Winter Hawk's Legend

by Aimée Thurlo

  Daniel let go of Holly and jumped to his feet. “Stay down! I’m going after him.”

  Daniel pointed out Holly to an approaching officer as he raced for his SUV, cell phone in hand. Preston answered the call just as Daniel started the engine.

  “A guy on a red dirt bike just breezed by and took a shot at us. He made a turn onto Tenth Street, going north,” Daniel said. “I’m following in the SUV, but I don’t have him in sight yet. Can you cut him off?”

  “I’m on Twelfth, heading away, but maybe I can intercept him before he gets out of the neighborhood,” Preston said. “What else did you get?”

  “The shooter’s packing a revolver. He’s wearing blue coveralls, gloves and a black helmet with a tinted visor. The cycle makes a helluva racket, too, and smokes like a chimney,” Daniel said. “I didn’t get a make.”

  Daniel accelerated on the straightaway. The cloud of blue smoke at the corner revealed the bike’s path. “One more thing, Preston,” he said. “The bike’s tag was covered with something, maybe masking tape.”

  “Copy that. We’ve got two other units in the area, so we’ll try to keep him from reaching the river.”

  Daniel knew the shooter, unlike them, could race up sidewalks and flood channels on that bike, and if he made it into the bosque, the wooded area on both sides of the river, he’d be gone for good.

  Even as the thought formed, Daniel saw a cloud of blue smoke to his right. He took his foot off the gas and listened. The roar was to his left.

  Turning the corner, he caught a glimpse of red as the cyclist darted past a black-and-white that had its emergency lights flashing. The roadblock was just a few seconds too late. The shooter was racing for the river, just as Preston had predicted.

  Daniel shot past the squad car, closing on the cycle. If Preston reached the next intersection first, they’d trap the cycle between them.

  Preston came back on the line. “I hear him coming, but I’m still a block east. Where are you, Dan?”

  “Heading down Eleventh toward the park. He’s got a hundred yards on me, but he’s suddenly cut his speed.”

  The biker braked hard, fishtailing, then swerved left, passing between the vertical pipe barrier and raced down a ramp into the concrete-lined flood control ditch.

  Daniel screeched to a stop, grabbed the phone and jumped out, running across the road. As he reached the barrier, all he could see was a thin veil of smoke and the rear end of the cycle. Four seconds later, the bike cut right, raced down a footpath into the bosque and disappeared into the riverside undergrowth.

  “He made it to the bosque and headed down the foot trail,” Daniel said, reporting in. “How many ways out of there, a dozen?”

  “At least. Wish we had a chopper,” Bowman said. “Is Holly okay?”

  “She was when I left, and I signaled an officer to stay with her,” Daniel said, jogging back toward the SUV.

  It only took him a few minutes to get back to the burned-out house, and as he pulled up, Holly was sitting in a police cruiser. The officer beside it was watching the streets, but nodded when he pulled up. Parking behind the vehicle, Daniel walked up as she climbed out of the unit.

  “You didn’t catch him, did you?” she said, reading his expression.

  When he saw the tears welling up in her eyes, he felt as if someone had punched him right in the gut. He’d never felt this kind of connection to anyone else in his life. “No, but there are others out there still looking for him,” he said, wishing he had better news.

  Holly shifted her gaze back to the house. “I really thought I’d prepared myself, but I guess I never let go of the hope that the fire damage would be less extensive.”

  “Our place is yours for as long as you want to stay there. My brothers and I will move whatever you need so you can have more room. If any of your own furnishings can be salvaged, we’ll be happy to take them there for you, too. It may make the cabin feel more like home,” he said, leading her away.

  As she smiled, a tear fell down her cheek, but she wiped it quickly away. “Does Mr. Badger get a vote?”

  “Nah, he’s strictly a silent partner.”

  AFTER GIVING STATEMENTS to the sergeant at the scene, they set out once again.

  “I haven’t called Martin and rescheduled,” she said.

