Secret Past

by Sharee Stover

  Daniel pulled out his wallet and counted the remaining few dollar bills. They needed Garrett’s go-bag. That meant making the trip to the Incline, regardless of the possible danger. The sooner they got moving, the better.

  He spun on his heel and moved to the kitchen, pouring two cups of the freshly brewed coffee. Carrying the mugs, he walked to Katie’s bedroom door.

  As if sensing his presence, her eyes opened, and she turned to face him.

  A swirl of steam floated above the warm liquid.

  “Thank you.” She took the cup from Daniel’s outstretched hand.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting.” That wasn’t entirely true.

  “It’s okay. I was finished.”

  “Didn’t know if you’d want creamer.”

  Katie smiled. “I can do without. Uncle Nick, er, Garrett, said I drank melted ice cream cones, not coffee.”

  “Melted ice cream cones?” He leaned against the doorframe.

  “That’s what he calls fancy coffee. Caramel Macchiato is my favorite. But I’ll drink any caffeine in an emergency.” She took a sip and wrinkled her nose. “Nope, I lied. Still need creamer.” She stood.

  “You’re up early.” Daniel followed Katie into the kitchen.

  “Didn’t get much sleep.”

  “Sorry to hear that.” Altitude sickness. Daniel inwardly cringed. He hadn’t considered the possibility. Was that the reason she hadn’t slept? “Uh, how are you feeling now?”

  “I’m okay.”

  “Are you tired? Have a headache?”

  She tilted her head. “No. Why?”

  Daniel’s shoulders relaxed. “I forgot to warn you about altitude sickness.”

  “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

  “Happens to folks who aren’t used to the high elevation. One symptom is trouble sleeping.” He didn’t add And usually requires a day or two of rest. They didn’t have a day or two.

  “I’m all right. The coffee’s helping to revive me, and I needed the time this morning to pray and think.”

  “Any great revelations?” Daniel sipped his coffee.

  Katie walked to the couch and sat. “Mama had to have good reason to leave Anthony, and I can even understand the reason she left behind Giovanni. I just hate being caught in this weird cat-and-mouse thing. I don’t want to keep running, but Marino’s men seem determined to kill me. I feel so helpless. What am I supposed to do?”

  “I can help with that.”

  “Oh, yeah, how?”

  “Up for a hike today?” His voice sounded a little too jovial to his own ears. Why not throw a cartwheel in too?

  “Only if it means we forgo the car chases.” She grinned. “Could we see the Garden of the Gods?”

  Not today. But definitely another time. “Possibly. I want to take you someplace first.”

  “Sounds mysterious.”

  Daniel’s gaze flitted to the partially opened curtains behind Katie. The early morning transitioning sky colors meant sunrise was quickly approaching. “We should get going.”

  Katie sighed. “I suppose.”

  Daniel grabbed the dark blue backpack he’d pulled out earlier and filled it with four disposable water bottles and a pair of binoculars. “You have to stay hydrated in Colorado. Helps prevent the altitude sickness.”

  “Okay. Are we both playing pack mule?”

  “We can trade off carrying the pack.” He frowned. “Come to think of it, drink some water before we go. You don’t have a headache now, do you?”

  “I’m fine,” she assured.

  “Let me know if you start feeling funky at all.” Not that it’ll matter if we don’t get on the road and soon.

  Ten minutes later, they drove into the Manitou Incline’s nearly empty lot. A lone Jeep sat on the roadside. Die hard. It was early. Dedicated climbers weren’t fazed by inclement weather or days of the week.

  Daniel drove slowly and surveyed the area, confirming it was empty. Satisfied, he parked the car and unbuckled his seat belt. “Ready?”

  He scanned once more, contemplating the hike. Maybe they should leave and keep moving. Yeah, Knight, and how would you fund that little excursion without letting the Marshals’ office know your location? Just because Marino’s men hadn’t found them didn’t mean they wouldn’t.

