by Mary Alford
“They’re stopping. It looks like they’re searching behind the cabin,” he said in a hushed voice. “I count at least three snowmobiles. There’s more around front. I don’t like it, Liz. It feels like a setup.”
She stood next to him. “It does. I just don’t understand how they found us so quickly.”
“We don’t know who these guys are yet. They might just be trappers who were curious about our arrival. I’m sure having a plane fly in here isn’t exactly a daily occurrence.”
He could see that she didn’t believe him. “Aaron, we have to get to the cabin in Black Bear. If we don’t, we may never know who killed Michael and Sam, or where the missing weapons have gone.”
Although she didn’t say as much, he knew it was on her mind. Without the evidence, they might never clear her name.
“We’ll make it there,” he insisted. “I promise we will. There’s no way I’m going to let you go to jail for what someone else did.”
Liz put her hand to her head and swayed.
His arms circled her waist for support. “Are you okay?” he asked with growing concern.
She shook her head. “No, something’s wrong, Aaron. I feel so...” She barely got the words out when her eyes rolled back in her head and she went limp in his arms.
He felt for a pulse. It was there, but weak. What if the injuries from the crash had been worse than the doctor believed? She might have internal bleeding or who knows what else.
Aaron forgot everything except the woman in his arms. He couldn’t let anything happen to her. He picked her up and headed for the nearby bed when the world around him began to spin uncontrollably and his vision blurred. He stumbled several times, then lost his footing. He was losing consciousness. He dropped to his knees with Liz still in his arms.
It was a struggle to stay alert. He became aware of a door closing and men talking quietly. Someone was in the house. Was Rick in danger?
“Did you take care of them?” someone asked. A man. He sounded so far away. The world around Aaron grew fuzzy and he fought the darkness.
“Yes, they’re here. It will take a few minutes for the drug to take effect.” Rick’s voice was as clear as the realization that he’d put something in their food.
Aaron’s eyelids felt as if they were weighted down with lead. He was barely hanging on. Sam had been poisoned. Was the same thing happening to them? Had Michael already given up the location for the guns and he and Liz had now become expendable?
Numbness swept through his body quickly. Aaron’s last conscious thought was that the man Michael had trusted Liz’s life to had betrayed both of them in the worst possible way.
FOUR
Through the fog of disorientation surrounding her, voices could be heard. They were close. Liz struggled to open her eyes, but it was as if they were glued shut. Her head pounded as if someone had struck her hard. With her fuzzy thoughts, she tried to make sense of what had happened. The last thing she remembered was hiding with Aaron at the back of the cabin. Then the dizziness set in...
Rick. Through her muddled thoughts one thing became obvious. He’d set them up. The kindness he’d shown them had all been an act. She and Aaron had been drugged by someone Michael trusted. They’d been right to have doubts about Rick, but it was of little consolation now.
She sensed movement nearby and tensed.
“Get her awake. Now.” An angry voice issued the command. “We need answers. We’ve waited long enough for the weapons.”
For the weapons.
She was slapped with so much force that her head twisted in the opposite direction. Pain shot down the side of her face bringing stinging tears. For a second, she thought she might lose consciousness again.
Aaron! Where was he? Fear surged through her like an electrical current. She struggled to hang on. Force her eyes open. Her arms and legs were immobile.
When the world finally focused, she realized she was being restrained on one of the kitchen chairs. Hands tied behind her back, causing her injured limb to throb mercilessly.
She glanced around frantically searching for Aaron. He was seated next to her. Ropes restrained his chest. His hands were secured behind his back, his legs tied like hers. He didn’t move and her heart dropped to her feet. Was he alive?
Please, God.
Through slitted eyes, she counted half a dozen men standing around. None of which she recognized. Rick stood off to himself, leaning against the door.
The men would have found their Glocks and taken them. They were both restrained and defenseless. She moved her foot slightly. The note was still there. They hadn’t searched her boot.
“She’s awake,” the man standing over her said to someone else.
Liz forced Rick into eye contact. “How could you do this? Michael trusted you.”
He shook his head and looked away without answering.
A swarthy man with cold eyes stepped into her line of sight, blocking out everything else. “Shut up. You are in no position to ask questions.” His face contorted with the anger that was reflected in his voice. He was close enough for her to see every line and every pore on his ruddy face. His foul breath was repulsive.
Without breaking eye contact he barked in her face to someone, “Take Evans with you. Search the plane. Let me know what you find.” To Liz he seethed, “You’d better hope for both your sakes that we find them. Otherwise...”
The man was clearly in charge. He stepped away and Liz realized they were looking for the missing weapons.
One of the armed men grabbed Rick and forced him out of the cabin. The very act seemed to indicate Rick wasn’t part of their organization, but had somehow been forced into cooperation.
The man in charge followed them outside. Liz’s eyes darted to Aaron and she saw that he was awake.
“It won’t take them long to figure out the weapons aren’t there,” he whispered so that only she could hear.
