by Hope White
“Hey, Harvey,” Will greeted. “What are you guys doing up here?”
“Got a SAR call,” Nate said. “We knew you were up here and figured you might be bored so we decided to swing by and pick you up.” Nate studied Sara with a raised eyebrow. “Obviously, not bored.”
The older man snickered.
“Right, sorry,” Will said. “Nate, Harvey, this is Sara. Sara, Nate’s a detective with Echo Mountain PD.”
Sara placed the log on the floor and shook hands with the men. “Nice to meet you.”
Nate redirected his attention to Will. “I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”
“Dating? Wait, no, not dating,” Will said.
She thought he blushed, but couldn’t be sure.
“We met when...” Will glanced at her.
“Will saved my life,” she explained to Nate. “I witnessed a murder, and I’m on the run from men who are out to kill me because of what I saw.”
Nate narrowed his eyes at her. “Direct, aren’t you?”
“We’ve had a long night,” Will said. “A guy tried to kill me and Sara shot him. The body’s in the wood container.”
“Wait, you killed a man?” Nate said.
“I had no choice,” Sara answered.
“We’ve gotta get her to the hospital,” Will redirected. “She’s got an injured wrist, possible head trauma and who knows what else. We need to move fast before they send someone else after her.”
“Can you hike?” Nate asked her.
“Hiking’s not good for her concussion,” Will said.
“Let her speak.” Nate studied Sara.
“Not far, and not very fast, unfortunately,” she admitted.
“I’ll stay with you two for protection and call dispatch to send another team with a litter. Shouldn’t take more than an hour since they’re already on their way. Harvey, go ahead and help with this morning’s rescue.”
“You got it. It was nice to meet you, ma’am,” Harvey said.
“You, too.”
Sara instantly liked Harvey. He reminded her of what her father might have been like had he lived.
She went back into the cabin and sat at the kitchen table. Why did she have to think about Dad today? She didn’t need that guilt and sadness dragging her down while trying to puzzle her way out of this dangerous situation.
“Sara?” Will said.
She absently looked at him.
He studied her with a concerned expression. “You okay?”
How could he possibly know that she’d gone to that dark place again?
“Yes, I just want to get out of the mountains and go home.”
Will sat beside her, and Nate leaned against the kitchen counter. “And where is home?”
She sensed him clicking into cop mode and she could understand why. If someone was out to get Sara, innocent civilians could be at risk.
“Seattle, but I’d taken a temporary job with Whitman Mountain Adventures out of Spokane Valley,” she said. “They needed extra help with groups they were taking up into the mountains.”
“So you’re a tour guide?”
“A cook, mostly.” It had been a good cover considering she’d cooked for her dad and brother after her mom had died. She felt it wise to maintain her cover for now.
“How long have you been with Whitman Mountain Adventures?”
“Nate,” Will interrupted. “Can’t you do this later? She’s been through a lot.”
“So you said,” Nate studied her. “You shot a man.”
“Because he was beating me to death,” Will interjected. He yanked his shirt up to expose his bruised torso.
Sara had to look away, but noticed Nate’s expression harden.
“Give it a rest,” Will said. “I’ll go get water to make coffee.” He grabbed a metal bucket and headed for the door. Will hesitated and turned to Sara. “You’ll be okay?”
“Sure.”
Will shot one more cautionary nod at Nate, then left.
“You cold?” Nate said, wandering to the fireplace.
“A bit.”
Nate stacked some wood in the fireplace and shoved kindling beneath it. It was awfully quiet all of a sudden, and Sara realized she missed Will’s grounding presence.
Whoa, not good. She’d have to separate from him completely once they made it back to town because somehow she’d grown dependent on him.
“Ya know, Will’s had a tough couple of years,” Nate said, his back to her as he started the fire.
“He told me.”
Nate snapped around. “What did he tell you?”
“That his wife died, that he has two little girls.”
Nate refocused on the fire. “Then, you can understand why residents of Echo Mountain are protective of him.”
“Yes, that would make sense.”
“Very protective.”
“I understand. You have nothing to worry about from me. I plan to distance myself from Will as soon as we get off this mountain.”
* * *
An hour later, Will finally took a deep breath as they were headed down the trail toward town. Sara was secured to the litter carried by two SAR volunteers, while a second team handled the recovery mission of the dead body in the wood container.
It turned out they’d had an abundance of SAR volunteers for this morning’s call, so they’d sent half of them to the cabin for Sara. Will, Sara and Nate hadn’t waited long for a team, which was good because the tension in the cabin had been palpable.
Will wasn’t sure what had transpired between Sara and Nate while he was getting water, but she didn’t say much after Will’s return. She stretched out on the bed and rested until the team arrived. Will asked Nate what had happened, but instead of answering, Nate fired off questions, asking Will what he really knew about this stranger. He went as far as to caution Will to keep his distance.
