by Gerri Hill
“Hey, how about a rest?”
“Man, she’s like a drill instructor today,” Celia said. “You know, I haven’t even peed yet.”
“And I haven’t had breakfast,” Sandra complained. She punched Jaime on the arm. “You scared the shit out of me when you woke us up.”
“Sorry.”
“I thought we had a bear in camp or something.”
Jaime smiled then looked over at Sara. Their eyes met and for the first time, she saw fear in Sara’s. Pulling out her binoculars, she waved at them. “You go on ahead,” she said. “I’m going to see if I can find . . . some birds.” She looked at Sara, who nodded.
“Come on, ladies. Let’s give our birdwatcher a little privacy.”
“Are we going to have breakfast?” Sandra asked.
“No. But we’ll stop early for lunch. Promise.” Sara looked back once, silently telling Jaime to be careful.
Jaime nodded and as soon as the group moved away, she left the trail and moved behind boulders, trying to find a secluded spot. Her only consolation was that they had started out nearly two hours earlier than normal. She hoped the man following them assumed they would stick to their routine. With any luck, he would still be on the other mountain, waiting.
She stayed nearly thirty minutes, scanning the entire mountainside for movement and saw none. No reflections, no sound. Nothing. It was simply a gorgeous morning with autumn crispness still in the air. It was a beautiful time to be in the mountains, the colors just exploding around her. A perfect time if you liked solitude. Very few backpackers chanced the mountains this late in the year. She sighed. And that was why they were sitting ducks. They’d been on the trail nine days now and had yet to see another person other than their stalker.
After another hour, Sara finally stopped. She didn’t want to get too far ahead of Jaime. She let her backpack fall to the ground and rubbed her shoulders while she looked down the trail. It was so beautiful out here—she had a hard time accepting that someone might be following them. But after this morning, she trusted Jaime. The constant teasing and flirting did nothing to change that. Jaime was a cop and if she said they were in danger, Sara would believe her. She shook her head. Still, it made no sense. She was estranged from her father. Her death would mean nothing to him. Her mother, yes. But him? He would probably thank the killer. One less lesbian daughter to account for during the debates.
“Ms. Michaels? Sara? Are you okay?” Abby asked.
Sara jerked her head, just now noticing the other woman. “I’m fine, Abby. And please, no more Ms. Michaels. Just Sara.”
“Okay. But you’ve been acting strange this morning. So has Jaime, for that matter,” she said, then lowered her voice. “Did she . . . did she make a pass at you last night or something?”
Sara smiled then laughed. “No, Abby. I can handle myself.”
“Well, she’s made it no secret, you know, that she likes you.”
“Likes me?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Jaime just likes to flirt. She means no harm.”
“Okay, then.” Abby shrugged. “I like her. I mean, if I were gay, God, she’d turn me to jelly.”
Sara smiled. Abby, like all the others, had already been reduced to putty by Jaime’s charm, gay or not. She slid her eyes back down the trail, looking for the familiar sight of the other woman. The trail was empty. She took a deep breath.
“Everyone ready?”
“Shouldn’t we wait for Jaime?” Sandra asked.
“Let’s go a little farther, then we’ll stop for lunch. Jaime will catch up with us.”
Amid groans, they all picked up their backpacks again and headed out, single file. The trail was going down the mountain and Sara felt no need to hurry. Until Jaime caught up with them, there was nothing she could do but go forward. Hopefully, they’d left early enough to lose their uninvited guest. But since they were simply following the trail, it wouldn’t be hard for him to track them. She wondered if Jaime thought they could outrun him.
Jaime paused at the top of a ridge, turning to scan the area behind her. She’d still seen no sign of anyone. She looked at her watch. It had been an hour and a half since she’d left the group and she was beginning to worry. If he wasn’t behind them, surely to God he hadn’t made his way across the mountain to intercept them. No. Impossible. She’d seen his campfire.
And she knew they couldn’t go on much longer like this. She would catch up with them, make sure they were okay then take off on her own. She had to confront this guy and find out what he wanted. And if he was the killer, she’d . . . what? Arrest him?
