Secret Past Page 7

  She took heavy, sloppy steps to the center of the peak and collapsed onto the sandy area. The cool ground refreshed her sweaty body. Katie rolled onto her back staring up at the blue cloudless sky.

  Daniel dropped next to her, wrapping his muscular arms around his knees. “How do you feel?”

  Katie turned to look at him. His dark eyes met hers.

  The gaze lasted longer than it should’ve, but looking away involved effort and Katie’s heavy panting hadn’t yet ceased.

  She pulled herself to a sitting position, mimicking his posture and swiped at the sweat clinging to her back. Katie held her ponytail up higher as a cool breeze blew on her neck. “Be glad you don’t have to deal with hair.”

  He laughed. “I’ll give you extra points for that.”

  The man didn’t look fatigued at all. “How are you not dying right now?”

  “Years of experience? Besides, you’re a flatlander.” He gave her a teasing one-finger poke in the arm.

  His touch sent shivers through her body.

  “Whatever.” Katie inhaled and succumbed to a coughing fit.

  “Stand up.”

  She glared at him, still battling the racking cough. Daniel put his arms under hers and lifted Katie to a standing position. He held her arms above her head. “It’ll help you breathe.”

  The coughing subsided and she inhaled deeply. “Much better. Thank you.” She peered down the mile of railroad ties.

  Daunting.

  Terrifying.

  And she’d done it.

  “I don’t see the men.”

  Daniel stepped to Katie’s side, placed his hand on her shoulder and followed her gaze down the steps. “I’m sure they found a way to get out of here. They’ve gone. For now.”

  She forced her thoughts back to the topic and not the fluttering in her stomach. “What if they’re waiting for us below?”

  “I have a feeling their little trip down left them too sore to do much. One had a broken leg for sure.”

  “No ambulance?”

  “They won’t draw any unnecessary attention.”

  “Might be hard to explain themselves.”

  Daniel nodded. “Exactly.”

  Katie inhaled deeply.

  Exhilarated.

  Thrilled.

  “Then I can celebrate my accomplishment.” She turned to face Daniel.

  “Your accomplishment?” He smiled.

  “Our accomplishment. Even though I practically had to drag you up the mountain,” she teased. Katie danced around him, chanting, “We did it. We did it.”

  She hugged him full on. The strength of his arms wrapped around her triggered warmth that radiated throughout her body. Her laughter subsided. She wanted to pull back, create distance. The elation of the climb combined with the danger of the men, and Daniel’s hands around her lower back awakened every nerve ending.

  Their eyes met and his gaze drifted over her. Katie followed the contour of his jaw to his lips...inches from hers. She lifted her chin, bringing her face nearer in proximity, closing her eyes. Close enough for him to reach her. Willing him to kiss her.

  He released his hold and stepped back. “I knew you could do it. Even without our motivating friends down there.”

  Katie’s eyes flew open and she cleared her throat, wiping her sweaty hands on her pant legs. The heat on her face tangled with embarrassment and longing. “Right. Well, thanks for staying behind me. You could’ve made the climb and hung out here having lunch until I finished.” Her nervous laugh came out a snort making the awkwardness worse.

  “No way—it’s all about the team work.” Daniel cleared his throat. “Katie, I have a confession to make.”

  “Okay.”

  “I had another reason for us to make this climb. Garrett left me a go-bag buried over there.” Daniel pointed to an evergreen tree.

  “I don’t understand. How did he know we’d be up here?” Katie tilted her head.

  “This was Garrett’s favorite retreat location. He said if anything went wrong, he’d leave me a fail-safe. At the ranch, I neglected to grab the money and extra weapon before we left. Wouldn’t have been a big deal if we’d made it to Boulder yesterday.” Daniel shifted from one foot to the other. “Chief Bridges said we’re compromised. There’s a leak in the office. He ordered me to stay off the grid. That go-bag is essential.”

