Gabby sucked in a lungful of air as the intruder wrenched her away from the door and slammed it shut, while still pressing his gun against her head. She looked up, heart pounding, and saw the familiar tattoo on the man’s neck. Kyle Thatcher. Why had he returned to the cabin?
Liam and Gus’s loaded weapons pointed back at him.
“You’re outnumbered,” Liam said. “Let her go now.”
“Forget it. Set your weapons on the table, or I will shoot her. Because I don’t have anything to lose at this point.”
Liam took a step forward but didn’t drop his gun. “What do you want, Thatcher?”
Gabby caught the man’s expression and realized he was thrown at the realization that Liam knew his name. But only for a split second.
“Do what I said,” Thatcher said. “This is not a negotiation. Do it, or I will shoot her.”
Liam glanced at Gus and nodded. “Okay. We’re putting our weapons down, but you need to let her go. None of us are going anywhere.”
Thatcher pushed her into a chair, then quickly unloaded their weapons, before putting the cartridges inside his coat pocket.
Gabby fought back a wave of fear, along with the tears that threatened to follow. She didn’t care about what happened to them. Her only concern at the moment was finding Mia. “Where’s my daughter?”
“She’s safe. Don’t worry about her.”
“And I’m supposed to believe you?” She started to stand up, but he aimed his weapon at her.
“I said she’s fine. Sit. Down. Now.”
“Just tell me where she is.” She bit the edge of her lip, determined not to cry.
“I said she’s safe. That’s all you need to know.”
“You were at James Casada’s house,” Liam said. “And you’re the one who fired on us in the woods, I’m guessing. The police know who you are. They know you ran Gabby off the road and killed Casada. They know you’re involved in the kidnapping of Mia.”
“I didn’t mean to kill him, but all of this...this shouldn’t have happened.” Thatcher started pacing in front of her. “And Mia... We didn’t have a choice.”
Nausea swept through Gabby. “You always have a choice.”
He turned around and faced her. “None of this would have happened if you would have done what you were told to begin with.”
“Give you evidence? I don’t have any evidence.”
Liam took a step forward. “Who hired you? We know you didn’t do this on your own.”
“Stop asking so many questions. There’s only one thing that matters right now. My partner made it down the mountains before I did, but now the police are swarming the town. I need another way out of here.”
“No chance of that. Your partner took my ATV,” Gus said. “Where is it?”
“And where is Mia?” Gabby asked.
“Shut up. I’m the one running this now. Not you.”
“Then what do you want us to do?” Liam asked.
Thatcher searched the room. “You had to have let the cops know. How did you communicate with them?”
“Last I recall, you also stole my radio while you were here,” Gus said.
Thatcher stormed back across the room, grabbed Gabby by the shoulder and jerked her off the chair. She fought back tears, more from fear than pain.
I don’t know how to make this end, God. I know I keep coming to You when things go wrong, but things are going very, very wrong right now...
“Tell me now or I will start shooting.”
“Fine.” Gus moved to the other side of the room. “I have another system I built.”
“What can it do?”
Gus’s gaze dropped. “Works with IP infrastructures and connects to Wi-Fi.”
“Sounds exactly like what I need.”
“Who do you want to call?”
“A cell phone.”
“It can do that.” Gus headed for the desk. “Give me the number, and I’ll set things up for you.”
Thatcher nodded back at Gabby. “The two of you stay exactly where you are.”
Once Gus had managed to connect the call, Thatcher said, “Colonel Peterson...this is Thatcher. Everything’s about to blow up in my face, but I’m not going down alone.”
Gabby glanced at Liam, wishing she could talk to him. She’d spoken to Colonel Peterson on the phone, looking for answers. But if he was connected to Thatcher, he could be their inside man.
The radio worked on speakers, allowing all of them to hear the conversation.
“Thatcher...what’s going on?”
Thatcher frowned, clearly agitated. “I’ve got the evidence, but it’s going to cost you. Two million dollars.”
“Who are you with, Thatcher?”
“All you need to know is that I’ve just upped the stakes. I’ve got three hostages now. Plus the baby.”
“Okay. Listen, I understand you’re upset, but you’re just making things worse for yourself.”
“Say what you like, but you’re out of time, and the stakes have just gone up. If you don’t do what I say, I will start killing them. And your involvement in all of this will come out because I’m going to tell everyone.”
“Thatcher, listen—”
“No. You listen to me. I want the money transferred. Two million into the account I gave you. No games. No excuses. You got me into this mess, and now you’re going to get me out of it. Because if you don’t get me my money, I will go to the police and tell them everything you’ve done.”
