Present Danger

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Present Danger Page 24

by Elizabeth Goddard


  Jack relayed numerous codes to warn the deputies and also ask for additional backup. Then his radio squawked its last.

  The gunfire continued to demolish Jack’s vehicle. No chance they were getting in a shot. Not here.

  “Go . . . go into the cornfield.” He shoved her away from the vehicle and covered her as she plowed into the six-foot-tall cornstalks.

  He urged her forward as if the tall plants could somehow protect them against bullets. “Let’s go. I can’t let anything happen to you. I won’t.”

  “Then we’ll protect each other.” She gasped for breath. She’d seen something similar happen before, and that ended in tragedy.

  God, please don’t let it end that way this time!

  She and Jack pushed deeper into the cornfield, running down rows. The tall plants and thick green leaves slapped her face as she ran.

  “I’m not sure the corn will protect us from the onslaught,” she said. “If we have to face off with him, I’m not carrying an assault rifle. You?”

  He swiped the sweat from his face. “It doesn’t matter. All we need is to be strategic.”

  “Strategic. You mean like make our way around behind him? Ambush him?”

  “No, I’ll be the one to make my way around behind him. You’re getting somewhere safe.”

  “What about waiting for backup?”

  “I’m not sure if he’s going to give us a chance to wait. It’ll take a few minutes for others to get here.”

  Terra knew what could happen while waiting for backup. People could die.

  “You’re not leaving me, Jack. I’m your backup. We’re in this together. Let’s hide in the cornstalks and wait for him to come find us. If he comes, we’ll be ready for him.”

  She crouched down, then lay flat on her belly.

  Jack dropped next to her. “I don’t like to cut and run.”

  “I don’t either. But staying next to your vehicle would have been suicide.”

  “Listen,” he said.

  Silence filled the night. No sound of gunfire. Nor sirens. Nothing.

  “He must be checking the vehicle to confirm we’re dead,” Jack whispered.

  “He’ll be coming for us.”

  “Or if he’s smart, he’ll get into that truck of his and get out of town. He has to know that law enforcement is going to rain down on him from all corners of the state. Why would he do something like this?”

  The truth was, they knew next to nothing about Leif Morrisey.

  Jack’s face was close to hers. He held his weapon at the ready and eyed her. He pressed a finger to his lips. A breeze blew through the cornstalks.

  Time to listen.

  Someone made their way through the corn. More like marched without fear.

  Leif was coming for them. Indignation settled in her gut. If Owen knew what his friend was up to, he would stop him. If anything, Leif should be running from them. Terra squeezed her weapon, wanting to shift her position, but that would make too much noise. Even in the cool of the evening, sweat crawled over her back and dripped down her temples.

  Jack motioned for her to get up. She scrambled to her feet, quickly and quietly, and backed away from her hiding spot, this time careful not to disturb the plants. If Leif decided to fire his weapon into the field, they would be at risk.

  Sirens resounded in the distance. Finally. But would they arrive in time?

  Jack tucked her behind him. She stepped into a wider row of mowed stalks.

  The corn maze.

  The footfalls sounded closer. Terra ran with Jack, following the corners and curves of the maze. She gasped for breath.

  They were making entirely too much noise.

  “The more distance, the better,” Jack whispered. “But we’ll follow the maze, and then head back toward the road. Backup has to get here soon.”

  “I have no idea which way the road is. Do you?”

  Jack slowed to a stop and stepped into the cover of the cornstalks, pulling her with him. Weapons drawn, they stood perfectly still and quiet.

  Sirens sounded louder.

  The movement in the cornstalks sounded distant. Leif was now the one on the run. Jack pushed back out into the maze and she followed, though still wary of more assault-grade gunfire.

  “We can’t let him get away, Jack. He has to be behind the murders.”

  “The roads will be blocked, and he’ll know that. My bet is he’s going to try to get back to his vehicle and go through the cornfield. Or to that farmhouse. He could take hostages.”

  “We need to make our way there to warn them.”

