Chapter Fourteen: The Gorge: June 29 – 8:00 AM

A panorama of towering trees encircled her startling habitat as she slowly emerged from the murky depths of unconsciousness. Too weak to rise, Amanda waited as her senses defined the severity of the situation. Pain throbbed in her forehead, and the metallic taste of blood congealed on her lips. The sound of roiling water rushed nearby, and the smell of rain lingered in the air.

Shivering, she noted that her t-shirt, cargo vest, and cut-off jeans were saturated. Even her canvas sneakers felt cold and squishy against her toes. Warding off the chill, she wound herself into a tight fetal position and contemplated the danger that threatened her life. Apparently she'd washed ashore during the flood and spent the warm summer night exposed to the blood-sucking mosquitoes that left trails of bites along her bare legs.

Scarcely raising her head, her eyes searched the riverbank for others. "Hello, is anybody there?" she called, but only the ambient sounds of the wilderness met her ears. Allowing her body to rest, the fog of her muddled brain began to lift, and soon she registered the truth her mind fought to repress.

"Oh God, no," Amanda cried as unwanted memories overwhelmed her thoughts. Her family had been kidnapped and forced to run the rapids in the pelting rain. The nemesis, Gregory, and her husband had fought and fallen into the river. Then the raft had flipped, spilling the family along the raging currents.

"Lee," she choked with anguish, remembering the swirling vortex that sucked the "love of her life" beneath the confluence of rivers to a certain death. And, "Oh Lord," her mind screamed; what about her precious children? Both were strong swimmers, but Phillip and Jamie were no match for a storm induced flood. Poor Carrie may have drowned, too, and Joe, left alone at the campsite, may have succumbed to his head injury.

Numb from the harsh reality and her darkest fears, she could hardly summon the emotion to sob, let alone the strength to rise and walk. What was the use if everyone was gone? How could she ever gather the courage to endure such brutal loss?

With her cheek pressed against the soggy earth, past tragedies challenged her fragile state—the death of her father while she was still in college and the demise of her first marriage when her children were small. Somehow she'd found the tenacity to overcome the grief.

Hadn't she just recovered from her near fatal gunshot wound and then faced a long separation from Lee when he was forced overseas? Yes, she'd survived and grown stronger from the heartbreaks. She'd fought the post-traumatic stress and found the willpower to persevere.

But this calamity? This was too much. How did anyone face inexplicable loss—when a car crash took one's spouse and children, or a tornado plummeted a neighborhood and killed everyone in its path? What about a platoon's last standing soldier or an orphaned child in a war-torn village? What about a city hit by an atomic bomb or holocaust survivors from a concentration camp? How did those still living ever recover from unfathomable tragedy?

Cruel life lessons defied her despair. What had Dr. Pfaff taught her during counseling, or Reverend Mills in his sermons, or Mother by her bedside? What had she learned about facing her worst fear, or holding fast to faith, or beginning again? Didn't each of them teach her the lesson of imagining the worst and then gathering the strength to move forward no matter what the circumstances?

"Get up," Amanda told herself. "You know the worst possible scenario; now confront the unknown." Once more life beckoned, propelling her to action. Gregory may still be out there, posing a threat to Phillip or Jamie or Carrie or Joe. She knew in every fiber of her being that someone desperately needed her assistance. With a silent prayer and a rush of hope, she rallied her courage and rose to soldier on through the light of day.

As her wilderness training kicked-in, Amanda pondered the hard choice between idly waiting for help to arrive and heading out on her own. Studying the towering cliffs and the fierce rapids on their trajectory downriver, she knew no one in her family could survive the steep drops and crashing whitewater. Far into the narrows, the ferocious river was too wild for even extreme enthusiasts. The odds of being found by other rafters were exceedingly slim.

No, if there were any family members still alive, they may have washed ashore upriver. She'd better head back the way she came. Turning around, she felt her instincts awaken. Roused by the tingle of goosebumps dotting her flesh, she saw a telltale sign. Far away from campgrounds and civilization, smoke rose from the riverbank. Like a lost traveler following the North Star, she chose the fire as her guidepost and set-out with renewed determination.

