by Kim Baldwin
He had trouble adjusting his position. He had to scoot backward a couple of feet before there was enough slack in the chain for him to crane his neck around to see a big bear of a man studying him with a curious expression. The man was propped up, sitting with his back against the corner. Otter could see that they were both prisoners, bound together by a short chain, which was padlocked to a larger chain that was attached to the wall. He also noticed that the other man was somewhat more comfortably settled than he was, sitting on a down sleeping bag with a small heater nearby blasting what little warm air there was directly at him. “Frank, I presume?” Otter said.
“Yeah. You’re Otter, right?” Frank asked.
Otter grunted in affirmation, trying to turn all the way over to better communicate with Frank. Because of the short length of chain connecting them, he had to back up until he was nearly in Frank’s lap to accomplish this.
“Hey, man, don’t get so close,” Frank admonished as Otter awkwardly rolled to face him. The big man was trying to lean away from him. “You reek. I mean you stink really, really bad.”
Otter didn’t need the reminder. He felt just inches away from puking. He could tolerate most smells. He’d even hidden in a garbage Dumpster once. But he couldn’t abide the smell of fish. Dead or alive. Raw or cooked. It had always made him profoundly nauseous.
Otter remembered that Hunter had taunted him about it rather maliciously the day they met, when he griped about her ordering salmon from room service. He wondered briefly whether she’d deliberately poured something on him or if he’d acquired this ungodly stench during the fight in the pantry. Didn’t matter. Pissed him off anyway. Bitch, he seethed.
But Otter was amazed Hunter hadn’t killed him. She’ll regret that. He studied Frank, who was wrinkling his nose in distaste at Otter’s close proximity. Well, at least I have an ally. An impressively big ally, at that. It would do well to be nice.
“Sorry,” Otter said, trying to inch away as much as possible while still keeping an eye on Frank. “How long have you been here?” he asked, studying the room again but seeing no way to escape.
“Don’t know. Hard to tell,” Frank replied. “Several hours, anyway. You deal with her before?”
Otter’s mind flashed back to their job together. Hunter abandoning him. Leaving him to prison or death. “Yeah. I have a score to settle with Hunter.”
“Thought so. She said you wouldn’t be too cooperative.”
Otter snorted. “Cooperative? That’s funny,” he sneered. He couldn’t figure out why she was keeping them both alive. He didn’t really like thinking about what she might be planning to do to them before she killed them. He was certain they would die.
“She says if I cooperate, she’ll give me some money and let me go,” Frank said. He wanted Otter to confirm this was true. Otter knew Hunter, after all.
But Otter laughed. It was an empty laugh, devoid of humor. “Yeah, right. Stop dreaming, chum. Lying is what she does best. She’d say anything to keep you from trying to get out of here. You can’t believe a word that bitch says.”
Frank took in Otter’s words, weighing them against Hunter’s promise to be merciful if he didn’t try to escape and kept Otter from getting out. Frank believed one thing for certain. If she caught them trying to leave, she would not hesitate to cut them both down.
Frank wanted to believe Hunter. He had to admit he respected her. She was one hell of a tough and beautiful broad, and she’d so far been pretty good to him, considering. This Otter guy, on the other hand, was obviously no match for her. And Frank found it hard to warm up to someone whose stench was making his eyes water. He’d just play it cool for now, see what developed. “Hey, man, what the hell happened, anyway? Why was Hunter in her underwear, and how did you both end up covered in food?”
Before Otter could answer, they both were drawn to the sound of the big steel door opening. Hunter was coming.
Chapter Thirty
Kat got Jake to eat the warmed-over dinner while she iced her swollen knee and rewrapped the splint on her wrist. They didn’t say much during the process. Jake’s mind was still churning over Kat’s revelations, and Kat was preoccupied with what she was doing. But they looked at each other frequently, warmly. Exchanging shy smiles.
When both were finished, Kat removed the tray and returned to the bedside. “Need a trip to the bathroom before I go?”
