She stared up, trying to spot his movement, but all she gained was a stiff neck. However, the fact that she hadn’t seen him as he climbed past was a good thing. It meant the trail didn’t wind too close to the top of the cave. Logan and his men might rush past without even noticing the opening.
Conversely, Logan was familiar with Courtney’s athletic capabilities and her limited fitness. He must be questioning how she and Tyra were still climbing...and no doubt he’d be on the lookout for possible hiding spots.
Kate gulped, remembering the men’s comments. Rape, murder, dumping bodies—discussed like they were routine events. Maybe they were. But at least they wouldn’t catch Courtney and Tyra so the joke was on them. Although right now Kate didn’t feel much like laughing. Contrary to what she’d told Jack, there was no place to hide here, and her heart was hammering from the adrenaline.
Earlier she’d been determined to conceal her dread but there was no reason to keep it buried now. Damn Logan and his awful men. Frustration fused with her fear because once again she was stuck alone on the side of a mountain, unable to do anything to control the course of events. The only thing left to do was wait.
Waiting was always the hard part. It was tempting to curl in a ball and shut down her sense of time. And just pray the chopper arrived before Logan. She didn’t think she could last through an interminable delay, worrying if Jack could climb fast enough, if the mules could carry the girls to safety, if Logan would find her. At least where she was, wolves weren’t a danger. Only humans.
She paced restless circles, knowing she should conserve her energy but unable to remain still. She needed something to occupy her time. Maybe she could carve something. Make a weapon. Even if she couldn’t use it, making it would keep her hands busy.
She checked the fire pit, sorting through the remnants of the wood, holding pieces up to the skylight and analyzing each one. There wasn’t anything thick enough for a spear but some of the longer branches would be suitable for a bow and some arrows, and she had twine in her backpack. The crafting would take longer as well.
She seated herself cross-legged beneath the skylight, calmer now that she had a purpose. Her fingers flew over the wood, the familiar weight of her knife comforting. She even caught herself smiling while she worked. And thinking of Jack, who was a much more appealing subject than the men who were hunting them.
By now, he should be close to Eagle Pass. He had contour maps that would help him pick the best route and avoid being trapped in a dead end where he’d be picked off by Logan’s snipers. Maybe another hour and he’d be able to raise a cell phone signal.
Then she’d see him again.
Based on his reaction though, he didn’t seem keen to ride in to view the mustangs. Maybe he had another job lined up and that’s why he hadn’t been enthused. They seemed to enjoy the same things, although possibly Jack preferred a more reliable partner, a woman who could climb Mount Everest if she were inclined. Maybe Jack was turned off by her fear.
Kate gave her head a shake. He hadn’t acted turned off. Not at all. Their physical attraction was undeniable; the sex had been bone melting. And he had memorized her phone number. Although that was before he knew she was afraid of heights and prone to panic attacks at the worst possible time.
Her knife slipped, leaving a thin line of red on her palm. She pressed her hand over the cut, appalled by her inattention. Besides, she didn’t want to be greedy, to hope for things she didn’t deserve. Jack was a good man and the country was more secure because of him. She just prayed he stayed safe and out of reach of Logan’s snipers.
Besides, it was futile to agonize about what he might want, or wouldn’t want, in a woman. There was a real chance she’d be discovered. And clearly Logan was a twisted man. He’d be enraged by the realization he’d been duped, that Courtney was safely out of reach.
She paused for a moment, gripping her hands and taking a minute to compose herself. Imagining Logan’s reaction was counter-productive. She didn’t want to let a picture of the man’s face even enter her head. She picked the knife up, determined to focus on the task at hand, the one thing she could control.
Twenty minutes later, she cut the ends of the twine and tested the bow for suppleness. Not bad. If a guest had made the bow in her survival class, they would have been delighted with the result. Satisfied, she opened the backpack and replaced the leftover twine.
She tilted her head back, assessing the sky. Clear blue now, except for the edge of a wispy cirrus cloud creeping onto the pristine blue.
Definitely time to shift to the dark side of the cave. But first she needed to check her food. If there were two bars, she’d eat one now. Save the other for later in the day. Or maybe she’d eat half now, half for lunch, and keep the second bar, just in case.
She shoved her hand deep into the pack, rummaging beneath the folded blanket. Her hand closed around a bar, then another and still another. She pulled the bars out, one at a time, staring in disbelief as she lined them up on the floor of the cave. Seven bars and four bottles of water. But that was their entire supply. That meant Jack hadn’t taken a thing. What was he thinking? He needed the food, most certainly the water, far more than her.
Then she saw his phone was in the pack too. Her breath caught in dismay. He was climbing so high, desperately seeking cell phone reception, and he’d forgotten the phone. Wouldn’t even be able to make a call.
Crack!
She jumped, dropping the phone, as the sound of a shot reverberated through the cave. Then an answering staccato of gunfire echoed over the mountain.
She bolted to the crack in the wall. Pressed her face against the rough opening, straining to see. All was dark, except for a glimmer of light marking the mouth of the outer cave. Certainly there was no movement, no men storming inside. That first shot had been close though. The last round of gunfire had sounded further away, as if Logan’s men hadn’t reached the cave yet. But why would they be shooting?
