Smokescreen, page 26
“Tell your friends to let me go. And give me your car keys.”
“You heard her,” Seth called out as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. Seth edged forward to hand the keys to Taylor as Brent stepped out of his hiding place and lowered his weapon onto the kitchen counter. Then both men watched helplessly as Felicia pulled Taylor toward the side door and disappeared with her into the garage.
* * *
“Can anyone tell who’s driving?” Quinn asked anxiously from his position on top of the neighbor’s roof. The garage door had opened, and Seth’s car backed out with a squeal of the tires. For the first time since Felicia had grabbed Taylor, he could get a clean shot, but now he couldn’t tell which of the two women was behind the wheel.
“Negative,” Tristan said as Quinn saw him peering over Seth’s back fence. “I can’t see past the glare on the windows.”
“Seth’s having Steinert pull up the GPS tracker on his car,” Brent told them as the car picked up speed and turned at the first street corner. “Let’s move. We’ve got to get Taylor away from her before she realizes that the flash drive has been erased.”
“They just passed Vanessa,” Seth announced as he ran out of his house and raced toward Brent’s car. “She said they’re headed for Independence Boulevard.”
Quinn shouldered his sniper’s rifle and shimmied down to the ground as he tried desperately to bank down the panic rising up in him. He saw Brent and Seth take off in pursuit as he headed for Tristan’s truck. From across the street, Tristan raced toward the driver’s side.
“I’ve got a direct line to Steinert.” Seth’s voice came over the headset again. “My car is headed for the freeway. Apparently, Felicia Davenport flew into Norfolk this morning so our best guess is that they’re headed for the airport.”
“We can beat them there if we take a chopper,” Quinn said urgently as Tristan gunned the engine to life.
“You and Tristan head for base. I’ll call in and get you clearance,” Brent told them. “We’ll try to catch up to them.”
“Roger that,” Tristan responded and turned toward base. He spared Quinn a quick glance. “We’re going to find her.”
42
Taylor tried to keep her breathing steady, even though her heart was still beating rapidly. They had been driving for forty-five minutes, but when Felicia instructed Taylor to turn toward the airport, she realized that she was running out of time. Think! Taylor ordered herself. Clearly, Felicia had insisted on bringing her along as protection from the Saint Squad, but given the history of how Felicia normally dealt with liabilities, she was somewhat surprised that she hadn’t tried to get rid of her yet.
Her hands grew moist on the steering wheel as she tried to let logic overcome her fear. For whatever reason, Felicia still needed something from her, but that couldn’t last for long. Her gun would be identified if she tried to get through airport security, and surely Felicia didn’t think that Taylor would go along as a willing hostage once she ditched her weapon. No, whatever Felicia had planned, it was going to happen before they reached the airport. And it was going to happen soon.
Taylor glanced over at the flash drive in Felicia’s hand, and suddenly she understood why she was still breathing. Felicia needed to make sure that what Seth had given her was really what she had been searching for.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Take a left at the next light.”
Taylor looked at her speculatively. “I thought you were heading for the airport.”
“That’s what your friends will think.” Felicia looked at her knowingly. Then she pointed to a park just ahead. “Park next to the white car over there.”
Taylor looked at the park, at the nearly vacant lot. Two young mothers were standing on the edge of the playground on the far side of a wide grassy area, while several children played on the swing set. She tried to remember the lessons from the self-defense classes her father had forced her to take so many years ago. Be alert, check out your environment, look for someone to help.
The help she had been praying for didn’t appear to be forthcoming, and all Taylor was sure of was that she didn’t want to run toward the children. The closest trees were about twenty yards away. Could she break away from Felicia and make it over there safely? And if so, what would she do then? She thought of the action movies Quinn liked, wishing that she could stage everything to play out perfectly. Of course, real life didn’t work that way.
Taylor parked Seth’s vehicle next to the car Felicia had indicated, leaving an extra space between them. She heard a squadron of navy planes fly overhead, and in the distance, she could hear the thrumming sound of a helicopter. The navy base was practically around the corner from her, the same base where her father had spent the better part of his career. How ironic was it that she might very well die so close to where she had spent most of her life? Or that such a thing could happen when she had finally found happiness?
She squeezed her eyes closed for a moment, uttering a silent prayer that she would survive the day. She thought of the way Quinn looked standing over Emily’s grave and knew that she had to do everything she could to keep him from being in that position for a second time.
“Turn off the car, and give me the keys,” Felicia instructed, holding out one hand.
Taylor opened her eyes, feeling an unexpected sense of calm. Slowly, she did as she was told. “What are we doing here?”
“Making sure your friends didn’t double-cross me.”
“I don’t understand,” Taylor said, even though she understood perfectly. Knowing how devastating the attack on the US’s financial systems could be, Taylor had to assume that Seth had given her something other than the item Felicia was so desperate to find. “Whose car is this?”
