Page 97 of Tough as Steele

Nate agreed, but he didn’t want to. “Be careful, and I’ll lay down cover from here if needed.”

“Praying it won’t be needed.”

“I’m with you on that.”

“Moving now.” She went silent.

His heart tried to stall again.

Please. Please. Don’t let her have gone silent for life.

Londyn helped Mimi to her feet from a small camp bed in the back of a cave-like room shored up with newer pressure-treated lumber. There were no lights, but Londyn had run her phone over the area to get an idea of what she was facing. She’d spotted enough supplies, food, and water for one person to live off the grid for years. Mimi looked haggard as she squinted at the light, but she smiled when Londyn identified herself.

The elderly woman took a few steps and wobbled. Londyn stabilized her.

“Thank you, dear.” She patted Londyn’s hand.

“You’re sure you can walk?” Londyn asked.

“I might be old, but I am determined,” she said. “I won’t let that horrible man win.”

“Good.” Londyn wanted to give Mimi a fierce hug, but they needed to get going before Holt returned.

Londyn took Mimi’s hand and led her to the bunker entrance. Londyn signaled for Mimi not to speak and to hold her position, then looked out the door. No sign of Holt.

After motioning for Mimi to follow, Londyn stepped out, her rifle raised. No belly crawling this time as she had to protect Mimi. She headed for the wooden steps.

“Can you do the stairs?” she whispered.

“Yes,” the high whisper confirmed.

Londyn took one last look around then took the first step. She paused. Took another look around.

Clear.

She took the second step and froze. The wood moved under foot. She remembered Nate’s warnings about Holt being clever. She looked down and spotted a camouflaged pressure plate with detonating cord running to the side of the steps and over the hill.

Blood rushed to her head. Panic set in.

Hold it together. Mimi needs you.

She swallowed the panic down and pressed her mic. “Just stepped on a pressure plate with det cord running over the hill. I can assume Holt is at the end of it. Should I have Mimi hold behind me or try to keep moving?”

“Hold. Both of you. I’m on my way.”

“No. No.” She searched her brain for a better idea. “You coming to my rescue is likely what Holt wants.”

“Then let’s give it to him. On my way.”

Londyn looked over her shoulder to tell Mimi to go back into the bunker in case the IED exploded but footfalls sounded nearby.

“Itiswhat I want.” A deep, raspy voice rumbled from out of the darkness as an outside light affixed to the bunker came on.

She reached for her mic to warn Nate that Holt was here.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Unless you want to go boom.” The man appeared from behind the bunker, a dead man’s switch in his hand. If he released his fingers from around the switch, the bomb would detonate.

She slowly let go of her mic so he knew she wasn’t trying anything funny.

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