Chapter 4: Things Fall Apart
Author's Note: Now things start to get hairy. I'm not telling you more than that because I want to make you read. Ha.
Disclaimer: Same as before
~~
The sound of the gunshot seemed almost surreal. "No!" Vin lunged for Ezra, but he missed grabbing the man by a matter of inches. Ezra's hand clutched his side and his eyes went wide. His legs sank from under him and he pitched over the edge of the trail. Vin watched, horrified, as he slipped down the hill and over the cliff and into the water below. The familiar green jacket slipped beneath the whitewater.
Sam's cry echoed, reverberating against the walls of the canyon. Vin felt like he had just been punched. His hawk like gaze swept downriver, searching for something, for anything. 'The river is deep here. He could make it. C'mon Ez.' He repeated the words inside his head like a mantra. Everything was quiet. The river ran, the horses breathed and overhead a crow called, but there was no sign of Ezra.
Vin fumed. His hands clenched into fists. He spun on his heel and leapt headlong at Lucas. The killer dodged Vin's wild attack and brought the butt of his pistol down on the sharpshooter's head. Vin sank to the earth, his face still twisted with uncharacteristic hate and rage. Lucas waved dismissively at the prone form. "Bring him. I want to see Larabee's face when we present him with his best friend and his new love hung up like beasts in a butcher's shop. I want to slit them right in front of him." The blonde man spun, stalking away to his horse.
One of Darien's goons dragged Vin off the ground. He flung the smaller man roughly across Peso's saddle. Vin's curly hair fell down, covering his face. Peso grunted at the sudden added weight. The black gelding's ears swiveled like radio antennas, listening for the usual words of assurance from his rider. Hearing none he became nervous, but he stayed still just the same, not wanting to unseat the precarious balance of his rider. The man reached up and grabbed the reigns, twisting the bit cruelly in the horse's mouth. Peso walked slowly, shifting from side to side in order to keep Vin in the saddle.
A second man reached for Chaucer. The horse wanted nothing to do with him. He raised his head high and twisted it back and forth. His ears were pinned, his teeth bared, and his eyes wild so that he somewhat resembled an irate cobra. When the man got too close he would snap at him an d half rear.
"Leave him then!" The man with Peso called back. "Dumb horse."
The men disappeared around a bend in the trail and Chaucer returned to his vigil of the river. 'Ezra would want me to stay till he gets back,' the horse assured himself. 'I will stay and he will be happy and he'll give me one of those tasty little mints. Then we can go home. We can rejoin our herds. He always comes back. Please come back boss.' The chestnut nickered plaintively, but his plea was lost to the roar of the falls.
--
Inez, Mar and Casey were still trapped in the concrete cell. Another night had passed with no sign of the Seven. They had seen their captor's only twice more; once to bring them some food and water and a second time to bring them outside into the woods to relieve themselves.
"They're coming," Mary stated with conviction.
"Of course they are," Inez nodded. "Sam went and brought them. It will just take them a while."
Mary's frown deepened. "Inez, what if Lucas just killed her? It could take a week for them to even realize we're missing. If they don't come soon, I think we have to assume the worst and make a break for it ourselves."
"If it comes to that, and I hope it doesn't, then we go together or not at all. We get to the horses and we ride as fast as we can away from here. Agreed?"
Casey opened her mouth to agree and offer her sentiments, but stopped when the heavy iron door creaked. All the women scrambled to their feet, eyeing the two huge men warily. The burly, dark haired man stared at them for a moment. "Her," he said finally, pointing at Mary.
"Bull shit," Inez snapped. She jumped in front of Mary, her mouth set in a firm line and her chin tilted up at a defiant angle. The dark haired man stepped forward. He backhanded Inez across the cheek. Mary flinched as the young Hispanic bartender hit the wall.
Inez touched the back of her hand to her lip gingerly, sputtering angrily in Spanish when she tasted blood. The guard grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. "What did you say?"
The woman's eyes blazed. "I called you an odious pile of pig shit you prick. But I think that may be too good for you."
"You won't be so smart in a few days," he sneered.
"Why? You gonna teach me a lesson," Inez's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Try it and I'll go Lorena Bobbit on your ass." She spit at his feet. The smug smile of superiority slipped from the man's features. He released his grip, shoving her into the wall again and turned for Mary. He dragged the reporter into the sunlight as she fought the entire way.
Casey watched them go until the door was shut firmly in her face. The younger woman crouched down next to Inez. "What do you think they're going to do to her?"
"I'm not sure Casey, but I think our time is running short."
--
Sam remained there, staring over the edge of the abyss for a long time. With every minute that passed she knew that Ezra's chances for survival diminished greatly. But she couldn't tear her eyes from the water. "Come on you arrogant bastard, surface." Her voice quavered. "Come on Ezra. I know I said you were to stubborn to die, and I know how much you like to do it, but now is not the time to prove me wrong."
The minutes trickled by. She felt them, because the mangled face of her wristwatch didn't allow for a better calculation. She wasn't sure how much later, but eventually Sam tore herself from the water, leaning back against the steep slope. Her head fell, resting heavily on her knees.
It surprised her when she felt the single tear run down her cheek. She swiped at it with her hand, watching the moisture evaporate into the air almost disbelievingly. She hadn't cried in years. When had that man, all those men become so important to her? When had she started to care? "See? This is what happens when you start to care damn it. You get sloppy."
