An Unlikely Hero (1) (47 page)

Tessa cut the cuffs and helped Chase stand. He appeared to shake off the pain as Honey tossed him a rifle. “Here come the hostages, Chase. We better hurry them along.”

When Honey slipped out into the hall the first bald computer hostage saw her and quickly turned to run. Zoric and Sam cut him off and shoved him around. “She’s with us. Now get movin’,” Zoric snipped. “Now!”

When the last of the hostages came through the door, Carter appeared and ran to Chase with concern. “You look like hell, buddy. Who’s your friend?” he said looking at Honey Lynch.

Chase smirked. “Seriously, Carter? You’re looking to score at a time like this?”

“Haste makes waste,” he said as they followed the last hostage up the ladder to the roof. “Are you two…” implying a romantic connection.

“No!” Chase said as he reached the roof. His hand still clung to Tessa’s as he hobbled after the team. He watched Director Clark wave them across the narrow catwalk in what little light remained and then over to the helicopter. The helicopter once full lifted off to take their precious cargo to a safe place before returning for the rest of the team. They were gambling that Essid had not planned to bomb his only escape route. The team left behind felt confident in waiting until the helicopter returned for them. In the meantime they would try and locate Essid and Mansur, taking the appropriate measures when needed.

“Let’s go!” Chase said starting out over the catwalk as he tugged on Tessa’s hand only to find her resisting with her heels dug in. “What’s wrong? Come on this place is going to blow!”

“I’m” Tessa looked over the edge of the six story building. “I’m afraid of heights. I can’t.”

Chase jerked her arm violently. “Get over there now or so help me I’ll give you something to really be afraid of, Tessa Scott!”

He felt her backing away as her eyes returned to the space separating the two buildings. The solar lights began glowing as twilight turned to dark. It was hard to understand how a catwalk made of metal could present such terror. Granted there was only a half inch tube railing with protection slacks every three feet, but unless there was an earthquake the chances of a person falling was almost nonexistent. The thought of a bomb going off underneath them presented a bigger nightmare in his mind than walking across a noisy bridge you could see through to the ground level. But then again danger, risks and impossible situations followed him wherever he went. He tended to measure the danger by how many lives were lost or how many of his bones got broke. So far this hadn’t been so bad. The last few days must be spinning out of control for someone like Tessa Scott. He looked around to see the helicopter returning for them. The other team members motioned for him to hurry who were safely on the roof of the other building. Chase grabbed her around the waist, squeezing her so hard he winched with pain.

“I got you, Tess.” He brought his face so close their noses touched. She reached up and laid her hand on his wounded cheek. The fate of her family still clouded her judgment, yet she was compelled to put her life in the captain’s hands once more. Their eyes locked in some unknown resolve as she nodded acceptance of yet another trial.

The sound of metal rattled beneath their feet as they awkwardly stumbled across the grated catwalk. It wasn’t wide enough for two to walk side by side so Chase walked sideways pulling her gently along, one step at a time. “Almost there, Tess! Don’t look down!” he yelled as she seemed to freeze, eyes turning downward in horror. He once again felt her try to step back just as something pinged off the railing, stinging his thigh. Looking down he saw Essid aiming a rifle at him. The Enigma teammates raised their weapons and started firing unsuccessfully at the target. Essid had stepped back into the shadow of the BB building so he couldn’t be seen, except by Tessa and Chase.

“Faster!” he yelled at Tessa as he pulled her behind him to use his body as a shield. Another shot bounced off the grate between their feet causing Tessa to hop suddenly and lose her footing. A scream split the air. Chase felt Tessa slipping away from him as her body slid between the widely spaced slats. He caught her by her collar with one hand, feeling the fabric start to rip away, as the other went instinctively under her arm. He jerked her upward with what strength he had left. Chase’s weapon clattered to the ground below all the while, struggling to hold on to Tessa. Stealing a glance downward, Chase could barely make out the bulk figure of Mansur running to Essid’s side. He knocked the gun from his brother’s hand just as he pulled the trigger. Shots sprayed precariously close.

