“The bird’s our only option,” Wayne calculated. “It’s not a good one.”
“Agreed. Landing in this open field seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“Hmph. No other choice existed.” Wayne snapped his clip back into his weapon and pulled back the rack to load the chamber. “That is, if you wanted us to survive.”
True, but he may’ve put them in a situation that reversed that outcome.
Engines revving drew closer and the two ATVs put distance between the vehicles, as if to surround them as only two threats could do. He and Wayne couldn’t play stupid like they had no clue where they’d landed, but Danny had to try something. They couldn’t run; they couldn’t hide for long, and he didn’t have a second clip.
“Use the bird for cover. I’m going to welcome our guests.” Danny’s firm voice made no difference to the former naval officer.
“I don’t think so,” Wayne argued.
“I need you taking pictures of who’s approaching and shoot the pics off to the sheriff’s department before we engage.”
“I’d rather you went in the bird since I’m responsible for you.”
“But, we’re on the ground now. My agency is on the way and can handle what we can’t. Now, take the damn pictures.”
The reality must’ve penetrated Wayne’s mind. “You know they might kill you before I can get what we need.”
Danny didn’t have to be told that. Still, one of them had to do it and standing here wouldn’t provide enough time if a shootout or other unfortunate incident occurred. And, he’d be damned if he’d allow these men to get away with breaking the law and possibly murder. That shouldn’t be his first thought, but it bled into his bones as the threat approached.
Lethal determination wove up his spine as he could make out the figures of three men—two on one vehicle and one on the other. Time would tell how this interaction played out. He needed Boss and Sugar now.
“Go,” Danny ordered and tucked his weapon in his right flight suit pocket. Greeting the men with a weapon in his hand would surely bring trouble. More trouble than he wanted or needed.
“I still don’t like it, but I agree we need to do it.” Wayne shifted. “I’ll still be backing you up and will be back out here once I’ve sent the pics off.” His flight examiner hurried out of sight.
Narrowing his eyes, Danny made out the features of the men and their pissed expressions. His heart raced, and he took slow, calming breaths to keep control of his actions.
“I’m so glad you arrived.” Danny shouted over the noise of the four-wheelers with fake relief in his voice. He waved his left hand in a hello gesture, keeping his right hand on his pocket, so he could quickly retrieve his weapon if needed. “I’m sorry I landed in your field, but my helicopter died. I sure could use a ride back to civilization.” He hoped they hadn’t made out Wayne, so the two trespassers would have an advantage.
With no answer, Danny swallowed, itching to draw his weapon, and tried again. “We called base ops, and they’re on their way.” The men tensed when he’d told them someone knew where they were. “I’m sorry if I landed here. I’ll compensate for the crops I killed.”
The riders disembarked, throwing their legs across the seats. Still on alert, Danny couldn’t get a good look at the man on the back of one vehicle, but the hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention. When the man stepped in view with a shotgun held low at the man’s side, Danny nearly drew his weapon. Only patience and training held him back, hoping to resolve the situation without gunfire.
The man didn’t hold the weapon threateningly, so Danny remained still, somehow knowing Wayne had his back. Damn, he couldn’t see all the men straight up unless he took his focus off the weapon.
Silence remained between his greeting party, and the tension from the three men held strong. The man with the shotgun never took his eyes off Danny, but through his peripheral vision, the other men scanned the area as if they expected someone to jump out and interfere. As one began to move toward the helo, Danny knew as soon as they tagged Wayne, their welcome would change.
Within moments of the man moving out of his sight, the click of the door opening sounded loudly in the still air. The man began yelling in Spanish that we’d reported them to the authorities. How he knew that, Danny had no clue, but he didn’t have time to ponder it.
Adrenaline snapped into his veins as the man lifted the shotgun and, with what appeared to be menace, cocked the weapon, dropping the shell into the chamber. Without thought, Danny launched himself sideways. He ignored the painful impact of his left shoulder and the ground, pulled his weapon and fired as a shotgun blast boomed in the air.
Chapter Three
Immediately, the other man in front of Danny drew a weapon from the back of his waistband, racing to the ATV, firing behind him as he retreated. Danny fired and missed—an oddity for him—and quickly rolled on his back after hearing two shots. That turn was in case Wayne needed him or if the asshole attempted to shoot him in the back.
Seeing Wayne drop out of the seat, using the door as the only protection it provided, his examiner fired three quick rounds. Rolling back over and flattening himself on the ground, Danny ignored the unmistakable odor of the pot plants. Frustration wrenched him as he watched the third man race away on an ATV. With the drop in the man’s shoulder, one of them landed a shot.
“Did you get his pic off?” Danny’s question came out more breathy than usual in a combat situation. Of course, a close-range shotgun, with no cover, hadn’t occurred before today.
“Yeah.”
Danny jumped to his feet, keeping his weapon trained on the man who’d held the shotgun.