“It’s another rental,” Felicia admitted. “I didn’t trust your friends to make this easy so I rented this car this morning and parked it here. Then I took a taxi to rent another car just in case someone tried to track the GPS signals. Besides, I couldn’t very well drive around with what could be the most valuable piece of equipment ever invented.”
“So you left it here in a parked car?”
“Where no one would ever think to look for it,” Felicia nodded. Then she waved the gun toward Taylor. “Stay right there.”
Taylor stared at her as she climbed out of Seth’s car and backed toward the rental car. She mapped out her plan in her mind, ready to spring at the first opportunity. She watched as Felicia dug out a set of keys, clicked the button to pop the trunk, and, while still keeping her eyes on Taylor, reached into the trunk. The piece of equipment she pulled out looked like a series of electrical cords attached to what looked like a mini version of a computer motherboard.
Felicia held up the flash drive and took off the cap. The moment she looked down to plug it into the appropriate slot, Taylor pushed her door open, rushed from the car, and raced for the trees. Run in a zigzag pattern, she remembered her self-defense instructor saying. She dodged to the right as a shot rang out. Then she ducked to the left and sprinted for the nearest tree.
A second shot rang out, and Taylor heard herself cry out as she tripped over a tree root and stumbled to the ground. She could hear the screams of the mothers at the playground in the distance and hoped that they were ushering their children to safety.
Breathing heavily, Taylor scampered around the base of the tree and pressed her back against it. Terrified, she looked at the next cluster of trees. They were more than forty yards away, too far for her to make a run for it safely.
Staying close to the ground, she peeked around the base of the tree to see Felicia’s face alight with fury as she threw the flash drive to the ground. Then she gripped her weapon and started toward Taylor.
Taylor’s heartbeat quickened, and she debated whether to run now or take the daring option of trying to disarm Felicia. She took a deep breath and offered up another silent prayer. She had to do something. Staring across the field, she knew that she wasn’t willing to go down without a fight. Forty yards would give Felicia too much time to take aim. She had to face her. She had to fight.
Quickly and quietly, she scrambled to her feet and prepared to lash out. She vaguely heard the approaching helicopter, annoyed that she could no longer tell how close Felicia was to her. The sound intensified, as did her pulse. She thought back to those self-defense classes, wondering if it was even possible for her to win this confrontation. Then she saw the glimpse of yellow to her right. Taylor shifted to her left until the gun Felicia was holding came into view. Then Taylor uttered yet another silent prayer and kicked at Felicia’s hand.
Felicia cried out, and the gun went flying in the opposite direction. Taylor dove for Felicia, knocking her to the ground before she could scramble for her weapon. Felicia kicked at her, crawling forward and reaching for the gun that was only a few yards away.
Taylor grabbed at her legs only to have Felicia kick her hands away. Lunging forward again, Taylor grabbed her ankle, but Felicia managed wriggle out of the hold and continue forward. Taylor could only stare. She was still lying on the ground, only now Felicia was just out of her reach with the gun once again in her hand and once again pointing right at her.
Taylor saw the fury in Felicia’s eyes, saw the intent even as she tried to scramble backward. Just then a shot rang out. Taylor screamed, and Felicia’s body jerked in pain as the gun fell to the ground once more. Instinctively, Taylor scooped up the weapon that now lay practically at her feet. She sucked in a ragged breath and stared down at Felicia, who was now holding a hand against her wounded shoulder. Then footsteps pounded toward her, and all she could see was Quinn’s chest as he pulled her close.
“It’s okay,” he said, his own breathing sounding as ragged as Taylor’s. Gently, he eased the gun out of Taylor’s hand and handed it to Tristan, who was tending to Felicia. Quinn’s voice lowered to a whisper as he added, “You’re safe now.”
Taylor’s hands came around him, clinging to his shirt. She felt herself tremble, felt the tears welling up inside her. Then, as sirens sounded in the distance, Quinn scooped her up in his arms and carried her away from the woman who had come so close to taking her life.
43
“Hold still,” Quinn said, dabbing some hydrogen peroxide on the scratch on Taylor’s forehead. She was sitting on the single bar stool next to his kitchen counter, her face still paler than normal.
Taylor winced as he pressed the cotton ball to her face but didn’t say anything.
Quinn dropped his hand and looked at her again. He still couldn’t get the image of Taylor grappling with Felicia out of his mind, especially that moment when Felicia broke free and aimed her pistol at Taylor. His heart had stopped beating in that instant. His fear of being too late had nearly prevented him from doing his job, from pulling the trigger and taking the shot that had disarmed Felicia and ultimately saved Taylor’s life.
He reached for her hand, felt it tremble. “You’re still shaking.”
“I know.” Taylor took a breath and let it out. “I can’t seem to stop.”
“I’m sorry.” Quinn leaned forward and kissed her gently. “I’m so sorry about everything that happened.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” Taylor squeezed his hand. “And if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life.”
