Chasing Victory (The Winters Sisters) Read online

  “I need more time, Wyatt.”

  “Commander Farraday, twenty-four hours. I’ll have Jack send all the details of the meeting place to your email. I’ll expect your call.”

  “Yes sir, Captain.” Before he could finish Tristan heard a click on the other end and the line went dead. It was great to work with his brother most of the time, unless he pulled rank, and then he was pretty much screwed. Even so, he did get a lot of leeway and used it to his greatest advantage.

  Up ahead he saw the Prevost exit at a rest stop. He entered the other side of the rest stop, hoping to stretch his legs, grab some lunch, and keep an eye on the girls. He figured it would take them a while to walk all the dogs. What he did have to be careful of was staying downwind of the Dobermans. Now that they knew his scent he didn’t want them alerting to him and signaling the girls.

  Tristan sat in the passenger seat of his Porsche with his legs stretched out the door intently watching the Prevost at the far end of the rest stop. He leisurely ate his lunch as Payton and Victory took their time walking each of their dobes, giving them water and what looked like some kind of a treat.

  “Wow man, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Porsche 911 Turbo with all the bells and whistles, it’s cherry, man.”

  Tristan turned to see two guys staring at his Porsche.

  “Thanks.”

  “I bet it can really fly.”

  “Sure can, it gets me where I want to go.”

  “Come on guys, stop bothering the poor man,” said a girl as she came out of the restroom.

  Tristan turned back to check on the girls and noticed Victory scanning the area.

  “I’ll be damned,” he mumbled to himself. He slid down in the front seat of his Porsche in case her gaze came his way.

  Fifteen minutes later they were headed down the road and Tristan was calling the office.

  “SOCOM, Logan.”

  “Hey, it’s Tristan.”

  “You must really miss me.”

  “You’re a comedian. I think we have another little twist; can I talk to Jack?”

  “No, he took a late lunch; I can take the information for him,” Logan said.

  “Okay. I need him to do more digging on the Winters sisters. All the way back to birth if need be. Victory is showing signs of heightened hearing. I had a feeling she had keen hearing, but this is unreal. At first I thought it was only telepathy, but it’s both, I’m sure of it now.”

  “How heightened?” Logan asked.

  “The sisters parked their motorhome at the far end of a rest stop. I had a clear sight line, but I was at least four hundred yards away from them. Some guy came up and commented on my car. I said thanks, and when I turned back Victory was scrutinizing the area.”

  “I’ll be damned. That is some good hearing. I’ll get the info to Jack as soon as he is back.”

  “Thanks Logan. The sooner I know the playing field the better off I’ll be.”

  * * *

  Max spent the entire day in Old Town Sacramento. The coffee shop Victory picked out was located on Front Street close to the river. Max figured his best plan was to get Victory out by boat. Getting her from the coffee shop to the boat was the tricky part. He was going to have to leave that part of the plan up to Dave and that worried him. Max was someone that liked a clear plan and total control. Not to say that he couldn’t change on the fly, he could, but he always started with a clear idea. His phone vibrated in his pocket.

  “Max here.”

  “Hey Max, Jerry. Dave wants to know how that plan of yours is coming along. You’ve been gone all day and we haven’t heard from you.”

  “Actually I need a boat, something quiet and fast,” Max said.

  “Is that how you plan to get her out of there?” Jerry asked.

  “Don’t talk about it on the phone.” Jesus he hated amateurs, didn’t they know that anyone could listen in on cell calls? “I’m about finished here. We need to meet, let’s have dinner.”

  One hour later Dave, Jerry, and Max were sitting down for dinner at a neighborhood Mexican joint. “So, I got you that boat,” Dave said.

  “Jerry will be the lookout for the job. I want him in the boat and coming up the river one hour before you meet with the girl,” Max said.

  “One hour before, what am I supposed to do all that time?” whined Jerry.

