Page 85 of Cold Silence
He got out his phone. Walked into the kitchen. Informed whoever was on the other end that he had the code. The loan shark? Likely.
He lowered his voice. Started talking about how to get rid of her once she was done giving them the code.
She couldn’t just sit there. She bolted for the door.
Wrenched it open.
Eric’s footfalls followed. She glanced back and saw him snatch up the rifle. She picked up speed, racing down the steps toward the swamp.
His footsteps charged after her.
He could shoot her in the back. So what? He was going to kill her anyway, and at least she hadn’t given him the code before she died.
The helicopter rotors thumped through the night, whirring Travis closer to the compound.
“Going black.” The pilot’s words carried over Travis’s headset.
The chopper went dark except for the faint glow from the instrument panels.
His heart racing, Travis signaled for his pilot to bank right and drop him nearby. He would’ve liked to fast-rope down instead of free-falling, but the sound of a helo hovering close to the ground would alert Eric.
He checked his gear a final time.
The door opened.
He caught a glimpse through his goggles of Claire bolting from the cabin. Racing across the lawn. Heading straight for alligator-infested swamps.
No!
A man darted outside behind her. A rifle to his shoulder, he moved at a rapid clip. Faster. Faster. Hot on her tail.
Travis squinted. Zoomed in on his face.
Eric.
She’d escaped. Was running from him. Good? Maybe not. Was it better to be free if she was charging into alligator country?
Travis burned to help. But how? With his rifle strapped to his back, he could do nothing to help her from his altitude. Nothing.
He had to get down there. Now. Quickly.
Don’t overreact. Follow your plan.
Even if, after seeing her, he’d like to call an audible and land closer. He couldn’t. Not without risking a bullet to the gut during his descent.
He signaled for his pilot to bank right and drop him nearby.
The chopper tipped. He looked out the opposite window. Good. The police and an ambulance waited out of sight for his signal. His backup. Green Berets might often be accused of trying to be heroes, but Claire was too important for him to go solo.
But could he get to her in time? Could he?
Panic swallowed him whole. Panic he’d never known as an operator.
Calm down. She needs you at your best not as a basket case.
“Approaching target.” The pilot’s deep voice startled Travis.
Go time.
