Cochise_A Montana Bounty Hunters Story Read online

  She sniffed left then right, and then must have found something that excited her, because she gave a growly whine and darted forward.

  Sammy flew behind Jamie and Tessa, feeling as though she’d found her second wind. They moved quickly, down into a ravine and then up the other side, Tessa stopping here and there to find the trail then rushing forward again, her tail wagging.

  Sammy nearly ran into Jamie when she suddenly halted. Breath hitching, Sammy moved to her side and glanced downward. Tessa was whining as she danced around a sunflower-yellow backpack. Red was smeared on the side of the bag.

  Cochise cupped Sammy’s hand. She leaned against his shoulder, taking strength from him. “It’s her bag.”

  “I know.”

  “We have to be close.”

  Jamie knelt and touched the blood. “It’s dry. Not fresh. Might be from the boyfriend,” she said, glancing up at Sammy. Then she opened the baggie she’d carried into the forest and held it under the dog’s nose again. “Such!”

  Again, Tessa sniffed in a pattern, left to right, before moving to a new spot. The second she caught the scent, her tail wagged, and she shot forward again.

  Ten minutes later, they followed a path that hugged an eight-feet tall rock outcropping, while the other side fell away into a deep, saddle-shaped depression.

  Tessa found a pale green bracelet with a pineapple charm.

  Jamie handed it to Sammy. “I like your sister. She’s keeping a cool head.”

  Sammy took the bracelet and stuffed it into her front jeans pocket with the rest of them. Sheri would want them back. She’d been collecting them for months.

  Up ahead, Tessa lifted her nose. Her body went completely still, and her ears pricked forward as she glanced down into the depression.

  Jamie walked to the dog, knelt beside her, and clipped a lead to her collar.

  They all crouched and held still, listening, hoping to hear what had alerted the dog.

  Then Sammy heard it. Low cursing. A female crying.

  “Fucking bitch!”

  The sound came from directly beneath them.

  “Looks like they fell,” Sky whispered and pointed toward brush on the side of the hill that appeared flattened.

  “Comms on,” Jamie said.

  Sammy reached to her earpiece and tapped it on.

  “We’ll need to come at them from both sides.” Cochise glanced toward Jamie and Sky. “Why don’t you two head farther down the trail and find a place to climb down. Sammy and I will head back about twenty. I saw rocks we can scale.”

  Everyone moved quietly apart. Sammy kept on Cochise’s heels, following his example and crouching low in case anyone below happened to look up.

  The rocks that lined a small gully provided a ladder for them to climb down into the depression. Once on the ground, Sammy again followed Cochise, moving tree to bush, taking cover as they grew nearer to the place where they’d heard the voices.

  The fact Ford had gone silent alarmed Sammy. Had she come this far to lose her sister in the last few minutes? Then Cochise knelt behind a large leafy bush and motioned for her to join him. He pushed aside branches, giving her a view into a clearing.

  Sammy gasped. Her sister was on her hands and knees, warily watching Ford as he paced beneath the bluff, his left arm held tight against his side as he studied the rocks.

  After reassuring herself that her sister appeared fine, she studied Ford, noting the holster strapped to his thigh and the compass he held on his palm. They were maybe thirty feet away. Her sister knelt between them and Ford. From this angle, they couldn’t risk a shot.

  “We have eyes on Ford and Sheri,” Cochise whispered. “He’s armed. Might have injured his left arm.”

  “Almost there,” Jamie said softly through the earpiece. “Left Tess in a down-stay on the trail above.”

  “Ford’s thirty feet from us, but Sheri’s between us.”

  After a couple of minutes… “We’re at to your ten o’clock.”

  “I’m going to try to get Sheri’s attention,” Sammy whispered. “Tell her to keep down.”

  Cochise gripped her arm as she began to move past him. His jaw tightened, and his gaze bored into hers.

  I know, she mouthed, and then gave him a small, sweet smile. He was worried about her, which she appreciated, but she was a professional, too. She wasn’t going to sit on her hands while the others put themselves in harm’s way for her sister.