  “Go buy a fishing pole, some bait, and a six pack of soda, fish. It’s your job to be the look out and to keep the boat available to me as soon as I need it. This is going to be sticky. Dave it’s your job to get the girl as close to the river as possible and away from as many people as you can. The less people, the less witnesses,” Max said.

  “Maybe I can talk her into a boat ride with me,” Dave said.

  “If you can that would be great. We’ll play it on the fly. After dinner you and Jerry go down to the docks and reserve a slip. If Dave can talk the girl into a ride, I will call you and give you a heads up, Jerry.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Dave said.

  “Let’s hope it goes smoothly. There will be a lot of people milling about,” Max said.

  * * *

  Victory opened the door of the Prevost and walked down the steps. Payton was engrossed in the bathing of her current Doberman.

  “Hey Payton I’m off for my date, I’ll bring you back a treat,” Victory said as a taxi pulled up alongside the motor home. “Great, right on time. I shouldn’t be too long, not more than a couple of hours at the most I wouldn’t think.”

  “Give me a call if you are going to be longer than that so I don’t worry. Before you say it; yes, I am acting like a mother. But these guys are dangerous; for god’s sakes Victory, don’t forget that.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m meeting Dave in a very public place. Don’t worry sis, I’ll be fine. See you soon,” Victory said as she closed the door to the taxi.

  * * *

  Tristan had been sitting in the bookstore two blocks down from where Victory was going to meet Dave for the last two hours. From the intel he received the meeting would be taking place in about thirty minutes. Those Biotec guys were good; he hadn’t seen Max or Jerry the entire time. Odds were Jerry was the look out and wouldn’t actually be involved in the plan, whatever the plan was. Of course, there was always the possibility that Dave really did want to offer her a job as his emails had said, but it didn’t feel right to Tristan. Something was up. He always followed his instincts so he would see this meeting out to the end.

  A black Lincoln Navigator with matching tinted windows pulled up to the front of the coffee shop. The passenger door opened and Dave got out.

  Ten minutes later a taxi pulled up in front of the coffee shop. Victory got out of the back of the vehicle. Tristan’s breath caught in his chest as she bent forward to brush the wrinkles out of her jade linen shorts. As she surveyed the block, the rays of early afternoon sun shimmered through her caramel-colored hair. Walking into the coffee shop, Victory casually looked around at all the tables. A man in the far corner popped up waving a hand at her.

  “Ms. Winters,” Dave yelled.

  She wasn’t close enough that day in the woods to get a good look at the man that killed Jeffery, but she had heard his voice clearly. She was sure this was not the voice of the man that pulled the trigger, but all the same this voice sent icy fingers down her spine. Victory smiled at Dave and remained glued to her spot trying to compose herself. It suddenly struck her that this was going to be harder than she thought.

  Dave approached her. “Ms. Winters, I’m Dave Anderson. It is such a pleasure to finally meet you in person.” Dave stuck out his hand to shake hers and it took all her power to keep the smile on her face and shake his hand. “I have a table already; would you like to go have a seat and I can order you a drink?”

  “Thank you. I think I will go up to the counter and order my coffee and then come over to the table, if you don’t mind.” She needed to pull herself together right now if she was going to make this work.

  �
��Whatever you would like, I’ll be waiting at the table.” Dave gave her a slight nod and went to sit down.

  A few moments later, drink in hand and her composure in check, Victory joined Dave at his table.

  “I really am so glad that you decided to take the time out of your vacation to meet with me. Jeffery has spoken so highly of you,” Dave said as he rose and pulled out a chair for Victory.

  “I haven’t spoken to Jeffery in years. I guess our careers keep us both so busy. How is Jeffery?” She abruptly picked up her drink and took a sip, adverting her eyes as a sheen of tears threatened to fall.

  “Oh, he’s doing fine. He was sent out of the country on another project, like I mentioned in my emails. Before leaving he said that you would be the person that we would want to get to replace him on the project he left behind.”

