Free Verifiable Intelligence by Kaitlin Maitland Page B

lead an assassin’s life because she liked to be bored. But he could hardly afford to take extra chances just for kicks anymore. He had Ryan to think of.
     

Chapter Ten
     
     
    Jace’s face seemed stuck in that introspective expression. Dayne had seen him relax half a dozen times since they’d met up, only to sober almost immediately. But she had no time to sit around and reflect on how guardianship had changed him. She had to keep thinking four steps ahead and get them all out of there alive with all parts present and functioning.
    “You think he’s changed position?” She stole a glance around the large tree that was nicely hiding her valuable body parts. They were now waiting for the train to appear around the bend.
    “He’s had plenty of time.”
    “I don’t think he saw me put Ryan on the train.”
    “Unless you were right earlier when you said he isn’t trying to kill us.”
    “Terrific. Shall I just waltz up there and collect your brother?”
    He chose not to respond to her smart-ass remark. She didn’t care. She was busy trying to decide how best to get Ryan off the moving train. Although it would’ve been a lot simpler to get him when the train made a stop, it would’ve been a longer trek to her truck.
    “I think I’m going to do this the direct way,” she said thoughtfully.
    “Dare I ask what the direct way is?”
    She ripped another piece from the hem of her flannel shirt and tied it, bandito fashion, around her nose.
    “Holy hell, you can’t be serious!”
    “He’s in the very back of the last car, in the very last seat. I’m going to get the train to stop. You get him off. Just do it quietly or we’ll have the whole kidnapping thing to get around again.”
    “You’re insane. You know that, right?”
    “Don’t tell me you’re just now figuring that out.”
    She briefly wondered if Jace weren’t more right than he realized when it came time to step out onto the railroad tracks. The air was heavy, though it was hard to tell if it was from the standard Missouri humidity or the hissing steam billowing off the approaching engine.
    The train tracks ran a vaguely circular pattern around the entire park but veered inward to avoid the busy entrance. There were only two stops. She had ushered Ryan aboard at the southern station. By now, he was on his second trip around the route.
    She knew timing was critical. The engine house had quick access to the employee parking lot and doubled as a tunnel on the route. The engine would be at a slower speed coming off the turn just prior to entering the tunnel. It was the only chance she was going to get.
    The track began to vibrate, the sensation strong enough to make her feel as though her teeth were going to leap right out of their sockets. A train whistle rent the air, and she knew it was time.
    Pulling her gun, she fired four shots to gain attention. Before the third round had cleared the chamber the train was braking. It slowed like an angrily hissing snake, easing to a halt with slow precision.
    Oddly enough, Dayne realized she would’ve never had the guts to rob a train in the old west. Watching the massive black engine’s snub nose approach was nerve-racking. She couldn’t fathom what it would be like if she were actually trying to force a wily, experienced engineer to pull over or be killed.
    “What the hell are you doing, mister? Get off the track!”
    The engineer was young, probably early twenties. Most likely a college student working a part-time job, he had more fear than resolve in his voice. He was leaning far outside the window, the engine having just cleared the engine house.
    “Don’t you know a hold up when you see one?” Dayne asked with forced bravado.
    “A hold up? You can’t be serious.”
    A chorus of raucous laughter and shouts echoed behind the engineer. Dayne had been counting on the passengers. They weren’t going to disappoint her. To them it was just another part of the experience, another special effects