“He’s on the move, heading east toward Crandall Creek. I’m heading out,” she whispered into her walkie-talkie and began trailing him at a safe distance.
“Copy that. Be careful. We’re going to circle around and flank him.”
Miranda made her way cautiously, following James and ensuring she remained downwind. She saw that he was careful where he put his feet, what he touched, his eyes scanning constantly. When he ducked around the bend Miranda was almost afraid she’d lost him. But just as she crested the ridge she saw him hunker down in a hiding spot, a .308 sniper rifle with a custom suppressor in his hand, which had probably cost him a bundle. He must’ve stashed his gun in the foliage ahead of time, she mused. With her luck no bear would take the bait and they’d have to scrap the operation, but James must’ve ensured that a bear would be around to sniff out the grease smeared on the tree, because a large brown bear ambled down the creek, his big head swinging side to side as he sniffed out the source of the tantalizing smell. Bears had an excellent sense of smell, and within moments, he was standing on his hindquarters, licking at the grease and pawing at the bark, trying to get more into his mouth. James had his gun drawn and pointed at the bear. One shot to the head and the bear would go tumbling soundlessly to the ground. The gun was high-powered enough to pierce fur, fat and bone without leaving behind too large of a hole. James was fast, efficient and deadly skilled at what he did, and the fact that it’d taken this long for Miranda to figure it out made her see red.
“He’s taking a shot! Where are you?” Miranda whispered into her walkie-talkie. “If we don’t move now he’s going to kill the bear. We have to stop him.”
“Stand down. We are two minutes away. Do not engage.” Jeremiah’s voice was insistent on the other end but Miranda knew she wouldn’t watch another bear die a senseless death if she could stop it.
Miranda reached down and picked up a rock with a good heft. She hauled back and threw the rock with all of her might, beaning the bear right in the noggin. The startled bear scampered off with a bellow. Miranda watched as James cursed at his lost quarry, then scanned the area where Miranda was hiding. “You just cost me thirty thousand dollars, friend. I might have to bill you for that,” he said, rising from his spot just as Miranda did.
“Miranda Sinclair, fish-and-game hottie herself. Color me impressed.”
His flattery made her stomach turn. “You’re going to jail, you rotten son of a bitch.”
James smiled. “Really? And who is here to make that happen? You? I don’t think so. I am curious how you knew it was me, though.”
“It was easy. You cover your tracks well, but in the end you were sloppy. James Mack and Mack James? You really should put a little more effort into your aliases.”
“What can I say? I banked on the fact that Vee and Rhett spent so much time caring what the other was doing that they didn’t spare a second thought to the cheap helicopter pilot just trying to log some more flying hours for his résumé.”
“They’re onto you now. I’m pretty sure you’ve been crossed off their Christmas lists,” Miranda said with a narrowed gaze. “Let’s go.” She gestured at James and he simply laughed.
“Are you forgetting who has the gun? I could put a bullet in your brain right now and walk away. Have fun proving I was even here.”
“I don’t need a gun. You’re going to do exactly as I say and follow me like a good little puppy straight to jail.”
“Oh, is that so? And why is that?”
Miranda smiled as the law-enforcement agents emerged from the foliage, their guns drawn, their expressions hard. “Because I have plenty of guns. And they’re all pointed straight at your worthless head. James Mack, let me introduce you to the law-enforcement division of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department. They’re here to escort you off this mountain.”
James turned slowly and saw that he was indeed surrounded by the very people he’d believed he was bringing to the mountains for a good time. “What the hell...?” James breathed, unable to believe how soundly he’d been duped. “I’ll be damned. Looks like I’m screwed,” he said grimly.
“Looks like,” Miranda agreed cheerfully. “With any luck, you’ll get the maximum sentence. But if by some chance you manage to escape with a slap on the wrist for what you’ve done, do yourself a favor and don’t come back to Alaska.”
