by Linda Mackay
“Then why did you offer the boat and hiking in as an option?” Liz asked.
“Technically, it is an option.” I ducked under her right arm and went into the bedroom to pack.
“I thought the Saudis’ were incomprehensible, but they have nothing on geologists.” Liz joined me in our room. “How many nights are we spending out?”
Amanda crowded into the small room with us, “Two.”
“Consider it four,” I said.
“I’m not a total rookie.” Liz smacked the back of my head with her pillow. “I know to plan for the worst case scenario. And any winter camping is worst case.”
“I’m with her on that one.” Amanda stuffed the pillow Ed loaned her into her pack.
“Take that out,” I said.
“Not a chance,” Amanda blew her nose. “If I’m stuck outside I’m taking one comfort item.”
“You’re also taking another pill while I’m watching,” Liz said.
“I think those things might be working.” Amanda swallowed the pill and then tore open the Kleenex box and stuffed the tissues in her pack. “I’m still not happy about going back out since I’m almost over this bug.”
“No one’s happy,” I said. “After this, I’m going home. If the rest of you want to stay, you’re on your own.”
“I’m going with you, boss,” Amanda said.
“Save me a seat, because for once, I agree with the geeks.” Liz smashed her pillow in the top of her pack bag and hooked the latch.
I looked at the pillow on my bunk. “Don’t anyone say a word.” I mashed it in my bag.
Chapter 25
Where’d you hide the evidence?” Todd asked.
“You don’t have high enough security clearance to know that,” Mac said.
“You told, Jorie.” Amanda gave him the Italian stink eye.
“And, Ed.” Todd attempted the stink eye, but mostly looked like he was passing a kidney stone.
“Sucks to be you,” Liz said. “Get in the truck.”
The sun wasted no time baking off the remaining snow on the exposed roadways, while shaded areas remained icy requiring careful navigation. The horses were glad to see us; and it was apparent to me, they had grown weary of each other’s company. Their noises in my head were unintelligible and like listening to a class full of rowdy kindergarteners, all blaming the others for breaking the teacher’s favorite coffee mug.
Mac and Ed hooked the horse trailer to the big truck. My truck and small trailer were hidden in a large shed back at Lake. It was a tight fit, and hopefully no one from the park service showed up and discovered their items had been moved to make room to hide ours.
“Load ‘em up, Todd.”
Amanda opened the corral gate and all six made their way to the trailer. Chimayo and Deli went in first, followed by Alfalfa, Stud, and Blue. Arikira refused to enter the trailer. What was wrong with her? I walked over to her, dropped my shoulder under her chin, and rubbed her nose. When I lifted my head to meet her eyes, she backed away and huffed.
“Uh, oh.” Todd closed the trailer gate so none of the other horses could decide to back out.
Amanda quickly climbed the corral fence to the safety of the other side. “I suggest the rest of you join me.”
Ed moved closer to his truck, and Mac slid up next to the trailer, while Liz remained safely inside the big truck.
“What’s going on?” I heard Mac ask.
“It’s the horse and master version of a western shoot-out,” Todd said.
Okay, girl, talk to me.
Arikira stood her ground, but there was no communication forthcoming. I closed my eyes, held my arms out, palms up, and let the healing spirit flow through me.
We hunger.
I sensed the empty stomachs of all the horses. We had fed and watered them twice a day since arriving at Lake. How could they be hungry?
You gave us food and others took it away for themselves.
Arikira, what animal stole your food?
Like you.
The bastards were here.
Dropping my hands and opening my eyes, I saw Arikira standing in front of me. Her nose thumped me on the head, and I hugged her neck. “Todd, let the horses out and give them hay and grain.”
Liz stuck her head out the window of the truck, and yelled at me. “What’s going on?”
“We’re going to war.”
“Is Jorie still not talking?” Ed dropped an armful of logs next to his tent.
“Nope.” Todd held out his hand, and Ed put a log in it.
“It’s been seven hours and 13 minutes.” Amanda checked her watch.
