Grave Christmas Secrets, page 16
He motioned for her to join him, and they ducked beside the van.
“Cover me while they’re occupied with the transfer,” he whispered.
Taya retrieved her weapon from inside her coat. Hands shaking, she nodded agreement.
Headlights beamed, illuminating her Winnebago. The car pulled up, and the driver jumped out. Tall, lanky and dressed in all black, he turned, his back to them beside his opened door.
“Stay here, keep your eyes on them,” Keegan whispered and rushed toward the rear of the van.
Taya returned her gaze to the car as a woman stepped out of the passenger side and paused, hand on the door. Her brown hair was tousled in big waves, framing her narrow face. She stood nearly as tall as the driver and wore a leather coat. Turning, she locked eyes on Taya.
Neither moved.
One daring.
The other warning.
Taya lifted the gun higher, hands still shaking. Could she shoot this woman?
A slam of a door.
“Everyone stop right there!” The familiar voice jerked Taya’s attention away from the woman. Folze emerged from the Winnebago. He’d gotten loose! And he held a rifle.
“Brando, come to me, now!” he ordered.
The car’s driver glanced at the passenger, then obeyed. Taya gaped. Why would Brando obey Folze? Her mind raced, struggling to piece together the men’s behavior.
When he got within reach, Folze snagged him around the throat. Gun swerving at the others, he tugged the driver backward. “Brando, you promised me money.”
Had Folze lost his mind?
A blast echoed, acting like a pause button. Everything stopped.
Then, in an instant, gunfire consumed the night.
Keegan yanked Taya behind the Rhino Barn, watching as the men advanced on her Winnebago. Folze returned fire, hitting three of the shooters.
The driver grabbed Folze’s arm and spun out of his hold. Several consecutive blasts and Folze crumbled to the ground.
Bright blue-and-red strobes pierced the sky, and the whipping sounds of a helicopter descended in the field beside them.
“Are you okay?” Keegan asked.
Taya nodded.
He ran out from their cover and tackled Brando.
Armed officers emerged from the helicopter. More canvassed the area, appearing from every direction, and surrounded the remaining traffickers.
Taya scanned the scene. Where had the woman gone? Jogging to the south side of the Rhino Barn, Taya spotted her nearing the valley.
I don’t think so.
Taya bolted, arms pumping, gun in hand. Her side cramped and her legs grew heavy, but she maintained target lock. Closing the distance, Taya lunged, tackling the woman.
They slammed to the frozen ground, skidding and rolling on the decline. The impact thrust the gun from Taya’s hand. She’d landed on the woman’s back, holding her down, and refused to let go.
In an instant, their positions switched.
Taya lay faceup, the woman over her. A strike to her face sent stars dancing before Taya’s eyes.
Survival instincts took over and Taya thrust her knee into the woman’s stomach, then kicked free from her hold and scurried to her feet.
Not fast enough. The woman delivered a roundhouse kick to the side of Taya’s head, sending her stumbling back.
Undeterred, Taya rushed forward and swung her fist, connecting with her face. But her adversary was faster, striking Taya so hard, she fell backward, knocking the wind from her lungs.
The whir of a small engine carried in the distance.
Taya got to her feet, but the woman was already down the hill and running toward a four-wheeler. She climbed behind the driver whose large frame filled the seat. A dark helmet concealed his face.
They sped off into the countryside.
Keegan rushed to her side. “What’re you doing?”
“She. Got. Away.” Taya heaved, bracing herself with her hands flat against her knees.
“Who?”
“The passenger from the car. You didn’t see her?” Taya asked, incredulous.
Keegan took her elbow, leading her back up the hill where the commotion continued.
“She was thin, slight-framed with dark hair.” Taya reached up and swiped at the warmth oozing from her forehead. “That viper drew blood.”
He paused and looked her over, a finger gingerly under her chin. “Yep, she got you pretty good. Probably just another of Brando’s many girlfriends.”
