An Unlikely Hero (1) (41 page)

“Excuse me!” she fumed only to cringe when he touched her gently on the spot she’d been babying. He slowly withdrew his hand.

He leveled a hard gaze at Vernon. “Did they do that?”

Before Vernon could speak Tessa pulled her blouse closed. “No! You did when you knocked me down…”

Vernon bristled. “You knocked her down!” He ordinarily wouldn’t consider standing up to a man a half foot taller than him and a good hundred pounds heavier, but hitting a woman like Tessa Scott was reprehensible.

Chase rolled his eyes in impatience. “Yes! I did, Vernon so she wouldn’t get her head shot off! Now if you’re finished playing Lancelot I’d like to wrap this mission up so I can take her to Grass Valley and never lay eyes on her again!” Surprisingly when he cut his eyes to Tessa she looked irritated.

It was confusing to see Vernon, normally shy around women, not only slip an arm around Tessa, but ready to defend her honor against someone who could clearly pulverize him. She’d had such a gentle effect on Jericho that he couldn’t stop talking about his involvement in this whole mess. Even Zoric, normally sadistically creepy around the fairer sex, curbed his appetite so not to unnerve Tessa. Chase noticed him running his fingers through his oily hair to try and tame it just before approaching her. She corrupted the predictability of what Chase knew worked. Even he felt compelled to be over protective. When this emergency concluded he’d gladly drop her off at her pretty Victorian house and breathe a sigh of relief. If she heard about Robert and the kids, all hell would break loose and her cooperation would end. There would be no fixing those feelings she’d harbor against him for lying.

The elevator softly dinged. Instinctively both men pushed themselves up against the cool granite walls, tense with the adrenaline pumping through their veins. Tessa, sandwiched between Chase and the hard surface of the cold wall, could feel the beat of his heart. It was strong and steady. Inhaling the scent of his body, a mixture of sweat and soot, his large hands came up on each side of her head somehow bestowing a sense of safety. Although her body seemed immobile against the weight pressed against her, Tessa could look up into the rugged profile of the man who’d taken her on the trip of her life for the last few days. His jaw flexed only slightly, the dark eyes narrowed as if intensifying the ability to hear what he could not see. The rise and fall of his muscled chest changed little at the prospect of yet another dangerous encounter.

Even though the unknown emptied off the elevator, Tessa believed her new friends would prevail. Unknowingly, she lifted her hands to his sides, drawing his face back to hers. His dark, troubled eyes searched her face and the creases on his forehead appeared to soften. One of his hands went to the back of her head then slid down to her shoulder like a gentle giant might do; afraid she would destruct at the slightest pressure.

“Stay here,” he mouthed inches from her lips.

She nodded as her hands went back to her side. What she really thought was something like
no problem there!
The act of her hard swallow of terror sounded like a cherry bomb in her ears as the pressure of Chase’s body removed from hers suddenly. Watching him and Vernon swing out into the open corridor, she heard surprised voices in a language she didn’t recognize followed by the rapid fire of automatic weapons.

Covering her ears she pushed back into a corner but could still see the two Enigma men firing, hunched slightly as if trying to find the target. Fleeting questions went through her mind: why weren’t the shell casings that flew into the air making any sound when they hit the floor, why did the smell of gunpowder actually smell tantalizing? Would she ever be able to get these moments out of her head to live a normal life again? Did Enigma have some kind of potion to erase her memories into the initiation of Terrorism 101?

The whole action of taking out the ones from the elevator took less than thirty seconds, although it seemed much longer. Not realizing her body still cringed with hands covering her ears, she watched Chase take several long strides toward her as Vernon disappeared toward whoever they’d encountered.

“It’s done,” he said stopping inches from her. He realized in such a small area the sounds of battle could be deafening, echoing off walls while the smell of death and gunpowder poured over you like a tsunami. “One of them was Jamaal, the one you put the tracking device on in jail.”

