Page 49 of Operation: Discovery

Connor helped her up into the cab and let her get buckled in before either of them climbed in. Brendon used the handle to pull himself into the pickup while Connor got his chair put in the back. He used his hand to pull himself as close to the door as he could, giving Dee more space.

As soon as Connor sat, the whole compartment felt tight and cramped, like he couldn’t move. Nixon stood next to Connor’s window and leaned against the truck. “Take care. We still don’t know who this is or what her reasons are for doing all of this. Dee might be right. She might be after Adam, or she’s after something else and you all keep getting in her way. If you see anything, do not engage.”

Connor gave a nod but said nothing as he started the truck. Brendon wanted to get home where he could be away from town and stress and the possibility that people were hiding behind every corner. He’d assumed when he moved out to very rural America that he’d live in peaceful tranquility, and for several years, he had. Now, the big city seemed to be knocking on their door and demanding to be noticed.

Dee leaned against him, wrapping her arm around his stomach. He draped his arm over her shoulder as they pulled out of town. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling. His life hadn’t felt wrong before she’d returned, but it certainly felt closer to right now.

They’d driven for about fifteen minutes and made it most of the way home when a siren screamed behind them, and Brendon glanced in the rearview mirror. An unmarked police car with a single flashing light on the dash caught up to them and flashed his bright lights.

“How long has that car been there?” He hadn’t noticed anyone.

Connor glanced over at him. “It sped to catch up to me. I first saw it about five minutes ago. As far as I’m aware, Piper’s Ridge doesn’t have an unmarked car. Best call in and check, but I’m not pulling over until I know I have to.”

Brendon dug his phone out of his shirt pocket and dialed Nixon directly just as the unmarked car rammed them from behind.

ChapterTwenty

If this was a rollercoaster ride, Dee would be screaming to get off. She peered behind Brendon’s shoulder at the dark car behind them, the swirling red light bright in her eyes. Why wouldn’t these people leave her alone? All she’d done was go to a blood drive. She didn’t know any of these people, yet she couldn’t deny what Mike had said in town. They seemed to be following her closely.

Nixon answered Brendon’s call. “Nixon here.”

“Nixon, this is Brendon Ruse. We’ve been hit from behind and followed by an unmarked police car. Not sure why they want us to pull over. I thought I’d check with you before we make a run for it.”

“Piper’s Ridge doesn’t have any rabbits. Even the neighboring towns don’t. Unmarked cars are expensive. What’s the make and model? Can you see the plate?”

Dee twisted in the seat and squinted in the dim light to see since she was the only one able to. The dusk coupled with the dusty gravel creating a cloud behind them prevented her from making out anything on the plate. Before long, the driver would give up on the act and just go after them.

“I can’t see the plate,” she replied. “It’s a dark-colored sedan. I don’t know enough about cars to tell you more than that.”

Brendon shifted in his seat and adjusted his head to see the side mirror. “It’s a Chevy. All the police around here drive Fords.”

Nixon said something she couldn’t understand, finishing with. “I can’t check out the car without a plate number. I’m on the way to Cheyenne because the ME found something and needs to talk to me ASAP. Mike is at home but off-duty. My other officer, Todd, lives about fifty miles away. I need you to get somewhere safe. Drive to the fire station or to a church if there’s one open with people. Go somewhere populated.”

“10-04,” Connor said, his voice loud enough naturally that he didn’t have to yell.

The line went dead as the car rammed them from behind again. “I’m not bringing this to Wayside,” Connor said. “I know it’s safe and populated there and there are men willing to defend us, but that’s a risk I won’t take.” He slammed the brake and Dee screamed as the truck fishtailed on the loose gravel. He barely made a right turn, then stomped on the gas pedal to get as far away from the car as possible.

“These country roads will tell him where we are. We need to get back to pavement,” Brendon said. “Let’s head to the dispatch center in town. These people might not realize there are no cops there. It looks like a police station. If there’s a squad parked out front, even better. They run every time they see a squad car.”

Connor nodded his agreement but kept his focus on the road. “They don’t seem to be as confident on these roads. We’re pulling away a little. I’m just trying to make sure we don’t end up in a ditch.”

Dee wasn’t sure if he meant they’d end up there due to an attack or loss of control. Either way, she didn’t want to be in the ditch, either. She prayed for protection around the truck as they barreled back toward town.

“Driving into a city seems like the worst possible option, if we’re trying to keep others out of danger.” Brendon held onto the handhold by the window to give her more room. He looked uncomfortable, stuffed against the door.

“I’m not sure we have any other options. I could pull off the road down a driveway, but there’s always the chance we’ll be seen and draw them to a house, and a secluded house at that.” Connor held tight to the wheel.

Dee hated the idea of risking a stop when they didn’t know if they could find help there or not. On the other hand, the two men in the truck didn’t seem to even want each other’s counsel, so they probably didn’t want her input either.

Connor made it back to town, but very few business lights were on except the gas station and Ahab’s. Everywhere else closed at 5. She bit her lip and held tight, trying not to slam into either guy as they quickly drove through town. Dee closed her eyes and tried to calm down.

“I don’t see them anymore. Doesn’t mean they aren’t there, but they aren’t right on our tail,” Connor said.

“Is it safe to drive back to Wayside?” she asked, daring to upset Connor while he was making a plan.

“We could, but I’m worried that with the lack of any other traffic, they’ll see us leave town,” Connor answered.

Connor pulled the truck to a stop in front of the small office where the local dispatcher had a desk and little else. The whole building looked to be the size of one cubicle. From the outside, it seemed like the building was narrower than the width of a car.

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