  After a moment, his gaze fell away, and he released her and turned his attention back to the pair in the clearing.

  Sammy felt warmed by his concern, and happy that he trusted her to do her part. He didn’t like that he couldn’t protect her, which was his instinct. Given his history, she understood.

  She moved away, staying low, crawling on her belly at one point to sneak behind a bush about fifteen feet from her sister. There, she came to her knees and searched the ground for a pebble.

  When she found one, she waited until Ford’s back was to her and tossed the pebble at her sister, striking her arm.

  Sheri glanced at her arm, saw the pebble on the ground, then frowned as she glanced toward the bush where Sammy sat hidden. Sammy pulled back a branch and placed her finger to her mouth.

  Her sister’s eyes widened then filled with tears. Sammy shook her head and let the branch conceal her again. As much as she wished she could have reassured her more, at least her sister knew she wasn’t alone.

  * * *

  “Sheri knows we’re here,” Sammy whispered over the comms.

  Cochise let out a breath. “Now, Sammy, sit tight.”

  “Ready when you are,” she said, her tone even.

  Stubborn woman. He was too worried about her, which he knew meant his brain wasn’t where it needed to be. Again, he drew slow, calming breaths and attempted to clear his mind of any emotion. “You call it, Jamie, Sky.”

  “If we rush him, he’ll have time to draw,” Sky said.

  “Anyone with a clear shot?” Jamie asked.

  Silence.

  “Okay, so we have to get closer,” she said.

  Cochise’s heart settled. He leaned to the side to check Ford’s location, estimating how close he would have to get, and at what angle, to take him down. “Sammy, sit tight. I’m getting closer. When we move, you look after your sister.”

  “Will do.”

  Cochise moved away from where he knew Sammy hid, not wanting to accidently draw attention her way. He made a wide circle, then moved with his back to the rocks at the base of the short cliffside where Ford and Sheri had fallen. With his weapon held up against his chest, he moved slowly, keeping his gaze to his right, knowing that he and Ford would eventually meet.

  He was close enough he heard the man’s feet stomping, and then the sounds stopped.

  Cochise edged closer and peered around a rock.

  Ford tossed a map to the ground beside Sheri, who angled her body away. When he went to his knees, he turned suddenly, snaked out an arm, and caught her wrist with his right hand. “This is your fucking fault. Think you could push me over the cliff, and that I wouldn’t take you with me?” He pulled her so close his head was only inches from hers. “Stupid bitch, I coulda been in Canada by now.”

  Sheri’s chin tilted upward. “Think the Mounties wouldn’t know you’re coming? People are out here, looking for you.”

  Cochise knew she was deliberately distracting him, but he needed Ford to move away. Don’t provoke him, girl. He didn’t want to see her get hurt.

  With his face in profile, he saw Ford’s lips pull away from his teeth in a snarl. “Maybe, but I still got you. Now that your boyfriend’s not around to make noise…” He leaned toward her, and Sheri turned away her face. He gave her cheek a long lick.

  Rage flared inside Cochise’s chest.

  “We have to hold steady,” Jamie whispered. “He’s too close to her.”

  Cochise drew deep breaths, again seeking that icy chill he always found, but this time, his body continued to v
ibrate. He pressed his back against the rocks, grinding against a rough edge to distract him from the urge to charge into the clearing.

  About then, he heard a rustling near Sammy’s position. He turned his head, knowing what was about to happen and unable to do a damn thing about it.

  A moment later, Sammy walked into the clearing, her hands raised.

  “Goddammit,” Sky whispered. “What the fuck is she doing?”

  Cochise watched in horror as Ford pushed off the ground and pulled his weapon, holding it out shoulder level and glancing around wildly, likely wondering if more people were in the bushes.

  “It’s just me,” Sammy said.

  Ford’s eyes were wide and glaring. “Get over here,” he said, jerking his gun to motion her forward. When she was just a few feet from him, he moved closer and pressed the muzzle of his pistol against her chest, right over her heart. “Who the fuck are you?”

  Sheri began to sob, the sounds breathy and chopping apart.

