by Laura Scott
“Maybe check the infant carrier, just to make sure,” Helena suggested.
That had been his next thought, too.
Once he had the diaper bag returned to a semblance of order, he checked the plastic infant carrier. The cushions were made of plastic, easily cleanable and without any sign of being cut open and fastened shut. The pink-and-blue animal design was contiguous, as well. Turning the infant carrier over, he found the rest of it to be constructed of a thicker, heavier plastic. There was absolutely nothing to indicate someone had slipped something inside.
“It’s clean,” he said with a sigh. Knowing there was nothing there should have made him feel better.
Only it didn’t.
At least, if they’d found a tracker of some sort, they could ditch it and feel safe moving forward.
But that clearly wasn’t happening.
“I wish I knew how they keep finding us,” he said on a weary sigh.
“Me, too.” Helena had finished feeding the baby and had her sitting on her lap so that Christine could look around at her surroundings.
Her bright, curious eyes made him smile. At least the baby was too young to be frightened by everything going on.
“Maybe these thugs have better technical skills than we’re giving them credit for,” Helena said. “I mean you spoke twice to your contact, could be that he’s the link.”
“Maybe.” Anger vibrated through him. This little girl shouldn’t be in danger. All innocent children should be protected from harm.
“You know, I wonder if they’re trying to get Christine to use as leverage to force Zoe into continuing to work for them,” Helena said in a low voice filled with concern. “It would explain why she left Christine with us. And, if they’re not out to kill us, then getting the baby back is the only theory that makes sense.”
“You could be right about that.” It bothered Everett to think that the baby was nothing more than a pawn in all this. “On the other hand, simply threatening the baby would have the same effect, don’t you think?”
Helena lifted a shoulder in a helpless gesture. “Zoe might not believe them, having faith in our ability to keep her daughter safe.”
Faith was one thing he had in short supply. He’d already failed once to keep his wife and son safe.
He wouldn’t survive if he failed, again.
TWELVE
Helena held the baby close. The more she thought about the events going on around them, she grew convinced that the baby was the ultimate target.
That was horrifying in and of itself. What kind of person targeted a three-month-old baby?
Gareth Cantwell? Or someone else higher on the food chain within the criminal organization?
A loud crack echoed from somewhere outside the cave. She froze and locked gazes with Everett.
“Take Christine to the back of the cave,” he whispered. “I’ll check it out.”
She nodded and slowly stood. Gripping the infant carrier with one hand, she eased along the cave wall. “Luna, come,” she whispered.
The K-9 stayed close as if sensing danger.
Keeping her gaze trained on the opening, she wished there was a way to provide Everett back-up. She couldn’t send Luna as the dog probably wouldn’t listen to him.
But the K-9 could guard Christine.
After strapping the baby into the carrier, she looked at Luna. “Guard.”
Luna sat straight and tall next to Christine.
“Good girl. Guard, Luna.” Satisfied her partner would do just that, Helena pulled her weapon and crept toward the cave opening.
The rain had softened to a light drizzle. Peering through the woods, she tried to find Everett. But he wasn’t anywhere nearby.
It was as if the forest had swallowed him.
She carefully made her way through the brush, listening intently. The crack had likely been the snapping of a tree branch, and she was afraid that meant the bad guys were still out there, searching for them.
For Christine.
A flash of something blue caught her eye. She instinctively swiveled toward it and dropped to the ground; her weapon aimed in that direction.
For long moments there was nothing. Then a man emerged from the brush.
Everett.
After a moment of sagging relief, she stood to catch his attention. He looked surprised to see her, but quickly made his way toward her.
“Find anything?” She whispered.
“A large tree branch lying on the ground about thirty yards from here.” His voice was soft. “I can’t say for sure if it fell on its own or had help from man or beast.”
She raked her gaze over the woods. “It’s likely they’re searching for us.”
“I know. But I didn’t stumble across anyone, so it could be they’re moving off in the wrong direction. Let’s get back inside the cave.”
She followed as he retraced their steps to return to the cave. She quickly went over to where Luna was still guarding Christine. “Good girl,” she praised her partner, giving the animal a quick rub.
“We need to leave soon,” Everett said, his expression grim. “The rain isn’t too bad and it will take us longer to navigate through the woods carrying Christine.”
“Agreed. I’m sorry you’ve been stuck with the heavy lifting. I don’t mind taking turns.”
“I’m fine. How long until your backup arrives?” Everett asked, changing the subject.
She glanced down at her phone, estimating the amount of time that had already passed. “At least four hours, maybe more. What do you think about getting one of your fellow officers to assist? Maybe Trent?”
Everett flashed a smile. “I’m way ahead of you on that. I called him while I was waiting for the container to fill with rainwater. He had some things to tie up, as well, so it’s likely he won’t get here much before your teammate.”
“That’s reassuring to have additional back-up,” Helena admitted. “The more cops helping us out, the better. Having Christine out in the middle of the woods makes us vulnerable.”
