Untrained Eye (34 page)

Renee nodded. “I know.”

“Good. Be you again. We both miss you.” Her tone was more cutting
than she’d intended but maybe her own emotions were nearer the surface than she
liked to admit. “Can you shoot if Owens is the Unsub?”

Renee met her eyes, certainty glinted through. “Yes.”

It was all the answer Ursula needed. “Sleeping draught?”

Renee smiled and sat back. “Did you doubt it?”

No. She didn’t. There was one thing Ursula knew for a fact about
Renee and that was when it came to her heart, it was uncompromising. Whether
Aeron loved her back or not, Renee wouldn’t even look at anyone else.

“It might be a good idea if you explain to her what she insinuated
to Jäger.” Ursula looked up.

Aeron trudged down the stairs. Her hair was slicked back and wet,
her t-shirt thrown on roughly, showing the ridged muscles underneath, and those
snug jeans.

Ursula couldn’t help but chuckle as Renee groaned under her
breath.

“Here’s the deal,” Aeron said in her usual soft tone so
contradictory to the strength of her appearance. “One, I ain’t fighting with
you no more, Renee. Owens is crooked but I trust that you know what you’re
doing.” She held up her hands. “Even if your taste sucks.”

Ursula felt the now familiar glow of pride for her. She could be
wiser than most of the people twice her age.

“Second, Owens is in a cave in the canyon. Guy who hired her is
planning on killing her.” Aeron rubbed her forehead. She’d given it a good bump
by the look of it.

Ursula sat forward, woke up her laptop, and opened up the
satellite map. “Any pointers?”

“Scrub, rocks, the wind is howling through?”

Ursula cycled through the canyon.

“Try locking onto her GPS signal,” Renee said.

Ursula looked up at Renee.

She nodded with a smile. “I listened. The GPS tracker is in her
watch but I’m not sure if it’s working. I tried locating it but the signal
bounced all over the place.”

Ursula smiled, opened the program, and the marker locked onto a
location in seconds. “Got her.” She looked up at two sets of raised eyebrows.
“What, did you expect any less?”

“Cocky ass.” Renee turned to Aeron with a wry smile. “Anything
else you need to divulge?”

Aeron frowned. “What makes you think—?”

“I know when you’re holding something back.” Renee’s voice held a
hint of amusement.

“Any of you good with fixing fingers?” She held up her left hand,
her thumb dislocated. “Flashes suck.”

Renee’s amused smile vanished. She was on her feet. “Did you hit
anything else?” She examined the hand, then touched her own forehead. She
frowned then looked up at Aeron. “You feel okay?”

Aeron stared at her like she was a stranger.

Renee sighed. “I’m horrible. There’s no excuse. I say things I
don’t mean but please,
please
, don’t ever think I don’t care about you.”
She touched Aeron’s fast purpling bruise. “I mean it, I adore you, you great
big dimwit.”

Aeron’s shoulders unhinged, her eyes like a puppy dog’s. “You do?”

Bless her, she
was
a dimwit.

“Guaranteed. Even if I yell at you, act like I don’t, or we
argue.” Renee smiled, stroking her thumb over Aeron’s cheek. “You’re a part of
me. Same as Icy over there.”

Ursula rolled her eyes. “You two could make prime time, you know
that.”

“Love you too, Urs,” Renee fired back.

“So crack her thumb already. We have POIs to rescue.” She got to
her feet. Aeron was looking at her for guidance. No doubt the kid was confused.
Relieved but confused. She didn’t blame her. She wondered how Renee was going
to explain why Jäger had rejected Aeron. 

Ursula waited until Renee looked down at the thumb and let a soft
smile show. Aeron’s eyes warmed. “Quit fussing around. I haven’t got all
night.”

Renee muttered under her breath then Aeron yelped as she cracked
the thumb back into place.

Renee winced too as if it hurt her. “Give her a chance to climb
something and she gets overexcited.”

“It’s not my fault you have no flexibility in your feet.” Ursula
went to the cupboard and pulled out the supplies they would need. Habit ensured
she always had kits ready. The location was an hour drive and a two-hour hike.
It was 2200 hours now, which meant hiking in the dark. If they got there and
back by sunrise they would be lucky.

“She has monkey feet,” Renee mumbled as she took a bag from Ursula
and sorted through it. “It’s not natural.”

“I trump you both.” Aeron smiled as they looked up at her.

“How so, Lorelei?” Ursula shot her way.

“I got flippers.” She peered down at the
laptop. “That’s a long way.”

“I know.” Ursula stowed the ropes into the
backpacks. They had the food supplies, med kits, flares etc., in case. She went
to the sink and filled up the water bottles, knowing they were watching her.

