Whistleblower (14 page)

Zan didn’t say anything, just turned the bike and headed for the mountain road that would have been an alternative route. He slowed, cautious as they approached the mouth of the canyon. Zan swung off as he caught sight of a familiar looking vehicle on the side of the road up ahead.

“How m-many of those things do they have?” Marley said, loud enough for him to hear.

“They’re pulling out all the stops for you, Doc.”

“It’s like they want us to know they’re there.”

“I think they do,” he said simply, turning the bike around, cutting through side streets, heading north.

There was no sight of any telltale black vehicles as they turned out onto the highway. With each mile that passed, apprehension rose within Marley to meet the tautness in Zan. When they passed another small town, Marley tried to convince herself that they would actually make it. The thought shattered coming over the next rise and Marley once again spotted the now overly familiar black object beside the road.

Zan let up on the gas, easing over to the side of the road. As Marley watched, the SUV pulled forward a little, edging its nose onto the road. She knew Zan was debating if he could make it around it. Zan revved the engine, but before he let up on the clutch, the front passenger window rolled down. The distance was too far to make out the man in the seat, but she recognized the object in his hand.

As the man brought the gun to level, Zan released the clutch, turning the bike in the same instant. The back tire skidded. Marley locked down on her hold. The motorcycle righted. They sped back the other way.

Marley remember seeing the road that would take them through the mountains a half mile back. She knew it would take them almost directly to the military base. She also knew why Zan hadn’t taken it.

Now more than ever his theory of being herded that way was confirmed. She caught sight of the intersection as they went passed, not at all surprised when Zan didn’t turn. What he had planned she didn’t know, she just trusted him.

Marley wanted to see if they were being followed but, at the speed they were going, didn’t dare look back, afraid of throwing Zan’s balance off. It really didn’t matter. She could feel them there, like little ants crawling up her skin.

One mile turned into four. Zan didn’t let up on the gas. He pushed the motorcycle wide open. They came around a bend to where the road straightened out. On the east side of the road a campground offered a relaxing spot on the seaside, but all thoughts of peace were shattered for Marley at the sight of the menacing SUV directly in front of them.

Instead of slowing like Marley figured, Zan shifted to put on a little more speed. The engine screamed as the motorcycle leapt forward. The space between them and the SUV seemed to evaporate. The shiny metal grill morphed into a monstrous smile bearing down on them.

Marley caught her breath. The feeling of panic ate at her. She fought for calm, assuring herself that any second Zan would let up on the gas and swing them around. But he kept the speed on, leaning forward over the handlebars. Determination tensed in his body.

Marley tightened her hold, making herself ready for what Zan did next. She figured now she knew what it felt like to be in a joust, only she knew who would win if they impacted. With less than fifteen feet separating them, Zan suddenly let up on the gas, braked and swung the motorcycle directly in front of the SUV.

Marley screamed and clung to Zan. The image of the big vehicle charging down on them burned in Marley’s mind so terrifying it took her a second to realize the SUV had passed, missing their back tire by no more than a foot to spare.

The squeal of brakes whined behind them as they sped up the small mountain road. Marley pressed into Zan’s back. She should’ve been terrifyingly as the road snaked around the side of the mountain. Though their pace was slower, trees and bushes seemed to fly by. Her heart pounded in her chest. She felt shaky and exhilarated all at once. Her mind diagnosed it as adrenaline rush, but it did little to ease the feeling.

They picked up speed on a longer, straighter stretch then slowed for an approaching curve. Marley took the opportunity to catch a glance over her shoulder. The road behind them was empty.

She wanted to believe they weren’t being followed but knew better. It then dawned on her that they had the advantage now on the motorcycle. The big SUVs had them on power but were less maneuverable on the tight turns. The question was, would there be another of the black beasts with a loaded gun pointed at them waiting up ahead.

Time clicked off in her mind. Marley figured it had been at least twenty minutes since they turned off the road, and there was still no sight of any other vehicles. She looked over at the scenery and wished they could just pull over and maybe take a hike, get lost in the trees where no one could find them.

The woods with Zan beside her held great appeal, which was probably silly after their frenzied flight though the woods and Zan getting shot just days earlier. But, to be away from everyone, especially away from danger, and have just the peace and beauty around them sounded so good.

