“That’s the first thing you’ve said that I believe,” Maya said. “I don’t understand. I mean, I know that I had the evidence that my mom collected that proved your crimes, but I think the hate runs deeper.”
Silence again.
Maya stared over at the grove of evergreens. Werethey big enough to take cover? She had to get Abigail out in the open. Back to talking... and lying. “I’ll come out and talk if you promise not to shoot.”
“I promise,” Abigail said.
“You’ll tell me why you hate me so much?”
“I will.”
“I’m coming out now then,” Maya said. She didn’t put her gun down, knowing that Abigail would wait for the perfect shot. But if Maya could get to the trees, then it would change Abigail’s position. She’d have to step onto the trail with her back to the canyon area. Her legs ached. Would she be able to run over to the trees? Taking a deep breath, Maya counted and then stood, gun aimed toward Abigail.
As soon as she stood, Abigail fired shots. Maya had been expecting that and shot back, pulling the trigger rapidly as she ran to the other side. A burning sensation hit her arm, but it wasn’t bad. Maya managed to get to the grove of trees and behind the largest one. She glanced at her arm. The bullet had grazed it, but not a direct hit. It was enough to burn and hurt, but Maya didn’t care. Adrenaline overrode any pain.
“I knew you were lying,” Maya said.
“And I knew you were too.”
Maya’s gun was lighter. Based on the weight she was running low on ammo. Once she was in the trees, she did a tactical reload. The change in position had helped draw Abigail out. Now she’d stepped more onto the path trying to get a better angle toward where Maya was hiding. This was as good as it was going to get. Maya gave a shrill whistle as she poked her headaround the tree trunk. Abigail saw Maya and started firing, but Juniper came flying down the path, between the stone walls and leapt in the air, knocking Abigail’s gun out of her hand.
The weapon landed on the ground about ten feet away. Abigail must have suspected Maya’s plan, because somehow, she had managed to step out of the way of Juniper’s flying attack. Juniper would come back around and bite, but now Maya was worried that Abigail might have another gun.
Maya stepped out, ready to fire, but to her surprise, Abigail took off back down the path, through the stone canyon and back toward the glacial lake. Juniper was right behind her. Maya knew her dog would catch Abigail, but she needed to be there. If Abigail had a knife or another gun, she could seriously injure Juniper. Maya sprinted as fast as she could, trying to catch up.
She came through the stone canyon in time to see Abigail pull a knife out as Juniper once again went after her arm. They were near the shore of the lake. Maya ran toward them, hoping to catch Abigail before she could stab Juniper. Especially since Juniper wasn’t wearing her vest. Maya could only hope that she could reach them in time.
Chapter Forty-Five
Maya navigated around the large rocks scattered along the shoreline. Loose gravel created a slipping hazard as she raced toward her dog and Abigail. Nothing could happen to Juniper. She would never forgive herself.
Abigail was ready with the knife, but Juniper rushed her so hard that when she connected with Abigail’s arm, her grip on the knife loosened. She attempted to stab Juniper, but the Mal shook Abigail’s arm with so much force that Abigail dropped the knife.
Maya knew Juniper had been waiting to take this bite for a long time and was enjoying every second of it. Just as Maya approached so that she could get Juniper to release, the Mal dragged Abigail into the lake.
The cold water made Abigail scream in shock. She started hitting at Juniper, but the dog didn’t stop. She kept dragging her until Abigail was underwater. Maya didn’t know what to do for a moment. She hadn’t been expecting Juniper to pull Abigail into the freezing water.
The lake was only about a foot deep where Juniper had Abigail. Maya didn’t know at what point the lake would get deeper. She’d heard there was a large drop-off, but Maya had never been one to swim in glacial lakes and didn’t know where it was located.
There were air bubbles from where Juniper had Abigail submerged. The Mal suddenly popped up, Abigail’s arm still in her mouth. The motion brought Abigail up too. Abigail gasped for breath. Juniper took a deep breath and pushed Abigail back down into the lake.
Maya snapped back into the moment. She had to get her dog and Abigail. As Maya rushed toward the lake, Juniper repeated the same motion of coming up for air and then dunking Abigail again.
In her peripheral vision, Maya saw Hope peering out from her hiding spot.
Dang it, kid. You were supposed to get out of here. How am I supposed to keep you safe if you don’t listen?
Hope’s eyes were wide in shock. Maya couldn’t worry about her right now. And with Juniper trying to drown Abigail, Hope was safe for the moment. Maya got to the shore and waded in. The frigid water hit her legs, but the air was so hot with the fire burning it felt good. Juniper had repeated coming up for air, continuing to drag Abigail out too.
Maya ran as fast as she could through the water. The resistance as the lake became deeper slowed her down, but she finally made it over to where Juniper had Abigail pinned down. She’d never trained for a scenario of getting a dog off a bite and arresting someone while pinned underwater.
The next time Juniper came up for a breath, Mayagrabbed Abigail’s other arm. She needed to make sure she had control before she let Juniper off the bite. She didn’t need Abigail dragging her under. Juniper had a rhythm going now so when she came up for air, Maya twisted Abigail’s arm. There was no resistance. For all Maya knew, Abigail’s lungs were full of water, although she thought Abigail had been able to get in some deep breaths.
“Juniper. Release,” Maya said as firmly as she could.
Juniper dunked Abigail one more time and then came back up for air. This time, Maya was ready and with all her strength, she hoisted Abigail to a sitting position so she could take a breath. But Abigail had probably swallowed water and wasn’t breathing. Maya repeated her command to her dog, who gave her a look that said she’d like to dunk Abigail one more time.
For a moment, Maya thought that she could wait to get Juniper to release. The Mal was able to breathe, but Abigail wasn’t coming back up to get air. Abigail would be gone and out of her life forever. No trials. No more hurting her loved ones.
