Race Against Time: A Novel Read online

  Numerous shots flew through the air around them. Sean heard the muffled cries of the teen beneath him, felt her shaking. Then the unmistakable sound of shattering glass came again and a great whoosh, as the old oil lantern exploded into flames on the wood table.

  Sean jumped up, grabbed a tattered blanket from the bed, and worked to extinguish the fire, but the flames were spreading with great speed.

  He pulled Zoya with him, speaking in what he hoped was a calm but firm voice. “We’ve got to get out of here.”

  Another bullet zinged toward the fireplace.

  “Stay low. The dogs are ready to go, so as soon as we hit the sleds, we run all out, got it?”

  Eyes wide, Zoya nodded. Now or never. Or they’d go up in flames. The smoke thickened. He coughed, then opened the door and dragged Zoya behind him.

  A shot hit the frame of the door, not two inches from his face. Then another shot rang out from a different direction. He threw Zoya to the ground and covered them. Two shooters?

  Bullets seemed to fly over him from every direction. Then just as suddenly as the shooting started, it stopped.

  He counted the seconds with his breaths. One. Two. Three . . .

  . . . Twenty-nine. Thirty . . .

  No more shots. But the heat of the flames behind him began to singe the hair on his neck.

  “Go!”

  Zoya jumped up with him, and they broke for the sled.

  Where was the other shooter? Sean scanned the area around them. He knew which way he needed to go but didn’t want to head straight into the path of a bullet. As his glance came back around, he heard Zoya gasp.

  A man turned toward the trees and ran.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  ANESIA

  4:12 p.m.

  The darkness wrapped around her like her cozy flannel sheets. Most people hated the dark. But not Anesia. It fascinated her, invited her, calmed her. And right now, she needed all of that. Needed to keep her senses about her as she searched for her daughter.

  The faint scent of evergreens mixed with wood smoke floated on the air. If she knew her daughter, Anesia figured Zoya would’ve headed way out into the bush. Away from anyone and anything.

  Because when Zoya went into protect mode, there was no stopping her. The girl was fierce in her affection. If people thought Anesia was a protective mama-bear, they’d have another think coming when Zoya was grown up and had kids of her own. Zoya had protected Andie for so many years, always making sure her friend didn’t hurt herself, didn’t get too hot, and being an extra set of eyes for Jenna.

  She rounded a bend with her sled as she watched the blip on the screen of the handheld GPS. Even though she’d covered a lot of ground, Zoya was probably still miles away.

  Anesia settled into the familiarity of the sled. The runners. The dogs. Her grip.

  As the wind whipped through her heavy hood and tangled the ends of her hair, she allowed her mind to drift back to Sean.

  What she wouldn’t give to have normal circumstances again. To be able to pursue her feelings for him. Feelings that hadn’t stirred within her chest for years. His arms around her soothed all the aches and pains within her soul. The intensity of the situation heightened her feelings for him.

  It had also broken down all the walls she built around her guarded heart. And she’d let him in.

  What would it be like to have someone take care of her for a change? Someone she could share the burdens of life with? Someone she could love.

  And she did love Sean.

  But she didn’t want to make the same mistake she’d made in the past. She didn’t want to lose him, like she’d lost Dan. Was it worth the risk?

  This time would have to be different. Or she probably wouldn’t survive. And she had to survive. For Zoya.

  Oh, God. Let her be okay.

  God hadn’t brought them this far to let something happen to her, had He?

  Lord, protect her. Please.

  A dark figure darted across the snow in front of her and stood between two trees. There wasn’t any other place to pass. The dogs barked and yapped, should she slow them down? But if that was someone after her, shouldn’t she just keep going?

  She couldn’t just run over someone, though. She couldn’t.

  “Whoa.” The dogs slowed and then stopped.

  The figure pulled his hood back.

  She let her breath escape. “Oh, Derek. It’s you! Thank goodness . . . wait, what are you doing outsi—”

  He pulled a gun out of his pocket and pointed it at her chest. “Get off the sled, Anesia.”

  “Derek, what are you doing?”

  “You just had to find the chips, didn’t you?”

  “What?” She stared at the young man who’d been her employee for several years. Whom she’d trusted! Now he was standing in front of her, holding a gun? One of her snow machines sat beside him. He’d been waiting to ambush her?

  “I’m sorry about this, Anesia. I really am. But you should’ve never gotten involved. Now get off the sled.”

  She shoved the GPS in her pocket and held up her hands.

  “Gimme the GPS.”

  Great. He was apparently sharper than she’d given him credit. She threw the GPS at him.

  “Get. Off. The. Sled.” He reached down and petted Chocolate. Her lead dog. A dog that knew him well. A dog that licked his gloved hand.

  She stepped off the sled.

  He waved her over with his gun. “Over there, by that tree.”

  Anesia complied. She had to think. “Are you the one threatening my daughter?”

  Derek laughed. “No. But I know who is.” He pulled rope out of his pocket. “Don’t worry about it. As soon as we get what we want, this will all be over and you can go back to your little girl and your dogs.”