  “Shall we get on with this adventure?” Katie stepped out of the car and slipped on the backpack.

  He wanted to show her something fun, and this exercise was more than entertainment; Garrett made him promise they’d do the trip. Besides the climb would build her confidence. They’d get the go-bag and be on their way out of Colorado before breakfast. Daniel applauded his self-talk and plastered on a smile. “Ready.”

  As they walked toward the base of the Incline, their feet crunched on the gravel road.

  The sun was peaking over the horizon. A huge sphere of bright orange surrounded by pinks, purples and blues. Though the hour was still early, Daniel knew it was strange there were no other hikers. He shook off the uncertainty.

  He gestured toward the mass of rock and wooden railroad ties nestled between the evergreens and bushes. “This is the Manitou Incline. When I first joined the Marshals, Garrett brought me here. He said if I could make the climb, I could do anything.”

  “I don’t see how climbing is proof of capability.”

  “Do you trust me?”

  Katie’s pause said more than her words. “Yeah. I mean, I think so.”

  “I’ll take that as a yes. This is one of the hardest hikes in Colorado. It’s not for the weak.”

  “You sound like a character in an old Western.” Katie giggled.

  “Garrett made you watch those too?”

  She nodded. “Every Saturday.”

  His smile wavered, and he turned away. The reality of Garrett’s loss weighed on him. Studying the intense landscape, Daniel recalled the day he’d made this climb with his mentor. The most pivotal point in his career. He’d contacted Garrett and confessed he was quitting. Without trying to talk him out of it, Garrett requested they meet at the Incline for a final climb. Though his mentor rarely left Evangelina’s side, he’d arranged a temporary detail for her with the purpose of joining Daniel.

  Another glance at the steps that led upward, disappearing over the top of the mountain, and he second-guessed the decision. Would Katie be able to handle the exercise? She wasn’t out of shape, but he might be asking too much. She stood close to him.

  “Maybe this isn’t a good idea.” But how else would he retrieve the bag? He couldn’t leave her unprotected.

  “Are you saying I can’t handle the hike?” Katie shifted the backpack on her shoulder. Her green eyes sparkled in the morning light. A sassy smirk replaced her furrowed brow. “Oh, I didn’t think... Are you not able to handle it?”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I mean, you are...older than me.”

  Daniel smiled at her spunk. “By four years, but thanks for that boost to my ego. I think I can handle the exercise, but it’ll be interesting if you feel that way afterward.”

  Katie took a stance with her hands on her hips. “The bottom doesn’t look bad. Just a long stretch of flat steps. And it progressively rises so I’ll have a chance to build up to the hard part.”

  He didn’t want to discourage her. Initially, the Incline didn’t look intimidating. Daniel adjusted his gun in the holster, pulling his T-shirt over to conceal the weapon. “Let’s do this. Do you like to hike?” He kept small talk between them, hoping Katie wouldn’t ask about the chief’s phone call or Garrett.

  She shrugged. “I lived in Nebraska. Not a lot of hiking opportunities in corn fields.”

  “Touché.” He chuckled.

  “I’ve done long walks—does that count?”

  “Uh...sure.”

  The air was chilly but ref
reshing. He needed this diversion. Needed to not think about Garrett.

  Daniel led the way, and they moved easily over the steps.

  “This isn’t what I expected.”

  “No? What’d you expect?” Daniel played along. Was she going to cave?

  “Just to clarify, you want me to trot up this...giant ladder-step-cliff-like thing?”

  Daniel forced down a smile. “That’s a creative description. The steps are made up of over 2,700 railroad ties. Think of it as walking up a colossal set of stairs. It’s only a mile.” He didn’t add, It’s a 2,000-foot climb in elevation.

  Katie paused and shook her head. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”

  “Nope. I never joke about hiking. Like I said, it’s not for the weak.”

  “I’m not weak, and I can do this. I’m not convinced why I’d want to.” Katie jutted out a leg, hand on hip.

