A Merciful Promise (Mercy Kilpatrick #6)(52)

“Hello?” she called, embarrassed at the way her voice cracked.

No answer.

She took two steps into the dim interior and called again, letting her eyes adjust. Two large utility vans that had seen better days were parked inside. She moved back out and gazed at the aging carport, remembering that she’d previously seen the vans parked under the structure. Now there were only two four-wheel-drive trucks. Stealing a vehicle crossed her mind for the thousandth time, but the only way to drive out of the compound was through the front gate, which was monitored 24-7.

Gazing to the east, she remembered that Chad had said the compound was bordered by a steep ravine. He’d said it was difficult to cross. She would get nowhere taking a vehicle that way.

She could go on foot. Looking up at the gray clouds still dropping snow, she weighed the option. She knew how to survive in the woods and could find her way north toward Ukiah. But she preferred to do it with some supplies. Not just a pair of boots and a jacket. Her fingers ached to hold her Leatherman and a compass. Without her usual equipment and provisions she felt naked and didn’t dare venture into the unknown.

Her best bet was to sabotage Pete’s plan from inside.

Somehow.

She checked for people again and saw no one. Now was as good a time as any.

Making her decision, she entered the big garage again and saw there was easily room for three more vehicles beyond the vans. Empty shelving lined half of the back wall, and four storage rooms filled the rest. She silently jogged past the shelves to check the rooms. The first door was locked. She yanked on the handle, noting the heavy-duty padlocks and solid construction. Whatever was inside, they had put extra effort into keeping it safe. She moved to the second and third. Both locked. The fourth door opened.

Empty. It wasn’t large. Maybe four feet wide and six feet deep. No shelving. She swore and examined the sturdy doorframe, wondering what was being kept from prying eyes in the first three rooms.

Frustrated, she moved to the side of one of the utility vans. It had windows only on the driver and front passenger doors. Cupping her hands on the passenger window, she peered inside. The seats were ripped, and wires hung out where a radio had once existed. She wondered if Pete had removed it on purpose, keeping his people in the dark as usual. She tried the door. It opened, and she crawled onto the passenger seat to look in the back. It was empty except for a stack of padded blankets such as movers use to protect furniture.

She moved to the next van. That one’s seats were in better condition, but again no radio. The vehicle also wasn’t locked. Opening it, she knelt on the seat and peered into the rear of the van. Two plastic bins sat behind the driver’s seat, each filled with elongated plastic-wrapped bricks.

“Looking for something?” A hand grabbed her upper arm and yanked her backward out of the van, and her arms flew out as she scrambled to keep her balance and land on her feet. Shock coursed through her, and she lost her breath.

Instinct took over. She planted her legs and thrust her other elbow back at his nose. It connected with bone, sending waves of pain down to her fingers, but it’d nailed his jaw. She glanced back as he shook off the impact, and he tightened his grip on her right arm.

Sean.

She flung her elbow back again and hit his nose, making his eyes instantly water, and he let go of her arm. She turned and aimed a knee for his crotch, but he shifted, and she struck his thigh.

A blow to her nose made her drop to her knees. Agony erupted in her head, and she fought to open her eyes as burning tears streamed and mixed with the blood flowing from the injury. Blinded, she heard him circle behind her, and a boot to her back knocked her to the ground.

She was facedown, his knee on her spine, and then he wrestled her arms behind her back, ripping off her gloves. The clicks of handcuffs shocked her. “You carry cuffs?” she said, spitting the blood that had drained into her mouth.

“Always,” he grunted. He hauled her up by one arm, and she felt as if it would tear out of the socket. Spinning her around to face him, he eyed the blood on her face with distaste. “Shit.” Keeping eye contact, he picked up her gloves and used them to wipe off the blood.

Stars exploded in her vision when he touched her nose, and she reared her head back, the pain making her thighs shake.

“Sorry,” he muttered.

“Sorry”? Seriously?

“Was that necessary?” she asked. A metallic flavor covered her tongue, and blood flowed down the back of her throat.

“I believe you started it,” he answered, intent on getting rid of the blood on her face.

“No, you fucking started it. Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to grab a woman? Especially from behind?” Anger pulsed through her muscles.

“Pete wants to see you.”

Mercy’s heart dropped.

“Why?” she managed, struggling to keep her voice calm.

“Dunno.” Sean wouldn’t look her in the eye. He finished cleaning her face but didn’t look satisfied with the results. Blood still oozed from the right nostril, and she couldn’t breathe through her nose.

He took a firm hold on her arm and jerked, making her stumble, leading her away from the vehicles. Mercy had a feeling her undercover assignment was over.

They know.



Sean didn’t say a word as he escorted her through the compound. People stared. Actually, the men stopped and stared. The women looked and then quickly averted their gazes. Sweat beaded on the back of Mercy’s neck, and her pulse raced.