With the sun moving higher in the sky, the dampness of her clothes became a benefit. The day would certainly be another scorcher. Soon the tedious journey sapped Amanda's limited strength, and she was forced to shift her focus from rescue to survival. Leaving the muddy riverbank, she wandered inland in search of drinkable water. Hearing the babble of a brook, she rushed to the water's edge to relieve her parched throat and fill the plastic bottle strapped to her waist. Then, sparing only a minute, she rinsed the grim from her face, hair, and arms.

Refreshed from the respite, she retraced her steps and paused at the woods' periphery to remove a vine creeping along the ground. Pulling back her mane in a ponytail, she twirled the vine around her straggly locks and entwined a sprig of pink mountain laurel above her ear. She may not feel presentable to be seen by man or beast, but the very effort of tidying up provided a modicum of badly needed normalcy.

Famished, she remembered the emergency stash she always carried. Inside the pocket of her shorts, she found a crumbled but edible granola bar, still secured in its wrapper. Then checking all the nooks and crannies of her cargo vest, her fingers paused over the weighty object in the largest pocket.

Yanking at the flap, she reached inside and touched metal. "Oh my gosh! It's Lee's gun." The mere act of touching the weapon caused her Agency preparedness to take control. Checking the clip, she decided to fire. The sound of a gunshot may attract rescuers. Or Gregory, she remembered. She'd have to take the chance.

Returning to the riverbank, she aimed high and pulled the trigger. The noisy blast ratcheted off the canyon walls, amplifying the sound throughout the river valley.

Up River

Melrose slammed on the brakes, and the jeep lurched to a stop. "What was that?" he barked.

"Gunfire," Lee said, certain of the familiar sound. "It's coming from the Gorge narrows."

"Good, we're already headed in that direction. The narrows border the Dark Shadows area of the forest."

Lee fidgeted in his seat. "God, someone may have been shot," he said, his voice thick with alarm.

"Take it easy, Stetson. There could be any number of reasons for a gunshot."

Lee was single-minded in his conclusion. Fear seized his gut as his mind conjured up images of the dead or dying. All his instincts told him Amanda was connected to the loud blast. "Who the hell in our rafting group had a gun? I'm sure Gregory lost his revolver when I threw him off the raft. Dammit, he may have confiscated Edgar's weapon before we left the riverbank."

"Mom had a revolver," Jamie rasped from the back seat.

"What?" Shocked, Lee swiveled around to confront his stepson. Still angry at the boy for sabotaging their manhunt, he was reluctant to hear him out. "You know your mother wouldn't bring a gun on a family outing."

"She didn't; you did."

"My gun?" Lee started to deny the accusation, but thought better of it. "Ah, yeah, I thought it might come in handy if a poisonous snake tried to trip us up."

The kid leaned forward and poked his head between the two front seats. "I found the weapon in Mom's tent and assumed it was yours. When the Gregory guy shoved me inside to get the first aid kit, I slipped the gun into the box. I hoped my mother would know what to do when she found it under the bandages. She's pretty smart about everything, and besides she took a self-defense course with a former boyfriend. Do you think Mom could fire your gun?"

"I think your mother could figure it out." Lee blew out a long shaky breath and stretched out an arm to grip Jamie's shoulder. "Good thinking, Sport. I'm proud of you. Now, please, sit back, buckle up, and follow our orders."

"Yes, sir," the kid agreed, looking pretty pleased with himself.

Turning away, Lee smiled and shook his head at Jamie's emerging confidence. Maybe the shy be-speckled kid possessed hidden depths of courage along with his keen mind and observation skills. Maybe his stepson had even saved his mother's life. God, he hoped the kid's actions had spared the lives of both Amanda and Phillip. However, only miles of rough travel and the slow crawl of time would tell the whole story.

Billy caught Lee's eye. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

"No, it doesn't," the anxious stepfather said. "Like mother, like son."

Melrose hit the gas pedal. "Hang on, men. We're taking this buggy over some pretty rocky terrain."

