Page 38 of Under Fire in Big Sky

They were in the middle of a huddle, surrounded by a handful of FBI field agents and deputies from the sheriff’s department. Nine law enforcement officers in total.

Trujillo moved to the center of the huddle. “Kevin Carter was picked up on surveillance footage accompanied by another man, who we’ve identified as Henry Tully. Both are members of the ecoterrorist organization known as the New Dawn Revolution and are wanted for arson and murder. They were last seen at the WinCo three miles down the road, purchasing enough food to feed an army. We have reason to believe they’re not alone. Audrey Carter and perhaps others from NDR may be with them.”

That explained the substantial backup.

“One of the members of NDR owns that apartment complex.” Trujillo pointed out the older building at the base of the hill. “There’s no way to know how many individuals from the ecoterrorist group may be hiding in the building. We think it’s likely they’re holing up in more than one apartment. It’d make it easier for them to share the living space, to keep a low profile, and disperse the amount of noise they might make. In addition to the owner’s unit, there are four other apartments that are vacant and might be in use by the suspects. To maximize the element of surprise, we’re going to hit all five apartments at the exact same time.” After he paired up the deputies and agents and assigned them a unit to raid, he passed around a layout of the building that showed where each apartment was situated. “I’ll take the last unit with our civilian consultants. The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. Extreme caution should be used. Any questions?”

Everyone looked around. None were asked.

“Let’s move out.” Trujillo turned to her and Eli. “Leave your truck up here. Ride with me.”

They climbed into his Bu-car, with Olivia sitting up front and Eli in the back while the rest of the LEOs piled into the other vehicles.

The convoy pulled off. Trujillo led the way. “It’s my understanding that Aegis field operatives have tactical training,” the FBI agent said.

She gave a curt nod. “Yes.”

Trujillo glanced down at the gun holstered on her hip that Eli had given her since she’d lost her weapon at the hotel and then his gaze bounced up to the rearview mirror. “What about you, cowboy? I read up on Ironside Protection Services. Investigation. Protection. Security. Can you handle yourself? Understand the bounds of reasonable use of force?”

“The name is Easton. Not cowboy,” Eli said, his tone sharp. “I’ve worked with law enforcement before on cases and I know what I’m doing.”

Trujillo raised a conciliatory palm. “I didn’t mean any offense.”

Eli didn’t respond.

Offense was definitely taken.

For some reason, E didn’t like to be referred to as a cowboy, even though he was one in every sense of the word that mattered. He’d grown up around cattle ranches, worked on a couple, was salt of the earth, never went back on his word, had a deep sense of honor. But she realized the word was also tied up in his painful childhood.

She bought him a Stetson as a way to help him redefine what it meant for him to be a cowboy. To associate it with something happy. He deserved goodness and beauty and warmth in his life. Understanding and acceptance. She wanted to give it to him. Tried her best when they were apart and even harder whenever they were together.

But it wasn’t enough to make him love her.

A phone chimed with a text message. Eli took his cell out and read it.

“Anything important?” she asked.

“Nothing urgent. I’ll update you later.”

They pulled into the parking lot of the apartment building, stopped, and got ready for the raid. Trunks popped open, and one-person battering rams were passed around.

Eli grabbed one for their group and turned to her. “I know you’re not going to sit this one out, but can you promise me, no heroics. Please.”

The pleading in his tone and the heavy concern in his eyes got to her. “No heroics.” She drew her 9mm.

“Set a two-minute timer,” Trujillo said. “When the countdown is finished, we breach. Start it now.”

Several beeps went off. Everyone hurried into the building and dispersed into their pairings.

Trujillo hit the eastside staircase first. Olivia and Eli followed him up single file. They climbed two flights of stairs and crept up to the vacant third-floor apartment at the end of the hall. Trujillo went to one side of the doorway.

She went to the other, canted her ear toward the door, and listened.

A television was on and there was movement inside. Voices. Not from the TV. Two people having a conversation.

She met Trujillo’s eyes.

The FBI agent acknowledged he heard it also with a small gesture and looked at his watch. Eli got in position in front of the door. Trujillo held up a hand and began silently counting down.