“Yeah, I don’t like it, either. But we’ll keep her safe long enough for the others to arrive.”
“Yes.” She couldn’t have asked for a better partner than Everett. Aside from Luna.
Everett came over and glanced down at the baby. “Make one more bottle for her before we go.”
“Will do.” She made Christine’s bottle and then offered Luna more water. After she packed the diaper bag, she glanced around the interior of the cave. “You know, I wonder if this is the same cave Will Stryker and Scout found that first day.”
“There are dozens of caves in Denali,” Everett pointed out. “Many were old mining sites from the gold rush era. Those tunnels are wide enough and tall enough to allow people to move through them.”
It was an intriguing thought. “How far back do they go?”
He shook his head. “I only went a few yards in either direction, just looking for evidence of animals being here. It’s interesting that there aren’t many animal droppings, you’d think there would be.”
That made her shiver. Growing up in Alaska, she’d had many close encounters with wildlife, mostly moose, elk and deer. She’d had also caught glimpses of bears and mountain lions from a distance.
But they had Christine’s safety to worry about. This was not the time to run into a bear, mountain lion or a moose.
A female moose could be very aggressive, much like a bear, especially when protecting its young.
“I did notice the air was relatively fresh,” Everett continued. “Which makes me think there’s another cave opening on either end of the tunnels. If this was used back in the day by gold miners, they would absolutely want a second way out in case there was a tunnel collapse, which were fairly common.”
She swallowed hard. No way would she want to be stuck in h
ere.
“Ready?” Everett asked.
She nodded. There wasn’t really another option. They couldn’t just sit in the cave and expect their backup to find them. Especially not if the bad guys were out there, searching for them. They needed to meet Stryker and Trent halfway.
Everett lifted the carrier and gripped the blanket-covered handle. She slung the pink diaper bag over her shoulder and called to Luna.
“Come.” Her K-9 partner came to stand beside her. “I think it’s best if Luna and I take the lead,” she told Everett. “Luna will alert us to danger, scenting the men searching for us before we see them and you’ll be better equipped to protect the baby.”
“Sounds good.”
She appreciated how he didn’t get into a macho argument with her over every little thing. Well, the exception being his insistence that he carry Christine. But she couldn’t deny his arm strength was far superior to hers.
Why couldn’t Kade have been like Everett? Why couldn’t her ex have seen her as a partner instead of some weak woman who should wield a spatula rather than a gun?
She pushed through the wet branches, the water quickly soaking her uniform. Ignoring the discomfort, she followed what may have been a path someone else had taken not too long ago.
The rain had dropped the temperature to a nice seventy-two degrees, which would help keep them somewhat hydrated. They’d likely have to hike for a couple of hours, the little bit of rainwater they’d each consumed wouldn’t hold them for long.
Her phone vibrated and she quickly grabbed it. “Maddox,” she answered in a whisper.
“Helena? I’m about two hours outside Denali,” Will said. “Traffic isn’t bad, so I’ve been making good time.”
“That’s great news.” She pushed another branch out of the way, holding it up for Everett and Christine. “We’re hiking toward the hotels, and recently heard a noise in the brush making us think the bad guys are still out there, looking for us.”
“I don’t like hearing that,” Will said.
“We plan to stay hidden in the brush until you show up.”
“Good plan. I’ll call you when I arrive.”
“Thanks.” She clicked off the call and glanced at Everett. “Will is only two hours away.”
“Okay.” He switched the infant carrier from one arm to the other. “Let’s keep going.”
They fell silent again as they continued through the damp forest. When Luna stopped to sniff what might have been a scant bit of dog feces left behind from someone’s attempt to clean it up, she realized that this might have been the same area Will and Scout had been in.
The thought gave her hope that they were headed in the right direction. “Come, Luna.”
Her K-9 turned from the scent and fell into step beside her.
The terrain was rocky and full of hazards. When she came across some of the larger branches covering the meager path, she called out a warning to Everett.
Up ahead, she couldn’t see any sign of the hotels, their ultimate destination. Had she underestimated the distance? Maybe.
She continued pushing forward, determined to get them out of there. She’d feel better once they met up with Stryker, but where on earth would they find yet another place to stay? Considering they’d been through three cabins so far, she wasn’t hopeful they’d easily find another.
What if they actually rented rooms in the hotel? Maybe not under her name or Everett’s, but Will or Trent could secure a room. If there were any available.
That may be the sticking point, especially with the grand opening tomorrow evening.
She shook off the depressing thought and slapped at a mosquito. The colonel might be able to find a way to make it happen.
But first, they needed to get out of the woods, before the bad guys caught up to them.
And without getting lost. Not now. Not when they were so close.
Dear Lord, guide us to safety.
* * *
Everett’s biceps and shoulders were screaming in pain from lugging the infant carrier, but he did his best to ignore the discomfort.
They’d be out of the woods soon, right?
Right.
These infant seats weren’t meant for hiking through rough terrain, that’s for sure. But he wasn’t going to leave it behind, either. The poor kid had to sleep somewhere.
