Taken aback, possibly shamed, the chief blustered, “Well, that all sounds good, Jax. Keep me posted.”
The older man hurried away and Jackson returned to his office, where Rhea was still bent over her sketch pad, drawing.
“It’s almost six. Are you ready to go? Maybe get dinner?” he said, but as he walked toward her his smartphone chirped. He grabbed it off his desk and realized it was his cousin Robbie calling.
“Hey, Robbie. Do you have good news for us?”
Rhea’s head popped up at the sound of his cousin’s name.
“Putting you on speaker,” he said as he walked over to Rhea and sat in the chair beside her, the smartphone held between them.
“Okay. I’ve got Sophie here with me, and like I said, good news. We were able to process the LIDAR data and get some images for you. How about a video call and a bigger screen, so we can explain the information?”
“I’ll arrange that. I’d also like to include one of my colleagues who is familiar with the area,” he said.
“Great. I’ll send a link to the meeting. Fifteen minutes?” Sophie asked.
“We’ll be ready,” Jackson said and hung up. He shared a look with Rhea and hoped she would be.
Chapter Twenty
Jackson had set up a large projection monitor in the conference room and sat next to her, a laptop before him ready to make the video call. Officer Dillon sat across from them at the table, poised with pen and paper to take notes if necessary.
Following the link Sophie had sent, Jackson began the video call. The almost musical beep-bloop-beep chime ended quickly as Robbie and Sophie answered and their smiling faces jumped onto the big screen in front of them.
Even if she hadn’t been told that they were Jackson’s cousins, she would have seen the family resemblance. They both had the same square jaw, straight nose and thumbprint cleft in their chins. Broad dimples bracketed their mouths, and like Jackson, they had light eyes, although it was hard to tell what color thanks to the quality of the video combined with the projection.
Jackson’s hair was a light brown, but Robbie and Sophie both had coffee brown, slightly wavier locks. Robbie was handsome. Sophie beautiful, but not in a classic way. More like a warrior goddess, strong and sure of herself.
“Happy to see you, primo,” she said.
“Happy to see the both of you, and thank you again. I’ve got Rhea and Officer Dillon with me,” he said, although he was the only one visible on the video call thanks to the angle of the laptop’s camera.
“Like I said before, we’ve got good news for you,” Robbie said and, a second later, a photo replaced their smiling images.
“We took the LIDAR images, and this is the raw photo,” Robbie said, describing the first image. “There’s lots of forest on both mountains, except for the ski resort to the extreme right and an obvious trail near that area.”
As Robbie spoke, the mouse highlighted the areas his cousin was describing. When he shifted to the path close to the resort, Dillon spoke up. “That’s the trail that most hikers use.”
After that, Robbie continued, pointing toward the middle of the photo. “Here there appears to be slightly less vegetation, but then it’s quite dense to the left of it.”
Dillon rose from his spot and walked toward the screen. Gesturing to the area where the forest was less dense, he said, “I think this is the old logging road I told you about. I’m not sure just how passable the road is nowadays, and I don’t think many people use it.”
“Thanks for that info, Officer Dillon,” Sophie said. “There was clearly something there even before we processed the image with our software.”
When she finished, another image immediately popped up on the screen, surprising them with the look of it. All vegetation had been cleared away, revealing the contours of the mountainside, as well as what appeared to be other features.
Robbie came back online and continued with his explanation. “We downloaded a topographical map so we could have reference points to assist us in determining what was natural and what was man-made. Beside the resort area that was visible before, the processed image reveals several buildings beneath the tree line close to the resort and the path of the nearby trail.”
“Wow, way cool,” Officer Dillon said.
Very, Rhea thought as Sophie took over, explaining the other features revealed by their work. “There is clearly a break of some kind on the second mountain. I think Officer Dillon mentioned it was an old logging trail. But fairly high up on the trail, there’s a small structure. Maybe a lean-to of some kind.”
“Would that be big enough to hide a vehicle?” Jackson asked.
“For sure,” Sophie answered and pressed onward. “About two miles away there’s another structure. A cabin. See this square at one side? Probably a chimney.”
“You’re sure that’s a cabin?” Jackson asked.
“Without a doubt,” Robbie said and then shifted to an image zoomed and enhanced to show the details of the structure. After that, he displayed several other photos, from slightly different angles, which helped to define the path of the logging trail, as well as a possible trail from the lean-to toward the cabin.
When he finished, he said, “We’ve sent you these photos via email. If you need us to testify to them, we’d be happy to do that.”
“We totally appreciate all you’ve done,” Rhea said, suddenly feeling very optimistic about what the photos had revealed.
“We never say ‘No’ to family,” Sophie said, which prompted a rough laugh from Jackson.
“Hint duly noted, as well as massive guilt, Sophie. I love you guys, and I hope to see you soon,” Jackson said.
“Hope to see you soon in Miami, primo,” Robbie said and ended the video call.