The officers took James into custody and Vee arrived right on schedule to transport them back off the mountain while Rhett flew the other helicopter back to base. Jeremiah and Miranda rode with Rhett and by the time everything had been processed and finished the sun had long since disappeared from the sky.
“Did you get what you need to put them away?” Rhett asked.
Jeremiah nodded. “I sure hope so. We’re practically handing the case to them on a silver platter. He was wearing the suit, carrying the cooler, and Miranda saw him waiting for that bear where he had laid a trap. I’d say this case is pretty solid. But no matter what happens after this, the fact remains that Miranda got her man.”
Miranda smiled with open relief, still riding a high. “I didn’t do it alone.” She spared him a secret smile, unable to stop it until she realized she and Jeremiah were sharing too long of a private look. Miranda pulled her gaze from him and looked to Rhett. “You know, when you’re not fighting with Vee, you’re actually a good team. You work well together. Have you ever considered combining forces, having a joint operation? It could help both of your bottom lines given the depressed economy. Might be something to consider.”
“I have bigger issues than Vee right now.”
Miranda knew that Rhett was referencing the business with Ambra. While Rhett had been on the expedition, law-enforcement officers had gone to the Big Game Trophy office to pick up Ambra. She was currently being booked on charges of conspiracy, which would likely earn her a slap on the wrist, but Rhett was already filing the paperwork for a divorce. “I hope you have a prenup,” Miranda said quietly. “I think she’s taken enough of your money in the two years you’ve been married.”
Rhett nodded. “Ironclad. I wasn’t so smitten that I lost my head completely.”
“I’m glad to hear that. You can rebuild, you know. Maybe downsize a little. Sell off some investments. You don’t have to be drowning in debt. Maybe it’s time to close Simone’s account. No one is ever going to come forward to collect the reward and you need it more than she does.”
“No,” Rhett said resolutely. “That money will stay there forever if need be. I have other accounts I can tap but not that one—that one is for Simone.” He sighed and for the first time ever looked older than he was. “Ambra made me feel young again. But now I feel worse. I feel like an old fool.”
Miranda’s heart ached for Rhett. Jeremiah had warned her to put the brakes on any matchmaking but she had sensed a tiny spark between Vee and him, even if they were both too stubborn to acknowledge it. “I think you should consider what I said about you and Vee. She’s a lot like you,” Miranda said, trying to soften the blow of his wife’s betrayal by offering a new perspective. “I really do think you two would make a good team.”
Rhett didn’t say anything in response to that and Miranda let it go. He needed to grieve and he needed to deal with Ambra’s betrayal in his own way. Maybe with time, he’d see the wisdom in her words. Miranda hugged Rhett and she and Jeremiah took to the road.
* * *
“I WANT TO CELEBRATE,” Miranda announced suddenly, turning to Jeremiah. “I say we hit The Rusty Anchor and throw back a few. Talen is with Mamu tonight and I am footloose and fancy-free until tomorrow morning. What do you say?”
Jeremiah should say no. He knew the right thing to do, the responsible thing to do, was to politely decline, but he agreed with Miranda—the closure of this case was worth celebrating. “One drink couldn’t hurt anyone I suppose,” Jeremiah said.
“That�
��s the spirit. First round on me,” Miranda said, laughing as they climbed into the car and drove straight to the local tavern. “Two beers, Russ,” she said to the bartender. Once they each had a beer in hand, they clinked bottlenecks. “We did it, Jeremiah. We caught that son of a bitch.” She took a long swallow and said, “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You did most of the work. I just tied up the loose ends.”
Her smile lit up her face and in that moment he thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He desperately wanted to kiss her but it wasn’t his place. He had to content himself with simply joining in her joy. “You are a sharp investigator. Your skills are completely wasted in this office,” he said, “but I’ll keep you for as long as you’ll stay,” he added softly.
