Page 44 of Their Wicked Games

“I didn’t intend to kill him. Shoulder, through and through.”Kane got to his feet, laid his rifle across the seat.“He won’t be shooting that crossbow for a time and I figured we needed answers.”

“Hang on, folks, I’ll take her back up.”Carter’s voice came through her headset.I’ll need to drop you down onto that ledge from above. The wind gusts are strong here, so you’ll need to be careful.”

“Copy.”Kane attached his harness to the rope winch.“I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

Jenna stood and stepped into a harness to assist Wolfe with the rescue stretcher. Her heart picked up a beat as wind whistled inside the cabin. The chopper swayed back and forth until it evened out high above the ravine. Trying not to show her fear as Kane dropped over the edge and grabbed the spinning stretcher, Jenna held her breath as he rode it down. She moved to the open door and clipped her safety harness onto the bar. Taking a deep breath, she leaned out to watch his descent. Gusts of wind twisted and turned him, swinging him back and forth like a pendulum. Every second, his momentum threatened to smash him against the side of the ravine.

Concerned about the severe bruising he’d suffered from the bullet hitting his vest, Jenna chewed on her bottom lip. Kane wouldn’t be at full strength. No matter how many times he’d protested all was well, she’d seen him flinch in pain lifting the equipment. Beside her, Wolfe was watching the drop from the open door and making sure the lines ran freely.

“He’ll be okay.” Wolfe flicked her a glance. “He’s functioned well with bullet wounds, Jenna. As long as he’s not losing too much blood, he can block out the pain. Like all of us, he can bleed out, but that bruise won’t slow him down.”

Surprised, Jenna stared at him. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

“You show it in your eyes.” Wolfe leaned out of the chopper door, peering below. “It’s something you need to work on. If I can see it, so can he. I’ve told you before if you want to keep him safe, don’t become his Achilles heel.” He kept his attention on Kane below, but his voice was coming loud and clear through the headphones.

“Yeah.”Carter’s voice flowed into her ears.“I’ve never known him to run slap-bang into a situation like he did when those guys kidnapped you. No backup. If he wasn’t wearing the liquid Kevlar vest, you’d be a widow.”

Annoyed and glad Kane couldn’t hear the conversation, Jenna snorted. “That wasn’t my fault. Trust me, I didn’t have time to look at him. He’s been like that since the day we met. It’s not the first time he’s put his body on the line to save me. It’s what he does, but yeah, I’ll try and avoid looking at him before a mission. I don’t need him worrying about me.” She hadn’t taken her eyes off Kane. “Even if watching him risk his life makes me sick to my stomach.”

Below, Kane swung and twirled in the wind, caught in great gusts of moisture from the falls. Jenna could see the slickness of the rope. The chopper climbed higher, sending Kane rushing toward the edge of the ravine. Transfixed, Jenna stared, helpless to do anything as he descended closer to the swirling river. One mistake and he’d smash into the rocks. Terrifying minutes dragged by, before Kane came alongside the ledge and, hanging in midair, slid the stretcher onto the narrow ledge. The wind howled around him, preventing his attempts to get Rowley onto it. There just wasn’t enough room. Rowley tried to cooperate with Kane, but it was obvious he couldn’t move. When Kane looked up at Wolfe and gave a hand signal, Wolfe replied with a thumbs-up. “What’s happening?”

“Rowley is critical. Kane will have to use force to get him onto the stretcher. It’s gonna hurt.”

Sick to the stomach, Jenna white-knuckled the bar as Kane planted his feet on the ravine wall. His feet slipped on the soaking moss-covered rocks and he took a few seconds to regain his balance before trying again. Jenna held her breath as he grabbed Rowley and rolled him toward the rock face. He swiftly shoved the stretcher alongside him. After pausing a few seconds, as if speaking to Rowley, he took hold of his injured arm and leg. In one swift movement, he dragged him toward him, lost his footing, and dropped. Caught in the harness, he swung and twisted wildly. Petrified for his safety, Jenna bit down hard on her bottom lip, too terrified to speak. Shaking his head, Kane dragged himself back to the ledge and gripped the stretcher. On the ledge, Jenna could make out Rowley’s contorted face as Kane slid him into place. After securing him, he signaled to Wolfe. Heart in her mouth, Jenna stared as they dangled over the ravine. Moments later Wolfe flipped the switch and the pulley spun into action, winding in the rope. As they ascended, Kane gripped the stretcher in an effort to keep it from spinning. She could see him talking to Rowley as they climbed steadily back to the chopper.

