Zach searched the area around the base of the cliff and shouted up, Clear!
Five four-wheelers inched down the narrow trail, lights picking out the way.
Joe led the pack followed by Hank, Max, the foreman and Jacie.
Zach frowned and met her as she cleared the trail. You should have stayed at the top.
Did you find her? Jacie glanced around, her eyes wide, hopeful. Then her shoulders sagged and she slumped on the seat of the ATV. Thats Mr. Smith, one of the two hunters we were escorting. She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Tracies not here, is she?
Believe it or not, thats a good thing. Hank left his four-wheeler and crossed to Jacie. If shes not here, its a good chance that shes still alive.
Jacies jaw tightened. Then come on, lets find her.
Zach shook his head. It would be suicide to continue searching in the dark. If the attackers are in the canyon still, they would have the advantage and pick us off from above.
We cant leave her out there.
Zachs right. We have to wait until daylight. Hank stood beside Zach. Going in at night wouldnt be doing your sister any favors.
Then Ill go on alone. As she pressed the gas lever, Zach grabbed her around the waist and yanked her off the bike.
Youre not going anywhere. Zach slammed her against his chest, his arms wrapping around her waist. One captive is enough. We dont want to risk another. Besides, your sister most likely wouldnt want you to risk it.
Jacie struggled against him. Let go of me. My sister is my responsibility.
Then take your responsibility seriously and do whats smart. We need to wait until daylight before we risk going into that canyon.
The woman stopped. I guess youre right.
When she quit struggling and seemed to settle down, Zach released her. In the next second, she shot across to the four-wheeler shed left running, hopped on and took off on the trail leading into the canyon.
Damn, woman. Zach ran after her, catching up as she entered the narrow trail flanked by high cliffs.
As she slowed to negotiate around a boulder, Zach jogged alongside her and jumped on the back. Stop, damn it!
Not until I find my sister. She goosed the accelerator lever on the handle and nearly unseated him.
Zach grabbed around her middle and held on.
They slid around a corner, the starlight barely reaching them at this point.
About the time Zach steadied himself, Jacie hit the brakes and jerked the handles, sending the machine sliding sideways, and the tail end with Zach slipping around to the right.
JACIE COULDNT LET the search end. Not when her sisters life hung in the balance.
When she saw the cowboy boot, she slammed on her brakes. In a random patch of starlight, a jean-clad leg peeked out from behind a large boulder.
Her heart skipped several beats and then hammered against the wall of her chest. Jacie threw herself off the four-wheeler and scrambled up from her hands and knees to run toward the leg, sobs rising from her throat, echoing off the canyon walls.
Footsteps crunched behind her. Probably Zach, but she didnt care. If this was Tracie Oh, dear God, please be okay.
The other four-wheelers entered the canyon at a more moderate pace, coming to a halt behind Jacies.
She dropped to her knees beside a body, relief washing over her as soon as she saw it was a man.
Its Mr. Jones. She felt for a pulse, her hand still for a long time before she glanced back at Zach, a glimmer of hope daring to make an appearance. I have a pulse. Its weak, but I have a pulse. She leaned into the mans face. Mr. Jones, can you hear me?
Nothing. Her hopes dying, she tried again, patting the mans cheek gently. Mr. Jones, please. Can you hear me?
A muscle twitched in the mans leg.
Encouraged, Jacie spoke louder. Mr. Jones, were going to get you some help, but can you help us?
The mans eyes fluttered open. Set up. He closed his eyes again.
Mr. Jones! Jacie wanted to shake the man but was afraid to add to his injuries. Please, did you see where they went? Where did they take my sister?
His eyes never opened, but his lips moved.
Jacie leaned in closer, tilting her head to hear what he whispered.
Not Jones.
Jacie leaned back. What do you mean?
The man whispered again.
Leaning close, Jacie caught what sounded like letters.
D E A. As if it had taken everything he had left, the last letter ended on a raspy exhale.
Mr. Jones, or whoever he was, didnt draw another breath.
Jacie felt for a pulse. Not even a weak one thumped against her fingertips. No pulse. Hes not breathing. She clamped his nose with her fingers and breathed for him.
Zach dropped to his knees on the other side of him and leaned the heel of his palms into the mans chest five times. Now breathe, he instructed.
Jacie blew into the mans mouth. His lungs expanded, pushing his chest up.
Zach resumed his compressions. For every five, Jacie breathed one breath.
Hank and the bodyguards scoured the vicinity while Zach and Jacie worked over Mr. Jones.
When they returned, Jacie glanced up at Hank. Any sign of my sister? She knew the answer, but she had to ask.
None.
Rather than let the news cripple her, Jacie renewed her efforts to save Mr. Jones.
After fifteen minutes, Zach quit pumping the mans chest and he touched Jacies arm before she could breathe into the mans mouth.
Hes gone.
No. Jacie sat back on her haunches. He might have told us where they went.
I doubt it. From what you said, he was hit before they grabbed Tracie. Zach rose to his feet and held out a hand to Jacie. Come on, lets get you back to the ranch. Well start the search in the morning.
She has to be okay. Jacie let him pull her to her feet, where she leaned against him, pressing her forehead against the solid wall of his chest. Shes all I have.
Hank patted her back. Well find her. Dont you worry.
Zach stood beside her. I saw his lips moving, but I couldnt hear him. What did Jones say to you before he died?
Im not sure. Jacie shook her head. Shed never had someone die on her. Hell, shed never seen someone get shot in all the years shed been working on the Big Elk Ranch. Shed never seen someone die of a gunshot wound. She pushed the image of the dead men from her mind and concentrated on the only clue she might have to find her sister. At first he said what sounded like set up. Then he said Not Jones D E A.
Zach stiffened against her, his hands gripping her arm. Are you sure?
She glanced up into his face. As sure as I can be. The man was barely able to whisper. I could have gotten it wrong. Why?
Damn. These men most likely were agents with the DEA.
Hank ran a hand through his shocking-white hair and looked around the canyon walls. Think they were set up?
Sounds like it.
Jacie froze. Oh, dear God. She didnt, she couldnt have My sister is an FBI agent here on vacation to visit me.
Zach still held her.