by Delta James
She nodded. He walked over to the mules and saddled Sam.
“You can let Jasper stand but, in four hours, you get him saddled, break down the camp, and be ready to go. If I come back, we can decide whether or not to move out. If I don’t, the minute you hit five hours, you do as you’re told.”
He crossed over to her, tilted her face to his, and kissed her with a depth of passion that took her breath away.
“I know what I’m asking you to do isn’t easy and is contrary to everything you’re thinking, but you have to trust me.”
“I do,” she whispered. “It’s not just Christian I’m worried about, it’s you. I need you to be okay, too. I need you to come back to me.”
He walked Sam out from under the overhang and swung up then turned back and shot her a dazzling smile. “Always and forever, Finn.”
Chapter 7
Croft pushed Sam. If possible, he wanted to get in place before they arrived. He knew they’d have to arrive, as he was certain they hadn’t been staying in the canyon. As vast as it was, the rangers were normally very aware of everything that was going on as it happened. If not at that precise moment, then usually within hours.
He was fairly sure they would fly in by low-level chopper from the western end of the canyon and under radar. They might use a plane, but a helicopter would be easier and more maneuverable. The only other option was by speed boat, and that wasn’t nearly as viable as air transportation.
He hadn’t lied to Finn. He might have downplayed the danger in today’s meet but not overly much. If Christian was still alive, Croft figured he had a better than average chance of returning him to his sister. And while he had no plans to involve the authorities, he was going to make damn sure he knew what the hell was going on.
He sat astride Sam and listened. There it was, the distinct whirring of chopper blades coming straight down the canyon just over the rushing waters. He saw them approach. Their pilot had skill. Had the company known what was really at stake, they would have had a team in place and Avery sitting up on the rim with a fully armed helicopter to provide air support.
He sat where they could see him. He was out in the open, but that also meant anyone approaching had to be in the open as well. The chopper landed, and Sam managed to yawn as he watched. Sam was as rock-steady as they came.
Two men in business suits got out and headed in his direction, stopping far enough away from the chopper not to worry about injury, but close enough to beat a hasty retreat. That was good, it meant they recognized the game had changed and they weren’t calling all the shots.
“Gentlemen,” Croft hailed, “I’m Billy Crofton with the Wild Mustang Security Firm. Our services have been retained by Finlay Reid regarding her brother.”
“We told her not to tell anyone or involve the authorities,” accused the cultured, English-accented voice.
Croft tried to place the accent. It sounded a bit like London but was off by a hair. Most likely a non-native speaker who learned the language in the capital city of England.
“And wisely, Ms. Reid chose to disregard your instructions on that point. Let me hasten to assure you that she is only desirous of having her brother safely returned to her. She could care less as to the nature of your business with her brother and is well able and willing to conclude our business with as little fuss as can be done.”
“Crofton. I’ve heard of you. You were involved in that nasty piece of business in France earlier this year.”
Croft nodded. “I can assure you that it only got nasty when those on the other end failed to uphold their end of the bargain and tried to take the ransom and kill the hostage. I always deal in good faith, gentlemen, and would prefer to conclude our transaction as peacefully as possible.”
“Don’t you want to know who we are?”
Croft shook his head. “Not really. As I said, my only interest is in exchanging the flash drive for Christian Reid.”
“You have it with you?”
“As you already know, I’m a professional. I expected you would be the same. I’m assuming you don’t have Christian in the chopper with you. And I will tell you I don’t have the flash drive with me. If you can provide me with proof of life, and Christian had better not look any worse for wear than he did in the picture you previously provided or be missing any body parts, we can arrange for the exchange tomorrow at a time and place of our choosing.”
“You are not in charge. You do not dictate terms to us. We have the banker. We control his life.”
“And I control the information you need and what happens from here on out. It occurs to me that there is a pilot and another individual in the helicopter. Should I assume he is actually the one pulling your strings?”
Croft watched the two men exchange glances and look back toward the chopper. He wasn’t all that surprised when he saw the man at the back of the helicopter raise his hand and wave the men back toward where he was sitting. Croft watched as the man stepped out and removed his sunglasses … Fariq Abdal.
The good news was, he’d had dealings with Abdal in the past. The bad news was, not all of them had been handled professionally and without violence. Added to the good, all the transactions that had gone south, so to speak, had been before he was with Wild Mustang.
“Croft. Shall I say it is good to see you?”
Abdal spoke with a French accent but was of North African descent. His home was a large yacht that remained in the neutral waters of the world, guarded by several heavily armed patrol boats. The man was among the wealthiest individuals in the world. He had his own peculiar sense of honor and morality but was also true to that. Croft supposed if he was going to have to deal with any arms dealer, Abdal was probably the best.
“Fariq. It’s good to see you.”
“As it is you. It would appear that the hotheaded photo journalist is letting cooler heads prevail. I believe that will be in all of our best interests.”
Croft nodded.
“You have the required ransom?”
“I do, but not with me.”
