The Super Spies and the Pied Piper (16 page)

Sarah trembled and took a deep breath before stepping from the car. The alley was muddy from the recent rain and the gravel beneath her feet appeared gritty with dirt. Shuddering from the chill, Sarah pulled her jacket tighter around her, careful not to dislodge the pin from her blouse. Glancing at it reminded her of her task. The enormity of it hit her like a ton of bricks, sending her reeling. She stumbled; her limbs grew heavy and out of sync with her body.

When she regained her balance, she danced from one foot to the other, needing to get into her groove. She scanned the area before taking a step toward the bakery, looking for anything out of the ordinary. The alley appeared deserted and silent. As if it were waiting and watching. It seemed alive like an evil force just looking for an opportunity to snatch her up. She shivered again, but not from the cold and all the comfort she felt a moment ago was gone.

Sarah gave her sister a nervous smile. “I guess it's now or never.”

“Let's do it.” Lacey gave her a pat on the back and took a deep breath.

“Yep,” Sarah said with a quivering lip. “Let's go.”

The girls followed the same path the agents had earlier. Rounding the corner, Sarah shivered again and huddled deeper into her coat. The hair on the back of her neck stood up, warning her. She scanned the area and found it deserted, but couldn't shake the feeling dangerous eyes were watching. Main Street appeared deserted and the eeriness sent another tremor through her. It was like a ghost town in the old west. She imagined gunmen hiding behind the windows waiting to open fire as she walked down the street.

“Wow, talk about spooky,” Lacey whispered.

“You got that right.” Sarah chewed on her lip and scanned the area again. “This is making me really nervous.”

“Me too.” Lacey slipped her arm through Sarah's and squeezed.

“
Where
are the agents?” Sarah asked, glancing behind her.

“I'm not sure.” Lacey clenched the hem of her shirt in her hands and cast an uneasy glance over her shoulder.

They grew silent as they approached the drugstore. The open sign hung in the window but the store was empty. Sarah slowed her pace as she walked by, hoping to catch a glimpse of Dottie through the window. Disappointed, when she didn't spot her, Sarah continued her journey to the bakery.

Her stomach fluttered as they drew closer and her throat seemed to close. She took a deep breath hoping to ease the panicky feeling taking over her body. Casting another nervous glance behind her, Sarah's panic ramped up a notch.
Where are
the agents? They should be here by now
. “Where are they?” she asked her sister.

“I don't know.” Lacey shook her head and brushed her hair back with a trembling hand. She met her sister's gaze and her eyes reflected her anxiety.

They stopped in front of the bakery and Sarah took a deep breath. Fear wound its way through her body, turning her limbs numb as if she had been thrown into the icy waters of Torch Lake. Brushing her hair back with a trembling hand, she winced and clenched her hands in an attempt to get her fear under control. “What do you think we should do?”

“I don't know.” Lacey searched up and down the street. “I'm not sure. Should we wait until we see them?”

Sarah gulped. “I don't know… I mean maybe that's their plan to stay hidden, you know?”

“Could be.” Lacey frowned. “It's too bad we can't call them.”

“But I can call Aunt June,” Sarah said, pulling her cell phone out of her pocket. She punched in the number and her phone let out an annoying beep. Sarah groaned and punched in the number again. She glanced at Lacey and gave her a tremulous smile. “My hands were shaking and I pushed the wrong button.”

Lacey gave her a quick flash of a smile before she cast another vigilant glance down the street.

“Aunt June?”

“Yes?”

“Where are the agents?”

“They left a few seconds ago. They're on their way.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“Sarah?”

“Yeah?”

“Be careful,” Aunt June warned in a voice choked with emotion.

Sarah's eyes misted over and her throat constricted. “Don't worry. I will.” After disconnecting the call, she wiped her eyes and searched the area again. She cleared her throat and peered down the street. “They should be here soon.”

