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Fingers gripped his shoulder and Trevor turned. Michael released him. “Move back so I can help Wiz.” He unhooked his rifle and handed it to Trevor. “Watch our six.”
“You got it.” Trevor took the rifle and stood at the back of the van, where Wiz had been. Crouching, he looked through the small back window. Sam stood on the other side of the van, leaning against the other side, hanging on to the handle with a white-knuckle grip. As they got farther from the bank, the white noise decreased in his earbud. “Aviss, Mills. Status?” No reply, so he repeated the request but got nothing.
“That’s not a good sign.” Sam shook her head.
“No, it isn’t.” They rounded a corner, his body swaying. He gripped the handle firmly.
Michael Acer, still on his knees, turned toward them. “We’re headed to a safe house. Copperline is dropping escorts in now.”
Out the back window, a big truck pulled in behind them. Two men crouched in the back, and a rifle stuck out the passenger window. All of them wore black tactical gear.
Trevor leaned toward Michael. “Any idea what happened to Aviss?”
“Drive by ambush at their staging area. We were a block away, on the intersecting road. Three trucks of goons rolled up and opened fire. I hope they had bullet resistant vehicles and run flat tires. We did a one-eighty and rerouted to reach you and avoid the mess.”
“Thanks.” Trevor shook his head, almost too furious to speak. “There must be a rotten apple I didn’t find.”
Wiz looked up. “There’s a whole barrel of them.” She grimaced. “Better make some cider.”
Michael stood and held out his hand for the weapon. “Patched up and restrained. Your problem now, Mills.” Wiz rose and stepped forward between the seats. Nic Acer drove, with Tom Borde in the passenger seat, also cradling an AR-15.
Trevor handed the rifle back to Acer, then changed places with him. Retrieving his phone, he entered his code and handed it to Sam. “See if you can contact Aviss.”
She nodded. Trevor lowered himself to one knee next to Murphy, resting on a blue moving blanket. She moaned and raised her right hand toward her bandaged injured shoulder, her groan increasing because her wrists were secured together with heavy duty zip ties. Her blouse had been cut away from her shoulder but still covered her appropriately. He caught her hands and lowered them to her belly. “You’ve been shot, Sharlene. Leave it alone.”
She blinked rapidly. “Mills?” At his nod, her eyes closed. “Oh, thank God.” Her lids popped open again. “Wait! Is Erin safe?”
Wiz turned, looking down. “Erin and Ryan are at my house. They’re fine. No thanks to you.” Wiz spun, putting her back to Murphy.
Murphy swallowed hard. “It was never supposed to be like this. Tell her I’m sorry.”
Trevor grimaced. People like Murphy never understood what their greed created until it was too late. “I’m sure you’ll be able to tell her yourself, soon.”
She grimaced. “I don’t think so. They gave me some sort of poison. I need the antidote every day, or I die.”
“They might be lying.” But Trevor wouldn’t be surprised.
“They showed me a video. It’s a bad way to die.” She shivered.
Wiz turned again. “There are no good ways to die. You chose a faster one, though. It’s a good thing Erin doesn’t take after you or she’d be dead, too.”
The woman pulled no punches. But then, Murphy didn’t deserve special care or even politeness. And on that note, he had a job to do. “Sam, video this with my phone, please.” She tapped on it and flipped it to face him. He looked down at his prisoner. “Sharlene Murphy, you’re under arrest for racketeering, accessory to murder, and other charges to be added later. You have the right to remain silent…” He recited the rest of the Miranda warning. “Do you understand these rights?”
“Yes. I understand. I waive all rights to counsel. Request protection.” Her voice trailed off to a whisper.
“Understood. My boss needs to approve the protective request.” She’d get it, but Murphy would have to sing like a nightingale.
Murphy’s head lolled. Trevor put a hand to her neck. Her pulse thudded strong, but fast. She might fake unconsciousness, but a moving vehicle was no place for an interrogation. Sam handed his phone back to him. “Aviss?” Sam shook her head. “I hope she’s okay.” Aviss was an excellent boss and a great person.
“Me too.” Sam handed the phone back to him. “I like her.”
Wiz turned, one hand to her ear. “Just heard the Sheriff’s report. Aviss and her people survived, but at least one is headed to the hospital. Vehicles took heavy damage. Geo Pappas is headed to the hospital now. He’ll pull one of his teams when we get to our safe house. We’re not going to mine, but a place across the valley.”
“Thanks, Wiz.” He nodded. “If you’ve got extra weapons, I’ll help cover.”
She snorted. “Is that a real question?” She turned away, not waiting for him to answer.
Trevor started to reply, but she was right—it was a dumb question. The van jolted, then bumped over a wash boarded surface. After a few more turns and twists, Wiz stepped over Murphy and joined Michael at the back. “Wait for clearance.” They opened the doors and bounded out, rifles in hand. “Clear!”
