by Casi McLean
She watched Logan’s dark figure, shifting his weight back and forth as he waited on the hilltop. Scanning the area, Emily could almost hear Alyssa’s whispers. A parade of goose bumps rippled from the base of Emily’s neck down to her fingertips, and she rubbed her upper arms to ward off the unsettling sensation. She glanced at her watch, 9:47 p.m.
Darkness now blotted out the dusky sky, revealing a spray of twinkling stars. She wrapped a hand around Ash’s strong bicep and drew him close. “Deep Throat should be arriving any minute.” She gazed into Ash’s eyes as he turned to respond. “I don’t know why, but I have the oddest feeling––perhaps a premonition something awful is about to happen. Can we move closer?”
Ash slid a strand of hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “Steel will be fine. We have every angle covered, and he’s a trained soldier well aware of the risk. I’ll not put you in danger.” His brows wrinkled. “We stick to the plan.”
“He’s right,” Wyatt whispered. “Don’t even think about moving in, Em. We have this.”
She trusted Wyatt––and Ash, too––with her life…but her intuition rarely, if ever, steered her wrong. Again, she rubbed her hands briskly over her arms to shake the unnerving sensation.
A third voice responded. “Eyes on a subject approaching the target.”
“Copy that.” Wyatt replied.
Ash stood and stretched, reaching both arms high over his head. He twisted his neck to the right then the left ostensibly to shake out the kinks.
But Emily knew his intent was to case the perimeter.
He reattached Duke’s leash then held out a hand toward Emily. “It’s getting late, dear. We best get home.”
Emily accepted his offering. She scratched behind Duke’s ear then secured her earpiece. She didn’t want to miss a single word of Logan’s meeting. Lacing her arm through Ash’s, she began a slow, stargazing pace along the path that wrapped around the base of the hill.
The dark figure spoke first. “Tell me again, why the Rose woman is still alive.”
Logan coughed into his fist then stuttered. “I…I tried to get to her. But the whole damn hospital staff paraded in and out like the room had a revolving door. I couldn’t get close.”
“You sure no one saw you? No security or police?”
Logan’s voice trembled. “The entire floor buzzed with security, but my training taught me how to slip through crowds undetected. I didn’t see a single MPD officer even broach the perimeter of the hospital.”
Deep Throat harrumphed. “Sounds to me like you choked. Thwart our efforts again, and your family dies.”
Emily silently gasped. She knew all too well this man would carry through with his threats, and the notion sent chills spitting icy shards down her spine.
“Please. Let them go.” His voice crackled, as if raw emotion clamped his throat. “I’ll do whatever you want. Keep my family out of this.”
The man held out his hand. “The ring.”
After reaching into his pocket, Logan withdrew something and placed it into the man’s hand.
Deep Throat slipped the object into his jacket. “Forget the Rose woman. She doesn’t have the list. Maybe she never did.”
“Then what do you want me to do now?”
“Go home. Your wife and kid should already be there, returning from the little vacation to Martha’s Vineyard you gave them while you were on a secret assignment.”
Logan’s body relaxed. “Thank God. They’re okay? Right?”
“For now. But that situation can change in a heartbeat…if you don’t cooperate. The Association has big plans for you, Sergeant Steel, as long as you’re a trusted asset…and you keep your mouth shut. I’ll contact you tomorrow to let you know where to pick up the details of your next assignment. Just make sure––” He halted mid-sentence, his hand held up to quiet Logan. Jerking his head around, he stared into the forest.
The murmurs in Emily’s ear continued as the team updated in stream of whispers––until one voice spoke clearly over the rest. “He’s here. Position Alpha, do you have eyes?” The chilling warning sent ice swirls into Emily’s toes.
The montage confirmed as they identified the mark. “A figure…on the trail from the woods.”
“Got it. Approaching to the right of the target.”
Deep Throat snapped around, his hand on his side.
Was he drawing a gun?
“Who’s there?”
“Must be a local. The target seems agitated.” Wyatt raised his hand and signaled the others with a wide circular motion.
“Stand down.” Harper broke in for the first time with an adamant command. “Don’t engage with bystanders.”
“Ten four. Parker, you got eyes?”