There he is!
Agent Gray.
He walked with a purposeful stride toward the bakery, but stopped occasionally and window shopped. Sarah sighed.
H
e certainly sticks out like a sore thumb
.
She took in his tall frame and athletic build.
There's no way anyone would mistake him for a
tourist
. His close-cropped hair was a dead giveaway for a law enforcement officer. Taking a deep breath, she searched for Agent Black.

He was on the opposite side of the street wandering toward them. He strolled with the same air of authority as Agent Gray and except for their different hair color they could have been twins.

Sarah focused on Agent Gray and discreetly gave him the thumbs-up sign. He gave her an almost imperceptible nod. Taking a deep breath, Sarah opened her jacket and fiddled with the transmitter. “Can you hear me?”

Looking up, Sarah got another thumbs-up from the agent. Her stomach churned as she spun toward the bakery. A wave of nausea hit her and she stumbled.

Lacey grabbed her arm and steadied her. “Take it easy.”

Sarah gave her a tight smile and nodded. Her mouth wasn't working and she didn't think she could form words. She clutched her sister's arm in a vise-like grip and took several deep breaths. Glancing over her shoulder, she spotted the FBI men. They were closer, which eased some of her anxiety. “Let's do this.”

They strolled through the door; the sound of the chime signaling someone had entered barely registered with Sarah. The scent of baking bread and cinnamon filled her senses and reminded her of the holidays when her mother would bake cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

The thought of her mother gave Sarah strength and she strode forward with more confidence until she found herself standing at the counter.

“I'll be right there,” the baker called out from the kitchen. “Just taking out some bread.”

Sarah cleared her throat to speak, but no words came out. She gave her sister a nervous smile and then focused on the baked goods in the case.

Lacey came up beside her and gave her a nudge. “Chill out.”

Sarah took a deep breath. “Okay.”

There was a clatter and a curse from the back room and then the baker appeared wearing a disgruntled look. “How can I help you?” His eyes narrowed when he saw Sarah. “Oh, it's you. You're back again?”

Sarah faked a smile. “Yep. Looking for another one of those cinnamon rolls and I wanted to know if you'd seen those people that I talked about last time.”

The baker shook his head. “Nope. Haven't seen them.” He made himself busy taking a cinnamon roll out of the case, but kept glancing at the girls. He handed Sarah her roll and then addressed Lacey. “Would you like anything?”

“I'll have a cinnamon roll, too.”

The baker retrieved another cinnamon roll from the case and handed it to Lacey. She gave him her money and then stepped away from the counter.

“If you'll excuse me, I've got to check on the bread in the oven,” the baker said with a nod and disappeared into the back room.

The girls exchanged looks and Sarah shrugged. “What do we do now?”

“I guess we leave and see what happens,” Lacey said, motioning toward the door.

The girls made their way back outside. Sarah cast a glance over her shoulder and wondered when the Stalker would appear. Her heart picked up its pace.
Any time now
. Her stomach turned as the image of him invaded her brain. She remembered the sickening smell of cigarettes and her mouth flooded with saliva. Sarah willed herself not to puke.

“Are you all right?” Lacey asked. She put her hand on Sarah's shoulder and looked into her eyes. “You look a little green around the gills.”

Sarah swallowed again. “I think so.” She gave her a weak smile. They made their way away from the bakery. “Where should we go now?”

Lacey stopped and glanced around. “Why don't we find someplace to sit and eat these.”

“That's a great idea.” Sarah sighed, thankful for the suggestion. Her knees wobbled as she walked, and sitting down was the best idea she'd heard all day.

A wooden and iron bench in front of the drugstore seemed inviting and Sarah quickened her pace. She pulled ahead of her sister, hoping to sit down before her legs gave out. Glancing back, she motioned for Lacey to hurry. “Come on.”

She reached the bench and let out a shriek when a large hand grabbed her arm in a vise-like grip. The smell of stale cigarettes assaulted her senses immediately and she struggled with her captor. She couldn't see him but she knew from the nauseating smell who it was.
He must have been hidden in the doorway of the drugstore
. That last coherent thought flashed in her brain before the fog of anxiety took over.

