Category Five Read Online Free Page A

have to endure to get back to the plane and wished desperately that there were another way to the airport.
    â€œYou really going to fly in this?” Ian peered up at the tumbling mass of clouds racing past just above the terrain.
    â€œIt’s not that bad.” Donovan swallowed hard. Flying was far easier than what he’d just gone through. Trying to recover from crossing the causeway, Donovan pulled the portable radio from his belt and switched it on. He waited a moment until the numbers were visible on the display. He verified it was set to 122.8, then held it to his mouth.
    â€œEco-Watch 02 this is Donovan. Radio check.”
    â€œLoud and clear.” Michael’s voice came through the small speaker.
    â€œRoger. I’ll keep the frequency open. If you need to get out of here let me know.”
    â€œSo far so good. Just find them and get back.”
    â€œWill do.” Donovan couldn’t miss the note of concern in Michael’s voice. He turned to Ian.
    â€œIs there any chance they would have taken another route?”
    â€œHaven’t driven in Bermuda very often, have you? There’s usually only one way to get anywhere. I know the driver; Peter’s an old pub mate of mine. I can guarantee you he came this way.”
    Donovan silently urged Ian to drive faster. He could feel his patience begin to chaff and dwindle. Lauren could be in trouble. It was as if a small voice inside of him was screaming at them to hurry.
    â€œOh, shit.” Ian slowed quickly and maneuvered the Toyota around a large branch that had fallen across the road. “The wind is getting a bit dodgy up here on the hill.”
    Donovan could see they were gaining elevation as they drove west. It was growing even darker to the southeast. The bulging gray clouds looked close enough to touch as rain hurtled out of the sky with a vengeance. Since they’d left the airport, Donovan hadn’t seen a single sign of life: houses and businesses were boarded up; there’d been no other traffic on the road. Donovan rubbed his temples. That he was searching the island for Lauren seemed somehow abstract, and yet at the same time, his pulse raced with both anticipation and fear.
    They came around a sharp turn, Ian slowing the Landcruiser as the tires skidded and slipped on the soaked pavement. He straightened the Toyota and continued up the hill.
    â€œIan! Go back!” Donovan twisted in his seat. He wasn’t sure what he’d seen, but something had registered.
    â€œWhat was it?” Ian brought the Toyota to a stop. He shifted into reverse, switched on the emergency flashers and carefully began to back up.
    â€œRight here. Stop the car. See those two trees? They’re broken in the wrong direction against the storm.”
    Donovan jumped out into the stinging rain. He ran as fast as he could to the edge of the pavement. Seconds later, he could see the rear end of a white sedan at the bottom of the culvert. It was lying on its roof, the metal along the side dented and scraped. Without hesitation, he jumped down the muddy ravine. He slid, arms outstretched, trying to keep his balance on the slick ground. His momentum quickly carried him down to the wrecked Mercedes. Donovan was unable to stop his forward motion. He twisted and went down hard as he slammed into the fender. Oblivious to the pain, he pulled himself up on his knees and staggered forward to get to the passenger compartment. As he neared the front door he saw a hand—it was the slender shape of a woman’s. There was also a bracelet—a handmade, braided gold original. Donovan had bought the bracelet for Lauren in London. Terrified, Donovan grabbed her wrist as he sank to mid-calf in a watery quagmire. He pulled the limp arm, but found he couldn’t move her out of the car. A frantic inspection told him that she was wedged in by the wreckage. Terror welled up in his throat as he caught a glimpse of auburn hair floating in