Page 15 of Chinook Winds

“Field’s in sight,” Lincoln announced and Victor glanced out the front of the plane. It wouldn’t be an easy one.

The plane was not equipped to handle such a landing, but his confidence was in God and Lincoln. He quieted his mind enough to pray for them.Father, help us. We need You.This was far from over. Far from it. In fact, he’d say it was only the beginning.

???

The plane touched down on the uneven earth, jolting everyone in the cabin. Despite the seatbelt, Kinsley gripped the edge of her seat as the fast-moving plane ate up the field.

“Hang on,” Lincoln called out. He struggled to bring the plane to a stop while they continued to advance toward the end of the field and what appeared to be a barbed-wire fence.

“Twenty feet,” James announced from the copilot seat, his tone grave.

As the fence came up quickly, all they could do was watch and pray that Lincoln could get the plane under control in seconds.

While her heart dumped adrenaline into her body, the plane came to a shuddering halt. Kinsley pulled in a breath. Silence slowly returned to the cabin. The nose of the plane rested on the barbed-wire fence.

Lincoln spun around in his seat. “Everyone okay?” The extent of what he’d gone through showed on his strained face.

“We’re good. Nice job, Lincoln,” Victor said with a smile.

“Thanks, I sure hope I don’t have to do another landing like that again,” Lincoln managed with a short laugh.

“Looks like our ride is coming up.” Sidney motioned toward a vehicle that was quickly approaching.

A van had pulled onto the field and started for them.

Kinsley redialed Danny’s number. “Is that you?” she asked when he answered.

“It’s me. We don’t have long to get out of here. There’s an awful lot of traffic around. They’re on the lookout for you. They’ll be expecting you to find another landing place.”

“We’re exiting the plane now.” Kinsley ended the call and reported what Danny told her.

“We have to hurry.” She unfastened her seatbelt and grabbed her gear while the others did the same.

Rushing down the steps, she was on edge. They were in danger every second they were out in the open like this. Victor had become a marked man by Legion, along with the rest of Strike Force.

The van’s driver stepped forward and extended his hand. “Kinsley?” he asked, and she nodded and took it. “Danny Halliday.” His gaze went past her to where Victor stood nearby. “It’s a pleasure, Mr. President.”

Victor shook his hand. “Thanks for picking us up. It couldn’t have been easy, but we appreciate it.”

Danny appeared overwhelmed by Victor’s gratitude. “There should be room in the back for all of your supplies. I hate to rush things, but we should go.”

After the gear was stowed, Kinsley wandered about the plane. “Any idea who owns this property?” she asked Danny.

“An old-timer. He’s a friend of mine. I’ve known him since I was a kid. Thankfully, the place is hidden from the road by those trees. There’s a good chance anyone looking on from the road won’t see it.”

Unless they investigated.

Kinsley climbed in the back beside Victor.

As soon as everyone was inside, Danny didn’t waste time. “We have a good drive ahead of us.” The van bumped along the field until it reached the trees. Danny chose his path carefully as he maneuvered through the trees until they were at the road.

Ben was seated beside Danny. “I don’t see anyone coming. I guess that’s a good thing.”

Danny nodded and started down the road.

Even though the road was empty of Legion’s men, Kinsley couldn’t let herself relax.

“What’s the climate like in D.C. these days?” she asked Danny.

---