  Jack once again slowed and held his hand up. Through the cornstalks she could see the road, and Jack slowly approached. They should have at least heard Leif’s truck. And if not, then he was on foot.

  An engine roared to life.

  Jack stepped out of the cornfield and onto the road. He aimed his weapon.

  Terra stood by his side, her weapon ready.

  Leif swerved out of the field and onto the road. Jack aimed for the man himself while Terra aimed for the tires, but neither of them fired since the truck disappeared down the county road, heading in the opposite direction. Jack limped around as if he would climb into his own destroyed vehicle and opened the door. It fell away and clanked to the ground.

  Jack collapsed to his knees and hung his head.

  Terra raced to his side. “Jack, it’s okay. We did all we could.”

  He slumped to the road.

  “Jack?”

  Terra lifted the bomber jacket and saw the blood.

  FIFTY-THREE

  Jack!” Terra’s voice sounded as if it were coming from down a long tunnel.

  “I’m okay,” he said. “It’s just a flesh wound. A graze.”

  “You are not okay!”

  “Maybe I’m a little dizzy.” He felt like a complete wimp. He’d let that guy get the best of him. He’d really messed this up.

  “Because you’re bleeding. Where exactly are you shot? I need to stop the bleeding.”

  Must have happened when the guy surprised them by firing on their vehicle. He had only noticed a pinched feeling, and not the pain. Adrenaline had probably kept him going and alive.

  “I think it went all the way through.” He’d been shot before and should have recognized the signs. “I’m going to live, Terra. Don’t look so stricken.”

  She kneeled beside him. Opened up his shirt. “Where is it?”

  “My arm. We can stop the bleeding. Make a tourniquet. But they’re already here. Help is here.”

  Pain and terror filled her wide eyes. He hated putting that look on her face. Jack wanted to squeeze her hand, but the strength had run out of him.

  Vehicle lights filled the edges of his vision, along with flashing colored lights of county vehicles. Terra put pressure on the wound and pain ignited. He gritted his teeth to keep from groaning. He didn’t want to scare her. With his free hand, he pushed the hair out of her face, then ran his hand over her cheek. Trailed his thumb down her jaw. He wanted a second chance with her.

  He didn’t deserve it, but . . . if he survived . . . God, please, give me another chance with Terra. I need to make it right like Aunt Nadine said.

  Her eyes flashed to him, the whites bright in the shadows. “What are you doing?” Her voice shook.

  She tried to pretend he had no effect on her, but he saw in her eyes that his touch sent a current through her. The same current that ran through him when she was near.

  Or was it the loss of blood and adrenaline crash that was getting to him? Maybe his condition acted like a truth serum, and he was being honest with himself.

  He tried to push up. Some hero he was.

  But she was alive. They’d made it out alive. Unlike . . .

  Unlike . . . “Sarah.”

  “What? I’m not Sarah.” Her face was now filled with full-blown panic.

  “Sarah, you’re alive.”

  “Jack. It’s me.” Terra drew close enough he could kiss her. “I
t’s me.”

  “Terra.” He tried to reach up and touch her lips. Pull her closer, but his body wasn’t cooperating.

  “Here, here! Help, we need help . . .” Her words trailed away, and when she stepped out of view to let the EMTs take over, he saw her trembling, blood-covered hands. She leaned in. “I’ll let them know to keep searching. And just how dangerous he is.”

  “Stay with me, Terra.” Stay with me . . .

  Had he said that out loud?

  “I’m here, Jack. I’m not going anywhere.” She weaved her fingers with his.

  Jack closed his eyes. Blood loss. That’s all this was. Too much blood loss.

  Images accosted him. The girls. So many girls being trafficked. One in particular. The shock of her familiar face. The anger and panic that engulfed him. But he’d worked to get her out. To save her before they took her out of his reach.

  His cousin, Sarah.

  Her body dumped in the snow in Wyoming.

  Because of him? Someone knew he’d tried to save her?

