On the Hunt

Where the hell was Donovan? Taylor moved from the back of the ranch house toward the cliff. He’d sighted Kira Drake’s slim, athletic figure at least fifteen minutes ago, and he wanted to put the plans he’d made into motion. He’d been anticipating them ever since he’d heard about Harlan’s hiring her to track him. At first it had made him angry, but then he’d realized it was only going to make his victory more complete. It would be perfect…

But his phone was ringing now. Donovan. It was about time, Taylor thought in disgust. “Where the hell are you?” he growled. “You were supposed to be here more than an hour ago. Why are you running late?”

“Only a little,” Donovan said. “There are too many cops and state troopers bustling around here. I had to find another landing spot. Meet me near the lake. I’ll give you time to get there and move in for the pickup. Fifteen minutes should do it.” He paused. “Unless you want me to zero in on the woman myself instead of just giving you an assist to get out of there? I could do that for you.”

“Do you think I don’t know that? Obey my orders,” Taylor said. “You’re an idiot, Donovan. If I’d wanted anything else, I’d have told you. I want her punished. I have to find the way I can hurt her the most. She’s got to realize she can’t take orders from Harlan where it concerns me. I won’t let him humiliate me like that. She’ll learn she can’t take his money and think it will buy me. Our relationship is all about pain. Now obey those orders.”

“It’s still a risk,” Donovan said.

“Not if you do exactly what I said. I’ll take care of the rest. Move!”

“Okay, okay.” Donovan turned the helicopter and veered in the direction of the lake.

Taylor sat back down in the rocking chair and stared out into the darkness. He knew she was out there somewhere. Harlan, as always, was probably so impressed with himself for hiring the famous Kira Drake to hunt him down. But she wouldn’t succeed. He had his own plans in place now. Though he had gone through hell avoiding her since she had arrived in Colorado. She knew what she was doing, but now all he had to do was show himself one more time and bring Kira Drake running toward him again…

Come on along, pretty woman. Step into my parlor…

Mack was just ahead. Kira could feel his tension, and she knew the golden retriever could sense her presence. It was true they could almost anticipate each other’s movements when they were on the trail, and tonight was no different. Perhaps it was even more intense now that Mack was able to feel her own desire to bring Taylor down. Good heavens, she found she was actually trembling. And all because she had encountered Joseph Taylor on the edge of that porch a few minutes ago. This hunt had obviously become too important to her and thrown her a trifle off base. Not only had she recognized Taylor, he had actually been close to her, sitting in his damn rocking chair, so why hadn’t she confronted him? It was only now that she had stopped and paused, her gaze flicking over toward the back of the property. No sign of him. She didn’t hear him moving on the porch, either. She listened a little longer anyway. No sound. But he was there. She could feel him, moving quietly. She closed her eyes.

You’re out there. Her heart leaped when she realized Taylor was now heading for the ranch house.

Time to go after Mack.

She started to crawl down the hillside toward the lake, where she was sure the circling helicopter would soon touch down. She scoped out the terrain using every skill and instinct she’d learned through the years. She knew these mountains and had spent more than the usual time bringing Mack to razor-sharpness after she’d agreed to go after Taylor. She could feel Mack tense out there in the darkness as he sensed that she was close to making the final move. She closed out everything else around her and concentrated on the final rendezvous with Mack. She’d never admitted to all that bullshit in the tabloids about the so-called magical bond that existed between Mack and her. It would have pleased them too much. They would have gotten all sentimental, and she wouldn’t allow the affection that existed between them to be used in that way. It would have cheapened the bond that she cherished, and no one would have understood it anyway. How could they when she really didn’t understand it herself? It had always just been… there.

Her pace increased. “Come on, Mack. We’ve both got a job to do. It’s showtime. He’s a very bad man. I’m more sure than ever now. Let’s take the asshole down.”

