Authors: Ribbon of Rain
Kat focused her attention on Jude.
He nodded.
Assured everyone was on the same page, she unholstered her .44 magnum.
Only five shots, but with the red dot scope, she knew each one would hit its target.
“We’re done here.
Let’s move out.”
A voice came from the shore where she’d parked her truck.
At least two of them.
“Fine by me.
Let’s go.”
An engine started, a four-wheeler Kat guessed.
She slapped her paddle hard on the water.
“What was that?”
One of them asked.
“Probably a beaver.
Let’s go.”
“I’d better take a look.”
Kat’s elbows rested on her knees, the revolver held in both hands.
One man walked to the water’s edge.
The moment he saw the canoe, he leaned against a tree and shouldered his rifle.
Before he could shoot, Kat squeezed the trigger.
The man keeled over.
The ATV took off.
“Must be nice to be able to rely on your friends,” Cody quipped.
“Let’s go in and check him out.”
“Good shot.”
Jude’s compliment didn’t lift Kat’s spirits.
“Thanks.”
She closed her eyes, fighting off feelings of revulsion that always accompanied ending a life.
War had taught her the necessity, but each time she killed someone, another scar grew on her heart.
Kat walked up the road while Cody and Jude examined the body.
The ATV had scattered gravel and rocks around the area as it peeled out.
She doubted it would return, but kept her gun handy, just in case.
“Find anything?”
Kat asked, walking over to the body.
“A phone in his pocket.”
Cody examined the phone while Jude searched for more clues.
“Must be a satellite phone if it works in here.”
“There’s no identification.
Looks to be in his mid to late twenties.
What a waste of a life.”
Jude dragged the body farther back in the woods and returned with the rifle.
“Should we try the phone?”
Kat asked Jude.
“The sooner we get someone here, the better.
Now we have two bodies laying around.”
Kat spied Cody walking toward her truck.
“We can probably get one call out before the guy on the four-wheeler reports it’s missing, and it’s put out of commission.”
“Everyone in the water!”
Cody commanded, coming towards them at a run.
“Move!
Now!”
Kat obeyed without question.
When Jude hesitated, she grabbed his arm and pulled him along while she holstered her gun.
“Come, Red.”
The air was hot enough to make the cold water refreshing.
She was glad to see that Jude not only could swim, but was a powerful force in the water.
She struggled to keep up with him.
A loud explosion rocked the earth and she turned toward shore.
Her truck had blown up.
“Jesus Christ!”
Jude breathed.
Huge flames roared thirty feet in the air, followed by black.
Several small explosions followed.
A piece of flying metal landed in the water not ten feet from where they tread water, sizzling before it sank.
Shocked, Kat gaped at the huge fireball and the billowing black smoke that smelled of oil.
She continued to tread water, searching for Cody.
She sighed with relief when she saw him swimming towards them.
He pushed the canoe in front of him.
“How’d you know about the bomb?”
Kat asked when he got close enough to hear her.
“Went over to look at your truck…saw it on the seat.”
Cody replied breathing hard.
“Someone’s making damn sure you don’t go anywhere, Kat.”
“Why not just flatten the tires?”
“I’ve got no idea.
Maybe blowing up the other two was next on the agenda.”
“At least Brian wasn’t involved in this.”
“Not that we know of.”
Kat heard Jude mutter beneath his breath.
He was right.
She shouldn’t defend Brian.
He’d proven himself untrustworthy.
“What happened to the phone?”
Cody asked still gasping.
“I dropped it on the shore,” Jude replied.
“Good thing.
I doubt it would work if it were waterlogged.”
They hung to the canoe as they watched the remains of the truck burn.
“I think the explosions are over.
Let’s go back and try the phone.”
They swam to shore.
All except Red, who stayed in the water, trying to drag in a floating log.
Jude picked up the phone and dialed John Rowe’s number, giving Kat and Cody a thumbs up.
“John?
It’s Jude.
Shut up and listen.
We’ve got big trouble here.
I need backup ASAP.
A group with military training are smuggling across the border behind the lodge.
They’ve shot at Kat from the air and just now blew up her truck.
Jesus, John, no.
I haven’t been drinking.
Forget the fucking gems.
Willie Card’s dead.
Get some agents up here.”
Kat and Cody shared a look when Jude stopped talking.
He scowled at whatever John Rowe was saying to him.
“I understand, but I’m telling you that we don’t have that much time.
We heard them say the operation was moving out soon.”
Another long pause.
“Right.
I got it.
I won’t be calling on this phone again.
Try tracing the number I’m calling from.
It should give you some leads.
I expect to see backup by tomorrow morning.”
Jude shut the phone, started to pocket it, then tossed it back on the shore.
He faced Kat and Cody.
“Tomorrow morning is the earliest we can expect any help.
The border makes it an international situation, and John needs to contact Canadian officials.”
“Figures.
Freaking government.”
Kat turned toward the canoe.
