now half a stride ahead, looking protective and alert, the perfect, all-business guide dog. She remembered his fierceness, which had transformed in seconds to gentleness when his task was over and he’d run back to watch over the wounded Roberts. “Do I have a tale for you…”
The helicopter grew louder. Trees and bushes swayed as it roared overhead.
“Lynch, I’m almost there. They’re definitely headed for the athletic field.”
“We’re a minute behind you. Don’t do anything until we get there. Do you hear me?”
“I’ll meet you on the east side of the field, close to the fence.”
“Do you understand me, Kendra? Do not engage.”
She cut the connection and crouched low on the hill overlooking the athletic field. The helicopter, which Kendra could now see was a large military-style transport vehicle, was hovering over the covered pool house. A large searchlight mounted to its underside played over the surrounding area.
But where in the hell was Dietrich and his cargo?
She’d like to believe the bastard was under a bush bleeding out from the wounds Harley had given him, but that was too much to hope for.
No, she was sure he was headed this way.
Suddenly four men emerged from the trees and ran onto the athletic field.
Dietrich? Kendra squinted. Not yet. It had to be Delgado’s goons, the ones Dietrich had told her about. They were carrying automatic weapons. Lightweight Uzis, or something similar. The men surrounded the helicopter, facing out and holding their weapons in front of them.
Kendra ducked and pulled Harley down next to her. She was still holding Dietrich’s handgun, but she knew one shot would only bring a barrage of bullets from those high-capacity magazines. And unless the FBI agents happened to be carrying assault rifles, they wouldn’t fare any better.
The helicopter slowly descended and touched down on the concrete pad next to the pool house. The rotors were deafening.
Dietrich emerged from the trees with Delgado, sheltering him with his body, keeping their heads low as they sprinted across the athletic field.
The moment Harley saw Dietrich, he gave a menacing growl.
“Quiet, Harley,” Kendra muttered, although there was little chance anyone would hear him over the helicopter engine.
The helicopter’s searchlight suddenly swung around to the hillside behind Kendra.
What in the hell—?
Kendra turned. Lynch, Metcalf, and two of the other FBI agents were caught in the beam.
No!
Dietrich’s men opened fire, riddling the hillside with their artillery.
One of the FBI agents went down as the other scrambled for cover behind the bushes.
She watched as Lynch popped up and squeezed off two quick shots.
BLAM! BLAM!
Two of Delgado’s men dropped to the ground.
Dietrich and Delgado crossed behind the helicopter, shielded from Lynch and the FBI agents. The remaining two gunmen retreated toward the copter’s side hatch.
Lynch ran down the hill and joined Kendra. “Are you all right?”
She was still watching the helicopter. Her fists clenched. “They’re getting away!”
“Metcalf’s already called it in. They won’t get far.”
“They won’t need to. Dietrich’s already planned for that.”
“What are you talking about?”
“He’s planned for everything. You told me he’s a damn extractor.”
Kendra looked down at the helicopter, the athletic field, the pool house…
“But maybe…” she murmured. “I might have an idea.”
Lynch ejected his ammo cartridge and popped it back in. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”
“Cover me.”
“Where in the hell are you going?”
She held Harley’s head in her hands. “Harley, stay.”
Harley sat and whimpered.
She turned back to Lynch. “There isn’t much time. Draw their fire if you have to.”
“Kendra…”
“It will be okay…I think.” She crouched and moved down the hill toward the athletic field. She jumped the chain-link fence and rolled onto the ground.
They hadn’t seen her.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
They were firing at the hillside again.
The rotor’s pitch increased. Everyone was aboard and they were about to take off.
Shit!
Kendra ran for the control panel box she’d seen used just a few days before at the aquatic center. She pulled on the metal lid. Locked.
She squinted to filter the dirt flying from the helicopter’s rotors. Her hair flew up, over and around her face.
She pointed Dietrich’s gun at the control panel lock and pulled the trigger.
BLAM!
She pulled on the lid. Still locked.
She kicked the panel once, twice, three times…
Success! The lid flew open.
She peered inside, gripped the bright red lever, and pulled. The ground vibrated beneath her feet.
It was working!
She turned to see that the hydraulic pool house cover was swiveling away from the pool.
And directly toward the helicopter.
She bolted back toward the hillside.
The copter rotors throttled even higher and she could hear shouted curses inside the open compartment.