  His lip curved upward at the aversion.

  “If you make the climb, you’ll see you can do anything. But if you can’t, it’s okay. No harm done.”

  “I can do it. If I want to.”

  “Okay, do you want to? I know it looks terrifying.”

  “It’s not terrifying. It’s strange.”

  “Once we reach the top and you see how far you’ve come, you’ll be amazed. We can turn back now. Forget this whole thing.” Daniel jerked his jaw upward.

  “Are you kidding? And let you think you bested me? No way.” She pushed past him and continued upward.

  Daniel followed behind Katie. Her quick ascent made him smile. Give it another few feet and she’d slow down for sure.

  “This isn’t so bad.”

  “You’re doing great,” he encouraged.

  Spiky green plants and spatters of small yellow flowers lined the path. Trees framed the way making the two of them inconspicuous. Daniel was silently grateful for that. It also made it hard to see if anyone else approached and that left him uneasy. He knew better than to force Katie to move faster and the higher they climbed, the slower her pace.

  She moved to the side and sat on a massive boulder. “I. Need. A. Break.”

  “Drink some water.” Daniel pulled a water bottle out of the backpack then turned to assess their status.

  “I hate to be. Pessimistic,” she panted.

  Daniel took a long swig of water. “Yeah, about what?”

  Katie put her hands on her thighs and leaned forward, letting out a long exhale. “Some of those railroad ties don’t look secure. Are you sure this is safe?”

  “They’re stronger than you think.”

  “If you say so.” She rose, pulling on the backpack.

  “I probably should’ve mentioned this earlier, but once we start, there’s no turning back. The only way down is from the top.”

  “Because?”

  “The angle makes it hard on the body and the spikes, loose blocks and uneven steps aren’t conducive for descent.”

  “You’re not scaring me. Let’s finish this.”

  He grinned at her fortitude.

  They continued upward. The foliage parted giving him a better view of the parking lot hundreds of feet below. Their vehicle was the only car. Was it a national no-hiking holiday he didn’t know about?

  His casual gaze was stopped short as a black four-door sedan pulled up behind the Taurus.

  Two men in suits exited.

  His lightheartedness vanished. You’ve gotta be kidding.

  “Daniel, is that...?” She’d seen them too.

  His name on her lips should have been sweet, but it carried her fears and worry.

  Daniel searched the area around them, silently berating himself for being careless. He removed his Glock from the holster.

  “What are we going to do?” Katie whispered though the men were too far away to hear her.

  There was no way around.

  They were on display. Nowhere to hide.

  No way to run back down the Incline.

  “It’s a one-way trip. The bail out trail is a possibility, but not if Marino’s men are waiting at the bottom. We’ll be safer at the top.” He turned and took in the sight of the remainder of the climb. They had to finish this. Up was their only hope.

  Katie’s face paled. “No. It’s one thing to do it for fun. I can’t run away from them uphill.”

  “Yes, you can. Look how far you’ve come.” Daniel pointed down. “We’re halfway there.”

  She gripped his arm. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”

  “No, you’re not. We can finish this.” Daniel stooped, holding her gaze. “There’s no way they’ll make it up the steps in suits and dress shoes. And we’re almost to the top. We’ll use the distance to buy some time.”

  Katie nodded. “I trust you.”

  Three words that sent the jackhammer in his chest into overdrive. It was one thing to make the climb, it was another to attempt to outrun men determined to kill them while hiking. Katie’s faith in him bolstered his courage. No way could Marino’s men make it up the Incline dressed like that. At least, he hoped they couldn’t.

  SEVEN

  The thin mountain air stung Katie’s lungs as she and Daniel continued their upward battle on the Incline. Where was the top?

  Katie paused; her chest heaved with exertion and fear.

  Daniel’s hand rested on her back. “Don’t stop. Just keep climbing.”

  “How close are they?”

  “Doesn’t matter. C’mon, you can do this.”

