Page 91 of Rescued Duty

Naya’s nerves tingled and her heart raced like she’d just downed a cup of coffee. She sat in the passenger seat of Zack’s rental car on their way up to the pinnacle. They’d already alerted the police to their findings, and Wilcox had said she and Basuto would meet them at the river.

She sent a quick text to Ingram to let her know what they’d discovered and instructed her not to go anywhere near Sylvia. This woman could very well be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and Naya didn’t want to envision what a confrontation with her would entail. Had anyone else from the environmental group grown suspicious of Sylvia? Or were there more people working undercover to throw off the trail?

She couldn’t believe they were chasing this lead. Given her decision to stop pursuing and writing this story for the Tribune, she almost wanted to laugh at the situation. She and Zack were doing what could very well bring about more trouble. But this time, the police were on the way and, she prayed, one step ahead of Sylvia. And Zack was close by.

Naya peeked over at Zack. His jaw was taut, his eyes glued to the road. On his right arm, the red bracelet was woven around his wrist.

This man had fought for her. And continued to fight for her.

Her own experiences and fears had clouded her judgement of Zack for so long. He wasn’t afraid to speak the truth, but he did it with gentleness and grace. And he’d stayed—even when it hadn’t looked exactly like she’d envisioned.

She needed to take time to pray and discern her emotions with the Lord’s guidance.

One thing she did know for sure. When they weren’t fighting to survive to the next day, Naya hoped Zack would initiate an official date. Because she wanted the privilege of saying yes.

“What are you thinking?” Zack broke the silence, and heat crept up Naya’s neck.

How had she been so rude to him the first day their paths had crossed again at the bridge, when he’d helped her get the old man to safety?

“Just remembering that day when the bridge collapsed.”

“That feels like eons ago.” He sighed.

She shuddered at the thought of plunging into the river and wading through the debris to get out. “They were there that day too.” Naya turned in her seat.

“Who were?”

“Not who—what. There were sandbags in the water. I assumed they were from a temporary dam someone had put up.”

Zack snapped his fingers. “What if that’s one way they got away with it? People would assume a barrier had been created to prevent unwanted water flow, when it could have really been about disposing of contaminated waste.”

“That is a genius idea. Too bad it’s not being used for a good cause.”

Zack pulled into the gravel parking lot at the base of the mountain, not far from the service road where his car had almost exploded with them in it. Naya pinched her eyes shut, then opened them. That wouldn’t happen again today. No one had followed them here, and with police presence shortly, it would be foolish for someone to make a move.

“You ready?” Zack opened the passenger door for her.

“I suppose so.” Naya stepped out and zippered her jacket. The sun shone, and no breeze swirled through the air, but Naya still had the chills.

Zack opened up the map, and they headed for the trees. A paved gravel path wove through the wooded area, which made it easier to navigate despite the brush, rocks, and tall pine trees.

“If the drop-off location is marked by this X, it looks like it’s on the east side of the river over here.” Zack pointed off in the distance to boulders that lay in a haphazard pile several yards from the riverbank.

They hiked down the trail, and the tree covering blocked out the sun, which made the surrounding area more ominous. But as they got closer to the bank, the sound of trickling water worked to calm Naya’s nerves. On an average day, this spot would beckon Naya to come with her hammock to find solitude and enjoy nature.

“I thought Wilcox was on her way.” Naya glanced at her watch. Ten minutes had already passed.

“They should be here soon.” Zack stopped walking and turned to her with a smile. “They know where to meet us.”

Naya appreciated his effort to offer consolation.

They crossed over a bridge and came to a clearing. “Look.” Naya pointed. “There’s a hut.”

Zack quickened his steps, and Naya took long strides to stick close behind him.

Zack peered in the side window of the wooden shack. “It’s abandoned. Nothing but empty space.”

Naya walked around to the back of the makeshift shelter and froze. “Zack, come look at this.” Sandbags were stacked up against the hut like firewood. Brown pine needles created a coating over the area. A few feet away lay an overturned, unmarked white truck.

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