“Entering healing mode is hard on her.” Todd checked the temperature of the coffee heating over the fire, and topped it off with a healthy dose of whiskey.
“Hush!” Amanda smacked Todd on the arm.
“It’s not like, Ed hasn’t figured out something is wonky with Jorie,” Todd smacked her back.
Mac picked mud out of his boot soles. “You do know she’s sitting right here.”
“And I’m not deaf!”
“Officially, you sort of are,” Todd laughed. “How about some good coffee?”
“I’d love some.”
“Feeling better?” Mac asked.
“Physically, yes. Mentally, I’m still trying to get my equilibrium back.”
“Spending the day mumbling you’re going to hunt the bastard down, rip him a new asshole, fill it with dynamite and blow him up, would tend to mess with your otherwise balanced demeanor.” Mac took the coffee mug from Todd, handed it to me and sat down so close to me my already shaky equilibrium did a swan dive off the high board.
I know Mac was trying to lighten my mood with his sarcasm about my demeanor, but I wasn’t ready to let it go. “He starved my horses,” I said.
“I know, and he’ll pay for that.”
“Was he watching us too?” I looked at Mac.
“Liz, Ed and I did recon every day and not once saw tracks. This guy is smart. He knew we weren’t going anywhere without the horses so he concentrated on weakening them,” Mac said.
“I was wrong to separate them from us.”
“Jorie.” Mac took hold of my chin and turned my head toward him. “Liz and I agreed with the strategy. Tom Bass is not who anyone thought he was.”
“Are you saying, he wore the wrong kind of boots on purpose?”
“It’s possible.” Mac let go of my chin and looked into the campfire. “He played us all.”
“And while we camp miles from Internet and phone access, your contacts won’t be able to tell us what they find out?” I was getting the feeling my equilibrium wasn’t going to improve.
“I’ll check with them in the morning on your satellite phone,” Mac said.
“Sorry, I spaced that.”
“It happens when you’ve had a day like today.” Mac squeezed my thigh. “Would you like more coffee?”
“No, I think I’ll get some sleep.” I looked around at the three tents. “Where am I sleeping?”
“In here with me,” Liz said from inside the tent closest to us.
“You were eavesdropping?” I asked
“It’s a perk of my job.”
After a quick trip to the nearest tree to take care of my pre-bed needs, I slipped out of everything except my long underwear, socks, and Ed’s stocking cap and then zipped into my sleeping bag. “Darn, Donald Duck hat doesn’t work for sleeping in.”
Liz turned her head toward me and erupted into laughter. “You look like a giant duck in an eggroll.”
“Now you made me hungry for Crispy Duck with Hot and Sour Soup.”
“Cashew Chicken for me,” Liz said.
“When we get home we’ll get Chinese take-out in Jackson, and bring a feast back to the ranch.”
Todd smacked the outside of our tent. “Stop talking! My stomach is growling for Moo Shu Pork.”
The howl reverberated through the tent silencing everyone.
“Bass is at Fishin
g Bridge,” I said.
“You understood that from a howl?” Liz asked.
“I’ve been setting up a notification perimeter all day.”
“That’s why you weren’t talking?”
“Yes.” I turned toward the wall of the tent and closed my eyes.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Liz said.
“Hammer.” I held out my hand.
“Doctor.” Todd gave me the hammer.
“Chisel.”
“Doctor,” Amanda mimicked the Dan Akroyd and Chevy Chase movie line as she dug through the saddle pack. “I’m looking…here it is. Doctor.”
After searching the knee-banger area for almost an hour we finally found the boulder Bull attempted to direct us to. With respect to the dead, we cussed the crew member whose sense of direction was so distorted they should’ve been tethered to prevent getting lost. The find, however, was worth it since the aggregate boulder was almost completely intact from its launch out of the lake.
“Hold that hammer,” Mac said. “Liz, snap photos first. Jorie, direct her to critical areas for up-close images.”
