Page 52 of Grave Consequences

“Since I have some authority as a DCNR ranger, I’ll head in and confront anyone who shows their face,” Malachi said.

“Give me time to get into position. I’ll circle around and come at them from the back.” Gavin drew a map on his left hand with his right forefinger illustrating his intentions. It made sense for him to take rearward position with his military experience, they’d be able to count on him for backup.

Before separating, they inched closer to their target. The usual forest sounds fell silent as if the wildlife expected a confrontation. His breath was steady, but his heart raced anticipating trouble. A hawk shrieked overhead reminding him they weren’t the only ones hunting these woods.

Malachi patted his holster. Made eye contact with Grayson. The big man gave him a hand signal to let him know he would approach from the right. Malachi would take the most direct route and confront them head on. If there was anyone around. Gavin moved out. Malachi lifted a prayer that they wouldn’t get themselves killed trying to save Cate. Then another prayer for her safety.

As Becky wound her way down the narrow logging road, the truck scraped against tree branches. She was driving too fast, but she needed to sit forward on the seat to reach the pedal and that didn’t leave her much control. There was no little handle under the seat to adjust it manually. There had to be a way, but she was in too much of a hurry to take the time to figure it out.

The ruts in the road jolted her teeth and spine, but she kept going. If she could get there first, she could warn the others before the FBI arrived.

It wasn’t far. She had to be getting close, but she couldn’t tell. Her sense of direction never was the best. Then she saw it. The outline of a camper. She tapped the button to stop the truck’s engine, but it wouldn’t stop. No matter. She opened the door and climbed out. The F150 rolled forward. Uh-oh. Something wasn’t right. She jumped out of the way. The sound of twisting metal reverberated through the forest before silence reigned. Even the birds ceased their chatter. The crash would give her position away, but that was the least of her worries.

At least she had Malachi’s gun. She’d end Reece’s life the same way he’d ended Byron’s. The man he claimed as a brother. Bile rose in her throat as she was transported back to their execution. The smell of blood mingled with the loamy woodsy scents. The screams for mercy. The quiet of the forest following the sharp report of the gunshots. It was a nightmare she couldn’t stop reliving. And it was Reece’s fault. Yes, she’d told Reece what they’d said, so she bore some blame. He’d killed them. She hadn’t done that. But she had remained silent knowing they would die.

After one last glance at the damage to the front of Malachi’s truck, she removed the weapon from her waistband and stalked toward the camper. Twigs snapped underfoot as she approached. The spot where she’d spent the past week was gone. Someone had taken down her tent. A few more steps allowed her to see the area better. Nobody was near the campfire. And that’s when she noticed it. All the tents were gone. It was eerily quiet. Only two campers remained on the site. Everyone else was gone. They’d left her behind. A physical pain in her chest, sharp and heavy all at once, brought her to her knees. Stones bit into her bare knees and tears stung her eyes, but she welcomed the pain. Falling forward, she gave in to emotion welling up inside her. Her body wracked with sobs. Once they started, she couldn’t stop them. Nothing would ever be as it once was.

Chapter Thirty-One

The sky remained overcast, making it difficult to pinpoint the position of the sun, but she’d been walking for hours. Midmorning best Cate could tell. She rounded a corner and spotted something blue in the distance. Looked like a parked vehicle. Her work truck was white. Was someone else out here looking for her? Another cult member?

She stepped back into the forest and inhaled the damp earth mixed with pine. It smelled like snow. If they were going to get another storm, she ought to find shelter. Fast. Following the tree line, she moved closer until she could check out what she’d seen. She needed to get a better look before the driver saw her. When she parted the branches of a spruce and peered out, something skittered near her feet. A robin. The worms must be abundant after the snow melt. A smile touched her lips despite her own troubles.

Refocusing on her quarry, she sucked in a sharp breath. A blue Bronco. Not many of them around. Pushing out a relieved breath, she smiled. Grayson. He’d come looking for her. He wasn’t in there. Which meant he was in the woods somewhere. Hopefully, not confronting her kidnappers. She wasn’t sure whom she should worry about, the cult members who had abducted her, or her brother.

She ran across the road and entered the code for the keyless entry all while praying he hadn’t changed it. It unlocked and she let herself in and immediately pushed the console back and opened the safe beneath it where Gray always kept a spare nine-millimeter handgun. It was a Sig Sauer. Same as the one he’d purchased for her. She released the magazine and checked the chamber. Gratitude filled her that it was fully loaded.