Again, the voices spit comments that mingled together in Emily’s earpiece. She couldn’t decipher who spoke what or where they were. “What’s happening?” Her gaze froze on the two figures on the hill.
“Stay here.” Ash grabbed her wrist. “Do you understand me? No matter what you see, don’t approach Logan.”
Heart racing, she nodded.
Ash drew his gun and crept along the forest edge. With Duke next to him, he slithered along the tree line then crouched behind the dog to better blend into the darkness, as he slowly approached the hilltop.
“Stop him. He’ll kill all of them.”
Emily jerked around, searching for the source of what she now realized was her sister. “Alyssa?” she whispered. “What do you mean? Who will shoot who?”
“Look at the wooded trail. He’s right there.”
Emily stared at the woods, searching for movement through the moonlit shadows.
Deep Throat spun, grabbing Logan with an arm around his neck and held him as a shield. “Show yourself.”
Ash stood, hands above his head. “Just out walking my dog, man. I didn’t mean to startle anyone. The park is usually empty this time of night.” He strode toward Logan.
“Do something, Emily. If you don’t, he’ll murder all three of them.” Alyssa’s image appeared as a soft glow.
For a long moment, Emily stared at her sister then turned toward Ash. No movement in the background––until a tiny flash of silver caught the moonlight. She wasn’t sure if the glint was real or a projection Alyssa conjured, but the vision convinced her to leap forward, saying the first thing popping into her mind. “Ash, dear. Is that you? I thought I’d join my two favorite guys on––”
The flare from a weapon’s barrel flashed before she heard the swish of the silenced gunshot. Emily bolted toward Ash. She saw Deep Throat release Logan and collapse. Two more shots hissed in succession. The snipers? Her head spun.
Logan slumped forward, draping over the first victim.
A burning sensation stung Emily’s shoulder, but sheer adrenaline kept her running. Duke dashed forward, darting straight toward her. Stars blurred in the night sky, as the figures responded in slow motion. Her heart pounded, harder…harder, until the darkness surrounding her squeezed the air from her lungs.
Ash spun and stared at the forest path. “Hands up,” he yelled and rushed toward the shooter.
Wyatt, Parker, and Victor, with aimed guns, all converged on the unidentified man from behind.
Cloaked in dark clothing, he hunched over.
Wyatt yanked the pistol from the shooter’s grip, while Parker pinned the man’s hands behind his back.
Head swimming, Emily fell to her knees, fighting the throbbing running down her arm. She screamed for Ash, but no words escaped.
“I’m on Steel.” Vic’s voice rang in her ear as he rushed to triage the two victims.
A strange voice muttered a muffled demand. “Frasier. You want to tell these guys who they’re cuffing, or shall I?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Mayor Pearson, is that you?” Ash squinted to see through the dim moonlight. “What are you doing out here?”
“I could ask you the same question, Frasier.”
The comment slit
hered down Ash’s spine and coiled in the pit of his stomach. “Perhaps, but I didn’t just shoot two men in cold blood.” He held his gun firmly aimed at the center of the Washington D.C. Mayor’s head. “Why the hell did you pull the trigger?”
JP––a nickname his colleagues bestowed upon him––tugged at his cuffs. “A valid question. When my neighbor pounded on my door, reporting an alleged drug deal in progress on the hill, I grabbed my firearm and rushed here to check out the situation. When that guy” ––he hitched his chin toward the men bleeding out at his feet––“pointed a gun at who I thought was an unarmed man, I reacted…drew my weapon and fired.” He jerked his shoulders, struggling to free himself from Teal’s grip. “You think you can get your associate to stop man-handling me?”
Gun still aiming at the mayor’s head, Ash motioned for Wyatt and his men to stand down, but the snake in Ash’s belly struck a venomous warning…something about James Pearson’s story didn’t sit well.
Wyatt glared at the mayor then nodded an okay to Parker. “Go check the victims.”
Teal pressed his fingers on Deep Throat’s neck then turned to Wyatt and shook his head.
“Crap.” Wyatt shifted his gaze to Ash. “So much for our perp.”
“Perfect.” Disgusted at how the sting went down, Ash flattened his lips. “Check Steel…and call a bus.”