The answer hit with sickening dread. It was the same reason Jack hadn’t taken the phone. And why he’d made her promise not to come back through the crack. Because he’d never left.
That first shot must have been his. The rifle shots had been answering fire. And now he was pinned in a cave, trying to hold off a group of desperate mercenaries. Her groan was deep and visceral.
She clamped her mouth shut and pressed against the wall, remembering what he’d made her promise.
Stay quiet. Don’t come back through the crack. He must have planned to make his stand there. But why? Did he feel responsible for her? Maybe he thought she wasn’t able to climb any further because he’d scared her by the cliff.
But that hadn’t changed a thing. Her fear was constant and she’d been relieved to hide in the second cave. Had preferred the coward’s way out. However, she certainly hadn’t intended to risk his life because of her weakness.
Another barrage of rifle shots sounded, staccato sharp, but Jack didn’t return fire. Of course, he only had one magazine. Each bullet had to count. That first shot was probably to let them know he was there, to keep them from approaching. Or maybe he’d picked off Logan and the remaining men were fleeing.
Yes, that could be it.
She pressed her face back against the crack, hopeful now, listening for telltale sounds. But it was silent in the adjoining cave, as if Jack had hunkered down. At least he had the advantage of high ground. Maybe Logan’s men were fanning out, searching for a safer approach. That would take time...and that’s probably what Jack was banking on.
He was trying to keep her safe, yet he was also giving Monty the necessary time to save Courtney. It was a win, win...except for Jack. Once those men were level with the cave, he wouldn’t have a chance. And now it was too late for him to run.
Her nails bit into her palms. This was her fault. And there was nothing she could do to help him. But she couldn’t remain quiet while the shooters stormed the cave. Couldn’t just sit and listen while Jack sacrificed his life. If
only she could get behind the shooters and help.
She turned so quickly she tripped over the uneven floor, smashing her knee against a jagged rock. She scrambled to her feet and rushed to the skylight. Stared up, studying the rough wall, barely aware of the pain in her leg. Light streamed through the hole in the cave roof. How high was it? Thirty, thirty-five feet? People climbed in and out all the time, as evidenced by the names carved on the wall.
But they had gear. And even before the accident, she’d never been able to climb sheer walls like that. Not without a rope and harness and proper climbing shoes. Just the thought of trying to scale it left her light-headed. As her job change had shown, she was a lesser person now, good only for sedate rides, not challenging life trails. And Jack would die because of her phobia.
She pressed her fists against her chest, trying to pull in air, but it felt like she was squeezed against an impenetrable wall. With no way to breathe. And the knowledge that she was having a panic attack, while Jack was calmly preparing to fight, magnified her sense of shame. All she could do was stand and quiver, just like the drowning palomino had stood in the river.
But Slider had recovered.
However her hands were tingling now, every inch of her skin buzzing as her breath sawed in and out. And she couldn’t grab it. Her lungs seemed to be stuck closed. Her vision grayed and she knew she was hyperventilating.
She forced herself to count off frantic seconds: in for three, hold for three, out for three. Kept repeating the count, desperately fighting for control.
Slowly it felt like her head was no longer going to explode. She didn’t know how long she stood there, weak and sweaty, her lungs ragged but working again.
She stumbled to the cave wall. Tilted her head and assessed the rock face with a new desperation. It wasn’t not climbable. The first section would be the most challenging but there was a good handhold at ten feet and another slightly above. She just needed to gather her strength, her belief. To not only decide to climb but to commit to succeed. Because this day people needed her: Courtney, Tyra, Monty, and most especially Jack.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
JACK LAY PRONE ON THE ground only inches from the cave entrance, his gaze fixed on the lower trail. Granite boulders to his right provided some cover but he didn’t want to risk raising his head very high. Those sniper rifles were too accurate.
Below an arm flashed, the first movement he’d seen in a while. It was tempting to snap off another shot but he’d already used six bullets, just to keep them back. He doubted it was Logan behind that rifle. The agent wasn’t the type to step in harm’s way if someone else would take the risk. Judging by the drifting voices, two men remained with Logan. The other two had backtracked, no doubt intending to circle from the other side. But that maneuver would take at least another half hour, and Courtney should be safely extracted by the time Logan discovered Jack was alone.
Only he wasn’t alone.
He tried to ignore the sweat prickling his neck, the hollowness carving out his gut. Kate would be okay as long as she remained silent. Out of sight. Still, his heart pounded with fear and that wasn’t the best way to go into a gunfight. But she was going to get out of this alive. He’d protected many people before—thought he’d been committed to their safety—but never had he felt such primal desperation.
A rifle barrel moved. He instinctively flattened. Bullets sprayed the rock inches above his head, chipping bits of debris over his shoulders.
Logan’s voice followed the echoing sound of the shots. “We just want the girl,” he called. “Hand her over and we’ll be on our way.”
Yeah, right. They both knew there was no way Jack would turn over Courtney. But the fact that Logan was talking, trying to distract him, probably meant the other two men were moving into place on his flank.