Sam's eyes flickered. She pulled herself to her feet, trying her best not to look down. If she looked down her head started to spin. She jammed her hand into a crack in the wall. Her toe wedged itself next to a protruding rock and she heaved herself up. She dared a look down and immediately regretted it. "Oh God," she murmured and hugged the wall even tighter. "Get a grip girl, you're all of two inches off the ledge. You can do this, now let's go." The self imposed pep talk did the trick, and she began her ascent in earnest.
--
Fifteen minutes later Sam finally managed to get one hand onto the trail. With a grunt she heaved herself up. She lay on her stomach, sweat pouring from her head and taking deep, gasping breaths. Her shoulders ached and her fingers were cramped from gripping tiny handholds up the hill.
A soft, inquisitive nose prompted her to roll onto her back. She opened her eyes and only saw the large, soft chestnut muzzle of Chaucer breathing down on her. "Hey bud." The gelding's tongue slipped out and licked her face. Sam pushed the horse away.
She wiped the saliva from her forehead. "Ugh, thank you so much for that." Using one stirrup for leverage, Sam pulled herself up onto shaking legs.
As she leaned against Chaucer's silky neck, the horse lipped at her hair. He knew her; she was Ezra's friend. She even smelled a bit like Ezra, once he got past the dirt, sweat and blood at least.
They stood like that for a few moments before either moved. "Come on bud, we've got to go." Sam pulled gently on the horse's reins. Chaucer refused to move, planting his hooves and laying his ears back. He wasn't fighting like he had with Lucas's man, but he would be hard pressed to move all the same. 'Boss left me here, so here's where I'm gonna stay.'
"Chaucer!" Sam leaned all her weight onto the reins. Chaucer's head and neck stretched forward, but his legs still didn't move. Sam sighed. She moved back to stand near his head, scratching him just behind his left ear, the place where Ezra had said was his favorite. He leaned into the caress. "He's not coming Chaucer. Ezra's gone, he had to go, depart, leave."
Chaucer knew those words. He knew them in the context of everything he hated. As in, the oats are gone, and 'I have to leave Chaucer my boy.' 'Boss is gone?' The horse wondered. 'he can't be gone. Where is my mint? Boss always gives me a mint before he leaves.'
The horse nickered softly. His ears flopped to the sides and his head suddenly seemed to heavy for him to carry. Sam watched in wonder as the fight left the horse. He actually looked depressed. Her eyes widened a little. "Holy hell you know what I'm saying? Damned if you aren't more human than most people I know." She kissed his forehead. "I know Chauc, I'm gonna miss him too. Come on, we have to go." The horse took one last glance to the spot where he'd seen Ezra disappear. Then he followed with slow, ponderous steps, his toes dragging in the dust. Tap followed close behind.
--
Three men rode into the camp. Their eyes searched every nook and cranny in the hills. Chris rode point, just ahead of the others, his right hand resting lightly on the handle of his gun.
The camp was settled in a sort of small box canyon. Two decrepit, log cabins were nestled at the far end of the valley. Hills rose on both sides, lined by tall fir trees. The entire valley was deathly still, and it made the three riders nervous.
"I don't like this Chris," Buck muttered. "I feel like we're walkin into a trap with no way out."
Chris didn't take his eyes from the trees. "We are walking into a trap Buck, that was the point, but we have Ez and Vin and Sam for backup."
"Well that's what I'm talking about. I know they're supposed to be watchin out for us, but somethin's off."
Chris didn't respond for a moment. "I don't like it either Buck." He finally admitted.
"Chris," JD said quietly. The black clad leader glanced in the younger man's direction. "What's that? On the plateau?"
Steel blue-gray eyes swept to the dry, flat plateau on the eastern section of hills. Two poles, some nine feet tall stuck out of the ground. Even from far away Larabee could tell that something was tied to them. "Your binoculars Buck."
Buck sidled Clyde up next to Job. Chris peered through the glasses. His eyes went wide. "Dear Lord, it's Mary and Vin."
Suddenly the woods were alive with fire. Six burst from the two cabins, automatic rifles firing ten rounds a second. Others lined the canyon, firing from perches behind rocks and up in trees. The horses squealed in terror. "Split up!" Chris ordered, hunkering low on Job's neck and spurring the gelding into a gallop.
JD wheeled Seven to the left. Buck spun Clyde right and guided him behind some Rocks. "So much for our backup," he called. "He knew all along. Son of a bitch!"
Chris was too far away to hear his friend. He guided his stalwart horse up a trail. He had to get to Vin and Mary. Lucas would be there, waiting, he knew. He fired shots into the trees and provided what little cover he could to his friends in the canyon. He just hoped he wasn't too late.
--
Sam arrived outside the camp a few minutes before the shooting began. It wasn't a long ride from the river to the camp, but she had gotten lost twice. She ended up in the woods surrounding the canyon and spotted the bunker from her position on Tap. She left him and Chaucer tied to a tree limb not far from the other horses.
Seeing no one outside the bunker she crept closer. "Inez? Casey? Vin are you in there?"
"Sam?" A mildly shocked voice answered. "Is that really you?" Inez came to the front of the cell and peered out the tiny, barred window. Casey stood next to her, practically having to haul her slight frame off the ground to peer through.
"Yeah. Are Vin and Mary there with you?"