“You should see the damage I did,” she joked, wincing at the throbbing pain in her temple. “Does he have female bodyguards? She’s a mean fighter.”
He laughed and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “We’ll get her. The important thing is Brando’s in the ATF’s custody.”
Unconvinced, Taya argued, “She’s stealthy and the four-wheeler was waiting for her.”
He frowned. “Now that has me wondering. Okay, I’ll ask Hawk to issue an APB. Can you can describe her enough for a composite?”
“No need, I’ll draw the sketch.”
“You never cease to amaze me.” Keegan pulled her closer to his side.
They reached the parking lot where an ambulance had arrived. Taya spotted Folze on a stretcher.
“Is he alive?”
“Yeah, he’ll pull through.”
“What was that crazy renegade thing?”
“I don’t know, but it helped.”
Officers loaded the traffickers into cars emblazoned with Nebraska State Patrol emblems in reflective lettering. Taya followed Keegan to where two men barked orders at several officers.
Keegan approached the handsome man wearing a black tactical vest with the letters ATF printed on the front. All were equally built. The man’s short dark hair was styled neatly and he had piercing blue eyes.
The second officer wore khaki pants and a gray hoodie. He turned at their approach, dismissing the officer he spoke with. His wide grin juxtaposed his intimidating stature as he pulled Keegan into a one-arm, three-pats-on-the-back man-hug. “Stryker, you knocked this one out of the park. The big dogs at HQ are gonna love you. Great job!”
Taya smiled, enjoying the exchange.
Keegan tugged her closer and faced the men. “I would’ve been dead without this brilliant woman. Let me introduce you both. Special Agents in Charge Otto Hawkins—” he gestured to the first man wearing the ATF vest, then addressed the second “—and Wesley Zimmer, meet Dr. Taya McGill.”
Her name sounded sweet on his lips, and she appreciated his comforting proximity in the tense environment.
Wesley grabbed her hand first. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Sir? That’s my pops. No, ma’am, just Wesley.” He gave her a firm, friendly shake.
The first man also held out a hand. “Call me Hawk. Nice to meet you.”
“Dr. McGill, I’ve heard great things about your work.” Wesley was clearly the charmer of the two.
Taya glanced down, humbled by the words. “I’m honored.”
“Thanks for joining the party.” Keegan laughed.
“The party happened thanks to Wesley. He saved the day.” Hawk gestured toward the active scene.
“I owe you big,” Keegan agreed, slapping Wesley on the back.
“Well, in that case, I need a triple cheeseburger and fries,” Wesley chuckled.
“Done.” Keegan placed a hand on Taya’s shoulder. “Hawk, Taya had a nasty altercation with Brando’s passenger.”
Hawk looked her over. “Are you all right? Let’s have a medic check you out.”
“No need. I’m fine. Unfortunately, she escaped on a four-wheeler in the valley. I’ll compose a sketch.”
“Excellent. Get it to me ASAP. What about the remains? Were you able to locate them?”
Taya nodded. She’d almost forgotten the box. “Yes, I hid them in the shelter.”
“Great job. Maybe we’ll recruit you for the ATF.” Hawk grinned.
Wesley pointed at her motor home. “I understand the Winnebago is yours?”
Taya glanced at her Minnie Winnie, riddled with bullet holes. “Yes, sir. She’s taken quite a beating.”
“I’ll have one of my guys confirm it’s drivable while you two collect the remains.” Wesley stepped away and addressed one of the officers.
Taya and Keegan took the opportunity to walk to the shelter. He didn’t speak until they’d moved far enough his boss wouldn’t hear them. “I’ve got a bone to pick with you.” He cringed. “Sorry, bad choice of words.”
“I’m sorry for disobeying your instructions,” she said.
“Why didn’t you go to the truck as I asked?”
“For the same reason you didn’t wait for me before you moved into action.”
“Touché. Apparently, Folze’s an escape artist or I’m terrible at zip ties. Which is why I prefer old-fashioned handcuffs.”