Zoric made quick haste, jumping down to assist Chase with Tessa who still dangled from the catwalk. Awkwardly, Zoric kneeled down and reached out to grab Tessa under the other arm. Carter rushed in behind the two men hoping to get a shot at Essid. Once Tessa regained her footing on the bridge, Zoric put his arm around her to force her forward movement. The space, now crowded with four people gave Tessa a feeling of safety. She extended her hand back towards Chase, afraid they were leaving him to fend for himself. “I’m coming! Go!” he yelled as Carter now used his body to protect Chase as he hobbled behind him.

Before Chase and Carter could reach the other side Essid reached the gun his brother had knocked from him. He first lifted it at the catwalk, but seemed to think better of it and turned it on his brother Mansur. Essid watched his brother stumble backwards, falling carelessly to the ground. Frightened, Mansur began to crab crawl back away from Essid in fear as his brother sprayed insults and damnation at him. Mansur’s eyes bulged as a clap, echoing across the air, stopped Essid. Feeling something penetrate his upper back then exit his lower abdomen, he looked down to see a red spot forming with dangerous speed. He slowly turned and looked up at Carter, who’d taken the shot. Carter’s weapon, still poised and ready, did not waver with the possibility of needing to take a skill shot. Essid could now see Chase standing next to his team mate. Essid imagined the captain smirking in victory.

Everyone had abandoned him: Mansur, Honey, his men, and his cause. Why had Allah let this happen? He had to admit in that split second that he had never really believed in his faith. It had been a cause of convenience for his hate. He continued to look up as his hand reached in his pants pocket for his phone. At lease he could make the call by pushing just one button, any button, on his programed cell. He felt the button press under his index finger and smiled.

Nothing rumbled. No sound of shattering glass. No cracks and groans of concrete as it began to fall in on itself. He pushed the button again. And again. Blood began to ooze from his mouth as he crumbled to the ground. Mansur crawled to his side and gathered him in his arms.

“Once you came out here, the man they call Vernon,” Mansur looked up to see Vernon looking over the edge of Building BB holding a laptop, “was able to jam any signal you tried to send. The building will not fall, my brother. Your hatred has destroyed you. The lion’s breath came near without you ever noticing.” Essid continued to watch the men above as they disappeared onto the roof of the second building. He grabbed his brother’s arm as the last breath left his body. Mansur carefully laid his brother’s body down on the ground and closed his eyes with his hand. “I am glad you are dead.” He stood painfully, feeling the punches his younger brother had inflicted on his aging body. There was no doubt in his mind that it would have been only a matter of time before Essid turned his killer ways on him. That fear had been taken care of by the Americans. His life could now be his own once more.

Ben patted Tessa on the back as Chase and Carter joined them at the helicopter. Zoric and Sam were stowing the weapons as Vernon slipped inside. “I think she’s got a dislocated shoulder, Chase. The faster we can put it back the easier the pain will be.”

Chase could see that Tessa’s left shoulder jutted forward slightly. He reached out and gently laid his hand on her forearm. “Tessa, remember I told you about my parents being medical missionaries?” She smiled weakly and nodded. “I used to help all the time with their medical practice. I even served at a medic in the army for a while. I can fix this. It’s gonna hurt like hell but not so much later.” Taking a step toward him Tessa wrinkled her nose, knowing this was going to be painful. Chase quickly grabbed her arm and twisted it, bent her elbow then flipped it out. She gritted her teeth so not to scream. “I’m sorry, babe,” he said realizing he’d failed. Motioning for Carter to stand behind her he nodded at Tessa. “Keep her still, will ya?” Chase told her this time it would work, although he wasn’t so sure. But the shoulder did pop back into place as Tessa jerked her head up in pain, but held her scream tightly in her chest. “Better?” Chase said bending down to look into her blue eyes squinted in pain. She nodded quickly with a hint of a smile on her lips as Chase watched her eyes roll back in her head. Her knees buckled and her dead weight collapsed in unconsciousness. Chase tried to stop her body from hitting the ground but was too weak.

Carter caught her lifting her body up into his capable arms. He moved toward the open doors of the helicopter. “I got this, buddy.” He handed her off to Zoric who gently laid her down in an open space in the middle between the seats.

