Page 119 of One Last Chance

Shep’s eyes widened.

“We’re nearly there,” Moose said.

She swallowed.Oh boy.

“I see the cabin,” said Moose. “I’m setting down in the yard.”

He used some superior pilot skills and set them down softly.

Shep opened the door, and Flynn nearly rolled out. Ran toward the woods.

By the time she’d emptied her stomach, Shep and Moose were inside the cabin and back out.

She turned, walked toward them, and if she’d had any more, she would’ve lost it again. They held the cut remains of zip-cuffs.

Cut, not ripped.

She took the ends and swallowed. Looked into the tangled dark woods behind the cabin and turned to Shep.

“Get that drone in the air, Shep. Boo, you stay here. Moose, I’m going to need a radio. And please tell me you have a gun.”

“No, you’re not going after?—”

“Yes, I am. And I need you in the air, watching my back and searching.”

He didn’t move. “Axel won’t like this.”

“It’s my job.”

London had walked to the chopper, taken out a gun from under her seat. “It’s just a bear gun.”

“Okay. It’ll do. Shep, find me our girl. Moose, get in the air.”

Moose took a breath, his mouth pinched. Then he took the radio from his belt, handed it to her. “Channel twenty-seven. Two. Seven.”

“Got it.” She stuck it on her belt. Then she turned. “Tell Axel and his team to follow the river. And to pay attention.”

“I don’t understand—what’s going on?” Boo said. “Didn’t she get free?”

“Yes and no. He freed her. Maybe even gave her a head start. But the hunt has begun.”

* * *

“Flynn didwhat?”

Axel stood on the shore of the Copper River where it tipped into Remington property, the river’s roar rushing into his ears, Moose’s words on the radio trying to find purchase. “What do you mean, she’sgoing after Parker. Alone?”

“Shep has her on the drone, and I’m in the chopper. London is watching for her, but Parker is in the wind. Flynn thinks she’s being hunted.”

Hunted.

Axel ran his hand over his mouth, staring at the river.

From here, the river dumped into Jubilee Lake. “What side of the river?”

“North.”

He and Levi had trekked along the Copper River, his gut tight as he searched for a body. They’d stopped above the high falls, a half mile from where the Jubilee Creek tributary peeled off toward the lake.

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