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“You’re a big boy. You can take it.” She looked in her rearview when Kash opened the back, tossing stuff in before getting Nyx to jump up. “I’ll text you before we leave and then again when we land at the hospital. Now, go find those drugs.”
“Be safe.”
“I’m not the risk taker.”
He rolled his eyes, staring at Kash until the man flipped Foster some kind of hand signal. What she assumed was Foster doubling down on how he expected his friend to have her back. Not that Kash needed reminding. All of Foster’s buddies took guarding their teammates to the extreme. And she knew they’d all gladly sacrifice themselves for each other without hesitation.
Mackenzie made the drive in record time, Kash keeping the conversation light. Though she suspected he was dying to grill her about her intentions with Foster, he avoided the topic, jumping out before she’d even put the Jeep into first.
She trailed behind, shaking her head at her father when he held the door for her. “I’m starting to wonder if you’re having me followed.”
Atticus smiled. “No need. I know exactly where you’ll be.”
She stopped. “Foster’s a good man.”
“He’s an exceptional man. Which is why I need him to grow a set and sign on.” Atticus held up his hand. “I know. He’s retired. He has demons. He’s broken.” Atticus sighed. “His words, not mine. But I still think he’ll come around given the right motivation.”
“And you think, what?” She cocked her head to the side. “That I’m the right motivation?”
Her dad simply smiled. “Coordinates are already in your nav. And I’ve got the latest weather reports waiting, too. Just be careful, and for god’s sake don’t risk both your lives if that storm cell moves in quicker than anticipated. I know how you feel about rescuing people and not leaving any behind, but you can’t help folks if you’re dead.”
“Thanks, Dad. I hadn’t thought of that.”
Mackenzie headed out, shooting Foster a text as she jumped behind the controls then donned her helmet. She checked out the location and the weather reports then rolled on the throttle. The chopper started rocking, the instruments quickly springing to life. She glanced back at Kash, waiting for his thumbs up before calling out her intentions across the airwaves then lifting the bird into the air.
The gusting wind buffeted the chopper, thick dark clouds filling the horizon. The first inklings of fog dotted the coastline. Nothing substantial but it was shaping up to be one hell of a storm.
Kash clicked on his mic, his voice rasping over the comms. “That’s quite the front baring down on us.”
“Definitely not something we want to get caught in. Though, I assume you’re accustomed to that with your comments about Foster.”
Kash laughed. “Beck’s crazier than most. And he never could say no if there was a fellow soldier at risk. Part of his charm.”
“I’d say you all share that trait. And thanks for coming along. I know I’m not Foster.”
“Nope. But just as crazy.” Kash grinned. “And just as good. I’ve got everything ready. Let me know when we’re getting close or if you need any help spotting a place to put this baby down.”
“Will do. And Kash?” She smiled. “Thanks.”
Mac followed the coastline, eyeing that front moving in along the horizon. It was larger than predicted and she doubted they’d have any time to spare. Not that she hadn’t flown in extreme weather with the Coast Guard, but this was different. She didn’t have the same chopper, the same tech, despite Foster buying her damn near every advanced piece of avionics available. And her dad was right. Dying wouldn’t save anyone. Still, she’d give it her best shot.
Rain started dotting the bubble as they came up on the edge of the reserve, the thick foliage standing tall and green against the cliffs. A few colored leaves still clung to the scattering of deciduous trees, granting fleeting glimpses of the forest floor.
Kash leaned in between the seats. “Even at this time of year that canopy is impressive.”
“Not that I could fly and work the hoist, but it definitely means we’ll be walking.” She pointed to a small clearing not too far from the edge of the cliff as she did a low pass. “I’ll put her down there. We’re a couple of clicks from the approximate coordinates. But they should have heard me go over, so hopefully they’ll be making noise.”
“Right, because safety is obviously their top priority.”
“It might be now.”
Kash laughed, reclaiming his seat as she brought the chopper around then lined up the landing site. The rain kicked up a bit as the gusting wind seemed to hit them from every direction, shaking the aircraft as she flared off a bit of speed, then placed the machine down in the center of the space.
“Nice. Beck would be proud.” Kash hopped out, slipping a huge pack over his tactical vest before clipping Nyx’s leash around his waist. “Nyx will source them out once we get close. And I’ve got enough first aid supplies to at least stabilize our patient’s leg. I’m not Chase, but I can handle the easy stuff. Are you okay carrying the rescue stretcher?”
Mac secured the controls, then jumped out, scanning the area before nodding at Kash. “Hell, yeah, especially if my other option is that bag. Do I even want to know how much it weighs?”
“About half as much as Chase carries, so, we’ll keep that between us. The guy’s nuts.”