by Lisa Harris
“Are you okay?” Griffin asked.
“I don’t know...” The chopper took a dive to the right as she spoke. “Something just hit me.”
Griffin shouted at the cockpit, but their pilot now sat slumped over in his chair. “What’s going on?”
“A bullet just struck the helo and the engine failed.” Officer Harper’s voice was laced with panic. “And Captain Peterson... I think that bullet hit him.”
* * *
Griffin yanked off his seat belt. “Can you land this bird without crashing?”
“I’m lowering the pitch now. I’ll have to do a no-power landing, which is possible but tricky. What about Peterson?”
Tory was right behind him. “I’m an ER nurse. I’ll do everything I can.”
Griffin worked quickly with Tory to unstrap the pilot’s safety belts and lie him on the floor behind the pilot seats so she could determine his status.
His face had turned ashen and both his breathing and pulse were rapid.
“He’s losing too much blood,” she said. “See if you can find me a first-aid kit with some clean gauze or bandages.”
The chopper was rolling back and forth as the tactical officer fought to keep them level, but Griffin couldn’t worry about a crash-landing. Not yet. Instead he braced himself, pulled the first-aid kit off the cabin ceiling and set it down beside her.
“I need you to try to keep him as immobile as you can, so I can work on him.”
Griffin fought to keep the man as still as possible as she tore open the pilot’s shirt to gain access to his chest where the blood was spreading from the slug that had embedded in his side.
“How bad is it?” he asked.
“Bad. I have to stop the bleeding...”
The bird dropped the final few feet then smashed against the ground. Griffin’s back slammed against the back of the pilot’s seat as silence enclosed them. He glanced around. Somehow the helo was still intact. But this wasn’t over yet.
He reached out and touched her arm. “Tory...”
She nodded up at him. “I’m okay.”
“Harper?”
“So am I.”
“I’m impressed with your flying skills,” Tory said, “but we’ve still got a serious problem. I’m working to get the bleeding stopped, but we need a way out of here. If he doesn’t get into surgery soon, we’re going to lose him.”
“Do whatever it takes to save him. Please.” Harper fumbled at the dials in the front seat. “Radio seems to be working. I need to go out there and make sure there’s no chance this bird can catch fire. Can you let Dispatch know where we are?”
Harper gave him their coordinates then headed out into the cold. A moment later Griffin was talking to a dispatcher in Timber Falls.
“What’s your status?”
“The helo was hit on our way out. The pilot was shot and we crash-landed,” Griffin said.
“How’s that even possible?”
“I’m not sure. I heard a loud pop...there were shards of metal debris.” He looked down at the back of his hand where a piece of metal must have hit. He hadn’t even noticed it before. “Somehow the bullet hit a critical point then hit the pilot.”
“Do you have your location?”
Griffin passed on the coordinates.
“An ambulance should be able to make it to you on one of the gravel roads on the edge of the property now that the weather has calmed down.”
“Go ahead and alert the hospital that we’re coming. What about an ETA?”
“I’d estimate at least thirty minutes.”
That meant an hour before they got the man to the hospital. At least they were near the road, but he could tell by the look in Tory’s eyes that she wasn’t sure the pilot would make it.
“Keep this channel open,” the dispatcher said. “Call if there are any changes.”
“Copy that.”
Griffin moved to the other side of the chopper, which was perched at an angle, ignoring his own pain. “What can I do?”
“He’s stabilized. For now. I need to maintain pressure on the wound for another few minutes to ensure the blood clots, but we have to get him to a hospital. The good thing is that the bullet didn’t hit an artery, but there is no way for me to know what kind of internal damage we’re looking at.”
“One thing at a time, Tory.”
“You’re the next person on my list and I’d like to check out the copilot, as well.”
“I’m fine,” Griffin said. “Really.”
“Are you always so stubborn, Deputy O’Callaghan?”
“Probably.”
“Get me some snow in the meantime. It’s the next best thing to an ice pack and will help close the damaged blood vessels. See if you can find some plastic to wrap it in.”
“You got it.”
Griffin found a plastic bag then carefully jumped out of the helo to get some snow. A minute later—task completed—he climbed back inside. A sharp pain shot through his rib cage.
“Wow...slow down.” Tory moved to his side. “What are you feeling?”
“Something just...caught. But it’s nothing. I’m just a bit sore.”
“It’s not nothing, but give me a minute.”
He watched as she quickly worked on the captain, impressed with her focus on what she was doing. Because of career choices, they’d both regularly experienced how fragile life was, and knew the pain that went with facing losing someone they were trying to save. It was something that had shaped him as a person and no doubt had done the same to her.
She shifted toward him. “Let me look at you now. I’ve told you before that there’s a good chance you’ve got a broken rib.”
He shoved aside another stubborn reply and complied.
Tory pressed her fingers against his rib cage. “Does that hurt?”
“Yes.”