“They sure know how to lay on the guilt,” Rhea teased, and Jackson laughed. He shot to his feet to turn on the lights in the conference room, leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. Peering at Dillon, he said, “You mentioned that logging road might be tough to traverse.”
Dillon nodded. “Might be. We’d obviously need 4x4s and additional manpower. Those guys are probably armed.”
Jackson nodded. “I spoke to the Parks Service, and they’re leaving it up to us to take action. I’m thinking two other officers, SWAT possibly, if the chief approves of course.”
“I agree. Weather tomorrow is supposed to be good,” Dillon said.
Almost too eagerly, Rhea thought.
“I’ll speak to the chief and ask him who will be our backup, but remember this, Dillon. These men are likely dangerous. Possibly murderers, or kidnappers if Selene is still alive,” Jackson said in warning, likewise sensing the young officer’s almost misplaced enthusiasm.
“Alive? It’s been over six months, boss. Sorry, miss,” Dillon said with a guilty look in her direction.
“It’s okay, Officer Dillon. I understand.” She peered at Jackson as he continued to lean against the wall.
As her gaze met his, determination filled his gaze, but also pain. They were possibly almost at the end of their journey. It might end at a most dangerous place tomorrow, after they made their ascent up the mountain and to the structures the images had revealed.
“I’m going with you tomorrow, Jax. Make no mistake about that,” she warned.
“We’ll discuss this later. Right now, I have to get the chief’s approval for this operation.”
He didn’t wait for a reply from either her or Dillon. He rushed out, his face dark with worry and hurt, gray eyes as stormy as rainclouds. His lips a thin line in a face as stony as granite. Closed off from her, and she understood. He wasn’t just preparing himself for the danger to come.
He was preparing for her to leave.
HE MOVED IN HER, his big body driving her toward release. His gaze locked on her, wanting to see when she went over and to hold that moment cl
ose before he lost control.
Her blue eyes had darkened, were almost black with desire. A soft moan escaped her with one thrust, and he worried he might have hurt her until she dug her fingernails into his skin and arched her back, deepening his penetration. He thrust again and she urged him on, wrapping her legs around him.
Inside pressure built, his heart pounding harder and louder. Almost as if calling out what he was feeling. Love you, love you, love you, but the words never left his mouth, trapped by fear.
Beneath him, her body shuddered and tightened, and she called out his name, her release washing over her. Spilling onto him as he drove into her one last time. Her name escaped his lips and he fell over with her.
He held his weight off her, but then she reached up and cradled his shoulders. Invited him to rest on her, their bodies still united. But after a short minute, he rolled onto his side and took her with him, tucking her close.
They lay there in silence until Rhea stroked a hand across his chest. “It’s going to be okay.”
A rough laugh escaped him. “Funny. I thought that was supposed to be my line.”
She didn’t respond, she just moved closer, her hand resting over his heart.
He understood. As much as he had searched for the words since they’d left the police station earlier, he hadn’t found them. Hadn’t been able to figure out how to tell her that he loved her. How that had happened in just a few days. What he hoped for the future with her. If there even was a future.
Rhea rested beside him, her hand tucked over his heart, listening to the beat as it settled into a steady rhythm. She felt his tension growing. The muscles beneath her hand were tight, unyielding. The arm resting down her back, keeping her near, didn’t exude that feeling of comfort or protection that his touch usually did.
It made her wonder if it would be okay, as she’d said earlier. If after tomorrow, no matter what happened, they could make this relationship work. If they could explore the love that had somehow blossomed between them at such an unlikely time. But it had taken hold and sunk its roots deep in her heart.
Has it done the same in him?
She refused to think that it hadn’t, but tomorrow would tell. No matter what happened, they might have to go their separate ways.
But can we find our way back together?
Chapter Twenty-One
The turnoff to the logging road was blocked by a wall of underbrush, but the tire tracks in the soft dirt confirmed it had been recently used. Jackson and Dillon got out of the SUV and, after examining the tumble of vines and brush, pulled it away to allow them to pass.
They bumped their way up the uneven road, which was fairly navigable despite the large boulders and soft loose dirt at numerous spots along the path. At one point, the SUV behind them carrying the two members of the Regina SWAT team got bogged down in one of the softer ruts. Jackson got out, cut down some branches with his machete and tucked them under the tires, providing the traction to get them out of the rut.
Inside their SUV, Dillon manned a tablet with software that Robbie and Sophie had provided, which visualized exactly where they were based on the LIDAR images. As Dillon lifted the tablet, a 3D rendering of the area around them sprang to life. But as they got closer to the first structure identified by the drone imagery, they didn’t need a tablet to tell them what was right before their eyes: the SUV from the photos at the pub.
Jackson got out of the car, stood on the running board and gestured to everyone to hold their positions with his upraised fist.
He hopped off the running board and carefully approached the lean-to, which housed the SUV, worried that anyone who had taken the time to hide the turnoff for the road might have created a booby trap to protect the vehicle.
He inched his way all around the area, searching for trip wires or hidden traps.
“All clear,” he said and gave the hand motion to go.
