“HOW IS SHE?” Nell was feeling a little blurry when he returned. Actually a lot blurry. A wave of dizziness hit her. She had forgotten the adrenaline spikes of rescue work—and the inevitable crash.
“Her pulse is stronger. Right now I’ll take small favors. The cardiac patient is holding on, too.” With economical movements, Dakota sat down and drew her against him, covering them both.
She tried to focus, but the growl of the wind was distracting. “So what made you decide to be a hero, Lieutenant?”
“I just happened to be around when you needed me. It’s nothing heroic.”
Nell studied his face as he switched on a small penlight. “When did you start your climb? I never saw you before today.” She angled her head, trying to read the expression in his eyes. The man didn’t reveal anything, she thought irritably.
“I arrived yesterday. I’ve been on the move.”
It made sense. As he pulled her closer, the soothing warmth of his body made her relax.
The man would make a fantastic climbing partner, she decided.
The penlight flashed off. Rough fingers opened on her hair. “What are you thinking about?”
“I figure you have great deltoids,” Nell said sleepily. “That’s always the first thing I look for in a man.”
“You look for his deltoids?” He sounded amused.
“Absolute first thing.” Nell yawned. “Always look for the deltoids. Best way to judge climbing strength. How long can you hang, hands only, unassisted?”
“Seventy-one minutes.” His breath was warm against her ear. “More or less.”
Even in a growing haze of cold and exhaustion, Nell was impressed. “No way. Not for over an hour.” Nobody could do that. At least nobody that she knew.
“I could be lying,” he said calmly.
Nell didn’t think so. He didn’t strike her as the type for casual boasts. In fact, nothing about the man seemed casual. “What exactly do you do in the navy?”
“This and that. Nothing you’d be interested in.” His hands slid slowly into her hair. Nell felt the strands spill over his fingers.
At every movement, she was stunned to feel little jolts of desire. The heat grew where their bodies were joined.
Crazy. They were camped on the edge of a cliff and he was a complete stranger.
But the heat didn’t go away. His hands kept moving, slow and thoughtful, until Nell thought she’d scream.
Or curl up against his chest and sigh in noisy pleasure.
She frowned. She knew better than to relax or trust a stranger even if the gentle motion of his hands was hypnotic. “The tents are taking a beating. I need to go check to see if they—”
“Already done. The lines you rigged are solid. Nice work.”
“Two of my best ropes are out there,” she said sleepily. “I’ve got trail mix and three protein bars in my left pocket,” she added. “Take them if you need to.”
“I’ll be fine. Go to sleep, Nell.”
She wasn’t used to being taken care of. It had been years since her father—
Don’t go there.
The past was a sinkhole filled with bad memories. And this man was still a stranger. She wiggled, trying to find a position that wasn’t starkly intimate, with their shoulders touching and their thighs locked together for warmth. Finally she gave up.
It was just one night, after all. She’d never see this man and his powerful body again. There was no chance for mingled laughter or shared secrets.
And that was exactly the way Nell wanted it.
She twisted, shoving away his hands as she closed her eyes. “Just don’t get any ideas while I’m asleep,” she said huskily. “That cliff wall is only a few feet away. You wouldn’t like the drop.”
She thought she heard his quiet laugh before she drifted off with the howl of the wind in her ears.
NELL FELT the wind in her hair.
Hands sweaty, she was chalking up before her last climb of the day. The sun lay hot and heavy on her shoulders in a band of liquid gold. Body straining, muscles in the flow while Yosemite spread out like a Technicolor postcard.
Beautiful.
Then the sudden hiss of falling rope. A violent jerk as a cam broke free, slamming her into a wall of granite, breaking her nose and cheekbone, blood gushing onto her neck.
The sound of her own scream jerked her upright in the icy darkness.
“Nell, wake up.”
Lines broken. Carabiners blown. Falling, falling…
“Hey, wake up.” Hard hands locked around her shoulders.
She fought blindly, her nails raking warm skin.