“What about us, boss?” Todd stuffed his stocking cap in his pack since the sun accompanied by a warm breeze was heating the day.
“Everyone else search the area for any other evidence you think is important.”
Liz finished taking pictures and packed up her camera. She then helped me by bagging the concrete aggregate I was chipping out of the boulder.
A coyote barked.
Arikira neighed.
Chimayo joined in with her whinny of distress.
“Someone is near.” I told Liz.
She dropped the pack, made an odd noise I could only describe as a bird, but not a bird native to Yellowstone.
The whoop-whoop of helicopter blades reached my ears. “Laggnaff on the barnstarch!”
Liz smiled, “I agree with whatever you said.”
The sound increased until I could see this bird overhead. It flew south past us. I looked at Liz, who was holding an automatic rifle. “For once, I’m happy to acknowledge one of your perks.”
“Time to go on the offensive.” Liz was in piranha mode. “Let’s go, rookie.”
“They didn’t see us.”
“They’re using thermal imaging, trust me, they saw us.”
“I forgot about that.” I hated looking stupid.
“Grab the pack and follow me.”
Following Liz through the brush there was no feeling of de`ja’ vu. I now understood how Mac and Liz separated each assignment. What we went through in July was level three danger. Today was level one. Today, there was no defense, no running from the danger. Today, if we intended to survive, we were doing the hunting.
Chapter 26
Mac and Liz raced to set up an offensive perimeter that would also help hide our heat signatures. They’d squeezed me between trees in a heavily forested area. Low branches covered me like a ghillie suit. Trying not to make any noise I stood still taking deep breaths in an attempt to slow my heartbeat. I also hoped all the ticks had disappeared for the winter, since I hadn’t covered myself in Deet. Liz was to my right sitting between several boulders. Mac had stationed Todd and Amanda under heavy brush. He then joined Ed burrowed into snowdrifts against the hillside.
Our group formed a circle that protected our backs, while our camouflage was designed to help hide our heat signatures.
While we hid, three people repelled out of the helicopter. I wasn’t able to see where they landed because of the heavy forest, but I knew we had little time to spare. Mac and Liz had made it clear no one was to make a sound unless we encountered someone, and then we were to eliminate them without hesitation and return to our original position until Mac or Liz came for us.
There hadn’t been time to ask what to do if they were killed and never returned for us. I was trying not to think about that when the wind blew pine needles across my nose, tickling me to the point I needed to sneeze. Using my thumb and index finger I squeezed my nostrils shut, frantically rubbed them, and held my breath. Thankfully, the sneeze passed unreleased, and I pulled my scarf across my nose to prevent another incident.
We were to work in pairs and under no circumstances were we to attempt to move out and help anyone but our assigned buddy. I was surprised when Mac didn’t break up Todd and Amanda. Standing here with little to do but think, I concluded this plan had been thoroughly devised by Mac and Liz days ago. Personalities assessed and buddies assigned in a manner that would be most likely to bring success.
The rustle of wind in the trees changed. The rhythmic swish of branches swaying back and forth changed to a sound that reminded me of Gramps sliding open the curtains in the main house. Someone was pushing through the trees. I turned my head to the left so I could better hear the movement with my right ear. Someone was moving into Todd and Amanda’s section. I heard a thud and a groan. Amanda had fired her slingshot and hit her target. Two gunshots reverberated through the trees.
Then the forest was quiet.
My breathing accelerated as I fought the urge to call out and ask if Todd and Amanda were okay. Had they done their job? Were there only two pursuers left? Why hadn’t Mac and Liz prepared us for this? And shit, I had to pee.
Then all hell broke loose.
Elk bugled loudly from the clearing north of us.
A grizzly ran through the trees, startling a man from his hiding spot less than ten yards from my position. Mac bolted out of the snow bank behind the man, grabbed him, twisted his neck and let him drop to the ground while Mac disappeared back into the snowbank.