  “Don’t. No one needs to know your plans in advance,” Daniel said. “He’ll understand, and if not, I’ll explain it to him.” His tone clearly gave the word another meaning, and to his relief, she laughed. He couldn’t stand seeing her cry.

  “I’m not sure Martin’s going to want me to continue being the plant’s spokesperson at job fairs and PR gatherings anymore, at least not until this lunatic is caught.”

  “It won’t be long before he’s behind bars. He’s getting reckless and taking too many chances,” Daniel said.

  “I’m letting this get to me again. I’m sorry. Seeing my home like that was harder than I thought. It was going to be mine forever, or that’s what I thought when I moved in.”

  “Forever… I know that’s important to you, but there’s no forever, not really.”

  “It depends on how you define it. To me, forever is something that’ll last as long as I do. Secure tomorrows, that’s what I’ve spent my adult life working for, and what my casita represented,” she said, then continued in a stronger voice, “I’ll rebuild it, of course, but it’s going to be a new dream now….”

  Her sadness tore into him. Unsure of what to say, Daniel stared straight ahead. Maybe this was a wake-up call for him, too. What the hell was he doing thinking seriously about a woman who saw permanence and stability as her primary goals? Yet there was something about Holly that brought out a side of him he’d never known existed—and one he liked. Around her he felt like the hero who could defeat any odds, a man who was needed, in every sense.

  He was losing his mind. It was that simple. Her aching vulnerability and quiet courage sucked him in, making him want to do whatever was necessary to keep her safe—and more important, by his side. He wanted Holly in every way a man could want a woman, and maybe that was part of the problem. If they could have one night of crazy, steamy sex then that pull might dwindle to nothing—but, if not, then what?

  “What are you thinking?” she asked.

  “After I left Hosteen Silver’s, I found that I didn’t want a home base anymore. It only tied me down,” he said, ducking the question. “My warehouse office-home was only a temporary stop on the road to bigger dreams. Proving I could make a place for myself anywhere was important to me. I wanted to enjoy the same freedom as the hawk who nests in Copper Canyon.”

  “Yes, but even the hawk has its nest,” she said.

  And a mate, he realized silently. “Hosteen Silver told me once that like the hawk, I needed to learn the gift of stillness, that only then would I be able to see what was important and what wasn’t. Back then I had no idea what he was talking about, but I’m beginning to see that movement isn’t necessarily freedom. I’m going to have to rethink some things.” Like what he’d do when it was time to say goodbye to this woman—who had the power to turn all his ideas upside down. She’d leave a gaping hole right through the middle of his heart.

  They arrived at the natural gas plant twenty minutes later. He saw her tug at her slacks and try to smooth them out.

  “I should have bought some new clothes,” she said.

  “You look fine,” he said, then seeing her look of disbelief, added, “really.”

  She took a deep breath. “I may have to sell myself to Martin all over again. I need to remind him that I do good work, and that he needs me.”

  “Be careful about volunteering information. Remember that for all we know, Martin’s our enemy. He has the right build, and the physical fitness to do the job. He also knows your address, schedule and what hours you keep. Don’t let your guard down around him.”

  She nodded somberly. “I hate this—having to look at people I know through jaded eyes and not trusting anyone. That’
s just not me.”

  “Survival is at the heart of all of us. Think of it in those terms, and you’ll find it’s a much better fit.”

  THOUGH SHE HADN’T GIVEN Martin advance notice, he seemed glad to see them. He stood when they appeared at his office door, and waved them toward chairs.

  “A friend of mine in the Hartley Police Department called to tell me about the shooting incident,” Martin said, moving back behind his desk. “Please fill me in on the details.”

  Holly and Daniel sat down, but Martin remained on his feet. He paced as they spoke, stopping occasionally by the window and glancing outside.

  “From the beginning of all this I should have recommended that you take a leave of absence, Holly,” Martin said, turning to face her at last. “The problem is that we needed to keep the momentum of this project going—and we still do.”