They entered the shelter and she moved to the back. “I’d love to know how he got out of the restraints.” Taya reached under the tarp and gently withdrew the box, passing it to Keegan.
He cradled the container, and they returned to the Winnebago where another ATF agent tinkered under the hood. “They tried to prevent you from driving away, but we’ve got it fixed. We’ll follow you back to Lincoln. Zimmer found plastic to cover up the rear window. It’s not pretty but it’ll keep the cold out for now.”
“Thank you.”
“Stryker, I need to speak with you before you head out,” Hawk called.
Keegan faced her. “Give me a minute. I’ll ride with you.”
Relieved she wouldn’t be returning to Lincoln with strange ATF agents, or worse, by herself, she confessed, “I was hoping you’d say that.”
He jogged to his boss and Taya turned to scan the valley where Brando’s passenger had disappeared on the four-wheeler.
Keegan believed they had the biggest problem solved by arresting Brando, but something told Taya the battle wasn’t over.
TWELVE
Nothing killed a private conversation like a boisterous special agent in charge the size of a linebacker munching on a triple cheeseburger.
Keegan gripped the steering wheel of Taya’s Minnie Winnie and glanced in the rearview mirror, making eye contact with her. He gave her another apologetic grimace, one of many since they’d left Ashfall.
Taya responded with a small grin and shrug, then shifted to the side, out of view.
She’d graciously relinquished the passenger seat to Wesley and rode in the rear of the motor home with the evidence. The time allowed Keegan and Wesley to strategize their next steps.
“I appreciate the lift.” Wesley stuffed the fast-food wrapper into the bag and leaned back in the seat, stretching out his legs.
“No problem.” Keegan chuckled. He’d never seen one man eat so much in such a short amount of time. “It’s the least I can do considering all you did tonight.”
“I had a blast. I’m sure we made record time putting that special ops plan of action together. Gave me a chance to see what’s working and what’s not. Without NSP’s air support, we never would’ve got there before Brando’s losers got away.”
“I think I’ve finished the composite sketch for you.” Taya leaned forward, passing a legal pad to Wesley.
He studied the paper for several minutes. “Hmm. She’s familiar. I’m sure I’ve seen her before. Just can’t place where.” Lifting his phone, he snapped a picture and typed something. “I’ll ask Ishi to run facial recognition.”
“Who’s Ishi?” Taya asked.
“The most qualified technical analyst the Feds have ever known,” Wesley bragged.
“Zimmer’s not exaggerating,” Keegan said. “Ishi Haramoto was a black hat computer hacker in an underground organization before the ATF recruited her.”
“Now, Ishi helps our agents by tapping into other worlds with her mad technical skills. The woman’s a dangerous and brilliant computer genius,” Wesley replied. “I’d be a mess without her.”
“Has Brando fessed up?” Keegan redirected.
Wesley shook his head. “Not yet. We’ve got some evidence against him, but I’d love a confession. When we came down hard on Vice, he offered up everyone and everything for a plea deal. The guy’s facing life in prison, but the DA might barter for a chance at parole. That’s about the best he’s gonna get.” Wesley’s phone chimed and he answered. “Yo, Ishi, whatcha got for me?”
A new appreciation for Taya’s eavesdropping skills had Keegan trying to focus on the road while listening in on the call.
“Hmm. All right. Holler when you crack the mystery code. Take care of you.” He disconnected.
“Good news?”
“Not yet. Ishi will be in touch. Because she’s using a composite and not an actual photo, the software might take a little longer. But if she’s in any database anywhere, Ishi will find her.”
“Have you heard from Bear?”
Wesley twisted in his seat to address Taya. “He’s doing fine. The dosage of tranquilizers Folze shot him with were more hindering than terminal. At least in Bear’s case. Anyone else might’ve never regained consciousness.”
“Bear’s a force to be reckoned with,” Keegan agreed.
“I know that’s right.” Wesley chuckled. “He’s the kind of agent we should all try to emulate. The man’s invincible.”