“So?” Renee added extra food to Aeron’s backpack. Ursula watched
her take out one sachet and place it in her own. Apparently Aeron wasn’t a
lover of pea soup.

“Chopper. Two miles north of our position. Farmer was happy with
cash in hand.” Ursula shrugged.

“Will it take my weight?” Aeron asked, staring down at herself.

Renee nudged Aeron’s arm. “What is it with you and helicopters?”

It was a relief to see them get along.

Aeron shrugged. “I’m just big is all.”

Renee muttered a “dimwit” at her as Ursula added the water to
their gear.

“What aren’t you saying?” she asked Aeron when Renee went to the
bathroom.

Aeron pulled her mouth to the side and glanced over at the door.
“Owens is hurt. Kevin is a scumbag.”

Ursula sighed. “How badly?”

“Couldn’t tell.” She glanced at the bathroom again. “I don’t wanna
see her hurt. I don’t trust Owens but if she’s hurt bad then—”

Ursula squeezed her hand. “I know. Let’s get there and deal with
the situation then.”

Renee walked out of the bathroom and Ursula dropped her hand away.
She didn’t want to stir Renee’s moods. If she did have some of Aeron’s
“burdens” then it was better she stay calm. It was better for Ursula’s head
when she stayed calm too.

Women. Renee was welcome to them. She checked her pistol. “Renee,
you drive, I’ll hide in the back.”

Renee nodded. “Check.”

Aeron frowned. “Why?”

Ursula and Renee exchanged a look. This could be interesting.
Renee opened and closed her mouth a few times, her cheeks getting rosier. 

“Don’t ask, Lorelei, just follow orders,” Ursula grunted, mostly
to hide her laughter.

Aeron added an extra cover to the strap on Renee’s pack. Renee
tutted at her but her eyes twinkled with a smile. “Won’t they know you’ve gone
too?”

Ursula tapped her laptop. A video showed her in her chair,
reading. She flashed a smile at them, stowed the laptop in her backpack, and
grabbed her car keys. “Recorded surveillance.”

Renee cocked her head. “Were you reading
Pride and Prejudice
?”

“Yes.” Ursula shoved bullet vests at them. “On at all times.”

“Never knew you had it in you.” Renee put her vest on and picked
up her backpack.

Aeron waited as Renee zipped up her vest, then took the pack out
of Renee’s hand. “I do the heavy lifting.”

Ursula shrugged on her own vest, and backpack and threw the keys
at Renee. “Meet you there.”

“You do not just do the heavy lifting, will you quit doing that.
I’m
meant to be protecting you,” Renee said, her voice full of the woman they
loved.

“Why are short people always so cranky?” Aeron sounded more
herself too. Good to hear.

“I’m five seven, that’s
not
short.”

“Is too.”

Ursula sighed as they walked out of the villa and crept through
the darkness. If they weren’t arguing, they were bickering. If they weren’t
bickering they were being soppy and calling each other dimwit. It wouldn’t be
hard to convince Jäger. They were incorrigible.

She smiled.

Just how she liked them.

Chapter 40

I CAN’T SAY that I’m all that crazy about flying but Frei and
Renee were so into it that it was hard not to feel safe. I was assured that
unless a dust storm hit, we’d be okay and Renee would land us long before if
she thought there was any danger.

Still it was a mini-helicopter which felt and looked like we were
inside a large bug. Renee and Frei did explain what it was, the specifics, and
I glazed over long before it made sense. Aircraft was their thing.

We landed twenty minutes out from Owens’s location. I was worried
that someone would steal it but Renee asked even if they could hot-wire a
flying bug, how would they fly it?

It was a good point. I hadn’t thought of that.

The hike was at Frei-speed which meant Renee and I were pushing
ourselves just to keep up. I started to get my flippers-for-feet stuck in
rubble and rocks until Frei relented and gave us a rest. The woman didn’t even
look out of breath.

“You two head into the canyon from the top path, here.” She
pointed to the screen on her phone. “Get Owens. Keep the POIs safe. The buyers
are heading in from the west so I will loop around behind them.”

Renee took a swig of her water. “Armed?”

“Yes.” Said like she was saying “duh.” She strode over and yanked
at our bullet vests.

My vest looked like it could be a tent for somebody else. The size
of it made me realize how big I was.

“Renee, focus on the POIs. No distractions. They are important—”

“But Aeron is essential. Check.” She flashed me a grin.

“I ain’t a top priority. Quit doing that. Both of you.” I folded
my arms. It was bad enough the two kids were hauled out here to be sold,
without CIG devaluing their worth as human beings too.

“You’re essential because you have to get them out. You’re
essential because we need all three of us for this to work.” Renee smiled at me
as she secured a flashlight to her vest.