  Katie turned toward the area Daniel had indicated. Garrett was always a step ahead, still taking care of her even when he wasn’t there. A peace settled on her, although she didn’t try to hide her disappointment at Daniel’s information omission. The wounded expression on his face kept her from pressing too much about the issue. “You should’ve told me the truth.”

  “Duly noted.” He gave her a slight smile, lifted the backpack and pulled out the binoculars. “Let me do some recon, make sure Marino’s men are gone. Rest over there, away from the edge. Sip on a bottle of water so you don’t get sick. I’ll be right back.”

  Daniel walked to the back side of the peak closing the discussion. His absence, though only a few feet away, left her cold.

  Katie obeyed his instructions, and watched from her perch on a boulder. Daniel surveyed the area through his binoculars and then moved to the evergreen he’d indicated. He lifted a rock the size of a basketball and dug the earth beneath. Within seconds, he produced a small red bag.

  Why hadn’t he kissed her? Because he’s on the job, not a date. Katie couldn’t take her eyes off him. His muscles were taut beneath the athletic T-shirt he wore. Her ears warmed. What was she doing?

  Katie looked down at her own jeans and hoodie, remembering his rebuff. He wasn’t interested in her and she wasn’t interested in him. The idea of a kiss was merely an emotional response from the excitement of finishing the climb.

  She turned her back to Daniel and reached into her pocket and withdrew the locket. For the most part, Daniel had been honest with her. Maybe it was time for her to get honest with him. The locket weighed with everything she dreaded and longed to understand.

  “The only way down from here is the Barr Trail.”

  Katie spun, clutching the necklace. “You startled me.”

  “Gearing up to slug me for not telling you about the go-bag?” He nodded at her hand.

  “No. I have a confession of my own and there’s something I need to ask you about.” Katie gave Daniel a brief explanation of how she’d come to own the locket. “I don’t understand what the big deal is. There are pictures inside. I hardly think that it’s a threat to National Security.”

  “May I see it?”

  Katie dropped the necklace into his outstretched palm.

  Daniel inspected the locket carefully and his brows furrowed. “I wonder...” He plucked out the pictures with his fingernail, and inspected the piece. “There are a series of numbers engraved.”

  “What?” Katie leaned over his arm. “Where?”

  Daniel pointed to the inscription.

  She gasped. “What are the numbers for?”

  “I have no idea, but it adds credence to Garrett’s warning to keep the necklace a secret.” Katie didn’t miss the tinge of sharpness in Daniel’s tone.

  Was Daniel angry that Garrett had kept the locket a secret?

  His expression softened. “Katie, should I hold on to it for you?”

  She considered the offer, then shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not willing to let go of it just yet. However, I’d appreciate your help in figuring out what the inscription means. Once we’re back to civilization.”

  He grinned. “I love a good mystery.”

  “Thanks.” She secured the pictures inside and slid the necklace back into her pocket. Somehow sharing the secret lightened her emotional load, even though she’d gone against Garrett’s wishes. “You said we have to go down a different trail?
As in, we don’t have to climb back down those railroad ties?”

  “Nope. The men are gone but I’m sure they’ll be back. The trail is the fastest way...the only way down.” Daniel gestured toward an opening framed by evergreen trees.

  Katie gave a little dance of joy and fist pump in the air. “Yes.”

  Daniel chuckled. “You’re crazy, woman.”

  “Right?” Katie rushed to him, planted a quick kiss on his cheek, grabbed the backpack and moved into the trail’s tree cover.

  * * *

  Daniel’s cheek burned from Katie’s impromptu kiss. Not a kiss. A peck on the cheek. It didn’t mean anything.

  He forced his feet to cooperate, catching her before she entered the trailhead. “Hey, I’m leading here.”

  “As if I couldn’t?” She turned and smiled.

  Wow, she was stunning, naturally beautiful. No makeup or fancy hairstyle. Her long dark brown hair pulled back in a ponytail accentuated her face, drawing attention to those gorgeous green eyes the color of emeralds.

  “I assume we’re going down the mountain,” Katie said.