Panic. Falling…
“Stop fighting, Nell. It’s Dakota. You’re just dreaming. Something about Yosemite, but it’s over now. Calm down and breathe.”
Breathe.
Nell forced her muscles to loosen.
Just another dream. Always about falling, somewhere alone in the darkness…
She took a deep breath and shoved a damp clump of hair from her eyes. “Okay, back among the living—more or less. Thanks for the wake-up call. What time is it anyway?”
“Almost five. Should be light soon. You okay now?”
Nell straightened the small light clipped to her belt. “Great,” she said through clenched teeth.
“You keep that light with you all the time?”
“When I’m next to a three-thousand-foot drop, I do. In case you didn’t notice, that first step can be really unpleasant.” Nell slanted her small light through the tent. “How is she?”
“No change. Stable and warm.”
“Westlake, our fearless tour leader?”
“Asleep, last time I checked.”
Nell frowned. “What about you? Don’t you ever rest?”
“I closed my eyes for a few minutes. It’s all I need.” His hands smoothed the thermal blanket around her shoulders. “Do you always ask this many questions?”
“Yeah, I do. Call it terminal curiosity.”
Amanda Wilson tossed in her sleep, and Dakota leaned down to check her pulse.
At his touch the teenager twisted, muttering hoarsely. “Mummy, you left the window open again. It’s so c-cold…” Then her eyes opened and she coughed, staring blankly up at Dakota. “My arm hurts.” She craned her head anxiously from side to side. “Where are the others?”
“Back at the hotel. We’ll get you there shortly.” Dakota raised the tube of her hydration pack. “How about you drink a little water?”
“How long have we been up here?”
“Most of the night.” After Dakota helped Amanda drink, he pulled the silver blanket back in place around her. “But the weather looks to be clearing. Just think of it this way. You’re going to have a great story to tell all your friends.”
The girl’s lip quavered. “I want to g-go home.”
“We’ll get you there,” Nell said firmly. “We’re going to make it through this.”
Amanda took a labored breath. “Is that what you do?”
“Sometimes life gets messy and complicated, but I don’t look down and I don’t look back.” Nell’s voice was flat.
She sensed that Dakota was studying her. “Something wrong?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You were thinking plenty loud, Navy.”
Across the tent Amanda giggled. “She’s got you there. You do seem kind of—intense. I guess that’s a navy thing.”
Dakota moved to help her drink some more water. “What, can’t a man enjoy the company of two gorgeous women in peace?”
The teenager wheezed out a laugh. “Very funny.”
Over the howl of the wind, motors droned closer. Nell could see the dim pattern of light around the flap of the tent. “They’ll have to land below the ridge. Someone needs to guide the rescue team up.” Nell pushed to her knees and grabbed her climbing gear.
“Sure you’re up to it?” Dakota asked quietly.
Nell shoved a coiled rope over her shoulder. �
��No offense, but I think I’m the best guy for the job.”
His expression was unreadable as he reached out and brushed one finger along the corner of her lips. It was almost as if he was memorizing her smile, Nell thought.
Then his expression hardened. “I hate to admit that you’re right. Watch your six out there.”
“SHE’S REALLY GREAT, isn’t she?” Amanda was watching the spot where Nell had disappeared. “I don’t think anything in the world frightens her. I wish I was that way.”
Dakota listened to the chopper approach. “You never can tell what makes people tick. I think Nell enjoys the thrill of being in danger. Besides, you’re pretty brave yourself. You took a real beating.”
The teenager shrugged. “Not like you two. So why don’t you like her? I mean, you smile at her, but it never quite reaches your eyes.”
The girl was a little too observant, Dakota thought irritably. “Nothing wrong with Nell MacInnes. I like her fine.” He just didn’t trust her.
“How’s Ian doing? Is he…” Her voice trailed away.
“He’s still alive.” Barely, Dakota thought. “That’s a helicopter coming in out there. With luck, you’ll be down at the hotel in ten minutes. How do you feel?”