"They took Mary away about an hour ago. What happened to Vin?"
"Lucas caught him. He trapped me, Vin and Ezra coming along the river. It was supposed to be a surprise attack, Chris leading from the front and Vin from behind. Unfortunately, Lucas knows these hills better than we so he was ready for us. Took Vin with him."
"And Ezra?" Inez questioned. The bartender had always had a soft spot for the southerner.
Sam swallowed the lump in her throat. "Lucas shot him. I don't know where he is. What I need to do now is get you two out of here and warn Larabee."
"UH Sam?"
"Not now Casey, I have to think."
She felt the thin metal barrel being pressed into the back of her neck. "Oh." She chuckled nervously and held her hands up. "No reason to get trigger happy now."
"I think I have every reason." The voice said from behind her. He cocked the hammer. Sam winced, squeezing her eyes shut, and prepared herself for the inevitable. It didn't come. There were two thuds. She turned to find the man crumpled unconscious on the ground. Her head shot up.
Ezra stood before her. He was drenched from head to toe and pale, but alive. "Ezra!" Without stopping to think Sam leapt on him, hugging his neck fiercely. "I thought you were dead."
The southerner carefully peeled Sam's arms from his neck. "Yes well, I am truly fortunate that the rumors of my demise are somewhat premature. Mr. Lucas has terrible aim."
"SO he didn't shoot you?" The question came from inside the cell.
"Well now, I didn't say that Ms. Casey." Sam peered at his coat and then saw the red stain creeping across his undershirt. Ezra went to take a step, but his strength seemed to fail just then and his legs gave way. Sam caught him and lowered him to the ground.
"Shit Ez," she murmured as she peeled away first his jacket and then his undershirt. She touched the flesh around the bloody wound and Ezra sucked in a breath. The muscles in his stomach contorted as he hissed.
"It is not quite so bad as it looks, I assure you."
"Right, and I wasn't a thief way back when."
"Actually Ms. Hunter, I would counter to say that you will always be a thief at heart."
Sam suddenly felt less sorry for him. "How do you figure? I quit and I left to go to college."
"And what was your chosen field of study?"
"Law."
"I rest my case." Sam shot the man a dark look.
"hey! Sunny and Cher, we still need to get out of here if you don't mind holding your comedy routine for a minute."
Sam blushed and searched the downed guard. She threw her hand in the air a moment later. "No keys. What now?"
"I have in my possession a set of very serviceable lockpicks if you care for them," Ezra offered.
"You carry around a set of lockpicks?"
"Never know when you might need them."
"You really are a weird guy Ez."
"Yes Hunter, and you're the picture normalcy."
"Shut up Ezra. My being weird has no bearing whatsoever on your being weird, and you..." Inez cleared her throat loudly. "Right, the picks. Where are they Ezra?"
"Left jacket pocket." Once she had the tools Inez and Casey were free in a matter of moments.
"Inez, the horses are less than a quarter mile into the forest down that little trail. Take this," she handed Inez one of the man's two pistols. "And Chaucer is...well Chaucer is right there."
Indeed the wily chestnut was trotting gaily toward the small group. His tail streamed out behind him like a flag and he whinnied happily, for he had smelled Ezra on the breeze. Tap followed behind him at a more calm jog. The chestnut thrust his nose into Ezra's chest, nickering ecstatically. Sam watched him, hands on her hips. "You know, I tied you to that tree for a reason." The horse snorted a response.
"Never mind. I'm going after Vin and Mary. Just get out of here. The southern trail should take you in the right direction."
"Vin and Ms. Travis are presently incarcerated on the plateau. Watch yourself Hunter." The first of the shots rang out. Sam hurriedly stuffed the second pistol into her waistband and slung the rifle over her shoulders.
"How do you know where they are?"
"I saw them on my way into camp. Of course, I didn't get lost on my way in."
Sam sighed. "Take him away. Take him and his escape artist of a horse and go, please. Good luck."
"You too," the others echoed. Sam mounted Tap and cantered off.
--
Vin's face twisted as he wrestled in vain with the ropes that bound his wrists. The rough rope burned and sawed into his flesh. When the shooting started all sense of thought left his mind. He hurled himself against his bonds, his heart hammering inside his chest. He had to help his friends. They were waiting for backup that was not to be.
"Sam," Mary cried. Vin's head whipped to the right. Much to his delight, and utter surprise, there she was, riding toward them at a fast canter.
She and Tap slid to a stop beside the two poles. She cut Vin free first. He rubbed his bleeding wrists. Sam tossed him the rifle. "Courtesy of one Ezra Standish."
"What the?" Vin laughed, "That man has more lives than Cuervo. Thank God. He alright?"
"He'll be better when the docs dig that bullet out of his side, but yeah, he ain't bad."
Vin nodded tightly. "Good, now get Mary out of here."
Sam shot him a sloppy salute. "Yes sir." Vin ran toward the edge of the canyon a few yards from the poles, providing cover for Buck and JD. She cut Mary's ropes as well. "Miss," she offered her hand. Grinning, Mary swung onto Tap behind her. Then they cut for the woods.
--
Buck and JD were pinned by fire from both sides. The two agents were both so concerned with the men above them that they could only fire sporadically at the men approaching them from the cabin.
Buck cut down a man that had broke cover and was running for JD. JD fired into the trees above Buck. They were outgunned, out-positioned and outnumbered. Darien's men kept getting closer, despite their best efforts.
