Shifting Targets Read Online Free PDF Page B

We
can’t risk critical information slipping out before court. I do
hope you understand.”
    Jill sighed loud enough into the phone.
“Yeah, I’ll tell Mike. I’m sure he’ll head right out.”
    “Thank you.” Shye hung up the phone then
crept through back alleys, using extreme caution to avoid being
seen.
    At the rear entrance of the bank she hunkered
down behind a dumpster, knowing Carter would exit here to his
waiting SUV. Time had swung past noon placing the sun into perfect
position for casting long shadows. A squeaking sound drew her focus
toward the back door. Out walked Carter dressed in a gray
three-piece suit over a coral shirt. She never made a sound while
creeping along behind him to assume his shadow.
    Grabbing the black feather, she whispered for Nagi and instantly the brutal July heat vanquished beneath
the icy cold grip of shifting. Moving with a speed that impressed
even her, she ducked behind his car until he slid behind the wheel.
She walked beside the long, tall black vehicle as he backed up then
she slipped behind a nearby tree before he turned the wheel and
drove away.
    Have a nice trip! She wanted to laugh
out loud but controlled herself. The Sherriff’s office was a solid
forty-five minute drive one way. By the time Carter figured out
he’d been duped, Shye would be riding north on Trip’s bike.
    Mustering all her courage, she boldly walked
into the bank through the rear exit and into the vault. This time
she made sure the security camera caught her at each angle while
she filled two canvas sacks with as much money as they would hold.
The bags were heavy but she felt supernaturally strong today—be it
sheer will or powers from beyond, it didn’t matter right now. Her
mission for today would end in a blaze of glory.
    Once outside again, she ran full speed
straight through the center of town carrying the bags of money in
plain sight. People began gathering on the sidewalk, clearly
baffled by what they saw. She found Trip right where she’d left him
and shoved the money into his hands. Speculation shadowed his eyes. Oh yeah, she thought and pulled the feathers from under the
stifling collar. He grinned and handed her what she’d received from
Remle for assistance in her outrageous plan. Nodding her thanks,
she turned and stalked back into town carrying an RPG rocket
launcher.
    Pedestrians began screaming and running amok
when Shye, using Carter’s identity, took a stance in the town
square with the weapon braced on her shoulder. She waited for word
to reach the bank and counted each employee as they ran outside to
escape the coming wrath. She heard people shouting he’s
crazy — he’s gone mad —and saw them dialing their cell
phones for help. None of it mattered. She had her target in
sight.
    Their calls would create chaos and with the
reception drop-rate in these hills, she knew it would take police
longer to get here than it would for her to get away.
    “Stop him!” someone shouted. “He’s out of his
mind!”
    A couple of brave but foolish men attempted
to advance on her so she whipped out her shotgun with one hand and
fired a couple warning shots at their heads. In a flash they
dropped to the ground and scurried back.
    Idiots! Don’t even mess with me today!
    Everyone stood back in utterly visible shock
as she took aim once again. When the stream of people fleeing the
bank ceased, she squeezed the trigger.
    A loud pop followed by a strong whoosh filled
the air as the first grenade fired. With lightning speed she
reloaded and released a second grenade. An explosion rocked the
ground. Flames shot out and up in every direction. A blast of heat
radiated through the air yet she felt nothing but cold. Townspeople
ran for cover. Screams of panic flooded the area amidst the roar of
a blazing fire.
    With a smile of satisfaction plastered on her
face, she sauntered up the sidewalk through the billowing smoke and
onward until the massive inferno left behind grew farther away. She
hated to