She knew exactly what he meant. They didn’t have much time. “We’re outmanned. Including the leader, I counted six men other than Rick. There could be more outside. We have to find a way to divide and conquer, otherwise once they realize we don’t know where the guns are, they’ll kill us.”
Aaron started to say something, but one of the remaining men turned and stared at them. “Keep quiet,” he snapped, then turned back to his friend.
“Just follow my lead, okay?” Aaron mouthed.
Before she could respond, the leader came back inside and immediately headed for Liz.
She could see the rage on his face. “I’m done playing nice. If you want to save yourself, tell us where you hid the weapons.” He moved to within inches of her and grabbed her hair, pulling her closer. “Where are they?” he snarled.
She had little doubt these men were part of the crew who had been double-crossed by Sam. They’d been expecting a delivery that didn’t happen. And they somehow believed Liz knew where the weapons were hidden.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she managed and closed her eyes, her thoughts reeling.
How had they tied Rick to Michael? She’d checked Michael’s phone. There were no calls made recently. Unless... Michael’s burner phone. It was missing. What if the person who killed him had taken it? Was that how Michael arranged for the guns to be moved?
The man’s facial expression contorted in rage. “You’re lying. Michael Harris was your partner. You knew exactly what was going on. You were on Lansford’s payroll.”
Liz’s shocked gaze locked on the man. He believed she was on Sam’s payroll. Had Michael told him as much or had Sam lied to try and spare his own life?
The man smiled knowingly. “That’s right. He told me that you worked for Lansford just like your dirty partner.”
He...who was he talking about? Unease slithered up her spine
. Was this goon just the muscle for someone else? Someone far bigger?
“I don’t work for Lansford and I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She threw the words in his face. The man snorted. Before he could say more, one of the others came over and whispered something in his ear.
The leader stared at her, then drew his hand back and slapped Liz hard once more. The impact had her seeing stars, her head flying sideways. The throbbing pain intensified.
The man lifted his hand to strike her again, but Aaron stopped him. “That’s enough,” he said as he fought against his restraints. The look in his eyes was murderous. Liz had no doubt he would have killed the man if he could have gotten loose.
“Shut up,” the leader snapped at Aaron and then glared at Liz. “Enough games. The weapons aren’t on the aircraft and they were not at the location they were supposed to be in Black Bear.” He paused for her to get the full effect of his glare. “I want the truth. Now,” he roared loud enough so that she jumped.
He’d let slip that the guns were supposed to be in Black Bear.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Aaron’s shocked reaction. He’d caught it too. The men had been to Black Bear already. Had they found the evidence?
She struggled to keep from losing hope. Somehow, she had to find a way to convince the man that she knew nothing about Sam’s operation.
“I’m telling you the truth,” she said with as much passion as she could muster. “I don’t know anything about the guns and I’m certainly not part of any criminal activity.”
The man was unmoved. She tried a different tactic. “You’ve just kidnapped two federal agents. I’d say you have more to worry about than finding some weapons.”
His expression didn’t waver. He knew who they were and he wasn’t worried about being prosecuted for the kidnapping, which told her it didn’t matter whether or not they cooperated. She and Aaron wouldn’t be leaving this cabin alive. The urgency of their situation just ratcheted to desperate.
After seconds of a silent standoff, he stepped away.
“I need to speak with the boss. Find out what he wants me to do with these.” He informed one of his minions and then he stepped outside and out of their hearing.
“Did you hear what he said?” she whispered to Aaron in astonishment.
He briefly nodded. “If he’s not the one in charge, then who is?”
She quickly glanced at the door. “Exactly, and how is Rick involved in this thing?”
In Aaron’s eyes she saw the same questions rattling round in her head. “I don’t think Rick’s working for them by choice. Not that that’s any consolation,” he said.
“They’ve been to Black Bear. What if they found the evidence?” she voiced her worst fear.
Aaron’s gaze softened and he tried to reassure her. “Don’t go there, Liz. We don’t know that they have any clue about the cabin or the evidence.”
She was struggling not to give up. Looking into his eyes, she saw the strength she needed.
Outside, angry voices engaged in a heated argument. One was the leader. She couldn’t make out the exchange but it was obvious that the leader wasn’t happy.
“Aaron, if we don’t produce a location for the guns, they’ll kill us.”
He glanced at the door and then back to her. “I have an idea that might buy us some time. Do you think you can manage to get your hands free? I noticed that the knot isn’t too tight.”
She tested the ropes ignoring the excruciating pain that shot up her arm from her injured wrist. “Yes, I’m pretty sure I can work the ropes loose...” Before she finished the leader returned and she stopped what she was doing.
It was clear the minute she saw his face that the conversation with the person in charge hadn’t gone well.
The man stormed up in front of Liz. “You will tell me the location now or you will suffer the consequences. You’ve wasted enough time.”
She stared up at his fury. Fear for their lives had now doubled.
