Read Online Deliver Us from Evil by Robin Caroll - Free Book Online Page B

Brannon shut down the engine, unfastened her harness, and jumped from the Dolphin right behind Lincoln. The two raced toward the crashed helicopter, their boots slipping on the icy valley bed.
    The Bell, which now blazed in yellow and orange flames, lay on its nose like a crippled bird fallen in flight. A dancing blue flame shot up the middle, stopping Brannon cold. She grabbed Lincoln’s shoulder. “Be careful. The fuel is leaking, and it’s gonna blow.”
    He nodded but continued on toward the wounded aircraft. Jerking open the passenger cargo door, he reached inside. Brannon pushed to the pilot’s door and wrenched it open. White heat blew against her face, forcing her to stumble backward. The rank stench of burning flesh assaulted her nostrils. She turned her head and retched before turning back to the cockpit.
    The pilot’s head lolled to the side as the flickering blaze ate up his legs. The pilot had passed the point of saving. Brannon pressed her lips together, tears pooling in her eyes.
    Lincoln moved into the backseat. “Help me with these two.” He dragged an unconscious man to the icy ground. Beneath his coat, his white shirt was soaked red in a large patch. Lincoln turned toward the helicopter again.
    Brannon swallowed hard, then beat her partner to the remaining man. While Lincoln gripped his feet, she reached for his arms. Her gaze settled on the man’s face—handsome and rugged with a fresh scar—the US marshal she’d seen on television. Her mind replayed the news segment as she struggled to help Lincoln pull the man free from the inferno building in the helicopter. The heart!
    After letting the man sink to the ground, Brannon rushed once more to the crushed Bell.
    â€œWe can’t save the pilot, Brannon. Let it go.” Lincoln hollered as he raced forward with the fire extinguisher from the Dolphin.
    â€œThe heart,” she tossed over her shoulder as she pushed into the body of the aircraft. A red cooler with a black pouch on top leaned against the back of the pilot’s seat. The crackle from the engine prickled the flesh on Brannon’s arms. The stench of burning flesh seared her throat. She snatched up the cooler and the pouch.
    Lincoln sprayed the cockpit with the extinguisher to no avail. Brannon screamed at him to get out, then turned, took two steps, and dove for the ground.
    An explosion rocked the earth as if an earthquake occurred. Heat surrounded the valley area.
    Brannon kept herself flat, covering her head with her hands. Bits of debris danced on the wind before falling to litter the snow-covered terrain.
    â€œAre you okay?” Lincoln’s hand on her shoulder brought immediate comfort and relief.
    She rolled over and stared into his hooded eyes before accepting the hand he offered. “I’m okay. How’re they?” She nodded toward the two men lying on the ground.
    â€œUnconscious. One’s got a cut on his shoulder, and the other has a gash on his head.”
    Brannon retrieved the cooler and black pouch, then followed Lincoln as he picked his way back to the men. Her pulse rocked as she scanned the crash site. Only bits and pieces of the helicopter lay scattered and smoldering in the midst of the forest.
    That had been close, too close. Thank You, God, that no one else was killed. But her heart ached for the pilot. Why couldn’t we have gotten here in time?
    No reply came in the stillness of the explosion aftermath.
    Lincoln dropped to a knee beside the man whose shirt stuck to his chest with the spreading red stain. He snapped open the emergency medical kit from the Dolphin, clicked on the flashlight, and pressed clean gauze to the man’s injury.
    Lowering herself beside the marshal, Brannon pushed her bangs, dripping with melted snow and sleet, aside. She laid her fingers on his forehead to inspect the cut, then glanced at the man’s handsome face. She sucked in cold air, then rocked back on her