Into the Forest

Billy Melrose stopped the jeep alongside a small army of park rangers and federal agents. Casting a wary glance toward Lee, he sized up the beleaguered tag-along, "Are you up for this, man?"

Somber but alert, Lee merely nodded.

Already organized, the search and rescue teams slipped into high gear as they zeroed in on the makeshift campsite, the smoking campfire, and a trail of footprints leading into the old-growth forest, known as Dark Shadows.

Jamie felt like he'd just slipped down a rabbit hole and been sucked into an alternative universe. Only in his dreams could he march in step with federal agents and forest rangers. However, his boyish excitement was more attuned to a terrifying nightmare than a pleasant dream. Shuddering, he remembered, dead or alive, Mom and Phillip were out there somewhere.

Tensing at the cold reality, he watched the investigators scour the area. All they produced were one filthy athletic sock, a comb missing two teeth, and a Bombers' baseball jersey. "Those belong to my brother," he said in a strangled voice. "Phillip must have survived the flood."

"Looks like," Lee replied as he hurried over and placed both hands firmly on Jamie's shoulders. "Chalk one up for the Junior Trailblazers."

After Melrose consulted with his federal agents and the supervising ranger, he approached Lee. "The bloodied footprints could be those of a barefoot boy, and the larger prints indicate the boots of a man. Possibly Phillip and Gregory are hiking through the woods together."

"It all fits, Billy," Lee said, his voice raspy with anguish when no mention was made about his wife. "Before Gregory forced us on our ill-fated rafting trip, he claimed his contacts would meet him in the forest. He'd hoped to kidnap Amanda and me by gunpoint, but apparently he's now executing his escape plan with Phillip as hostage."

Melrose nodded grimly. "Lee, I'm sorry, but there's no sign of Amanda. Given the fact that she's still missing, the teams are splitting up again. Some will continue to search the Gorge narrows, while the others comb the Dark Shadows area of the forest."

"Are we sticking with the river?" Lee asked, his jaw tense. Clearly, that would be his preference.

"No," Melrose answered with a firm shake of his head. "The jeep won't handle the rough terrain of the narrows, and you're not in any shape to set out on foot."

"Are they afraid Mom drowned?" Jamie asked in a hollow tone devoid of optimism. Fighting the urge to cry, his eyes sought Lee's.

The Stetson straight face was unreadable as Lee hid his emotions behind a stiff facade. "Take it easy, Sport. There's no reason to abandon hope. At least we have evidence that Phillip survived the flood."

Already moving toward the vehicles, Melrose waved them forward, and they all piled into the jeep. "Ranger Redman will accompany us along an old logging road while others hike through the wilderness on a more direct trail to the main road."

"The hikers will have a difficult trek through the tangled undergrowth of the Dark Shadows virgin forest," the ranger said, as he offered a friendly smile and squeezed his tall muscular frame into the jeep's backseat.

The boy did his best to make room. "My name's Jamie King," he said, with a hint of admiration in his voice. Keeping an eye on his morose stepfather, he was relieved when Lee managed a tight lipped smile for their new acquaintance.

Extending his large hand, his hurting stepdad introduced himself. "I'm Lee."

"Roy Redman," came the reply. "Call me Roy."

Jamie was awed by the spiffy uniform, the wide brim hat, and the firearm strapped to the fit body. "I never knew park rangers could carry guns," he said, overcoming his shyness in order to satisfy his inquiring mind.

Nodding affably, Ranger Redman gave the boy his full attention. "Some of us carry weapons. Law enforcement rangers have police powers and enforce national laws as well as park regulations."

"Wow," Jamie replied, imagining himself as a member of the park service someday. "The first ranger I met came to my elementary school to teach fire safety. He didn't carry a gun."

"But, he brought Smokey the Bear, right? And I bet the bear taught you a fire safety mantra."

"Ah, yeah, he did." Jamie cringed, hoping he wasn't expected to recite the words.