“Sure, Jaime, read him his rights,” she murmured. Shit. A deadend assignment that was supposed to be a vacation. A hoax. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on Special Agent Ramsey.
After looking behind her one last time, she hurried down the trail, almost running. She didn’t pause to notice the colors of the aspens or the chipmunks she roused. She kept her eyes on the trail except for an occasional glance behind her.
She was completely out of breath when she saw them, some fifty yards or more ahead of her. They were stopped, sitting down and she assumed they’d talked Sara into lunch. She stopped, resting on a rock as she caught her breath. Loosening the straps on her pack, she stretched her shoulders, thinking a soak in the hot springs would be just the ticket. Unfortunately, until they stopped this guy, they couldn’t afford the luxury.
Finally, when her breathing was back to normal, she tightened her straps and shoved off the rock, walking nonchalantly toward the group. Sandra saw her first and waved.
“I was starting to worry,” the older woman called.
“Oh? Was the Sarge double-timing it, trying to lose me?” Jaime found Sara’s eyes, noting the relief she saw there.
“She was doing something. I was practically running to keep up.”
Jaime grinned. “Trying to get rid of me, huh?”
“Obviously, we weren’t quick enough,” Sara said and returned her smile.
Jaime let her pack slide off her shoulders as she made her way over to her. She sat down in front of Sara and pointed to her shoulders. “Could use a little shoulder rub there.”
“In your dreams,” Sara murmured.
“Yes, you’ve definitely been there,” Jaime teased. She rolled her shoulders several times, trying to loosen them up. Jogging with a full pack was not much fun. She felt like she’d hiked a full day already. She nearly jumped when warm hands touched her shoulders and began to squeeze.
“Not one word or I’ll stop,” Sara whispered.
Jaime nodded, squeezing her eyes shut. It was heavenly and the first moan escaped before she could stop it. “Sorry.”
“Uh-huh.” But Sara kept up her ministrations, squeezing the strong shoulders under her hands. She looked up once and saw the satisfied smile that Celia sported and she very nearly stopped. But it was another groan from Jaime stilled her hands. “That’s enough. You’ll get spoiled.”
“Wow. You sure know how to use your hands. Are you that good at everything?”
“Can you behave for one second?” Sara asked quietly. “Did you see anything?”
Jaime shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Then maybe we lost him?”
Jaime turned around. “How? We’re still on the trail. All he has to do is follow it.”
“Then what do you want to do?”
“We need to get off the trail, Sara. But I don’t think this group can handle it.”
“If there’s no alternative then they have to handle it.”
“Well, I’ve been thinking about something,” Jaime said. She turned around and faced Sara, putting her back to the others. “We can’t just keep running from him. I need to find him. I need to . . . disable him.”
“What? Are you crazy?”
“No, I’m not crazy. Crazy would be to keep going like we’ve been. Eventually, something’s got to give. We can’t just sit around and wait for it to happen.”
Jaime grinned. “You’re worried about me.” She reached out and tugged playfully on Sara’s jeans. “Thanks. I didn’t think you cared.”
“Of course I care. Who’s going to keep me warm if something happens to you?”
“Ah. So we’re talking body heat here. Well, I’m glad I’m good for something.”
“Seriously, I don’t think you should go out alone. Safety in numbers, right?”
“Sometimes. But not this time. I know this area. I can find him. You just stay on the trail until dark. I’ll catch up with you eventually.”
“I don’t like it. What if something happens to you?”
“Well, you’ll know soon enough, I suppose.”
Sara shook her head and whispered. “If he is a trained killer, you won’t stand a chance.”
“Sweetheart,” Jaime grinned. “I’ve got some skills of my own. I’m not just a pretty face.”
“Can’t you be serious for once?”