She frowned as she glanced over her shoulder again, and her lips tightened with determination. “It’s just you and me again, and that’s the way it should be. Harlan doesn’t deserve consideration since we’re the ones who actually found Taylor…” Yet despite her words, Kira was experiencing that same uneasiness she’d known at the porch. “Hey, I’m not the only one who’s involved in this hunt when Taylor could be a hundred yards away. What’s your call, Mack?”

But Mack whimpered with eagerness and was already running toward the lake!

Evidently Mack wasn’t having any doubts, Kira thought, ruefully. He was as eager as he always was at the thought of the game ahead. Not the death of Taylor but the game itself. They both wanted to get back to Summer Island where they had spent their lives doing what they should be doing. She should stop questioning herself and Harlan and just rely on the usual tried-and-true methods. She increased her speed.

Are you waiting for me, Taylor? The lake was just ahead of her now. When she’d located what she was almost sure was Taylor’s hideout several days ago, it had been deserted, and she’d hidden out in the mountains and waited until she’d actually caught sight of Taylor earlier this evening. She’d scoped the acreage out a few days ago but she never took anything for granted. She’d have to look the property over again before she confronted him tonight if she didn’t want any surprises.

There was only one more thing to do. She quickly phoned Jack Harlan. “I just wanted to let you know that Mack and I have located Taylor’s cabin and ranch house, and I have no need of your help. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to bring him in and hand him over to the local police. You can try to pull strings with them, if you like.”

“That’s very generous of you to include me,” Harlan said sarcastically. “Since I’ve already deposited a very handsome fee in your bank account.”

“I thought I made it clear I don’t accept blood money. I’ll return it to you.”

“I prefer you don’t.” His voice was suddenly rough. “Don’t be a fool. Let me help you. Money is cheap compared with you being able to hold me hostage for a favor owed. I’ve always found that’s more expensive for me in the long run.”

“I can see how it could turn out that way for a man of your means. It won’t with me,” she said flatly. “Back off, Harlan. I hate looking over my shoulder. You’ve already gotten in my way. You decided to trust me to find Taylor, and I did it. It wasn’t easy but I’ll be damned if I let you step in to take credit at the last minute. I told you that when you sent your errand boy Belson to nag Sarah. But she seems to think you’re worthwhile, so I thought I’d give you fair warning.” She hung up with a definite click. “It’s okay,” she whispered to Mack as she reached out and rubbed his neck. “Though our genius isn’t going to like me treating him like that. Tough. We don’t care, do we? It’s better than having him get in our way.” She realized how impatient Mack was becoming. He never wanted strangers interfering between them. It had always been just the two of them from the moment she had begun training him on Summer Island. They were a team. Working together to bring in either the bad guys or the grand prize. No wonder Mack was so impatient. Well, Harlan couldn’t have it the way he wanted this time. He had come to her, and Taylor would be handled in such a way that she could keep Mack as well as herself safe. Mack was looking impatiently over his shoulder again, and she waved to him to go ahead. But a moment later, she heard it.

A motor! It was a low throb, and at first, she thought it might be a boat on the dark lake. But soon she realized it had to be the helicopter again. It was much closer now. It seemed Taylor had definitely decided to call in some help to get himself out of this particular fix. It didn’t surprise her, though she’d thought he might be too arrogant. But it meant she’d have to move even faster. From the sound of those engines, the pilot was still circling, but he had cut his lights to avoid being seen. A risky move, but she guessed he might be using night-vision goggles. She heard the helicopter rotors getting louder.

Mack gave a low whimper and looked back toward her again. “Soon,” she murmured. She gave a hand signal to let him know that he had to wait. He clearly longed to bolt ahead but didn’t want to leave her.

The helicopter grew louder.

Kira pointed forward with both hands. “Go! Slow and steady.”

Mack knew that signal. Even from several yards ahead, he’d been matching her pace and rhythm. But now he ran toward the lake as she made her way down.

Then Mack stopped. He’d picked something up.

Course correction.