Page 93 of Mountain Refuge

“I’ve called in for some officers from Langley to help on this case.” The sheriff removed his hat, ran his hand through his hair, then replaced the hat. “We don’t have near enough men to tackle the group if they become aggressive as one cohesive unit.”

Taya stiffened. “Has the town ever experienced anything of this magnitude before?”

“We’ve had a gang war. That’s about as close as we’ve come.” He exhaled heavily. “I’m starting to think it’s time for me to retire. Come on. Let’s see what other clues this guy left us.”

After circling the cabin and doing their best not to trample any potential evidence, it became clear that Mason was, indeed, scouting. Taya turned and stared at the cabin as he might have done. What had he seen?

The log cabin wouldn’t fall easily, but its windows could be shattered, its doors busted open. They’d be guarding the front and back doors, which meant the cabin would be a virtual prison, leaving those inside at the mercy of the traffickers.

“We need to go somewhere else.” She glanced at the sheriff. “We’re sitting ducks on this mountain.”

“We’ll set up a safe house in town,” Larson said. “I agree. This is not a safe place for you. You could hole up for quite a while, but if the cabin is torched, you can’t get out without being caught.”

“Let’s tell Boyne.” The sheriff led the way back to the house.

The group gathered on the deck after it became apparent Mason was no longer around. Sheriff Westbrook explained the need for them to leave the top of the mountain.

Ryan shook his head. “Someone needs to stay. Mason needs to believe that Taya and Tracy are still here. If he doesn’t, he’ll take the trouble into town, and innocent people will suffer.”

“What are you proposing?”

“That I stay here.”

“No.” Taya would not allow that to happen. “Mason won’t hesitate to kill you.”

“I won’t give him that opportunity. You take Tracy into town, and I’ll stay here to keep his attention on this cabin.”

“You need me, Ryan.”

He put his hands on her shoulders and stared deeply into her eyes. “Yes, I do. Which is why this has to happen. I need you alive, not in the hands of that man. Think about Tracy.”

The emotion pouring from his eyes strengthened her. He was right. Tracy was the top priority right now. She had to get her away from there. “Okay, but I don’t have to like it.”

“Good. We’ll have someone pick you up in the morning. That gives us time to prepare the house. Be on guard tonight. Agent Snowe and Larson will stay with Boyne.”

Hearing that relieved some of the fear clenching Taya’s heart. “We’ll be ready.” She brushed past them and headed for the front door where Tracy stood talking to someone.

Taya rushed in front of her. “What are you doing?”

“Getting the delivery.”

A handsome young man motioned to the bags at his feet. “You did place an order, right?”

Taya glanced past him, noting a small red sedan. How had he driven close without anyone hearing? “Yes. Thank you. You may go now.” The look on her face sent him scurrying to his car. Taya whirled to face her niece. “How long has he been here?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. Twenty minutes, maybe. We were only talking. I knew you were a shout away.” She grabbed one of the bags. “We did place an order, you know.”

“Have you forgotten it was a handsome boy that abducted you?” Taya set her rifle inside the door and grabbed a couple of bags.

“Yes, but he wasn’t a delivery boy.” Tracy wrinkled her nose and carried the bag into the house.

Taya glanced over to see the tail end of the car disappear over the hill. How could she convince Tracy she couldn’t trust anyone until Mason and his trafficking ring were locked away?

Chapter Seventeen

At the wail of the alarm, Taya bolted from bed and reached for her weapon.

“Taya?” Tracy’s wide eyes glowed in the moonlight coming through the slats of the blinds over the bedroom window.

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