And just when it seemed that they were about out of luck, a shot came from the rim of the canyon. A man perched in a tree above JD fell. The shots were careful, never rushed. Only one man shot like that. Buck whooped. "Yeah Vin!!" JD too, had noticed the additional friendly fire. He pumped his fist into the air.
--
"Lucas!" Chris shouted. "It's just like you to run, you coward." He dismounted Job and slapped the black horses rump. They were perhaps a mere quarter mile from the canyon, but the shots seemed incredibly distant.
Larabee loaded a new clip into his 9 mm. Trees rose all around him, blocking the bright afternoon sun and giving the area a dim, ominous presence. The hairs stood up on the back of Chris's neck.
"You ran when my partner and I found your brother," he goaded. "You tried to run from us when we got too close. You waited till I was alone and unprepared to make your revenge. I'm alone now, so come and get me."
The shrill, hysterical wail of a madman came from just above. Larabee's head shot up to see Lucas crashing toward him. He had been hiding in a tree some ten feet off the ground. Chris managed to raise his gun, but the shot went wide, and then Lucas crashed into him.
***
Sam was riding back from dropping Mary with Ezra and Inez. She had planned to flank the other side of the canyon from Vin and offer more cover, but hearing the lone shot from the woods she altered her path.
The gun flew from Chris's grasp. The oiled black machine skittered away, disappearing under a bush. As Lucas jumped off him, Larabee rolled away. Chris held his hands in front of him, ready for whatever Lucas had to bring. He had wanted to avoid this very situation, fighting hand to hand, because no matter how he looked at it, Lucas was just better.
Lucas had no qualms about displaying his superiority either. He flew at Larabee with every martial arts attack he knew. Chris countered with boxing moves. His fist lashed out, catching Lucas in the chin with a jab. The killer's head snapped back. His eyes burned.
Lucas threw a roundhouse left, which Chris countered with a right block. Unfortunately, the block left his chest exposed, and Lucas pounced. Lucas planted a boot in Larabee's chest. When the ATF agent doubled over he brought two fist down on the back of his neck.
Chris crashed to the ground and Lucas began to kick him unmercifully, in the legs, stomach, and head. Chris curled into a fetal position, covering himself as best he could from the ground.
Lucas never saw the horse coming until it was too late. Tap pounded down at him in a mad gallop, faster than Sam had ever ridden in her life. She leaned far to the left, like a steer wrestler before he launched himself at the steer.
Sam judged her approach carefully, trying to decide the best time to leap on the man. She was only a few yards away when Lucas glanced up. They galloped closer. Sam leapt from the saddle. Sam was no steer wrestler. She had misread exactly how fast Tap was galloping and jumped from the saddle too late. Her leap was carrying her past Lucas. Instead of slamming into the man with the full force of her body, and subsequently using him to break her fall, Sam sailed past his head. Only her right hand managed to snag Lucas's shirt.
She flipped head over heels on her way to the ground. The earth rushed to meet her in a dizzying spiral. The shirt ripped as she sailed by. She landed awkwardly on her left shoulder, her back and hips soon to follow, sliding a few yards before she stopped completely. Lucas on the other hand, was rendered mildly off balance, but it was enough.
Chris bounded to his feet in the confusion. While Lucas teetered, Chris tackled him around the waist, driving him bodily to the ground. Chris then rendered him unconscious with a one-two combination to the head.
Chris staggered to his feet and shuffled over to where Sam still lay. He looked down at her. "I think you missed," he stated dryly.
"I hadn't noticed," she squeaked.
"You gonna get up?"
Sam bit her lip. She pondered the query for a few minutes. "NO. No, I think right here is good for now. Yeah. Bring the stretcher here and then we'll talk." Larabee couldn't help it. His shoulders shook. His lips quivered and he laughed, and laughed, and laughed.
--
"Miscreant."
"Jackass."
"Obstreperous creature."
"Bastard..." The technician closed the door to the helicopter.
The women and the ATF agents chuckled. "At least Ez feels up to arguing with her," Buck offered.
"I'd be worried if he didn't," Chris agreed.
They all trooped back to where Casey and JD waited with the horses. The last police wagon had loaded Lucas and two of his cohorts less than fifteen minutes earlier. Team Seven had once again prevailed over immense odds. They had radioed the nearest town from Lucas's cabin to send police wagons. Then they had called Denver hospital and arranged for Sam and Ezra to be air lifted out.
"You do realize Cowboy, that you're sending those two, unsupervised to the hospital. Lordy do I feel sorry for those in the ER tonight."
"Forget tonight," Mary chimed in, "What about when they feel better?"
"So then I guess we're gonna head back huh Chris?" JD asked.
"Why?"
JD seemed a bit puzzled, as did the others. "Don't you want to keep an eye on them?"
Chris paused by Job's saddle. "JD, I have to deal with those two, and the rest of you something like three hundred days a year. The medics assured me that Ez isn't in any danger, and Sam's injuries are minor. The way I figure it, someone else can deal with them for a few days, because I am not, however much I sometimes feel like it, a babysitter. I still have four days left of my vacation and I plan to enjoy them. Lucas kept his cabins well stocked with supplies. Who's with me?" A loud chorus rang up from the rest of the party. Chris grinned, vacations are nice.
THE END
Like it? I hope so. Thank you for reading.