“Let’s get back to the lodge.”
“Come on, Kat,” Cody caught Kat’s arm, halting her.
“It’s not Jude’s fault.
You’ve been in the military long enough to understand SOP.”
Kat nodded and gave Jude a quick, apologetic look.
“I’m sorry.
I’m not pissed at you.
Let’s go.
We’ve got to keep the lodge safe, in case it’s next on the demolition list.”
Jude stared at the smoldering truck.
“What’s wrong?” she inquired.
“I’m wondering if any loggers might have heard the explosion or seen the smoke.
Maybe they’ll come to investigate or report it.”
Kat squashed his hope.
“I doubt it, Callahan.
No one’s logging in this area right now.
I haven’t noticed any planes around either.”
She looked pointedly at both men.
“We’re on our own until help gets here.”
They climbed in the canoe and paddled north, staying close to the shore for safety.
*****
Jude sat behind Kat, watching her muscles flex with each paddle stroke.
He admired at how effortlessly she paddled.
The hot sun felt great.
Everyone had shed their shirts and shoes.
Kat wore a sports bra.
Women jogged around the city all the time wearing sports bras.
He’d never found them a turn-on.
Right now he found himself in the uncomfortable position of paddling with a hard on.
Thank God, neither Kat nor Cody could see.
He closed his eyes so he didn’t have to look at her bare back, but when his eyes were shut, memories of the one time they’d made love replayed in his mind.
She’d been more responsive than any woman he’d made love to, giving herself freely.
Kat took the elastic off her ponytail, probably to dry her hair.
Now he was forced to look at her hair swinging on her shoulders each time she reached forward to dip her paddle in the water.
He groaned.
“What’s the matter with you?”
Kat whipped around and looked him square in the face.
“First you’re breathing hard, and now you’re groaning.
And your face is flushed.
Are you sick?”
Cody burst into laughter, causing Jude to groan again.
“I’m fine.
Turn around and keep paddling, or we’ll never get there.”
Kat glowered at him, before turning back to the front.
Cody sang his version of “Hey, Jude.”
Jude looked over his shoulder and glared at him.
“What?”
Cody asked.
“Your look of innocence doesn’t fly.
I’ve got a headache.
Quit the singing.
Besides you make a better chef.”
Cody leaned forward and whispered in his ear.
“You’ve got it bad, man.
Real bad.”
Jude heard glee in his voice.
Jude threw Cody a disgusted look over his shoulder.
He concentrated on the sun beating on his back and shoulders.
He’d forgotten how refreshing swimming was.
“We’re home.”
Jude snapped out of his daydream when Kat spoke.
“When we land the canoe,” she continued, “let’s drag it into the trees out-of-sight.
From now until help arrives, we’re on high alert.
We watch each other’s backs, as well as our own.
The rules of the game have changed.”
“I agree.
We’ll stick together until…”
Jude broke off at the sound of a plane, coming over the trees from behind them.
“Let’s move it,” Cody said.
By the time the plane banked on the east side of the lake, the canoe was hidden in the thick bushes, and the shore was deserted.
Birds scolded and scattered as their peace in the bushes was disturbed.
Crouched amongst the alders and meadowsweet were three weapons, all prepared to fire.
Chapter 9
“Do you recognize it?”
Jude whispered, his breath hot on the back of Kat’s neck.
“Is it the same one you saw the other day?”
She shivered, fighting the temptation to turn her head and find his mouth.
His hair tickled her neck, sending waves of desire rippling along her spine
“No.
It’s not the same one and it’s not a local plane.”
She swallowed, not surprised at the hoarseness in her voice.
The plane landed and taxied toward the wharf.
“No shooting until we see who it is,” Kat’s voice kept her voice at a whisper.
“It might be someone I know.”
She gasped as the plane drew closer.
“It’s
“And Carl Winter,” Jude added.
“I wondered when they’d show up.”
“How do you want to play it?”
Cody asked.
“Not a word about the gems, or the border activities.
We’re Army friends of Kat’s here for a visit.
I want to observe Winter’s reactions.”
Kat looked at Jude in surprise.
He’d taken command.
“Let’s go greet our guests.”
Kat jumped to her feet and started toward the wharf.
Red ran ahead, barking a warning at the strangers.
The plane pulled up next to the dock, and Carl Winter opened his door and threw a rope to anchor the plane.
Jude caught it in mid-air.
Once he climbed out, Carl headed straight for Kat, leaving
“Capt. Tenney,” he sauntered forward, holding out his hand.
‘‘I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
Kat’s eyes narrowed and sized up the man as he approached.
She ignored his hand, but nodded in greeting.
“And you are…?”
“Oh.
I’m sorry,” he apologized, his smile shark-like.
“How rude of me.”
He reeked of phoniness, along with some strong cologne that turned her stomach.
She’d met handsome con men like him.
During her childhood, they’d come around, wanting to buy the lodge.
How could her sister be so blind to this man’s character?