When they arrived at the hospital, SAR friends hovered around Will, worried about his condition. Surrounded by the group, he felt the love of family, even though they weren’t blood relations. Then he spotted Sara, all alone, being wheeled into the ER. Will started to follow her but Breanna McBride, a member of the SAR K9 unit, blocked him.
“What happened to your face?” She eyed his bruises. “I thought you were on vacation.”
“I was, but I went hiking and found an unconscious, wounded woman.”
“Then, you should have called for help, not played hero,” Grace Longfellow, another K9 SAR member scolded as she approached.
“I appreciate the concern,” Will said. “I’d better find a doctor and have my ribs looked at.”
“Your ribs, what happened to your ribs?” Breanna asked.
“And who gave you the black eyes?” Grace pushed.
“Ladies, I need to speak with Will,” Nate interrupted, walking up to them.
“You can’t. He has to see the doctor,” Grace said.
“I’ll make sure he does.” Nate led Will away from Breanna and Grace.
“Thanks for the save,” Will said.
“You’re welcome, but I really do need to talk to you.”
Will strained to see the ER examining room door. “I’d like to know how Sara’s doing.”
“Take care of yourself first.”
“But—”
“Get looked at by a doctor. Then if Sara’s story checks out, you can see her.” Nate stopped and looked at Will. “Although, if someone’s after her, wouldn’t it be better to keep your distance?”
“But you’re going to protect her, right?”
“We need to get all the facts.”
“You don’t believe that she’s in trouble? Who do you think that guy was that she shot and killed? He would have kille
d her after he finished me off.”
Nate planted his hands on his hips and sighed.
“What’s wrong with you?” Will said, realizing his accusatory tone bordered on rudeness.
“I guess I’m a little more cautious than most,” Nate said. “I don’t necessarily believe people until I have proof. A man is dead—this is serious.”
“You don’t have to tell me that. Wait, are you thinking about arresting Sara? You can’t. It was self-defense.”
“I understand that, Will, but I still have to question her as soon as possible.”
“I get it, but make no mistake that she’s in danger. And she’s all alone.”
Nate put his hand on Will’s shoulder. “Once they fix her up, I’ll question her, confirm her story and we’ll go from there, okay?”
Will nodded, but he wasn’t totally satisfied. He didn’t like the way Nate was talking about Sara, as if she was the suspect, not the victim.
“You’ll see a doctor?” Nate said.
“Sure.”
Nate nodded that he was going to stand there and watch to make sure. With a sigh, Will went to the registration desk, described his injuries and was told to sit in the waiting area. He found a corner spot, away from people.
He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, needing to think, to pray. For Sara.
Please, God, keep her safe in your loving embrace.
“Am I intruding?” Breanna said.
Will opened his eyes. “No, but I’m not very good company right now.”
She sat down next to him. “You look worried.”
“I am.”
“About that woman? The woman you met yesterday?”
“Stupid, huh?”
She glanced sideways at him. “Hey, are you calling me stupid?”
“What? No, I—”
“I’m the one who rescued a semiconscious man from the mountains, remember?”
Will cracked a half smile. “Oh, yeah, forgot about that.”
“Then, you’re the only one. My family still hasn’t let me live that down.”
“But they like Scott. We all like Scott.”
“Not at the beginning they didn’t. I rescued a wounded man with amnesia, who couldn’t remember why men were shooting at him, and he had an unregistered gun in his hotel room. They thought I’d lost my mind.”
“I have a feeling Nate shares that same opinion about me.”
“Well, he didn’t find her, did he? He didn’t look into her eyes.”
“Or comfort her,” Will let slip.
“Or comfort her.” Breanna leaned toward him. “Don’t let anyone make you feel ashamed about that, okay?”
He nodded.
“William Rankin?” a nurse called.
“That’s me.” Will stood and nodded at his friend. “Thanks, Bree.”
“Anytime.”
* * *
The headache was the worst part of her physical injuries. Sara could tolerate pain from the sprained wrist and various aches whenever she moved, but the headache was nearly paralyzing.
Detective Nate Walsh’s questions didn’t help matters. His voice was starting to wear on her. She’d learned he’d been promoted to detective just last year, so he was probably trying to make a good impression on his superiors.
He was only doing his job by conducting his interview as soon as possible, but right now she was desperate to turn off the lights and sleep.
“So, Miss Long, you witnessed two men from your tour group, Mr. LaRouche and Mr. Harrington, throw a third man, Mr. Price, off the mountain. Why would they do that?”
“I don’t know.” It was the best she could come up with considering she wasn’t ready to expose herself as an FBI agent, make that a rogue FBI agent on leave, which complicated things even more.
“You must have overheard something...”
Oh, she had. She’d heard LaRouche and Harrington try to convince David Price to get on board with their plan.
A criminal plan to distribute the dangerous drug Abreivtas into the United States.