Author's Note: Now things start to get hairy. I'm not telling you more than that because I want to make you read. Ha.
Disclaimer: Same as before
~~
The sound of the gunshot seemed almost surreal. "No!" Vin lunged for Ezra, but he missed grabbing the man by a matter of inches. Ezra's hand clutched his side and his eyes went wide. His legs sank from under him and he pitched over the edge of the trail. Vin watched, horrified, as he slipped down the hill and over the cliff and into the water below. The familiar green jacket slipped beneath the whitewater.
Sam's cry echoed, reverberating against the walls of the canyon. Vin felt like he had just been punched. His hawk like gaze swept downriver, searching for something, for anything. 'The river is deep here. He could make it. C'mon Ez.' He repeated the words inside his head like a mantra. Everything was quiet. The river ran, the horses breathed and overhead a crow called, but there was no sign of Ezra.
Vin fumed. His hands clenched into fists. He spun on his heel and leapt headlong at Lucas. The killer dodged Vin's wild attack and brought the butt of his pistol down on the sharpshooter's head. Vin sank to the earth, his face still twisted with uncharacteristic hate and rage. Lucas waved dismissively at the prone form. "Bring him. I want to see Larabee's face when we present him with his best friend and his new love hung up like beasts in a butcher's shop. I want to slit them right in front of him." The blonde man spun, stalking away to his horse.
One of Darien's goons dragged Vin off the ground. He flung the smaller man roughly across Peso's saddle. Vin's curly hair fell down, covering his face. Peso grunted at the sudden added weight. The black gelding's ears swiveled like radio antennas, listening for the usual words of assurance from his rider. Hearing none he became nervous, but he stayed still just the same, not wanting to unseat the precarious balance of his rider. The man reached up and grabbed the reigns, twisting the bit cruelly in the horse's mouth. Peso walked slowly, shifting from side to side in order to keep Vin in the saddle.
A second man reached for Chaucer. The horse wanted nothing to do with him. He raised his head high and twisted it back and forth. His ears were pinned, his teeth bared, and his eyes wild so that he somewhat resembled an irate cobra. When the man got too close he would snap at him an d half rear.
"Leave him then!" The man with Peso called back. "Dumb horse."
The men disappeared around a bend in the trail and Chaucer returned to his vigil of the river. 'Ezra would want me to stay till he gets back,' the horse assured himself. 'I will stay and he will be happy and he'll give me one of those tasty little mints. Then we can go home. We can rejoin our herds. He always comes back. Please come back boss.' The chestnut nickered plaintively, but his plea was lost to the roar of the falls.
--
Inez, Mar and Casey were still trapped in the concrete cell. Another night had passed with no sign of the Seven. They had seen their captor's only twice more; once to bring them some food and water and a second time to bring them outside into the woods to relieve themselves.
"They're coming," Mary stated with conviction.
"Of course they are," Inez nodded. "Sam went and brought them. It will just take them a while."
Mary's frown deepened. "Inez, what if Lucas just killed her? It could take a week for them to even realize we're missing. If they don't come soon, I think we have to assume the worst and make a break for it ourselves."
"If it comes to that, and I hope it doesn't, then we go together or not at all. We get to the horses and we ride as fast as we can away from here. Agreed?"
Casey opened her mouth to agree and offer her sentiments, but stopped when the heavy iron door creaked. All the women scrambled to their feet, eyeing the two huge men warily. The burly, dark haired man stared at them for a moment. "Her," he said finally, pointing at Mary.
"Bull shit," Inez snapped. She jumped in front of Mary, her mouth set in a firm line and her chin tilted up at a defiant angle. The dark haired man stepped forward. He backhanded Inez across the cheek. Mary flinched as the young Hispanic bartender hit the wall.
Inez touched the back of her hand to her lip gingerly, sputtering angrily in Spanish when she tasted blood. The guard grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. "What did you say?"
The woman's eyes blazed. "I called you an odious pile of pig shit you prick. But I think that may be too good for you."
"You won't be so smart in a few days," he sneered.
"Why? You gonna teach me a lesson," Inez's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Try it and I'll go Lorena Bobbit on your ass." She spit at his feet. The smug smile of superiority slipped from the man's features. He released his grip, shoving her into the wall again and turned for Mary. He dragged the reporter into the sunlight as she fought the entire way.
Casey watched them go until the door was shut firmly in her face. The younger woman crouched down next to Inez. "What do you think they're going to do to her?"
"I'm not sure Casey, but I think our time is running short."
--
Sam remained there, staring over the edge of the abyss for a long time. With every minute that passed she knew that Ezra's chances for survival diminished greatly. But she couldn't tear her eyes from the water. "Come on you arrogant bastard, surface." Her voice quavered. "Come on Ezra. I know I said you were to stubborn to die, and I know how much you like to do it, but now is not the time to prove me wrong."
The minutes trickled by. She felt them, because the mangled face of her wristwatch didn't allow for a better calculation. She wasn't sure how much later, but eventually Sam tore herself from the water, leaning back against the steep slope. Her head fell, resting heavily on her knees.
It surprised her when she felt the single tear run down her cheek. She swiped at it with her hand, watching the moisture evaporate into the air almost disbelievingly. She hadn't cried in years. When had that man, all those men become so important to her? When had she started to care? "See? This is what happens when you start to care damn it. You get sloppy."