  Daniel rubbed the back of his neck. “Humor me.”

  She stopped and made a grand hand gesture letting him take the lead.

  “Thank you.” Focus, Knight. He’d come way too close to acting on his desire to kiss her. The thought sent heat that had nothing to do with the sunshine bursting through him. He knew better than to fall into transferred affection, especially in emotional situations like Katie’s. Poor woman had just lost her mom and Garrett; of course she was confused. He was not. Whatever the case, they weren’t here for romance. He had no intention of allowing anything inappropriate to occur between them. Commitment and long-term relationships did not mix well with his job.

  The last thing Katie needed was some lovesick moron who was too goo-goo eyed to notice Marino’s men. His foolishness nearly cost them their lives. If the assailants had been in better shape, adequately clothed or capable of making the climb, they’d be dead. So why hadn’t the goons tried coming up the Barr Trail? Dad would’ve called it a gift from God. Daniel called it criminal stupidity.

  Either way, he couldn’t afford that kind of mistake again. And falling for the woman he was protecting was the worst thing he could do. They could be friends. She was fun and sweet and...beautiful. He willed himself to monitor the area, grateful Katie couldn’t see the boyish smile still stretched across his face.

  The dry earth crunched beneath their feet. Birds chirped and the sun was warm against his skin. Really? He was giddy.

  “Dumb question. Why didn’t we go up this way?”

  “What fun would that have been?”

  “I need to read the fine print next time.”

  “Autumn is the best time to hike. The colors are outstanding,” Daniel blurted. Great, now he sounded like a tour guide. Scenery was a safe topic.

  “It’s truly an amazing place. Daniel, check out this stump.”

  He stopped and turned.

  Katie pointed to a dead tree stump. “It looks like a baby bear.”

  He peered closer.

  “God does great work.” She touched the wood, tracing the lines.

  Daniel couldn’t help but notice the deep evergreen trees surrounded by bush leaves in rusts and corals. Colorado was home. He’d never been anywhere that touched his soul like this place did. Would he ever be able to return here? If he accompanied Katie to Maine, he’d be forced to live there. Forced might not be the right word.

  An uneasiness gave him pause. He surveyed the area around them, listening for any sounds of unwanted visitors. A rustling in the trees had him stepping around Katie. “Shh.” He motioned for the backpack.

  Katie handed him the bag. He withdrew the binoculars, spotting nothing more than the occasional squirrel or bird.

  “Is something wrong?” she whispered.

  Daniel pulled the strap of the binoculars over his head. Better keep them close, just in case. “Let’s pick up our pace—we need to get out of here before Marino’s men return.”

  They increased their stride to a faster walk. He didn’t want to frighten her, but they’d been in the same place a little too long.

  “Hey, I can see the bottom. That was a whole lot easier than the way up.”

  “Our car is—” A sharp stinging in Daniel’s back halted him.

  Katie was already on the ground.

  He reached behind, and grabbed hold of a thin object, pulling it out of his lower back.

  Tranquilizer dart.

  He fought to stay awake. His vision blurred. His mouth went dry.

  Daniel stumbled, grasping at the trees. He clutched a branch and struggled to right himself. He dropped to his knees and grabbed Katie, pulling her to him. She was too heavy and he couldn’t hold on to her anymore. No, he couldn’t fail her now. He couldn’t lose her.

  He collapsed to the ground and the day faded into night.

  * * *

  The ground moved. Daniel fought the effects of the tranquilizer chemicals oozing through his system. How long had he been out?

  He strained to open his eyes, listening to the purring of an engine in the distance. A truck? Two distinct male voices. Daniel struggled to focus.

  He dragged his arm across his body, reaching for his gun. His coordination was clumsy, and it took him a minute to find his holster. The gun was gone. The effort was harder than he expected and his hand fell limply at his side.

  Garrett would be so proud.

  Daniel forced his eyes open. Darkness. His breath was warm and close to his skin. Something covered his face. He reached up, clawing at the fabric tied around his face and neck.