“Okay. Serious. I’m a detective. I’ve been on the force since I was twenty-one. I spent two years with the SWAT team. And when I say I know this area, I’ve been out here at least once every summer since I can remember. I doubt our guy has set foot out here before. I can find him.” She tugged again on Sara’s jeans. “Besides, we don’t know for sure he’s a bad guy, right? But we need to find out. The main problem is he’s probably got a rifle with a scope. He won’t have to get close. But I will.”
Sara stared at her, noting the determination in her eyes. Very well. She wouldn’t argue with her. “What do I tell the others?”
“How about the truth? I’ve seen someone following us and I’ve gone to check it out. They don’t need to know anything about . . . about you or your father.”
“Maybe we should just tell them.”
“Let’s see what I find out. There’s no need to get everyone upset if it turns out to be nothing.”
Sara nodded. “Okay. You’re probably right. But I still don’t like it. Like you said, he’s most likely got a rifle.”
“I’ll be fine.” Jaime got to her feet. “I’ll walk with you guys a little ways, then split. How’s that?”
Sara grabbed her arm as Jaime was leaving, pulling her back around. “How long will you be gone?”
“I’m not sure.”
“After dark?”
“Yeah. Most likely, I won’t see you until tomorrow.”
Their eyes met for a second and Sara forced a smile onto her face. “Be careful, please. I’ve kinda gotten used to you being around.”
Jaime laughed. “Better watch it, Sara, or I’ll think you’re flirting with me.”
“As if.” But Sara watched her walk away, back to where Celia and Sandra were sitting. The two older women laughed at something Jaime said, then Sandra handed Celia her camera. Sara grinned as Sandra wrapped an arm around Jaime while Celia took their picture. Sara wished she could be as free with her emotions as they were. But she’d grown used to being cautious over the years and it was a hard habit to break. She let her eyes travel over the lean figure of Jaime Hutchinson, remembering exactly what she looked like without clothes. If she were honest with herself, she’d admit that she hadn’t been physically attracted to another woman in years. Not really. Mostly she went out with women who she thought she should like because of common friends or common interests. But there was never a physical spark. Most of the women she’d dated were now the best of friends because that’s all they ever were destined to be. Just friends.
But Jaime—yes, there was definitely a spark. Just being near the woman made her heart beat a little faster. And whether or not Jaime really found her attractive or was just putting on a show, it hardly mattered to Sara anymore. She was insanely attracted to the woman, killer on their trail or not.
“Why are you leaving again?” Sandra asked.
Jaime kept up her even pace beside Sandra, knowing she should leave if she wanted to catch their guy before nightfall. “Would you believe me if I said I was looking for the three-toed woodpecker?”
“What?”
“Very rare bird. Found around here, I’m told.”
“I see. Sounds exciting,” Sandra murmured.
Jaime laughed and shoved playfully at Sandra. “Honey, someday I’ll have you walking the parks with a pair of binoculars around your neck. You just wait.”
Sandra stopped and stared.
Jaime did the same. “What?”
“Someday? Does that mean, you know, that we might keep in touch after this trip?”
“Well yeah, if you want. I mean, you know, we’re buddies, right?”
Sandra grinned. “Buddies. Yeah, I like that.” She walked on. “I think Celia and I will keep in touch but I don’t know about the others. They’re all younger and, well, they’re different from us.”
“I think it’s great what you’re doing up here. We’ve been on the trail nine days now and I’ve not once heard any complaints.”
“It’s all different up here. Sara was right, you know. You change up here. I’m not sure we really believed her. But this was just part of what we paid for. To tell you the truth, I’ve completely forgotten about my former life. We’re hiking and playing in the springs and sitting around the campfire at night. It feels so great out here. By the time I crawl into the sleeping bag, I’m out like a light. It’s wonderful. I mean, I feel so good about myself.”
“I think that’s the idea,” Jaime whispered.
“Well, she’s doing a good job, I’ll say that. I’d recommend her to anyone.”
“Yeah? And would you recommend this trip too?”
“Oh, yeah. I mean, it’s work, sure. But I’ve never seen anything this beautiful before.”