Marley looked up at the clear blue sky caught a glimpse of a large bird she decided was a hawk, since it looked like it had a neck and turkey vultures didn’t. It soared out over the gully, catching an air current to hang effortlessly in the sky. She was so wrapped up in it, she almost missed the other object which swooped through the sky.

The helicopter banked over the ridge and swung toward them. Marley wanted to discount it but couldn’t. Tightening one arm around Zan’s waist, Marley released her hold with the other to tap Zan’s arm and then point to the sky.

Zan let up the speed then followed her motion until he saw the copter closing in on them.

Marley wasn’t sure if she heard him yell, “hold on,” or if it was just her mind supplying it, but she barely got her arm back around him when the bike shot forward. Again, Zan leaned over the handlebars. Marley tried to follow his motions as the ground whipped by at dizzying speed. The helicopter roared as it skimmed passed just a couple feet over their heads then climbed straight up to miss a stand of trees that edged both sides of the road.

They followed the road as it curved around for about two hundred yards. When they came out of the trees, the helicopter was there waiting, hovering just a few feet off the ground. Zan continued on at full speed, swinging the motorcycle to the side, cutting just behind the skids of the helicopter.

Marley screamed and ducked as they cleared the tail section by only a foot. The blade at the end whipped the air only six feet away.

They didn’t make it far before the helicopter buzzed over them again to hover just above the road. Marley could make out two men in front but their helmets and glasses made it impossible to recognize them, even if they were familiar. This time as they raced toward the helicopter, it dropped lower to the ground. Marley flinched afraid there was no way they could make it around it. Then, to make it worse, the side panel slid open revealing a third man with a gun.

For about another thirty feet, Zan kept them headed directly for the helicopter as if to repeat the maneuver he’d done previously. With just twenty feet to the copter, he turned the bike off the road. He eased up on the gas as they went up the small embankment that edged the road, but their momentum was enough that they still went airborne for several feet.

Marley closed her eyes as she felt herself lift off the seat of the bike then smack down as they landed. She felt the jolt through every fiber of her body. Against her will, her eyes sprung open, expecting to see them crash, but somehow Zan kept them upright.

The motorcycle bounced again over another rise. Marley, slightly unseated from the last landing, felt her foot slide off the foot-peg and fought to right herself without pulling Zan off with her. The bike slowed, as if Zan was going to stop, but as soon as her foot found its way back to the peg and she shifted into her seat, they picked up speed again.

Trees whipped by. Branches clawed at them, making Marley grateful for the leather jacket and helmet. Zan cut speed and twisted the handlebars hard to the right to avoid a downed log. Slower, they wove their way through a gully. Water sprayed up, soaking Marley’s pant legs as they crossed through a stream.

Coming upon a large, steep bank, they climbed it slower so that the wheels remained on the ground. They were up it before Marley had too much of a chance to be afraid of falling off.

A small game trail led up the hill. Zan maneuvered them onto it, gave the motorcycle a little more gas and started to climb. Over the whine of the engine, Marley could still hear the beat of the helicopter.

Zan swung them around a rock ledge surrounded by tall trees. He braked, and they skidded to a stop. His feet dropped to the ground. He cut the motor, tensed and waited. For a moment, silence filled the woods then the thump, thump of the rotors sounded above the trees. Wind whipped the branches not far away.

“Zan,” Marley cried out for him, fear flooding her.

“It’s okay.” His voice came back to her as steady as a brick wall. “They know we’re here but can’t see us. Catch your breath, and we’ll see if they move on.”

The way his hands remained poised on the handlebars said he really didn’t believe it likely. Marley wished he would take them off and wrap his arms around her but had to be satisfied just holding him. Twice more the helicopter passed close overhead, but neither time were they able to see the craft before it drifted away.

When Zan released the handlebars to reach into his inside pocket, she leaned forward to get a look at what he had, catching a glimpse of a cell phone.

“What are you doing?”

“Playing a long shot.”

“Can you get reception?”

“Not here.” Instead of putting the phone back in his pocket, he lifted his pant leg and worked it down into his boot.

“What do we do now?” She finally ventured the question.

