Page 41 of Wild Mustang Security Firm

“Can I help you?” Willa asked, walking toward her.

“I was wondering. My friends and I are from Jersey, and we’ve never seen a real cowgirl before…”

Willa smiled through the pa,in—cowgirl had been Mac’s pet name for her. She thought about correcting the girl, but realized to many, chaps, boots, a hat, and spurs only meant one thing—cowboy, and if it had boobs, cowgirl. Her attire was everyday riding gear, but to them, it was unique and photo-worthy.

She made good time and was able to take advantage of the dying light and accompanying cooler temperatures. During the last part of the ride, when they needed to go behind the waterfall, the sun had fallen behind the horizon, leaving them to use the full moon and star-studded desert sky to negotiate their way.

Willa was glad Gator and the packhorse had made this trek many a time. Neither of them was fazed by the powerful rushing water or the dark tunnel beyond. As they slipped behind the waterfall, Willa took out an electric lantern and held it up, so they could see where they were going. Once they were through the tunnel, she pulled the gear from both horses, then put them into the makeshift corral. She finished setting up the lean-to and put in chopped feed and some grain. She made several trips tothe running stream to fill up an inflatable trough, so they’d have water.

After seeing to her horses’ needs, she turned her hand to putting together an orderly camp. She stowed some of her gear outside the corral under the covering she had used to build the makeshift lean-to for the horses. Then she set up one of the tents she used in her business. Inside, she arranged her food supply in airtight containers, formed a shelf system of sorts to store pots and pans, clothing, etc. Inflating the comfortable blow-up bed, she spread out her opened sleeping bag as well as a soft flannel sheet, down comforter, and her trusty pillow. Having placed her tent on a rock floor meant she could keep things neat and tidy.

Hanging two of the solar-battery-powered lanterns, she constructed her cookfire with a grill and tripod from which she could hang her Dutch oven for cooking. The stream that ran through the canyon and the small lake where the waterfall ended were stocked with trout, meaning she could catch her dinner. In addition, she’d brought other food supplies and hunting gear. Willa was quite comfortable in the wilderness and looked forward to a reprieve from her everyday life for a week or so before moving the mustangs to safety.

Making a quick check of her camp and ensuring the gate barring the entrance to the canyon was secure, Willa entered her tent, stripped out of her clothes, tucked them away neatly, then slipped into a long T-shirt, and crawled into bed. Happy with all she’d accomplished, she laid her head on her pillow and was asleep in moments.

Chapter

Five

“I’m afraid it’s just us, Mac,” said John wearily when Mac and his team arrived at John’s office. “The locals are trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and this fiasco.”

Mac could tell from the disappointment in John’s voice, his friend was taking this personally.

“In the end, it usually is. But we’ll find him. What do you know?”

“Not much. I hope your guys can ride because the best way to go after this guy will be on horseback.”

“Won’t ATVs work?” one of Mac’s men asked.

“They might cover the terrain,” replied John, “but not as easily or as quietly as a horse, and their range is bound by how much gasoline we want to carry.”

“I think we split into two groups. John, you and my tech guys set up shop here in your office and keep on top of everything electronic. The rest of us will split up and see if we can’t figure out where he is. I’ve arranged for a helicopter to take me up tonight.”

“What do you plan to do in the dark?”

“I’ll use infrared tracking and night-vision goggles to see if we can’t spot something or someone camping.”

John shook his head. “I don’t know, Mac. This is a popular tourist area. Lots of folks out camping.”

“We’ll need to eliminate them one by one. I don’t think he’ll be part of a group, but if you give me my sandwich, I’ll head out. Thom, work with John to locate and arrange for us to use some horses. I’ll head out and see if I can’t find us a place to start.”

“Mac, nobody will have better horses than Willa. I’ll check to see if she’s willing to supply us with some.”

Mac paused for only a moment before responding. “That’ll work, and if she wants to be difficult, tell her the government is confiscating them for the duration. Everybody needs a good night’s rest. We’ve got us a fugitive to catch.”

Mac left the office in a pensive mood. His team was pumped up and ready to go, and he loved their enthusiasm. He had chosen his team carefully, and they saw each new op as a challenge to be conquered and strut their stuff. They weren’t arrogant, but they were very good.

John was right. Willa would have the best horses. It would seem, after five long years and a lot of stubborn pride, fate had presented him with the opportunity to reclaim the woman he loved. As he walked toward the waiting chopper, he wondered if she had any idea her life was about to take a radical turn and put her on the path she was always to have traveled—the one she shared with him.

The helicopter rose and flew a grid pattern, searching campsites obtained from a list of backcountry permits. By checking them off one by one, he’d be able to eliminate those least likely to be Eastwick. There was only one heat reading that looked to be a single camper. He doubted Eastwick would be with anyone else. His face and infamy were too well known. It was in an oddly placed little canyon. Mac made note of itslocation on his map and determined that it would be their first targeted destination in the morning. He didn’t fly down for a closer inspection as he didn’t want to alert whoever was there that he or she had been spotted.

At the motel, he was glad to see his men had settled in for the night. He opened the door to his room to find a small cooler sitting on the bed with a note taped to the top.

Mac,

Thanks again for coming. Inside are two sandwiches, potato salad, and a couple of beers.

Mandy talked with Willa. She’s given us her full support to borrow some horses, good steady mounts that know the terrain. Don’t know the cost, but Willa’s always been more than fair. She won’t be needing the horses for her business for at least two weeks.

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