Covert Pursuit (9 page)

After a few attempts, he finally managed to pass the cutter into Angie’s hands without slicing her in the process. Sliding his hands over the sharp-edged blade
until he was sure the rope now rested on the blade, he began to saw, gently at first, testing her ability to hold the cutter. She had a firm hold and he methodically moved his bound wrists up and down over the sharp metal.

“Do you think the other Loribel police officers are part of Picard’s operation?” she asked.

“Good question. I hope not. One dirty cop was enough. But the attorney general will have to deal with the local issues.”

Ten minutes later, the ropes loosened. Victory was in reach. The
Regina Lee
slowed, the engine halting. The rumble of another boat could be heard. A renewed sense of urgency flushed through Jason. The strong, chemical odor of gasoline invaded the cabin, making his nose and eyes burn.

“Hurry, hurry,” Angie urged.

The other boat sped away, leaving the
Regina Lee
to bob in the ocean. Soon black smoke seeped under the edge of the cabin door. Outside the porthole windows flames danced.

Shock threatened to siphon his energy. They’d set the
Regina Lee
on fire.

Jason was sure they planned to make it look like an engine accident.

Angie coughed. The blade slipped and sliced the skin on the meaty part of Jason’s thumb. Wet, sticky blood oozed down his hand, providing enough slipperiness that he managed to pull one of his hands out from under the loosened rope. “Yes!”

Quickly, he undid the tie at his feet and then took the box cutter from Angie’s hand to sever the rope binding her hands and feet. Once they were free of their bonds, Jason checked the door first by pressing his hand to the wood. Heat seethed into his skin. They couldn’t go out that way. He scrambled to the forward edge of the carpeted cabin floor.

“What are you doing?” Angie yelled as she tried to break out the porthole window.

“Leave that. We’ll never fit through,” Jason said. “From that bottom drawer, grab some glow sticks then help me peel the carpet back. Hurry.”

Without further questioning, Angie rushed to help. Together they stripped the carpet back to reveal a compartment in the flooring.

Grasping the metal ring, Jason yanked open the hatch and took a light stick from Angie. He snapped the stick, breaking the seal inside activating the chemicals, which caused the stick to glow. He dropped the stick down into the black, gaping hole. “Get inside.”

Angie obeyed without hesitation. Before following, Jason lifted the cushioned seat bench and yanked out a hatchet. He jumped down into the false bottom and closed the lid.

“This is handy,” Angie said.

Her face was tinged green from the light stick or from fear, Jason wasn’t sure which.

“Yeah, never thought I’d use it. DEA confiscated this boat from some drug dealers in Miami.”

“Now what? How do we get out of here?” Panic laced very word.

He held up the hachet. “You never know when one of these will come in handy.” He began chopping into the hull. In no time, water began to seep into the cramped space as he broke through the wood. The smell of fire eating away at the
Regina Lee
compelled Jason to work faster. Finally, the hole was big enough for them to slip through. The water was rising fast. If they didn’t get out quick, they’d drown.

Grabbing Angie’s hand, he gave her a reassuring squeeze. “We’re getting out of this. Alive.”

“I know.”

Her certainty filled him with awe. She was so strong and brave. A woman worth more than all the treasure on the island. How was he ever going to say goodbye to her?

He touched her cheek in a quick caress. “I’ll go through first. When you get in the water, I’ll be there. You hold on tight to me and we’ll swim upward.” He frowned. “You can swim with your hurt leg, right?”

“Yes. Let’s go already.”

Admiring her can-do attitude, Jason saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”

After stripping off his shoes and stuffing a light stick into the waistband of his camouflage pants, he slipped through the hole into the churning waters of the Atlantic. The salt water stung his various wounds, reminding him of the aches he’d been ignoring. The heavy material of his clothes weighed him down. He
shrugged off the jacket, leaving only his black T-shirt between him and the water.

A moment later, Angie appeared at his side, clutching his arm. He motioned for her to remove her jacket. When she’d relieved herself of the weighty garment, he propelled them away from the boat and upward with powerful kicks.

They broke the surface, gasping for breath. The bonfire that once was the
Regina Lee
lit up the dark night sky. Heat emanated from the flames, the intensity stinging her face.

“Someone will see that and come investigate,” Angie said as she treaded water beside him. The wind-whipped waters splashed onto her face. She sputtered, spitting out the salty taste while trying to keep her head as far out of the water as possible.

“Yeah, Decker? Or should I say Picard.”

“Let’s pray not.”

“How about praying for the coast guard?” Jason suggested, not really believing such a prayer would come true.

Yet…she had prayed for a way out and they’d been given one. Had God truly listened and acted? Did God really care?

“Hold my hand,” Angie said, reaching for him.

