Detective Danny Cavanaugh 01 - The Brink

at her as he raised his gun.
    Sydney threw the bathroom door shut and locked it. She grabbed her bra and panties off the toilet seat and then scaled across the motionless guard. She stepped through the hole in the window and climbed out onto the roof just as two bullets blasted through the bathroom door.
    Sydney examined her options and chose the best conceivable route. She took a step down the roof when she felt her robe catch on something. She whirled around to see that the guard had a handful of it clenched in his fist.
    His cold eyes pierced the veil of blood pulsing on his face. “You’re not going anywhere, bitch,” he spat at her.
    Sydney yanked on her robe, trying to free it from his grip, but he had a firm hold. She saw him reaching for something in his pocket. Another gunshot echoed from the bathroom. Taber would reduce the door to splinters in seconds. She had to get out of there.
    Sydney untied her robe and ducked out of it. The guard grabbed her ankle, but Sydney was able to kick free of his grip.
    As she stutter-stepped down the tile roof in slippery shower shoes, Knobby’s voice once again filled her head.
    “Run, Sydney! Run as fast as you can!”

Chapter 10
    Danny heard the sound of shattering glass followed by two gunshots and then one more. His instincts took over. He shouldered the Browning BAR Safari rifle while he intensified his gaze.
    He was nearing the perimeter where wild brush and untamed trees met the monastery’s purposeful landscaping. Through the wild mesquite trees, he could see the northeastern corner of the guest quarters that had been added to the monastery’s main structure thirty years ago. He stepped past the property line, ducking under an oversized saguaro cactus. As he did, he saw the remains of a shattered window refract sunlight in a hundred different directions.
    Danny pictured bored drug runners firing off rounds and trashing the joint, including the beautiful stained-glass window of baby Jesus in the manger that he remembered. They have no respect. He kept the rifle squarely against his shoulder as he came upon the walking trail that wound around the base of the hill. It would take him up to the rear of the monastery compound and hopefully to its current occupants. As he started toward it, he heard footsteps behind him.
    Danny fought his instincts to leap for cover and slowly turned to face his adversary, letting fate decide whether he lived or died. One emotion overpowered the rest. It was regret and it cried out to him.
    Don’t let this happen! Don’t let your life end!
    Danny completed his turn and couldn’t believe his eyes. I must already be dead , he thought. Standing before him was a breathtaking sight.
    It was a statuesque brunette clad only in a bra and panties.
    Danny almost didn’t notice she was holding a log above her head. She was thirty steps away and heading toward him fast. She froze as soon as she saw him take aim at her.
    “Hold it right there!” Danny commanded.
    Her arms shook under the weight of the stout log, but she kept it perched where it was as she spoke. “You’re American,” she said, her wild eyes everywhere.
    Danny could tell that she had an accent, although he would need to hear her speak again to confirm her nationality. “Yes, I am,” he replied. He considered the best way to explain himself. “My name’s Danny Cavanaugh. I’m a police officer.”
    She didn’t relax after he declared his name and occupation. “What are you doing here?”
    Her accent was French. Matches her panties , Danny thought. She had to be a dream or a mirage, something brought on by the constant stress he was under for the past week. He tried reasoning with his senses. There’s no way this was happening. A six-foot tall French beauty wearing only underwear does not live in the Mexican wilderness.
    “I have a cabin nearby,” Danny replied. “And you?”
    Her eyes hadn’t slowed. She remained on high alert, scanning the woods in every direction.
    “Ma’am, is someone chasing you?” Danny asked.
    She finally glared at him. “Show me your identification.”
    Although Danny had the more powerful weapon, he didn’t want to do anything to scare her. She might run off, or simply disappear in a cloud of pixie dust. “I’m going to reach into my pocket and get it.”
    He reached for his back pocket and produced his wallet. Thank God he had the second thought of bringing it along. He had totally forgotten about it back at the cabin until he