Page 29 of Mountain Captive

She wanted to protest but only nodded. While they unlocked the door and went inside, she hugged her arms across her chest and paced beside her car. How could Ryker and Jake be so calm? Sure, she was known to be cool during a search and rescue emergency, but those situations rarely involved anyone she knew. But Rand and Danny were friends, both fit, capable men who wouldn’t be pushovers. If something had happened to them, she couldn’t help thinking it would be bad.

The deputies emerged from the building and Jake relocked the door. “There’s no one in there,” Ryker said. “But we found Danny’s phone on the floor near the door. He must have dropped it.”

“Are you sure Rand didn’t have to report back to the hospital?” Jake asked. “Or maybe he’s visiting a friend?”

She shook her head. “He wouldn’t go back to work without his car. You need to talk to the members of the Vine. Someone told me they’re camped out past County Road 14.”

“Do you think they had something to do with Rand and Danny?” Jake asked.

“I’m sure they were the ones who attacked Rand and then me last night,” she said. “I can’t prove it, but I’m sure of it. Maybe they came back for Rand tonight.”

“Why would they do that?” Ryker asked.

“To get back at me?” She shook her head. “I don’t know. But please, go talk to them. Rand and Danny might be with them now.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to go out there,” Jake said. “But there’s a good chance we’re wasting time.”

“Do you have a better idea of where to look?” Chris asked.

Ryker pocketed his notebook. “We’ll drive out there and take a look,” he said. “You go home. We’ll be in touch.”

“I’m staying at Rand’s place,” she admitted. “My apartment needs the doors and locks replaced.”

“Go there, then,” Jake said. “We’ll let you know what we find.”

They returned to their vehicles and she to hers. The deputies waited for her to drive away, then followed her back toward town. They turned off toward County Road 14 while she continued toward Rand’s place. She didn’t like the idea of returning to the unfamiliar house alone. At least Harley would be there with her.

And what if Ryker and Jake didn’t find Rand and Danny with the Vine? What if someone else had taken them or they had left for some other reason? She might have wasted the deputies’ time and put the two men in further danger.

“WEDON’THAVEproper medical equipment or medications,” Rand protested. “We can’t help this woman without the right tools.”

“We’re very good at making do,” Jedediah said. “Tell us what you need, and we’ll supply a reasonable substitute.”

Which was how Rand and Danny found themselves minutes later with a stack of clean towels, a selection of sharp knives, a sewing kit, a bar of soap, and a bottle of what looked and smelled like grain alcohol. “I’m not going to perform surgery without anesthesia,” Rand said.

“If you don’t operate, she’s going to die anyway,” Danny said softly. The two huddled over their patient, having sent everyone else to wait either outside or against the far wall. Jedediah had left, but the patient’s brother stood nearby, the gun tucked into the front of his jeans, quickly accessible if he decided he needed to use it again.

The two men knelt beside the woman, and Rand once more assessed her condition, which he could only classify as poor. She was barely conscious and mostly unresponsive, her pulse faint. She needed an emergency C-section, and even then her chances of survival were slim. But he couldn’t do nothing and watch her die. “I can try to turn the baby,” Rand said. “Let’s see if we can revive her enough to help us.” He looked up at her brother. “What’s her name?”

“Lana,” the man said.

“Get down here and talk to her,” Rand said.

The brother shook his head and backed away. Exasperated, Rand looked across at the girl, who hadn’t spoken and had scarcely moved since he and Danny entered the truck. “What’s your name?” he asked.

“Serena.”

“Serena, is Lana a relative of yours?”

The girl shook her head.

“Then why are you here?” Danny asked.

“It’s my job to help the healer.”

Rand would have told whoever was in charge that this was no place for a child so young, but since Serena was already here, he asked if she would hold Lana’s hand and talk to her while he and Danny worked. “She may be able to hear you, even if she doesn’t respond,” he explained.

Serena nodded. “All right.”

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