Liz moved around the boulder. I watched as an arm reached out and grabbed her. She didn’t move. Obviously, whoever had her knew exactly how to immobilize someone instantly.
“MacAlister!” A voice yelled. “It’s over. Show yourself.”
Silence
“You’re being watched on thermal surveillance. You have only one option and that is to turn yourself in or the helicopter will start picking off your friends one at a time.”
I thought he was bluffing until I heard the sound of a helicopter.
The voice took a step forward pushing Liz in front of him and putting his back in a defensive position against the boulder. I could now see the voice belonged to Tom Bass. I could also see Liz’s left leg was resting in an unnatural position. He’d managed to break her leg and she managed to never make a sound. I would’ve been passed out on the ground.
Silence.
I watched helplessly as Bass knew exactly how to protect himself on all sides. My Recurve hung useless in my left hand, and my pistol nothing but a heavy weight in my right.
“MacAlister? We killed all your operatives. No one left to talk. What a shame. We always win.”
Silence.
Silence is good when it arrives in the stealth steps of a wolf.
The wolf charged and bit Bass on the leg.
Bass spun in the direction of the wolf. I dropped my pistol, stepped from the trees, pulling an arrow as I moved and fired.
It hit Bass in the back of the neck. He fell to the ground and the wolf sunk his teeth into Bass’s neck holding him to the ground.
Mac ran to Liz -- both ignoring the 150-pound wolf within two feet of them.
I had another arrow ready to release, but it was clear Bass was dead.
The wolf released his grip and ran into the forest.
I bent over Bass’s dead body. “That’s for messing with my horses.” I unhooked the radio earpiece from Bass and pulled his headset off. I could hear a voice asking for a status update. I carefully held the mouthpiece with my shirt so I could speak but not be contaminated with the blood. “We’ve already shot down one helicopter. So unless you want to be next, fuck off!”
Looking at Mac, I shrugged my shoulders. “Best five dollars I ever spent.”
“Effin yeah,” Liz said. “Can I scream now?”
“All clear,” Mac yelled to the others. “Now you can scream.”
&nb
sp; And she did.
“My bullet killed him.”
“No, mine did.”
“All you did was hit him with a rock from your slingshot, then I fired my gun,” Todd said.
“You missed, and my shot hit him,” Amanda argued.
I poked Ed with my elbow. “Hey, open the baggie so I can put the hair samples in.”
“Sorry.” Ed zipped the bag closed and wrote Bass on it. “Those two are crazy.”
“Yep.” I put his pistol in another bag and Ed labeled it.
“They carry different firearms. The autopsy will prove who fired the fatal shot,” Ed said.
“I know. But, arguing keeps their minds off what happened.”
“I guess it’s working, because their arguing is distracting me.” Ed stood and soothed Arikira, who was not happy. “You know, this girl has the easiest gate to transport Liz on.”
“I don’t want a dude riding my horse,” I said. “She’ll make me pay for weeks.”
“Yes she will.” Mac walked up to us grinning.
“How do you smile after all this?” I asked.
“What emotion do you prefer, Dr. Clark?”
He had me there. “Liz is not riding my horse.”
Mac’s eyes turned from sky blue to deep-ocean blue; his anger escalating with the intensity of the color. “Liz will be riding Arikira.”
“Okay.” Capitulation seemed wise.
Mac turned his back on me. I considered sticking my tongue out, but he probably had eyes -or spies- in the back of his head.
“Ed,” Mac said, “I’ve stabilized Liz’s knee, but I need your help with her shoulder.”
“Her knee?” I asked.
Mac turned back towards me. “Bass dislocated her kneecap.”
“I thought her leg was broken?”
“Good as,” Mac said. “She’ll need surgery. I relocated the knee and for now she’s handling the pain better. The shoulder is next.”
“Also, dislocated I assume?” Ed asked.
“Yes.”
Mac and Ed left me standing with my mouth open. I never noticed her shoulder.
“That’s messed up.” Amanda said walking up next to me.
“Think she’ll make it out of here?” Todd asked.