“Thatcher...you know I don’t have that kind of money.”
“I’ve been doing my own digging and we both know you’re lying. You’ve got two hours.”
Thatcher hung up the call, then slammed the receiver against the floor before crushing it with his boot.
Gus lunged toward him. “What are you doing?”
“Sit down, old man. You think I’m going to let you give the police a heads-up before we leave.”
“Tell me what’s going on,” Liam started moving toward him. “Maybe I can help you.”
“I doubt it. Just sit down and shut up.”
“Holding us hostage isn’t going to help your case,” Liam said. “You’re in too deep. I can see that. But it doesn’t have to get worse.”
“As soon as he transfers the money, I’ll be able to disappear.”
Liam stopped about four feet from their captor. “Do you really think it will be that easy? He said he didn’t have the money.”
“He’s lying. Colonel Peterson can come up with the money. He got in league with some shady contractor. Why do you think he wanted me to come after you? He’s terrified someone’s going to find out his secret.”
“What is his secret?” Gabby asked.
“A few million government dollars in an off-shore account. The kind of secret that would get him court-martialed and sent to prison for a very long time.”
Despite the warmth from the fire, a chill shot through her. “He was afraid I had evidence of what he’d done.”
“You’re finally catching on. Only his plan to scare you into handing over the evidence didn’t exactly work.”
“That’s because I don’t think there is any evidence.”
Thatcher started pacing the floor. “This was all supposed to be simple. No one was supposed to get hurt. Casada pulled his gun on me and tried to shoot me. I never meant to kill him.”
“You broke into his house,” Liam said. “Did you really think that was going to end well?”
Thatcher rubbed the back of his neck. “Stop asking so many questions. There’s nothing more to say. As soon as he transfers the money, this will all be over.”
“You’ll still be a wanted man.”
“Do you know how ironic this all is?” Gabby stood up, clenching her hands into fists at her sides. “If Colonel Peterson really is involved, he did all of this for nothing because I have no idea what evidence he’s looking for. Don’t you see? I don’t have the evidence, because Will didn’t leave me any. But now my husband is dead, Casada is dead... None of this had to happen.”
“He didn’t know that.”
Gabby moved across the room, stopping in front of Thatcher. “Can I ask you a question?”
“What?”
“Did Peterson have my husband killed because he found out what he knew?”
“I’m sorry about your husband. I really am, but I don’t have the answer to that.”
“So what happens now?” Liam asked.
“I need to get out of here, and you know this terrain better than anyone.” Thatcher grabbed his coat. “You two are going to be my ticket out of here.”
“Wait a minute.” Liam’s jaw tensed. “If you hadn’t noticed, there’s still a storm out there. Leaving the cabin would be foolish.”
Thatcher took a step toward him. “You get me out of here safely, and I’ll not only make sure nothing happens to your girlfriend here, I’ll make sure she gets her daughter back. But if you try anything stupid, let’s just say there won’t be a happy reunion.”
“And where are we supposed to go?” Liam worked to rein in his temper. “I do know this terrain. Know it enough to realize that the weather’s not getting any better, and taking the horses—”
“Forget it. I’ve already made my decision. The horses have their winter shoes. We’ll go through the canyon to Canyon Falls. The authorities won’t be expecting us to go there.”
Liam glanced at Gus. “They won’t be expecting that because they know how foolish that would be. The terrain through the canyon is difficult enough during the summertime but now, even without ice, there’s already snow in the high places—”
“He’s right, Thatcher,” Gus said. “That route is too dangerous this time of year. You need to end this. You’re only going to make things worse. What if all three of you end up losing your lives?”
Thatcher clearly wasn’t convinced. “We’ll manage. The snow has stopped, so even in this weather it can’t be more than what...an hour, two at the most, to go down the canyon. She and I will ride together bareback.” He turned back to Liam. “That will help ensure you don’t do anything stupid on our way out. I’ll bet you’re trained military. I saw how you tracked us back on the trail tonight. If anyone can get us out of here, you can. And whatever the risk... I’m willing to take it. They won’t expect me to go there and it will be a lot easier to disappear once I’m off this mountain.”
“I still don’t think it’s worth the risk,” Liam said, needing a way to convince him. “You have a good defense. If Colonel Peterson did everything you said he did, then you can work out a deal with the DA—”
“You think I’m stupid?” He glanced out the window. “They only make deals like that on TV. Not in real life. They won’t listen to me. My word—a soldier who was dishonorably discharged—against an army colonel? Who do you think will win? I already know how bad things are. If I stay, I’m going to be charged with murder.”