“A clever man, but not a very trusting one.”
“Come on, Fariq, we both know you wouldn’t have let her walk away. And besides, I didn’t know it was you. You must admit, most of those in your line of work are not to be trusted.”
Abdal smiled. His gold tooth with the diamond inset gleamed in the midday sun.
“Probably not,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “But we both know I have no desire to run afoul of you and those who make up Wild Mustang.”
“I’m glad to hear it. With other men, less honorable than you,” Croft said playing to the arms dealer’s vanity, “I would require proof of life. If you tell me he is no worse off than he was when the picture was taken of him that was sent to his sister, I will accept your word.”
“He is not in worse shape,” said Abdal. “He is in better shape. I did not order his treatment nor do I condone how this matter has been handled thus far. I was only apprised of it yesterday at this time. Your Mr. Reid has been well cared for and I believe you will find him in much better shape than you were previously led to believe. I take it you would like to propose a different time and place to meet?”
“I believe you like the Four Seasons in Las Vegas. What do you say we meet in their dining room at say three o’clock? It should be quiet and we both know that establishment well.”
Abdal nodded. “And I will have assurances from your firm that you will have the only copy of the flash drive to exchange?”
“I will. You leave Christian at one table. One of my men will sit down with him. Then you and your man join me. I will hand over the flash drive and then join my team and Mr. Reid. After that, we all go our separate ways.”
“Ah, but who picks up the check?” chuckled Abdal.
“It would be our pleasure. Then we are agreed?”
“With one exception. I want the person who sits with him to be his sister …”
“Unacceptable.”
“But w
hy? I am assuming he knows no one with your firm, and her presence will make him feel more comfortable.”
“I’m not sure she should see him in that rough shape.”
“I assure you, he looks much better than in the picture. He has become difficult in trying to shield his sister. If we can arrange for him to call her before the meeting, I believe it may well soothe his concerns. I care nothing for either of these individuals. As long as I have the damaging information that he was allowed to gather, I am content to let them live.”
“How did a banker come by information that concerns you?” asked Croft.
“An inept employee who is no longer my concern got lazy, sloppy, and greedy and exposed my flank, so to speak. As the employee is gone, the only link back to me is the information your Mr. Reid stumbled across.”
“I will need to speak with my employer about whether or not Ms. Reid will be in play. If not, I will come alone. An acceptable compromise, don’t you think?”
Abdal nodded.
“And, Fariq? I want you there in person, seated at the table.”
“Done. Until tomorrow, then?”
Croft inclined his head and watched the helicopter lift off. As it turned and headed back down the canyon, just barely above the water, Croft took a deep breath before turning Sam back toward the campsite.
***
Finn was just beginning to saddle Jasper. She’d waited until what she thought was the last minute after arguing with herself as to what course of action she would take. Part of her knew she should trust in Croft’s experience and go for help. But every other part of her insisted she ride after him.
She looked up to see Croft riding Sam. He was alone, but he didn’t seem injured.
“You’re all right?”
Croft smiled. Finn hoped that he’d taken note that it wasn’t quite five hours and she had Jasper ready to go. Whether she would have gone for help or come after him was debatable, but it was also immaterial.
He nodded as he stepped down. “I’m fine. Christian wasn’t with them, but he is alive and I have been assured that Christian has received medical attention. I have dealt with the man who has him before. As long as they get the flash drive, he will make the exchange. Then, if Christian doesn’t threaten them again, they’ll let him live.”
“You know these people?”
“The man, Fariq Abdal.”
“The arms dealer? He’s an assassin and terrorist.”
“Not usually. He sells arms to both but rarely gets personally involved. It’s not the same … at least not in his mind, and that’s important to remember. I’m not saying he isn’t a dangerous man, but he has his own code of honor that we’ve come to trust. We’re going to get Christian tomorrow in Vegas. We need to get back to Mesa, get a team put together, and make this happen. I have every hope that by tomorrow afternoon, you’ll have your brother back.”
Finn embraced him and held onto him with all her might. “And you’re not hurt?” she whispered.
“No, baby,” he said taking hold of her ass and lifting her into his groin. “I’m in pain but fine.”
She tilted her head back so she could look him in the face as he grinned at her. Apparently, Croft was happy to see her. The throbbing bulge in the front of his jeans told her so.
“Did you get any updated proof that Christian is alive?”
“No, Fariq told me he was, though, and I believe him. He could be lying about Christian, but past dealings with the man make me think he isn’t. And if Christian isn’t at the exchange, the deal is off. He’s going to call the firm this afternoon and have Christian talk to you. He wants to assure Christian that you’re okay. We’ll make the exchange tomorrow. I know how stressful this is for you, but for Fariq, it’s just business. Let’s get the camp broken down and you ready to ride. You up for taking the trail to the top?”
“Yes. I trust you and Jasper. If I start to freak, I’ll toss you his lead.”
He kissed her. “Good girl. Let’s go.”
