Page 17 of Dark Angel
The young woman in the back of the van would be terrified and Beth held her breath as the vehicle attempted the narrow bridge. Water cascaded down the mountain, flooding the bridge, and it was obvious what was going to happen. The back wheels of the van seemed to float out over the edge of the ravine and the next moment the van lifted up on the swell of water. The back spun almost gracefully before it surfed backward down a torrent of water at high speed. In seconds it joined the raging river and slammed into the rocks. The massive boulders pinned it in place, but the bubbling torrent had no mercy and spun it around and around, like water down a drain. The front windshield exploded in a rainbow of broken glass and the river claimed its prize. She stared in horror as the van vanished beneath the water, the back wheels barely visible in the rapids. Speechless she gaped at Styles. “How do we get down there in time to get them out before they drown?”
“We wait, or we’ll be washed off the side of the mountain along with them. The water is already subsiding, and by the time we get to the bridge, we’ll get through if the rain holds off. That’s not the problem. See how the road kinda disappears from view?” Styles stopped the truck and stared at the mountainside. He rubbed the scar on his chin and gave her a determined stare. “The road there is banked by rock on both sides. It’s great for not being washed over the edge but right now it could be a river. This truck has been through water before but it’s not invincible. Our only option is to wait. Turning back is impossible as there’s no turnaround areas for at least half a mile. We’d have to go back down in reverse.”
Not wanting to miss the opportunity of catching the Pied Piper, she shook her head. “We can’t go back. We must at least try and get them out of there.” She stared at the sky. “It’s not raining so hard now. Go when you figure it’s safe.”
“I know you’re concerned about the girl’s welfare, but it’s too late to save her.” He shook his head. “There’s not one chance in hell they would have survived the fall and it only takes four minutes to drown and we’ve gone way past that. You should call it in. Contact Ryder, and he’ll arrange for a search-and-rescue team to meet us at the end of the fire road.” He stared down at the swirling creek. “From there is access to the riverbank. It’s become a popular fishing hole since the fire road went through. It shouldn’t be too difficult to get a tow truck in there and drag it out. The main problem will be getting someone willing to risk their life to hook it up.” He put the truck into drive and they crept up the winding road.
Gravel and mud slicked the blacktop and the back wheels of the truck spun each time they hit a patch of flowing water. Beth’s fingertips dug into the seat, terrified that the next moment they would slide over the edge and tumble into the ravine. Even though Styles had proved to be a very competent driver, she was used to being in control of her own destiny. Driving herself had always been a priority because the simple truth was that she didn’t trust anybody. Now thrust into a life-or-death situation, she stared at the road ahead. The dim light of a stormy day intensified as they entered a tunnel like part of the road. It was awash with water moving at a rapid rate. She turned as Styles caught his breath. “It’s worse than you thought, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, but it’s not too deep.” Styles white-knuckled the steering wheel, his attention fixed on the road ahead. “We’re committed now. There’s no turning back.”
The truck slid sideways as a torrent of water came down behind them, lifting them up and carrying them like a piece of flotsam on the rush downward. Heart in her throat, Beth bit back a scream as the side of the truck fishtailed back and forth between the ragged rocks, bouncing from one side to the other as they rushed along. It was like being in a waterfall, there was no way to steer the vehicle, fate had them by the neck and was squeezing hard.
Metal screamed as a pine tree ripped from its roots rode the waves with them and slammed the truck against one wall. They had become an out-of-control missile careering down the side of a mountain. Breathless with fear, Beth dragged her eyes away from the horror before her and chanced a glance at Styles. “What’s at the bottom of this tunnel?”
“A line of small boulders above an upward rise and then it turns onto a road beside the river. I’m hoping the wheels will touch bottom on the rise, so I can gain some control.” He stared ahead and winced as the truck scraped along the rock wall. “It’s insured but I think it’s about time I put in a requisition for a new one. This one is going to be toast by the time we get out of here.”
Gipping so tight that her fingers hurt, Beth glanced down at the trickle of water seeping through the door seals. “The water is up to the window on my side, if it smashes, we’re in big trouble.”
“You don’t figure we’re in trouble now?” Styles turned the wheel, but it didn’t seem to make any difference. “It will get worse if I can’t get the truck out of the water. At least the engine is still running. That has to be a plus.”
