“And you don’t know you’re safe.” He arched a dark eyebrow. “But I’m assuming you do know whoever left the note has to be in our group.”
She eyed him. “Or someone who works at Shadow Lake Survival.”
“You thinkIdid it?” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his cargo pants. “Unbelievable.”
“Could be someone else on the team.”
“None of the guys would leave something like that.”
“You can’t be certain.”
“Of course I can.” He jerked his hands from his pockets and crossed his powerful arms. “I know these men. They would never scare a helpless female, no matter what.”
“I’m not helpless.”
“Defenseless then.”
“Not that either. I took karate for years and can hold my own.”
He widened his stance. “Ever been in a real fight and put those skills to a test?”
“No, but?—”
“But you don’t know how you will handle yourself.” He ran a hand over his head. “I don’t want to get in your business. Trust me. I don’t. But I have to make sure you stay safe. That’s my job, and I’ll do it with or without your help.”
Oh, wow.He was fierce when pushed. She liked it as much as it scared her.
“Point taken. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed.” She slipped into her tent before he could stop her.
“This discussion isn’t over,” he said before she tugged the zipper closed.
She scrambled over to her sleeping bag and crawled in, shoes and all, in case she had to flee. After grabbing her knife from the front pocket of her pack, she settled into the bag. She clutched the knife tightly in her hand and closed her eyes.
She must have dozed off as a noise coming from outside her tent woke her. The sound of someone talking at a close distance drifted through the nylon wall, so quiet she doubted it was what had broken through her sleep. She couldn’t make out the words, but she was sure it was Micha’s voice. She couldn’t hear the other half of the conversation at all. Either he was talking to himself or the person he talked to was extremely soft-spoken. Or maybe he was on the phone.
He stopped talking. Silence reigned. Had he finished? Moved away? Was coming for her? She really didn’t believe that. She’d gotten to know him enough to believe he was a good guy, but maybe the person he’d been talking to wasn’t.
She clutched her knife. She’d pitched her tent off to the side of the camp away from the men. From help if she needed it. Why had she thought segregating her tent from the others was a good idea?
The noise.The sound that must’ve woken her broke the silence again. A scratching, gritty sound on the fabric of her tent. On the side. She scrambled out of her bag. Moved to the back wall. Clasped her knife even tighter.
A great weapon. But it was only good if an attacker got within arm’s range. Depending on the person’s size and fitness, they could overpower her that close.
Footsteps moved closer. Lumbering like a man. Big hulking shadows lurked over her. Darkening her tent.
Please, Father. Please don’t let him hurt me.
Micha heard it. Someone moving outside. Could be one of the guys headed for the latrine. Or could be someone intent on hurting Kari. He slid silently out of his sleeping bag. Unfortunately, he couldn’t open the tent zipper without making noise and might alert the person on the move.
He lifted it. Inch by inch. High enough to shimmy under. On his belly. Eating the dust. Moving noiselessly. He cleared the tent and rose to his knees to assess. The moon lodged behind thick clouds, bathing the area in inky darkness. He saw no one but had to get closer to be sure.
He eased behind the tents and crept through the night. Kept his ears open for any sound coming from Kari’s tent. He’d been out here not more than a few minutes ago, talking to his teammate Colin on his SAT phone. Nothing was wrong then.
A flash of something near the rear. A person? A branch from the mighty Douglas Fir towering over her tent?
He had to move faster. He picked up speed. Gripped the butt of his sidearm. Ready to draw. To take out a foe if needed. He gulped in a breath. Held it.
He crossed the mouth of the path leading to the latrines. Step-by-step closer to his target.