“Super Spies! Super Spies!” she screamed before she was pulled toward the alley.

She fought her assailant, but to no avail. He picked her up and tucked her under his arm, pinning her arms against her sides. She tried to kick him, but couldn't make contact.

“Super Spies!” she screamed again. Hoping the agents would magically appear. Her heart pummeled her ribs like a race horse's hooves pound the track during a race. Her body flooded with fear and she gasped for breath.

The sound of her sister's screams and pounding footsteps echoed in her ears and gave her hope. The Stalker tightened his grip around her. He squeezed her so hard Sarah felt like her insides would spurt out at any moment. Her ribs hurt from the pressure and she had to take shallow gasps of breath because her lungs couldn't expand normally.

Just as the world started to fade, the Stalker rounded the corner.

“Freeze!” Agent Gray shouted.

Sarah glanced up and eyed the agent. His legs were shoulder width apart and he had his gun drawn and pointed right at the Stalker's face. Agent Gray appeared menacing as he gave the assailant an icy stare.

The Stalker froze. He wore a shocked expression as recognition flashed in his dark, brooding eyes. Then he pulled out a gun, cocked it and aimed it at Sarah's head. “This little lady is coming with me. Drop your gun.”

Agent Gray held his ground. “
You
drop
your
gun.”

The Stalker gave him a cold smile and shook his head. “I've got the upper hand. I've got a hostage.”

“I'm the FBI. You know this is going to end badly for you.”

The Stalker's smile faltered for a moment, and then he seemed to regain is composure. “I'm not worried. Like I said, I've got a hostage.” He pulled Sarah even tighter and pushed the gun against her temple. “Now back off.”

Sarah's heart beat even harder and the blood thrummed in her ears. She took even shallower breaths and knew if this continued she'd faint.

Agent Gray stepped back and dropped his gun. Sarah's breathing became even shallower and panic rippled through her system. She struggled against the Stalker. Fear crippled her breathing even more and the panic attack took over her body sending waves of terror through it. In her mind she started naming the presidents.

Washington…
Adams….

Her captor took steps toward his truck while Sarah fought the urge to faint. She gagged every time she took a breath, as the sickening scent of stale cigarettes filled her nostrils. Fighting her captor proved futile as he only squeezed her tighter. Her ribs ached from the pressure and she was sure they would crack.

Reaching the black truck, he opened the driver's door and tossed her into the passenger's seat like she was a sack of flour.

Sarah took several deep breaths as the panic attack lessened. She reached for the door handle and tried to open the passenger door, but found it locked.

“Sit still,” the Stalker ordered in a menacing voice as he pointed his gun at her.

Sarah cringed and turned away, concentrating on her breathing. The panic attack was almost over. It had been a mild one and her breathing grew deeper with every breath.

Her captor started the truck and tore through the alley, spewing gravel everywhere. He skidded around a corner and headed down Main Street.

Sarah looked out the window and watched anxiously as the agents leapt into action. They ran down the road and she hoped they were running toward their vehicle.

“I said, sit still,” the Stalker said in his gravelly voice. It sounded like the growl of an angry bear.

Sarah spun around and sat down in her seat. She bit her lip as the truck careened around the curve leading toward the highway. The wail of a siren filled the air and Sarah grabbed the arm rest as the Stalker made a sharp turn onto a dirt road. His back end fishtailed and he gripped the steering wheel and made a hard left turn in an attempt to straighten out. Sarah's heart hammered her chest with a ferocious beat. She glanced in the side mirror and almost cheered when Agent Gray's vehicle swerved into view.

The Stalker must have seen it too because he cursed and stomped on the gas, spewing gravel everywhere. He made a right turn and Sarah found they had driven in a large loop. They were back on Main Street, but driving toward town instead of away from it. She glanced in the mirror again and found the agents still in pursuit.

The Stalker tensed, and forced the truck to move faster; it shuddered from the exertion as it picked up speed. He looked in the mirror and swore again. His features twisted into an angry grimace and he gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white.