Unnerved, Beth dragged her eyes off the swirling mass of dirty water and debris rushing them down the mountain at high speed to look at him. “How much worse can it get?”
“We could be washed into the river and then all bets are off.” He blew out a breath. “It’s gonna take split-second timing. The end of this tunnel widens out to a flat trail, so with luck the water will spread out some and the tires will grip enough for me to get us out of trouble. Hang on, it’s not far now.”
Overhanging branches whipped the side of the truck, threatening to pierce the windows. Beth flinched as the out-of-control truck headed for an overhanging boulder. Sure they would hit it, she leaned toward Styles, but the water seemed to lift them up. The back of the truck spun out to one side and sent them sideways, headlong down the last part of the tunnel. As the tunnel widened ahead, the truck struck the rocks, and swung around again to face in the right direction. The water level dropped, and ahead Beth could see the boulders on the rise and the flatter area that Styles had mentioned. She held on tight, pushed her feet hard into the seat well, and for once in her life, put her trust in somebody else.
Beside her, Styles wrestled with the steering wheel, turning it this way and that. Beth held her breath as they hit bottom and the tires gripped on the water-soaked gravel alongside the trail. The truck bumped and skidded, fishtailing as Styles pushed it onto higher ground. They came to rest wedged between two saplings, and beside her Styles laughed. He actually laughed. Trembling from shock, she turned slowly to stare at him.
“Wow! What a rush.” He looked her over. “Are you okay?”
Incredulous, Beth gaped at his amused expression. “Yeah, I’m fine, but I figure this ride scared a few years off my life.” She turned in her seat. “Can you see the van?”
“Nope but the river is behind that boulder.” Styles indicated with his chin. “Just follow the flow of the water and you’ll find it.” He touched her arm. “Wait up, we can’t stop here. We need to get out of the mud and check the damage on the truck.”
Realizing how close they’d come to dying, Beth squeezed his arm and smiled. “Sure. Great job by the way. I thought we were a goner halfway down that slope.”
“Well thank you kindly, ma’am.” Styles touched the tip of his Stetson. “We’ll make a note of these coordinates for search and rescue and then head to the fire road. You can call them from there.”
Beth nodded. She had seen something in Styles she hadn’t expected. His military training obviously kept him cool and under control in perilous situations. She had been shaken to the core, and he’d enjoyed the ride. His behavior reflected his maverick attitude but was it something she could exploit, or would she be needing to constantly watch her back?
The storm had passed by the time they’d gotten to the fire road, and while Styles climbed out to check the damage to the truck, Beth contacted Ryder. “We have eyes on the van. It was washed off the road and is currently upside down in the creek.”
“Dang. What else is going to happen?”Ryder whistled. “Did you bring this bad luck with you from DC?”
Speechless for a moment, Beth stared at her phone. “Wow. I know it’s been a tough few days for you, Cash, but don’t take it out on the people who are trying to help. Can you get someone out here to haul this van out of the water? Styles said it is close to the popular fishing hole out at Silver Fish Creek. We’ll wait at the fire road for you.”
“Okay. They’ve called off the search for Skylar due to the weather, so I’m heading back to town. I’ll gather the troops and meet you there, but it might take some time.”He disconnected.
“Don’t let him get you down. I figure this is his first murder.” Styles leaned in the window. I guess it’s a little overwhelming for someone used to a quiet life.”
Beth snorted at the irony of it all. “I don’t know why he’d say that. As if I have anything to do with serial killers…”
EIGHTEEN
It took hours for the search-and-rescue team to drag the van out of the creek. At least it had stopped raining. It had taken six men tied with harnesses to the trees to bravely go into the swirling water and hitch up the van. The grinding noise as they winched it free was like the screams of the tortured as metal ripped across rocks. It was a pitiful sight inside, both people had suffered numerous injuries and shocked men had laid the bloodless limp bodies of the driver and the young girl on the riverbank. It was obvious both were past resuscitation, but the search and rescue tried without success. After searching the van and collecting evidence, Beth turned to see Nate arriving with Ryder. Nate’s professionalism calmed everyone. He examined the bodies and pronounced them both dead at the scene.
As Nate walked away, she stared at the young girl’s face and turned to Styles. “That’s not our missing girl, but I recognize her, don’t you?”