He edged back from the boulders and rolled sideways, scanning the side of the slope with his binoculars. It looked benign except that the sheep were no longer placidly grazing. They’d climbed higher up the mountain, their cloven hooves clinging to the mountain face. Two of the bigger rams stared downward, their attention riveted to the southern slope.
He couldn’t spot any humans but he had considerable respect for a prey animal’s ability to detect predators long before any human. He kept the glasses pinned to his eyes, watching the slope.
Finally he spotted movement—two men, obviously comprising Logan’s flanking attack. If they kept coming at that angle they’d be level with the cave in approximately twenty minutes. Not bad climbers either, he thought. They’d moved much faster than he’d anticipated. Worse, they looked lean and nimble, possibly wiry enough to squeeze through the passage to Kate’s hideaway.
If he could only take out a couple men with his limited ammo, it would definitely be those two. But they were still too far away for a decent shot. Best to go along with Logan’s fake negotiations. Chew up more precious time.
He belly-crawled back to his original spot between the rocks.
“So if I send out Courtney,” Jack called, “you’ll let the others go?”
“That’s right,” Logan said. “There’s no need for anyone else to get hurt. We just want the girl.”
The girl. It was odd Logan still avoided using Courtney’s name. But obviously he thought the group was together—still believed there had been five riders fleeing to the west. A weight lifted from Jack’s shoulders.
“You must be tired of babysitting,” Logan went on. “I’ve done it for three years now. We both know that pampered bitch isn’t worth dying for.”
Clearly Logan was trying to bury any personal connection. But he must feel some sort of regret. Guilt.
“Your friend, Kessler,” Jack called, “thought that she was.”
“He wasn’t my friend.” Logan’s voice rose. “Just another brainwashed agent. Thinking it’s an honor to give his life for our country. You know how it works. You left the Special Forces so you could make some real money too.”
“I prefer choosing my own clients,” Jack said, listening intently, trying to get a bead on Logan’s position... Behind the smooth granite boulder with the silica flecks that reflected the sun. Thirty-five feet, moderate wind, downhill fifty degree angle.
“Of course. Me too.” Logan sounded all agreeable now. “We need to get paid what we’re worth. This one job sets me up well. I could probably find something in it for you.”
“What are they paying?” Jack asked, then twisted, checking the approaching men on his flank. They had a radio. If Logan believed him, the men would probably stop climbing.
“More than enough to cut you in,” Logan called.
“We’d be on the run the rest of our lives.”
“I’ve got a place lined up in Kazakhstan. Easy living. We could freelance, use it as our base. Think about it...” Logan’s voice drifted, perhaps as he picked up his radio.
Jack trained his binoculars on the climbers. They were still moving purposefully, almost level with his position. Clearly Logan hadn’t called them off. And there wasn’t much time left. Once the two men crested the bluff, they’d have the advantage of high ground.
“How many men with you?” Jack called. “What’s the split?”
“Ten million, three guys. Four with you.”
Jack grimaced. Logan wasn’t giving up his other two men. The coward obviously planned to take him by surprise, regardless of any so-called negotiations. Luckily Kate had seen their camp yesterday and knew their real numbers. But once Jack turned and took out the climbers, Logan’s group would rush the cave.
By then, he’d be lucky to have a couple bullets left. It’d be impossible to keep them at bay. He needed to lay more groundwork, while he and Logan were still talking.
“Sounds like a good deal,” Jack said. “Makes me wish I really did have Courtney with me.”
Logan chuckled, magnanimous now that his shooters were almost in position. “I know she’s there. My four-wheelers followed the hoofprints where your trail forked. They spo
tted six horses. All riderless.”
Spotted. Did that mean the horses had escaped? Jack allowed himself a moment of satisfaction, knowing the relief that would give Kate. “Your men should have driven closer,” he called. “They would have seen Monty and the three girls clinging to their necks.”
“There were no riders,” Logan said. “And those horses are bear food now.”
Damn.
“Besides,” Logan added, “the horses we shot had no saddles. And everyone knows those girls can’t ride bareback. But that’s okay. They’re good for riding something. I call first dibs on the mule girl.”
One of Logan’s men laughed, the sound resembling that of a braying hyena.
Jack clamped down his growing hate and swung to the right, checking the slope again. He was almost out of time. The two climbers were dangerously high, almost level with his position. Once he started shooting, Logan would charge. But he needed to make them believe he was alone. Reduce the chance they’d search the second cave. He also had to release some of his white-hot anger before he started shooting. He couldn’t afford to miss.
He rolled back to his side, determined to wipe the satisfaction off Logan’s face. “You’re dead wrong,” he called. “Kate isn’t scared of horses. But it’s lucky she’s good with mules too. That’s why Monty and all three girls have reached the ranch by now. So you douche bags better run. Find some shithole country where you can hide the rest of your short miserable lives.”
Silence thickened the air, punctuated only by the piercing scream of a hunting hawk.
Logan started yelling. “I don’t believe you! I know Courtney’s there, you fucker.”
“That’s no way to talk to a future partner,” Jack said, satisfied by the ensuing confusion. There was second guessing now, as well as anger, with none of the three men bothering to lower their voice.
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