Page 99 of Cold Light of Day

“They have Sarah and my mother.”

“You don’t know that.” Nolan closed in.

“What? Now you’re takinghisside?”

“Look, they’re at the airstrip. That means they’re looking to make a fast getaway. They didn’t give us time to call in the cavalry. They know we’re on our own. I’ll send a text to my superior and request assistance, but any help we’re getting is hours away.”

Yep. They were on their own. Even the local PD—just one police chief, Craig, and one officer, Angie, couldn’t make it in time or change the outcome.

She opened the truck door and got in. Grier and Nolan scrambled round to the other side and climbed onto the bench seat, Grier squeezing in next to her and Nolan up against the passenger-side door and on his cell. Any other time, and Autumn would have smiled to herself.

She sped out of the drive. “I see Hank in the rearview. He’s calling the dogs back. They decided to come after us.”

“I’m not so sure the gang shouldn’t have come too. You know, for backup,” Grier said. “They saved us.”

“We’re taking the advantage back, Grier. These cheechakos, outsiders”—she glanced his way, then back to the road as she swerved—“let me clarify. You have skills, Grier, so I’m not referring to you. But these international criminal intruders think they can come into my state and create chaos without repercussions. Well, I think it’s time we gave them a proper Alaskan welcome.”

“And what exactly would that be?” Grier shifted next to her. “I don’t think I got one.”

“The kind of welcome she’s referring to isn’t one you want,” Nolan said.

“What? You pull a grizzly out of your back pocket? I need to know the plan.”

“Grier, get the cell out of my pocket, will you? I can’t reach it.” She twisted, and he pressed impossibly close but snagged the cell.

“Now what?”

“Send a reply that we’re five minutes out.”

“The map says that we’ll be there in three.”

She steered across the bridge and turned off the road into the forest and slammed on the brakes. “Okay. We’ve got two minutes. Everybody out.”

“What’s going on?” Grier asked.

Autumn hopped out and opened the decked toolbox in the truck bed. “There are only two vests in here. One of them fits only me.”

She tossed the Kevlar to the side. “You guys decide who is wearing the other vest. Nolan, you get the rifles.” She glanced at Grier. “This is Dad’s truck. He packs everything.”

Grier stared at her. “And what are you going to do?”

“Mateo is after me. I heard him on the train tell you he was after me and the money. I was on the other side of that doorwhen you were shouting at each other. So we’lltryto exchange the USB for my mother and Sarah, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll trade myselfandthe USB for them.”

He shook his head violently. “That’s not going to work. You’re not letting them take you.”

“I’m not a fan either,” Nolan said.

“If it comes to that. I figure once they’re safe—because Mom and Sarah are the priority here, right?—then you two can take out the bad guys. I’ll use whatever advantage I can get.”

“And what if they get you into the helicopter or airplane or whatever they’ve got at the airstrip and fly off?” Grier clearly wasn’t going to let her do this.

“No.” And neither was Nolan.

But she had news for them. “You know that if that’s what they want, we don’t have a choice if we want Mom and Sarah back. Now, get ready. We’re running out of time.”

Autumn donned her vest, then stepped to the driver’s-side door. Grier stood in her way. “You do this, Chief, I’m going with you. I’m not playing sniper in the woods.”

“I’m not the chief anymore, so when are you going to call me by my name?”