them but not really feeling his boots walk across the grass. Caleb, Camish, and Farkus watched him.
Joe said, “Put down your weapons, get Diane Shober, and come with me. We can get to the trailhead before they get organized enough to come up after you. There will be dozens of law enforcement personnel—maybe hundreds. If we all get down there before they get assembled and get their blood up, I promise you I’ll do all I can to get you secured away so you’ve got a chance.”
Caleb and Camish looked at him without a change in their expressions. Farkus narrowed his eyes, again glancing between Joe and the brothers, obviously trying to read in advance what was going to happen, and which side he would choose to support.
Joe said, “I’ll tell the locals, the state, and the feds how you cooperated. I’ll ask Governor Rulon to get involved—we’re pretty close. Look, you’ve got a story to tell. There are a lot of folks out there who will support you.
“I know of a lawyer,” Joe continued, trying to keep his voice even. “His name is Marcus Hand. You may have heard of him. Big guy, long white hair, wears buckskins in the courtroom. He specializes in getting guilty people off. Believe me, I know. I have a feeling he’d find you guys sympathetic. Who knows—he might be able to get you what you want.”
He waited.
The brothers didn’t ask for a moment to discuss the option. Camish said, “The only way we’re going off this mountain is feetfirst. And I don’t think that’s likely to happen.”
Even without turning around and seeing for himself, Joe knew Nate was gone.
Then, deep in the trees to the east, he heard Nate’s horse whinny.
“TELL YOU WHAT,” Camish said, standing almost casually. “Unlike your government, we believe in freedom and opportunity. We’ll give you the opportunity to ride away. Just don’t ever come back on our mountain.”
Joe stood silent.
“We’ll give you ten minutes to pack up and ride away,” Camish said. “We won’t interfere and we won’t put you down. And if you ride on out of here, we won’t follow you. I just hope we don’t ever see you up here again.”
He turned toward the fire. “Dave, you can go with him. No offense, but you’re kind of useless. And if the game warden is correct, there will be a battle coming. You might get caught in the crossfire.”
Farkus hopped to his feet, nodding. “Okay,” he said. “Thank you, Camish.”
Camish smirked and looked back to Joe. “You’re still here,” he said.
Joe felt himself nod once.
“You shouldn’t still be here.”
Farkus started to walk toward Joe but hesitated.
“Look,” Camish said. “My brother and I are going to walk away and give you some space. Maybe then you’ll think about what you’re doing and take old Dave here and be gone. But if for some damned reason you want to force the issue, we’ll meet you in that clearing over there,” he gestured toward a small meadow to the west. The morning sun was building behind the trees, ready to launch and flood the meadow with light.
“We’ll finish it there, I guess,” Camish said, shaking his head. He seemed almost sad, Joe thought.
As they backed away from the fire, Camish said, “I think on some level you know we’re right, game warden. But you sure are stubborn.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” Joe said. “It’s your government, too. You can work to change it.”
“Too late for that,” Camish said. “This is Rampart Mountain. This is where we turn you people back or we quit trying.”
Joe said, “This is the wrong fight at the wrong time.”
“Got to start somewhere,” Camish said, turning away.
And they were gone.
Farkus looked from Joe, toward where the brothers had melded into the trees, and back. He said, “Let’s get out of here, Joe.”
Joe said, “Go ahead.”
THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED fifteen degrees as the cold morning air started to move through the timber in anticipation of the sun. Joe felt a long shiver start in his boots and roll through his body until his teeth chattered.
He stood on the side of his gelding, keeping the horse between himself and the meadow. The brothers couldn’t be seen. Neither could Farkus, who’d dumped the panniers from the packhorse, mounted the animal bareback, and headed east in a hurry. He hadn’t looked back.
Joe found the satellite phone, powered it up, and punched in the numbers. He woke her up, and sleep clogged her voice for a moment.
Joe said, “We found them.”
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“Not yet.”
“What does that mean, Joe?”
“I’m going to try to bring them in,” he said. “They don’t want to come.”
“Oh, no. Oh, my. Please be careful.”
“I will.”
“Did you find Diane?”
