Shit! He wanted to shout. After the sweat and terror—yes, inside suppressed terror had churned—he’d fail the examination anyway for not doing either.
“You didn’t have time for either. If you had, we wouldn’t have landed safely.” Wayne paused. “Or, at all.”
“But—” He knew Wayne was right, but he’d not completed the proper procedures.
“Even I didn’t have time. My focus had to be on whether I had to jump in before it was too late. I couldn’t break away either or it might’ve been too late to react.” Wayne shrugged. “Besides, as low as we were, they probably wouldn’t have seen us on radar.”
Well, they were on the ground. No need for the FAA to send out a search party. He’d notified base operations, so that should count as a point in his favor on the exam.
They’d survived. He couldn’t think it enough. Like in the movies, he’d almost touched all over his body to ensure he remained in one piece. Sanity prevailed on that one since they hadn’t wrecked.
Standing and staring blankly at the helicopter, Danny answered Wayne’s questions about his actions and inactions during the flight. Why he took them? Why he didn’t?
Neither had grabbed their flight bags, but Wayne had recorded their pre- and post-flight conversations to transcribe later. He assured Danny it’d be easier for the interviews and paperwork that’d have to be completed. Danny hated paperwork. Hated it with a passion.
We survived! broke into all thoughts again, bringing his mind back to the moment. Even wearing his aviators, the glint of the sun off the windshield of the bird that he’d landed without power, made him thankful the weather had been in their favor.
While he’d glanced at the crop, it hadn’t registered, so he checked again to see what he’d have to replace. He nearly laughed. Being former DEA, he should’ve noticed immediately the type of plant. Then his body went on alert. Shit. “Wayne?” He slowly drew out the name and didn’t really regard it as a question.
“I see.”
Circling around, Danny ensured the field was clear around them with no visible structure or person in sight. “You call the sheriff. I’ve got another call to make.”
Not arguing that Wayne should’ve been giving the orders, they both turned to their phones. Wayne dialed 911 while Danny hit speed dial.
Stone—Alpha team’s new computer support—answered Danny’s call before the first ring ended. “I was just about to check on you. Your name popped up on an aircraft landing.”
Danny chuckled, despite the seriousness of his situation. A HIS program captured an agent’s name when it popped into any emergency, hospital, or police report. At first, Danny hated the thought of being tracked, but now he appreciated it. If he hadn’t been in a position to phone in, someone would’ve arrived to check on him. Family.
“I landed safely. My problem is we landed in the middle of a pot field and”—he squinted at spots afar, and his gut clenched— “I see a welcoming party coming our way.”
Chapter Two
“Number?” Stone quickly responded.
Danny squinted harder to make out the number of dots in the distance as his mind raced on how to keep himself and Wayne safe, if this party turned into a threat. “One”—a ding sounded in his ear— “maybe two.” Pulling the phone away, he glanced quickly at the screen and breathed a short sigh of relief that someone from the teams would respond to the emergency alert that Stone had just sent. Not knowing anyone’s ETA, he had to plan to survive and protect his examiner. Maybe, his mind hoped, they aren’t armed. He silently scoffed at that idea.
“Are you carrying?” Stone asked.
“Only my backup weapon in my ankle holster.”
“Standby.”
Danny wanted to reach out and choke Stone for that. He needed help now. Before the dot—which he expected was at least one ATV with the owner of this field aboard—reached them. And he believed the rider, or riders, would be armed. He focused on options of how he’d protect Wayne without cover. Except for something with a large gas tank on it.
“The sheriff’s ETA is twelve minutes. Boss and Sugar’s ETA is five, maybe four.”
While Boss—Ken Patrick, HIS Alpha team leader—and Sugar—Samantha Patrick, former team sniper—were perfect backup, five minutes—even four—might be too late. He held confidence in his abilities as an agent, but this situation might test him.
“Armed?” Danny asked, meaning his boss and former teammate.
Stone snorted. “What a stupid question.”
He’d realized that as soon as the words had left his mouth. Those two were always prepared. Especially after all they’d dealt with as agents.
Leaving the call open, Danny dropped his phone in his left pocket. The bird was the only possible shelter, but a stray shot to the gas tank concerned the hell out of him. Hoping the possible threat didn’t carry rocket launchers—aware of the damage one would do—they had to take the chance and use the helo as cover. At least on the step with the doors open as protection. Their calves would be exposed, but it’d have to be a risk he’d take.
“You don’t think that’s a nice welcoming party?” Wayne’s hopeful voice held a tinge of strength, which Danny should’ve expected since the man had been a Navy pilot.
“Doubtful.” Reaching down, Danny removed his weapon and checked the load. It shocked and pleased him when Wayne pulled a weapon from an ankle holster. He wanted to ask why his examiner carried a weapon on an examination, but he’d probably be asked the same question in return and
