Page 42 of Canyon of Deceit
While he made the call, I crawled low to the top of the ridge, favoring my wounded leg, and used my binoculars to explore the elevation around us. The steep, rocky slopes promised more of the same terrain with less vegetation and trees. I scanned the vast area, although if I stood, Chandler would have an easy time eliminating me.
I whirled around at Blane. “There isn’t a safe spot to land here. Chandler would pick them off like swatting flies on a picnic table full of food. We need to find a location higher up with less exposure. And I know where.”
TWENTY-ONE
BLANE
The FBI team trekked toward the location where Therese and I planned a meetup, an area where the Rangers could land a helo and be less likely to encounter hostile rifle fire. Still a possibility, but Therese and I had our binoculars to keep a lookout and warn them. With the combined armed men, we’d find Alina and take down Chandler and his sidekick.
One of the FBI agents was a sniper and paramedic. Smart combo in case of a firefight, and Alina might need medical attention from exposure and whatever Chandler and the kidnapper might have inflicted. Until then, Therese and I hiked an off-trail path.
Her emotions earlier in the day demonstrated what I’d suspected—a deeper hurt drove her to risk her life for others. No surprise I recognized the same trait in me. We both carried boulders in our backpacks, refusing to give them up as though they were buds instead of enemies.
What were the chances of two people being thrown together in the middle of nowhere and struggling with painful issues from their pasts—one a Christian and the other angry with how God managed humans?
Guess I wanted to believe in something, but not the God I’d experienced. I’d explored other religions, and all were a bunch ofrituals. The list of dos and don’ts along with the expectations that a person’s good deeds must outweigh the bad ones caused me to shove all of them into the same outhouse. None of it made sense. No logical answers to why some people boasted extraordinary lives while others endured one tragedy after another.
Therese pointed to an incline ahead but gave me no eye contact. “There’s our approach. This climb is more than a boot path. It’s a slog. I’ll go first. Better I clear the way.”
“What are my instructions?” I grinned to ease the tension frosting between us since earlier in the day.
She ignored me. “The loose rocks are not to be taken lightly. So be extra careful. I’ll ensure solid footing every step of the way.” She indicated a few cracks in the upward terrain.
“What’s to keep you from falling?”
“I’ll do a free climb until I can anchor my rope. Besides it’s not far, and I have my partner to catch me.”
“Always.” I started to say my arms were open, but I held back to listen to every word.
“I’ll climb to the top and assure everything is safe. Once I anchor the rope, I’ll drop it to you. Use a hitch knot to secure it around your waist. Take it slow and you’ll be a rock star.” She nodded at jagged rock within inches of our feet. “Watch your balance. Note it’s straight down.”
Making a mistake came with a price tag—our lives. What if she slipped? I took another quick peek down at the death plunge.
Get your head in the game, Gardner.
I studied where she planned to scale and added a shot of bravado. “All right. It looks fairly simple. I’ll memorize every step you take and watch your rear all the way up.”
“Keep talking, and I’ll throw rocks at you.”
I adjusted my backpack and stared at the mass of sure death below us. “I’ll behave. Are you praying for us?”
“After what you just said? You’re a mess, but yes, I’m praying.”
Good, but I’d not admit it. “If I make the climb in one piece, I want to take you to dinner. You choose the place.”
“I’ll find the perfect spot once we’re back in Houston.”
“Deal.”
I inwardly winced with my fear of falling. But I’d not admit it. I was a Texas Ranger—the best of the best.Diablos Tejanos—Texan Devils. “One Riot, One Ranger.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m the best you’ve got.”
“How reassuring.” Therese studied the twisted vine and rock above us and anchored her hiking boot in a secure hold. Stones broke free around her, but she stayed firm. “See what I mean? The incline is not the biggest problem. It’s the loose rock. Test your footage even where I find it safe. I’ll give more instructions once I’m on higher ground. Slow and easy is the key.”
I held my breath with her every upward motion. As before, her body melded with the rough terrain, graceful, a work of art. I feared and admired this mystery woman. Never had I encountered such skill and courage.