  “I understand. What we have to do is work around what’s happening.”

  “You’re his target, that’s clear enough. So let’s get you off this guy’s turf for a while.” Martin stopped pacing and faced them. “We can do that by temporarily redefining your duties.”

  “Whatever you need,” she said and waited.

  Martin brought out a topographic map and handed it to her. “Judging from the public’s response, the biggest challenge we’re facing is proving to locals that the water table won’t be compromised. We’re already taking water samples from area wells to test, but we’re also going to need water samples from the river leading into our power plant. That’ll give us a quality level to compare with the wastewater we’ll be releasing, and future output from those same water wells.”

  She nodded. “No change in water quality means no contamination. So exactly what is it that you’re asking me to do?” she asked.

  “Your file says your degree is in ecology,” Martin said. “You’ve done field work, correct?”

  Holly nodded. “During my senior year, I spent three months working for the Rio Grande Conservancy District.”

  “So why did you turn to PR work?” Daniel asked.

  “A degree in ecology and $3.50 would buy me a cup of coffee. It’s not a good career degree unless you plan to teach,” Holly said. “But my science background is perfect for what I do now.”

  “You can put those college courses to good use in another way this time,” Martin said. “I’d like you to go collect water samples from the high country where the water originates as snow pack, then enters the river’s tributaries. If you’re up to it.”

  “Of course I am. However, to go into the middle of nowhere when someone’s after me… I don’t know,” she said slowly.

  “It might actually be the best strategy,” Daniel said. “There’ll be plenty of cover while we’re in the forest, plus it’ll be a break from your routine. That’ll make it harder for your enemy to track you,” Daniel said, then glanced at Martin. “You’ll keep this assignment under wraps, correct?”

  “Absolutely. We want to get our samples without anyone interfering, or worse, contaminating the process.”

  “From a security standpoint, getting away is a sound idea,” Daniel said looking at Holly.

  “I’ve gone camping before, but all my stuff went up in smoke,” she said. “Since it’s winter, we would need to get heavy-duty outdoor clothing, and special gear, too.”

  “The tribe will provide you with whatever’s necessary, including freeze-dried food,” Martin said, then looked at Daniel. “Security has extreme weather equipment on hand for training ops. Take whatever you need. If there’s something you don’t find there, purchase it retail and put it on the expense account.”

  As they left Martin’s office and headed down the hall to the security offices, Holly remained silent.

  “What’s bothering you?” Daniel asked.

  “I don’t see Martin as a suspect, but if you really believe he could be behind this, then he’ll know where we are,” she whispered. “Won’t that turn us into easy targets, and make us even more vulnerable? It would take a long time for any help to arrive where we’re going.”

  “He’ll know our general location, but trying to pinpoint anyone in that forested section of the reservation will be nearly impossible,” Daniel said. “The only person who’ll have access to our GPS signal is Gene. He’ll back us up if necessary.”

  “How can you be so sure Gene will do it? You haven’t even asked him yet.”

  “I don’t have to ask him to know the answer. We’re brothers. We all help each other.”

  “You’ve got a really close, loving family.”

  “Yeah, I suppose,” he said, suddenly uncomfortable. Women—why did they always have to talk about feelings? Actions—that’s what mattered.

  They arrived at the security equipment storeroom and went straight to the lockers where the outdoor gear was stored. “We hold training exercises during bad weather all the time, so we should find everything we need here.”

  “I sure wish I still had my own gear,” she said. “I had a great backpack and the perfect down sleeping bag.”

  “We’ve got Arctic survival mummy bags that are as light as those feathers. Once we find a backpack frame that fits your body, all it’ll take is a little adjustment. We have Gore-Tex jackets, too, like those used on Everest expeditions. I guarantee you’ll be warm and dry.”

  “Great, but what about hiking boots? I wear size five and a half.”

  Daniel pointed to a large closet area. “We have women security officers your size. Take a look around and get whatever you need. There are wool socks in there, too—and don’t worry, we don’t recycle those. They’re all new.”