He drew away, but not because of the pain. Her hands felt cold against his side, but it wasn’t cold he was forcing himself to ignore. It was her nearness. He’d always been so good at guarding his heart. Why couldn’t he do it with her around?
Her hands pressed again a couple of inches lower. This time he just grimaced at the pain.
“Ow.”
“Does that hurt?”
“A little, but mainly because your hands are freezing.”
“Funny.”
“Do you think anything’s broken?”
“We need to get you either an X-ray or CT scan to know for sure. A bit of snow might help ease the pain for you, as well, while we wait.”
The distant sounds of a siren whirred in the background as Harper slipped back into the cockpit. “Ambulance is almost here. How is the captain?”
“I’ve done everything I can and he’s stable for the moment, but he needs to get to a hospital.”
Five minutes later Griffin was watching the paramedics move the captain into the back of the ambulance, while Tory insisted he stay out of the way so he wouldn’t put any pressure on his ribs. He knew she was probably right, but he hated how out of control he felt. This was supposed to have been a simple task of guarding a witness. Instead they’d barely made it out alive, the pilot was fighting for his life and now Caden, along with the sheriff, were on the ground trying to take down Jinx.
That wasn’t all that he was worried about. He watched Tory follow the paramedics, explaining what she’d done, and tried to curb the emotions running through him. He hadn’t expected his heart to get tangled up in all of this, but there was no way to ignore the worry pulsing through him. He shifted his gaze to the crashed helo. They needed to put an end to this now, before someone else got hurt.
TWELVE
Tory walked down the wide hallway of the regional hospital, thankful for the jeans, boots and sweater someone had scrounged up for her to replace what she’d been wearing.
An ER doctor had looked at her leg and assured her that it seemed her amnesia would clear up without treatment. He let her go with a security detail only three steps behind her. Now she needed to find out what was going on with Griffin. He’d walked into this nightmare and risked his own life to save hers.
“Tory!”
She turned around to see Caden hurrying to catch up with her. “You’re back.”
Caden stopped in front of her. “Thankfully, we all made it without any serious injuries.”
“We heard you made two arrests, but not Jinx.”
“Unfortunately, Jinx and Max got away on one of the snowmobiles. The FBI are questioning the men they arrested right now, but I’m not sure we’ll get anything out of them. These guys are loyal lapdogs.”
“The weather might have slowed everything down, but they’ll find him. He can’t go far.”
At least, that’s what she wanted to believe. While it might be true, there were dozens of places he could hunker down and stay hidden, and Jinx had already spent plenty of time evading the authorities to know exactly how to do it.
She rubbed her hands together, still feeling the chill that seemed to have gone all the way through her and refused to leave. “Do you have any news on the pilot or Griffin? I was on my way to find Griffin.”
“He’s going to be fine. The good news is that there aren’t any broken ribs, and no signs of internal damage, though he’s going to be pretty sore the next few days.”
“I’m relieved.”
“Me, too. In fact, you can see him. They’ve decided he won’t have to be admitted.”
“That’s good news,” she said. “What about the pilot?”
“He’s still in surgery. Unfortunately that’s all I know.”
“What happens now?”
“I spoke briefly to the lead FBI agent. They want you to go into protective custody until they find Jinx.”
She glanced back at her FBI security detail. “And if they don’t find him? I can’t just hide forever.”
“You’ll have to talk to them, but they’ll find him. He has nowhere else to run. He’s trapped out there in that wilderness with the entire state looking for him. They’ll get him. I promise.”
She wanted to believe him, but she’d heard that before. And while she didn’t want anyone else getting hurt, she needed to return to her own life, as well.
“I know that both the sheriff and the FBI will want to talk to you,” Caden said, “but why don’t you go see Griffin first. They’re arranging transport to a safe house, and I’ve sent someone to get your stuff from the ranch.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. Everything.”
“Not a problem.”
She started to walk toward the ER then stopped and turned back to Caden. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Is Griffin well enough to be on my guard detail?”
The words came out of her mouth before she’d taken the time to think them through. She had no right to ask something like that, but despite everything that had happened, she felt safe when he was with her. And feeling safe was what she needed right now.
“I’m sorry.” She waved her hand at him. “Forget it. I shouldn’t have asked that. He’s been through enough and this case...it doesn’t involve him. I guess I was just hoping for someone...familiar. But he never should have had to guard me in the first place. I’m pretty sure he wishes at this point he’d never agreed to the assignment.”
Caden let out a low laugh. “Then you don’t know Griffin that well yet. He’s the kind of man who would go the extra mile for a stranger and never look back. So believe me when I say he doesn’t regret anything that happened other than the fact that you had to go through what you did. Trust me on that one.”
“Still—”
“I think it’s a good idea, and as long as the doctor agrees that he’s still medically fit, I can ask the FBI for you if you’d like, though I have no idea if they’d approve something like that.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
“And, Tory... I’m glad you’re okay. Both of you.”