“No need,” the mayor snapped back. “I called for backup when I saw those two make an exchange. Told ’em no sirens and to bring an ambulance because I was carrying and wouldn’t hesitate to fire. They should be here any minute. Un-cuff me, Frasier. I’ll handle this situation through the proper channels. You three can go home.”
“Actually, four of us are here.” Ash glanced around for Emily. When he didn’t see her, his stomach wretched. “Oh, shit.” He spun, his heart pounding, and he shrieked through the darkness. “Where is she? Does anyone see her?”
“Damn.” Wyatt scanned the area where he last saw his sister. “Oh, God. She’s been hit. Over there.” He scooted down the hillside.
“Son of a…” Ash dropped his weapon and tore toward the dark mound curled at the bottom of the hill, beating Wyatt to her side. Father in heaven, please let Emily be okay. He skidded to his knees, brushed aside her hair and felt for a pulse. “Thank you, God,” he whispered. “She’s alive. But her pulse is weak.” He inspected her wound. “So much blood.”
Wyatt glanced at Duke curled next to her, licking her face. “Good boy. I’ll take care of her now.” He slid his hand beneath her shoulder. Kneeling over his sister, he examined her wound. “Clean shot, through and through. But you’re right. She’s lost a lot of blood. The bullet must have nicked an artery. We need to get her to the hospital, now. Georgetown is close. No time to wait for a damn bus.”
Ash stripped-off his shirt and pressed on Emily’s wound to staunch the crimson stream soaking her shirt. “Are you hearing all this, Harper?” He shoved his bud more snuggly into his ear.
Screeching into the conversation, Harper took the lead. “Yes, Emily was shot, along with Logan and the target. What’s their status?”
“Damn.” Ash glanced over his shoulder toward Parker and Vic. “Come on, guys, we need an update on those two victims.”
“I’m pulling into the parking lot now. Teal, un-cuff the mayor. Tell him I’ll be there in two minutes and to have the MPD stand down. NCIS has this situation well in hand.”
“The target is gone.” Parker updated the victim’s status. “One shot in the back of his head. I’ll call Quint and Brad. Steel was hit, but only knocked out. He’s coming around now. He’ll be sore from the impact to his chest, but that vest saved his life.”
Still holding his shirt on Emily’s shoulder with one hand, Ash dug the other blood-soaked fingers through his hair before scooping Emily into his arms. “Let’s go, Wyatt. We have to get her to the hospital, now!” Ash couldn’t let Emily die. God please…please keep her breathing. “Come on, Duke.” He hooked a nod and the dog immediately complied.
“Isn’t that Alyssa Rose, Frasier?” JP stared as they passed by.
Ash couldn’t think clearly enough to focus on the mayor. Emily took priority over everything else.
“How is she?” the mayor asked, rubbing his wrists now free from handcuffs.
“Not good. She’s unconscious and has lost a lot of blood. Wyatt and I are headed to our cars. On our way to Georgetown ASAP. She’ll bleed out if we wait for a bus.”
“Take my car.” Harper’s commanding tone took charge. “I’m closer, in the lot now, keys in the ignition, engine on.”
“She’s right. This way.” Ash turned, adjusting the direction.
Wyatt strode in step. “I’ve got her wound. You lead.”
Again, they rushed past the crime scene, and Ash noted the mayor hovering over the dead man. Was he rummaging through the man’s pockets? What the hell was he looking for, an ID? Pearson knew better than to tamper with a crime scene. NCIS will have his ass. “Harper, the Mayor is too cozy with our deceased target for my liking. Keep an eye out.” He gazed down at Emily, her limp body, now so frail and lifeless. So empty of the passion she had only a few hours earlier.
Wyatt pressed harder on Emily’s shoulder. “Why did she deviate from the plan? She knew not to come close to the perp. Damn it. I won’t lose both my sisters to these SOBs.”
Ash scowled at Wyatt. “Don’t even think of that. She won’t die. Just keep pressure on her wound.” He stared at her ashen face. You can’t die, Emily. I won’t let you.
“I know the drill.” Approaching the vehicle, Wyatt shifted his position to open the door then paused a beat. “You drive. I’ll hold her in my lap so I can keep pressure on her wound.”
