Page 73 of Deadly Revenge
“I’m not leaving my sister out here with some crazy psycho trying to kill her,” Nick said.
“I’ll go back with Hope,” said Aaron.
“Hope, are you up for going back in the helicopter with Aaron?”
“Sister?” Hope said. “Wait? Maya’s your sister?”
“She is,” Nick said.
“So that makes her... my aunt?”
“That’s right,” Nick said.
“That’s so dope. You have to go help her and Juniper. I’ll be fine. I can ride with Aaron,” Hope said.
Nick nodded and looked at Josh. “Let’s go.”
Hope watched them head up the path and saw Josh using his radio. She felt better now that she’d delivered her report and Maya and Juniper had backup on their way. And she was excited to know that she had an aunt and her aunt was awesome. Maya hadn’t said anything. Did she know about Hope? Did her mom know about Maya? Would Maya and Juniper be okay?
Part of Hope didn’t want to leave, but Aaron was waiting for her to get on the helicopter. Hope climbed in and followed the instructions to strap herself in and put on the headphones. The doors shut and the blades started up. She’d never flown on a helicopter and the sensation was so different from an airplane. They lifted off the ground and even went backward a few feet before climbing up into the sky.
A paramedic was there asking her questions and trying to look over her. But Hope ignored him for aminute as she stared down at the lake that had become so small. She now had a better visual of the fire burning and the mountains with some areas that had become charred with black sticks that used to be trees. Other areas where the fire hadn’t reached still had green trees.
Somewhere out there was her aunt and her dog. They’d saved her life. Hope knew she’d never be the same. But what that meant, she didn’t know.
Chapter Fifty
The smoke was thick, but didn’t seem quite as bad. The haze hung over and surrounded Maya and Juniper. There was some filtered sun, but the day was stifling hot. Maya knew she didn’t have backup so she and Juniper had to be careful. Once Juniper had spotted the man, Maya had praised her by whispering a good girl and petting her. Then she’d pulled her off the track and they’d stayed back in the trees. She needed to figure out how they were going to arrest Agent Ross.
Normally Maya would announce herself, tell someone to put their hands up, drop all weapons and cooperate or she’d send Juniper. But she knew that as soon as she announced herself in this situation, Ross would shoot. Anyone who partnered with Abigail didn’t play by the rules. He wouldn’t comply and he was obviously a good shot. Maybe he’d been through the FBI sniper school. Maya didn’t know anything about him other than he’d taught Kessler at Quantico. You never truly knew anyone and it fit that his expertise was kidnappings.
Ross was still jogging, although he was getting slower. Maya wondered where he’d parked. She might be able to send Juniper as he was getting into his vehicle. But she needed to somehow close the distance so the timing would be right.
Juniper had been trained to apprehend a person in a vehicle. She would jump through an open window or nail a person with the car door open. The car door open scenario was better because then Juniper could drag him out and Maya could help get some control over him.
Maya and Juniper continued pursuing at a distance. Juniper picked up on Maya being quiet and stayed silent herself. Once again, Maya was proud of her dog and the partnership they’d developed. She thought she’d never have that again after losing Zinger. Now she trusted Juniper with her life. And Maya thought Juniper felt the same.
They kept up with Ross, gaining some ground, but trying to stay back in the trees. There was a parking area for a campground and some trails not far from here. Maya was guessing that’s where he was parked. Luckily there were trees lining the meadow that Ross was speed walking through. He kept looking over his shoulder as if he sensed Maya and Juniper. They stayed in the shadows, Juniper’s tan-and-black coat providing some camouflage for her. Maya’s uniform being tan and dark green also helped her blend in.
They came up to an area where the landscape changed and went uphill. There was less grass and more dirt mixed with rocks. Maya slipped, creating a scraping noise. She and Juniper stopped moving in unison. Maya held her breath as she watched Ross stop and turn around.
He stared straight in their direction and Maya thought that maybe he’d seen them. She and Juniper stayed quiet. Juniper had her triangular ears pointed straight up and golden eyes locked on her target. When Maya was ready to give Juniper the command, she had no doubt that her dog was going to nail Ross. Hard.
As he surveyed the tree line, Maya was able to get a better view of him.You deserve everything Juniper is going to give you and more. I hope you need a lot of stitches when Juniper is done with you.
Ross must have decided that there wasn’t anyone there as he turned around and continued down the path to the parking lot. Now Maya was certain about which parking lot he was headed to. If they kept up their pace, she and Juniper could get ahead of them and stay hidden back in the trees. Then they could give him a taste of his own medicine and ambush him at the parking lot.
Maya ran through the trees, Juniper loping out ahead of her. They came around to the other side of the parking lot and the nice thing about the fire and everyone evacuating was that there was only one vehicle in the lot.This is perfect. I just need to get Juniper in the right spot, then we’ll give him a surprise.
Juniper trembled by Maya’s side in anticipation. Her eyes were locked on the man as he came from the trail and walked over to his car. Maya had her hand on Juniper’s leash. She waited for the man to put the rifle away. She was hoping he’d put it into the back seat, but instead he set up on the passenger seat. At least he wasn’t holding it. Maya had nodoubt that there were other guns and weapons in the SUV.
The man came around the vehicle and started opening the door. Now. Maya released Juniper and yelled, “Go get ’em, girl!”
The dog lunged forward, springing into high gear and quickly covering ground. The man heard Maya and turned around, surprise registering as he saw a fur missile launching his way.
“Forest Service law enforcement! Put your hands up!” Maya was yelling. She didn’t care that Juniper was going to get Ross before he’d be able to put his hands up. He’d already shot Abigail in cold blood. She was grateful that she and Hope were still alive. But he was going to pay for his crimes. He could have turned Abigail in. He could have stopped this. Instead, he joined her and only added to her death toll.
Ross tried to scramble into the front seat and close the door, but Juniper was too fast. She hit him like a rocket, knocking him off balance, and latched onto his arm. Maya could tell she had a great grip with her back teeth. Juniper’s tail wagged as she enjoyed every minute of doing her job. She yanked back and pulled him out of the vehicle.
