Page 38 of Close Protection

"You first," Julia directed. "I'll seal it behind us."

Ivy hesitated only a moment before dropping to her knees and entering the passage. Julia followed immediately, pulling the dresser partially back into place using a rope attached to its leg, then securing the small door from the inside. Darkness enveloped them, absolute and disorienting.

"Wait," Julia whispered, extracting a small flashlight. The narrow beam illuminated rough-hewn wooden supports and earthen walls, a tunnel that didn't so much invite passage as reluctantly permit it.

In the confined space, Julia became acutely aware of Ivy's proximity—her controlled breathing, the subtle scent of her shampoo beneath the cabin's lingering woodsmoke, the tension radiating from her body. Julia pushed the awareness aside, focusing instead on the mission parameters: extract, evade, secure.

"Stay close," she murmured, leading the way through the narrow passage. "The tunnel runs about fifty yards before opening into the ravine. From there, we'll have forest cover, but we'll need to move quickly."

They crawled in silence, the earth pressing close around them. Twice the tunnel narrowed to the point where they had to turn sideways to continue. Julia kept her focus forward, ignoring the primal discomfort of being underground. Behind her, Ivy moved with surprising agility, matching Julia's pace without complaint.

"Almost there," Julia whispered, seeing light filtering through what appeared to be loose boards ahead. She extinguished the flashlight and slowed her approach, listening intently for any sound that might indicate danger waiting at the tunnel's exit.

Nothing but the gentle patter of lingering rain on leaves and the distant call of a bird. Natural sounds. Undisturbed forest.

Julia reached the exit, carefully testing the wooden cover. It moved easily, designed to appear as nothing more than forest debris to casual observation. She eased it aside just enough to peer out, scanning the ravine systematically. Steep earthen walls covered in undergrowth. Trees providing dappled cover. No sign of human presence.

"Clear," she whispered. "I'll go first, establish security. Wait for my signal."

Without waiting for acknowledgment, Julia slipped through the opening, her body transitioning smoothly from the confines of the tunnel to the tactical crouch of someone expecting hostile contact. Gun drawn, she moved in a careful circle, covering all approach angles, before returning to the tunnel entrance.

"Come," she signaled, one hand extended to help Ivy navigate the exit.

Ivy emerged into the morning light, blinking rapidly as her eyes adjusted. The ravine stretched before them, a natural channel running downhill through the forest, offering both cover and a clear route away from the cabin.

"We follow the ravine," Julia instructed, voice low. "Move only when I move. Stop when I stop. If I drop, you drop. Understood?"

Ivy nodded, determination etched across her features. The academic was gone, replaced by someone ready to fight for her survival. Julia felt a surge of respect that she quickly channeled into focus.

In the distance, a dull boom echoed through the forest—Morgan's diversion righton schedule. Immediately after, the faint sound of vehicle engines coming to life carried through the trees.

"Now," Julia said, and they began their descent into the ravine, leaving the compromised safe haven behind.

The ravine narrowed as they descended, the sides growing steeper with each yard. Julia moved with practiced efficiency, placing each foot deliberately on the slick terrain. Behind her, Ivy matched her pace, maintaining the precise distance Julia had established—close enough for communication, far enough for independent movement if necessary.

The rain had transformed the forest floor into a treacherous landscape of exposed roots and sucking mud. Twice, Ivy nearly fell, catching herself on overhanging branches. Julia registered each stumble without turning, cataloging Ivy's endurance against the distance remaining to the extraction point.

They were making good time. Too good.

Julia slowed, instinct prickling along her spine. The ravine ahead curved sharply right, creating a blind corner—a naturalchoke point ideal for ambush. She raised her fist in the universal signal to halt.

Ivy froze instantly, her breathing controlled despite the exertion of their descent. Julia felt another surge of respect for her adaptability—she might lack tactical training, but she possessed something equally valuable: the ability to follow direction without hesitation when it mattered.

Julia gestured for Ivy to remain in place, then moved forward alone, approaching the bend with the careful silence that had become second nature. She pressed her back against the ravine wall, mud cold against her shoulders, and listened.

Nothing but forest sounds: the drip of rain from leaves, the rustle of branches overhead, the soft gurgle of water finding its path downhill. Yet her instincts screamed in warning.

She eased forward, just enough to peer around the corner. The ravine continued its descent, widening into what appeared to be a small clearing where a fallen pine had created a natural bridge across the deepening gully.

And on that bridge, a figure waited—motionless, patient, watching the path they would need to take.

Professional. Ex-military, judging by the positioning—optimal sightlines, multiple exit options, natural cover. The dark clothing blended with the wet pine bark, making the figure difficult to distinguish from the forest itself. Not a random pursuit team. A specialized asset. An assassin.

Julia withdrew silently, returning to where Ivy waited.

"Trouble?" Ivy whispered, reading the answer in Julia's expression before she could speak.

"One operative ahead," Julia replied, voice barely audible. "Positioned to intercept. We need an alternate route."

---