Iris Johansen - Dark Summer

"She wants you to meet her at the gully on the other side of the canyon. Well, not at the gully, somewhere above the gully in the rocks on the path up the canyon."

He stiffened. "And why won't I like it?"

"Danner. Bridget's bringing him to the canyon." He held up his hand as he saw Marrok's expression. "She told him that's where she had stashed Devon. She called Devon and told her to make sure you were somewhere in those rocks to pick him off."

Marrok began to curse. "Bridget. And Devon's going to go and meet her?"

"No, Devon will wait for you on the path leading to the top of the canyon. She just wanted to ensure that you'll be there waiting. She was worried about Bridget. The only way she could be sure that you wouldn't stage some kind of full-scale attack that might get Bridget killed was to go herself. She knew you'd follow her."

"You're damn right I will." He started at a trot down the path. He had to stop at the cave and get his rifle and more ammunition. "How much time do I have?"

"Not long. Just after dark." He was running beside Marrok. "Devon told me to get Walt and Rod Zedwick to go with you. They both have SEAL experience, and she thought you'd want them. They're waiting at the bottom of the path."

"All very neatly planned." Marrok gazed at the setting sun. His stomach was twisting with fear. "Devon always wants everyone safe and happy. Me, Bridget. Only this time she may get herself killed. Damn Bridget. I may pick her off at the same time I nail Danner."

"Bridget told Devon not to go herself."

"It didn't help, did it? She's going to be there." He saw Walt and Rod and speeded up his pace. His heart was already pounding with terror and dread.

Not much time. Stay up in those rocks, Devon. For God's sake, stay away from that gully.

The rays of the sun were slanting blue-red, paler, longer. Soon they would be gone entirely.

Just after dark.

"THIS BRINGS BACK MEMORIES, Bridget." Danner was gazing at the wall of the canyon as they parked the car near the gully. His expression was wistful. "I spent many happy hours with Marrok and Paco here in this canyon. Do you know, I'm basically a simple man. Marrok thinks I was pretending, but a part of me truly wanted all to go well for that old man."

"I can see why Marrok might have a few doubts," Bridget said. "You did beat Paco to death."

"Sometimes violence becomes necessary." He smiled at Bridget. "You understand. After all, you blew off poor Lincoln's head."

"I'm not criticizing you." Bridget opened the car door and got out. It wasn't quite dark, but the rocks were giant, looming shadows above them. She hoped to hell Marrok was up there somewhere ready to take Danner out. The trip from Tucson had been very uncomfortable. Danner had been entirely too affable, too slick.

Cat and mouse?

Danner gestured to the two men in the backseat. "Gentleman, suppose you take a look around? One can't be too careful." He turned to Bridget as his men spread out over the terrain and disappeared in the labyrinth of boulders. "Now where is this lady Lincoln was so convinced would move Marrok to cooperate?"

"Farther up the gully." Bridget started up the incline.

"Do you know, Devon Brady has been wielding an astonishing amount of influence over the men around her. Enright was obsessed with her, and Marrok evidently must feel something for her. She must be very stimulating. Enright quite whetted my appetite with all his plans for her. I think I may decide to toy with her myself."

Bridget didn't answer.

Danner said softly. "And you really shouldn't have left her alone out in the wilds. There are all kinds of critters out here in the desert."

Definitely cat and mouse.

Draw her gun now or wait for Marrok's shot?

But Danner was standing half behind one of the boulders by the side of the path. Marrok wouldn't be able to get a clear shot.

Danner suddenly laughed, his gaze on the path. "And I believe we have a critter right here. I was wondering where you were, Caswell." He shined his flashlight. "Our vet?"

"A bitch," Caswell said as he pushed Devon ahead of him down the trail. "She damn well hearty made a eunuch of me."

Shit.

Horror tore through Bridget.

It was Devon, bruised, lip bleeding.

"Devon Brady," Danner said. "What a surprise. And I actually didn't believe you, Bridget. Of course, you said she was tied up and ready for serving. Wasn't it lucky I sent Caswell up here ahead of us to pave the way? We might have missed her."

She could see the glint of the gun in Danner's hand.

Devon shot in the chest. Blood. Devon falling to the ground .

Oh, God, it was going to happen.

Change the circumstances, Jordan had said.

How?

"She must have gotten loose." Bridget started up the incline toward Devon.

Devon had been alone. Stand next to her.

Devon had not been armed. Give her a gun.

"I told you she was here, didn't I?" Bridget had almost reached Devon and Caswell. "Now everything can go through just as we planned, Danner."

Marrok, where the hell are you?

"Stand where you are, Bridget," Danner said. "The game's over. I think you knew I wasn't the fool you were trying to play me. But I had the chance to turn Marrok's trap against him. Let's see if Marrok does care anything about her." He raised his voice. "Are you out there, Marrok? I'm going to have Caswell do a little selective shooting. He's very angry at your lady. The left kneecap first, I think. That's very painful. However, we could negotiate…"

MARROK STEADIED THE RIFLE, sighting down the infrared scope.

The shot had to be absolutely accurate.

There wouldn't be any interference from the other men who had been in the canyon. Walt and Rod had taken them out minutes after they had hit the trail.

He couldn't get a clear shot at Danner, but Caswell was standing in the middle of the path.

Two shots, quick succession.

Then move .

THE FIRST SHOT SHATTERED THEhand in which Caswell was holding the gun.

He screamed and dropped the gun.

"Down!" Bridget pushed Devon to the ground and rolled with her to the side of the path.

The second shot entered Caswell's temple.

"Dammit, I told you to stay away, Devon," Bridget muttered. "You weren't supposed to be here."

"I didn't want to be here," Devon said. "Do you think I wanted to be in the way? I stayed up in the canyon. Caswell was on me before I even saw him." Her gaze searched the rocks from where the shot had come. "Was it Marrok? But where did he-"

"Danner!" Bridget was looking back at where Danner had been standing. "Marrok went around in back of him after he made the shot at Caswell. He's got him."

Devon hoped that was true. She could see Marrok and Danner struggling, but she couldn't tell what was happening. "What are we doing staying here when we could be helping him?" She jumped to her feet. "You have a gun, don't you?"

"Yes, but it may not be-I think-" She stood up and then said, " Yes . Danner's down."

MARROK'S HAND SLICED DOWN ONDanner's arm, and his gun went flying a few feet away. His next blow sent Danner to his knees.

"You caught me by surprise." Danner stared up into the barrel of the Glock Marrok was pointing at him. "I don't care that you shot Caswell, but I'm angry at myself that I didn't foresee your climbing around those rocks and pouncing. It was an Indian tactic, and you know this canyon so well. I thought I remembered everything about you, but I suppose I always wanted to forget you were a half-breed. I wanted to be a father to you and that would have spoiled everything."

"Bullshit." Marrok hand tightened on the gun. "Make a move, Danner. Stop talking and make a move, so I can blow you to hell."