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“Oh, God,” whispered the woman. “I had no idea. I mean, I didn’t know. It was dark, I couldn’t see a thing and honestly wouldn’t have cared. We were tired, hungry, and cold. Am I in trouble?”
“Not with the armored car company,” said Spook. She tilted her head in a questioning manner. “The men who robbed that armored car broke out of prison, and we believe, right about now, they’re chasing you, thinking that you took some of that money.”
“Sweet,” grinned Abigail.
“It’s not sweet!” said her aunt. “They think we have their money.”
“We didn’t take their money,” said Adelaide.
“We know, honey, but right now, we need to get the three of you out of here, and the river won’t do it. It’s too dangerous for the three of you,” said Kane.
“The girls are tired,” said Barb.
“We can walk, Aunt Barb. We’re okay,” said Adelaide.
“I tell you what,” said Dex. “My friend Kane and I are going to give you two piggyback rides. We’ll be back at the ranger station in no time. Can you hold on tight?”
The faces of the little girls lit up with the excitement of riding on the big men’s shoulders. The girls were small for their age, so Dex and Kane weren’t worried about carrying them.
“We have to get to the other side of the river,” said Spook. “I’m going to shoot a rope to the other side, secure it as a tether, and send the raft back tied to it. You guys load up with the girls, and I’ll pull you over.”
The little girls thought it was the best thing in the whole world. Barb, not so much. But when they were all safe on the other side of the river, she couldn’t have been more grateful.
“Code? Sly? We’ve got the aunt and two little girls. We’re on the opposite side of the river now. Let the others know we’re headed to the ranger station.”
“Roger that.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“They found the woman and kids,” said Nine. “That’s one less thing to worry about. Now, we have to find them.”
“Nine, we’re about a half mile in front of you. If you jog, we’ll hang back. We see them up ahead.”
“On our way.”
“You might want to make that jog a run. Zeke and Trak are getting itchy.”
“Shit,” came the echo of more than a dozen men. They took off in a fast jog or slow run, whatever you wanted to call it. It was only a few moments, and they could see their own three men up ahead.
Trak raised his hand, tapping it up and down to tell them to lower themselves and remain quiet.
“The wind is in our favor, but they’re stopped up ahead. They can see the raft on the other side of the river and the footprints. I’m guessing they’re angry,” said Zeke.
“Where did they get all the weapons?” asked Gaspar.
“I have that answer. Frank Joest has a younger sister, Francis, who worked for Grizzly Security. They always suspected she had something to do with the theft but couldn’t prove it. She’s also married to Tommy Carroll.”
“You’re fucking with me,” murmured Gaspar.
“I would never. Both kept it a secret. Even Grizzly didn’t know until I started digging. They’re looking for Francis, but guess what? No one can find her, and I’d bet my next paycheck that she’s waiting for a call from hubby and brother.”
“Shit. That means she’s out there, possibly with transportation, weapons, everything they need,” said Ian.
“We have to make a move,” said Trak. “They’re heading down the ravine, I think, to the raft.”
“Let’s go.”
Standing upright and moving quickly to the location ahead, the men lined the ravine edge, weapons in hand.
