Page 31 of Mountain Captive

“Apparently, he also forbids outside help, even for a medical emergency,” Rand said.

“I think we need to talk to this Exalted person,” Jake said. “Where can we find him?”

“I have no idea,” Rand said. “I’ve only spoken to his representative, a man named Jedediah.” He turned to Danny. “Let’s get Lana ready for transport.”

They were making Lana as comfortable as possible when an approaching siren signaled the arrival of the ambulance. Moments later, two paramedics pushed into the trailer, ignoring the orders to stop from some of the onlookers. The first paramedic to enter, a burly fortysomething with close-cropped gray hair, surveyed the room. “We need to get this crowd out of here so we can work.”

“You heard the man,” Jake said. “Everybody out.”

When no one moved, Jake and Ryker began taking hold of people and escorting them out.

Rand introduced himself and Danny and provided what medical information he had been able to assess, then stepped back to allow the paramedics to take over. By the time he heard the distant throb of a helicopter over the camp, they had started an IV line and fitted Lana with an oxygen mask and various equipment to monitor her vitals. The deputies were still outside, presumably dealing with the other campers. Jedediah didn’t make an appearance, and Robert and his fellow kidnapper had disappeared. Serena was gone, too, pulled away by one of the women as the paramedics started their work.

Rand and Danny followed the stretcher out of the trailer and watched as Lana was loaded into the ambulance. She would be driven to the cleared area that had been designated as a landing spot for the helicopter, then rushed to the hospital.

Jake joined Rand and Danny as the ambulance pulled away. “Can you identify the men who kidnapped you?” he asked.

“I can.” The crowd of onlookers was mostly moving away now, presumably to the trailers and tents scattered among the trees, their faces indistinguishable in the darkness. “My guess is you won’t find them here tonight.”

“Give us a description, and we’ll conduct a search.”

Danny and Rand each described what they knew about the two men who had waylaid them and also provided what they knew about Jedediah.

“How did you know where to find us?” Danny asked when that was done.

“Chris went to SAR headquarters to look for you and found the place locked up tight,” Ryker said. “Both your cars were there, and we found your phone on the ground. Carrie called 911 and reported you missing. Chris said she thought the persons who attacked the two of you last night were from the Vine and that they might have gone after you again tonight.”

“These men didn’t hurt us,” Rand said.

“One of them was the woman’s brother,” Danny said. “I don’t think he would have harmed us. I think he was desperate to help his sister.”

“Threatening someone with a gun and forcing them to go somewhere against their will is still a crime,” Ryker said.

“Let’s get you out of here,” Jake said.

Rand and Danny shared the back seat of Jake’s SUV for the ride to search and rescue headquarters. Neither spoke. Rand was exhausted. The sight of Lana, struggling to stay alive while he was helpless to do anything, would remain with him for a long time. If the Exalted and his followers were willing to sacrifice one of their own for the sake of their misguided beliefs, he could believe they wouldn’t hesitate to break laws in order to obey their leader’s command to bring a former member back into the fold.

Chapter Ten

Fifteen years ago

Chris, drowsing under the covers in her bunk bed in her family’s trailer at the Vine’s camp, woke to raised voices. She pulled back the curtain over the bunk and peered toward the glow of light from the other end of the small trailer. Her father sounded angry about something.

“I’m going to talk to him. This isn’t right.”

“He’s made up his mind,” her mother said. “You’ll never get anywhere arguing with him.”

“There must be some misunderstanding. Jedediah got the message wrong. The Exalted has children—daughters. Would he want one of them married off when she’s only twelve? Not to mention he already has a wife his age. It’s just sick.”

“Lower your voice.” Mom sounded afraid. “You don’t want to let anyone hear you say that.”

“It’s not right, you know that.”

“I know. But what are we going to do? He owns this trailer. He owns everything we have.”

“You don’t have to remind me,” her father said. “I was the one foolish enough to turn everything over to him.”

“You weren’t foolish. You believed in the message. We’re supposed to share with each other. No one has more than anyone else.”

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