Duke jumped into the car and sat in the passenger seat.
Wyatt slipped into the back.
Ash maneuvered into the driver’s seat then yanked, slamming the door closed in one fluid motion. He shifted the gear then floored the accelerator, spitting gravel behind. Instead of heading to the exit, he swung the car around and tore across a rough grassy field.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Wyatt’s tone warranted a reply. Ash gazed into the rearview mirror. “A shortcut. Either direction on Chain Bridge Road would take us at least ten minutes to reach Georgetown Hospital. I’m cutting across the fields then I’ll pick up Hawthorne…we’ll be at the hospital in less than five minutes. This cut-through might be a bit bumpy, but it’s a no-brainer.”
“Can you get through to the road? What about fences or homes or trees, for God sakes?”
“Don’t worry, Wyatt, we’re on my turf, now. I’ve got this.” He slid a hand in his jacket pocket and retrieved his cell phone then held the home button until a double buzz opened voice command. “Call dispatch.”
“DC 911. What’s your emergency?”
“This is Detective Ashton Frasier, badge number 3829, I have a gunshot wound two minutes out of Georgetown MedStar. Please alert and have a team waiting.”
When he pulled into the emergency room entrance, Ash could scarcely get out of the car before MedStar’s surgical crew had streamlined Emily from the back seat and to a gurney. A heartbeat later, a physician whisked her down the hall, while two others––one riding on each side of the speeding gurney––attached IVs and cleaned the wound, prepping her for surgery. As many times as Ash had watched similar scenes, he never experienced a rush of emotion like this, twisting his stomach into knots then clenching his neck and squeezing until he could barely breathe.
Seeing Emily’s beautiful hair soaked in blood, clumped fat strands strung across stark white sheets, while splatters of crimson smudged on her face and chest…the images seared into his mind. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.
Once Emily disappeared from his view, Ash turned to Wyatt, his mind racing with details. “I should get Harper’s car back and help contain the crime scene. I’m sure you’re here for the duration, but will you please let me know if she…uh…the moment she’s out
of surgery?”
“Absolutely.” Wyatt nodded. “I’ll stay here until I know Em’s okay. Go do your thing.”
Breathing hard, his throat dry, Ash shook his head. “Damn it, I never should have brought you and Emily into the case.”
“My sisters are very persuasive. I’m pretty sure Emily drew you in, not the reverse. And it appears Alyssa has her hand in the fray, as well.”
“That’s a whole other bailiwick I never expected.” Ash raked a hand through his blood-caked hair. Damn, he hadn’t realized how drenched in Emily’s blood he was until that moment. He gazed downward at his clothing then examined his hands and shrugged. “I want an update the moment you––”
Wyatt cut him off. “I’ll call immediately.”
Ash gave him a nod then strode toward the car. “I’ll check in to let you know what our investigation reveals. No need to keep your earpiece active. Just try to relax.” He slid into the car, closed the door, and scratched behind Duke’s ear before starting the ignition. “Good boy.” Tapping his ear bud, he tuned into the ongoing situation at Battery Kemble. “Harper…Vic… Parker? What’s the status there? I need an update.”
Harper grumbled a few expletives before responding. “How’s Emily?”
“Still in surgery. Damn. She lost so much blood, but she’s alive. Wyatt is holding vigil in the family waiting room. He’ll let us know as soon as he hears from the doctors. I’m headed back. Be there in five. Hey, what about Pearson? That whole scenario seemed off.”
She chuckled. “Good instincts, Frasier. Looks like Mayor Pearson shot one of his own. We ran the dead guy’s prints. Turns out Deep Throat was the Chief Operating Officer of the MPD, the first in command under the Chief of Police. Think that’s a coincidence?”
“No shit?” Ash tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “Sid Ellis? I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised. How many Association members have we pegged so far, including the five you tagged from Congress…a dirty dozen?”
“At least.” Harper cleared her throat. “And we’ve barely scratched the surface.”
“I’m almost there, Harper.” Ash turned onto Chain Bridge Road and headed toward Battery Kemble Park. “Hey, what’s the mayor’s explanation?”