  Anger blazed to life. Hotter than it ever had before. How dare he. And she’d sunk hours upon hours into training him. Sent him to vet classes. Paid for his education. Paid for him to work for her.

  Forgive.

  No. No way. Not this time. Not ever.

  * * *

  ZOYA

  4:24 p.m.

  “Sunshine, God hasn’t left you. He’s been right by your side the entire time. He doesn’t leave us. We can move away from Him, but He never abandons us.”

  Sean’s words echoed, repeated. Over and over again.

  Was he right? Had I done the leaving?

  He was right. I’d doubted, I’d been unfaithful. But what now? God couldn’t still love me.

  Could he?

  I shook away the lies trying to get to me. God still loved me. I knew that . . . somewhere deep, deep down in my heart. Now if only I could accept it.

  Home. We were going home. But what if those men came to hurt Mom? What if I put them all in danger again?

  I closed my eyes. The wind whipped across my face. My hands squeezed the bar. My lips cracked and I tasted blood. We picked up speed and the wind got colder.

  Everything in me begged to get under blankets, go to sleep, and not get up for a month. And yet I wanted to ride like the wind and never stop. Go somewhere far away. Then go home and feel safe again.

  “Zoya, ‘He will never leave you nor forsake you.’ He loves you beyond description. You are His creation . . . He never leaves, He never abandons, He never drops you off at someone else’s doorstep as if you’re being thrown away. He loves you very much, Zoya. He wants you to run into His arms . . .”

  I opened my eyes and watched Sean. He wasn’t far ahead. But I still wanted him closer. Those men were still out there . . . My body shuddered. Why couldn’t I get rid of this fear?

  “God doesn’t move away from us, Sunshine. If anyone moves, it’s us. We move away. But He’s still there. Always. Waiting. Ready to op
en His arms to us.”

  I leaned closer to the sled. Shivers ran up and down my spine.

  “. . . But He’s still there . . .”

  “Sean?” My voice was muffled, but loud enough for him to hear me.

  He turned his head around and looked at me. “Yes?”

  “Can we pull over a second?” I pointed to the side of the path.

  His gaze locked with mine. Then he nodded and gave a small smile. “Sure thing, Sunshine.”

  We called to the dogs and pulled over.

  I could do this. Just breathe, Zoya.

  Sean stepped off his sled and sat down on a fallen tree trunk. “Come sit.”

  I walked over and sat down.

  He said nothing.

  I said nothing.

  What did I ask first?

  “I—I need to ask you some questions.” I fiddled with my hands, not wanting to look into his big, wise, sympathetic, green eyes.

  Again he nodded. “Go ahead.”

  I tried to swallow back my fears, but the effort proved in vain. I was going to have to just push through it.

  “What should I do?” I rubbed my thumb and forefinger together, hoping it would warm them up. Even through the thick gloves the cold still bit at them.

  I took a quick glance at his face. Would he understand?

  “You need to figure that one out.” He sighed and rubbed his temple. “What do you feel like you should do?”

  Simple question, punch to my gut.

  I didn’t even know what I was feeling, exactly. I just wanted whatever the bad feeling was to be gone, to have that sense of peace again. But how did I explain that to Sean?

  “I don’t know.” I shrugged. Why was everything so difficult? Why couldn’t I, for once in my life, figure this thing out and fix it? “I feel so lost, Sean. I’m not sure of anything right now.” I stared at the ground.

  I wanted to take care of this by myself. Why couldn’t I?

  Snowflakes, millions of them, sat in perfect harmony creating the fantastic beauty of a thick sparkling blanket. If I could see each and every snowflake, define each one’s differences . . .

  But I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t fix things. I couldn’t save my mom.

  Only God could.

  I sniffed. “I know I was wrong. I let my anger and fear get so strong that I couldn’t feel anything, hear anything but them. And I’m sorry.” I was sorry. Very sorry.

  He smiled. “Then tell Him.” He stood and walked over to pet the dogs.

  I swallowed. That’s easier said than done.

  Deep breath.

  Okay.

  God, I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Please forgive me for everything. I sat there, unable to move. No peaceful feeling came. No thunderous “you’re forgiven.”

  It’s not working . . .

  Or was I still doubting? Still trying to do things my own way? I folded my hands and leaned my elbows on my knees. Closed my eyes.

  God? I’m sorry. I give it up. Please take all this. My doubt, my fear, my . . . everything. I don’t want to be untrusting anymore. I’m tired of doubting. Please help me.

  I held my breath.

  God, please . . .

  “We should get moving. Are you okay?” Sean walked back over. “We need to get you home. It looks like more snow, and I don’t want what light the moon has to offer to be covered.”

  Couldn’t I just have a few more minutes? I sighed. “Let’s go then.”

  We got on the sleds.

  Focus . . .

  On God.

  Focus. And, no matter what my feelings told me, never let go.

  * * *

  ANDIE

  4:50 p.m.

  I touched my fingers to the cold glass window of our plane. Searching. And searching. And searching some more.