They were packed and ready to move out in less than fifteen minutes, opting to ford the river where they were and then head to the trailhead. Finn took in the daunting series of switchbacks that led up the steep rockface.
“You sure you want to do this? I can go up and send a chopper for you here or at Phantom Ranch. You don’t have to.”
“No. We need to get Christian, and that means you need to get to your people. I am not going to let a trail frighten me into making things more difficult. I won’t,” she said adamantly.
Croft turned and headed up the challenging trail.
“Tell me more about Fariq Abdal,” Finn said.
Croft smiled knowing she was trying to get her mind off her fear.
“I’m guessing you know as much as most. He’s North African by birth. He was a mercenary who took out one of the richest arms dealers in the world and took over his business. Unlike the man he replaced, he keeps his word and honors the deals he makes. Cross him and he’ll kill you without blinking an eye, but if you hold to the bargain, so will he. As I said before, once I knew it was Fariq, I felt a lot better about our odds of getting Christian back.”
“What makes Fariq think Christian will remain quiet?”
“Because if he doesn’t, Fariq will kill him. Christian needs to become a non-threat.”
They continued to talk about things not connected with arms dealers, terrorists, and assassins. Croft opened up about some of the things he had seen and shared with her the things that had caused him to walk away from what could have been a brilliant career in the Navy.
“Having second thoughts about hooking up with a cowboy?” he asked.
“None whatsoever,” she said. “I’m not sure why I responded to you the way I did. I don’t like pain, and it bothers me that it got me so turned on.”
“Babe, it wasn’t the pain. Especially with what you’ve told me about your own family dynamics, what turned you on was knowing there was someone who cared enough to hold you accountable and keep you safe.”
She laughed. “The fact that it came wrapped in a sexy, dominant cowboy that fills out his jeans better than any man I’ve ever met didn’t hurt.”
He laughed with her. “I didn’t think nice Boston girls even considered things like that.”
“I might have been born in Boston, but I live in Fairfax County. I haven’t spent a lot of time at anything resembling a home, so, like you, I have a place on a friend’s property.”
“My place is pretty small, maybe seven hundred square feet, but if you want something bigger, we can look for something else...”
Finn’s laughter cut him off. “That’s downright spacious compared to my place. It’s a converted gypsy caravan, and it’s maybe 160 square feet.”
She was glad that Croft joined in her laughter. “Then the dairy barn should feel downright palatial, then. No tub in the house itself but a nice shower.”
“Not a big bubble-bath kind of girl, but can we get a wood-fired hot tub?”
“Sure, why wood-fired?”
“Because I think you’d be all kinds of sexy splitting logs without a shirt on.”
“Swinging an ax and getting all hot and sweaty?”
“Nothing wrong with hot and sweaty.”
Croft laughed again. “I’m going to remind you of that when I get you in a real bed and have nothing but time to devote to seeing how many times I can make you come.”
Finn shook her head. It seemed unreal that a man she hadn’t even known two days ago could suddenly bring her so much joy, make her laugh so much, reassure her that even now, when she was terrified about her brother and about this damn trail they were on, everything was going to be not just all right but better than it had ever been.
They made it to the top of the trail and were greeted by a park ranger just getting ready to head down it. “Croft,” the ranger said pulling up beside him and extending his hand.
“Kurt. Good to see you. Can I borrow your sat phone or get you to let me into you
r station?”
“Either-or. Were you down by the river? We’ve heard reports that someone came in below the rim in an unauthorized chopper.”
“I saw it. Came within about ten miles of the foot of the trail and then swung around and headed back when they spied me. My guess is once they realized they’d been spotted, they hightailed it back out of the restricted zone.”
“Probably, but I’ll go on down and check. Come on, I’ll let you into the station. You can make your phone call and then lock up when you leave.” He nodded toward Finn. “Client? Girlfriend?”
Croft swung around to look at her and smiled. “Both and much more. Kurt, this is Finlay Reid. Finn, this is Kurt Manderlay. He’s one of the lead rangers here at the Grand Canyon.”
“Finlay Reid? The photo journalist?”
“Guilty as charged,” she said smiling as they headed toward the small building.
“Damn fine work you’ve done. Someone ought to put on an exhibit of it,” Kurt said.
“I don’t know that my pictures are the kind of thing one puts on display,” she said modestly.
“Nonsense. It’s the kind of thing people ought to see. It may not be pretty, but the images are hauntingly beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said as she went to step off Jasper and found Kurt was waiting to help her.
“Kurt?” Croft said with less warmth than he’d greeted the ranger. “Client and girlfriend, remember?”
Kurt laughed and put some space between himself and Finn. “I’ll say that much more is pretty damn serious.”
Croft grinned. “Yeah, it is. And it’s been kind of stressful.”
Alerted, Kurt continued, “Anything I should know about or can help with?”
Croft shook his head, turning serious again. “No. Anything involving the park is concluded, and no harm was done to anything … oh, except a couple of trout we ate and a rattler I had to kill because the city girl disturbed its sun nap.”