Tessa managed a nod as she watched Chase sling his weapon back to his shoulder and then reached out to remove her hands from her ears. Her knees felt wobbly as she tried to push away from the wall only to feel Chase’s arms go around her for support. “I’m fine,” she stammered, yet gripped the sides of his shirt with her hands. “I’m fine,” she repeated trying to push ever so cautiously a step back, feeling Chase’s capable hands still continuing to firmly hold her securely. “Are they…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

“Yes. It was them or us.” Suddenly aware that Tessa was trembling, he felt goose bumps on her naked flesh that touched his arms. Pulling back he rubbed his hands up and down her arms briskly and spoke quietly. “We’ve got to keep moving, Tessa. I can find a hiding place for you…”

“No!” she snapped in alarm. “Don’t leave me behind. Please. I’ll stay out of your way and not make trouble.” Without realizing it she had begun digging her chipped nails into his arms.

He patted her cheek. “Good. Just remember if push comes to shove you’ve got that knife.” His hand went to her stomach, below the waistband of her jeans. “Think you can use it?”

She shrugged as a weak smile played around the edges of her mouth. “Only if I have to save your life.” That brought a wide smile to his lips. “I’m getting pretty tired of all this one way hero stuff!”

Before he could comment Vernon backed up into view. “Better come here, boss.” Then he disappeared again.

Chase returned to the hall instantly to join Vernon. Two of the men from the elevator were of Middle Eastern decent, young and clothed in western style clothing. Except for being covered in blood, they looked like almost any college age student you’d find on a university campus in the United States. Their hair clipped short, clean shaven faces and expensive tennis shoes made them blend in much better than the guards at the gate or what you’d stereotype a terrorist to look like.

The third man, Jamaal, was a different story; he could be the poster child for
Know Your Neighborhood Terrorist.
Grimy hair, black and curly, unshaven and mismatched clothes that screamed Salvation Army Outlet, gave Jamaal the appearance of a terrorist who just couldn’t transition into American chic. His breathing, shallow and labored sounded like a death rattle. Blood soaked his shirt to the extent the true color no longer existed. Perspiration dripped down his face into his eyes as he blinked lethargically.

Chase kneeled to one knee before taking Jamaal’s pulse on his neck. “You’re a dead man you worthless piece of crap.” He displayed all the sensitivity of an angry porcupine. “Where is Essid?”

“Go to hell,” he coughed. Then he began to stare anxiously at something past Chase. “The angels come for me,” he whispered.

Chase and Vernon turned to see Tessa staring with horrified eyes at the blood splattered on the floors and walls. Her hand covered a gag reflex when tears began to tumble out of her eyes. Slowly her hands came together at chest level, locking the fingers into a sign of prayer. Her lips began to move silently and rapidly as her eyes lifted up then closed in communication with God.

“I don’t see an angel.” Chase stood and motioned for Vernon to nudge Tessa into action.

Hearing Vernon’s “pisst!” Tessa opened her eyes and shifted them to Chase where he moved his head slightly, indicating she was to move to his side. Nervously she approached, appalled at the amount of blood that poured from the man who created the scenario which inevitably dragged her to this place in time. He lifted a hand toward her.

“She comes for me. I will be in paradise.”

“You’re hallucinating, Jamaal. No angel here. Vernon,” Chase said twisting his body to look at his partner, “do you see anything?”

Vernon stepped closer. “Nope. No such thing as angels. Just me and the captain, Jamaal.”

“Tell me where Essid is, Jamaal and I’ll help you out with the pain.” Chase’s voice grew gruff as he nodded down at the dying man then over at Tessa.

“I’m going with the angel,” he continued.

Chase stepped in front of Tessa so Jamaal couldn’t see her clearly. A look of panic leaped to his eyes. “Where’s Essid?”

Tessa stepped around Chase and kneeled down next to the terrorist. She took his hand in hers, feeling his fingers close around her own. It felt limp, cold and clammy all at the same time. Clearly in Jamaal’s current state he didn’t recognize her from a few days ago. Tessa probably wouldn’t recognize her own reflection, she reasoned, if a mirror could be found. “Help the men and then we’ll go. Your friend is not a believer of Allah, only in himself. Paradise will be denied to him.”

“Now, Jamaal!” Chase shouted. “Or so help me I’ll rub a piece of bacon on my next bullet and put it right between your eyes.”

