Glancing back, she saw the two men who posed as police officers and Sheriff Dalton charging toward them.
“Tucker, take your brother and run. Don’t come back no matter what,” she yelled as she ducked behind a rock. She watched as they disappeared over the hill and waited for the dirty cops. She leaned against the boulder and pushed with all her might. It teetered but refused to fall. She shoved harder, knowing if she didn’t succeed, the men planned to hurt them.
The rock began to roll, and she grunted as she pushed it over the ledge.
“Look out,” one of the men shouted as it rolled toward them. The second officer glanced up and screamed as the stone gained momentum and rolled over him.
Leslie took off running. When she cleared the hill, she saw the boys waiting for her. Motioning for them to run, she glanced behind her to see Sheriff Dalton gaining speed.
When she reached the boys, Conner grasped her hand as his little body trembled. Seeing one of the mining caves ahead, she removed a loose board, helped Conner inside, then Tucker. When she cleared the boards, she set the loose one haphazardly against the others, hoping it appeared as if it rotted and fell.
“We can’t see,” Conner cried.
“It’s all right,” she soothed him. “I’m here. When we get farther into the cave, we can find a lantern to use.”
They held on to each other’s hands as they felt their way in the dark. Listening for any sign of getting followed, Leslie only heard the sound of their harsh breathing from running.
She stopped the boys, letting them catch their breath. “Don’t talk,” she whispered. “Your voice will echo on the walls. Let’s see if we outsmarted them,” she said, hunkering down against the cavern wall.
She heard noises but couldn’t tell where they came from. Then she heard, “Come out, come out,wherever you are,” Sheriff Dalton called. “It’s my last warning. If you don’t come, you’ll regret it.”
They stayed huddled together, saying nothing.
“Light the fuse,” the sheriff ordered. Leslie panicked. Barely able to see, she didn’t know how far back the cave went. A large boom sounded at the entrance, and she listened as the cave rumbled deep inside its belly. Feeling with her hands, she felt one of the old coal cars. Taking Conner, she placed him inside and grabbed Tucker. A large piece of wood lay beside her, and she pushed it over the car as rocks began to fall. The ground beneath her began to shake, and Conner screamed. Tucker jumped out, determined to help her.
“Get in, Tucker,” she cried as larger rocks fell to the ground. She pushed the car and grabbed Tucker, covering him with her body as the angry cave shifted beneath them, making wooden beams and rocks fall around them.
Conner screamed, and Tucker shouted her name as she caged him with her body. Something struck her head, and darkness consumed her.
CHAPTER 33
Owen called Elias,Wyatt, and Leslie, but no one picked up. Something in his gut twisted as he drove back to the mountain. Everything appeared more dangerous than before. Their dad discovered gold on the mountain, lots of it. Enough for someone to want to commit murder.
“I don’t like this,” Cade said, redialing Elias’ number. “No one’s answering.”
“I know. I can’t reach anyone,” Owen said, pressing the gas pedal down. “Something’s wrong. I can feel it.”
“Me, too, brother,” Cade agreed.
“Go faster,” Mason urged.
“They rounded the bottom of the mountain, forcing Owen to slow down to drive around the steep curves. The tension in the truck grew thick as they drove up the mountain. Owen stopped the truckafter the last curve. Already in sync, each brother split in different directions, leading up to the house. Coming up in the rear, Cade found Wyatt. Owen entered the front of the house, clearing the rooms. Pushing the office door open, Owen found Elias. Kneeling by his brother, he checked his pulse. When Elias groaned and his eyes fluttered open, he let out a relieved sigh.
“Where’s Leslie and the boys?” he demanded.
“They disappeared. Leslie went after them,” he whispered. “Wyatt, they shot at him.” He pointed toward the monitor. “Leslie ran up the west trail.”
“We’ll get you help, Elias. Stay still,” he said, taking off down the stairs. Mason entered the house, pointing his gun at the staircase, and lowered it as he saw Owen.
“Elias is in the office. He got struck on the back of his head. Wyatt’s shot. I’ll help get Wyatt, and you render aid. If they need a hospital, call an ambulance. Where’s Dillon?”
“I didn’t see him,” Mason said, racing into the laundry room to check on his sons and then up the stairs to Elias.
Owen ran outside and headed to the spot Elias pointed to on the screen.
Cade glanced up as he placed a bandage around Wyatt’s arm. “He’s shot, drunk, and bleeding. Help me get him to stand, and we’ll take him inside. Where’s Dillon?”
“I don’t know. Leslie ran up the west trail. The boys must be with her. The twins are in the playpen,” Owen reported. “I’m heading up the trail.”
