Page 82 of Dangerous Obsession

“Their ETA to the trailhead is thirty-five minutes,” Sammy said, amidst a steady stream of clicks on Sammy’s line. “Do you want me to alert Washington State Patrol?”

“No,” Cole quickly responded. “Barnum is too unpredictable. Just let him come, but watch him.”

“We’ll be ready for him.” Viking’s teeth ground together.

“Roger that.” The clicking stopped. “Good luck.”

They both exploded to their feet, turned, and ran back to the trailhead. At this pace, they’d make it there before Barnum arrived, but it would be close.

“Eddie, Hawk, check out that cabin and see if Shayna’s in there.” Cole gave orders as they dodged around trees and jumped over downed branches. “Calliope, provide cover.”

“Gladly,” she said.

“We’re going in,” Hawk said.

They heard them crashing through the brush, then the hollow sound of footsteps stomping up wooden steps. Everything went silent.

“She’s here!” Eddie shouted. “We’ve got Shayna.”

Excellent. Now he and Cole could concentrate on Barnum.

The trailhead came into view ahead, and Viking and Cole slowed to a jog. It had grown dark enough that they’d had to start using their NVGs. They squatted down just inside the tree line next to the trailhead and checked the narrow strip of shoulder used for parking.

Viking scanned from left to right for bright green heat signatures.

“No heat signatures,” he whispered.

“Looks like we got here before them.” Cole’s voice was equally low. “Sammy.”

“I’m here.”

“What’s Barnum’s location?” he asked.

“He’s approaching the turnoff to the trailhead. ETA five minutes.”

“You stay here.” Viking pointed to the other side of the one-lane asphalt strip. “I’ll head over there and take up position behind that big tree.”

Cole gave him a thumbs-up.

Viking looked down the road and dashed across the street in a crouch to position himself behind the tree.

“We’ve made it back to my truck.” Hawk’s voice crackled in their earpieces.

“Shayna’s status?” Viking could not go back and deliver bad news to Marigold.

“Asshole beat her up pretty good, but she’s tough as shit. Insisted on walking.” His voice held a note of respect. “I was prepared to carry her, if necessary, but she made it out on her own.”

Hawk had a sister about the same age as Shayna who lived with him, and he was very protective of her.

A moment later, headlights swept across the trees and road and headed toward Viking and Cole.

“Barnum is approaching.” Cole signaled Viking across the road.

“You need us?” Hawk asked.

“Tell Eddie I’ll let him know when he should come get us. You and Calliope take off and get Shayna some medical attention.”

“Roger that.”

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