want?”
“Mommy?” Her son’s voice came closer. Probably headed for the steps that would bring him up to her room.
Oh please, God. Keep him away from my baby!
A grin crossed the man’s face as he turned his back to her and bolted for the steps, his intent clear. Andy …
Her terror spiked. She grabbed a book from the nearest shelf and heaved it at him. Then the next and the next. As she rained books upon him, he whirled, arms batting them away.
She knew she wasn’t going to hurt him this way, she just wanted to stop him from going after Andy.
Finally her fingers found the largest volume on the shelf. Without bothering to aim, she flung it. It caught him in the stomach and he doubled over.
With a growl, he stumbled after her, eyes glittering, menace in his face. A face she committed to memory without trying.
Sam backed up, her brain working overtime, desperately searching for a plan, a way to get to her cell phone. But all she could think was that she had to get him away from Andy.
“Mommy!”
The intruder turned to glance behind him.
“Leave him alone!” she screamed, the words ripped from her throat.
He lunged for her.
Samantha sidestepped and bolted out onto the large balcony. Staying in the nicest suite on the ship had its advantages.
Room to run.
She started back down the balcony steps when she felt a hard hand land on the left side of her head, whiplashing her neck and jerking her around. He had grabbed hold of her hair. She went with the pull, another scream erupting from her as she brought an elbow up and back, aiming for the man’s throat.
A choking cry told her her aim was true.
The hand released her hair and she heard him stagger and fall behind her. She ignored her throbbing skull as she hurried to put distance between her and her attacker praying that Andy hadn’t started up the stairs yet.
Breaths coming in spurts, she hurried down the steps, hearing the man start to move on the balcony above her.
Which was fine. As long as he came after her, he wasn’t going after Andy.
As soon as Jenna and her young man turned the corner, Connor made his move. In three quick steps, he was right behind their shadow. The little corridor to his left was empty.
Lightning fast, he grabbed the man’s wrist, jerking it away from his gun and pulling him into the corridor.
The blow to his chin caught Connor by surprise and he staggered back, ears ringing.
Recovering quickly, he feinted left and brought a fist around in retaliation. Clipping the side of the man’s head brought satisfaction, but with no time to dwell on it, he initiated an old-fashioned tackle, bringing the man down on his side.
A pained grunt escaped him and Connor jammed his forearm into the man’s throat. Harsh breaths escaped each of them. “What are you doing following my daughter?” Connor growled.
His captive grimaced. “I’m a cop. Name’s Jim Garrison.”
Connor lifted a brow. “Really. Prove it.”
“ID’s in my back pocket.”
Connor wrangled the weapon out from under Garrison and stood back, comfortable with the feel of the Glock 17. Slowly, he backed up and allowed Garrison to reach for his ID.
When the man flipped it open, a badge stared Connor in the face. He dropped his arm and pointed the gun at the floor. “Why are you following my daughter?”
“I wasn’t. I was following the guy with her. Says his name’s Drake Walker, but he’s a suspected drug dealer and murderer. We let him book this cruise and get on the ship hoping he’ll lead us to his suppliers.”
Connor’s jaw tightened as he tossed Garrison’s ID back to him. “And placed my daughter and everyone on this ship in danger.”
Garrison acknowledged that with a slight nod. “Yes, but it couldn’t be helped. Trust me when I say it
was a last resort.”
Connor spun on his heel, heart thrumming with fear for Jenna. “Which way did he go?”
Garrison was at his elbow. “Right before you clobbered me, I saw them turn left. He also said something about a drink near the pool.”
Without waiting to see if the man would follow, Connor headed to the steps, taking them three at a time to the eleventh deck where the pool was. Stepping outside, he heard the rushing water, the music, the laughter.
But Jenna was nowhere to be found.
“What are you doing?” Jenna jerked her elbow from the hand of the man beside her. He’d gone from charming to bully in the span of about three seconds.
The feel of something poking her in the side made her pause. “What are you doing?”
“Retrieving something that’s mine. Now, let’s move.”
Fear choked her. He had a gun! How had he gotten a gun on the ship? Gotten through security?