Miranda held his stare and for a moment neither was sure if they were talking about the job anymore. Miranda searched his face, her gaze resting on his lips as if she wanted to close the distance as much as he did but she held back. A charming smile followed. “I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “Not yet anyway.”
“Is there anything else you wanted to do with your career?”
“I’d like to do something that really makes a difference,” Miranda said. “I know we do lots of good work in our office, and I’m not saying that what we do isn’t important, but I can’t help but think that there’s something bigger, something better for me out there.”
“That’s why you applied for my position?” he surmised. “Now that I know you better, it was a blessing that you didn’t get the job.” He rushed to stop the gathering scowl on Miranda’s face as he explained his reasoning. “Listen, I don’t say that to ruffle your feathers but it’s the truth. You are not cut out to push paper behind the desk. And basically, that’s what I do all day. I’ve had a lot of fun doing some fieldwork, in getting out there, but for the most part an administrator is a paper pusher. And that’s okay for me. I enjoy budgets and spreadsheets and meetings whereas I think all of those things would just weigh you down.”
Miranda lost some of her bristle as his explanation hit home. “You’re right,” she said with a bit of revelation in her voice. “I hate the idea of being stuck behind a desk.”
“See?”
“But I have my son to think about, too,” she countered. “I can’t work the same job for the next twenty years, without any hope of advancement. Eventually, my son will have bigger needs than my meager paycheck can handle. How am I supposed to buy Talen a car? Or put him through college? Aside from the fact that my job is no longer mentally stimulating, it doesn’t pay the bills. Don’t get me wrong—I get by, but I’m tired of just getting by. I want to make a good living and make a difference out there in the world. I shouldn’t have to choose between the two.”
Jeremiah understood and made a sudden decision. “Then you should start looking for something else. Check the federal wire. There’s always something popping up. You might have to move but sometimes relocating is good for a fresh start.”
“Actually, I did look into something—it’s my dream job. But I haven’t applied.”
“Which position is this?”
Miranda seemed reluctant to share until he wouldn’t let it go. She relented with a sigh. “Mary told me about it and I told her it was a dumb idea but she got my mind to thinking that maybe...it might be possible...but now I don’t know. To be honest, my application would have to cross Stuart Olly’s desk and you and I both know how he feels about me.”
Jeremiah swigged his beer and contemplated the validity of her statement. She had a point but he didn’t like the idea of her quitting before giving herself a chance to succeed. “I don’t deny that you’re not Stuart’s favorite person, but that’s no reason not to apply. What is this job? Maybe I know a few people who could help. I have connections, too.”
“The listing is for a Special Services Enforcement Officer. The position is a much higher pay grade, and a lot more responsibility, but it sounds exactly like what I’m looking for. Not only that, I’d only have to go into Anchorage a few times a month and the rest of the time I can work from home.”
“I saw that listing on the wire. You’re right—it would be perfect for you. You should apply.”
“Stuart hates me. Even if I was the best-qualified person for the job he’d still throw my application right into the circular file and you know it.”
“Don’t let fear stop you. You don’t know what’s going to happen. Just do it.”
“That’s what Mary said, too.”
“Then she’s a smart woman.”
Miranda regarded him with open vulnerability and he longed to pull her into his arms if only to reassure her that she was more than qualified to apply for that job. If she was hired, the enforcement division would be lucky to have her. But all he could do was offer the same level of friendly advice as he would to any coworker. He took a hard swig of his beer, hating how he felt inside, as if he were stuck on the outside of the glass, staring into a wonderful life going on without him. “When’s the closing date?” he asked.
“Tomorrow.”
“Is your résumé polished?”
She nodded. “Mary made me do it. But I didn’t have the balls to send it.”
“Well, tomorrow you’re growing a pair, because you’re turning in that application. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Miranda laughed but Jeremiah thought he saw tears glistening in her eyes. Miranda, so strong, so full of life, and yet she still needed someone to believe in her. Jeremiah was happy to be that person. It was the least he could do.