Jenna kneeled and clung to the bar beside the door, ready to help Wolfe pull the stretcher inside. The moment it slid across the floor, Kane tumbled in beside it, rolling on his back and breathing heavily. Wolfe slid the door shut. Crawling to look at Rowley, Jenna bit back a gasp. Five crossbow bolts were embedded in his body. Two in his arm, two in his leg, and one in his hip, all along the right side. He was sheet white and groaning in agony. In seconds, Wolfe was beside him examining him. He gave him a shot and Rowley’s eyes fluttered shut. “Is he going to be okay?”

“Carter, call the hospital. Tell them to get a theater ready. We need an orthopedic surgeon, stat.”Wolfe looked at Jenna.“He’ll live, but he’s banged up. We won’t know to what extent until they do X-rays. There may be bone as well as soft tissue damage. You’ll need to call Sandy and his folks. He’ll be in surgery for hours.”

The next moment Kane was beside her, lifting her to her feet. He unclipped her harness and pushed her into a seat. When he dropped into the seat beside her and pulled on his earphones, she smiled at him. “I’m glad Jake had you down there saving him.” She took his hand and squeezed. “I don’t know anyone else who could have gotten him off that ledge.”

“Me either.”Carter’s voice filled her ears.“There was no way down from above. You were his only chance, Dave.”

“I figure we make a good team.”Kane grinned.“Maybe we should think about joining search and rescue.”

Jenna glared at him. “Over my dead body.”

“Nah.”Carter chuckled.“We have enough danger to occupy our lives. In any case, we’re always here if needed.”

“You’re so easy to tease, Jenna.”Kane squeezed her hand.“Do you honestly believe I’d give up being your deputy?It’s never gonna happen.”

FORTY-ONE

As the FBI chopper passed overhead, heading in the direction of the hospital, Rio and Jo slid into the bushes along the trail. They’d taken up a position adjacent to the forest warden’s parking lot where they could keep Jesse Davis’ vehicle in sight. They’d waited for some time, surrounded by damp leaves and the smell of animal urine, picking insects from their exposed skin. A couple of hunters had walked by without noticing them, and confident that Davis wouldn’t see them on his way back to his truck, Rio had relaxed to wait him out. When a hunched-over a man wearing a hunting jacket and carrying a crossbow came cautiously along the trail, pausing every few steps to peer between the trees to the parking lot, it didn’t take them long to recognize Davis. They waited until he was adjacent to them, and Rio stepped out of the bushes. Jo closed in behind, holding her Glock in both hands and aiming center mass. “You’re injured.” Rio indicated toward Davis’ shoulder. “Hunting accident?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. Anyway, I can take myself to the hospital.” Startled, Davis’ eyes widened as Rio drew his weapon. His Adam’s apple moved up and down as he swallowed hard before darting a look over one shoulder at Jo. “Why have you drawn down on me and what’s the FBI doing in the forest on a Friday morning? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“We’re looking for you, Mr. Davis. I figure you’ve been having a fine old time in the mountains.” Jo shrugged, holding her weapon as steady as a rock. “It’s come to our attention that you were using Deputy Rowley as target practice out near Bear Peak. You see, Jake isn’t just a deputy, he’s a friend, and Deputy Rio here doesn’t take too kindly to people roughing up his friends. You’re sure lucky I’m here to ensure your safety. You come along quietly now and we’ll have someone take a look at your shoulder.”

To Rio’s surprise, Davis lashed out at him with his bow, knocking his weapon from his hand. Lunging forward, Davis pushed Jo to one side and tried to make a break for it. Reacting on instinct, Rio took chase, reaching him in seconds. He grabbed him by the arm and spun him around to face him. As Davis shaped up to fight, Rio aimed a punch to his kidney and Davis bent over, groaning in agony. The next second, Jo came up behind them and pressed the muzzle of her weapon to Davis’ temple.

“Move again. Go on, I dare you.” Jo ground the weapon into his flesh. “You lowlife piece of garbage. Just give me an excuse.”

As Davis wilted before him, Rio straightened. This man was a typical coward. As he took a step closer, Davis shied away as if avoiding another blow. He looked at Jo and smiled. “Nice work.” He retrieved his weapon and held it on Davis.

“You won’t let her kill me.” Davis looked at him wild-eyed.

“Oh, please do.” Jo moved closer. “You’re still armed, Davis. It would be a righteous kill.”

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