“That’s hard to believe.” Taylor managed a small smile. “But I’m glad you were there when I needed you.”
“Me too.” He leaned down as though he were going to kiss her, but then a knock sounded at the door. “I wonder who that is.”
“I just hope it isn’t another unexpected visitor looking for me. I haven’t done so well with those lately.”
“Isn’t that the truth,” Quinn muttered. He glanced through the front window and then pulled the door open wide to reveal Seth standing outside.
“Hey, Seth. What brings you by?”
“I came to invite you both over for dinner. We’re having the whole squad over to celebrate the end of Taylor’s nightmare.” Seth nodded a greeting to Taylor. “Besides, I told Taylor we were going to have everyone over for an engagement party.”
Quinn couldn’t help but smile. He turned to look at Taylor. “I think they like you.”
“That’s convenient.” Taylor’s face lit up. “I like them too.”
“Are you up for going out tonight?”
Taylor hesitated for a moment, and then she nodded. “Actually, yeah. I think I’d like that. Hanging out with a bunch of armed men sounds very soothing right now.”
“Great.” Seth grinned at her. “Come on by whenever. We’ll eat around six.”
“Sounds good,” Quinn agreed. He closed the door and turned to face Taylor, his voice hesitant. “You know, everyone will understand if you need some time alone.”
“I know.” Taylor gave him a timid smile. Then she glanced around the somewhat barren room before looking back at Quinn. “You don’t have any pictures up, not even of Emily.”
Quinn looked at her, not quite sure what she expected him to say.
Then she shrugged a shoulder. “After you told me about her, I thought maybe that was why you’d never invited me inside your apartment before, because you didn’t want me to see pictures of her.”
“Did you want to see a picture of her?”
Taylor stared at him for a moment and then nodded. “She was important to you. I guess I just want to be able to visualize who she was in my mind.”
Quinn was surprised that he had the urge to smile. He moved to the bookcase and pulled one of the photo albums off of the shelf. Then he set it down on the kitchen counter in front of Taylor.
She hesitated briefly before she opened it up and stared down at a photo of Emily on their wedding day. Taylor’s eyes were damp when she looked up at Quinn. “She’s beautiful.”
Quinn nodded, leaning against the counter. He looked down at the picture of him and Emily standing in front of the temple, and suddenly he was able to imagine himself standing in that scene again, only now he could see it in the future as well as the past.
“It’s funny how I could fall in love with two such completely different women,” Quinn said. When Taylor looked up at him, he continued. “Emily was pretty quiet and preferred to stay at home. With you, just walking out the door can be an adventure.”
“That wasn’t my fault,” Taylor began.
Quinn laughed now. “I don’t mean the stuff that’s been going on since you got home. You love being with people, you’re artistic, and you’re always up for a new adventure. Not to mention that you tend to be a bit unconventional.”
Taylor seemed to consider his words, and she nodded. “I guess that’s true.”
Quinn reached for her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. “I’m just saying that I’ve been very blessed. I was fortunate that Emily loved me for as long as we had. And I’m incredibly lucky to have found you.”
Taylor smiled and reached up to kiss him.
Quinn closed the photo album and slid it back on the counter. “We can look at that later.” He looked down at Taylor skeptically. “Are you sure you’re up for going to Seth’s house tonight?”
“Yeah. I’d like the chance to thank everyone for all they’ve done for me.”
“In that case, I think we have an errand to run before we head over there.” Quinn stood up and nodded toward the door. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“Ring shopping.” Quinn smiled at her now. “If they’re going to throw an engagement party for us, the least we can do is get engaged before it starts.”
Before Taylor could respond, he pulled her through the door. They were nearly to the stairs before Taylor finally stopped walking and waited for him to turn to face her. “Did you just ask me to marry you?”
“I don’t think I actually asked the question.” Quinn’s eyebrows lifted, a combination of humor and uncertainty showing in his eyes. “I’m not sure I want to give you the chance to say no.”
Taylor stared at him for a minute and nodded. “Oh, okay.”
“Okay what?”
“Okay, I’ll go shopping with you.” Taylor took a step forward, but now Quinn stopped her.
“You will?”
Taylor’s smile bloomed. “Yeah, I will.”
Quinn grinned back at her and let out a short laugh. “I love you, you know.”
“Good. I love you too.” Taylor leaned forward and kissed him. “And I always will.”
About the Author
Originally from Arizona, Traci Hunter Abramson has spent the past two decades living in Virginia. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for six years before choosing to stay at home with her children and indulge in her love of writing.
Traci also coaches the North Stafford High School swim team. She currently resides in Stafford, Virginia, with her husband, Jonathan, and their four children.
Other books by Traci Hunter Abramson:
Undercurrents
Ripple Effect
The Deep End
Freefall
Lockdown
Crossfire
Backlash
Royal Target
Traci Hunter Abramson, Smokescreen
