Page 24 of Gone (Gray Wolf Security #23)

“They found the woman and kids,” said Nine. “That’s one less thing to worry about. Now, we have to find them.”

“Nine, we’re about a half mile in front of you. If you jog, we’ll hang back. We see them up ahead.”

“On our way.”

“You might want to make that jog a run. Zeke and Trak are getting itchy.”

“Shit,” came the echo of more than a dozen men. They took off in a fast jog or slow run, whatever you wanted to call it. It was only a few moments, and they could see their own three men up ahead.

Trak raised his hand, tapping it up and down to tell them to lower themselves and remain quiet.

“The wind is in our favor, but they’re stopped up ahead. They can see the raft on the other side of the river and the footprints. I’m guessing they’re angry,” said Zeke.

“Where did they get all the weapons?” asked Gaspar.

“ I have that answer. Frank Joest has a younger sister, Francis, who worked for Grizzly Security. They always suspected she had something to do with the theft but couldn’t prove it. She’s also married to Tommy Carroll.”

“You’re fucking with me,” murmured Gaspar.

“I would never. Both kept it a secret. Even Grizzly didn’t know until I started digging. They’re looking for Francis, but guess what? No one can find her, and I’d bet my next paycheck that she’s waiting for a call from hubby and brother.”

“Shit. That means she’s out there, possibly with transportation, weapons, everything they need,” said Ian.

“We have to make a move,” said Trak. “They’re heading down the ravine, I think, to the raft.”

“Let’s go.”

Standing upright and moving quickly to the location ahead, the men lined the ravine edge, weapons in hand.

“Stop right there!” yelled Ghost. “Don’t do anything stupid. There are way more of us than there are of you.”

Frank slowly turned, staring at Tommy, and looking up at the edge of the ravine.

“I don’t know who y’all are,” said Frank, “but this is none of your business. We just want the rest of our money.”

“It was never your money,” said Nine. “Put your weapons down.”

“Can’t do that, friend,” said Tommy.

“Believe me. I’m not your friend.”

Tommy did the unthinkable, taking the automatic rifle and firing at the ridge. He turned to Frank.

“Go! Find Francis. Tell her I love her, and…”

He stopped as bullets riddled his body, falling backwards against the shore. Frank gripped the rope, working his way through the icy water of the river toward the raft. Diving inside, he pushed off and quickly disappeared around the bend of the river.

“Did no one hit that damn raft?” yelled Gaspar.

“I think we all did. Remember, it’s reinforced,” said Miller. “I did hit him, though. He’s gotta be hurting.”

“I hit him as well,” said Ivan.

“Sly? Let the rangers and the feds know that Tommy Carroll is dead at this location. Frank Joest took off in our raft. We’re gonna follow for as long as it takes.”

“If he gets to the other side of the river, he’s going to be on the side with campers, hikers, and the general public. You’ve got to get to him before he makes landfall.”

“ Shit. Why can’t this ever be easy?”

“Shit! Shit, shit, shit!” repeated Frank, trying to stop the bleeding at his shoulder and thigh. Only one arm was working to control the raft, and that wasn’t going to last for long.

Suddenly, the raft slowed, and he looked around at the river. Maybe his luck was changing. He’d hit a shallow rocky bed, the raft delicately balancing. Enduring the icy water, he rolled out of the raft and toward the shore. The water helped to slow the blood flow, but not for long.

“Where am I? Where am I?” he repeated to himself, looking around. He tried to find the land marker he needed. Two fire towers and a large peak with a section that jutted out, looking vaguely like a man’s nose.

“There,” he said with relief. “I’m almost there.”

He had to make it. He had to. The money was gone, lost in the river. His wife’s brother, dead. There was nothing left except his freedom. With or without Francis.