Whispering Spirits (20 page)

Before she had a chance to argue, Running
Crane let out a yelp and slid to his butt. Several twists and
turns, rolls and loud grunts, he quickly made his way down the
hillside.

His voice echoed across the valley and the
man running ahead of them came to a halt and looked back her way.
“Running Crane,” she shouted. “You okay? Answer me,” she shouted
again.

In an over-exaggerated posture, she stretched
to look downhill. She glanced up without moving her head and
noticed the man actually changed directions and now ran toward
them. It had worked. Now what would they do? They should have
thought it through before acting. She hurried after Running Crane,
sliding and scraping her hands as she grabbed weeds to slow her
progress.

Having reached the bottom of the hill, Summer
sat staring at Running Crane. “That was fun,” she exaggerated the
thrill of the demanding descent. “He took the bait. What do we do
now?”

“I’ve been giving that some thought. He’ll be
here in about ten minutes. I think we should stand behind those two
large trees. He’ll never see us coming up from across that back
stretch. We’ll let him pass by and then we’ll grab him when he
least expects it.”

For lack of a better plan, Summer nodded in
agreement to his suggestion. None of this seemed real. When had her
life become threatened at every turn? Her father was missing. Her
grandmother was being held hostage. “Running Crane, who do you
really think has that paper Worthington is looking for?”

“You.”

“What? What are you talking about? I’m
telling you, I don’t have a clue.” She leaned her back against the
large pine tree and it seemed to vibrate with foreboding. She
glanced over at him and quickly pressed her index finger against
her lips.

Several snaps of sticks warned of an
approaching hiker. He ran past them, then paused, and swung around
facing them.

“Thought I didn’t know you were here, didn’t
you?” He pointed his gun at Summer.

“Where’s Bradley? I’m sure we saw him near
the cottonwoods, not you.” She glared at Stuart.

“Seems he was undercover after all. I caught
him leaving trail signs for who I don’t have a clue. But there
wasn’t much doubt he’d been playing me all along. Our loud
conversation about Babb worked, but it seems Bradley had other
plans.”

“What other plans?” Running Crane drew
Stuart’s attention as well as the direction the gun pointed.

Summer kicked the gun and it fired into the
sky before landing down the hill among the weeds. Running Crane
dropped his pack and dived at Stuart. Catching a fist on the jaw,
Running Crane flinched. He punched Stuart in the stomach. He
staggered back and before he could set himself, Running Crane swung
a powerful right that sent Stuart sprawling.

Chapter Ten

Wasting no time, Summer scrambled to the
other side of the hill to look for the gun. She dropped to her
knees and moved the tall grass around. Where could it have
gone?

“You looking for this?”

She looked up at Stuart…and the barrel of his
gun. He hadn’t found it…he’d had a second gun and wanted her to
think he’d found the weapon she’d kicked away.

“You murdered Bradley, didn’t you?” She
glanced around searching for Running Crane.

“Well, you might say it was more like
self-defense. He came at me with a knife and we wrestled and rolled
some…next thing you know the knife was sticking in his chest. Funny
how things like that can happen. You two have more lives than a
cat. That’s gonna end here. I once told you I’d make you pay for
killing my brother—”

“Strange you should say that since I’m pretty
sure you killed Derek yourself.”

“I wouldn’t kill my own brother. Besides we
were tight.”

“Either you’re lying to me…or Bradley—”

“That bastard! Damn glad I killed him.”

“Guess you’re even then. Why don’t you just
let me go? Worthington won’t have a clue and I’m sure not going to
tell him.”

“Wish I could, but Worthington would pay a
bonus if I were to bring you back to him. I can’t pass up that kind
of money. Nothing personal, Summer.”

She glared at the man. “You told Bradley you
didn’t know who Worthington’s girlfriend was…but I’ll bet you lied.
I think you know…don’t you?” From his expression she guessed he
knew a lot more than he was saying.

“Get over there and tie your boyfriend’s
hands behind his back.”

“I thought you killed him.” She rushed to
Running Crane’s side.

“I should have, but I’m more interested in
the money he’ll fetch instead.”