Billy and Lee came to his rescue. "Only you can prevent forest fires," they said in tandem. Jamie reddened when chuckles erupted from all three men." Maybe from now on, he'd better keep his mouth shut.

As they bumped along the barely passable road, the ranger expounded upon endangered species of plants and animals. With his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, he captivated Arlington Middle School's budding scientist with details of ground moss, mountain laurel, and the golden-wing warblers.

In no mood for a guided tour and obviously in great pain from his injuries, Lee slouched down in the front seat and yanked his baseball cap lower on his forehead. For his part, Mr. Melrose ignored the conversation and kept his eyes focused entirely on the dirt road. Soon the ranger took the cues from his quiet adult companions and settled into silence, too.

Grateful for the cool balm of the sheltered woods, Jamie felt his anxiety lessen as he concentrated on nature. The dense old-growth forest enveloped him like a walled fortress. Some of the trees had trunks two feet in diameter, and the largest pines stretched over a hundred feet toward the sky. Other trees were devoid of foliage and stood dark and denuded beneath the lush multi-layered green canopies that shaded the forest floor. No wonder the wooded area was named "Dark Shadows."

Soon Jamie's natural curiosity spawned questions that begged for answers. "How old is an old-growth forest?"

Ranger Redman brightened at the interest. "White oak and hemlock can live for more than 500 years, while red spruce rarely exceeds 300 years. Out of the 10,000,000 acres of virgin forest that existed before the Revolutionary War in what's now the State of West Virginia, only a few hundred acres of old-growth forest remain."

"What killed the old trees?"

"Wildfires, disease, insect infestations, and logging were the main culprits," Ranger Redman explained.

Opening his mouth with his next question, Jamie was suddenly thrust forward in his seat as the Jeep came to a jolting stop.

"Okay, let's quiet down, people," Melrose warned. "Even through the dense trees, I can see something suspicious around the next bend."

"What the hell is this?" Lee groused as he peered through binoculars. "There's a horse trailer tethered to a pick-up truck, about 100 yards ahead."

"Is it moving?" Melrose asked.

"No, just idling its engine."

Billy pulled a weapon from beneath his jacket. "Roy, let's check it out. Stetson, you wait in the car."

No surprise, Lee ignored the order and swung his door wide.

"Hey, you know the doctor's diagnosis," Melrose reminded with a harsh rebuke. "Stetson, you're nursing bruised ribs, and you have blurred vision from your concussion, so stay with your boy."

Irritated by the reprimand, Lee huffed at Jamie. "Come on, Sport; you're a sitting duck. I want you crouched behind the jeep."

Feeling like the whipping boy for the bossy chain of command, Jamie reluctantly complied. "Yes, sir."

As the twosome shifted to the rear of the jeep, Melrose and Redman began their trek with guns drawn. They'd not walked ten feet before a shot rang out from the woods. "Hit the dirt," Lee yelled as his strong arm pushed Jamie down and held him firmly against the ground. Flattened in the dust, they waited in silence.

When nothing more happened, Lee cautiously lifted his head. "Stay put," he warned his stepson. Then in a crouch he joined Mr. Melrose and Ranger Redman. "Billy, we've got to check-out the vehicles up ahead. I'll bet my life that Phillip's in that damn horse trailer."

"A search won't be necessary," a mild male voice intoned as if a pleasant neighbor was dropping in for coffee. Pushing through a Rhododendron thicket was the assailant Gregory and a well-armed accomplice. One look at Gregory's rigid demeanor proved it was no social call. "Drop your guns, or we'll drop you right here," he warned.

As his comrade motioned them to their feet and seized the weapons, another assailant appeared with a badly shaken Phillip King. "The lost brother has returned to the family fold," Gregory said with a mocking smirk.

"Lee," the boy cried as he was shoved toward familiar strong arms. "You're alive." Weak with relief, Phillip buried his face against the broad Stetson chest.

Lee tightened the embrace and attempted to sooth the frightened teen. "Take it easy, Chief."