Jake nodded. She put her good arm behind Kat’s neck as she was picked up. Without thinking, she threaded her hand through the hair at Kat’s neck. She ran her fingers through the silky strands, lightly caressing the back of Kat’s head and neck. Jake heard Kat’s sharp intake of breath at the intimate touch and felt her stiffen slightly in surprise, but only for a moment.
Kat’s mind was entirely on how fast her heart seemed to beat whenever she got close to Jake—it hammered now in her chest—when she felt the delicious touch of Jake’s hand on her neck. She froze in place, halfway to the bedroom door. A soft groan escaped her lips as she relaxed into the caress. After a moment, Kat turned her head slowly toward Jake’s, not wishing to break the caress but needing to look into Jake’s eyes.
They were shining at her, pulling her in. She closed the inches between them and kissed Jake, softly at first, then deepening the contact, her tongue seeking Jake’s.
Jake’s lips parted and her tongue met Kat’s. She moaned, a soft, brief hum more felt than heard. Her hand behind Kat’s neck tightened its hold, pulling them even closer together.
A rush of heat enveloped Kat as the kiss grew more and more passionate, making her suddenly wobbly on her feet. She pulled away enough to take a deep, unsteady breath.
Jake sighed in disappointment at the separation. Her eyes were half closed. She licked her lips.
Neither could speak.
Kat faced forward on rubbery legs and continued toward their destination. Jake’s hand stayed entwined in Kat’s hair, only reluctantly extricating itself when she was set down on the commode.
Soon after, Jake was back in Kat’s arms, and then all too quickly back in bed. Still neither had said a word, but they hadn’t needed to. The kiss was an affirmation of the profound attraction they could no longer deny and a promise of things to come.
*
Once Kat had Jake settled back in bed, she left to don a snowmobile suit and gather the things she’d need for her trip to town: her GPS device, binoculars, flashlight, cash, her small kit of lock-pick tools, and her Glock. She also retrieved her .38, which she carried with her back into the bedroom.
“I want you to have this with you while I’m gone,” Kat said, holding out the revolver where Jake could see it. “I don’t expect our two uninvited ‘guests’ to go anywhere. They’re restrained, and there is a security door between them and you. But it doesn’t hurt to take every precaution.”
She extended the gun grip first for Jake to take it.
“It’s loaded. Six bullets,” Kat continued matter-of-factly. “Here’s the safety.”
Jake accepted it, but reluctantly. It felt cold and alien, and she once again pondered how she could possibly be the bounty hunter whom Kat had described. She hefted the gun in her hand. It was much heavier than she expected. It gave her a small measure of security, but she hoped she would never have to use it. She nodded toward Kat, who took it from her again and placed it under a pillow. It was out of sight but within easy reach of Jake’s good hand.
Kat impulsively leaned down to kiss Jake on the forehead. “Get some rest. I’ll be back before you know I’m gone.”
Jake reached out with her good hand to touch Kat’s forearm as she withdrew. “I’ll know you’re gone.”
Kat went to her computer for one last check of the weather radar and forecast. It was still snowing fairly heavily. She headed for the tunnel, stopping to put on her boots and hat. She stuffed her mittens in a pocket. Then she went to the security panel and punched in the code to open the steel door.
*
Kat stepped into the genera
tor room to find both Frank and Otter staring at her. Frank looked like he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t. Otter glared at her with undisguised loathing. “Long time no see, little man,” Kat said cheerily to the latter. She couldn’t help it. He was such a worm, she had to taunt him just a little.
A part of Otter remembered how dangerous Hunter was and warned him not to egg her on. But he had waited too long and thought about her too much during those long years in prison not to seize the opportunity to say the things that had been festering inside him. “Fucking bitch,” he spat at her. “You fucking owe me.” His rage pushed aside any voice of reason that might have tried to intercede.
