Page 85 of Shadow of Death
“I take it they know and would recognize Amy and thus the new style?” Rich asked.
Amy nodded.
“Please, please...”
“We will be careful. But if they are just looking to sweep up any young woman who appears to be vulnerable, and we put her out as bait...it may be our chance,” Hunter said.
“Right. The only chance to stop this,” Rich said. He stood, frowned for a minute, looking at his cup and plate, and reached into his pocket.
Hunter laughed softly. “We got this,” he assured Rich.
“You need me, you call me,” Rich said.
“Oh, trust me, we will,” Hunter told him.
He gave them a wave and left them. Amy looked over at Hunter.
“I’m proud of you,” she told him.
“Oh?”
“You’ve accepted I should do this, and it’s right. You understand I know how to play it all—and while I couldn’t find the Lost City for you, I do know the environment better than most. I’m so glad you’re...with me on it.”
“With you? Count on it. Do I accept it? Not really. However, I can’t argue the professional logic and need for what you want to do, but...”
“I know you will be right there. Hunter, something else is going on down here. I don’t know how or when the last horse will arrive, but everything we do stop will save lives.”
“We’ve lost a few along the way, too. Here’s what I don’t understand. We had a guy in the hospital. He was terrified about the concept of dying from his snakebites. Then, while still in the hospital when doctors are planning to induce a coma to save his life, he stabs himself in the heart with a needle. He couldn’t have known his co-kidnapper or friend was dead. So...”
“I can only believe it’s like you said before. Fear. Fear of what will happen to you if you don’t take care of it yourself will be far worse than anything imaginable.” She paused and grimaced. “Like being offered up in pieces to an alligator.”
Hunter nodded. “But the thing is, he knew that. Even down here, he knew that. So, Hayden, Don, or the illustrious Mr. Barrington himself. Two of them could be here. Andy has been checking in on Barrington, and he’s been going into his office. Still...”
“Still, he could be calling the shots—the person running this, we know, is acquiring charismatic leaders. Then the leaders turn their followers into murderers. And the head stays clean and neat.”
“We have to get someone alive who will talk,” Hunter said. He reached across the table suddenly, taking her hand. “For now, let’s get back to the hotel. I’m thinking we should talk to the religious leaders in this area, as we did when it all started, and which did get us moving. But I’m also thinking—”
“That we need to head back out tomorrow and try to lure them in?” Amy asked. “I want you to be careful, too! Regan was shot trying to defend his beloved Sandra.”
“Ah, but they won’t even see me at first. You’ll be with Aidan, and they can take Aidan, too, or he’ll just moan while they take you away. He knows not to offer any resistance. Then again, you could give Aidan a speech on the history of Florida and the Everglades—or maybe he should give you, his beautiful girlfriend, a speech while you walk along hand in hand.”
She smiled. “We’ll give each other speeches and see how it goes. Thankfully, if nothing happens at all, we both like history!”
“Let’s head out. I’m fascinated to spend the rest of what’s left of the evening with this new dark-haired beauty who has walked into my life.”
“Ha-ha. Maybe we could get a disguise on you, too.”
“Oh? You need something new already?”
She shrugged teasingly. “No, mustaches are too...hairy. Irritating. Beards are the same. And bald men are attractive, but... No, keep your hair while you’ve got it!”
Hunter headed to the counter and paid the bill. She saw Ida Peterson was speaking to him earnestly.
She waved and headed to the door and Hunter joined her.
“Is everything all right? Did she think of something else?”
Hunter grinned. “No, nothing else. Everything is fine—she was worried about you.”
