Page 24 (1/2)

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

There was a flash of h the trees, and Ben jolted to a stop, squinting The drizzle had increased, and he wiped at his sore, puffy eyes He wanted to scream for Jason, but how far ahead was Brown? Hard to say at this point

Tentatively, he jogged on, calling, “Jason!” Stopping to listen and scan the trees, he raised the rifle, sucking in lungfuls of air

“Ben?”

Relief rushing through hi there, chest rising and falling, rain strea down his face like tears For a heartbeat they stared at each other before Ben slung the rifle over his shoulder and grasped Jason’s arms “It’s okay,” he lied

“Oh God Please help usted over Ben’s cheek as he swayed “I have to find her They went that way He’s fast, even carrying Maggie, even after I sprayed him I think I missed and just pissed him off They could be anywhere Anywhere!” Words spilled out, Jason vibrating and tugging Ben forward

“Shh, it’s okay I’ve got you We’re going to find her” He ran his hands over Jason’s back and arms “Are you hurt?”

“Huh? No, come on Hurry!”

“Listen, the police are on their way The FBI too”

“Have to find her We can’t stop No!” His fingers dug into Ben’s ar her out there alone with that psycho We have to go now!”

Ben wanted to argue, but with each ie alive diminished Brown could decide it wasn’t worth the potential advantage of having a hostage Could leave her for dead Could do anything

Jason let go of Ben and backed away “I’ie You can wait”

The cold truth pluut like concrete as he stared into Jason’s wild eyes They were hours from civilization The FBI would have to fly into Kalispell It would be at least an hour until the local cops even ie would be farther and farther into the wild

If she died and he didn’t even try, Ben would never forgive himself

He reached back for the radio in the side pocket of his pack “This is Hettler I’ve located the father We’re continuing the search, heading north” He gave coordinates and finished with, “Over”