Page 73 of Mountain Impact

“You’re wasting your time. She’s not here, Blanchard.”

Blanchard ignored him. “Two.”

It’s okay.

She’s had plenty of time to hide.

Blanchard’s finger tightened imperceptibly on the trigger. Drake readied himself for the pain.

“Th―”

A movement from the entrance doorway had both men swiveling their heads. Isolde walked towards them, her hands up in the air.

“Don’t hurt him.”

Drake felt the room closing in on him.

Please, God, no.

I’ll kill her myself if we survive this.

“Ah, there you are,” Blanchard said. “Stand next to him. I want to see both of you.”

“Isolde …” Drake said.

She gave a small shrug. Her voice trembled. “I’m sorry, Drake, I couldn’t stay in the car.”

His heart almost broke at the dread in her voice.

Drake took a small step forward, positioning his body ahead of hers.

“Don’t move a muscle, either of you.” Sweat dripped down the side of Blanchard’s face. The man wasn’t as unaffected as he tried to appear. He brought out a handkerchief, struggling as a corner snagged on something in his pocket. For an instant, the barrel of the gun dropped slightly.

Knowing he wouldn’t have a better chance, Drake leaped to the side. He pushed the green button that he knew would start the cable car.

Blanchard’s mouth fell open. “What the hell are you―”

As the machinery throbbed and hummed its way to life, Drake grabbed Isolde by the shoulders and propelled her towards the open door of the now moving cable car, diving in after her.

A single shot rang out.

Drake felt the impact as a bullet entered his lower back. He scrambled towards the corner of the cabin, dragging Isolde with him, grateful his legs still worked.

The cabin door closed behind them as it started moving down the mountain.

Drake pushed Isolde onto the metal grating on the floor, covering her with his own body. He had no way of knowing how thick the frame and sides of the cabin were, but figured their survival was going to be more about luck than anything else. Four shots rang out in quick succession, striking the cabin’s metal body.

So far so good.

Beneath him, Isolde trembled violently.

Drake wished he had his weapon with him. He wanted to inflict violence on Blanchard.

“Shhh,” he said in a low voice. “Stay down, Isolde, it’s going to be okay.”

“I thought you said you’d never get into a cable car again,” Isolde muttered.

Drake had to laugh. It was just like Isolde, to try to work through her fear, when most would huddle in a corner and weep. He was amazed at her strength.