“That’s going to require some thinking.” What he wouldn’t give to trot out a plan of action, but the fact was he didn’t have one. He respected her too much to offer a placating half-truth.
“We’re safe for the moment, but we’re pinned down here until they move far enough away that we can escape.”
“Escape where? They’ll be on the same trail, right? They’ll know exactly where to find us.”
“That leaves the second route, Flame Ridge.”
She shook her head. “Farther away and parts of it are obliterated like Archie said, so we’d have to go around.”
“Yes.”
Pinned, with the bomb ticking down. He kept his “cop”tone, the one that sounded calm and collected even when the scenario was falling to pieces. He’d learned a lot from his partner, Daniela, about how situations could escalate or deescalate with the cop’s inflection and demeanor. He’d once seen her get a two-hundred-pound drunk guy to drop the pipe wrench he was wielding by striking up enough rapport that he’d agreed to show her photos of his nieces and nephews. Maybe if Cullen hadn’t ended her career, he might have learned a ton more from her.
The silence grew heavy with despair, so he infused his next comment with as much calm as he could muster. “All right. So we wait until they move out of range and then we head for Flame Ridge. Can you find it on the map?”
“Yes.” She took it from him and fanned it out.
He tried to uncramp his calf muscle. “Least we aren’t on foot.” Though he wasn’t at all sure that wouldn’t be more comfortable than maintaining his current posture.
Archie cleared his throat. “Ladies and gents, I got me a different plan.”
Cullen didn’t like the way that sounded. “What’s that?”
“I’m going for the truck.”
It took him a beat for understanding to penetrate his pounding head. “John’s truck? The service worker’s?”
“Yeah. Nico and Simon didn’t linger, so John’s keys are on him. Radio’s working, more than likely. I’ll sneak back there and call for help. Drive the truck to the evac site on whichever route I can manage, or catch up with you and we go the distance together.”
Cullen opened his mouth to argue, then closed it. Archie’s bold idea might be their best option, with a few modifications. “Better if I do it.”
“Better why?” Archie’s mouth puckered. “’Cuz you’re a young buck and all that?”
“No, sir, but—”
“But nothing.” Archie poked a finger at him. “You gotta be here to take your shots if Nico and Simon find you.”
“I...”
Archie turned to Kit. “You know how to shoot?”
She shook her head.
Archie smiled. “No worries. I’d still bank on you winning a fight any day, gun or no gun. This musclehead can do the grunt work,” he said, jutting his chin at Cullen.
Kit’s expression was grave. “Archie, that’s not—”
“Safe?” He quirked a brow. “I heard you back there suggesting you go off and find Annette by yourself. You’re ready and able to take risks. I am too. Out of the three of us, makes most sense for me to take the trip. If John’s still alive by any stretch of the miraculous, I’ll do what I can for him. If Nico and Simon spot me, I’ll keep them busy from the truck while you get away. It’s the best option. You hafta admit that.”
Cullen was frantic to find a way to refute Archie’s proposal, but he couldn’t land on anything except he was afraid for his friend. This stubborn, faithful, tough old bird was one of the good ones, the best example of what it meant to be a man. “Sir...”
Archie waited in silence.
Some things just couldn’t be said. And Archie was right. There really were no other feasible options. Cullen exhaled. “Take a pack with water and food.”
Archie shoved the door open, pushing back the thorny vines. Cullen did the same on his side.
Kit made a move to get out, and Archie helped her.