  God, where is she? We hadn’t seen any sign of Zoya. But we had to find her. And when we did . . . boy, was she gonna get it. And get it good. Who in their right mind would run off like that?

  Sheesh. Girl, I love you to death, but you are a fruit loop.

  I was worried. Frantic. Where had she gone?

  The radio whistled and crackled.

  “Anything, Jenna?” Cole’s voice came over loud and clear. Well, clear for a radio.

  “Not yet. But we’ll keep looking.”

  I shook my head and turned back to the window. Where could she be?

  “Just be careful, hon.”

  “Will do.” Mom turned the plane in another direction.

  I scanned the ground, hoping and praying that by some miracle God would tell us where she was. And that she wasn’t in danger.

  “Jenna, Cole?” Sean’s voice came over the radio.

  I leaned in closer.

  “I’ve found Zoya.”

  I jerked upright. Mom smiled.

  Tears slid out from my eyelids and rolled down my cheeks. Wow, that was a fast reply! Thank You, God! “You tell her that when we get back to the house she is going to get the lecture of her life!”

  Mom smiled and grabbed the radio with one hand. “Where did you find her? Is she okay?”

  “Yeah, she’s fine. We’re on our way back to the house right now.”

  “Gotcha.” Mom smiled again and turned to me. “Praise God.”

  I smiled in return. You can say that again.

  We turned back in the direction of the house.

  I let out a sigh. Thanks again, God. I couldn’t wait to get there.

  And wring Zoya’s neck.

  Almost an hour later, I hopped out of the plane and ran toward the house. Mom followed not far behind.

  Cole must have seen us coming. He met us halfway.

  “Zoya?”

  When Cole didn’t smile, I knew something was wrong.

  God, please let her be okay! “What is it?” I folded my hands and held them to my chest. She better not have run off again.

  Cole hugged us. Then sighed and rubbed his temple. “Sean and Zoya haven’t gotten back yet.” He glanced to Mom, then back to me. “And Anesia’s gone.”

  Mom gasped. “What?”

  “We can’t raise her on the radios.”

  My jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be joking.”

  Cole shook his head. “I’m sorry, Einstein. She left hours ago. Sometime this morning. Nobody’s heard from her since.”

  Great. Now I had two necks to wring. And at this point I’d never let go of either one. Ever.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  SLIM

  February 3

  5:32 p.m.

  “I’m really not a bad guy.” He smiled at his former boss.

  She didn’t look like she believed him.

  “Oh, really? Then why do you have a gun pointed at me?”

  Anesia was a strong lady. He admired her for that. Still, he couldn’t help but enjoy the feeling flowing through him. The feeling that grew every time he looked into her fear-filled eyes.

  Power.

  “Because you have something that we want. And I don’t get paid unless I deliver it.”

  “AMI?”

  So the boss lady knew more than he’d thought. “Bingo. I knew you were smart.” Just not smart enough to beat him.

  She looked down at her bound hands. “How did you get mixed up in this? You’re such a good kid, Derek . . . you have such potential. I . . . I thought you were a Christian.”

  “That’s the whole point, Anesia.” He wielded the gun, enjoying the feeling of it in his hands. Swung it closer to her face, then to the dogs. “I do have potential, and no offense, but working for you was a dead end.” He anchored the dogs, told them to lie down, and crouched down beside them, petting each on
e. “Don’t get me wrong, the job was great. Love your dogs. But I need . . . more.”

  She gazed at him. Almost motherly. Sympathetic. “Why?”

  He chuckled. She wasn’t that stupid. “Because money and power rule the world.”

  “And what does your mother have to say about all this?”

  “Leave Ma out of this!” He jumped to his feet.

  “But I thought you said she was your best friend?”

  “Shut up, Anesia!” He stood in front of her. Inches from her face. His stocky body shook with the anger that seeped through him.

  She sank to her knees and nodded.

  His pocket vibrated. Finally. He answered his phone. “I’ve got her.”

  “Good. I’ll arrange for the call and the drop-off.” The powerful voice was syrupy sweet. That grated on his nerves. Like the guy had no respect for him.

  “When do I get my money?”

  “It’s being transferred right now as we speak. You’ll need to get her to the drop-off point.”

  “Nuh-uh. No way. You said you had someone to take the fall when they ambushed. I’m not goin’ down with this.”

  “You’re right, Slim. I have someone, but you have to get her there.”

  Heat crept up his neck. “You better not be double-crossing me. You forget that you still need to know how to remove the encryption on the chips. And I’m the only one who can do that.”

  “Don’t worry, Slim. We’ll take care of you. Check your phone, if you can. You’ll see the money’s there. Now just get her to the location.”

  Derek checked his messages on his iPhone. Sure enough, a text came through from his bank, showing the money was there. He put the phone back up to his ear. “All right. I’ll do it.”

  “Good. Nice working with you, Slim.”

  The phone call disconnected.

  Soon it would all be over. He had his money. Just needed to finish this last part of the job and head out of the country. He smiled. Hadn’t gone so bad after all.

  “Derek?”