Page 110 of Solid as Steele
She grabbed it then lifted her jacket to clip the bag to her belt and slide it into her jeans pocket. Safe and secure should they have to call for help.
Please don’t let us need it.
She tucked the map into her pocket and slung the binocular strap over her neck so she could hold onto the seat straps. Owen hit the rapids called the Minam Roller head on. Water splashed over the boat’s bow. They bumped and rocked down the faster water. Nothing more than waves like you might find in the ocean surf.
No biggie. Hopefully the others would be as easy.
She consulted the map and her watch. Red Rock next, where a giant boulder rose up from the water and sat midstream, leaving the clear route to the left. She turned to warn Owen and describe it to him. “We should be approaching it in fifteen minutes or so.”
“So steer left?”
“Yes. I think it will be obvious once we see it.” She lifted her binoculars again to get a good look and be able to give him ample warning.
The canyon walls rose along the river banks dotted with basalt ledges and soaring ponderosa pines. She knew the river flowed from The Wallowas, the second highest peaks in Oregon, and that volcanic activity with lava flows formed the steep canyon solidifying into layers of basalt ledges.
Near a large ledge, she spotted a bright yellow and gray kayak dragged onto the rocky shore.
Leach!Was the kayak real or her imagination? She blinked a few times. Glassed the shoreline again.Yes!
“Leach’s boat is pulled up on the right bank just ahead.” She handed the binoculars back to Owen so he could take a look.
He scanned the area. “No sign of Leach though. I’ll land this thing just shy of his kayak, and we can get out to look for him.” Owen returned the binoculars to her. “Be ready to draw your weapon.”
He changed course from the left side of the river to the right and aimed for the bank where they would land. She kept watch. Only a short window of opportunity to land on the bank and the zone was perched between two areas of the basalt.
The boat puttered closer.
She lowered her binoculars and prepared to leap onto the rocky bank.
Leach appeared from behind a stand of trees. He cupped his hand over his eyes. Took off running for his kayak.
“It’s Leach,” she shouted. “Looks like he’s going to try to make a run for it. Could be armed, but I don’t see a gun.”
She rested her hand on her sidearm and wished Owen could lift his rifle, but he had to keep his hands on the motor to stop them from crashing into the massive boulder.
“I’ll try to cut him off.” Owen corrected course again.
The large boulder in the water loomed ahead of them like a barrier playing chicken with them, daring Owen to keep moving closer. He did, continuing on their course.
Leach jumped into his kayak. Pushed off the rocky landing with his paddle. Turned his kayak to head out to the open water.
His smaller boat was more maneuverable than theirs but Owen kept up with Leach, facing their bow straight for his boat. Leach didn’t go for a gun, so she couldn’t very well fire hers.
So what then?
A grab line ran along the bow of his kayak. If she could snag it, Leach couldn’t get away. She got on her knees. Slid on her belly over the rigid side of their boat. Reached out and prepared to seize the line.
“No, Mackenzie!” Owen shouted. “Back in the boat. You can’t hold him in this fast water.”
Adrenaline fueled her, and she believed she could do it. She leaned out further and snagged the grab line with her good arm, the other holding to the boat. Her wound screamed at the exertion. She let the pain work for her. Give her motivation to hold on to the man who likely shot her.
He gave a mighty roar and slammed his paddle down on her hand.
She yelped in pain but took a deep breath and held fast.
He hit her again, harder this time, whipping her body out of the boat.
The water swallowed her. Her face. Head. She gasped at the icy cold liquid. Her lungs filled with frigid water, and she went down into a black void.