Everyone exited the vehicles and came over to examine the SUV against the pub photo.
“Definitely the same car,” said the one SWAT officer as he stood in front of the Jeep, his rifle slung across his chest.
Jackson squatted to examine the custom bumper. There were rough gouges and scratches in the thick steel, a testament to when they’d used the vehicle to ram them. There were even still some hints of white paint from the police cruiser’s bumper.
“This is the vehicle that attacked us.” He straightened and faced his team.
“These men are dangerous. They are likely armed. We need to use extreme caution on our approach and you—” he gestured to Rhea “—you hang back and stay close.”
Jackson hated that she was even with them, but Rhea had insisted, and he knew it wouldn’t have done any good to argue with her. They had come so far together, and it would end with them together. He walked over to her, cupped her jaw and said, “You understand, right? I don’t want to see you hurt.” For good measure, he checked the bulletproof vest and helmet she wore, making sure she’d be secure.
Rhea cradled his face. “I understand. I’ll stay close, because I don’t want to see any of you hurt.”
He nodded and went to the head of his team. Gave the Move-out symbol.
There was a narrow trail from the SUV lean-to westward, and they hiked on it cautiously, watching for booby traps or alarms. Checking the tablet to see just how close they were to the cabin, which had been revealed by the LIDAR.
Jackson figured the structure was a good two miles from the logging trail. Not a long hike normally, but he and the other officers were in full protective gear. It was hot and sweaty beneath the body armor and helmets. Still they pressed on, navigating the trail until the cabin came into view, just where the LIDAR had said it would be.
He gave the Hold command and examined the clearing around the structure. Off to one side, there was an area with a woodpile and log with an ax buried in it.
One less weapon for them, Jackson thought.
Crude chairs fashioned from branches graced an equally crude and rustic porch, clearly an add-on to an otherwise solid log cabin. Curtains in an indiscriminate color hung on the windows, blocking his view into the building.
Wood smoke escaped the chimney, and the smell of it drifted over to them along with the scent of bacon. Someone was making a meal. Maybe a late breakfast.
A good thing. It meant they were home and maybe not paying too much attention to the exterior of the cabin.
He gestured to his team members to come close, and once they had gathered around him, he spoke to them in a low tone, directing each member to a different side of the structure. With a quick glance at Rhea, he said, “You stay down and close to me. Understand?”
Rhea nodded, comprehending Jackson’s concerns. But there was no way she was going to miss this moment after all that they’d been through to get here.
She hung back, as close as she could so as not to hamper Jackson, and watched as the other team members fanned out. They had only gotten about halfway to their positions when a clanging sound rang out. A cow bell, warning anyone in the cabin that someone was outside.
The SWAT member who had tripped the alarm dropped to the ground, trying to avoid detection, but a second later came the sound of glass breaking and a shot rang out in his direction. Bark flew off a tree in his general direction.
A curtain shifted in the front of the cabin, and the glass shattered as a second rifle barrel poked out.
Jackson muttered a curse and shook his head. With a backward sweep of his arm, he tucked Rhea behind the protection of his back. Having been discovered, he had no choice but to shout, “Police. Drop your weapons and come out with your hands up.”
A round of gunshots came in their direction, smashing into the trees and brush around them. One of their team returned fire, but Jackson radioed them and said, “Hold your fire. They could have a hostage in there.”
He again c
alled out to the men in the cabin. “We don’t have to do this the hard way. Surrender, and I can speak to the DA to keep the sentence reasonable.”
In response, a female face suddenly appeared in the window, but then was hauled back abruptly. “We’ll kill her,” someone shouted.
Selene. Alive. Selene’s alive, Rhea thought and stood up slightly, her gut reaction to run to her sister.
Jackson hauled her back down and looked over his shoulder at her. Blood dripped from a cut on his cheekbone and a bit of bark stuck to his helmet. Eyes hard, he said, “Steady, Rhea.”
Without missing a beat, he turned back toward the cabin and screamed, “You can make this easier for yourselves. Let the woman go, and I’ll talk to the DA.”
More gunfire erupted, but it was followed by shouting from inside the cabin. The thick log walls were enough to muffle whatever it was they were saying to each other, but Rhea hoped they were talking about surrendering. Her hopes were dashed as bullets tore into the underbrush and ground all around the SWAT officer who had tripped the cowbell.
A volley of gunfire erupted from the officer toward the side of the cabin. The dull thud of bullets striking wood reverberated through her.
Once again, Jackson reined in the response. “Hold your fire. Repeat, hold your fire.”
“Copy that,” echoed from all the officers.
The creak of the door drew their attention. It opened, almost in slow motion, providing a partial view of the interior of the cabin. But then suddenly, Selene stood in the doorway, hands held on top of her head.
She paused, a little wobbly. Way too thin, Rhea thought. The tattered shirt hung on her slim shoulders and was stained in various spots. Rhea had given her the shirt two Christmases ago. Her jeans were worn and torn, likewise dirty as if from soot or soil.
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