“Russ—” he gestured to the bartender “—two more over here, buddy.”
He realized one drink was not nearly enough to dull the growing ache in his heart. In fact, there probably wasn’t enough alcohol in the world.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
JEREMIAH HAD HAD one too many beers and Miranda had decided it was time to put him to bed when Otter stopped them at the tavern door. Apparently Otter had also had too much to drink and suddenly felt it was time to get some things off his chest.
“My, isn’t this cute?” Otter’s voice was slurred as he lurched forward, gesturing to them. “Not even bothering to hide anymore. I guess no more sneaking around is required. Seems there are no rules around here anymore.”
Miranda frowned at Otter, irritated at his sudden odd behavior and anxious to get out of The Rusty Anchor before someone realized how much Jeremiah had been drinking. She didn’t want anyone to have cause to make another call to Stuart that might come back and hurt Jeremiah. “What are you talking about, Otter? You’re drunk. Do you need a ride home? Do I need to call Mary?”
“I’m fine,” Otter said with a sneer. “But what do you care? I’m just the friend who’s always there for you and available to help whenever you need it. But that’s not good enough for you, is it? You have to have somebody who you’re not supposed to have. But then, that’s always the case with you, isn’t it? But I never thought you’d want to sleep with your boss. That’s low, Miranda. Even for you.”
“Go home, Otter.” Jeremiah stared, his gaze hard as flint. “Don’t be saying things you can’t take back.”
“You shut up. And don’t call me Otter. That’s only for my friends. I gave you a place to live and this is how you repay me? You move in on my girl?”
“I’m not your girl,” Miranda cut in, shocked and growing beyond pissed, but as drunk as Otter was there was no getting through to him, no matter how Miranda protested. Otter suddenly jabbed a finger at Jeremiah, and Miranda had to hold Jeremiah back from punching out the drunk.
“If I didn’t need the money I’d kick your ass out on the street. Well, and if I wasn’t legally required to give you thirty days,” Otter amended with a small hiccup. “I would totally evict your scheming, backstabbing ass. It’s bad enough that you still have
your job after what you’ve done.”
Miranda did a double take and narrowed her stare at Otter. “What are you talking about?” Otter pressed his lips together, his bleary stare rebellious, and Miranda realized it was Otter who had made the call. “You were the one, weren’t you? You ratted me out to Stuart, didn’t you?”
“Not you, just him,” Otter said plaintively, sounding like a child who’d been wrongly accused. “He’s the one who overstepped his authority. It’s all his fault!”
Oh, that’s enough of that. People were beginning to take an undue interest in the scene and Miranda was ready to put the whole situation behind her. Otter was a grown man acting like a spoiled brat. If she’d ever had any inkling that they might be able to make something work, Otter’s drunken display had just killed it.
“Your nickname ought to be weasel or rat,” Jeremiah shot back, and Miranda stepped forward and put a restraining hand on Jeremiah while she dealt with Otter before he got his ass kicked.
“Otter, I can forgive what you’re saying right now because you are drunk out of your mind. I’m also going to try to forget that you’re the one who tried to make trouble for me and Jeremiah when it was none of your damn business.” Otter blinked back mulish tears but she didn’t feel sorry for him one bit. He’d brought this on himself and he was going to have to listen up and finally lose the dream that they were going to someday ride off into the sunset together. “Yes, you are my friend. I’ve never pretended to be anything other than that. But in case you haven’t noticed, to be my friend is something I consider very special because I don’t have many. But I can very easily remove you from that spot in my life. Is that what you want?”
Otter stared at Miranda until his lip began to tremble. Suddenly he was breaking down into a sobbing mess, and Miranda and Jeremiah had to rush to hold him up before he toppled to the floor. “Why don’t you love me? I’ve always loved you. I would’ve done anything for you. I’d have bought you the finest house, cooked for you every night and never asked a single thing of you but to love me back. Why was that too much to ask?”
That Reckless Night Page 23
