Page 72 of True Valor
He rummaged through the cupboards, pullingout canned goods and placing them on the counter.
“Should have stopped for groceries.”
At last, he found several cans of roast beefhash.Nodding briefly, he hunted up the can opener and whistled ashe cooked.
The snow was deeper than it had been when Nicwas last here.They were prepared for that.As they approached thecabin from the south, they caught sight of the Bronco.
Bingo.
Raines was here.
Please, God, let Julie be here as well.Andalive.
Nic absently checked under his collar for theSt.Michael medal he wore on missions.Joey had given it tohim.
As they moved closer, the smell of wood smoketickled Nic’s senses.Raines still had a fire going.About ahundred yards from the cabin, they split up.
Nic and Cruz went around back.GQ and Gabe tothe north side, Will would stay on this side, Matt would cover thefront.The north side was likely the best approach to get closeenough to see or hear what was going on inside.Gabe had theequipment in his pack to listen in.GQ had the sniper rifle.Eachhad their pistol.
Nic and Cruz inched toward the back of thehouse just as the snow began falling in big, heavy,stick-on-your-tongue flakes.Everything was blanketed in freshsnow, up to Nic’s calves.He watched the cabin intently as he movedthrough the trees.
“Movement by the rocks out back.”Gabe’svoice in Nic’s ear.
Nic had been so focused on the cabin, he’dmissed it.He swung around to face the rocks, Julie’s chapel.Raines stood at the top of the highest rock, twenty feet or so fromthe ground.Before him, Julie knelt, Raines’ pistol at the base ofher skull.
A cry tore from his throat as he ran full-onfor the rocks.
At the sound, Raines turned and pulled Julieto her feet, shielding himself behind her.
One second, Julie was squeezing her eyes shutwaiting for the end.The next, she stood watching Nic charge acrossthe frozen pond toward them.The barrel of Raines’ gun pressed hardinto her neck.
Nic wore his aviator glasses, his black hatturned backwards and was dressed in white camouflage.His face wascovered with camo paint, but even so, he was a sight to behold.
Tears stung Julie’s eyes as she watched himrun.
“He’s coming to save you, Julie.Look at allthat testosterone.Does it make you hot, Princess?”
It was hard to breathe.Raines tightened hisarm around her ribs even more, making it almost impossible.
“Superman’s comin’.Will he be able to saveyou?Tune in next time...”His words trailed off and helaughed.
“Shall I kill him, Julie?”Raines whispered,his breath hot on her cheek.
“No, please.”
Nic plowed through the snow on the pond.
He knew he was a sitting duck.No way in hellcould he stop.Each step brought him closer to Julie.Closer to achance to save her.
He wouldn’t let her go again.If she wouldn’tstay with him forever, he’d leave the team and go with her.He’dfind something to do.
And on he ran.
Almost half way across.
Almost half way.The view of the pond fromthe porch.Julie beside him, holding his hand.She’d told him abouther chapel, how much she’d loved it here.
Almost half way.Damn.That day the pondhadn’t been covered with new snow.And, in the middle, the ice wasdifferent, wet.It hadn’t mattered then.It did now.Before hisfoot again hit the ice, he knew he’d blown it big time.
