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Avery listenedfor any signs of Ryan’s accomplice, Javier, returning for him, but heard nothing but the sound of the water lapping at the walls and the distant cry of seagulls.
They had to make a move now, while Ryan was still alone.
Avery crouched next to Paul. Looking through the murky windows, she eyed the ruined dock outside the shack. “If we can just get away from here, we can hide in the undergrowth until Mason and the team arrive.”
Was there anything in the ruins they could use? The odds of getting very far weren’t good, but if they could at least get away from the shack, Mason and the others wouldn’t be surprised by whatever boobytrap Ryan had planned.
“The undergrowth is thick along the banks,” she whispered. “But Ryan and Javier are armed. We need a distraction.”
Paul pointed out the broken window at the small boathouse at the end of the rotting dock, its weathered boards barely visible through the mist. “I can wade out to it,” he said, his voice filled with determination. “Maybe there’s something there I can use to get the guy’s attention.”
“Paul, no,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “It’s too dangerous.”
But Mason’s brother just shook his head, a small, sad smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You’re probably a lot faster than me,” he said, his voice filled with self-deprecating humor. “I always meant to exercise, but you know how it is. I never find the time for consistent cardio. My bad.”
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, her heart breaking at Paul’s brave attempt at humor. He was risking his life for her, putting himself in harm’s way to give her a chance to escape.
“You’re a special man.”
Paul just shrugged, his eyes filled with a kind of resigned acceptance. “At least one of us thinks so,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The sadness in his tone touched her, the quiet resignation that seemed to emanate from every pore. She knew in that moment that she would do whatever it took to make sure Paul escaped the danger that she had brought down on them both.
This was not his fight. It never had been. She was the one who had poked the hornet’s nest, the one who had put them all in danger with her relentless pursuit of the truth.
And now, she would deal with the sting.
“Okay. You head out to the boathouse, see if you can find something to distract Ryan. I’ll head for the bushes.” It wasn’t a lie, exactly.
She’d head for cover, after she got Ryan’s attention.
Paul hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching her face for any sign of weakness, any hint of uncertainty. Finally, he nodded. “Be careful.”
“You, too.” Impulsively, she reached for his hand. “Paul. Wait.”
She gripped his cold fingers tight and bowed her head. Paul had never joined in when Mason or the team lifted prayers, but she needed him to know the Lord was with him. “Keep us safe, Lord,” she prayed. “Keep Paul and me and the team close in your heart.”
“Amen,” Paul added. Then he shrugged sheepishly. “I always meant to get myself right with the Lord again. He’s sure sent me a huge wake up call, right?”
She gave his hand a final squeeze before releasing him. “The Lord has never given up on you. And neither will I.”
Paul nodded sharply. He crouched low, wading through the rising water, and slipped out the sagging back door, lowering himself over the jumble of broken planks into the murky marsh.
She scrambled uphill, to the front of the shack and put her eye to a large hole, trying to locate Ryan. He was leaning against a nearby tree, back to her. She pressed her cheek to the splintered wood. So far, so good. He hadn’t heard Paul slip into the water.
All she had to do was keep him away from Paul until help arrived. She breathed deep, two huge breaths, as if preparing to dive under water.
Ready. Go.
With a loud, keening cry, she launched herself out the door.
48
Mason crept through the undergrowth,rifle clutched tightly in his hands. He was approaching the structure from the south. Alone. The rest of the team had fanned out, planning to encircle the area then tighten the noose on Goshiro.
“He’s a hundred feet ahead of you,” Tai informed him. “Be advised. Avery’s down. He’s got his gun on her.”
Mason’s nostrils flared. He wouldn’t dwell on her terror. It was time to dive deep into machine mode. No emotions. No mistakes.