“Wait. There’s no way we can outrun a helicopter. We have to keep them up there where they can’t touch us. The problem is ground backup will be on its way, so we can’t stay here too long.” The words were hardly out of his mouth when the sound of the helicopter drew closer again.

“Hang on, time to go.” Zan revved the motorcycle. It roared to life, and they were climbing again, angling across the side hill where the trees started to thin out.

A small dirt road cut across the trail. Zan dropped down on it, picking up speed. The helicopter was nowhere in sight. With all the switches, Marley had no idea what direction they were going but she was sure Zan knew.

They came to a fork in the road. Zan swung to the left without any hesitation. Marley was concentrating on watching the sky, the motorcycle jerked to the side almost unseating her, only locking her arms down around Zan’s waist kept her from flying off. Her attention darted back to the road, and a cry of fear escaped her.

It wasn’t a black SUV that sat angled across the road in front of them but the white vehicle that blocked the road was familiar as was the red and yellow logo of the lab in which she worked for emblazoned on the side. Zan let up on the speed, changing their direction, but instead of turning them in a complete circle, he headed them off the road again into the trees. The tires kicked up dirt as the bike climbed the small embankment.

Marley screamed as she heard the crack of a gunshot. The motorcycle jerked to the side. The next thing Marley knew she was ripped from the bike, airborne, still locked on Zan. Their landing was cushioned by a bush, but the impact felt like it jarred every bone in her body. Her ears rang. Shadows danced in front of her eyes. She was tempted to slide into the darkness and escape then she became aware of Zan calling her name.

The panic which filled his voice stabbed at her. She reached to soothe it. Forcing her eyes open, they were trapped in the glacial blue of his eyes that were anything but cold.

“Are you all right?” The words rushed from him, and it took her a second to decipher them. “Marley?” Her name came out demanding an answer.

“Yes.” The word was as shaky as she felt. Marley started to sit up only to have Zan push her back down.

“No, stay still until I know you’re all right.” His attention shifted to his hands which ran up and down one leg and then the other before moving to repeat the process with her arms.

“Zan.” She tried to pull up. “I’m all right. I was just a little stunned.”

He ignored her, catching her helmet between his hands, looking into her eyes. “How’s your vision? Are you seeing double?”

“No, I’m fine, but what about you? Your shoulder?” Panic spiked through her.

“I’m good. Can you move?”

“Yes.” She barely got the word out when he hauled her up.

“We’ve got to go then.” His hand wrapped around hers, and he started to pull her forward. She stumbled a couple steps as her mind kicked into gear.

“What about the bike?”

“The front tire’s toast.”

The knowledge brought reality flooding back of the security chief and his flunky, the helicopter and the shot. Marley broke into a run, ignoring the protesting aches of her body, as Zan matched his pace to hers. Behind them they could hear a vehicle brake. Another shot rang out as they dodged and wove through the trees.

Wood splintered off a tree not far from her head. Marley ducked reflexively and kept going. She put on more speed, getting into the rhythm of the stride. The throbbing in her head matched her footfalls on the ground, but she didn’t slow.

They broke through the trees and skidded to a stop at the sight of the helicopter hovering just in front of them. Zan tugged her hand. They switched direction only to have the white security vehicle come over the rise directly into their path followed by one of the infamous black SUVs.

“Put your hands up.” The voice coming through the speaker on the helicopter had a surreal sound to it, but it was the gun pointed at them by the man through the helicopter’s open door that made her stop and raise her hands over her head.

Beside her, Zan slowly followed the motion. Marley was afraid that he would go for his gun and knew they would shoot him. She picked up a shift in his stance. He was like a coil ready to spring.

“Zan?”

“Just do what they say.”

Marley had to force her gaze from him. As she did, fear rose within her.

The security guard Jansen, stepped from the van and sauntered toward her, his gun cradled across his body, an unholy gleam in his eyes. “Why, Dr. Reynolds, who would have guessed?” He looked her up and down.

“Cut it out,” Calvin Mills snapped at Jansen, but his attention was fixed on Zan. “Very carefully remove your weapons and throw them over there.” He motioned with the tip of his gun and waited while Zan complied. “Now, remove your helmets.”