Unwitting Alliances - Hunter Blake Series by Peggy Lea Baker

  * * *

  Frank sat up and listened.

  “What is it Frank?” Karen asked.

  He didn’t answer as he started the helicopter engine.

  “Frank? Where are we going?” she asked.

  “I have to meet up with someone but you can’t come with me.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  Frank didn’t respond but lifted off and took a heading due east of their location. Minutes later they approached a small town on a major north and south highway in Idaho. He zeroed in on a truck stop with an adjoining open field and came in fast. Pulling up quickly, he set down just off the paved truck parking area.

  “Get out!” he shouted.

  “But Frank...”

  “Get out! I need to go. You’ll be fine. Just stay here. I’ll come back for you!”

  She was frozen to her seat staring at her husband stunned at his sudden change in behavior.

  “Karen!” he shouted. “I’m sorry, honey but you need to get out! Now!”

  In tears, she complied and angrily slammed the door then backed up a distance as her husband wasted no time lifting off. She watched as he flew away to the south. Soon he was nothing more than a speck against the cloudy gray sky.

  Wind gusted and a few rain drops began to fall as she stood shivering in disbelief. A couple of people standing by a large rig watched in shock then ran to her aid.

  Another woman came running out of the quick stop market noticing the commotion. She scanned the sky looking for the helicopter she’d heard but couldn’t see anything. Hurrying to offer assistance, she suddenly stopped short staring in disbelief.

  “Karen?” she asked. “Is that you?”

  Karen spun around at the sound of her name and stood staring into the face of Janet.