“So what will you do if I can get you off this mountain? Leave the country?”
“That’s my problem. I think two million dollars will get me wherever I want to go. Grab us something to eat and some water, then we’re leaving. And make sure you dress warm enough.” Thatcher glanced out the window. “It looks like the snow has finally stopped, so I want to leave now while there’s a break in the weather.”
Liam frowned, frustrated at being out of control. He weighed his limited options. He and Gus could try to take Thatcher down, but the man was clearly desperate, as well as agitated. Anything they attempted could quickly spiral out of control and get one of them seriously injured or shot. And at this point, it wasn’t a risk he felt he could take.
But the other alternative meant facing the danger of going out into this weather through the canyon. This time of year, that was a real risk, not just an excuse he’d come up with. He’d seen the dangers firsthand when joining rescue teams sent to search for lost hikers. Storm slabs often formed over weak layers of snow and could turn into avalanches during periods of heavy snow, especially on slopes and gullies... Exactly the kind of terrain they’d be traversing. And if they ended up caught in a terrain trap, the chances of them getting out alive would be slim. He’d lived most of his life in these mountains and even trained with the army in Arctic conditions for nine months. But all of his knowledge only confirmed that they were making a huge mistake.
His biggest concern, though, was for Gabby.
“Let her stay,” he said, slipping on his coat. “I give you my word that I’ll do everything I can to get you safely to Canyon Falls, but a third person will simply slow the horses down—”
“Forget it. I make the rules, and I say she’s coming. It’s time to leave. You, old man, need to sit down in that chair.” Thatcher pulled a couple zip ties from his coat pocket, then secured Gus to one of the chairs. “Don’t get any ideas about playing hero and going for help.”
Outside, the snow had stopped falling and the temperature had risen a few degrees, but none of that took away Liam’s worry. A minute later, they took off at a slow, steady pace with him in the lead and Gabby and Thatcher behind him. He’d wanted a moment to talk with her alone. A moment to tell her he was going to do everything in his power to get them safely off this mountain. And what he couldn’t do, he could only pray that God would help them end this.
The sun was slowly melting the snow that had covered the ground overnight. But that also left the possibility of sink holes and avalanches from above them. Still, Liam couldn’t help but notice the beauty around him. White snow dusted the green trees and canyon walls. On any other day, he would have loved to show Gabby this part of the mountains. While dangerous to the unprepared hiker, the canyon that wound its way next to the river was not only secluded but held some of the most stunning views in the county. But they clearly weren’t here to sightsee.
While the canyon narrowed significantly at several places, it would still be wide enough for the horses to get through. But it was the snow and potential ice, even with the warming temperatures, that had him worried. The horses would be able to adapt to the cold weather, but they could also easily fracture a leg. The risks in his mind were simply too great, but for the moment there was nothing he could do but keep moving, and pray they made it to Canyon Falls in one piece.
The sound of falling ice to his right shifted his attention. He pulled on the reins of his horse, then signaled for Thatcher to stop.
“Move back. Now.”
Liam turned his horse around on the narrow trail.
“What’s going on?”
A second later, a massive amount of snow crashed down the mountainside from above them like a raging river.
“Liam...”
He had to shout above the noise. “Stay where you are and we’ll be okay.”
He stroked the horse at the tip of its shoulders, working to keep it calm so it wouldn’t bolt.
The eerie silence that followed seemed to swallow them. He studied the rise above, but for the moment, it seemed they were safe. Most of the snow had fallen on the other side of the trail, giving them just enough room to pass. He glanced at the familiar landmarks. Another fifteen minutes and they should be out of here.
Liam felt the tension in his neck begin to dissipate as they finally approached the mouth of the canyon. Sunlight streamed into the valley ahead of them, sparkling on the snow covering the open fields. Liam stopped his horse beneath the sheer red-rock cliffs rising up beside him and waited for them to catch up. “What happens now?”
“My phone should work here. I’ll check and see if he’s deposited the money.”
“And my daughter?” Gabby asked. “You said you’d tell me where she is if Liam brought you here, and he did.”
“As soon as I verify the money, I will.”
“The trail leads to the edge of town. The horses are worn out and are going to need water and something to eat.”
“There’s no signal yet. We have to get closer to town so I can connect.”
A minute later, Liam caught sight of an older man wearing one of the army’s cold-weather jackets and walking toward them near the trailhead.
“Colonel Peterson?”
The colonel took a step forward. “Thatcher... I thought I’d find you here.”
An uneasy feeling settled over Liam as they approached the man.