The sun rose into the sky as the Jeep left the forest behind and traveled down the same road Sylvia’s group had come, wide and unchanging with almost no intersections. Still empty as well in the day, save for the occasional car heading in the opposite direction and a distant police car in the rearview mirror, acting as an escort. Sylvia called Dilbert, informing him of the capture and that they were returning to the airport. “Have the plane ready. We should be there in twenty minutes.”
Lydia leaned on the door and closed her eyes, enjoying the wind whipping through her hair. The sun shone bright and warm on her eyelids, changing the insides red. She was so used to the high-hanging lamps of the Cave’s cragged ceiling and the fluorescent lights of the Center and dorms that nature’s own light was alien and unusual. She enjoyed it and allowed the cool, fresh air to fill her chest, lifting her cares away on the gusts. As she reached the point of complete peace, the radio in the Jeep came to life. “Hello? Agent Romero?”
Sylvia grabbed the speaker. “Yes, who is this?”
“This is Officer Cooley behind you. The station called me just now. They received a report that Sammy and John, the two missing rangers, were found dead near the Methow River.”
“How were they killed?” Sylvia asked.
“Seems like they were choked to death. Odd thing is that it looks like they both died at the same time. No sign of strangulation or what could’ve caused it. We can’t find a sign of any struggle or that they fought anyone. Thought it might’ve been your friend there.”
Sylvia and Lydia turned to Heather. She gave a shrug and shook her head. Since her capture, her neck had been expanding steadily under her scarf. It was fascinating to Lydia, although when she caught herself staring, Heather did, too, and Lydia pretended to look elsewhere.
“What time did it occur?”
The cop sighed. “They guessed shortly before we found Heather. We’ll know more when the coroner arrives.”
“I don’t think it was her then,” Sylvia said. “One of mine was hit by Heather’s gas, and she can’t build up another dose that quickly.”
“Alright. Thanks for your help then.”
Heather sat up straight in her seat, wide-eyed and panicked. She struggled in her handcuffs and jerked her head. She spun in her seat, looking behind and to the sides at the open land and valleys in the distance. Heather leaned forward and yelled at them, the sounds muffled by the filter.
“Hold her back,” Sylvia said. Jando and Aidan pulled her down into her seat, but she fought with them, elbowing their ribs. “Heather! What is it?” Again, she leaned forward and tried to talk to them. Then she made a series of disgruntled noises and looked at the filter. “Fine, we’ll take it off after you exhale all the gas.”
Thin, wispy smoke seeped out of the filter, and Heather’s neck deflated until the scarf dropped low to her chest. Sylvia allowed Jando to lower it from her mouth. “Now what is it? Do you know something about this?”
“We need to get to the airport now. Step on it,” she said.
“Why? Who is it?”
In the side mirror, their escort had been replaced by a police SUV, the sirens running. In the distance, smoke spiraled into the air from the side of the road. Lydia pointed it out to Sylvia, who moved the Jeep to the side and slowed down. “No!” Heather shouted. “Keep going!”
Lydia peered at the SUV. A man with sunglasses sat in the passenger seat, looking straight ahead. Then she checked the rearview mirror. The driver had a cap pulled low, hiding his face. As the SUV changed lanes, it started to match their speed.
Sylvia drew her pistol and laid it on her lap. Then she handed Lydia her cell phone. “Tell Dilbert we might need an emergency pickup. And be ready to grab the wheel.” Lydia called Dilbert, each ring dragging out as the SUV closed in.
Finally, Dilbert answered. “Hello? Sylvia?”
“No, it’s Lydia.” Sylvia drove faster and the SUV copied her. “Sylvia said to tell you we might need an emergency pickup.”
He was silent for a moment. “Right,” he said, his tone serious. “I’ll be there as fast as I can.”
Sylvia took the radio. “This is Agent Romero. Can anyone hear me?” No answer. “Officer Cooley?” Static.
The SUV was alongside their left side. The man in sunglasses rolled his window down and leered out at them. “Sounds like a mighty fine car!” he yelled over the wind. “Let me take a closer peek at it!” He lifted up his glasses and opened his eyes. Before flames engulfed their Jeep, the driver turned to Lydia, his frightened face unmistakable.