Page 11 of Laura's Truth

“You know you can’t take that through security,” the clerk said, with a nod to the plastic bottle.

Drew grinned. “No problem, I’m just picking up a friend today.”

“In for Spoleto?”

He nodded. “That’s right.”

“Oh, good, there’s so much going on these days. I hope y’all have a nice visit.”

“Will do,” he replied, walking out as if he had all the time in the world. He’d done everything short of doing the smile and wave at a security camera and no one had given him a second look.

Who had hired a team to follow Talbot? It should’ve been comforting that his target and plans didn’t appear to be the focus of the attack in the churchyard, except that the man had called them both by name. So few people knew who he’d been, and fewer knew who he was on any given day now. Drew had made a career of skulking around the world and he’d been a frequent witness to how low people could sink for money and power.

Talbot was at the counter signing for a car, with Fire Plug in line at the neighboring rental agency. Drew took a seat near baggage claim, the magazine in one hand, bottle of Coke in the other. He nearly laughed when the doors parted at baggage claim and in walked their unexpected friend from the churchyard.

The cocky jerk didn’t even try to hide his purpose, turning directly for Talbot. Drew willed her to look up, to notice, to give some indication she was ready for what was coming. Come on, he thought, show me your field skills aren’t as rusty as they seem.

He could move in, take out the new arrival, but he had to believe she understood they’d followed her. Surely this involved some kind of connection to him, but even that was up in the air right now since neither of the men flanking her seemed remotely curious and he was sitting here in plain sight. It was almost offensive how they ignored him.

In their place, he’d take her out in the rental car parking lot, despite the security cameras. Fewer witnesses, a bit longer response time with the gates and angles, and more getaway options on that side of the airport.

Talbot took her paperwork and moved on toward the lot. Drew watched Fire Plug time it so he could hold the door open for her.

Be smart, Talbot. If she moved the wrong way, Fire Plug could disable her as she walked by. But Drew shouldn’t have worried. She dropped the paperwork, crouching to retrieve it. First hurdle cleared with flying colors. Now, with two armed men closing in behind her, she had the benefit of space and a bright sunny day along with rows of cars for cover.

Drew left his chair and strolled over to the displays showing flight arrivals. He checked his watch and then joined the parade trailing Talbot through the rental car lot.

She walked with purpose toward the end of the middle row. Yeah, the woman was good, but seeing the shooter draw his weapon, the worst case scenario flashed across Drew’s vision: she’d go down, a bullet or two in the base of her skull, and the men would be on their way out of the lot before security noticed a problem.

Not today, gentlemen. With perfect aim, he threw the Coke bottle at Shooter’s head and raced after it, rolling the magazine into a tight cylinder as he advanced.

Shooter swore and turned. Fire Plug dropped his luggage and charged after Talbot. She glanced over her shoulder and then started running for the nearest car.

Now, one on one, it was almost a fair fight. Too bad Shooter hadn’t chosen a normal opponent. Expecting the bite of a bullet any second, Drew closed in, knocking the gun up and away with his forearm. He aimed the rolled magazine into the soft tissue at Shooter’s throat, but the blow glanced off as the other man twisted.

Drew quickly adjusted, blocking and dodging strikes aimed to take him down. This pair either wanted Talbot alive, or else didn’t want to kill her in broad daylight in front of half a dozen security cameras and a witness. He took advantage, guiding the fight and pressing Shooter closer to Talbot and Fire Plug. If they could get the men under control and into her rental, they might start figuring this out.

He heard shouts from security, but ignored them. Talbot’s credentials would get them out of any hot water, along with the video evidence proving they weren’t instigating but simply defending themselves.

Better if they could put an end to the scuffle without any crappy red tape. A formal report would blow his chance at justice for weeks if not years. He didn’t have that much time left. Not now that Carpenter and Talbot knew he was alive. As if each second had stretched out into a high-definition minute, Drew saw the opening and clotheslined Shooter, letting the man drop to the pavement with only a glossy blue SUV to ease the fall.

Dropping into a crouch, Drew moved with little crab-like steps behind the cover of vehicles to assist Talbot with Fire Plug, but he was too late. She had a small revolver to the man’s head, barrel to the base of his skull. He should’ve known she had a backup piece.

Drew cringed, certain she’d shoot, but with an impressive show of dexterity, she turned the revolver and used the grip to knock out Fire Plug.

“Help me get him in the car,” she said.

“Leave him for security,” Drew countered, heading for the driver’s side of the next vehicle in the row. “We need to get moving.”

Her nostrils flared and she pushed her unconscious assailant to the pavement. “We need to properly report the attack.”

“Bull. I’m not sticking around for the next team to take a shot—or worse, to get arrested.” He started once more for the nearest car.

“This close to the Air Force base, you’ll be a fugitive in less than a minute.”

That’s what he’d been for far too long. “So what?” It’s what he knew better than anything else. “Come on. It’s our last chance to escape.”

“Stay put.” She jerked her chin toward the authorities closing in. “Would you trust me?” Her hand landed gently, but firmly on his arm. “I trusted you.”

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