  Terra was here with him. Her words floated through him, close and yet far. Trained officers died all the time. He couldn’t lose Terra too.

  Jerking, he opened his eyes. She was there. But she’d released his hand. He kept her in his line of sight as she walked with the two men who had now placed him on a gurney.

  Jack didn’t want her to leave, because if she remained by his side, then she wouldn’t be facing that madman.

  Or her brother. He could see her facing off with her brother. Putting herself in danger.

  Jack gasped for breath. He had more to say. He had to warn her.

  An EMT pressed an oxygen mask over his face. What was the matter with him? He had no power to move. To speak.

  The thought of Owen being connected to Leif and the possibility that he could be involved made Jack more nauseous.

  Terra!

  He closed his eyes and wished he hadn’t, because now he wasn’t sure if he could open them again.

  “I’ll meet you at the hospital, Jack,” she said as if she heard his silent screams.

  “I’ll be right behind you,” she called again.

  He found the strength. He pushed his arm up. Shoved the mask away. “Terra. Ride with me!” He eyed the EMT. “She has to ride with me.” He grabbed the paramedic’s arm and squeezed. “Special Agent Connors is going to ride in this ambulance with—”

  FIFTY-FOUR

  Jack had lost consciousness.

  Terra’s knees shook. She wanted to climb into the ambulance with him like he requested. The EMTs were shutting the door on her, ignoring Jack’s request.

  “Wait a minute!” She tried to force her way in.

  A hand touched her arm from behind. “Agent Connors. I’ll get you there.”

  Terra turned to see Detective Nathan Campbell.

  “Terra.” Compassion filled his tone. “My vehicle’s right there. We’ll follow the ambulance. In fact, I’ll lead it into town.”

  “Let’s go!” She ran with him, and they jumped into his vehicle. He placed the flashing lights on top of the unmarked vehicle and ran the sirens. Sped around the ambulance and paved the way on the lonely county road.

  “What happened out there?” he asked.

  Terra clutched the handgrip. Nathan would make sure the ambulance didn’t waste time. She just hoped he got them there alive.

  “Leif pulled out the big guns. We were caught off guard. How could we have known that he would pull this?”

  “You couldn’t have. Sarnes had pulled up information for Jack, but only prepared the report tonight.”

  “What does it tell us?”

  “He was a warrant officer. Piloted helicopters for the Army. And yes, he served with your brother. He was a hero and saved lives. The other information paints a sad picture. His sister was killed. Leif kind of went off the deep end after that. He was discharged, though we don’t know the exact reasons.”

  “Well, he went off the deep end tonight too. He’s armed and dangerous, and I need to talk to my brother, to warn him. He needs to know what Leif is doing. Can I use your cell? I lost mine out there in the cornfields.”

  Nathan handed it over. “I know you don’t think Owen is involved in illegal activity, and I can’t see it either. So, for now we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. And don’t worry, Terra. We’ll get Morrisey tonight. Every agency has been called in. Anyone who would engage law enforcement in this way has lost all control, if you ask me.”

  Terra used the cell and called Owen. Gramps would be asleep by this time, and she didn’t want to disturb him. There wasn’t anything he could do. But she left a message for Owen, keeping it vague. She didn’t want to scare him, but he needed to be warned in case Leif showed up there. Terra sent Owen a text too. That’s all she could do for now.

  She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the constant sound of rapid-fire bullets slamming into Jack’s vehicle. She covered her mouth to stifle the sobs. Jack had been shot. The whole time he was trying to protect her and he’d been shot.

  Nathan squeezed her shoulder. “He’s going to be all right.”

  Terra wiped her eyes and glanced at him. Despite his words, he was worried too. Nathan was a good guy, and she felt sorry that he and Erin hadn’t made things work.

  Nathan slowed his vehicle at a four-way intersection, lights flashing, to assist the ambulance through.

  “I get the feeling you like charging through town, sirens blaring.”

  “This isn’t one of those times. I don’t like it when a cop is in trouble.”