Summer knelt next to Running Crane’s unmoving
body, then caught a glimpse of steel. The other gun waited barely a
reach away. “What should I tie him with?” She moved over to the
other side of his body and stooped down, low enough to feel cold
steel beneath her fingers.

“I don’t give a damn what you use. Just
figure it out and hurry it up.”

Summer slipped the gun under her shirt and
moved back to face Running Crane. She unbuckled his belt and pulled
hard. Leaning closer to him, she whispered, “If you can hear me,
reach under by blouse and take the gun.”

She didn’t expect him to respond but managed
to work the belt with energy, disguising his movements to take
possession of the gun.

“What’s the plan, Stuart? You taking us back
to StoneHouse?”

“Hell, no I’m not. We have barely a mile to
go and we’ll be at Babb. I’ll turn you over to Worthington
there…and good riddance.”

“You really think he’s gonna pay you and let
you leave…just like that?” She hoped bating Stuart would take his
mind off tying Running Crane.

“Why wouldn’t he?”

“Couple of reasons. First, consider the fact
that Bradley was soon to become Worthington’s son-in-law. He tried
killing him, didn’t he? You aren’t even that close to the man. The
only reward he’s going to give you is a shot between the eyes like
Willie got.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

“How are you possibly going to stop the man?
He’s powerful with a bank account that has no limit. He doesn’t
care about you.”

“Hurry up, what’s taking so long?”

She could tell Stuart’s level of uncertainty
increased. “It’s not easy to remove a belt from an unmoving man.
You ever try it? Maybe you should come down here and help me?”

“Ain’t that stupid, girl. Bradley told me you
have a couple years of what…oh yeah, defensive fighting training.
How stupid do you take me for?”

“Guess you’re smarter than Derek, then.”

“Shut your mouth about my brother. It weren’t
his fault he got into that fight with your boyfriend. He shoulda
told Derek where that paper was and he’d still be alive.”

Summer sat back on her heels and looked at
Stuart. “Did it ever occur to you that he never had that paper
Worthington is looking for?” His expression revealed it’d never
have occurred to him. “Bradley said…well never mind. I’m tired of
all this speculation and drama. I wish someone would just give him
that damn paper and this would all be over.”

“What did Bradley say? You better tell me,
girl.”

Summer smiled. “Why should I? What?
Worthington has a reward for the person who brings him that paper,
doesn’t he?” She smirked at Stuart.

“Five thousand smackers.”

“It’s worth about five billion smackers and
that’s all he’s rewarding you? I think he’s one stupid cheapskate.
You should find that paper and ask for a cool million dollars.”

“No fucking way!”

“Why not? Haven’t you been asking yourself
why he wants that paper so badly? Don’t you wonder what it’s really
about? Surely you don’t think it’s only about a few test results,
do you? You must be more stupid that I ever imagined.”

“Shut the fuck up! I ain’t stupid. What
aren’t you telling me?”

Smiling to herself, Summer stretched her neck
first to one side then the other. “Bradley didn’t tell you
anything? Some partner he was.”

“Bradley wasn’t my partner. It was Derek,
Jordan and Joshua.”

“Aren’t you just a bit curious where Joshua
has been all this time?”

“What you saying?”

“While you’re here busting your hump chasing
after Running Crane and me, he’s out there looking for that
document. How much you want to bet he might even have found it? Is
he going to split his finder’s fee with you?” The look on Stuart’s
face told her she’d pushed the right button.

“That son-of-a-bitch! Wait until I get my
hands on his sorry ass.”

“He must know you’re working for Worthington
and you’d be busy. That gives him the freedom to go after the
document. If he hasn’t contacted you with his plan, I’d say he
figures to run solo.” She considered she might have pushed a bit
too hard…Stuart might see right through it. “Then again, I could be
all wrong. You guys are partners and you’re the only two left. I’m
sure he’d never consider cheating you out of your share, like
Worthington would.” Summer pulled on Running Crane’s belt and it
gave way, sending her sprawling to the ground.

He jumped up, pointing a gun at Stuart. “Drop
the gun, Stuart. I really don’t want to shoot you. Summer get
behind me.”