The how didn’t matter. What mattered was getting away. Pulse thudding in her ears, she cast her eyes left, then right. “What makes you think I have what you want?”
“You’re with the woman who took it.”
“Took what?” she nearly screamed.
He jerked her to a halt in the empty hallway, and she knew if she didn’t do something soon, she was dead.
Visions of her underground prison returned with a vengeance. She’d been kidnapped by a serial killer at the age of sixteen. And now this. Her breathing quickened and her lungs felt tight. Stars spun in her vision.
No! She couldn’t panic, not now.
As soon as he turned onto the hall leading to her cabin, Jenna struck out with the palm of her hand just like her father had taught her.
Blood spurted from his nose and he cried out. The gun tilted away from her and she gave Drake a hard shove.
While he was writhing against the wall, Jenna raced to the end of the hall, rounded the corner, and made her way to the outer deck located just beyond her own cabin. A man in a security uniform appeared before her. She spun toward him, then bounced off a hard chest. Hands reached up to clasp her biceps in a hard grip.
8
On the bottom floor balcony, Samantha gripped the rail. Which way to turn? She couldn’t go over, she couldn’t go up. Going back in would lead him to Andy. Already the mantra Keep him away from Andy was running through her head. But how?
Leaning over the balcony, she studied the deck below hers. But she couldn’t leave Andy. Already, she could hear him calling for her again. What if he came out on the balcony? Fear was frying her brain. She needed to think!
Her attacker appeared at the top of the stairs. Chills swept over her as she realized he was taking his time. With slow, deliberate steps, he started his descent.
“Help! Help! Fire! Help!” She screamed at the top of her lungs even as she kept her eyes on his.
Her frantic cries seemed to give him pause. Then he just kept coming.
Toward her. But away from Andy.
Swinging her foot over the rail, Samantha grasped it. Then her brain kicked in and she had a better idea. Moving as quickly as possible, she raced back inside the cabin and slammed the door shut. Clicking the lock, she spun toward the steps to the upstairs bedroom, but where was Andy?
A whimper came from the master bedroom. She took the steps two at a time and raced past Andy, ignoring his pitiful cries and her deepest desire to comfort him. She locked her gaze on her target—just as the intruder appeared back on the upper balcony.
He’d guessed her plan and raced to stop her.
“No!” she cried as she flew to the door. His hand reached to open it before her fingers could find the lock.
Connor heard the screams and his blood froze. Still gripping Jenna’s upper arms, he said, “Follow me.” There was no way he was leaving her alone. Officer Ellis was on the radio alerting the staff to a possible crime, giving the room number Connor shouted at him.
With Jenna on his heels, he raced to the cabin, key card in hand. He swiped it and pushed. Nothing happened. “Samantha!”
He tried again. And again.
“Here.” Jenna shoved hers in his hand. “Try mine.”
He did. Still nothing.
Lifting a fist, he pounded on the door. “Samantha! Andy!”
He turned to the security officer who reached out and swiped his all-access key. Again nothing happened. The man looked at Connor. People in the hall watched the excitement and whispered amongst themselves.
If it had been any other kind of door, he would have kicked it in. He knew he wouldn’t have a chance of budging this one.
An idea formed. “Next door. The balconies connect. Unlock this room.” Connor stood impatiently, his imagination working overtime as his heart whispered prayers for Sam and Andy’s safety. The screams he’d heard terrified him. Sam didn’t scream. She handled trouble like the professional trained agent she’d once been.
Without hesitating, the officer swiped the card and opened the door. Connor burst past. Raced through the empty room to the balcony and faced the locked sliding door that stood between him and his family.
Officer Ellis was right behind him, followed by Jenna. Ellis removed a special-looking key and unlocked the door.
Sam’s hand shook as she realized the door was already locked.
“I locked it, Mama,” Andy said between hiccupping sobs. “I don’t want the bad man in here anymore.”
She grabbed him in a hug and watched as their attacker slammed a fist against the glass door. It barely shuddered.
