Page 58 of Under Fire in Big Sky

They went back over to Tristan.

“I’m going with you,” Olivia said. “Alone.”

“I was told to pat you down for weapons.” Tristan raised his hands. “Do I have your consent to touch you?”

“I’m surprised you asked,” Eli said.

“Nothing will happen unless Ms. Lane agrees first.”

“Yes.” She held out her arms, and the kid did a quick pat down. Although she wasn’t carrying a gun, in the spirit of peace during the parley, she wore her spare belt that had a hidden knife in the buckle.

“I need you to remove your earpiece.” Tristan pointed to the comms device. “You can hang on to your cell phone, but you’ll have to put it in this pouch.”

A Faraday pouch. A small bag lined with a metallic material that blocked electromagnetic signals.

She took out the earpiece, handed it to Eli, slipped her phone in the pouch, and put on the yellow poncho.

“Mr. Easton, there is someone watching you. If you enter the forest beyond this point, it will be considered a violation of the terms,” Tristan said. “Do you understand?”

“Yes.” Eli looked around. “But let’s say I do go in, then what happens?”

“Shepherd will initiate countermeasures.”

Countermeasures. This kid was carefully briefed. Getting their hands on Shepherd today might not be possible.

Eli narrowed his eyes and snatched the kid by his sweatshirt. “You said she wouldn’t get hurt.”

Tristan raised his palms. “Nothing will happen to Ms. Lane without her consent.”

“E, let the kid go.” She held his gaze, and he released Tristan. “Just stay out of the forest. I mean it. You don’t have to trust Shepherd. Trust me. Wait here. All right?”

Clenching his jaw, he nodded.

Olivia walked alongside Tristan into the forest. “How do you know Shepherd?”

“I’m sorry, I was told not to answer any of your questions once we crossed the tree line.”

“Why is that?”

“Shepherd told me that…” His voice trailed off as he appeared to think. “Hey, you almost got me there, Ms. Lane.” He grinned at her, looking so young, so innocent.

“The guy you’re helping is a terrorist,” she said.

Tristan looked straight ahead as they continued to walk.

“A killer,” she added. “He’s wanted for several crimes. This makes you an accomplice.”

“I don’t know about any of that. He’s paying me to provide a service. Nothing I’ve done or will do is illegal. I am only a facilitator of communication.”

This was a job for the kid, probably a lucrative one.

The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth as they walked, the only sounds the rustling of leaves underfoot and the distant chirping of birds. A bead of sweat trickled down her back, a combination of nerves and their quick pace.

After about a brisk eight-minute trek—she estimated they’d gone roughly a half mile—they stopped.

“I hope Eli can see me from here.”

“The binoculars have a 10x magnification.” Tristan bent down and grabbed a green backpack, resting on a tree that had been marked with a yellow X. “It should be fine.” He unzipped the bag and pulled out a wand.