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The Raleigh-Durham International Airport had a five-story, long-term parking garage next to Terminal Two. Noah pulled up to the barricade and pressed the button for his ticket. The yellow control arm was raised to allow him entry.
“What the hell are we doing here? I doubt there’s a doctor that can give me stitches and antibiotics.” Bishop had remained mostly quiet throughout the drive, for which Noah was thankful. The less he was involved, the better chances the agent would have to survive. They had looked at the wound, and Bishop was correct. It would need to be professionally looked at with infection setting in. While it stopped bleeding, several courses of antibiotics were in his immediate future. It could have been much worse.
“You will be rid of me soon, and then you can call it in. Cover your ass.” Noah drove through the parking garage and took the ramps to the next level until he reached the top, open-air parking. He slowed and went up and down each aisle.
“You are probably on the no-fly list. You won’t get far.” Bishop hadn’t tried to escape or hinder Noah despite the pistol on his right hip.
When he backed into a vacant parking space, he held up a hand to forestall the federal agent. “Stay here for a second. I’m going to get something for your leg.”
Unsure of what was happening, Bishop nodded.
Noah stepped out of the Ford and looked around at the roof-top parking level. It was about one-third full. Not many wanted to leave their car parked long-term outside. The weather, however, was nice, and the overhead sun felt good.
Bishop turned in the seat to follow him. Noah stepped behind the vehicle parked next to him and knelt behind the SUV's bumper. He fished the keys out of the tailpipe and unlocked the rear lift of the Navigator. Everything was laid out before him, just as he left it.
Dickinson had flown home and left the rental waiting for him as a backup plan. Noah was adamant about her going when he was arrested, and they only had a few seconds to come up with a plan. There were still enough weapons inside, along with cash and supplies. Right now, Noah was more interested in the small ablution bag inside his pack.
When he opened the passenger door to the Ford, Bishop had drawn his pistol, and it sat on his lap. “Are you still trying to tell me this whole scenario wasn’t planned?”
“Having my rental vehicle here was planned in case of emergency. My partner flew home early this morning. I didn’t think I would have a chance to get my things, but I’m glad it’s here.”
Noah ignored the Sig Sauer and knelt next to Bishop. He removed the tie and opened the case. Iodine was used for flushing the wound, and he cleaned up the dried blood with alcohol swabs. The jagged edges were already turning a dark red and looked puffy.
“Here, take two of these.” Noah handed him a prescription bottle. “General antibiotics, and here are some Aspirins.”
Bishop gave him a funny look before swallowing the pills. “Thanks.”
Noah pulled out two butterfly bandages and secured the deep cut. “That will hold until you can see a doctor.”
The federal agent glanced at the Navigator. “Where are you going now?”
“First, I will help you into the backseat before I call the local police to get you. After that, I’m going to arrest the person responsible for a kidnapping eighteen years ago and put them in jail.”
Bishop’s brows furrowed, and he shook his head. “Sorry. I sympathize with you, but I can’t let you go.”
As the agent raised the pistol, Noah pulled a loaded Glock out of his waistband. “Place your weapon on the dashboard. Slow movements.”
“I don’t think you are going to shoot.” Bishop placed his gun on the dash and raised his hands regardless of his statement. Noah stepped back and gestured for the agent to sit in the backseat.
“Lock the cuff on your wrist, and pass me the keys in your pocket.” After he complied, Noah unloaded the Sig Sauer and placed the magazine with the pistol under the Ford. He left the handcuff key on the hood. “Make sure you retrieve the gun. I’ll make the call in five minutes. It’s been an interesting day.”
Noah closed the door on the grinning agent. Moments later, the Navigator pulled out of the parking spot as Noah looked at the time. He had just over thirty hours and eighteen-hundred miles to make sure all the pieces were in motion.
“Time to get started.”
Noah opened the armrest and found the cash and his wallet as he left the parking garage and airport. Angie had taken enough to cover her flight home, which left him more than enough.
True to his word, he activated a new burner phone and called 911 to let the local police know where agent Bishop was secured. When the call was done, he tossed the phone out the window. “Good luck tracking that, guys.”
It took fifteen minutes to get to downtown Raleigh, and Noah picked up some sandwiches and a coffee from a café before he was ready.
“Time to kick the hornet's nest.”
He parked outside a bank and pulled out his debit card. At the ATM, he punched in his PIN, and instead of a withdrawal option, the screen flashed one moment, please. After a minute, the screen read card invalid.
Noah grinned and flipped a middle finger toward the camera lens above his head before walking away. Once he was back in the Navigator, he drove west.