“Suck it up, Lorelei. You’re part of the mission.” Frei strode off
into the darkness.

I stared after her. I thought about worrying but she was more than
a match for anyone who got in her way.

“You got your medkit?” I asked Renee as I started toward the steep
edge of the canyon.

“Yes, why?” I heard from her tone that she was suspicious of the
question.

“Kevin outsmarted Professor Slimy.” I gripped hold of her arm to
stop her charging in. “She’s alive. She’s out cold though . . .”

“There’s a path.” Renee pulled her gun out, primed it, and led me
onward, ducking low.

Without a massive pack or vest, I still would have stuck out like
a grizzly in a beauty pageant. Stealth weren’t my thing. I smiled as a flash
hit me. “Throw something over the edge, to the right.”

Renee picked up a rock and did just that.

Kevin let out a yelp. There was scuffling as he, I guessed, dived
away from the noise. It bought Renee time to drop down.

“All clear,” Renee said.

I smiled and lowered my frame down. Renee was busy tying
restraints around Kevin’s wrists. I went to Owens and Miranda. Both were
unharmed but out of it.

“Chloroform or something?” I asked. It sounded like I had a clue.
Being sneaky and knocking folks out wasn’t my strong point.

“Yes.” She dragged Kevin over to the others. “I’m impressed.” She
winked up at me then touched her earpiece. “Roger that. You want us to do
what?” She held up a finger to me. “Got it. Will do. Over.”

Renee glanced at Owens then met my eyes. “Cover story. I came to
you for help after seeing the note. You like working for Jäger. You want the
kids returned.”

I frowned. “Why would you come to me?” I didn’t get it. Jäger
would see through that I was sure.

“Explain later. Trust me?” She smiled up at me.

What could I say to that? “Course I do.”

She squeezed my shoulder and knelt down. She pulled something from
her pocket and stuck it under Owens’s nose.

Her eyes fluttered open and she frowned up at Renee. “Roberta?”

I grunted and wandered to the mouth of the cave. Why Renee picked
the cover names she did, I didn’t know. She didn’t look nothing like a Roberta.

I got a flash and tensed. I motioned for Renee to join me.

“Tell Locks that Jones is one of them,” I said in a low voice.

Renee pressed her finger to her ear as if trying to hear what I
said. I covered her words by letting out a long yawn.

Owens looked from her to me. She didn’t seem very impressed.

“Roberta, what is going on?”

Renee ignored her for a second, her eyes on mine. I could hear the
crackling sound of her earpiece. Her eyes twinkled as she gazed up at me.

Frei says thanks for the heads up. Keep safe,
flickered through my
mind, and she winked.

Doing my job,
I thought with a shrug.

Renee’s eyes twinkled with a smile. The sound of violin music
filled my mind like it used to. I’d missed that. Whatever it was. I’d missed
it.

“Roberta?”

Renee rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. She turned and went
back to Owens.

“Why is
she
here?” Owens muttered, glaring at me.

I turned away, trying not to act smug that I could hear Renee’s
freaky thoughts. Bet Owens couldn’t. Chump.

Renee said to trust her. I focused on trying to feel Frei, to
sense if she was okay. My team needed me with all my burdens. I concentrated.
Pictured her.

I could feel her. I closed my eyes with relief. I could feel her
loud and clear.

Maybe I could get all my burdens back and be of some use.

I glanced over my shoulder. Renee was attentive and warm to Owens.
I tried not to scowl. If Owens laid a finger on her I didn’t know what I’d do.
Renee could look after herself though. She was quicker, more agile than me. She
was aware. No, I had to sit tight and let her work.

Owens stroked Renee’s cheek, casting a smarmy smile my way. I
turned away and scowled.

Sit tight, right. It didn’t mean that I had to like it.

URSULA DUCKED BEHIND a boulder and sighed. A bullet pinged off the
dirt next to her, and she reloaded her pistol. Considering she was asking Renee
to pull the trigger on someone if necessary, she wasn’t finding it easy to hit
the idiots shooting at her.

Jones
was
with them just as Aeron had said. She didn’t want
to hurt him. All she wanted to do was get back to the villa and put her feet
up.

She was getting soft and old. She fired off a few rounds at their
feet, hoping they would retreat. It was more chance than she would normally
afford anyone. She loaded tranquilizer darts and sighed. She was emotionally
compromised. Not good.

“Go. Kill the others. Get the cargo.”

Ursula scowled at Jones’s command. She turned, fired, and dropped
the guy sprinting toward the canyon. Jones fired back.

She ducked. Dust kicked up next to her cheek. Another bullet
pinged off the rock.

“I want the girl. Keep the contact alive. She’ll be fun to play
with.”