She watched him mutter something. Then a gun appeared and her terror returned in full.
He lifted the weapon and aimed it at her.
She tucked Andy against her and rolled back onto the bed, even as she heard the shot, the glass breaking. Landing on the other side of the bed, she heard Andy crying again and her heart broke at his fear and confusion. Shoving him up against the side of the bed, she said, “Stay here, baby, understand?”
Wet eyes wide, he nodded and clutched his truck to his chest.
Sam lifted her head a fraction. Just enough to see the man start to enter the room.
With a howl of rage, fear, and frustration, she bolted to her feet, hopped up on the bed, and launched herself at him.
She caught him in the midsection with her shoulder, and with a yell of surprise, he went backward, the two of them slamming back onto the balcony floor. She heard the gun skitter and saw it land just out of reach.
Hands grabbed her from behind and pulled her off the man. She came around swinging. A hard hand caught her fist midswing and yanked her into a bear hug.
“Sam, it’s me.”
She froze, first recognizing the scent of the man who held her, then processing his words. “Connor,” she breathed and felt her knees tremble.
Over her shoulder she saw a security officer with his weapon trained on the man who had just unleashed his short reign of terror on her and Andy. “Andy.”
Pulling away from the comfort of Connor’s arms, she bolted back into the room. She found her son huddled right where she’d left him. Snatching him to her, she whispered, “It’s okay, sweetie, it’s okay.”
One little arm clung to her, the other he kept wrapped around his truck. “I’m scared.”
“It’s all over.” Through the door, she saw other officers now flooding the area. Officer Ellis and Connor questioned the man who stood with a stony-faced expression. His eyes met hers and a slight smile lifted his lips.
Samantha shuddered as pure rage flooded her.
She passed Andy over to Jenna, who’d stood to the side, watching everything with wide eyes and tight lips. Jenna took her little brother and held him tight.
Samantha walked toward the man and faced him. His eyes scared her. She’d seen a lot of bad stuff in her years with the FBI, but those eyes …
“It’s not over,” he said. His calm control, his unflappable nerve shattered something inside her.
“You’re right.
It’s not over.” Calling on every ounce of strength and rage she possessed, she swung a right hook straight at his nose. As though in slow motion, her knuckles connected. She felt pain shoot up her arm.
Heard the crunch of fragile cartilage and bone, saw the blood spurt, and heard his screaming cry of pain as his head rocked back.
Then she felt Connor’s arms wrap around her and pull her away as the man lunged at her. Officers quickly subdued him once again.
As Sam felt the coldness invade her, she kept her gaze on the injured man. And felt satisfaction curl through her even as her hand throbbed. “That was for making my son cry.” She pulled in a deep breath, walked over to Jenna, and took Andy from her. Turning back, she looked at the now seething man. “Now it’s over.”
9
“How’s your hand?” Connor murmured in her ear. They spoke low so as not to disturb Andy, who’d refused to sleep apart from Samantha. The little boy lay sleeping between them.
“It hurts.”
Connor paused, then said, “That was a nice punch.”
“Thanks.” She lifted her hand and he noticed the swollen knuckles. She said, “The ice helped. I think.”
“Good.” He paused again. “There’s still one who got away.”
“The one who tried to grab Jenna.”
“Yes.”
“And we still don’t know where the body is.”
“So we still need to be on guard.”
Sam shifted and Connor held her uninjured hand above Andy’s head. He murmured, “I almost lost you today.”
“I’ve never been so scared in my life,” she choked. “Except the time Andy was kidnapped. I was so afraid I couldn’t keep him safe.” Her breath hitched on a sob, and Connor wished he’d been the one to break the man’s nose.
Samantha got control of her emotions and said, “They identified him.”
“Yeah. He’s wanted in several countries.”
“Carlo Wilder. An assassin.” She looked at the ceiling. “But why target us? And how did he get past the security and the facial recognition software this ship uses?”
“I think there are some holes in security.”
“I think you’re right. Someone had to help jam the room door. It was completely cut off, no going out and no coming in. And the phone was the same way.”
Gone in a Flash Page 3