Page 45 of SEAL the Deal

Jenny looked up at the camouflage netting strung in the trees. “Holy crap. They’ve been growing this right under our noses.”

“Pretty slick little setup. Must be a couple of thousand plants under here. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more plantations spread out in the forest.”

She nodded. “Could be. Apart from a few ATV operators no one comes out here. They usually camp at Granite Hut and then head west into the park.”

“That’s why Carter and his buddies chose this spot.”

“So what do you think? Should we wait for Ali’s help to arrive?”

“No, might be too late. We’re going to free the guys, but before we do that we need to even the numbers a little.”

“Lure them out?”

“Yep, and into a trap.”

“Do you have something in mind?”

He frowned. “Not really. I was hoping we might crack it together.”

“Teamwork, yeah I think we’ll be able to come up with something.” She shot him a coy smile.

There was a moment as they stared at each other. Jenny caught herself thinking about how good his lips would feel pressed against hers.

“Right.” He broke eye contact. “What gear do we have?” Rick emptied the contents of his backpack. There was a water bladder, a roll of tape, gas cylinders, a coil of nylon rope and ammunition.

Jenny did likewise adding more rope, a hand saw, bivy sack, small shovel, fire starters, medical kit, toilet paper and some rations.

They both sat silently staring at the gear.

“OK, MacGyver, I think I’ve got an idea,” said Jenny.

“Good, because all I’ve come up with is an exploding toilet paper bomb.”

* * *

Ali could no longer feel her hands and feet as she kicked ashore, released the drum and crawled up onto the beach. She lay there for a moment, gathering herself before she managed to climb shakily to her feet.

The sun had set and the light was fading as she climbed the riverbank. She recognized the park from where they had waited for the raft the day prior. Remembering the way to the road she hugged her arms around her body and hobbled toward it.

She waited beside the road for ten minutes without a car appearing. Shivering uncontrollably she started walking in the direction of the ranger station.

It wasn’t long till a flash of headlights warned her of an approaching vehicle.

She stood in the middle of the road waving her arms. A pickup stopped with a screech of tires.

A door opened and an agitated voice yelled out at her, “What the hell are you doing in the middle of the road, woman? I could have killed you.”

Ali staggered toward the truck. “I need help. I just came off the river. My friends are in trouble.”

The elderly driver was a sixth generation mountain man and immediately recognized the onset of hypothermia. He grabbed his jacket from the truck, threw it over her shoulders and bundled her into the cab. Moments later, with the heater blazing they drove toward town.

“I’m going to get you to the hospital.”

“No, no,” Ali managed through teeth chattering like a machine gun. “My friends need help. Please, take me to the ranger station.”

He frowned. “You sure? Those lips of yours are pretty blue.”

She nodded.

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