He held on. Their legs bumped and butted against each other beneath the water’s surface. He found the contact comforting. They were alive and well for now. But for how long? There was nothing to grab on to, nothing to keep them afloat. They’d soon tire and go
under. Jason fought off the very clawing at his thoughts.

“Lord, we thank You for bringing us this far. We could use a little bit more help. Could You send the coast guard? Or anyone with a boat not connected to the Loribel police, Picard or the Corrindas would do. We ask this in Your son’s name, Amen.”

“Amen,” Jason repeated, feeling somehow confident that they would be rescued. But until then, they couldn’t just stay there tiring themselves out by treading water. He floated on his back while he searched the sky for the North Star. “Can you pick out the Little Dipper?”

“What? This isn’t the time for stargazing.”

He chuckled. “If we can locate the North Star, we’ll know which direction to swim for land. The North Star is the last star of the handle.”

“Oh, okay.” She tilted until she floated on her back. “Hmm. There?” She pointed to their right.

“Big Dipper. But the two lowest stars of the cup form a straight line to the North Star, which is…right there.” He gestured with his hand as he righted himself, once again treading water. “So if we swim in this direction, keeping the star to our left, we should find Loribel.”

“We’ll find a boat long before then,” Angie said as she returned upright to bob in the water.

“From your lips to God’s ears,” Jason quipped and started to swim.

Angie matched his strokes. They swam for what
seemed like hours. His legs cramped, his arms felt heavy. He could hear Angie laboring for breath.
Lord, help us!

Finally, a fast-moving boat with a bright spotlight shining on the water bore down on them. Jason halted and began yelling and waving his arms. Angie followed suit.

As the rapidly approaching boat neared, Jason heard Angie say, “Please, Lord, please let this be help.”

“H
elp!” Angie’s throat hurt from yelling, but she wasn’t going to stop. They had to get the fast-approaching boat’s attention. She really didn’t want to drown.

“Hey, over here!” Jason shouted and waved his arms.

The spotlight on the boat moved over them and then stopped. They’d been seen!

Relief turned Angie’s tired arms and legs to jelly; she was exhausted, both physically and mentally. But she forced herself to stay alert. They weren’t safe yet. Not until they knew who manned the boat.

The speedboat slowed as it neared. Angie bobbed in the wake. Because the spotlight blinded her, she couldn’t make out the faces, only the silhouettes of the three men on the boat.

“Help is here,” Jason said and slid an arm around her waist.

“How can you be sure?” she asked, while trying not
to weigh Jason down, but she didn’t know how much longer she could tread water.

“Don’t you recognize them?” He nodded toward the boat.

Squinting at the men, she shook her head. “No.”

The boat’s engine turned off. A man’s deep voice called out, “Agent Buchett?”

“Angie?” another man’s voice yelled.

Angie knew that voice, but it couldn’t be. Could it?

“Joey?” she said, her voice now hoarse. Joy and relief and amazement burst in her chest. God had answered their prayer.

“We’re here,” Jason responded in a loud voice. To Angie, he said, “Come on, just a few more feet. You can do it.”

With Jason’s arm still around her, she forced her muscles to move forward as they swam to meet the boat. Hands grabbed her and pulled her up out of the water. Then she was engulfed in a bear hug.

The familiar scent of her brother Joey’s aftershave made her melt with relief against him. But her gaze sought Jason. He was being cared for by two other men whom she didn’t recognize. Then one of the men took the helm. The engine roared to life and the boat glided back the way it came.

“Are you okay?” Joe Carlucci asked, his voice full of anxiety and concern. He wrapped her in a warm blanket. “You had me scared out of my wits.”

She nodded against his chest, not willing to let go, finally cocooned in warmth and safety. She hadn’t
realized just how terrified she’d been, but holding on to her big brother gave her comfort and peace.

A shiver ran the course of her body as the last of her fear left. She lifted her head to ask, “Why are you here? How did you find us?”

“I’ll explain everything once we get you on dry land and into warm clothes,” Joe replied.

She accepted his answer with patience she normally didn’t have. It was enough for now that she and Jason were safe. The ride back to shore didn’t seem nearly as long as the ride out. In no time, they were docked.

Jason grabbed her hand. “Let your brother take you to the hospital.”

“Where are you going?” She didn’t want to leave him.

“My condo to meet my SAC.”

“But you’re hurt.”

He waved away her concern. “I’ve had worse.”

“I’ll go home, change and meet you there.”

He shook his head and touched her cheek with a tender look in his eyes. “No. You need to see a doctor.”

She backed up a step. “Don’t coddle me.”

His expression firmed to respect. “Fine.”

Joey drove Angie to their aunt’s cottage in a rented coupe.