Sam's eyes flickered. She pulled herself to her feet, trying her best not to look down. If she looked down her head started to spin. She jammed her hand into a crack in the wall. Her toe wedged itself next to a protruding rock and she heaved herself up. She dared a look down and immediately regretted it. "Oh God," she murmured and hugged the wall even tighter. "Get a grip girl, you're all of two inches off the ledge. You can do this, now let's go." The self imposed pep talk did the trick, and she began her ascent in earnest.
--
Fifteen minutes later Sam finally managed to get one hand onto the trail. With a grunt she heaved herself up. She lay on her stomach, sweat pouring from her head and taking deep, gasping breaths. Her shoulders ached and her fingers were cramped from gripping tiny handholds up the hill.
A soft, inquisitive nose prompted her to roll onto her back. She opened her eyes and only saw the large, soft chestnut muzzle of Chaucer breathing down on her. "Hey bud." The gelding's tongue slipped out and licked her face. Sam pushed the horse away.
She wiped the saliva from her forehead. "Ugh, thank you so much for that." Using one stirrup for leverage, Sam pulled herself up onto shaking legs.
As she leaned against Chaucer's silky neck, the horse lipped at her hair. He knew her; she was Ezra's friend. She even smelled a bit like Ezra, once he got past the dirt, sweat and blood at least.
They stood like that for a few moments before either moved. "Come on bud, we've got to go." Sam pulled gently on the horse's reins. Chaucer refused to move, planting his hooves and laying his ears back. He wasn't fighting like he had with Lucas's man, but he would be hard pressed to move all the same. 'Boss left me here, so here's where I'm gonna stay.'
"Chaucer!" Sam leaned all her weight onto the reins. Chaucer's head and neck stretched forward, but his legs still didn't move. Sam sighed. She moved back to stand near his head, scratching him just behind his left ear, the place where Ezra had said was his favorite. He leaned into the caress. "He's not coming Chaucer. Ezra's gone, he had to go, depart, leave."
Chaucer knew those words. He knew them in the context of everything he hated. As in, the oats are gone, and 'I have to leave Chaucer my boy.' 'Boss is gone?' The horse wondered. 'he can't be gone. Where is my mint? Boss always gives me a mint before he leaves.'
The horse nickered softly. His ears flopped to the sides and his head suddenly seemed to heavy for him to carry. Sam watched in wonder as the fight left the horse. He actually looked depressed. Her eyes widened a little. "Holy hell you know what I'm saying? Damned if you aren't more human than most people I know." She kissed his forehead. "I know Chauc, I'm gonna miss him too. Come on, we have to go." The horse took one last glance to the spot where he'd seen Ezra disappear. Then he followed with slow, ponderous steps, his toes dragging in the dust. Tap followed close behind.
--
Three men rode into the camp. Their eyes searched every nook and cranny in the hills. Chris rode point, just ahead of the others, his right hand resting lightly on the handle of his gun.
The camp was settled in a sort of small box canyon. Two decrepit, log cabins were nestled at the far end of the valley. Hills rose on both sides, lined by tall fir trees. The entire valley was deathly still, and it made the three riders nervous.
"I don't like this Chris," Buck muttered. "I feel like we're walkin into a trap with no way out."
Chris didn't take his eyes from the trees. "We are walking into a trap Buck, that was the point, but we have Ez and Vin and Sam for backup."
"Well that's what I'm talking about. I know they're supposed to be watchin out for us, but somethin's off."
Chris didn't respond for a moment. "I don't like it either Buck." He finally admitted.
"Chris," JD said quietly. The black clad leader glanced in the younger man's direction. "What's that? On the plateau?"
Steel blue-gray eyes swept to the dry, flat plateau on the eastern section of hills. Two poles, some nine feet tall stuck out of the ground. Even from far away Larabee could tell that something was tied to them. "Your binoculars Buck."
Buck sidled Clyde up next to Job. Chris peered through the glasses. His eyes went wide. "Dear Lord, it's Mary and Vin."
Suddenly the woods were alive with fire. Six burst from the two cabins, automatic rifles firing ten rounds a second. Others lined the canyon, firing from perches behind rocks and up in trees. The horses squealed in terror. "Split up!" Chris ordered, hunkering low on Job's neck and spurring the gelding into a gallop.
JD wheeled Seven to the left. Buck spun Clyde right and guided him behind some Rocks. "So much for our backup," he called. "He knew all along. Son of a bitch!"
Chris was too far away to hear his friend. He guided his stalwart horse up a trail. He had to get to Vin and Mary. Lucas would be there, waiting, he knew. He fired shots into the trees and provided what little cover he could to his friends in the canyon. He just hoped he wasn't too late.
--
Sam arrived outside the camp a few minutes before the shooting began. It wasn't a long ride from the river to the camp, but she had gotten lost twice. She ended up in the woods surrounding the canyon and spotted the bunker from her position on Tap. She left him and Chaucer tied to a tree limb not far from the other horses.
Seeing no one outside the bunker she crept closer. "Inez? Casey? Vin are you in there?"
"Sam?" A mildly shocked voice answered. "Is that really you?" Inez came to the front of the cell and peered out the tiny, barred window. Casey stood next to her, practically having to haul her slight frame off the ground to peer through.
"Yeah. Are Vin and Mary there with you?"
"They took Mary away about an hour ago. What happened to Vin?"