Jaime nodded. “You got that right. Take a deep breath, Sandra honey,” she said, doing exactly that. She breathed out slowly. “They should bottle that smell. It’s fresh, it’s clean . . . hell, it’s life.” She looked at Sandra and smiled as the older woman breathed with her eyes closed. “Makes me want to break out into a John Denver song,” Jaime said then proceeded to sing a verse. “That’s how I feel about the mountains. Pity the poor soul who’s never been up here before.”
Sandra grinned. “I never thought about it like that before. But yeah, I do feel all the richer for having seen all this. It’s something I’ll always remember, that’s for sure.”
Jaime was about to reply when the rifle shot sounded. Instinct took both her and Sandra to the ground.
Sara whipped around, eyes wide. “Jaime! Sandra!”
“Get down! Get down,” Jaime yelled. Leaning on her elbows, she looked back over her shoulder, seeing the reflection of glass on the mountainside. “Jesus Christ! Come on, Sandra. Move!” But she didn’t. It was only then that Jaime saw the blood running down Sandra’s face and her lifeless eyes staring back at her. Her heart stopped and she made herself roll over, diving behind a boulder just as the second rifle shot sounded, causing dirt to fly up where Jaime had just been laying. Oh dear God. Not Sandra. She closed her eyes for a second, fists clenched. Goddamn . . .
“Everyone, get the fuck down!” she yelled as heads poked up from behind rocks. She moved on her belly, sliding down the hill to where Sara and the others were hiding.
“Where’s Sandra?” Sara demanded.
“She was hit.”
“What?” Sara sat up. “No, no,” she screamed.
Jaime pulled her back down, squeezing tight on her arms. “Listen to me,” Jaime yelled. “We’ve got to move. Down the mountain, into the ravine.”
“What the hell’s going on?” Abby said, nearly hysterical. “Who is shooting at us?”
“Where is Sandra?” Celia asked frantically. “Where is she?”
Jaime moved closer, squeezing her hand. “She was shot, Celia. I’m sorry.”
“Shot? What do you mean? Not Sandra.”
Tears welled up and Jaime squeezed harder. “I’m sorry. We’ve
got to go. Everyone, listen to me. Get down the mountain as fast as you can. Stay low to the ground. He’ll be coming.”
“Who? He who?”
“There’s no time for that now! Move!” Jaime yelled, practically pushing Celia down the hill.
“We are . . . not leaving . . . Sandra,” Sara insisted. She was shaking so badly she could hardly form sentences. “We’re going to . . . to take her with us. We are not leaving her.”
Jaime gripped her shoulders and shook her. “How the hell are we going to do that? She’s gone. Now we’ve got to move!”
“We can’t leave her!” Sara screamed.
“She’s dead, goddamn it. There’s nothing we can do for her.” Jaime turned and pulled Sara after her, sliding down on the rocks and nearly losing her balance. The others were ahead of them, moving fast. Celia fell once to her knees and Jaime was right behind her, picking her up and urging her on. She looked back over her shoulder several times, thinking she would find him at the top of the trail, rifle trained on them. But there was no one. He had to have been at least two hundred yards away when he took the shot. It would take him a little while to get down the mountain and onto the trail.
“There’s water,” Abby gasped, pointing. She was bent over at the waist as they all were, trying to catch their breath.
Jaime pulled the trail map from her back pocket, trying to find out where they were. She turned a circle, then looked up, searching for the sun which was hidden by the mountain. “Goddamn it.” She tossed her pack off and rummaged in a pocket, finding her compass. “Come on, come on,” she murmured, looking at it and the map. “Okay. Yes, there’s a stream up ahead but we’re going to cross over it. Down in the ravine there should be a small river. That’s what we want.” She folded the map and looked at them, all standing around her with a look of shock on their faces, especially Sara. “Let’s go. He’ll be right behind us.”
They moved on, over and around boulders and holding onto tree limbs as the mountain dropped dramatically into the ravine. The small stream was only four feet wide and using rocks for steps, they easily crossed to the other side.