Angie couldn’t believe the relief she felt getting to shower and change from her soggy outfit into clean, dry clothes. Needing the grounding of her professional attire, she slipped on her pantsuit and
Mary Janes. Though her ankle was tender, she remained steady on her feet. She was an officer of the law and there were bad guys that needed to be brought down.

Since she’d known there wouldn’t be reception, she’d left her cell at home before going to the cove with Jason. Now she tucked the compact device into her suit jacket pocket. Unfortunately, Picard had taken her Glock, but not her badge, which she clipped onto her belt. She’d have to report her missing weapon in the morning. She grimaced at the thought. The department chief would not be happy. Every time a firearm reached the hands of criminals, the risk to the public increased.

When she came downstairs, she found Joey standing in front of the slider, staring out at the ocean. His slacks and shirt were damp from the ocean excursion. Love for her big brother surged. “Hey, you okay?”

He turned around, his expression grim. “I should be asking you that.”

“I’m good.”

His tender, concern-filled gaze touched on the bruises that darkened the skin on her face and the cut on her lip, compliments of Ramirez. “You could have been killed. What were you thinking?”

Touched by the love in his gaze, she held up a hand and said, “Stop. I don’t need a lecture.”

“You wait until Dad hears about this,” Joey warned.

That she
could
wait for. As in
never
. She shud
dered. He reached for her hand and gave a squeeze. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you in one piece.”

She squeezed his hand back. “Me, too. Now tell me how you came to be here.”

“After we talked, I did some more digging. I discovered that your charter-boat captain wasn’t who he said he was and there were rumors of Picard on the island. I tried to reach you, but the house phone just rang and your cell kept going to voice mail.”

She grimaced. “Aunt Teresa doesn’t have an answering machine. Not much cell service on the island.”

“Yeah, well, needless to say I got worried. Badgered Lambert into opening up about Jason and the investigation into the Corrindas. Figured I’d come down here to bring you home. Hadn’t expected to rescue you, too,” he said ruefully. “I’m just thankful the
Regina Lee
had GPS tracking on board.”

Surprise washed through her. She hadn’t known that.

Joey ran a hand over his stubbled jaw. “When I saw the boat engulfed in flames…” He blew out a breath. “I’m so glad you’re alive.”

She heard residual anxiety in his voice and though the idea of him feeling as if he had to coddle her stung, she was grateful he’d heeded that feeling. She slipped her arms around him and hugged him tight. “I’m glad you came.”

“Me, too.” He eased her back, his expression determined. “Now, let’s get you home.”

“I’m going to Jason’s.”

“He’s fine. We’re leaving.”

Not about to let her big brother bully her into going, she held her ground. “Are we taking your rental or mine?”

“Angie.”

She held his gaze. They’d played this battle of wills often enough. Sometimes she won, sometimes he did. But she wasn’t going to back down.

Shaking his head in resigned exasperation, Joey said, “I’ll drive.”

Smiling sweetly, she kissed his cheek. “Thank you. For everything.”

When they arrived at Jason’s condo, Jason opened the door.

From the threshold, she wasn’t sure what she saw in his gaze. A mixture of relief, pride and something else she couldn’t identify. He had changed out of his wet clothes into jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt, though his feet were bare and his hair was still damp.

She stared at the bandage on the back of his head, the one over his right eye and the ones around his wrists. All stark reminders of their ordeal. A chill raced up her spine. It could have been so much worse.

The urge to wrap her arms around him, to assure herself they were both all right, gripped her hard. She wasn’t sure he’d appreciate the gesture in front of his colleagues, so she settled for touching his arm. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

He covered his hand with his, the warmth of his skin sending waves of sensation up her arm. “We’re alive.”

She held his gaze. Something hot and energetic arced between them, sending her heart galloping and her blood racing. They’d shared a traumatic experience; of course there would be a connection.

They’d also shared a kiss. A single kiss. That didn’t, couldn’t, mean anything. Right? But she wanted it to. She wanted more, in fact. More of him. More of a chance to see where their relationship could go. Yet, how could she want that when she knew how difficult any sort of emotional attachment would be? His job would always come first; she understood that. But was that something she could accept, knowing she’d never be the priority? She wasn’t sure.

She was so confused.

From behind her, Joey cleared his throat.

“You remember my brother,” she said as she stepped aside so Joey could enter the condo. “He’s ATF.”

The two shook hands.

“We’ve known each other for a while,” Jason said.

She drew back slightly. “Really? Do tell.”

“We worked a joint task force in New Mexico,” Jason explained.

“We tried to bring Picard down then but the slippery fox had known we were coming,” Joe said.

Angie’s heart squeezed tight. That must have been when Jason’s friend lost his life.

A banked sadness entered Jason’s gaze. He took her hand and led her to the dining area. “Let me introduce you to my SAC, Theo Lambert.”