When she didn’t respond, he turned his attention to Aaron. “Perhaps torturing him will get you to talk,” he said with deadly intent.
Please, no. She struggled against her restraints and the man laughed.
Aaron’s gaze locked with hers. So many unspoken emotions flashed in his eyes. She understood all of them, because she felt the same. She cared about Aaron deeply. She didn’t want to die like this. In the middle of nowhere, at the hands of thugs, being held for something they had no control over.
“I’m okay,” he assured her.
Liz forced herself to breathe normally. She glanced around at the men. All were heavily armed. They were spaced around the living and kitchen area. Restrained, she and Aaron were powerless.
She felt around until she was able to access the knot used to tie her hands. The pain in her injured wrist made even the slightest of movements feel as if someone were stabbing her with hot knives. Yet there was no other choice. If she could ignore the ache and get her restraints loose, she’d have a matter of seconds to free Aaron and subdue the men. It seemed an impossible situation.
Fighting through the nausea, she began working the restraints. She had to go slow, keeping her movement to a minimum so as not to draw attention to herself.
The leader took out his knife and held it against Aaron’s throat. He turned to her once more. “Well? Do I kill him or will you talk?”
At the introduction of the knife, her heart thundered against her chest. “Let him go. He’s not part of this.”
Aaron’s gaze sliced to hers. “No, Liz. It’s time to tell them the truth.”
She stared at him trying to interpret the meaning behind those words. She trusted him completely. She’d let whatever he had planned play out.
“They want the weapons. We want to live.” She slowly nodded.
The leader obviously had his doubts, but the renewed anger in him indicated whoever he’d called hadn’t been happy with his results so far. If that person was the one responsible for Michael and Sam’s deaths, then they wouldn’t think twice about killing this man if he didn’t produce results.
With narrowed eyes, he stared first at Aaron and then at Liz before loosening the knife slightly.
“That’s more like it. Cooperate and maybe we’ll let you walk away. But you’d better not be playing me, or else it will be my pleasure to kill both of you in the most painful way possible.”
Liz did her best to sound convincing. “Aaron, you can’t tell them.”
“I told you to shut up!” the man growled before turning to Aaron. “Where are they?”
Aaron didn’t hesitate. “They’re not here, but I know where they’re hidden. I can fly you there.”
The man snorted his doubt. “You’re lying. You’d say anything to save yourself.”
Aaron’s expression never altered. “Am I? You want your guns, don’t you? Then untie me and I’ll take you to them.”
The man didn’t break eye contact. After several seconds of silence, he seemed to waver. “All right, we’ll see if you’re telling the truth. You’ll take us to them, but she stays here.” He pointed the knife at Liz.
“That’s not part of the deal,” Aaron argued. “If you want the guns we both go.”
The man whipped the knife out and held it against Liz’s throat. “You’re not in a position to give orders. She stays behind or else she dies. Your choice.”
“All right,” Aaron interjected quickly. “I’ll do what you say. She stays behind. Just don’t hurt her.”
The leader jeered then slowly lowered the knife. “I thought you’d like that option better.”
Aaron smiled reassuringly at her. The tenderness on his face tore at her heart.
“It’ll be okay. Just keep doing what you’re doing. Before you know it we’ll be free and toget
her and we’ll fly out of here once more.”
She understood. He was trying to draw the leader and hopefully some of his team away so that they could divide and conquer. It would give her time to escape. She had to free herself and disarm the men left behind as quickly as possible. Then she needed to reach the airstrip before Aaron got in the air, because once they discovered he was bluffing, they wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.
The leader motioned to one of his men. “Untie him and bring him with us.” Then he turned his full attention to Aaron. “I’m warning you, this had better not be a trick, otherwise, I’ll notify my men. She’ll be dead.”
“I understand,” Aaron said calmly.
Once he was free, the leader grabbed Aaron’s arm, yanked him to his feet and then jerked him toward the door. “You come with me,” he ordered two of his men. “The rest of you keep an eye on her. If she tries anything...kill her.”
Just before he was forced from the cabin Aaron glanced her way. Emotions she couldn’t begin to explain had her drawing in a deep breath.
“Be careful,” she mouthed and then he was gone and it was all up to her now.
* * *
“Hurry up,” the leader yelled and then shoved Aaron toward one of the snowmobiles parked out front. “Your friend back there wasted enough of our time already. She should have done what was expected of her.”
What was expected of her? The words played through Aaron’s head uneasily. Was it another ploy to try and convince him of Liz’s guilt or was there something more at play here?
“What are you talking about?” Aaron asked on a long shot.
The man seemed to have second thoughts about speaking out of turn. “Nothing. Get on the machine. You’re driving. I’m warning you, you’d better not try anything...” Before he could finish the insult, the man’s phone rang and he grabbed it out of his pocket. Once he saw who the caller was, he motioned to one of his goons.
“Watch the prisoner. It’s him.” The man grabbed Aaron’s arm while the leader moved away.