  Even though he was going nuts inside, Cochise couldn’t help but admire Sammy’s stillness.

  “I was worried about my sister,” she said, her voice low and calm. “She and her boyfriend showed me the trail they’d be following before they left home, so when they didn’t check in with me last night… I had to come. I followed the trail, and then I heard you shouting. It’s how I found you.”

  Ford moved the muzzle to her forehead.

  Cochise’s heart slowed. Cool prickled over his skin.

  Sammy’s shoulders stiffened. “Pull that trigger,” she said, her voice dead calm, “and every cop and park ranger will be all over you. They know you’re here. Brady was found. And he’s alive.”

  Sheri cried out and covered her face with her hands.

  Ford lowered his handgun and pointed it at her sister. “Get over there.”

  Sammy gave a curt nod and moved sideways to her sister.

  “On your knees.”

  “Why are you wasting your time?” Sammy asked. “The border’s just a few miles north. You don’t need us slowing you down. Leave us. By the time we find any law enforcement, you’ll already be in Canada.”

  “And if they find me first?” he snarled.

  “You think a hostage is going to make a difference? You’re only going to make it harder on yourself. We’ll slow you down.”

  Cochise could tell her words were giving Ford second thoughts about his course of action. His gaze darted between the women and the woods.

  When he glanced away, Sammy edged closer to her sister, and Cochise realized she was moving between Ford and Sheri. She’d set up his shot.

  “Babe,” he whispered, knowing she could hear him, “on your say, I’m ready.”

  “On three,” she whispered.

  Ford’s gaze swung back, and he frowned. “What?”

  “One, two…three!”

  At the same moment she dove over her sister, Ford pointed his weapon at her back. Cochise didn’t hesitate. He stepped away from the cliffside and fired, hitting Ford in the center of his chest.

  Ford jerked and glanced down as blood blossomed and spread across his shirt. Confusion deepened his frown until his jaw slackened, and he fell first to his knees, and then toppled face-first into the dirt.

  Cochise ran into the clearing, his heart racing, because he wasn’t sure Ford hadn’t fired.

  He kicked away Ford’s weapon, although he was certain the man was dead, then slid to his knees beside Sammy and her sister.

  When he touched her shoulder, she glanced back and sagged against Sheri.

  Cochise went with his gut and gathered up both women in his arms and held them against his chest. Both women were safe. Sammy hadn’t been hit. He let out a shuddering breath.

  Sheri pulled back first. “Brady’s really alive?”

  “Far as I know,” Cochise said. “We left him with one of our team. Help was on the way. He was able to give us enough information for us to keep tracking you. His first thoughts when we found him were about you.”

  Her face crumpled, and she sank against his chest. “That asshole cut his throat. No warning at all. We were doing everything he told us to do, and he still…”

  Sammy reached out and cupped the corner of her shoulder. “Did he hurt you, Sheri?” she asked softly.

  Sheri shook her head. “He walked into our camp last night, pointing that gun. Said we’d be taking a long walk with him. The way he looked at me…” Her mouth trembled. “Brady said we’d slow him down if he touched me. Made him pretty mad. This morning, he said he didn’t need both of us. He stepped behind Brady and cut his throat. Then took his backpack and forced me to leave him. Hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I was so sure he was dead.” She sobbed against Cochise’s chest.

  Sammy’s arm came around his back, and she leaned her weight against him. “You’re probably pretty mad at me,” she murmured.

  Cochise closed his eyes, thinking about the moment she’d stood and walked toward Ford. “Pretty damn mad, yeah.”

  “I had to do it. We couldn’t get close enough. If he’d heard us moving in… He was too close to her.”

  Cochise hugged her and kissed her forehead. “I get why you did it, but you owe me for scaring years off my hide.”

  A shrill whistle sounded, and barking sounded in the distance.

  Already in the clearing, Jamie knelt beside them. She smiled downward. “Nice to meet you, Sheri McCallister.” She held out her hand, and Sheri shook it. “Nice trick with the bracelets.”

