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SEVENTEEN
Rain splattered Jenna’s face as Kane weaved the motorcycle in and out of the mounds of debris littering the streets. She clung on tight with both hands wrapped around his waist, fingers dug into the leather of his jacket. All around the blacktop was strewn with household items, tree branches, and papers. Negotiating through the damaged streets was a nightmare. They didn’t find anyone in trouble, but as Kane turned at an intersection, they ran headlong into a gang of youths. Some carried baseball bats, standing guard while their friends looted the stores. Hordes of them as young as ten ran up the middle of the blacktop carrying armfuls of goods and personal possessions stolen from stores and houses.
Terrified for their safety as the crowd flowed toward them yelling and screaming abuse, Jenna raised her voice over the noise. “What are we going to do?”
“Hang on.” The motorcycle’s engine roared and Kane mounted the sidewalk.
People jumped out of the way as they flew past stores with broken windows, barely missing upturned tables, chairs, and signage that littered the sidewalk. In fear of her life, Jenna hunched down over Kane’s back as shots rang out. The next moment Kane made evasive maneuvers, laying the bike almost down on its side as they took a sharp bend and accelerated away at top speed. As Kane braked hard and almost unseated her, she cried out in terror. She’d just regained her hold on him when they shot down an alleyway. Branches from overhanging vegetation whipped her cheeks and tore at her clothes. She closed her eyes tight as they moved through another group of looters who used them for target practice. Sticks and stones bounced off her leather jacket and pinged against her helmet. They were outnumbered twenty to one and had no choice but to keep going. The motorcycle weaved in and out of the streets at full speed. Suddenly a crowd was descending on them from all sides and Kane pulled to a halt, scanning the area. Heart thundering, Jenna stared all around too. There was no escape route. To one side of them an alleyway led to a flight of stone steps and down onto another road below, ahead and behind a mass of people, armed and dangerous running toward them screaming abuse. There was no way out this time. Kane was armed, but against so many, they didn’t stand a chance. “Why do they want to hurt us?”
“Mob mentality. Get closer to me.” Kane turned his head toward her. “Grab on to my belt. Lock your fingers in real tight. We’re going down the stairs.”
Pressing hard against Kane, Jenna slipped her fingers around his belt. There was no time to think or even hold her breath as Kane pointed the motorcycle down the alleyway. It tipped dangerously forward as they bumped down the steps. Teeth chattering from the vibration as they careered down the stairs, Jenna held on for dear life. Petrified as the angry mob rushed after them, she kept her head tucked into Kane’s back. At last, they reached the bottom and bounced onto the blacktop. With a roar of the powerful engine, Kane accelerated away at full speed, slowing only to weave around household items spilling from damaged houses. The hurricane-ravaged buildings flashed past and they soon left the path of destruction far behind them.
Shaken by the ordeal but confident in Kane’s driving, Jenna chewed on her bottom lip until they reached the highway. Seeing the open road ahead of them, she sighed with relief. The rain had stopped at last and the air was cool against her sore cheeks. High above, the search-and-rescue helicopters swept back and forth. Trucks and local authorities streamed past them into the disaster area. The highway was clear and it seemed all the damage had been restricted to the coastline.
By the time they arrived at Fort Lauderdale airport Jenna’s back and arms throbbed and no doubt she’d be bruised all over come morning. Hands numb from holding on to Kane so tight, she slid off the motorcycle, shook out the cramps, and grabbed her backpack. As she looked at Kane, she noticed a trickle of blood running down one cheek and staining the front of his T-shirt. “You’re hurt. Let me take a look.”
“It’s just a scratch. Don’t worry about it.” Kane climbed off the Harley and removed his helmet. “Are you okay? Did they get you with the rocks?” His concerned gaze ran over her face, and he pulled her close, stroking her hair.
Trembling all over, Jenna leaned into him and nodded. “Yeah, but I’m okay, just shaken is all. Those guys sure didn’t want any witnesses. Can you imagine what would have happened if they’d pulled you off the Harley and found the US Marshal’s badge on you?”
“I wouldn’t have let that happen, Jenna.” Kane turned away to pull his backpack out of the saddlebags. “I would have used my weapon if necessary to protect you. Just be thankful I didn’t have to. I would rather not explain to the authorities why I’m carrying a fake US Marshal’s badge.”
Confused, Jenna stared at him. “It’s not a fake, is it? Surely Wolfe would have made suitable arrangements with the powers that be?”
“I really don’t want to find out.” Kane shrugged. “Do you?”
“Nope, can’t say that I do.” Jenna looked around at the people streaming in and out of the airport. “Okay, what next?”
“We’ll leave the motorcycle here and go find a phone that works. I’ll call the flight crew and Wolfe to let him know what’s happening. They’ll know about the hurricane and be worried about us. Hangar eight is on the far side of the airport. It will take some time to submit a flight plan and get the aircraft ready to leave. We’ll rest up some and then I’ll arrange to transport the motorcycle back home and go speak to the rental people about the sedan. It’s insured and they’ll arrange to collect it from under the building if it’s still drivable.”
Jenna took his hand and they hurried into the building. When Kane showed his US Marshal’s badge to the desk clerk, she practically threw the phone at him. After contacting the flight crew and making arrangements to take the Harley to Black Rock Falls, Kane called Wolfe to explain their situation. The airport was in good shape and all the stores inside open. Many others had taken refuge inside and people lined up at the diners, but they eventually found a place to get something to eat. They took the Harley down to hangar eight and sat down on the floor to wait for the flight crew to arrive. Jenna pulled the first-aid kit out of her backpack and tended the cut on Kane’s face. They waited for a time sitting in stunned silence, just drinking coffee and nibbling at sandwiches, before Jenna turned to Kane and smiled. “Well, that was a weekend I won’t forget in a hurry. I know I wanted something to tell the grandchildren, but we barely got out alive.”
“I figure this one beats all.” Kane gave her a broad smile. “Although, there were some parts of it I enjoyed.” He cupped her chin and stared into her eyes. “It wasn’t all bad, was it?”
“Fishing for compliments, huh?” Raising one eyebrow Jenna chuckled. “The short time we had together was wonderful, but a hurricane? I mean, really? How many people have gotten stuck in a hurricane on their honeymoon?”
“I told you to be careful what you wished for.” Kane squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry, we’ve gotten the bad luck out of the way and now there’s only good memories to come.”