The man rose, a dark scowl on his handsome face.
Discomfort slithered over Angie’s flesh. Clearly the man was displeased by her presence.

The big man nodded at her. “Detective. You’ve made quite an impression.”

Not sure what to think of that, she allowed a small smile of acknowledgment.

Jason gestured for her to take a seat. She sat, aware of him standing beside her, so close his hip touched her shoulder. The contact was at once comforting and thrilling.

She turned her attention to the SAC. “So what now?”

“As we speak, a contingent of agents is gearing up to move on the cove. We’ve been tracking the Corrindas’ activity via satellite since Agent Buchett informed me that he suspected the family of being in cahoots with Picard. When we saw what was going down we began mobilizing. We seized Mubato’s yacht before it entered international waters.”

“That’s a relief.” She turned to address Jason. “We need to get your camera.”

He nodded.

A phone rang. Lambert pulled his cell from the breast pocket of his ICE-issue jacket, stood and moved into the living room to take the call.

“Jason, thanks for watching out for my little sis,” Joey said.

Angie cringed at the way Joe said that, as if she was still a kid needing someone’s help.

“Hey, she saved my bacon.”

“I hope she wasn’t too much trouble.”

A strangled noise of protest and anger escaped from Angie. Joe barely spared her a glance.

Jason frowned. “No trouble. In fact, she was instrumental in bringing everything to light. Now we know who Picard is and have a visual ID on him. He won’t escape us this time.”

“That’s good.”

Angie frowned, not liking to be talked over and left out of the discussion. “Hey, can someone tell me what the plan is?”

Jason focused his attention on her. “We’re going to raid the cove and the Corrinda estate as soon as the team is in place.”

“Which they are,” Lambert said as he rejoined them. He reached out to shake Joey’s hand. “Good to meet you. I hope we don’t meet again.”

Joey grinned. “Likewise.”

Lambert looked at Angie. There was dismissal in his gaze. “Detective, thank you for your help. We appreciate it.” He drew Jason away and spoke to him in a low whisper before leaving the condo.

“Time to roll.” Jason sat on the couch and put on dry socks and shoes. Glancing at Joe, he said, “You’ll make sure she gets home safely?”

“Count on it,” Joe replied.

“Hey!” Angie scrambled from her chair. “I’m coming with you.”

“No!” Jason and Joey said in tandem.

Angie blinked. Her gaze swung from the unrelenting intensity of Jason to the determined gaze of her brother.
No. No way. She wasn’t going to be cut out of the operation now. She held up a hand to each of them. “I’m seeing this through and neither of you are going to stop me.”

Joey took her hand. “Your part is done.”

Wrenching free, she implored Jason to understand. “Would you be able to walk away? Decker or Picard or whatever his name is…tied me up and tried to kill me. I’m not just going to slink off and not see this through. Surely you can understand.”

Pain crossed Jason’s face. “I do understand. But this isn’t your fight.”

Indignation reared. “Yes, it is. He made it my fight. I want to be there when he’s taken into custody. I want him to know he didn’t beat me—us.”

She couldn’t let the bad guy think he’d won. Getting the criminals off the streets was her job. It was a part of who she was.

Seeing that he wasn’t convinced, she added, “I’ll stay out of the way.”

His gaze narrowed. “Promise?”

“I won’t do anything that will jeopardize the operation.”

He gave a slow nod of his head.

Angie’s heart sighed with gratefulness and…she swallowed, her mouth suddenly going very dry. What was the emotion rising so fiercely to the surface? She dared not look too closely because acknowledgment would validate the emotions and feeling this way invited risk.

Joe sputtered. “What? No. You can’t be serious.” He grasped Angie by the shoulders and turned her to face him. “No way. Dad would have my head on a platter if I let you go.”

“You’re not my keeper, Joe. Neither is Dad,” she stated firmly. “I’m a grown woman, a cop. I need to do this. Don’t you see that? I have to look this man in the face and show him he didn’t win.”

Joey closed his eyes for a moment then gave a long-suffering sigh. “I do see that.” He opened his eyes and stared her down. “We’ll go. But you will not leave my side. Is that clear?”

“Crystal,” she said, elated that she’d won the small victory. Behind her, Jason chuckled. She whipped around to face him. “What’s so funny?”

He sobered, though mirth lingered in his tender gaze. He touched her cheek with the back of a finger. “Nothing. Let’s go.”

Feeling branded by his touch, Angie smiled, followed him to the door. “Oh, wait. I’m unarmed. Decker, I mean, Picard took my weapon.”

“No worries.” Jason disappeared down the hall and returned a moment later with a 9mm Sig Sauer.

The compact weapon fit easily into her suit jacket pocket. “Thanks.”

“Hopefully, you won’t need it.”

She hoped not as well, but she felt better armed and ready.