Chase climbed in like an old man. He couldn’t even drag himself into a seat, so he sat down by Tessa as the others quickly found their place. In moments the helicopter lifted up and out over the dark forest. Small fires still burned, but it seemed the worse was over. Chase closed his eyes. His body ached and he thought he might sleep for a week. He felt Sam’s hand on his shoulder but didn’t acknowledge her comforting touch. She finally withdrew it. The movement of the helicopter hurt his wounds, but knowing the series of events which nearly spiraled out of control and was now concluded, gave him some comfort.

He felt Tessa’s head turn and rest against his leg. Without thinking he laid his hand on her hair, feeling the blond curls push between his fingers like silky threads. Touching the gash over her eye, blood once again seeped out. Someone handed him an antiseptic patch and some gauze. Applying the bandage caused her to flinch, but her eyes remained closed. It wasn’t until her once soft hand, now scratched and scarred for life, reached up and laid her fingers on his that he realized Tessa Scott would survive this ordeal. For the remainder of the trip, Chase kept his hand entwined with Tessa’s, knowing their lives would soon separate and travel different paths.

After arriving back at headquarters in Sacramento, most of the Enigma personnel had retired for the day. It was late, and all danger had been averted, at least for this particular day in time. The Enigma team walked slowly through the underground parking garage, silently holding in their sense of accomplishment. After passing through several levels of security, the team admitted themselves to the medical floor to be patched up and checked over. Honey resisted at first but after a cross word from Benjamin Clark, she decided to let the doctors tend to her cuts.

The diffused overhead lighting and soft beeping of lifesaving equipment began slowing down everyone’s adrenaline. Food, drinks and pain killers began to work its magic on their bodies. Tessa found a metal chair with a padded seat in the hall and sat down carefully, as if by doing so the sore muscles would stop their throbbing. The doctor had been extremely gentle with the exam. Suggesting a sling for a few days, he assured her the shoulder would heal and only a tiny scar would remain after the stitches disappeared from her face. The Enigma psychiatrist, Dr. Wu, dropped by to see her and gave her his card. He wanted to see her in a couple of weeks as a follow up to her ordeal. Tessa assured him she would not need him. With a knowing smile, he moved on saying he’d see her soon.

She bowed her head to stare at the floor while resting her hands on her knees. Counting each breath, then each heartbeat, reassured her that she was still alive. Something inside her wanted to move to a couch or at least an armchair with a pillow for her back, but that would involve standing up and moving again. It wasn’t until she saw two boots stop in front of her feet that she realized she wasn’t alone. It took effort, but Tessa managed to slowly look up at the larger than life Captain Chase Hunter. He looked down at her with interest and concern. She couldn’t tell what his expression was because his eye and cheek, swollen and bruised, gave nothing away as to his mood. She blinked quickly, expecting some kind of reprimand about being such a baby when it came to heights. He said nothing as he continued to stare at her. Finally, he awkwardly got down on one knee and laid his large hands on top of hers. He then revealed a smile, as he squeezed her fingers.

“Those pain killers are going to make you feel like a million bucks in a few minutes.”

Tessa tried to smile, although her face hurt when she did. “Good,” she whispered, feeling the warmth of his hands spread through her fingers. It felt good. She was cold. The air conditioner must have been turned down to sixty, she reasoned. No other words came as they searched each other’s face, trying to find the person they met just a few days earlier.

Chase extended his hand and snapped his fingers. Tessa noticed for the first time a man in camouflage army fatigues approach suddenly and handed Chase a phone. How did a person know what the captain wanted when he snapped those demanding fingers? Would she ever have that power? It took a second, but Chase connected with someone who he gave simple directions.

“I need that live video now.” Tessa didn’t move as Chase turned the Enigma phone around and held it up eye level.

Tessa could see her boys rubbing their eyes and leaning on their father as he patted their heads. He held Heather who slept on his shoulder, hugging him like there was no tomorrow. Disappearing into a bedroom he soon returned and took the boys into the kitchen to make them a snack. Light laughter floated toward her as the realization that her family remained safe reached her heart. When her eyes left the screen to look at Chase he turned off the phone, handing it back to the soldier who’d produced it. “I told you they would be okay.” His voice, although hoarse, was low and comforting. “Why did you cut Honey free? How did you know she was helping us?”