  Sheri wiped her eyes and gave a tremulous smile. “It’s all I could think of.” Her gaze went to Sammy. “I wasn’t sure you’d even realize I was in trouble until it was too late, but I knew I had to try to send you a message.”

  “We’re going to have to walk out,” Cochise said. “You up for that? Were you hurt when you two went over the cliff?”

  She gave him a crooked grin. “He broke my fall.” Her smile faded. “He’s dead, right? I know I shouldn’t wish it—”

  Cochise cut her off with a shake of his head. He didn’t want her feeling even an ounce of regret over Ford’s death. “Yeah, he’s gone. He won’t hurt anyone ever again.”

  * * *

  They left Sky and Jamie with the body and trekked back in the direction they’d left Brady and Hook. Along the way, they retrieved all the backpacks. As Cochise shouldered three bags, they heard the whomp-whomp of helicopters flying above them. About midway back, they met up with park rangers, and they radioed to federal authorities who’d arrived to assist with the search.

  After giving them directions to Ford’s body, and promising they’d speak with authorities to give their statements before leaving the park, they continued along the trail. When they reached the path, they found Hook sitting with Farley Whitehead, both of them eating MREs when they arrived.

  Sammy glanced around but saw that Brady was no longer there.

  “Where’s Brady?” Sheri asked, wringing her hands.

  Farley gave her a smile. “Your man was airlifted a little while ago.” He held up a radio. “They already have him at the hospital in Kalispell. Looks like he’s going to make it.”

  Sheri closed her eyes. “Thank you, Jesus.”

  Cochise moved toward Farley and shook his hand. “You got out here pretty quick.”

  Farley pointed down the trail. A horse was tied to a tree, eating leaves from a bush. “You folks sit tight. We’ve got people coming on ATVs to get you out.”

  Sammy’s shoulders sagged. They wouldn’t have to make another “forced march” to get back. Thank God. Now that the danger was past, fatigue was hitting her hard.

  Cochise dropped the backpacks and began pulling out MRE packages. He quickly heated meals for the women and himself. Sheri tried to wave away the one he handed to her, but he kept it outstretched. “You’re running on fumes. When the adrenaline begins to leave your system, you’re going to need this. Eat. Quit being stubborn.”

  Sheri gave him a little frown but begrudgingly accep
ted the meal, and then sat cross-legged on the trail and began to eat.

  “Stubborn must be in the genes,” Cochise drawled.

  Sammy arched a brow. “And you’re not?”

  He grunted and dug into his food.

  Hook chuckled.

  Sheri glanced at Sammy. “You know these guys?”

  “They’re…friends,” she said. “Bounty hunters from Bear Lodge. They helped me track you down.”

  “So, they were getting paid to bring Ford back? Does it matter that he’s dead?”

  Hook shrugged. “We’ll get our bounty.”

  “Good.” She was silent for a moment, and then said, “So, how does one become a bounty hunter?”

  Sammy choked on her food and began coughing.

  Cochise grinned. “Most of us at Montana Bounty Hunters are ex-military, but a law enforcement background comes in handy, too. One of our hunters was just plain nosy enough to be really good at tracking people. There’s not any one way to become a hunter.”

  Her sister studied his face. Sammy knew she should be a little alarmed at her interest. She didn’t want Sheri sidetracked by becoming enthralled with her rescuers.

  “My sister wants me to go to college. I might look into Criminal Justice.”

  “You could be a lawyer…” Sammy muttered.

  “Where would be the fun in that?”

  Hook and Cochise laughed—no doubt because Sammy knew she must look poleaxed. She schooled her expression into a neutral mask and finished her meal.

  Just as they were packing away their trash, the sound of engines could be heard in the distance. Four ATVs appeared over a hill and slowed to a stop.

  Farley strode toward the group and chatted with them while the rest of their party hung back. Sammy wanted all of them to get out of the woods together, but if the rangers couldn’t accommodate them all, she knew the men would insist on her and her sister leaving.

  As it turned out, that was exactly what happened.

  Sammy felt a flutter of panic as the women were herded toward the vehicles. There was no time for her to have a word alone with Cochise, to thank him. And to find out when she might see him again.