She scrambled to her feet and trembling
leaned against Running Crane’s back. She was tired, hungry, thirsty
and so done with guns and running.

“You shoot me and I shoot you. Guess we have
us a standoff.”

“Maybe we should consider working together,”
Running Crane said.

“I don’t follow you.”

“I don’t think Worthington has any intention
of letting any of us live, and that includes you, Stuart. I don’t
have a clue where Joshua is, but I’m guessing he’s knee deep in
Worthington’s business.”

“Even if you’re right about Worthington, I
can’t back out now. He’d kill me for sure.”

“He’s going to kill you anyway. Why not try
saving yourself by helping Summer and me? I have the law on my side
and if you help us, I’ll see about getting you immunity.”

Summer could tell Stuart considered Running
Crane’s offer. “If you can’t bring yourself to helping us, then let
us go. Tell Worthington we got away.”

“That’s just it…he’d know. I can’t take the
chance.”

“Maybe I should shoot you in the arm. He’d
believe you then.” Running Crane shift his weight, then pulled the
trigger. The gun dry-fired.

“You tried shooting me!” Stuart shouted. His
reddened face revealed his immediate anger.

Summer couldn’t help being surprised by
Running Crane’s actions herself. She glanced at him and caught his
shove square on the shoulder, sending her sprawling to the
ground.

Running Crane dived at Stuart and the gun
fired. She waited to see which man dropped to the ground. Instead,
they continued fighting, rolling on the ground and punching each
other. She searched around, and spotted the gun. Within seconds she
recovered it and stood, hands extended, holding the weapon toward
them.

“Come on guys, stop fighting. I’ve got the
gun and we’re all going to decide our next—”

“This day just keeps getting better and
better,” Stuart scrambled to his feet.

Running Crane slowly stood. She could tell he
was about as spent as she was. They both could drop from the lack
of sleep and food.

“You go your way and we’ll go ours. We’ve had
enough killing to last a lifetime.” Summer breathed deeply as
Running Crane moved her way.

“That’s not how it works. It’s kill or be
killed.” He dived at Summer.

His sudden movement caused her to jump…she
pulled the trigger. The loud shot and recoil from the gun sent her
sprawling backwards.

Stuart hit the ground, pushed himself up, and
he sat clutching his shoulder. “You bitch! You shot me!”

“I didn’t mean to…you shouldn’t have come at
me,” she shouted back.

“What now? You going to finish me off?”

“Give me that gun, Summer,” Running Crane
said.

She gladly handed it over. “I wish you had
decided to cooperate with us, Stuart. I’ve no doubt you would have
killed us if you had the chance.”

“Damn right, and I still could. You have no
idea what Worthington can do. Even if he went to prison, he’d be
able to find and kill me. The choice isn’t mine. What now?”

“We’re going to get a hotel room where Summer
and I are going to get something to eat and some sleep. By the
looks of you, you’re going to a hospital and find yourself
arrested.”

“What the fuck! You’re having me arrested for
what?”

“You have to ask?” Running Crane shook his
head. “Murder, accessory to kidnapping and several attempted
murders, and to be honest the list goes on.”

“Like what?”

“Failure to help an investigation and
assaulting an officer. I’m sure I could find several others if
you’re feeling neglected with those. Summer, would you mind tying
his hands behind his back.”

“Shit, you don’t need to do that,” Stuart
held his injured shoulder with his right hand.

“You think that’s necessary? Won’t that
really hurt his shoulder more?” Summer didn’t care if Stuart felt
pain or not, but she didn’t want him dying at her hand either.

“I’m tired and not in the mood to watch his
every move. If we don’t get some sleep pretty soon we’re just going
to drop.”

Running Crane had a point. She could barely
stand for need of sleep. Her body cried for nourishment. She nodded
and used the belt she’d pulled from Running Crane’s jeans and bound
Stuart’s hands behind his back. With his hurt shoulder, there was
no way he’d be able to maneuver himself free.

* * *

The shower barely revived her. She’d washed
her bra and panties in the sink and dried them with the hair dryer.
If only she could wash the shirt and jeans she’d been in for three
days…that felt like ten. They’d been pushing themselves beyond the
breaking point and so much had happened.