  “He’s waking up,” a man’s thickly accented voice advised.

  “Not for long,” another answered.

  A slam into his nose sent shooting pain up Daniel’s face. He licked at the warm trickle sliding into his mouth. Blood.

  Before he could move, he winced at a pinch in his neck.

  His eyes grew heavy.

  “Is he out?” the first man asked.

  “Give him another dose,” the second assailant replied.

  “No,” Daniel protested, not sure if the words made it past his lips.

  Another pinch and he fell back into the darkness again.

  EIGHT

  The hum of an engine mercilessly dragged Katie from a sweet dream of sipping lattes on the patio with her mother. The ground shifted slightly and she turned her head, allowing her eyes to flutter open. The heavy throbbing behind her lids forced them closed. Her body fought a silent tug-of-war between waking and succumbing to the sleepiness.

  Katie squeezed her eyes tightly and tried again, fighting the drum procession in her brain. Her ears were plugged as if she were underwater.

  Sunlight beamed through a small window, casting shadows on the confined quarters. Alarm coursed through her. She was on an airplane.

  Daniel. Where was Daniel?

  How long had she been like this?

  Katie blinked to clear her blurred vision and attempted to scoot upright. The restriction of her limbs amplified her anxiety.

  She jerked her arms, and the resulting clank of metal had her tilting to investigate. Each of her wrists was shackled on either side of the seat by handcuffs.

  Separated by a dark wooden table, Daniel sat across from her with his head slumped down, face to his chest, unconscious. Both sat in white leather chairs resembling recliners. Based on his arm positioning, he was also handcuffed.

  Lord, thank you that Daniel’s here. Probably selfish, but she needed him.

  Cherrywood encompassed the interior and the plush maroon carpet gave the space the appearance of a narrow living room, except for the rounded ceiling with little air vents. She leaned over her seat and looked out the window. Clouds and a brilliant
blue background confirmed what she already knew.

  The aircraft was much larger than the one they’d traveled in from Nebraska to Colorado. Luxurious. Definitely not government. Anthony Marino’s?

  Her pulse increased and her chest tightened. If he’d wanted her dead, she would be, right? Instead, she was on a plane. Something didn’t compute. Why spend all that time trying to kill her only to abduct her? And why bring Daniel?

  She craned her neck, confirming they were alone in the cabin.

  “Daniel,” she croaked. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “Daniel.”

  Katie stretched her leg under the table and kicked his foot. He didn’t move.

  She pushed herself upright. Were cameras watching her?

  Two crystal decanters of what looked like water on the bar at the far end of the plane’s cabin awakened Katie’s thirst. She licked her lips, conscious of the dryness in her mouth.

  The drum procession in her head returned. Katie combatted the beat by trying to remember how she’d gotten here. The last she recalled, they were at the Manitou Incline. She rubbed her neck. What had she been shot with? Something that knocked her out. But at least she wasn’t dead.

  Lord, please help us. Her imagination played on the possibilities awaiting them. Panicked, she tugged at the restraints. Her gaze returned to Daniel. His chest moved. Good, he’s alive.

  “Daniel,” Katie called, not caring if anyone heard her. She stretched her leg beneath the table and kicked as hard as she could.

  Daniel came to life instantly like he’d been cattle prodded. He jerked upright, his eyes wild as he looked around, settling his gaze on her. “Are you okay?”

  Katie gasped; indignation filled her at the sight of Daniel’s black eye and the crimson stream that had dried above his swollen nose. “Oh, Daniel. I’m so sorry.”

  He winced. “Do I look that bad?”

  “Um, yeah.”

  “I’m sure it’s uglier than it feels.” Daniel wrenched against the handcuffs.

  The cockpit door opened. A man in his forties with gray streaks in his hair and neatly trimmed beard exited. Dressed in a white turtleneck sweater and brown sports jacket, he looked like a college professor. “Ah, I see the two sleeping beauties are finally awake,” he said, with the hint of an English accent.