"Lucas caught him. He trapped me, Vin and Ezra coming along the river. It was supposed to be a surprise attack, Chris leading from the front and Vin from behind. Unfortunately, Lucas knows these hills better than we so he was ready for us. Took Vin with him."
"And Ezra?" Inez questioned. The bartender had always had a soft spot for the southerner.
Sam swallowed the lump in her throat. "Lucas shot him. I don't know where he is. What I need to do now is get you two out of here and warn Larabee."
"UH Sam?"
"Not now Casey, I have to think."
She felt the thin metal barrel being pressed into the back of her neck. "Oh." She chuckled nervously and held her hands up. "No reason to get trigger happy now."
"I think I have every reason." The voice said from behind her. He cocked the hammer. Sam winced, squeezing her eyes shut, and prepared herself for the inevitable. It didn't come. There were two thuds. She turned to find the man crumpled unconscious on the ground. Her head shot up.
Ezra stood before her. He was drenched from head to toe and pale, but alive. "Ezra!" Without stopping to think Sam leapt on him, hugging his neck fiercely. "I thought you were dead."
The southerner carefully peeled Sam's arms from his neck. "Yes well, I am truly fortunate that the rumors of my demise are somewhat premature. Mr. Lucas has terrible aim."
"SO he didn't shoot you?" The question came from inside the cell.
"Well now, I didn't say that Ms. Casey." Sam peered at his coat and then saw the red stain creeping across his undershirt. Ezra went to take a step, but his strength seemed to fail just then and his legs gave way. Sam caught him and lowered him to the ground.
"Shit Ez," she murmured as she peeled away first his jacket and then his undershirt. She touched the flesh around the bloody wound and Ezra sucked in a breath. The muscles in his stomach contorted as he hissed.
"It is not quite so bad as it looks, I assure you."
"Right, and I wasn't a thief way back when."
"Actually Ms. Hunter, I would counter to say that you will always be a thief at heart."
Sam suddenly felt less sorry for him. "How do you figure? I quit and I left to go to college."
"And what was your chosen field of study?"
"Law."
"I rest my case." Sam shot the man a dark look.
"hey! Sunny and Cher, we still need to get out of here if you don't mind holding your comedy routine for a minute."
Sam blushed and searched the downed guard. She threw her hand in the air a moment later. "No keys. What now?"
"I have in my possession a set of very serviceable lockpicks if you care for them," Ezra offered.
"You carry around a set of lockpicks?"
"Never know when you might need them."
"You really are a weird guy Ez."
"Yes Hunter, and you're the picture normalcy."
"Shut up Ezra. My being weird has no bearing whatsoever on your being weird, and you..." Inez cleared her throat loudly. "Right, the picks. Where are they Ezra?"
"Left jacket pocket." Once she had the tools Inez and Casey were free in a matter of moments.
"Inez, the horses are less than a quarter mile into the forest down that little trail. Take this," she handed Inez one of the man's two pistols. "And Chaucer is...well Chaucer is right there."
Indeed the wily chestnut was trotting gaily toward the small group. His tail streamed out behind him like a flag and he whinnied happily, for he had smelled Ezra on the breeze. Tap followed behind him at a more calm jog. The chestnut thrust his nose into Ezra's chest, nickering ecstatically. Sam watched him, hands on her hips. "You know, I tied you to that tree for a reason." The horse snorted a response.
"Never mind. I'm going after Vin and Mary. Just get out of here. The southern trail should take you in the right direction."
"Vin and Ms. Travis are presently incarcerated on the plateau. Watch yourself Hunter." The first of the shots rang out. Sam hurriedly stuffed the second pistol into her waistband and slung the rifle over her shoulders.
"How do you know where they are?"
"I saw them on my way into camp. Of course, I didn't get lost on my way in."
Sam sighed. "Take him away. Take him and his escape artist of a horse and go, please. Good luck."
"You too," the others echoed. Sam mounted Tap and cantered off.
--
Vin's face twisted as he wrestled in vain with the ropes that bound his wrists. The rough rope burned and sawed into his flesh. When the shooting started all sense of thought left his mind. He hurled himself against his bonds, his heart hammering inside his chest. He had to help his friends. They were waiting for backup that was not to be.
"Sam," Mary cried. Vin's head whipped to the right. Much to his delight, and utter surprise, there she was, riding toward them at a fast canter.
She and Tap slid to a stop beside the two poles. She cut Vin free first. He rubbed his bleeding wrists. Sam tossed him the rifle. "Courtesy of one Ezra Standish."
"What the?" Vin laughed, "That man has more lives than Cuervo. Thank God. He alright?"
"He'll be better when the docs dig that bullet out of his side, but yeah, he ain't bad."
Vin nodded tightly. "Good, now get Mary out of here."
Sam shot him a sloppy salute. "Yes sir." Vin ran toward the edge of the canyon a few yards from the poles, providing cover for Buck and JD. She cut Mary's ropes as well. "Miss," she offered her hand. Grinning, Mary swung onto Tap behind her. Then they cut for the woods.
--
Buck and JD were pinned by fire from both sides. The two agents were both so concerned with the men above them that they could only fire sporadically at the men approaching them from the cabin.
Buck cut down a man that had broke cover and was running for JD. JD fired into the trees above Buck. They were outgunned, out-positioned and outnumbered. Darien's men kept getting closer, despite their best efforts.