Kat smiled at Otter. It was a smile that warned him to shut up. But he was too worked up to see it. Frank did, and it made him wish he were anywhere else but chained to the guy who could provoke such a look in this dangerous woman.
“You’re going to pay for leaving me there, Hunter,” Otter wailed in fury.
Kat approached the two men, the ferocity of her smile matched by a predatory look in her eyes. Frank thought she resembled a panther stalking its prey.
She kneeled on the floor next to Otter. Leaned down and cocked her head so she could be face-to-face with him. Her eyes bored into his. But she said not a word. Daring him to say anything else. Finally he saw and understood the threat, and he knew his next words could decide whether he lived or died. He remained silent and looked away, his concession evident.
Kat leaned into him so she could speak directly into his ear. “I understand your anger, little man,” she said in a voice full of menace. “But I’ve no more patience for you. We’re even now. Don’t tip the scales again and make me kill you.”
She stood and looked down at Otter for several long moments—an open challenge for him to say or do something he’d regret. But he had learned his lesson, for the moment anyway. He stayed quiet and unmoving, keeping his eyes downward.
Kat glanced at Frank, who’d been watching her interaction with Otter with a look of growing trepidation. In the mood she was in, he really wanted her to forget he was even there. So he was stunned when the cruelty in her face suddenly melted away and she asked in an almost friendly tone, “Anything I can get you, Frank?”
He couldn’t believe the change in her. The rapid transformation was startling. As much as he wanted to get away from Otter’s stench, he wanted even more to be Mr. Agreeable to this unpredictable woman. He wanted her to have no reason whatsoever to look at him like she had at Otter. “No, I’m okay.”
“Good boy. I knew we’d get along just fine. Be patient. And remember what I said,” she added, tipping her head toward Otter.
Frank nodded.
Kat punched in the security code to open the main entrance. She started up her snowmobile, let it warm up a little, and took it outside, where she left it idling. She pulled Otter’s snowmobile into the generator room and parked it where hers had been, pocketing the keys. She searched the vehicle and removed the tool kit and Otter’s cell phone, which she examined a minute or two before she slipped it into her pocket. Then she checked the spare gas cans on the two rental machines and took the one that had been on Frank’s. Still ignoring the two men, she left, shutting the panel behind her.
Otter rolled over to face Frank as soon as the door closed. They could hear the muffled roar of Hunter’s snowmobile as she sped away from the bunker. “Okay. Whaddaya say we figure out a way to get out of here, huh?”
Chapter Thirty-One
Evan Garner stared at himself in the mirror of the little bathroom attached to his office. He frowned at the dark circles under his eyes and splashed some cold water on his face. He looked haggard. His once impeccably pressed suit was wrinkled, and his usually clean-shaven face was marred by a shadow of stubble.
Garner couldn’t live like this much longer, cooped up in these few rooms. He’d been barking at everyone within range until he was hoarse from hollering. He took a long swallow of water, considering his next move. Something had to break soon. This infernal waiting was driving him nuts.
He returned to his office and summoned Thomas. The bodyguard responded within a minute, appearing in the doorway looking none too fresh himself.
“Anything?” was all Garner said, moving to look out the wall of windows, his back to his aide.
“No, sir. None of them has called in. We do have two signals coming from the area. Scout’s, which still hasn’t moved from the wreck site, and another one we believe is Otter’s. It’s in the same general area, but it’s still on the move.”
“If Otter’s all right, then why the hell hasn’t he called in?”
“Well, sir, you remember Frank had trouble with his cell phone up there. He couldn’t get a signal most of the time,” the bodyguard replied.
Garner doubted that was all there was to it. “Send someone up there to track down the second signal and find out what the hell is going on with Otter.” He went to his desk, dropping into the plush chair with a yawn. “And I suppose we still have no more takers on the contract?”
“No, sir,” Thomas confirmed. He didn’t add that he didn’t think there would be any more, either. Word had gotten around pretty fast for such a secretive organization. The news that the three people who’d gone after Hunter were now all missing was being whispered in ever-expanding circles.
