Page 26 of Thin Ice

Brookes gave the man the coordinates. “We need the chopper here now.”

“I understand. I’m on my way. Stay safe.”

Brookes ended the call and gave the phone back to Doyle. Then he called Hannah and told her where to meet them. Once he finished, he tried to get control of his racing pulse as the SUV bumped over the uneven field.

“There’s a wire fence coming up,” Joe said in a troubled tone.

“You can’t stop. This SUV should make it through.” Brookes hoped it proved true.

The wire fence approached at a rapid pace. Instead of slowing, Joe floored the pedal. The SUV hit the fence full force snapping the wire on contact. Brookes could hear the sound it made as it snapped free.

Once they’d cleared the fence, Joe blew out a huge sigh. “That was close.”

Brookes’s hands were shaking. “Yeah, I’m just glad it wasn’t barbed wire.”

As they continued to drive, overhead a chopper could be heard advancing on them.

“That must be your friend.” Brookes prayed Hannah was there waiting for them when they arrived. Because he was pretty sure they wouldn’t have a lot of time to get back into the air.

“Brookes, there are more than one,” Abby said from behind him.

Brookes’s eyes darted to the sky. She was right. There were now two choppers.

“It’s too soon for our chopper to be here. That’s got to be Legion’s men,” Doyle told them.

“Kill the lights!” Brookes yelled and Joe did so immediately.

The space in front of them went dark. But the choppers were already zeroing in on their location.

“They’re going to fire on us. Head toward the trees to your left.”

While Joe jerked the SUV left and drove through the blind darkness, the chopper homed in on them and opened fire barely missing them.

“Don’t stop. Whatever you do, don’t stop.” Brookes yelled above the noise of gunfire.

The SUV dove into the trees scraping against the sides. The choppers continued to search the ground for them.

“They’ll have troops here before long. Call your guy back. He’ll have to go in without lights.”

Doyle made the call while Joe maneuvered the SUV with only the choppers’ lights to guide him. Thankfully, the trees grew thick enough to prevent the choppers from seeing the vehicle.

“How much further?” Joe asked through uneven breaths.

Brookes brought up GPS. “We’re almost there.” He glanced above. The choppers appeared to be searching in a different direction. They wouldn’t have long to get everyone onboard.

“This is it.” Brookes pointed in front of them as the trees thinned. He jumped out and moved to the edge of the woods and listened.

Abby came after him. “I don’t hear anything. Call Hannah and tell her she can’t use her lights. They’ll be looking for them.”

Brookes called his sister. “Turn off your lights now.” He said the moment she answered.

“What’s going on? I hear helicopters overhead.”

Brookes explained. “Are you almost here?”

“I think so. It’s hard to see in the dark, but I’ve spotted the open field you mentioned.”

“I’ll come get you. Park the car out of sight and wait for me.” Brookes turned to Abby. “Stay here with the others. If anything happens to us, get everyone out of here.” He started away when she grabbed his arm. He turned to her. Wished more than ever he understood what she wasn’t saying.

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