  Ten minutes later, they loaded their gear and supplies into Daniel’s vehicle. “We’ll go past Copper Canyon up to the trailhead,” he announced.

  Holly nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

  TWO HOURS LATER, they were on the narrow footpath leading up a mountainside. Everything was going according to plan.

  “I’m glad for this chance to get away,” Holly said, turning her head to look at him. Daniel had insisted on covering her back. It wasn’t likely anyone was ahead of them now.

  Daniel picked his way across a rocky section in the trail where a misstep could easily result in a broken leg. “I like being outdoors, too. The only rules I’ve got to follow here are Mother Nature’s.”

  “It always looks so peaceful in these piñon juniper woodlands, but there’s a lot going on beneath the surface. Animals wage a daily battle for their own survival.”

  “Life is a struggle. Although the front lines differ for everyone, it requires heart to keep going,” Daniel said.

  “Or stubborness,” she said with a smile as she stopped to catch her breath. “The man after me is persistent, but I’ll outlast him. I dislike confrontations, but I won’t give up, and that’s why he won’t win.”

  “I’ll be right there to make sure he doesn’t, too. I…care…about you,” he said.

  Her breath caught in her throat, and for a heartbeat, she didn’t even move, afraid to spoil the moment. “You do?”

  “How could you not know that?” he asked gruffly.

  “You’ve never said so.”

  “I didn’t think I had to.” He glanced away from her and looked upward, instantly shifting the focus of their conversation. “Clouds are creeping in and the wind’s picking up. Look at those ponderosa pines on that high ridge. Is that snow? We should have paid more attention to the weather forecast.”

  She sighed. So much for the moment. Daniel wasn’t big on tender words, but there was something wonderful about actually having heard Daniel tell her that she was special to him. Holly knew that their time together would be short. Soon they’d go their separate ways and that’s why moments mattered so much. Those sweet words would wrap themselves around her heart and become a memory she’d always treasure.

  Holly zipped up her jacket and adjusted her wool cap. “I thought the cold front was still in California and we’d have another thirty-six hours before th
e storm reached New Mexico.”

  “Forecasters aren’t always on target and local conditions fluctuate. We’re going to be getting the leading edge before long. I can feel the moisture.”

  They hiked for another hour, hunkering down against the increasingly cold breeze as they climbed across a rocky, barren knoll. As they drew closer to the area where they’d be taking their first water sample, a meadow surrounded by thickets of spruce, fir and aspens, the wind suddenly picked up. Leaves, pines needles and small branches blew everywhere. Lightning lit up the darkened sky followed by a boom so loud it shook the ground. Holly jumped, then reached for him.

  “I’m here,” he said, holding her close.

  “Can you smell the ozone?” she said, burying herself in his arms. “That was so close I could actually hear the crackle before the boom.” She hated lightning storms. She’d had to face too many of them alone, always at night, wondering when her dad would return home from a card game.

  As the conifers up ahead rustled, waves of freezing sleet descended. The drops were so cold they stung her face.

  Daniel pulled her into a rocky overhang that provided partial shelter. “We can’t go much farther. We’ve got to get out of this storm and make camp before it gets dark.”

  “We also need to get off this ridge fast, particularly now that there’s lightning,” she said.

  Daniel slipped the backpack off his shoulders and pulled out a forest service map he’d kept in a zippered pocket, preferring it to the GPS display.

  As she reached inside her own backpack for a flashlight, a six-inch brown teddy bear popped up along with it. It was almost as if it had come out to take a look around for himself, and it made her smile. Somehow seeing the old, tattered toy renewed her courage.

  “That fur ball thing might need a raincoat if it stays out any longer,” Daniel said.

  “It’s a teddy bear, not a thing,” she said, laughing, then shined the flashlight on the map so he could get a clearer look.

  “We’re about here,” he said, pointing. “There’s supposed to be a cave up ahead, just off the trail.”