  “Jack told me the bullet went all the way through and that he would be okay.”

  “Let’s hope he was telling you the truth.”

  He steered through the emergency room entrance and parked. Leaving his vehicle running, he rushed around to open the door, but Terra was already out. She and Nathan watched the EMTs roll the gurney carrying Jack down the hallway. Terra made to follow, but Nathan blocked her. “Let them work without distraction. You say your prayers. The doctors will tell us the good news when they’re done. In the meantime, let me get you some coffee.”

  She hugged herself. “Yeah, sure, okay. You’re right.”

  Nathan led her to the cafeteria. Bought them coffees and sat with her at a small table. Terra didn’t want to be here. Not like this. Anguish flooded her.

  “All I can think about . . . I keep seeing him reaching for me. Begging me not to leave him. And I left him. I’m out here.”

  “You know you can’t be in there with him while they treat his injury.”

  “Thanks for being here, Nathan. But you don’t need to hold my hand. Don’t you need to get out there and help find Leif before he kills someone else?” She hadn’t meant to sound so harsh.

  The tears welled again but didn’t overflow. She was a special agent. A professional. But first responders and special agents could get emotional too.

  Nathan touched her arm. “I’m right where I need to be. Take a deep breath. Jack wouldn’t want you to go into shock over this. As I mentioned earlier, the sheriff called in for assists from the state. Two additional counties. I think they can spare me. He’s my friend too, Terra. We go rock climbing now and then.”

  A chuckle escaped. “I’m glad he has a friend like you then.”

  His eyes met hers. “He’s going to make it. He was shot before, you know, back with the FBI.”

  “I heard about that. But not much. What happened to him?” Her question was barely a whisper.

  “I don’t know the whole story. Maybe he’ll tell you. I think he nearly died, but he saved a woman and took down a big human-trafficking ring.”

  Her heart pounded. “Jack did?” She thought she knew the woman—if it was Rae Burke.

  He leaned closer. “Maybe I wasn’t supposed to tell you any of that. I asked him about it, and he didn’t say much. But since he came from the FBI, some of what happened got out. Word got around. He’s private about it.”

  Natha
n frowned as he stared at his cup.

  “What aren’t you telling me?” she asked.

  “Jack will tell you what he wants you to know.”

  Did that mean Nathan knew something he wasn’t free to share?

  “Back there, he called me Sarah,” she said. “He didn’t recognize me. He was seeing Sarah. That nearly broke my heart that he would see his dead cousin.”

  Nathan cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. “I just . . . I thought you’d want to know that he’s a hero. And more than that, he’s a survivor.”

  Terra stared across the room at an elderly couple getting coffee. A survivor. Yes. She’d known that, given his background. And now she thought she better understood why he’d left her. That day she had thought he would propose but instead disappeared and walked out on their possible future together.

  That day, Jack had been doing what he needed to do.

  Jack had been surviving.

  FIFTY-FIVE

  Jack opened his eyes. Light from the hallway spilled through the half-opened door. He’d drifted to sleep after the surgery and blood transfusion and was told he would be kept overnight.

  He needed to get out of this prison.

  Jack forced his eyes to stay open. He vaguely remembered the doctor explaining something about a vein being lacerated. His humerus needing to be set. The bullet had barely missed an artery. He’d lost a lot of blood—enough that he lost consciousness but fortunately not enough to kill him before he got help.

  A soft sigh drew his attention to the corner. He shifted his head and spotted Terra slouched in a chair, sleeping. Her brown mane was tousled and hung over her left shoulder. Her dark eyelashes fluttered. Was she dreaming?

  Would she wake up and catch him watching her?

  The thought brought on a half smile.

  What was I thinking to give you up?

  He had thought he was doing the right thing for the both of them. Aunt Nadine always said hindsight was twenty-twenty. Easy enough for him to look back now and see his mistake.

  The echo of bullets ricocheted through his mind, yanking him from his thoughts.

  Terra could have been killed.

  Beautiful, amazing Terra.

 

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