Ursula peeked up. Fired twice. Three down. Five left. Jones was
one of them.

“Give it up, Locks.” He sounded so arrogant as always. “We have
more bullets than you.”

Ursula ducked to the side. Fired.

Thud.

Thud.

Two more dropped to the dirt. “Quality not quantity,” she muttered
to herself.

Ping.

Ping.

Crack.

Ursula rolled and sprinted away from the split boulder.

Ping.

Ping.

Ping.

She threw herself behind another rock.

“Move!” Jones sounded less than pleased. Whoever the idiots with
him were, they weren’t fast.

She rolled out. Fired.

Thud.

Two left.

She ducked back behind the rock. She was rusty. A few years ago it
would have been faster. “You need to spend more time on your shooting,” she
muttered, shaking her head at herself.

She poked her head above cover at a rustle of dirt.

One shot.

The guy dropped to the ground.

“Feeling lonely?” she called out.

“Sure. Come and keep me company.” Jones sounded rattled.

“Hah,” fell from her mouth. “You wish.”

Her instinct rippled through her. She drew her blade and rolled
backward just in time to parry Jones’s attack. “Sly and cowardly, good to know
you haven’t changed.”

He scowled. He jabbed at her with his knife. She parried again.
Thrust out her foot. Caught him in the chin. He staggered backward. She sprang
to her feet. Pistol holstered. Knife too.

“You’re getting slower.” He spat blood at her feet.

“You’re getting fatter.”

He growled. He charged at her. She smacked the blade away to her
right. Gripped his elbow, brought her knee up, and hauled him down.

Crunch.

Right in his solar plexus. She slammed her shoulder into him. Leg
hooked around his and launched him back into the dirt. Hand on her pistol.

He raised his gun.

His eyes widened. He gripped his chest. “How . . . ?” He slumped
back into the dirt. His eyes rolled.

Ursula checked his pulse. She may be slower but she was still
faster than him. She tapped into her phone.

“Ma’am.” Fitzgerald sounded wired. She
guessed having nothing to do but sit in a RV drinking coffee would do that to a
guy.

“Mark my location. There’s eight of them. I want them taken back
to base. I want them under sedation until Lilia is ready to see them.”

She could hear Fitzgerald tapping on a keyboard. “Roger that.”

Ursula hung up. At least it would give the
others something to do.

“You’re making us twitchy.” Renee’s voice carried up from the
canyon and Ursula smiled.

With light steps, she reached the edge and dropped silent beside
Renee who stared up at the ledge above. “Quit whining.”

Renee jumped, yelped, and fired off a round in her shock. The
bullet echoed in the dark canyon. A flock of birds fluttered about.

“Professional,” Renee muttered, then turned back to Owens and the
POIs.

Aeron stifled her chuckle. At least someone appreciated her entrance.

“Quit smiling, Lorelei,” Renee snapped. “Or I’ll make you race her
back to the chopper.”

Aeron’s smile vanished.

Ursula frowned. “Why is Owens out?”

“I told her what I needed to. She thinks I turned to Aeron for
help when I realized she was missing.” Renee shrugged. “It’s better she think
Aeron’s cover is concrete.”

“You knocked her out?”

Aeron smiled a little too wide. “With chloroform. Scout’s honor.”
She saluted.

“You were never a scout,” Renee mumbled.

“That means we’re all carrying an extra load. Aeron, you take
Owens, Renee, Miranda. I’ll take this little rat.” She scowled down at Kevin.

Aeron had seen something nasty in him and Ursula was beginning to
agree. The boy was up to something. She didn’t know what but it was best he was
kept in sight.

With some rope hoists, they pulled all three up to the top of the
low bluff. Ursula scoured the darkness in case any other company had arrived.

“Does it matter if I drop her?” Aeron muttered, hoisting Owens into
a fireman’s lift.

“Yes.” Renee shot her a borderline maternal scowl as she took
Miranda’s weight and steadily lifted her up. “You’ll have to explain that one
to lover boy.”

Aeron swung around. Renee ducked to avoid Owens flailing leg as
Aeron wagged a finger at her. “Not funny. The guy gives me the eebies.”

“Imagine the height on the kids,” Renee teased, shaking her head
at Owens’ limp form. Aeron looked like she was carrying an oversized sack.

Ursula hauled Kevin onto her shoulder and kept her eyes on the
darkness.

“Hey, it ain’t funny. He pinched my butt.” Panic flashed across
Aeron’s eyes. “Seriously, who pinches butts?”

“If he touches you again, I’ll stick a bullet somewhere that’ll
make him sing soprano,” Renee snapped.

Ursula tried to hide her smile. She didn’t doubt it. Aeron’s laugh
said she didn’t either.