The trouble was, they couldn’t keep running. Rick was up ahead somewhere. Waiting. Planning the trap, communicating with Graham via walkie-talkie. Rick knew exactly where they were and what was happening. Graham may be squeamish, but he was a company man. He’d do what the boss said.
Running was done.
He touched Steph’s arm. “We can’t keep going.”
“Just a little farther. I have an idea.” She met his eyes. “Trust me, okay?”
Chapter 31
Steph
One of the machines was ahead of them while the driver of the other one pushed them toward him. Steph knew this was what was happening. When they’d set out, she wasn’t exactly sure where to go or how to hide from them. But now a plan was forming. A plan that just might be what they needed to reach safety and a good hiding place until the rescuers arrived.
What was taking them so long? The time they’d estimated had come and gone. She hadn’t felt the buzz of her beacon for ages. All she could figure was something had gone wrong and the rescue was delayed.
Brilliant, Steph. Of course it’s been delayed. Otherwise, they’d be here by now.
The only option was to keep moving so the man on the machine running alongside them didn’t decide to shoot at them.
They were getting close to where they might be able to do something to change things. With each step, the timber opened, the space between trunks widened, and the canopy pulled back. Whatever advantage the forest had been giving them was running out, but that was part of the plan.
She kept her voice low. “If we can get ahead of them, there’s a culvert that goes under the road.”
Jack paused for several beats. “How far?”
“Not far. But there’s a chance that’s where the other machine is. He might know about it, too, and hopes he might catch us there.”
“Rick.”
“What?”
“The other guy’s name is Rick. He’s the one in charge, I think.”
“Oh.” She guessed it made sense he knew their names, though she doubted they introduced themselves when taking him hostage. “Well, Rick might be waiting for us.”
“Do we have other options?”
She shook her head. “Not good ones. We could double back. Hope to lose the other guy—do you know his name?”
“Graham. He’s the youngest one. I don’t think he’s fully on board with the plans but will probably do what is expected of him.”
“Fabulous.” Steph was tempted to ask about the other guy, the one she’d hit with the limb, but the memory of how he looked kept her from wanting to know him any better. One of the blows had been strong enough to knock him out. She hoped that was all it had done.
“Isn’t it?” Jack chuckled. “So, the culvert is our best option?”
“As long as it’s not a trap.”
“But we won’t know until we get there.”
“That’s about the size of it.”
Jack paused only a moment. “Lead the way.”
He was allowing her to lead, trusting her to use the knowledge she had of the area, and that was something. She’d do what she could to get them out of this mess.
And when they did, they would finish the conversation started earlier.Conversation. That wasn’t a conversation. That was Jack having a full-on meltdown.
She was still angry and wanted to give Jack an earful. She had several choice words in mind, which included ungrateful, condescending, and jerk. A few more came to mind that she hoped she’d be able to keep from saying aloud. Words that her mama would have threatened to wash her mouth out with soap if she used them.