“Sara?” the detective pushed.
“I’m sorry, what was the question?”
“What did you hear before they supposedly pushed Mr. Price over the edge?”
Supposedly. Right. The detective didn’t believe her.
“They were arguing about a business decision, I think. David said he was done and started to walk away. Mr. LaRouche grabbed him and...” She hesitated. “Hurled him over the edge.”
“And Mr. Harrington did nothing?”
“No, sir. I think he might have been in shock.”
“Then what?”
“They heard me and turned around...”
The memory shot adrenaline through her body as she recalled the predatory look on LaRouche’s face.
“Did Mr. LaRouche say anything?” the detective asked.
“No, sir. But he looked—” she hesitated “—furious. So I ran.”
“Is it possible they got into an argument and the fall was an accident?”
She eyed the detective. Was he on LaRouche and Harrington’s payroll? No, that couldn’t be possible. Nate seemed like a solid guy and he was Will’s friend, which went a long way in her book.
Will. A man you barely know. Maybe she didn’t know him all that well, but she trusted him. Will was what her father used to call “good people.”
“Ma’am?” Nate said. “Could the fall have been an accident?”
“No, I don’t think so.” She studied her fingers interlaced in her lap.
“Okay, so you took off and left your gear behind?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did they chase you?”
“Yes. I tried to escape down the side of the mountain and fell. Will found me the next day.”
“And the man who attacked you and Will? Did you know him?”
“No, sir.”
“Then, how did you know he was an enemy?”
“The way he yanked on my hair and threatened me.”
“What did he say specifically?”
“He said, did I really think I could outrun them, and that he was ordered to bring me to a meeting the next day so I could explain myself.”
“And then?”
“He tied me up and went to find Will. They fought—the man was kicking Will to death, so I shot him.” She eyed the detective. “Wouldn’t you have done the same?”
Someone tapped at the hospital room door.
“Hey, Sara,” Will said, joining them.
He went to the opposite side of the bed and gently placed his hand over hers. Although she sensed the gesture might be inappropriate in Nate’s eyes, the contact instantly calmed her.
“How are you feeling?” Will asked, ignoring Nate, and searching her eyes.
“I’m okay. My head hurts, though.”
“Want to buzz the nurse for a pain reliever?”
“No, I’ve already taken something. It should kick in soon.”
Nate cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow at Will’s hand, gently covering Sara’s. She started to pull away, but Will wouldn’t let her go. It wasn’t a forceful grip; it was a comforting one.
Will looked at Nate. “I think she needs to rest.”
“Is that right, Dr. Rankin?”
“She’s not going anywhere. Can’t you wait until she’s feeling better to finish your interview?”
Nate directed his attention to Sara. “We’re pretty much done, although I’d prefer you stay in town until we wrap this up.”
“Of course,” she said.
Nate directed his attention to Will. “I’ll need to take your official statement, as well.”
“I can swing by the station this afternoon.”
“No, now. You can start with how you got the black eyes,” Nate said.
“That was my fault,” Sara said.
“A misunderstanding,” Will offered.
“She gave you the black eyes?” Nate said.
“It was an accident,” Will defended.
Nate raised an eyebrow.
“When I found Sara, she was unconscious,” Will explained. “She regained consciousness and she thought I was one of the guys trying to hurt her. In an effort to defend herself, she nailed me with her weapon.”
Sara didn’t miss Nate’s speculative frown.
“Continue,” Nate said.
“I took her back to the cabin to tend to her injuries.”
She appreciated that he didn’t describe how horrible she’d been to him, verbally abusive and threatening, making snide remarks when all he wanted to do was help her.
“Last night she went outside to find a cell signal and I went to get more wood. I saw a man approach Sara from behind and force her into the cabin at gunpoint. I recognized him as a man I’d met earlier in the day. He seemed so innocuous. I’ve got bad instincts, I guess.”
“Sociopaths can be charmers,” Sara muttered, realizing the drugs might be loosening her lips a little too much.
“You saw him take Sara into the cabin. Then what?” Nate prompted.
“I tried luring him outside.”
“Even though he had a gun and you didn’t,” Nate said disapprovingly.
Will seemed to ignore the tone of Nate’s voice and continued, “He came outside, I knocked him out with a piece of wood and went to check on Sara,” Will said. “I guess I didn’t hit him hard enough because he came after me in the cabin, dragged me outside and kicked me until I nearly passed out. I heard two shots and he stopped kicking.”
“As I said before in my statement, I shot him because I feared for Will’s life, and my own,” Sara added.
“You shot him with your gun?”
“No, the attacker’s gun. I grabbed it when he was beating up Will and I was trying to pull him off.”
“You shot him in self-defense?” Nate asked Sara.
“Yes.”
“Then I put the body in the wood bin to keep it away from animals,” Will said, directing the detective’s attention away from Sara.