Page 34 of Close Quarters

“Swing by the Broken Bow on your way up and get a sat phone. Your cell won’t work in the mountains.”

“Will do. Thanks, Seb, for not arguing.”

“I get the need to get away. I do. Just watch your backs. Take your gun and don’t get complacent. And leave your cell phones at home just in case they’re being tracked.”

Alex agreed and hung up. He hoped they weren’t making a mistake, but he wouldn’t let this lunatic dictate how he lived his life. He knew Katie felt the same. She’d fought the protective custody Seb put her in a few months ago when she had that thumb drive Tim Masterson and Jared Fetter thought they destroyed in the lab fire. She complied, but protested loudly. Alex knew if it had lasted much longer, she would have told Seb to take a hike.

He poked his head through the lab door and told the young deputy, named Reeves, what they were doing and that Seb had already approved. With a nod, Reeves acknowledged him. Alex went back into the lab to inform Amos of the plan.

The older man looked up as he approached the table where he worked on victim number five, a boy about thirteen years-old.

“Katie and I are leaving for the day. She’s got some samples prepping, but they won’t be ready to run until tomorrow. If you need anything, ask Devin for help.”

“Taking a break, eh? I can’t say I blame you. It’s been a crazy few days for you two.”

“Yeah. We’re going climbing and camping overnight. Some peace and quiet will do us both good.”

“Well, be careful. Will I be able to get a hold of you if I need to?”

Alex nodded. “We’re taking a satellite phone. I don’t know the number yet, but I’ll text it to you once we stop and pick it up.”

“Sounds good. Have fun.”

Katie walked up with her purse in her hands. “I’m ready.”

He smiled down at her. “Let me go lock my office.”

After gathering his things, they bade the staff goodbye and left the lab. Reeves followed on their heels to the parking lot where they climbed into Alex’s SUV with the deputy behind the wheel. Alex gritted his teeth the entire drive—just like he had to and from Pueblo—but even he recognized it was smart to let the deputies drive. He and Katie weren’t trained on defensive driving; the deputies were.

It didn’t mean he liked it, though. Katie gripped his hand and did her best to distract him with conversation, knowing he was uncomfortable. He kept his eyes on her and not out the windows at the passing scenery. They made a couple quick stops to get their climbing and camping gear and to change, then another at the Broken Bow for the sat phone. Seb’s mom loaded them up with extra food for them and the deputy. Alex’s mouth watered when he caught sight of the fried chicken.

Within a couple hours of leaving the lab, Reeves pulled into a parking lot at a trailhead near a decent climbing zone. There was another spot Alex liked more, but it was much more remote than this location. With the afternoon waning, they didn’t have time to hike to it and still have enough daylight to climb.

Reeves handed them their packs, concern etched onto his young face. “You sure you want to do this?”

Alex glanced at Katie, whose emphatic nod made him smile.

“We’re sure,” she said, taking her climbing gear from the back of the SUV.

Removing his own gear, Alex closed the hatch. “We’ll be fine, deputy. No one but a select few know where we are, and you made sure we weren’t followed. Enjoy my ergonomic leather seats and premium sound system. We’ll see you in the morning.”

Reeves sighed. “It is considerably nicer than the police cruiser.” His expression sober. “Just watch your backs. If something seems even the tiniest bit off, call me.”

Alex nodded, buckling his pack straps around his waist. “We will.” He looked at Katie. “You ready?”

“Yep.” She clicked her buckle together. “Let’s go.”

They waved at Reeves and set off down the trail. It was about a mile to the rock face over hilly terrain. Thankfully, the path was well-traveled, so they weren’t picking their way through thick undergrowth. They kept a quick pace and reached the climbing zone in just over half an hour.

After tying up their camping supplies and food, they began unpacking climbing equipment, readying ropes and pulleys. Once they had things set up the way they liked, they checked each other’s gear, then switched out their shoes and put on their helmets. Alex chalked his hands and studied the cliff, mapping a path to the top.

Katie tossed him a grin and hopped onto the rock, clinging to it like a monkey. He admired the play of her muscles as she scampered higher before following her.

For the next couple hours, they picked their way up the rock face. With every foot higher, Alex felt his mind relax. It had been too long since he’d been away from the office. He loved what he did, but constantly immersing himself in the dirtier aspects of human nature wasn’t healthy. He vowed to take more time away.

Katie swung sideways on the cliff to reach another handhold, drawing his eyes. Now that he had her in his life, time off sounded much more appealing.

“You know, we wrap this case up and we should consider taking some time off. More than just an afternoon.”

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