Page 44 of Safeguarding the Witness

Jamison caught Spence’s eye and signaled that he intended to enter the building. Rossi had joined him and took a position on the opposite side of the wide and open barn door. Agent Jamison went by the book, announcing his presence. “Federal agents. We’re coming in.”

The answer was a burst of gunfire.

Finally, the people in the yard reacted, shouting and running and not knowing where to turn. Mothers grabbed their children. Friends huddled together. Spence nodded to his grandpa. “You want to be useful? Holster your gun and get this crowd under control.”

“You’re right. We don’t want collateral damage.” Oliver went into action, striding toward the people, directing them to take cover and pointing the way. His white-haired buddies backed him up. In a few moments, they brought order to the scene.

While Jamison and his team prepared to make a tactical entry, Spence noticed another door, halfway down the barn from where he was standing. It swung open, shielding the person coming out from view. Spence moved closer, biding his time, lining up a shot.

A tall lean man with shiny black hair staggered outside. In his right hand, he held a gun. His left arm wrapped around Mollie’s waist and arms, dragging her with him and using her as a human shield. There was something wrong with his face—a rash or a burn. Or pepper spray.

Spence gave Mollie a silent round of applause. She must have zapped this guy with her homemade formula. Moving closer, Spence slid his weapon back into the holster. He couldn’t take a chance on firing. Not with Mollie in the way. His attack would have to be hand-to-hand combat. He relished the thought.

Creeping along the wall of the barn, he got within ten feet of the guy, close enough to recognize him from photos in spite of the red blotches on his face and neck. This was the big honcho himself: Julio Flores.

He sighted Spence and raised his weapon. “Not another step, vato.”

“Let her go.”

“I’ll kill you.”

The Ranger in Spence was instantly summoned into action. Adrenaline surged. His heart pumped strong. His senses heightened. Everything went into slow mo. Spence closed the distance between them with a high-speed spin and kick. His first move—a downward slash—disarmed Julio.

Spence used his elbows and the side of his hand to tear Mollie away from her captor. She crashed to the ground. Awkwardly, she crawled toward Julio’s gun.

The two men faced each other without weapons. Using basic karate technique, Spence made quick work of disabling his foe. Julio collapsed to his knees.

An SUV drove between them. Before Spence could react, Julio jumped inside. With little regard for the people surrounding them, the SUV plowed forward. They were making their escape.

From the front of the barn, Spence heard Jamison and the others stage an assault. From his own experience, Spence recognized the technique of creating noise and confusion without putting his team in real danger.

Beside him, Mollie regained her footing. She braced herself. Using a two-handed grip, she aimed Julio’s SIG Sauer pistol at the retreating SUV. She looked tough and professional. Able to take care of herself.

Though her reckless escape from the third-floor room had broken her promise and might have resulted in disaster, he couldn’t be angry with her. In a weird, disturbing way, he felt proud of this practical woman who rose to the occasion, trading blow for blow. Even more impressive, her rational side took over. She lowered the gun, shrugged and said, “I won’t fire into a crowd.”

“Wise decision.”

“I’m sorry, Spence.” Her eyes remained oddly unfocused. “I shouldn’t have left the room or locked Thornton inside.”

He stifled a grin when he thought of the newly hired bodyguard with a military background trapped inside a storage room. Thornton probably never expected to be duped by someone who looked as gentle and innocent as Mollie. Carefully, Spence took the pistol from her and checked the safety. “Why did you stage a breakout?”

“I saw her.” Mollie’s face lit up. “She’s here. Madison is here.”

“I know.”

The shooting at the front of the barn came to an abrupt stop. Jamison, Rossi and the others had overwhelmed the two men who emerged from the barn with their hands raised over their heads. Spence watched them take the twosome into custody.

“Did I hear you right?” Mollie tapped the side of her head like a swimmer trying to clear water from her ears. “How do you know my sister is here?”

“I had a conversation with her.” He reached down to retrieve his glasses, which had fallen off while he fought Julio. The frame was bent, and he straightened it. “She’s been in touch with your father.”

“What? Why?” She shook her head. “Sorry, when those creeps grabbed me, they held a hankie to my nose. Weird smell. Sweet and yucky at the same time, like peaches when they go bad. I’m thinking it was something like chloroform.”

He agreed. The effects of chloroform, beyond disorientation and hallucinations, were unpredictable. The effects could last for minutes or for hours. “Did you pass out?”

“I don’t think so. I was numb but aware of my surroundings.”

“We’ll get you checked out by a doctor.”