“Okay, ladies and gentlemen,” Knox’s voice boomed. “Thank you for choosing The Sea Queen for your hot pursuit needs. Please be ready to disembark. And remember us when choosing boats to commandeer when traveling through hostile waters.”
Jason patted Knox on the back. “Okay, buddy. You did good. When you’re close enough to the dock for me and Tayla to jump, we’re gone. Get the boat docked and catch up as soon as you can.”
“Wait. What about Dylan?”
“Try to get the police to arrest him. They might not, but it’s worth a try.” Jason kept talking to Knox, but his eyes moved to Dylan. “We’ll be able to track him wherever he goes, if they release him. We have plenty of video of him, but get a DNA sample. And fingerprints. He won’t be able to hide from us for long.”
Dylan glared, but the bravado was fading.
“Will do,” Knox said, with a mock salute.
“And let’s stay off our radios,” Jason added. “We’re close enough to Morghana City for a cell signal, so use your phone to find me.”
“Roger that.”
Jason opened the window closest to Dylan. “This will work.” He moved to the door. “Tayla, come on, we’re about to go. Stay close.”
Tayla wasn’t sure what the exact plan was, but she felt a peace deep in her soul that she could follow Jason through anything.
“Alright Kitts, we’re close enough for the police to hear you. Yell out that window and tell them to let me and Tayla through. And make sure they don’t give Knox a hard time.”
“You’re awfully demanding Mr. Bridger,” Dylan scoffed.
“Us locating Lelandsoonbenefits you in the long run. Trust me on that one.“ Absolute certainty punctuated every word.
“I offer nothing less than complete cooperation.” Dylan Kitt’s response oozed with sarcasm. With an undercurrent of fear. He faced the open window and yelled his instructions to the police on the pier. “Thank you for your assistance. Our pursuers fled at the sight of you. My two friends are leaving the boat. Let them be.”
Jason nodded to Dylan. “Nicely done. I’ll be seeing you soon.”
“Don’t count on it,” Dylan growled.
Jason ignored the retort and led Tayla off the boat and through the small crowd of Morghana police officers.
Their exit, while smoother than she expected, didn’t provide any relief. They were several minutes behind Leland. He could be anywhere. And hurt. Or worse.
“There,” Jason said, pointing to the familiar speedboat. “They did dock here.” He glanced around the marina, situated on the edge of the small airport.
“Jason?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re sure . . . you’re sure they both got here? You don’t think—”
He gripped her shoulders. “We can’t think anything else yet. That boat arrived. And we’re going to find out who was on it. Pray it was Leland, okay?”
She bobbed her head. And refused her tears.
Dear God, please protect Leland. Keep him safe. Please show us—
Two gunshots echoed in the balmy night air.
Chapter 19
Jason darted across the small airport, following the sound of the gunshots to a hangar. Tayla’s quick footfalls confirmed she was right on his heels. He slowed when they approached a side door to the hangar.
Tayla sidled up to him, and he lowered his mouth to her ear. “I don’t want to leave you out here in the open. Follow me inside. When we’re inside, you’re going to hide while I check things out, okay?”
She nodded. And looked scared. Understandable.