  “Really,” Victory said.

  “Yes. This is an extremely important project. The first milestone is due at the end of next month so we are running against the clock.”

  “I see. Surely there are others that would be interested in your project. Is there no one internally that you can promote?” she asked.

  “Unfortunately no. I’m sure there would be others interested Ms. Winters, except we have not located anyone as qualified yet,” Dave said.

  “If this is such an important project, why was Jeffery sent out of the country to another project?” She knew she was challenging him, but the words were out before she could stop herself.

  “Aw well, ours is not to question why. The powers that be believed that he was needed elsewhere and so off he went.” Dave responded lightheartedly.

  “What can you tell me about the project?” Victory asked.

  “Regrettably I can’t give you too many details because it is highly classified. What I can tell you is that you would be working with animals and probably doing similar work as you are doing now, only with state-of-the-art equipment,” Dave said.

  “And how do you know what I am working on now? It is also classified,” Victory said.

  “I realize that I am taking time out of your vacation.” Dave said, ignoring her previous question. “I think I can show you something that would change your mind, something truly astonishing that will answer all of your questions. Please remember that what I want to show you is highly classified. Biotec has a satellite lab right across the river from here. I came over to meet you on one of the company’s boats. I thought I would take you over to the lab and give you a short tour. Part of Jeffery’s research is contained there so it would give you an idea of what you would be working on. In the end if you still chose not to work for us, you must tell no one about what you saw. Would you like to take a short walk with me?”

  She hesitated briefly, thought about the taser that she had placed in her purse after Lisa Evans was found dead, then responded, “Let’s go.” She grabbed her purse and headed for the door without a second thought. Victory was bound and determined to find out what got Jeffery killed. Besides what could happen? It was in the middle of the afternoon they were in Old Town Sacramento, and it was full of people.

  “Great. I need to make a quick call, I’ll meet you outside.”

  “I need to make a call too. My sister is expecting me back in less than an hour. I don’t want her to worry.” Victory walked past him and went out the door.

  She turned and walked away to call Payton as Dave came out of the shop. A man in a hat and dark glasses bumped into Dave. For a split second she had a sensation that she knew the man. The impression passed quickly when Payton answered the phone, Victory’s attention being refocused on her sister.

  “Hello, Victory are you okay?” Payton asked.

  “Yes, I’m fine. I might be later than I thought.”

  “So things must be going according to your plan.”

  “Dave is giving me a tour of their satellite lab which is right across the river,” Victory said.

  “I don’t really think that is a good idea,” Payton replied concern flooding her voice.

  “Yes, okay, I’ll see you in a few hours, bye.” Victory snapped her phone shut before Payton had a chance to argue with her. She looked over at Dave. “My sister is planning on me being home for dinner, so she doesn’t want me to be too late.”

  “No problem. We should have you back in plenty of time, this way.” Dave gestured down the docks towards the moored boats.

  Tristan saw Victory walk out of the coffee shop alone and let out a breath that he was unaware he was even holding. He was surprised that she was done with the meeting so soon. It must not have gone well. Then Dave walked out the door and the two started down the sidewalk together. He still hadn’t seen Max or Jerry so he was going to have to stay out of sight. Waiting until Victory and Dave passed the first block he walked out of the bookstore and started after them.

  “It only takes about ten minutes to cross the river and the lab sits on the river bank. I promise you, you won’t be sorry. There are some pretty exciting things being done there.” Dave said.

  What harm was there in taking a peek at the lab? Besides, she still wanted to get more information about Jeffery and getting into one of his labs was probably a one-time deal.

  They walked together down the pier to one of the slips where a small motorboat was tied up. Dave stepped onto the boat and held his hand out to Victory, she reached out for his hand and stepped into the boat. He untied the boat and pushed away from the pier, started the engine, and headed away from the shore.

  Dave slowed the boat. “Did you hear that?” he asked.

