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JETHRO STUCK HIS head out the window, trying to get a whiff of Hugh’s scent—something, anything but there was nothing but forest and street. “Shit!” He wanted to smash his fist into someone. “Cack, pull over.”
“We can follow Bruno later,” said Indy. “Find out why he’s meeting with a traitor.”
He jumped out of the carriage as soon as it stopped and stormed over to the nearest building.
“What are you going to do here?” asked Indy, trailing after him.
He slammed his fist into the wall.
“Oh. Yeah, that’s productive.” Indy stepped aside and leaned against the building. “Tee’s not going to be happy when she has to tend to your...” He tapped Jethro’s shoulder.
He hit the wall again. If the Guard didn’t shut up, he’d hit him.
“And the carriage returns,” said Indy, slapping his shoulder harder.
He spun around. It was Bruno’s carriage and he was the only one inside. Hugh was gone. He glanced down the street and grinned as he raced across the parking lot. “Cack, take that path.” He pointed at the trail that led to the Lake of Sins as he hopped into the carriage. His plan would succeed. Fate was directing the action. He’d met her at the Lake of Sins. She’d saved his life there. It was the perfect place for her surrender. Everything would come full circle.
“Where are we going?” asked Indy. “There’s nothing back there except trees.”
“To the Lake of Sins. We can catch Hugh’s scent and hunt him down.” He slapped the side of the carriage. “As fast as you can, Cack.”
“He’s not going to be alone.” Indy grabbed Jethro’s arm. “Promise me we won’t do anything until we know how many of his soldiers are in the area.”
“I don’t care if his entire army is there.” He jerked his arm away. “He’s mine.”
“I was afraid you’d say that.”
“Get out if you want.”
“Will you at least slow down?” Indy glanced out the window.
“Not until I have to.” He’d expected the Guard to have his back.
“Then I guess I’m in—suicide mission or not.” Indy grinned at him.
A little of the tension slipped from his shoulders. He’d do it alone if he had to but he was glad for the help. “Thanks.”
“I still owe you a few.”
“No. You don’t.” He hesitated a moment. He didn’t want to say it, to make this promise but he also didn’t want the Guard hurt. “If there are too many of Hugh’s soldiers, we’ll only follow.”
“Thank you.” Indy’s eyes were serious for once.
“No problem. I want to be whole and hearty when I take her to my house. I’ve waited long enough.”
“Yeah. Right.”
He ignored the Guard’s tone. Indy had already made it clear that he didn’t agree with Jethro keeping Trinity as his prisoner in his house and in his bed.
They raced down the narrow, twisting path and stopped a distance from the lake.
“Go back to the road and go home,” he ordered Cack. These woods weren’t safe for a lone Grunt. He’d catch Hugh and then return to his mom’s house for the carriage. “But be ready to leave. We may need your help.”
Jethro and Indy headed into the brush, following Hugh’s scent.
“He has a Guard with him,” said Indy.
“Had.” Jethro inhaled deeply. “That’s Bruno’s scent.”
Indy sniffed again. “I think you’re right. I can smell the beer.”
“My mom’s Guards caught him.”
“Would they turn him over?” asked Indy.
“I doubt it.” He glanced at his friend. “They’re loyal to Kim and my mom.” He didn’t need to say any more. They both knew Kim and his mother were on the side of the rebels.
He stumbled over a tree branch. Kim might be hiding Trinity. It’d be the perfect place. No one would think to search his mother’s house. He certainly hadn’t. He took off running. Tonight, he’d catch them both and then his mother’s loan would be paid in full because as soon as Trinity surrendered, he was delivering Hugh to Jason. He didn’t care that the man was a traitor and he probably wouldn’t have turned him over as punishment for his father’s death. Hugh had saved him from prison, but Trinity loved Hugh and there wasn’t enough room on this earth for her to love anyone but him, so Hugh had to die.