Leaning back in the seat, she took a few deep breaths. Before long, she’d need to look for her brother. It wasn’t safe out there with a killer on the loose. Grayson wouldn’t know Reece’s plans to use her to get to Malachi and his biological mother. Or how he planned to take them both out. Without all the facts, he was out there unprepared. Maybe she could get somewhere safe and call for help. That might be the smartest move, but there might not be time. They’d taken her cell, so by the time she reached somewhere from which to make the call, it might be too late. Going back into the woods was the only real answer.

He’d flip out if he knew she was contemplating following him. But he’d come all this way to rescue her. Her brothers and their wives had been there for her when the Continental Alliance had taken her captive. The least she could do was return the favor.

A quick search for supplies was in order. A blanket in the back might come in handy, and the fold-up tote bag stuffed in the back of the seat would make a decent backpack if she laced some rope through it. Too bad she’d disposed of the ropes they’d used to bind her hands. She checked the glove compartment, hoping to find something to snack on. An MRE didn’t look all that appetizing, but beneath it she discovered a couple of granola bars. Jenna must’ve hidden them there. Her health nut brother certainly didn’t. Something flashy caught her eye. It was a key fob. The car didn’t require a key. With the fob, she could start it. Taking note of her surroundings to make sure she could return to the same spot, she put her foot on the brake and started the engine. Her brother didn’t leave his keys behind. Ever. It had to be divine intervention. She lifted a prayer. Thank you, Jesus. Sweet warmth filled the space as she pulled out. Her truck couldn’t be far and before she attempted any more hiking, she needed to get her inhaler.

Becky wiped her sleeve across her face to dry her tears and drew in a shaky breath as she pulled herself up. A pine cone crunched underfoot as she moved to recline against a birch tree. The forest was dense here. Not many leaves yet, but tiny buds adorned most trees, and she knew that just beyond here was a large clearing. But she needed to get back to her son’s truck and drive herself out of here. If she hadn’t killed the engine.

Crash.

She looked around but couldn’t find the source. She hoped she hadn’t caused a tree to fall with her poor parking skills. A bird sang, drawing Becky out of her wallowing. She surveyed her surroundings for the splash of color that would indicate the type of bird she’d heard, but instead of finding one, her gaze lit upon a man crouched behind a boulder. Her pulse quickened. It was Gavin. Samantha’s husband. The one who’d left Malachi’s house last night to come help him find Cate. She wanted to run over and ask him where Malachi was, but something kept her rooted in place. What if something had happened to her son?

Gavin made the call again then panicked eyes met hers and she realized he hadn’t known she was there. He gestured for her to stay put before pointing at something behind Reece’s camper. Her eyes widened and her posture straightened as she saw Reece walk up behind Grayson Garrison.

Malachi walked into the center of the camping area and approached the fire ring before drawing his Glock and holding it down at his side. Finger safely off the trigger, but safety off and ready to fire should the need arise. He used his left hand to rap on the camper door. No response. He moved to the other RV. Still nothing but silence. He did a visual sweep of the area before peering in the windows of one of the campers. A suitcase lay open atop the bed. Inside, he could see shaving lotion and men’s deodorant. Other than the luggage, everything was cleaned up. Nothing remained behind.

At least one straggler was around here somewhere, and they weren’t leaving without talking to him.

The roar of a vehicle. It was out of sight. He couldn’t find the source. A crashing noise. Possibly from the car. Then all was calm. Too calm. A bluebird perched at the edge of the clearing. It dived, retrieved a meal, and resituated itself on a nearby log.

A loud bang came from nearby. A tree falling? Maybe just a branch. A cardinal called. Something was off. His spine stiffened. On high alert, he raised his weapon but froze, his breath caught in his throat when his gaze took in Grayson’s prone form. Unconscious.

Maurice Moretti aimed his weapon straight at Gray’s head. “Seems we’re in a standoff, Mr. James.”

“Guess so.” Malachi steadied his weapon, keeping it directed at center mass.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Cate pulled up behind her truck, ready to grab her medicine. A sigh escaped when she patted her pocket only to find it empty. Her mind flashed back to the moment on the log when she’d been watching their campsite through her binoculars and Reece had approached from behind. The steel had been cold against her head. When he’d grabbed her from the trail, he’d taken her backpack. Her keys were in it along with everything else she’d brought.

But she couldn’t dwell on that now. If her brother was with Reece, his life might be in danger. She needed to find out, but she couldn’t head in there unprepared. Her breathing wasn’t as ragged as it had been earlier after her run through the forest, but another attack could happen at any time. She needed that inhaler. The idea of breaking a window on her work vehicle didn’t sit well, but it might be her only choice.

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