  “Hear what?” Victory asked. She was sitting on one of the bench seats.

  “I heard a sputter, or a pop, I couldn’t tell for sure. I had a little problem with this boat on the way over to meet you. I think it’s time for an engine overhaul.” Turning away from Victory, Dave lifted the bench top on the other side of the boat and began digging around inside it. “Great, I thought he said that he put it in here,” he said as if talking to himself.

  “What are you looking for?” Victory asked, beginning to get edgy.

  “I had a couple guys take a look at the boat before I came to meet you. They said that if I heard that noise I should put a can of oil in her, but I can’t find the oil.” He closed the lid of the bench and looked at her. “Would you mind taking a look in that side, maybe they couldn’t tell their left from their right,” he said with a slight smile on his lips.

  Victory rose from her seat, turned and raised the lid. “What does this—“

  Before she could finish the sentence she felt a prick at the back of her neck. It felt like a bee sting. Instantly her world turned to black.

  Dave dropped the syringe and grabbed Victory before she hit the deck. Carefully he placed her on the closed bench. “Sweet dreams, Ms. Winters.”

  EIGHT

  “Damn it, what is she thinking? Is she really going to get on a boat with that guy? Damnit,” Tristan sputtered to himself.

  “Wyatt.”

  “I’m here Tristan,” Wyatt responded almost instantly.

  “Victory left the meeting place. She got into a boat with Dave, one of the Biotec guys.”

  “She did what?”

  “You heard me. I’m going to see if I can get myself a boat. I need the team here now.”

  “I can send Logan in the helicopter stat. He can be there in two hours. You can’t lose sight of her Tristan.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” Tristan responded as he ran toward the docks. “Send Noah to keep watch on Payton. I don’t know what you want to tell her about what’s going on, but she is going to panic when Victory doesn’t return. And for all we know, they might go after her next as leverage.” Tristan said.

  “You’re right. I’ll send Noah now and fill him in by the time he gets there. Keep me in the loop.” Wyatt said.

  Tristan was running down the docks when he saw the boat rental sign. A man was tying up a small speed boat that should do the trick.

  “Hi there, how muc
h to rent by the hour?” Tristan asked.

  “No hourly rental, half-day or whole,” the man responded.

  “Fine, take this,” Tristan tossed him a credit card. “I’ll pick it up on my way back,” he said, as he pulled the line of the bow from the man.

  “Wait, I need to inspect it first, it was just returned from another renter,” the man said with exasperation.

  “I’ll take full responsibility, if I have any problems you can charge my card.”

  “Ok, buddy, it’s your dime.” He released the line and stepped away.

  The engine came to life and the boat was off. Tristan could narrowly make out the outline of Dave’s boat docked on the other side of the river. He estimated at his current speed, he should be there in less than ten minutes. Then the black Navigator appeared; Damnit. If she got into that vehicle he would lose them for sure. He saw Max get out of the SUV and go down to the boat. A minute later Dave got off the boat, followed by Max carrying something. Shit. Tristan grabbed his binoculars and took another look. He was studying the object when a leg along with a jade pair of shorts peeked out from under the blanket. Tristan managed to reach the docks as the Navigator was pulling away.

  “Wyatt run this plate: BY73397 it’s a Washington plate. I have lost Victory.”

  ”Got it.” Wyatt said.

  “Dave drugged her or knocked her out on the boat ride across the river. He had Max waiting for him in a black Lincoln Navigator. They loaded her up and took off. I don’t see any other vehicle right off hand, but I could keep looking.”

  “No. Head back to your car, the guys have left in the helo already. Call Jack as soon as you can, I gave him the plate number to research and he’ll let you know where the guys will be putting down,” Wyatt said.

  Tristan dug his phone out of his pocket and punched in the speed dial button for the office. He turned and headed back toward the boat.

  “SOCOM, Jack here.”

  “Jack, I need an answer on those plates.” Tristan said, never breaking stride.