Page 70 of One Step Too Far

“Josh is smart. The smartest of all of us,” Miggy comments.

“Josh is clever,” Neil agrees tiredly. “But he’s not vicious. Never.”

No one has an answer for that.

“I’m leaving,” Luciana states levelly. “I am taking Daisy, and whomever else, with me. Once I get to town, I’ll notify the sheriff of the situation. In addition to organizing a rescue chopper, I’m sure he can check into Josh’s status.”

Nemeth nods, returns his gaze to me. “That leaves you,” he says. “You go with her.”

“There’s another solution.”

“To you staying here with no food or survival experience?”

“I have peanut butter cups.”

Nemeth gives me a pointed look, as if that says enough about my survival skills.

“You should go with her,” I tell him.

“I’m the leader—”

“Yes, meaning you’re the one responsible for getting us help. Neil can’t make it down on his own. Given that, it makes sense to have Miggy and Scott stay with him, as they aren’t the strongest hikers anyway. That leaves Martin, who’s clearly gone rogue. No way you should be putting his safety ahead of the rest of the party. Bob would be a good choice to accompany Luciana, but turns out he’s working for Martin. So why not let him earn his keep? He can starve up here with the rest of us while you and Luciana hightail it down. You two should be able to reach civilization and summon the cavalry in record time.” I shrug, concluding bluntly, “Face it, at this stage, we need a medevac chopper more than we need you.”

Nemeth doesn’t flinch. I respect that about him. I deal with so many people who lie, it’s always nice to meet someone who can handle the truth.

“Why are you doing this?” he asks me quietly.

I reward his honesty with my own. “Because I don’t know how to live any other way.”

He nods thoughtfully. He sees me. I see him. But mostly, I long for a detective in Boston.

Nemeth never says yes. He simply turns and hands the rifle to Bob. Then he takes in Luciana and quivering Daisy.

“How long till you’re ready?”

“Twenty minutes.”

He regards the rest of us. “Hope for the best, plan for the worst. That means start rationing your remaining snacks right now. Then look for the chopper come nightfall.”

We nod. I’m feeling shaky and queasy and far less brave than I want to be. Secrets and lies I understand. But this, alone in the wilderness. Off the grid. Out of touch. Food gone, companion injured, whole party under attack by person or persons unknown.

I’m used to being the hunter.

Never before have I been the prey.

CHAPTER 24

The camp feels different the moment Nemeth, Luciana, and Daisy depart. With their tents whisked away, the leadership grouping has been reduced to two, while my shelter now sits alone, a sad little blue dome. I think I should move it closer to the others, except I have no idea how to do such a thing. And I’m still not sure that’s a good idea. So far, I’ve caught all five of my remaining companions in at least one lie. That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.

I head back to the low-burning fire as the sun rises and warms the air around us. Neil looks exhausted and gray. Miggy wrung out. Scott depressed. He keeps rubbing at his chest and wincing each time he does so.

Bob and Martin are in front of their tents, talking in low voices. No doubt planning their new search strategy for the day. Or really, Martin is dictating next steps, and Bob, his paid employee, is nodding along.

The question is, what will I do? Remain at the campsite with the boys, or head back to the cliff face with Marty and Bob?

I take the collapsible buckets and refill them at the lake while I war with my inner demons. When I return, Bob and Martin are zipping up their packs.

They look at me in wordless inquiry. I sigh heavily. Luciana has left a small pile of chemical cold packs, which she pillaged from our collective gear. Now I pick up the top one, crunch it into activation, then offer it to Neil for his head. Next I turn to Scott.

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