Garner sighed. “Up the contract to a million and a half, Thomas,” he instructed. Much of the reward would come from his own personal funds, but he didn’t hesitate committing the money. He just wanted to get rid of Hunter so he could begin living out in the open again.
“Whatever you say, boss,” Thomas said, knowing that it would probably make little difference.
*
Jake lay awake in the dark long after Kat had gone. Her mind was working too hard for her to sleep, despite her injuries and exhaustion. How can I be a bounty hunter? her brain repeated over and over. It seemed so contrary to the inherent image she had of herself.
How many people have I killed? How could I forget that? Jake concentrated, trying to remember firing a gun, stealing a car. She couldn’t. She reached beneath the pillow to put her hand around the cold metal of the gun. It sparked no memory. It still seemed a foreign object to her.
Jake seemed to have many more reasons not to remember her past than she did to recall it. If she had taken lives, she didn’t want to have those memories haunt her the rest of her days. How could I have lived without a conscience? I seem to have one now. I don’t think I could kill anyone except maybe in self-defense. Or to save Kat. I think I would kill to do that.
Even if you did do all that, things can be different now. You can be whoever you want to be, can’t you? Isn’t that what this amnesia does? Gives you a second chance? More and more, Jake wanted never to regain her memory. The only thing pulling her emotions in the other direction was the memory she had of her brother. She did want to remember him.
Jake didn’t want to remember her spouse, if indeed she had one. She wanted to believe that she had used the wedding ring as a decoy, as Kat had suggested. Then why the engraving? her conscience nagged. You wouldn’t go to all that trouble for a prop. Unless maybe you bought it in a pawn shop?
She suddenly wanted to take off the ring, but her left hand was too swollen.
Jake thought of Kat and the incredible kiss they’d shared. She began to relax and her mind drifted to what the future might be like. She could do anything she wanted, couldn’t she? She knew that what she wanted most of all was just to be with Kat.
Kat seemed to want that, too. But she hadn’t said what all that meant in terms of her own future job plans. Will Kat continue to hunt down and kill people? Jake wondered. And how will I feel about that if she does?
*
Kat’s trip to Tawa in the hour before dawn was uneventful. Despite the rough terrain, she knew an indirect route that bypassed the worst of the hazards. She had taken it often enough that navigating it was no real problem even in the reduced visibility of th
e blowing snow around her. She was grateful for the conditions. Her track would be obscured within several minutes.
An added advantage of this particular route was that it took her well away from the site of Jake’s car wreck some three miles from the bunker. She believed Frank was telling the truth when he said that was the last place he’d been able to report in by cell phone to Garner. So that was probably as close as her old boss could get in pinpointing the position of her hideout.
She intended to make it even tougher for him to find her. She took a wide detour around the perimeter of Tawa into a wetlands reserve well south of town. She parked the snowmobile and set out a short distance on foot over a frozen bog.
In no time she found what she was looking for amid the dead and dying trees that pervaded the swamp. Woodpeckers had drilled dozens of good-sized holes in a large dead oak. She put Otter’s cell phone into one of the hollowed-out cavities, so that the homing device she’d found inside it would be protected from the worst of the elements.
She knew that Garner probably would not give up. Once he committed to something, he stuck with it. He would keep sending people after her, hoping one of them got lucky. He wouldn’t care how many died trying.
Thanks to the heavy snowfall and having this cell phone as an extra bit of diversion, she and Jake were probably safe for now. But the bunker had gotten too hot, and keeping Frank and Otter captive there was inviting disaster. They’d have to move soon. As soon as Jake was able. And somewhere down the line, she’d have to deal with Garner personally.
As she walked back to the snowmobile, Kat began to consider the logistics of where she and Jake should go when they left the bunker. She frowned, thinking of the rough terrain Jake would have to be transported over in order to reach the nearest cleared road. Kat added one more stop to her mental list of places she needed to visit while in Tawa.