He had no idea where they’d be spending the rest of the night, except maybe in Will Stryker’s or Trent’s SUV.
The sky overhead was still light, but according to his watch—and his stomach—it was close to dinner time.
Helena stopped and raised a hand in warning. He froze, casting his gaze around for what might have caught her attention.
Then he heard Luna’s low growls. A sinking feeling settled in his gut. No way could they outrun the bad guys while carrying Christine.
Moving as quietly as possible, he set Christine down and stood in front of her, weapon at the ready, determined to protect the baby with his life if necessary.
Helena had her weapon out, too, but then he noticed she knelt on the ground beside Luna, her arm slung over the dog’s shoulders.
What had caught the K-9ꞌs attention?
“Go!” Helena commanded.
Luna took off through the brush, barking at whatever was up ahead.
Everett stayed in front of Christine, even if he didn’t quite understand what was going on.
Then he caught a glimpse of a large ram with impressive horns running through the trees. Some of the tension eased, but he kept the animal in sight, hoping it didn’t turn and charge at Luna.
Instead, it turned and made a loop around some trees, heading toward him and Christine.
He leveled his weapon, not wanting to hurt the beautiful ram. At the last minute, the large animal turned and disappeared from view.
Helena called the dog back. “Come, Luna. Heel!”
Looking dejected, the K-9 turned and ran back to them. Helena praised the dog, gave her a treat and then rose.
He lifted Christine and came toward her. “Luna was awesome.”
“Yeah, although when she first started growling, I was afraid one of the shooters had found us.” Helena puffed out a breath. “I was glad to see it was only the ram.”
“It was a big one, so it’s good you had Luna chase it off. Rams are known to charge humans if they feel their turf has been threatened.”
“I know.” She looked around the area. “I wish I could see at least one of the hotels.”
“I have a pretty good sense of direction, and I believe we’re on the right track,” he assured her.
“Okay, I trust you.” She turned back. “Come, Luna, let’s keep going.”
The brief respite from carrying Christine didn’t provide much relief. But after another thirty minutes of hiking, he caught a glimpse of a hotel.
“Helena? Do you see it?” he called softly.
“Yes.” She picked up the pace.
He swallowed a groan, shifted Christine to his other hand and told himself to be glad there hadn’t been any sign of the bad guys since leaving the cave.
Yet.
Helena abruptly stopped again, this time edging behind the trunk of a large tree. She glanced back and gestured for him to join her.
“That’s the road up ahead,” she murmured. “We need to stay here, using the tree for cover until Will and Scout call.”
He set Christine down and knelt beside her carrier, lifting the blanket to check on how she was doing. She was sleeping, which was a blessing.
“Okay.” He shooed away a mosquito and covered her up. “He should be here soon.”
She nodded and pulled out her phone. “I’m running low on battery, so I hope he gets here before it shuts down.”
Technology was wonderful, until it wasn’t. A quick glance at his phone pr
oved he was in the same predicament.
They stayed behind the tree for fifteen minutes before Helena’s phone vibrated. “Will?” she asked in a whisper.
“Coming up Denali Park Road now,” her colleague said in a voice loud enough that Everett could hear. “ETA five minutes.”
“Thanks. We’ll head out of the woods as soon as I see your SUV,” Helena responded. “Official or personal?”
“Personal, it’s black.”
“Got it.” She slid her phone into her pocket and glanced at him. “You heard?”
“Yes, black SUV.” He looked at Luna. “Will your K-9 be okay in the same car?”
“Hopefully, since it won’t be for long.” She rested her hand on Luna’s scruff. “At some point I’ll need to have my old vehicle towed in for repair.”
A black SUV rolled into view on Denali Park Road. Taking note of the K-9 in the back, Everett stood. “He’s here.”
“Good news,” Helena muttered.
They made good time closing the gap. Still, at the edge of the woods, Helena hesitated, casting her gaze around the area.
“Go, I’ll provide cover,” Everett told her.
“Okay.” She took the infant carrier from his grasp and quickly headed up to Will’s black SUV. She placed Christine in first then gave Luna the signal to jump in.
When she was in the back seat beside Luna and Christine, he ran forward, taking the front passenger seat. The interior of the SUV was cool and a wave of relief washed over him when Will hit the gas.
They’d made it!
“Thanks for coming, Will.” Helena removed the blanket covering Christine’s carrier. “That was a close one.”
“I can see that.” Will glanced at Everett. “Good to see you again, Brand.”
“Same here. Especially after being in the cave and the forest.”
“Cave?” Will’s eyebrows rose. “Was there a large room, with two tunnels branching off on either side?”
“Yeah.” He eyed the K-9 cop. “We wondered if it might be the same one you found, although I’m sure there are dozens of them.”
“Yes, but it’s interesting because I came out of the woods in a completely different spot than you just did.” Will glanced at Helena through the rearview mirror. “Oh, by the way, the colonel has arranged for us to stay in a large suit at the Denali Grand Chalet.”