And just when it seemed that they were about out of luck, a shot came from the rim of the canyon. A man perched in a tree above JD fell. The shots were careful, never rushed. Only one man shot like that. Buck whooped. "Yeah Vin!!" JD too, had noticed the additional friendly fire. He pumped his fist into the air.
--
"Lucas!" Chris shouted. "It's just like you to run, you coward." He dismounted Job and slapped the black horses rump. They were perhaps a mere quarter mile from the canyon, but the shots seemed incredibly distant.
Larabee loaded a new clip into his 9 mm. Trees rose all around him, blocking the bright afternoon sun and giving the area a dim, ominous presence. The hairs stood up on the back of Chris's neck.
"You ran when my partner and I found your brother," he goaded. "You tried to run from us when we got too close. You waited till I was alone and unprepared to make your revenge. I'm alone now, so come and get me."
The shrill, hysterical wail of a madman came from just above. Larabee's head shot up to see Lucas crashing toward him. He had been hiding in a tree some ten feet off the ground. Chris managed to raise his gun, but the shot went wide, and then Lucas crashed into him.
***
Sam was riding back from dropping Mary with Ezra and Inez. She had planned to flank the other side of the canyon from Vin and offer more cover, but hearing the lone shot from the woods she altered her path.
The gun flew from Chris's grasp. The oiled black machine skittered away, disappearing under a bush. As Lucas jumped off him, Larabee rolled away. Chris held his hands in front of him, ready for whatever Lucas had to bring. He had wanted to avoid this very situation, fighting hand to hand, because no matter how he looked at it, Lucas was just better.
Lucas had no qualms about displaying his superiority either. He flew at Larabee with every martial arts attack he knew. Chris countered with boxing moves. His fist lashed out, catching Lucas in the chin with a jab. The killer's head snapped back. His eyes burned.
Lucas threw a roundhouse left, which Chris countered with a right block. Unfortunately, the block left his chest exposed, and Lucas pounced. Lucas planted a boot in Larabee's chest. When the ATF agent doubled over he brought two fist down on the back of his neck.
Chris crashed to the ground and Lucas began to kick him unmercifully, in the legs, stomach, and head. Chris curled into a fetal position, covering himself as best he could from the ground.
Lucas never saw the horse coming until it was too late. Tap pounded down at him in a mad gallop, faster than Sam had ever ridden in her life. She leaned far to the left, like a steer wrestler before he launched himself at the steer.
Sam judged her approach carefully, trying to decide the best time to leap on the man. She was only a few yards away when Lucas glanced up. They galloped closer. Sam leapt from the saddle. Sam was no steer wrestler. She had misread exactly how fast Tap was galloping and jumped from the saddle too late. Her leap was carrying her past Lucas. Instead of slamming into the man with the full force of her body, and subsequently using him to break her fall, Sam sailed past his head. Only her right hand managed to snag Lucas's shirt.
She flipped head over heels on her way to the ground. The earth rushed to meet her in a dizzying spiral. The shirt ripped as she sailed by. She landed awkwardly on her left shoulder, her back and hips soon to follow, sliding a few yards before she stopped completely. Lucas on the other hand, was rendered mildly off balance, but it was enough.
Chris bounded to his feet in the confusion. While Lucas teetered, Chris tackled him around the waist, driving him bodily to the ground. Chris then rendered him unconscious with a one-two combination to the head.
Chris staggered to his feet and shuffled over to where Sam still lay. He looked down at her. "I think you missed," he stated dryly.
"I hadn't noticed," she squeaked.
"You gonna get up?"
Sam bit her lip. She pondered the query for a few minutes. "NO. No, I think right here is good for now. Yeah. Bring the stretcher here and then we'll talk." Larabee couldn't help it. His shoulders shook. His lips quivered and he laughed, and laughed, and laughed.
--
"Miscreant."
"Jackass."
"Obstreperous creature."
"Bastard..." The technician closed the door to the helicopter.
The women and the ATF agents chuckled. "At least Ez feels up to arguing with her," Buck offered.
"I'd be worried if he didn't," Chris agreed.
They all trooped back to where Casey and JD waited with the horses. The last police wagon had loaded Lucas and two of his cohorts less than fifteen minutes earlier. Team Seven had once again prevailed over immense odds. They had radioed the nearest town from Lucas's cabin to send police wagons. Then they had called Denver hospital and arranged for Sam and Ezra to be air lifted out.
"You do realize Cowboy, that you're sending those two, unsupervised to the hospital. Lordy do I feel sorry for those in the ER tonight."
"Forget tonight," Mary chimed in, "What about when they feel better?"
"So then I guess we're gonna head back huh Chris?" JD asked.
"Why?"
JD seemed a bit puzzled, as did the others. "Don't you want to keep an eye on them?"
Chris paused by Job's saddle. "JD, I have to deal with those two, and the rest of you something like three hundred days a year. The medics assured me that Ez isn't in any danger, and Sam's injuries are minor. The way I figure it, someone else can deal with them for a few days, because I am not, however much I sometimes feel like it, a babysitter. I still have four days left of my vacation and I plan to enjoy them. Lucas kept his cabins well stocked with supplies. Who's with me?" A loud chorus rang up from the rest of the party. Chris grinned, vacations are nice.
THE END
Like it? I hope so. Thank you for reading.