Still overcome with emotion, Phillip reached for Jamie and initiated an awkward brotherly hug. "Wow, you made it, bro. I don't believe it." Then looking from Lee to Mr. Melrose to the ranger, and back to his brother, Phillip's pinched face blanched. "Where's Mom?"

Too sad to speak of his mother's absence, Jamie merely shrugged and quickly averted his eyes.

"She's . . . still missing," Lee replied, his raspy voice halting with the effort to admit the truth. "However, your dad and Carrie are safe and recovering in the hospital."

Phillip managed a faint smile, but failed to hide the disappointment that contorted his boyish features. "Jeez, I hope Mom's okay."

"She may yet rise from the abyss," Gregory said in his signature understated manner. "I know what your mother does, and she does it very well. If Mrs. King still has breath, I expect she'll want to contest my recent acquisition of her family. However, if the daring lady tries to foil my efforts again, then I'm prepared to even the score."

"Over my dead body," Lee snarled, his lips curling with contempt. "You've captured me, so end your damn crusade against my family."

"Your family?" Gregory replied, now privy to the well-kept secret. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen. No wonder you've lost your iron well and singular focus, Stetson."

"What are they talking about?" Phillip asked as he looked at his brother.

Jamie cupped his hand and leaned toward his sibling. "I don't understand Gregory's accusations, but I did find out Mom and Lee eloped last winter."

Phillip's head whipped around and his baffled expression challenged Lee. "Really?" Seeing confirmation shinning in the hazel eyes, the oldest boy nodded his approval. "Cool."

"Hmm, such a touching scene," Gregory said as he stroked his chin in contemplation. "Even KGB agents have soft spots when it comes to their offspring. What a pity that two such fine young boys won't have Stetson and King around to raise them to adulthood."

Phillip and Jamie looked to Lee for retaliation, but their stepdad only tightened his fists and fumed. "Apparently you don't understand a mother's fierce protection of her children, Gregory. Don't ever underestimate Amanda."

"Touché, Stetson. Your make a valid point." Then nodding at the other hostages, the Russian pondered the obvious dilemma. "Unfortunately there's still the pesky problem of the extras in our like drama."

Turning toward the Agency chief, Gregory offered a respectful nod. "So we meet again, Melrose."

Undaunted, Billy stared at the lanky nemesis. "Like counterfeit money, you keep showing up to inflict havoc. I'd fervently hoped to never lay eyes on you again, Gregory."

"I thought you'd be glad to see me, Melrose. You might say our relationship has proven comfortable over the years, even if we are on opposing sides. Regrettably, this time, there's no trade to arrange, but I'll gladly claim you as my property of highest value."

"Gregory, you're a man obsessed with his lackluster legacy. Like the Cold War, your career is fading, but you're still desperate to play the hero in the eyes of the KGB."

"If anyone is desperate, it's you, Melrose. History will deem you a failure when you confess your secrets in Moscow and die a broken man in prison."

"Our battle of wills isn't over yet," Billy said with measured words. "Win or lose on my side, I suspect you'll be the biggest loser. Gregory, you're a shadow of your original self because you've been unable to change over the decades and imagine a life beyond the dictates of communism."

Cool and detached, the KGB agent defied the indictment. "I'd rather die in a blaze of glory than betray my loyalty to the Soviet Union."

Then rebuffing Melrose, Gregory turned his attention to the ranger. "Regrettably, I have no need of the park police. A bullet to your head could lighten our load considerably." Signaling to his burly accomplice, Gregory stepped back as one of the gunman took aim at the unflinching Ranger Redman.

"Noooo," Phillip and Jamie protested, screaming from the tops of their lungs. In a flash, a distraught Lee yanked them against his chest, turned around, and shielded their eyes as the trigger was pulled.

"Click," came the faint sound of metal, striking terror into the group. Shocked, no one moved.

"Ah, a dud," Gregory announced with indifference. "An innocent is saved by a misfire. Little matter for now; I do detest a cold-blooded killing, don't you? If we can't find a use for you, the execution can be saved for later."

Then shoved from behind, the hostages found themselves herded toward the horse trailer and a journey they couldn't begin to contemplate.

TBC