“Thanks. Me, too.”
She hurried down the hallway, wanting to take back her rash words. She never should have asked that of Caden. Griffin hadn’t really had a choice the first time, but he did now. Asking him to put his life at risk wasn’t fair. This wasn’t his case. She wasn’t his problem.
Something she was going to have to remember.
Griffin was sitting up on a bed behind one of the curtains, his left cheek and eye a colorful mixture of blue and purple. He smiled when he saw her, shooting a pulse of adrenaline through her.
“I heard you have good news,” she said. “No broken bones.”
“Doctor says I’ll live...just some bumps and bruises. What about you?”
“I’ve finally warmed up...” She rubbed her hands together. “For the most part, anyway.”
“And emotionally?”
She hesitated at his question. “I won’t try to pretend that this hasn’t shaken me up. My memory is still lagging behind and I can’t recall anything about that day.”
“Does the doctor have any concerns?”
“He believes I’ll be fine in a few days. At least physically.”
“That’s good.” He reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’m just so sorry about all of this. My job was to protect you—”
“You’re sorry.” She felt his hand enclose hers. “You saved my life, Griffin. None of this was your fault. I don’t think anyone realized how relentless that man is.”
“As long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters at this point.” He pulled up the edge of his sheet. “Though I have to say, you’re full of a few surprises, as well. Rappelling down from the catwalk on the watchtower was no easy feat.”
She matched his smile. “You were pretty impressive yourself.”
“Thanks, though I can’t help but wonder how damaged the fire tower is. It seems insignificant in the light of everything that’s happened, but it still makes me sad.”
“It was a part of your heritage and a piece of your childhood. Something your grandfather left behind.”
“Do you know what they’re planning to do next?”
“I haven’t spoke to the FBI yet, but your brother told me that they want to put me into protective custody until they arrest him.”
Griffin grabbed his jacket off the chair beside the bed. “I need to talk with the sheriff. I want to be out there looking for him.”
“You need to rest.”
“The doctor says I’m fine. I’m just waiting for them to fill a prescription, but no broken ribs, and thankfully no signs of infection in my arm. As soon as the doctor signs my release, I’m out of here. I want to help find this man.”
“You’re both right.” The sheriff walked into the room. “You need to rest, but I also need your help.”
Griffin moved his legs over to the edge of the bed. “Anything.”
“Caden will be here in a few minutes. I’ve asked for his help, as well.” Sheriff Jackson laid a paper map on the bed and let out a low laugh. “We’re going low-tech, but the bottom line is that we need your expertise to find Jinx. If Max is with him, there’s a good chance they’re hiding out on the property until this weather clears. We have to figure out where he might be. You and Caden know the ranch better than anyone. We’re coordinating with the FBI and have roadblocks set up along all the major roads leading out from the ranch and the surrounding property. But in your opinion, what’s his most likely hideout?”
Tory took a step back as Griffin and the sheriff started going over the map, feeling the tendrils of fear around her heart lessen slightly. Jinx might still be out there, but they weren’t done fighting.
* * *
Griffin stared at the map as his mind form
ulated an answer for the sheriff. “With a canyon on the southwest side, and highlands surrounding most of the rest of the ranch, access is limited. There are really only two easy exit points.”
He pointed to two spots on the map before continuing.
“On top of that, there aren’t a lot of places where they could wait out the weather besides the main house and staff houses. There’s an equipment barn, a workshop and our cattle handling facilities to the west. Beyond them, there are a couple hunting cabins they could hole up in as well as several hunting blinds. There’s also the feed and supply shelter where they took us, and of course the fire tower. But I don’t think there’s much of that left.”
The sheriff took a step back. “So, if you were Jinx, having to deal with both this weather and the knowledge of being a wanted man, what would you do? Especially considering you have someone with you who knows the land like the back of his hand. Even if they decide to wait out the end of the storm, they will have to emerge eventually.”
Griffin glanced at Caden, who’d just stepped into the room. “I don’t know what my brother would say, but I’d get as far away from here as possible.”
“I agree.” Caden stopped at the end of the bed. “He’s got a snowmobile, which means his best bet is slipping off the property and heading out of state. If I were him, I’d avoid Denver and opt for somewhere like Albuquerque or Wichita where he could then potentially leave the country.”
Griffin nodded at his brother’s input. “There will be issues trying to maneuver cross-country with a snowmobile. Not only are there only a couple of routes out, there are also fallen trees because of the storm. We saw that firsthand.”
The sheriff stared at the map. “Then what are their obvious routes?”
“Besides the main road, which I think we’d all agree they’ll avoid, they could go over the highlands toward Mountain Springs,” Caden said. “There’s also a route through the canyon toward Canyon Falls, but that would be foolish this time of year.”
Griffin glanced at his brother, convinced that was exactly what Jinx and his men were going to avoid. “With Max guiding him, they’ll stay away from the obvious routes.”