J. Robb - Bump in The Night

Martin’s eyes narrowed. „Are you telling me you’re not? That somehow, between yesterday and today you’ve lost your confidence?“

„Of course not.“ Josh gave a shake of his head. „It’s not fear, Marty.“ In truth, he couldn’t recall the last time he’d experienced real, gut-wrenching fear. He’d always lived for the adrenaline rush that came from placing himself in danger. „I’m just tired. I need a break. Think about it. When was the last time I went out on a date?“

„You want women?“ Martin started toward the door. „I can go down to the bar right now and bring you half a dozen gorgeous models who’d like nothing better than to spend the night with Josh Cramer.“

„Thanks.“ His frown was back. „That’s not what I mean and you know it.“

„Listen.“ Martin started back to the sofa, using his most persuasive tone. „You just get through this next adventure, and I promise you, I’ll pencil in a nice long break.“

„Pencil in?“

Martin grinned. „Okay. It’ll be written in stone. For as long as you want. How’s that?“

„What if they want me to do a series?“

„Then we’ll negotiate a contract that allows you some time off between adventures.“

„Don’t say that unless you mean it.“

„I mean it.“

For the first time Josh managed a smile. „I intend to hold you to that, buddy boy.“

Martin relaxed. „Get some rest, buddy boy.“ It was their favorite nickname for one another and was a signal to him that Josh’s temper was evaporating. „We’ll be meeting with the director of the television crew first thing in the morning. You’ll need to acquaint yourself with the seaplane you’ll be piloting. This is raw wilderness. The only way in or out is by landing on Spirit Lake.“

„Is that a problem?“

His agent hesitated for a fraction. „A lot of strange things have happened on that lake through the years.“

„What sort of strange things?“

„Boats and planes disappearing, without a trace. Drownings, but no bodies.“

Josh sighed. „I’m suddenly starting to like this.“

„If you believe in this sort of rubbish, the Native Americans believed the lake to be inhabited by spirits.“ Marty grinned. „Or it could be just a strong undertow. Either way, I’ll admit that when I first heard it, it creeped me out. It still does, if you want to know the truth. But this isn’t about me. It’s about you. Sounds like you’re okay with it.“

„Instead of being afraid.“ Josh chuckled. „I kind of like the added challenge.“

„Great. I think seeing Fearless Josh Cramer tame the demons of Spirit Lake will be a good career move.“

„Gee, thanks.“

At Josh’s wry tone, Marty grinned. „Just doing what you pay me for. Can you master the seaplane by morning?“

„Piece of cake.“

„That’s what I like to hear.“ Martin walked out, humming a little tune. He’d been managing Josh ever since his meteoric rise to fame ten years ago. When they’d met, Josh had been a cocky college kid who couldn’t resist taking on a challenge that most sane athletes wouldn’t even consider. Marty had been a brash young lawyer who was already handling some of the biggest names in sports. In the years since, he’d had plenty of time to learn just how to play Josh’s many moods.

Time off. He chuckled as he stepped into the lift that would take him to the main floor and his cronies. He had no doubt that one day the public would lose interest and move on to the next media celebrity, though he fervently hoped it wouldn’t be for many years. He’d acquired a fondness for the things money could buy. But when that day came, Josh Cramer would find himself with all the time in the world. Until then, Martin would do the job he was being paid to do, and see that he kept Josh too busy to think about the things that he might be missing in his high-profile, celebrity lifestyle. Besides, though Josh would never admit it, he thrived on activity. He’d go stark raving mad if he had to stay in one place with nothing to challenge him. Marty was just doing what his client wanted done. And making a pile of money in the process.

Marty was beaming with pleasure. „Josh, this is Wayne Thompson, who’ll be directing the television special.“

The director, wearing baggy fatigues and a baseball cap, stepped away from the cluster of sound technicians and camera crew loading their equipment aboard the larger of the two planes parked on the runway, and offered his handshake.

„And this is Brady Stewart.“ Marty dropped his arm around the shoulders of a tall, white-haired man with a military bearing. „Brady will be piloting the second plane which will trail yours. That way they’ll be able to snap some shots of you from the air, and get some aerial shots of the rugged terrain.“

Josh arched a brow. „Don’t trust me with a camera?“

The director shrugged and glanced at Josh’s agent. „I’m aware of your athletic prowess, but I’m not so sure about your photography skills. I want to be certain we have good, clean shots of everything. Later we can splice your photos and theirs together, to make a continuous narrative of your adventure. We’ll land with you at your base camp and get as much of the local color as we can while you set off on foot, then we’ll fly on to the final destination where you’ll meet up with us at the end of your trek.“

Marty chuckled. „Since there’s room for me, I’ve decided to go along on the first leg of the trip, too. After that, I’ll head to New York.“

„Sounds good to me.“ Josh looked up when one of the assistants approached carrying a clipboard. „Looks like it’s time to get aboard and do a final flight check.“

He shook hands all around before walking away.

Within the hour he was airborne, with the second plane trailing.

He pressed a hand to the knot of tension at the back of his neck. Though a night at the ski lodge hadn’t been nearly enough time to recharge his batteries, it would have to do until this latest assignment was completed. Then he intended to hold Marty’s feet to the fire and take some quality time alone.

„Below me is Spirit Lake.“ Josh flipped the switch that triggered the camera mounted below the belly of the plane and watched the view on a monitor mounted just above his instruments. He’d spent the previous night on the Internet, learning as much as he could about his destination. „Native Americans named it, believing that great spirits dwelled in those depths. It’s said to be one of the coldest and deepest glacial lakes in the country. Even the most sophisticated sonar equipment hasn’t been able to locate a bottom. What makes this area so exciting is the fact that there are a thousand miles of wilderness without any of the amenities of modern civilization. You see below me no power lines. Although there are a few cabins along the shoreline, most are occupied by rugged individuals strictly in the summertime, since the only way in or out is by boat or seaplane. Winter in this isolation would be pretty brutal.“

While circling the lake he switched off the outside camera and turned on the one mounted on the instrument panel. „I’ll be taking my seaplane down in just a few minutes, and you, my viewing audience, will be going with me for the ride. I’m looking forward to taking you along on my journey through this forest. I’m told it’s so primitive, I might be able to make the entire trek without seeing another human being.“

Out of the corner of his eye he caught a flash of shimmering light and turned his head, assuming it was sunlight bouncing off the water far below. Instead he was stunned to see a woman dressed all in white, just settling into the copilot seat beside him.

He had a quick impression of fiery hair and intense blue eyes as he let loose with a string of curses. A stowaway? Some stalker hoping to make a name for herself? Hadn’t security checked out this plane before he boarded?