An officer ahead of them whistled.
Their clue to say they were there and to be ready for anything.
Layke tensed and lifted his weapon, preparing for an assault.
The group positioned themselves behind trees around the entrance to the small cave. They almost didn’t see it, but Smitty had told them what to look for. An opening in the side of the mountain covered with cut brush. The gang’s way of hiding it every night.
Hannah stood behind a snow-laden Douglas fir with her weapon raised. A wind rose, picking up her curls and thrusting them into array. She pulled her tuque down farther on her head.
He ignored the feelings rising and took a position beside her. He wouldn’t stray far from her side, his protective senses on high alert. No way would he make the same mistake he’d made with Amber. She had tried to discredit his policing abilities and make him look bad, so he’d pulled back on a mission and left her side for a brief moment, ignoring his rule to never leave a fellow officer. It had been enough time for the perpetrator to act, and she’d paid the price for his stupidity. She hadn’t deserved death even though she had betrayed him. Images of her open, lifeless eyes flooded his mind, but he pushed it aside. He had to concentrate on this mission.
They waited for movement.
None came.
Constable Antoine signaled for them to advance.
Someone lit the portable flood light.
“Police! Come out with your hands up,” Constable Antoine yelled.
They were greeted with the howl of a coyote. Then another. Otherwise, the area remained silent.
“Move in!” Constable Antoine rushed forward and moved the branches away from the mouth of the cave.
Hannah and Layke stepped out from their hiding place. Once they knew the area was clear, they holstered their weapons.
“Okay, who wants to crawl into the cave?” Layke asked.
No one volunteered.
Really?
“Fine, I will.” Layke moved forward, knelt in front of the opening and pulled out his Maglite.
Hannah crouched beside him. “You’re not going alone. We’re partners, remember?”
He nodded and crawled in.
He shone his light and whistled. “No wonder they needed children.” His face flushed as the thought brought a rush of anger. The low ceiling sparkled with the promise of rewards beyond anyone’s imagination.
Short-handled pics and shovels lay in different spots around them. Tunnels snaked off in various directions. He pointed. “Those probably lead to more mining caves.” He moved closer in an attempt to get a better look.
“I can’t believe they made children do their dirty work. All for a quick buck.”
“I know. Maddening.” Innocent children stolen from their loved ones for one man’s greed. Why?
“What now?” Hannah flattened herself as she made her way around the juts in the ceiling.
“We need to get forensics in here and—”
A flashing light illuminating one of the tunnels caught his attention. “Shh.”
Tick. Tick. Tick.
That sound could only mean one thing. Their arrival had been anticipated. “Get out! Now!”
They shimmied their way back through the entrance and bolted upright.
“Bomb! Everyone get back!” Layke grabbed Hannah’s hand and propelled her forward.
The explosion rocked the mountainside.
Debris rained in every direction.
Layke tackled Hannah, throwing himself on top of her.
She yelped.
He knew he’d hurt her shoulder, but he needed to shield the woman of the dreams he never thought he wanted.
A rumble sounded in the distance.
Not good.
He shone his light toward the sound and gasped.
“Avalanche!”
* * *
Hannah ignored the pain exploding through her shoulder and raced through the woods, branches smacking her face. She ignored the sting and kept running. They only had a matter of minutes to get out of the avalanche’s deadly path. How would they make it back to their vehicles without being smothered with tons of snow? Lord, give us haste and make us light-footed. Protect us. Would God answer her rushed prayer after her doubts the past few days? Trust. There was that word again. She hadn’t stopped loving God, despite struggling with not only His sovereignty but her identity in Him.
A verse from Psalms popped into her head, reminding her that God had made her in her mother’s womb, marvelous in His image. He knew every bone in her body. It didn’t matter she couldn’t conceive or that she had never known the woman who gave birth to her. She was a beautiful creation in His sight. Thank You, Lord, for this reminder. Forgive me for doubting. Resolved in her identity, she ran faster. She needed to get back to Gabe. Back to who she really was. A child of the One True King.
Bouncing lights appeared ahead of her as officers raced through the brush. They’d gotten a head start since they were farther away from the explosion. She could hear Layke’s heavy breathing behind her but couldn’t stop to see his location. His pounding footsteps revealed his close proximity.
The rumble behind them grew louder, which meant they were running out of time.
Precious time.
Lord, please!
In record minutes, the group reached the clearing and hopped into their vehicles, speeding back onto the side road.
Layke raced in front of her and opened the Jeep doors. “Get in! Quick!”
She scrambled into the front seat and Layke started the engine.
Hannah peeked out but only darkness greeted her.
Layke backed up, and as he turned onto the roadway Hannah caught a glimpse of the pending white cover of doom in the Jeep’s headlights.
She hit the console. “Go! Go! Go!”
The tires spun on the icy road.
They would never make it.
God! Help us!
The tires continued to spin, not gaining any traction. Their hope of escape diminished.
Her pulse hammered in her head and she was sure Layke would hear it.
“Please, God!” she yelled.
The tires broke free and the Jeep lunged forward but not fast enough.
A heavy blanket of snow battered their vehicle, smothering them.
They were too late.
They were buried alive.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Layke struggled to breathe, his head pounding from lack of oxygen. Dread crept in