The girl swallowed hard. “Like I might throw up.”
“I’ll let you in on a secret.” Dakota slanted her a quick smile. “Happens to the best of us.”
The tent flap rose and Nell appeared, snow on her cheeks. “A team is headed up to hitch you into a sling, Amanda. Ready to go?”
“I guess so. You’ll both go down with me, right?”
Dakota zipped up his pack. “You bet.”
“Do you need any help in here?” Nell’s climbing helmet was hanging over her shoulder and she was half turned to the light, looking relieved that the ordeal was nearly over.
“Not a bit. I’ll help Amanda outside and then go see if I can help them with Westlake.”
Nell stuck out one hand. “Nice to meet you, Navy. You can climb with me anytime.”
Dakota gripped her hand and studied her face, looking for traces of cunning or arrogance, but there was only excitement and a hint of a smile.
“I hear the girls are placing bets down at the inn.”
“What kind of bets?”
“Whether or not your butt is as incredible as they all think it is.” She gave a wicked smile. “I’m guessing it is.”
Dakota’s brow rose. “I thought you were into deltoids.”
Amanda gave up trying to hide her laughter. “Where are the deltoids?”
“Right here.” Nell reached out and tapped Dakota’s upper arms. “Something tells me these are pretty spectacular. Too bad I’m never going to find out.”
“I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours. Just name the time and the place,” Dakota said huskily.
Nell’s smiled faded. “I don’t think so. Something tells me it would cost a lot more than I’m prepared to pay.”
“How much are you prepared to pay?”
She studied him a long time. “I’m not sure. Whatever it is, you’d probably cost more. Watch yourself on the big walls, Lieutenant.” She tossed a coiled rope over her shoulder and headed out into the cold gray light of dawn.
Dakota was still watching her as the snow swirled up and the rescue team appeared on the ridge below them.
CHAPTER FOUR
THIRTY MINUTES LATER the storm clouds had moved inland and Amanda Wilson and Ian Westlake had been transferred to a medical flight bound for Edinburgh. Now the rescue team was relaxing, glad to have a successful end to their dawn ascent.
Meanwhile, Dakota’s Foxfire contact was waiting in a military helicopter on the far side of the loch. Izzy Teague was roughly six foot five and could have passed for Denzel Washington, but his grave eyes made him look older than his years. One of the government’s finest security operatives, the man could assess photographs or triangulate cell phone positions faster than most people could breathe.
The chopper was quiet. Restless, Dakota drummed on the window, waiting for the pilot to return.
“Something wrong?” Teague opened his medical bag and pulled out a small metal case.
“Not a thing.”
“Yeah? Then why are you scowling?”
Dakota shrugged.
“How’s your hand?”
“Fine.” Dakota didn’t look up, intent on stowing his gear. He especially refused to look around in hopes of seeing Nell.
Teague glared at him. “Fine? You’ve got two lacerations that need sutures.”
“Nothing that can’t wait.”
Izzy stared at him thoughtfully, then glanced down and made quick notes on the sleek laptop that was never far away. “How did that climbing gear work out?”
“The shoes get high marks. Solid traction and balance. The gloves were useless. No possible way to handle a weapon in them.”
“I’ll pass the word to Ryker and his science boys.” Izzy gave a cocky smile. “Back to the drawing board on the gear.” When Dakota didn’t answer, Izzy raised an eyebrow. “Something eating you, Smith?”
“I’d like to get moving, that’s all. Has my surveillance mission changed?” he asked quietly.
“First things first.” Izzy’s eyes narrowed as he held out a digital keypad. When he triggered a button, a row of lights flashed red-orange. “Before we leave, Ryker wants a medical update. Log in for Madonna and record your response times.”
Madonna, as both men knew, was the code name for Dakota’s unique visual skills, part of the biomedical program based at a top-secret government lab in New Mexico. Thanks to his extensive training and ongoing enhancements, the SEAL could see far beyond the normal spectrum into infrared, ultraviolet and thermal ranges. His skills offered unique applications for military surveillance in high-risk, fast-extraction situations.