“Bear’s got the lives of ten cats.” And they’d come too close to losing him.
A new wave of guilt invaded his thoughts. How many tragedies had he contributed to? Like a human torrential downpour of destruction, he hurt everyone he cared about.
“If you hadn’t arrived when you did, he’d be a dead man for sure. Good thing you had Narcan on you.” Wesley turned to Taya, his voice shifting to a professional tone. “Overdoses are rampant and law enforcement agencies require officers to keep the antidote with them at all times in case of accidental exposures.”
Keegan grinned at Wesley’s informative—and out of character—comment oozing with the obvious intention of impressing Taya.
“I’ve read about opioids like fentanyl having horrific and increased impacts on larger cities,” she added.
“It’s everywhere,” Wesley agreed.
“How do you keep the Narcan with you while you’re working undercover?”
Keegan glanced in the mirror. “I hide a dose in my boot and in my SUV.”
“Did Wanda have an opioid addiction?”
His jaw clenched at the reminder. “Yes, but her drug of choice was ice.”
“Methamphetamines,” Wesley interpreted.
The conversation dwindled under the heavy topic.
“Would you mind if I lay down back here?” She’d probably grown bored or depressed by their talk.
“Go for it,” Wesley encouraged.
Once she had moved toward the far side of the motor home, Keegan glanced in the rearview mirror. Surely, she was out of earshot, he whispered, “Give it to me straight. What kind of disciplinary action am I facing?”
“You bucked the system for sure, but your chances for the Missouri promotion are good. That is, if you’re still wanting to go that route.”
Keegan swallowed. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Wesley shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe you’d want to stay here.”
“Once the case is closed out, I have to go back to Missouri.”
“Not if you took a lateral transfer.”
Keegan worked the steering wheel. “There’s an opening in the Omaha office?”
Wesley chuckled. “There could be. Wouldn’t be an advancement, straight lateral, but you’d be in Nebraska.”
Keegan’s eyes flew to the rearview mirror. Had Taya overheard them? He lowered his voice, determined to change subjects. “I keep thinking about the woman Taya fought with. Why have a four-wheeler waiting to escort her from the scene?”
“If anything, you’d think Brando would’ve had that little insurance for himself, not a girlfriend.”
“Exactly. Something doesn’t make sense.” He glanced in the rearview mirror again. “We need to pull out all the stops and ensure Taya’s protected until we catch the woman.”
“I agree. Already working with LPD and UNL Campus police.” Wesley referred to the Lincoln Police Department and University of Nebraska at Lincoln where Taya’s laboratory was located in Oldfather Hall. She’d process the evidence, then transfer the remains to the state patrol. They’d assume custody for the duration of the case, and at the conclusion, release Patrice for burial.
“Thanks, Wesley.”
“You’re not the first.”
Keegan blinked. “What? You lost me.”
A crooked smile formed on his friend’s lips. “Don’t even play like you ain’t picking up what I’m putting down. You know what I’m saying. Romance happens in the field. Randee and Ace fell head over beakers for each other.”
It was common knowledge in the local group that Wesley’s ex-partner, ATF agent Randee Jareau, had married the scientist Ace Steele, whom she’d protected on her last case. They’d moved to Colorado after her promotion to the Denver office.
Were his feelings that obvious? He sought the appropriate response, not wanting to confirm or deny the assessment. Wesley wasn’t his direct boss, but he and Hawk held the same rank. They’d talk, which might not bode well for him.
A slap to his shoulder jolted Keegan, and he gripped the wheel to recover.
“Relax. If Hawk didn’t call you out on it, he ain’t worried. Trust me, you won’t get nothing past him.” Wesley lowered his voice. “Does she know how you feel?”
Yes, and she’d shot him down. Then he’d kissed her. And she’d reciprocated. Keegan shrugged. “It’s complicated.”
Wesley laughed. “Man, love’s always complicated.”
Keegan swallowed at the L word. “She won’t leave Nebraska.” As if that one excuse justified everything.