The viciousness of the captain’s words drew an angry glare from Tessa. “It’s almost time. Do this last good thing for me.” Uncertainty flooded over her as she felt him gently tug her hand. Lowering her ear to Jamaal’s lips he spoke then took his last breath. She felt the strong hand of Chase on her arm as he pulled her to a standing position. No one ever died in her hands before. Tears pooled but stayed in her eyes. “Fifth floor. Go left. Last office on the right. Hostages are all there too. Maybe more of his men. I’m not sure.”

Vernon’s eyes widened as he looked over at Chase staring down into the face of his Grass Valley housewife. “Trash can is over there,” he said pointing in another alcove off the main corridor. In an instant both men could hear her heaving into the can. The running of water from a cooler seemed to quiet the nausea in their saving angel.

“Should we check on her?” Vernon asked as he pulled one of the bodies into the first alcove they’d used as a hiding spot. The only response he received from Chase was a disgruntled look. Something like this didn’t usually rattle the captain. Having a civilian along, an innocent as he liked to refer to them, must be giving him a conscious. In spite of the carnage around them, Vernon couldn’t help but find the situation amusing that the mighty Captain Hunter was at a loss around this woman.

Tessa reappeared and diverted her eyes as the other two bodies disappeared into the alcove. Crossing her arms and looking up at the high ceiling did nothing to erase the smell and sight of blood smeared on the floor and walls. Bullet casings rolled after Vernon as he dragged another body past her, bumping into other casings. Tessa wondered if she should pick them up or push them to the side or try to hide them. Did evidence make a difference in a situation like this or did the government just send in sweepers to extinguish any trail of guilt? She hadn’t expected the smell. Her stomach rolled as her hands slid to her midriff. Even though everything had transpired in less than ten minutes, Tessa felt as if hours had beaten her down with fatigue. She realized breakfast had been a long time ago. When her eyes fell on the blood trail the two men stepped in on their way out of the enclave, Tessa ran back into the nook for the trash can. How could she be thinking of food at a time like this? Not even heaves came this time. More water on her face helped until she heard another male voice. Frozen with fear, Tessa once again pushed herself into a corner of the alcove, unnoticed and hidden.

“Looks like you guys have been busy.” The voice, deep and coarse, sounded like a two pack a day smoker. Vernon and Chase slowly turned around, raising their arms and noticing the stairwell door silently closing. They still wore their automatic rifles around their shoulders and chests but knew that the bruiser standing before them would mow them down without the slightest regret.

“Friends of yours?” Chase asked calmly.

The man outweighed Chase by fifty pounds and stood some six inches taller. Lean and deadly, he was dressed in camo and a bullet proof vest. His shiny combat boots and good grooming quickly told Chase their newest troublemaker had been a military man.

“Friends? Hell no. Don’t even like Rabs,” he grinned. “They were getting on my nerves. Essid will probably give you a reprieve if you killed that little skinny ass guy named Jamaal.”

“Why are you in this?”

“Didn’t have anything else to do. Business is slow since the economic downturn.” He faked a smile revealing crooked teeth. “Money was good. I have expenses.” The thug eyed them wearily. “I guess you’re thinking I can’t search one of you without getting attacked by the other.” The Enigma men remained quiet. “I thought maybe I’d just shoot one of you first before trying that unless you have a better idea.”

“Vernon,” Chase raised his chin toward the new man on scene without removing the steely stare down going on between them. Vernon took a step forward, removing the automatic rifle.

“Easy, Red,” the gunman said moving the end of his Israeli Tavor Tar 21 weapon to aim at the younger man’s chest. Carefully Vernon laid the rifle on the floor and moved forward locking his hands behind his head. The huge man caught him roughly and spun him around. The search took only seconds as his hands ran over the younger of the two. “Now lie down, spread eagle on the floor.” He carefully stepped forward and kicked Vernon’s weapon aside.

Vernon locked eyes with Chase, wanting some kind of signal to rebel, but the only message by way of a hooded blink was to do as told. As he lay down he raised his head enough to look down the floor to a shiny metallic light sconce that rose from the floor to about five feet. They lined the hall artfully, probably giving off a transcendental kind of light at night. But the one he now focused on reflected the space of the alcove where Tessa had gone to be sick. He could see a blur which he knew belonged to her. He willed her to stay out of harm’s way knowing full well she probably would be trying to concoct a rescue that just might get them all killed.