But excellent was never good enough for the head of the Foxfire program. A cold, untrusting bureaucrat, Lloyd Ryker demanded constant updates on all his assets.
“Madonna is doing just fine.” Coolly Dakota logged on to the handheld unit and ripped through the tests, shifting easily from light source to light source. Like every man handpicked for the elite Foxfire team, Dakota liked difficult challenges, and he always played to win.
Izzy watched the lights flash, scoring Dakota’s speed. “Want to tell me about Nell MacInnes?”
“Not much to tell. She saved those kids, no doubt about it.” Dakota started to add a character assessment but decided against it. Saying more would amount to empty speculation.
“Did she say anything useful? Any comments about her father or her future plans?”
“We didn’t get around to trading life stories,” Dakota said flatly. “There was a gale up on the summit, if you recall. And now maybe you’ll let me concentrate here.”
For some reason the questions about Nell irritated Dakota. When he was done with the test, he handed the unit back to Izzy.
Across the snowy field, Nell was talking animatedly to a man in a bright green parka and high-tech climbing gloves. “Is that her partner?”
Izzy nodded. “He helped coordinate the rescue ascent. I understand he’s climbed with Nell for almost twelve years.”
Dakota watched the tall climber squeeze Nell’s shoulder. “Are they sleeping together?”
“He’s married with two kids.”
“Which means nothing,” Dakota said curtly. “Married men can screw around as much as single men. Maybe more.”
Nell laughed at something her partner said, and for some reason that irritated Dakota, too.
“My research says no. The relationship is strictly about climbing.”
“Any sign that he’s involved in the theft?”
“I’ve got him on the radar just in case. He’s had no large bank deposits that would indicate unusual payments.” Izzy closed the digital unit and stowed it in a secure case.
“Neither did Nell.” Dakota rubbed his shoulder idly. “Maybe he’s being careful.”
“I’ll handle him. Right now I want you to calm down and rest.”
“I’m not—”
“Of course you are. You’ve been wound up tight ever since you got down. I checked out Amanda Wilson and gave her one of the field hydration lines before she was flown out. You could use one too.”
“I’m fine, Teague.”
“Can it.” Izzy slipped a syringe expertly into Dakota’s arm. “There’s a serious nutrient boost in that line. Shut up and let it take effect.” Dakota muttered something gruff that made Izzy laugh. “I doubt that’s physically possible, my friend, and I don’t intend to find out.”
As the liquid dripped into his arm, Dakota’s gaze slid restlessly over the lower glen. He couldn’t seem to stop thinking about Nell. What made her tick and how many secrets was she hiding? Both questions were suddenly very important.
Izzy followed Dakota’s gaze. “What’s eating at you?”
“Nell. She doesn’t add up, Izzy, and I don’t like things that don’t add up.” He took one last look across the loch, where Nell was laughing with her partner, piling ropes in a canvas bag.
The woman had guts to spare and a quick, clever brain. If things had been different he would have enjoyed a little recreational climbing with her. They could start on a cove in Thailand near the South China Sea.
A beach where clothing was optional sounded good.
The thought of Nell in a tiny string bikini—and no top—made muscles tighten all over Dakota’s body. He let the 3-D fantasy smolder.
And then he put the thought away.
Never gonna happen, pal. She’s the target and you’re too smart to forget that.
Staying focused on the moment was the best way to stay alive.
Dakota’s rules.
He glanced down at the sealed security file Izzy was holding out. “New developments?”
“An international terrorist group just took credit for the da Vinci theft via the Internet. Ryker wants you fully briefed within the hour. The mission just got elevated to a level-four priority.”
Dakota watched the loch glitter silver beneath them as the chopper pilot returned, squinting into the wind. “What group?”
“The October Twelfth Brigade. They’ve been on our watch list for almost two years now.”
To Catch a Thief Page 4