“Where is he now?”
“Outside with Murray and Natalie building a fort. Officers are standing guard.”
Her heart ached to be with him. She shoved the thought aside and concentrated on the screen. “So what do we know about these diamonds?”
“Only that diamond mining happens in the Northwest Territories, right, Elias?”
The older gentlemen took a sip from his mug before answering. “Yes, there’s mostly gold mining in the Yukon. I had heard of a rare diamond deposit, but no mining here. I’m shocked this gang discovered some in this cave.”
“And we still don’t know where that is, right?” Hannah asked.
Doyle shuffled some papers. “No, but I did hear again from my informant about another smuggling happening tonight back in Beaver Creek.”
Layke narrowed his eyes. “And you trust him after we were ambushed at the last one?”
He shrugged. “Don’t have a choice, do we? We’re out of leads.”
He had them there.
She stood. “When do we leave?”
Layke bolted out of his chair. “Whoa now. You’re not going anywhere in your condition.”
She crossed her arms. “You’re not stopping me from seeing this through. I’m fine. My strength is back.”
“How can you possibly raise your weapon and shoot?”
“You need me to be there if we find more boys.”
Doyle stood. “We can handle it, little one.”
“Hardly. You need my help with the kids.” She turned to Layke. “I can shoot fine. My right arm wasn’t hurt. Plus, I excelled at the firing range, remember, boss man?”
“She’s right. I’ve seen her shoot,” Doyle said.
Elias gathered his computer. “We need to finish our plan and then roll, so we can make it in time. We have a bit of a drive.”
Layke sighed and pointed in her direction. “Fine, but you’ll stay out of the line of fire. I’ll go tell Murray and the officers we’ll be leaving soon.”
Five hours later after formulating a plan and driving to Beaver Creek, they hunkered down at the CBSA station. They’d secured the crossing with constables and border patrol agents hidden at various points on the highway. Each officer was heavily armed with a variety of weaponry. Doyle appointed her to man the booth as cars approached.
Layke shook his head and crossed his arms. “He’s putting you right in the middle of it.”
“I’ll be fine. It’s my job, Layke. I know what I’m doing, or do you not trust in my abilities?”
“It’s not you I don’t trust.” He eyed Doyle.
“Why don’t you like him?”
“He’s too personal with you and rubs me the wrong way.”
“I told you. He took me under his wing when I first moved to the Yukon. Taught me this job. I don’t know what I’d do without him.” She put on her parka. “It’s time to go. The truck should be crossing at any time now. Remember, Layke. God’s got this.”
His handsome face contorted. “Where was He when you got shot?”
“Right there with me. I could have died.”
Layke opened his mouth to say something and, instead, closed it. He checked the chamber in his Smith & Wesson before slamming it shut and holstering it. He strapped a machine gun over his shoulder. “Let’s go. You stay in the booth.”
Hannah walked out into the cold and around the corner into the booth, which was detached from the station. She knew he meant well and was only being overprotective because she’d been hurt, but she could do this. She had to do this. For all those innocent children.
Layke crouched beside a cruiser with Elias and other constables.
Hannah uttered a desperate prayer. “Father, keep us safe. Help us to end this today. Protect those boys.”
A roaring engine filled the night, but no truck headlights approached. What was that noise?
Ignoring Layke’s order, she stepped outside.
The hum deepened.
Layke and Elias stood.
A light appeared in the sky and brightened as it approached.
“Drone! Get down, Hannah!” Layke yelled.
The drone peppered the area with multiple shots.
Lights bobbled from the distant tree line, indicating that gang members were advancing toward their location at high speed.
The drone reapproached.
She dove back into the booth and winced when she fell onto her wounded shoulder.
The unmanned aerial vehicle fired a missile into the station, exploding the building.
* * *
“Hannah!” Layke fired at the approaching men and raced toward her booth, which was yards away from the now demolished border station. He had to get to her. It was the second time she’d put herself in harm’s way and he didn’t like it. The need to protect her washed over him again, catching him off guard. This woman had stolen his heart in a matter of days.
Along with Gabe. The eight-year-old with the big brown eyes.
The hum returned, announcing the beast’s presence, along with an additional round of shots. It fired another missile at the highway. The pavement exploded into pieces and left behind a massive hole in the road.
Layke raised the MP5 submachine gun and aimed it toward the drone. He waited for the perfect time and pulled the trigger, firing multiple shots.
The drone exploded, lighting the darkened sky. Its pieces shattered to the ground.
Shouts from the field alerted him to the gang’s lethal intentions. They had to get out of there. They were outnumbered and with nowhere to hide. Who had sold them out? The informant?
Layke stepped into the booth. Glass crunched beneath his boots.
Hannah was huddled in the corner, holding her hands over her head. She looked up at him and cried out.
He pulled her into his arms. “You’re okay.” He released her. “We need to move. Now.”
“Doyle?”
“He’s fine. So is Elias, but armed men are approaching from the woods and we don’t have cover. The building is gone. The road is obliterated. No one is getting across the border now.”
Her eyes widened. “What about the other officers?”
“They can’t get to us because the highway is destroyed. We’re on our own.”
Elias approached with Doyle. “Someone planned this out perfectly.”
“But who?” Doyle asked.
“We don’t have time to figure that out right now.” Layke pointed to the men running through the field. “They’re almost here.”
Elias pulled out his keys. “Let’s take the