  But she needed to see. Needed to know how close the men were to catching up with them. Katie clutched the nearest railroad tie and twisted around. The sudden movement combined with the sight of the straight vertical drop caused her to sway off-balance. Daniel’s strong presence moved in her line of sight.

  “Focus upward.”

  Katie met his eyes, inhaled and gave a quick nod. In a steady motion, she turned and concentrated on the steps. The steep path necessitated more of a crawl than climb. At least in this position, I won’t fall off.

  Hand on the railroad tie, she hauled her protesting body upward. Help me, Lord. One more step. The words became a mental chant. One more step.

  Time stood still; her heavy breathing coupled with Daniel’s were the only sounds except for their shoes against the railroad ties and gravel.

  How far had they gone? Katie paused, gasping for oxygen, fingers clinging on the steps and knees digging into the unforgiving wood. She closed her eyes; the daunting task weighed heavily on her resolve. “I can’t keep going. I can’t breathe.”

  “Don’t stop, Katie. Slow is still progress.” Daniel didn’t touch her this time, but his words wrapped around her.

  I’m going to die up here. And nobody will find my body because nobody will be crazy enough to make this ridiculous climb.

  Had she said the words out loud?

  No. She could barely breathe, much less voice her complaint. Her thoughts were magnified and Daniel’s silence didn’t help.

  Her legs and arms shook with exertion.

  “Katie, dig deep. Don’t give up—you can do this,” Daniel urged.

  She was holding him back. He could easily make the climb but he was stuck going at her snail’s pace. God, help me.

  “How long will you cling up there before you realize there’s no escape?” one of the men taunted from below.

  “Come down and we won’t hurt you,” the other called.

  Despite Daniel’s encouragement and her own fears, Katie turned. The men were slowly pursuing. One aimed a gun at them.

  Daniel’s hand again secured her. “Don’t respond. Get closer to the ground.”

  She obeyed.

  A muffled pfft and spray of dirt inches from her hand had Katie jerking back her arm.

  “They’re seriously shooting at us?” she raspe
d.

  Daniel held tight, pressing his body against her back. She could feel the heaviness of his breathing. The warmth of his body. The smell of earth and soap. He was literally shielding her body with his.

  “Keep down.” Daniel returned fire.

  “Lord, help us!” She twisted beneath Daniel’s arched body and watched as the taller of the two men ducked and slipped, sending both tumbling backward.

  Katie gasped.

  They landed in a heap at the bottom. A tangled mess of dress suits and irritated assailants. One of the men had a broken leg, twisted in an awkward angle.

  “Go,” Daniel pressed, moving aside so she could continue the climb.

  Katie pushed on. Deliberately and painfully making her trek up the mountain, her breath shallow.

  “Are they coming?” she panted.

  “No.”

  Daniel and Katie increased their pace.

  If possible, the air was thinner. How did people in Colorado breathe? The railroad ties disappeared over the top of the mountain.

  “We’re almost there.” Katie was excited for the first time at the sight of the end so near. The possibility of finishing propelled her forward.

  “That’s the false summit.”

  Katie blinked, forcing down tears of frustration.

  As if sensing her defeat, Daniel added, “But we’re close.”

  She contemplated throwing a temper tantrum but dared not use her already limited oxygen supply.

  “Don’t let it discourage you,” Daniel said. “The men are leaving. Let’s finish this.”

  His words helped, but each step weighed more than the last. Each one harder to make.

  Katie paused, feeling every thump of her pounding heart and the fire in her lungs. God, help me finish this.

  The sunshine beamed down, warming her. Like a shot of adrenaline, she took in the sight of the remaining climb and with a deep exhale, summoned the last bit of energy.

  She stumbled over the last railroad tie to several cement steps encased with sand. Evergreens and other sparse trees and bushes decorated the peak. Light-beige-colored gravel was scattered around the cement steps. Two huge boulders centered the peak. Katie stood tall, gaping at the mountain paradise. Breathtaking. And she was alive.