Galen's gaze shifted to the burning lodge. “Then I'd say you were smart to turn down his offer.”
Her glance followed Galen's. No safety, only death there.
No safety anywhere.
6
Morgan didn't call Galen until the helicopter had landed at a small airport north of Denver.
“I'm on my way. I picked up a rental car at Colorado Springs. Where am I going?”
“The airport at Fort Collins. I just let Dave out here and I'm flying the helicopter for the rest of the trip. We'll set down and pick you up.”
“Not smart. Just tell me the final destination.”
“I have a mutiny on my hands. Alex is feeling guilty about leaving you. I told her that the world would be better off without you, but she won't listen.”
“Really? Amazing. Okay, I should be at Fort Collins in about two hours.”
Galen turned to Alex as he hung up. “He's on his way.”
Alex nodded. “You lied. I don't feel guilty. It's just that right is right.”
“Refreshing.”
“Where are we going after we pick him up?”
“A ranch near Sibley. It's a small town near Jackson Hole, Wyoming.”
“Why are we going there?”
“It's the closest place I have contacts where you and Judd can go to ground. The heat's going to be very hot and heavy on you. We have to get you out of sight quick.”
She shook her head dazedly. “I don't understand any of this. It's a nightmare.”
“Yep. And the only way you can get away from a nightmare is to wake up.” He met her gaze. “What happened at the lodge was ugly. Until then I thought there might be the smallest chance you were right about this all being a big mistake.”
“Morgan didn't.”
“Morgan isn't prone to think any government agency is clean since he's in hot water himself with them.”
“And how could a so-called legend get himself in trouble?”
“Patriotism and trust. I believe at one time Judd must have been as idealistic as you are.”
“No way.”
“It's always the most devout who become the greatest cynics when they're disillusioned.”
She shook her head.
“I can't say I blame you for not thinking well of him, considering he kidnapped you.”
“How understanding,” she said dryly. “You're not my man of the moment either. Nothing that's happened has changed that.”
“Maybe we'll grow on you.”
“I doubt it.”
“It would be better for you if we did since we appear to be the only ones in your corner. Unless you count Sarah Logan, and I don't think you want to involve her in this mess.”
“Certainly not. Though John Logan is another matter entirely.”
“Sometimes things become clearer if you take them apart and put them back together. Think about it. Who knows? You may decide Judd is the best thing that's happened to you since Nader's death.”
“Bull.”
“Just a suggestion.” He changed the subject. “How's your shoulder?”
“Okay.”
“Which means it probably hurts. Why don't you try to nap until we get to Fort Collins?”
Nap? She knew damn well if she closed her eyes all she'd see would be that lodge in flames. She still felt her stomach clench whenever she remembered that first moment of shock. “That's a lousy idea.”
Galen nodded as he studied her face. “Then try to relax. We moved fast enough so that we're probably ahead of the game.” He smiled. “Though if you see any F-15s trailing us, forget everything I said.”
“That's right, I'm a big-time threat, aren't I?” She shook her head and whispered, “Crazy. The entire thing's crazy.”
Morgan was standing on the runway, waiting, as the helicopter set down.
He was looking up at them and was still carrying the rifle. Alex again had that odd feeling that the weapon was part of him. The cold wind from the rotors was tearing at his hair and pressing his jacket to his body.
Warrior. The word immediately jumped into her mind. Why not? Galen had just been talking about Morgan's experiences in the Rangers.
No, it was more than that. She could sense—
“Let's go.” Morgan opened the door and jumped into the helicopter. “This is pretty dumb. You should have let me make my own way.”
“Talk to Alex.” Galen lifted off. “I couldn't convince her. She said right is right.”
“And dead is dead,” Morgan said. “You don't sacrifice a mission for one man.”
“And you don't leave behind someone who's helped you,” Alex said. “So shut up with all that military garbage.”
He blinked, and then a slow smile lit his face. “Sorry. I didn't mean to bore you. I lived with that ‘garbage' for a number of years. It's second nature to me.”