Page 72 of Training Rain
The sound of a helicopter was almost comforting in that there was only one. Unfortunately, it was Blake and a team of six trusted FBI agents. The government was unwilling to acknowledge that a United States senator had gone off the rails and was mounting a private war with the Psi Alliance. However, the president had authorized Special Agent Blake to keep an eye on certain members of the Alliance.
Blake’s team spread out around the area. Rain stayed in the house with Troy since her skills were not offensive. She could block if necessary and she would stand by to heal the injured.
Jess hated that she was not within his sight, but it was something he would have to get used to.Best to begin as they meant to go forward.It was a phrase his mother had used when he was growing up and he never really understood, until now.
He had taken a position with Joshua and Blake behind the shed. The large generator inside would give Joshua an added resource for his lightning bolts if necessary.
Blake had to yell above the noise from the generator and the approaching helicopters. “As soon as the kid’s transmitter went down, Breckenridge was on the move. He thinks his son is dead and is out for revenge.”
“More likely he figures he can’t beat us with Troy alive. He’s terrified of his son.” Jess watched the horizon for the enemy.
“Is he that powerful?”
Jess didn’t respond and neither did Joshua. The FBI agent whistled low and long as he registered the meaning behind their silence.
Joshua’s radio squawked and Kane’s voice came over the speaker. “I have sight of three Apaches coming in from the north.”
“Copy that. Stay low. Maybe we can end this without a bloodbath.” There was a long pause. “Your call, bro. Give us the word. We’re ready.” “Do you really think that’s possible, Josh?” Jess asked.
The helicopters drew closer and landed on the ridge. “We’ll see.”
As the propellers stopped, the center helicopter blasted Breckenridge’s voice. “You killed my son, Lakeland. You have to pay.”
Twenty soldiers in black BDUs lined up along the ridge.
“Surrender now and I’ll let you and your people live out your lives in a very nice prison. If you try to fight, I’ll cut you all down.”
“This guy loves him some drama,” Jess said.
“Let’s give him some.” Grinning, Joshua stepped out from the cover of the shed.
Tessa stood up and could be seen behind the mound of dirt of the sweat lodge. She walked toward Joshua and the pair met in the center of the yard.
No one moved. The sound of the helicopters finally stopped. Breckenridge stepped from the center one and came forward.
Joshua shouted so he would be heard at the one-hundred-yard distance. “I didn’t kill your son, senator. He’s alive and well and just inside that house.”
Troy stepped outside the front door, proving Joshua’s words. At such a distance when the bullet ripped through the air the target was too far for the shooter. Troy cried out and hit the floor of the porch.
Rain opened the door and grabbed for the boy. They both scrambled back inside the house before another shot rang out. This one was directed at Joshua.
Time slowed down. Jess couldn’t react. He could only watch as Tessa grabbed Joshua and pulled him behind the shed with her. A moment later the yard was peppered with bullets.
A shell hit the water trough in front of them and then another. Blake grunted. Jess turned and pulled him down. Blood seeped through his pant leg. Jess tore the material. “It’s just a flesh wound. Must have ricocheted off the trough.”
Blake’s men returned fire from the roof of the house and the sweat lodge.
Blake nodded, ripped the fabric of his pants and tied it around his own wound.
“Well, now we know where we stand,” Joshua said.
Tessa frowned. “Too much drama, Lakeland.”
“Just send out the boy and we’ll go. You can walk away.” Breckenridge’s voice blasted through a loudspeaker. Even at that volume, they could hear the fear in his tone. He’d thought his son was dead. He never would have attacked if he’d known Troy was alive.
“That’s up to him, senator. No one is keeping him here. He’s free to leave whenever he wants to.”
“Troy, come home. I promise things will be different.”
