Hominid (32 page)

CHAPTER 109

D
aylight hadn’t yet broken the horizon when Tess woke up the next morning. She stared at the ceiling for an hour, listening to Missy’s quiet breathing next to her. She hoped she was doing the right thing. They’d stayed up late last night getting everything together. And they had a plan. But a lot of things had to come together for that plan to work right.

She slipped from the bed. Coffee, some eggs, and she’d be ready to face the day—she hoped.

Tess pulled the blankets up to Missy’s chin and smiled as Missy snuggled deeper under them. One thing Missy had loved since she’d returned was the bed. The softness of it delighted her. And the pocket bigfoot that Pax had sent her lay snuggled in her arms.

Tess walked out of the room and closed the door softly behind her. Dev and Shawn were already awake, sitting at the kitchen island, mugs in front of them. Dev gave Tess a hug. “How you doing?”

Tess wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into him. “Good. I’m ready to get this show on the road. Everything go okay last night?”

Dev nodded. “Yeah, they’ll be there.”

Tess sighed, feeling a little relief. “Good.”

“Have some coffee,” Dev said. “We’ve got another hour before daylight, and then we’ll get going.”

Shawn placed a full mug in front of her. She took a sip, reveling in the warmth, then looked up at Shawn. “You sure Pax is up for this?”

Last night, Tess had been shocked when Pax said he was going too. Pax was not known for roughing it.

“One of them saved his life too when you guys were little,” Shawn explained. “He’s paying a debt. Besides, he wants to be there for you and Missy.”

“But is he up for it?”

Shawn faked affront. “Hey. He’s married to a Navy SEAL. He knows how to take care of himself.”

“Well, when you put it that way.”

But her fear for Pax lay at the back of her mind, right next to her fear for Missy, Shawn, Dev, herself, and the tribe.
Please let us all come home.

She took another sip of coffee and appreciated that no one commented on how much her hands were shaking.

CHAPTER 110

A
n hour later, dawn burst out bright and beautiful. Tess stepped onto the porch with Shelby by her side. The air was a little crisp, but she knew that would burn off by mid-morning, leaving behind a beautiful day.

Madge’s old red pickup pulled into the yard with her ATV in the back. Tess had called her yesterday to see if they could borrow it.

Madge stepped out and Tess walked down to greet her. “Thanks for coming.”

Madge pulled a shotgun from her truck, slung it over her shoulder, then grabbed a rifle too before closing the door.

Tess’s eyebrows went up. “Um, you expecting trouble?”

“Nope. But it never hurts to be prepared.” She handed the rifle to Tess. “I’ve never had a better gun than this one. It was my granddaddy’s, but I clean it and shoot it regularly to keep it in shape. I want you to take it with you today.”

Tess looked away. “Madge, it’s—”

Madge took Tess’s arm in a strong grip. “I know you’re not going out for a little hike.” She nodded toward the house. “And I know where that little girl’s been this last year. Don’t worry—I don’t plan on telling anyone. But I also know that our mutual friends are in trouble, and your little last-minute hike has something to do with that.”

Tess wanted to look away from Madge’s probing gaze, but she couldn’t. So she nodded instead.

Madge released her arm. “Well, Granddaddy’s rifle may just come in useful. Because from what I hear, there’s gonna be a lot of folks running around with their own guns.”

Tess took the rifle. “Thanks, Madge.”

“If I were younger, I’d insist on being out there with you. But seeing as I can’t, I’ll keep an eye on Shelby.”

“If we’re not back by tomorrow, call Abby. She knows what to do.”

Madge tightened her mouth but nodded.

Tess turned toward the steps, paused, then turned back. “If I don’t make it back, can you take care of Shelby?”

Madge opened her mouth to protest.

Tess took Madge’s arm this time, but more gently. “Please.”

Madge gave her an abrupt nod and pulled her into a rough hug. “Just make sure you come back. You’re supposed to bury me, not the other way round.”

Madge pulled away and disappeared into the cabin. Tess watched her with a heavy heart, hoping that nobody was going to have to bury anybody anytime soon.

CHAPTER 111

T
he three ATVs roared down the path. Tess had Missy snuggled in front of her, and although she knew the stakes were high, she let herself enjoy the ride. It had been too long since she’d been out here, and it felt good to be back. And judging by Missy’s smile, the girl felt the same way.

She had told Missy that they were going to see her family—and that her family was in danger. Missy had taken it surprisingly well. Tess supposed that perhaps she shouldn’t have been surprised to find that Missy so easily accepted that the world was full of evil people.

Tess led the way and stopped her ATV at the usual spot. Her legs felt a little numb from the continuous vibration of the bike, and she shook them out when she dismounted. Then she turned and helped Missy dismount.

The boys gathered near. “About a forty-minute walk from here to your camp, right?” Dev asked.

“Yeah,” Tess said. “And then it’s about another three hours from there to the valley.”

“You don’t sound so sure about that,” Pax said.

“Well, I was following Kong last time and didn’t look at my watch.”

“Kong?” Pax asked.

“He’s one of the big ones,” Tess said.

“I thought his name was Frank,” Shawn said.

“The one
you
met was Frank,” Tess explained. “Kong’s the one who brought me back. He’s much bigger.”

Shawn paled a little.

“Come on, guys,” Missy called.

“You heard the boss,” Pax said. “Let’s go.” He hurried after Missy, who smiled and ran ahead. Shawn started after them.

Dev took Tess’s hand. “We’ll be okay. We’ll get there in time.”

“Promise?”

Dev didn’t answer her; he just kissed her softly on the lips. Tess wished he
had
answered her, though, even if it had been a lie. Because right now, she needed to believe the lie.

CHAPTER 112

A
be sat at the table outside the coffee shop across from city hall. He took a bite from his egg sandwich as he waited for the show to begin.

Five minutes later, a black jeep pulled up and a gray-haired man in green fatigues stepped out. Abe shook his head.
Private army assholes
. The man strode up the steps of city hall and disappeared through the double doors. Abe took one last sip of coffee before throwing a twenty on the table and crossing the street. Two younger men in fatigues stood waiting next to the Jeep.

Abe schooled his features and headed for them with a giant smile on his face. “Hey, you the guys going to track down bigfoot?”

Neither of the men responded.

“Man, what a sight that’s going to be. I know a lot of people around these parts who’d love to be going with you.” He paused. “But not me. No sirree, I’ll leave that to you young hero-types.”

One of the men smirked.

“Yup, you guys are genuine American heroes. Say, could I shake your hand?”

One of the guys shrugged and extended his hand. Abe gripped it and placed his other hand on the man’s shoulder. “Be careful out there, and good luck.”

Abe nodded at the other man still keeping his smile big. Then he headed down the street and around the corner. He dropped his smile as soon as he was out of view.

He made his way to his rented SUV and opened the back. After scanning the street to make sure no one was around, he pulled over his duffel, pulled out the receiver, and flipped it on. The light glowed green, and the screen displayed GPS coordinates. Yup, the tracer he’d placed was working fine.

It wasn’t long before the light started to move. Abe patted the big gun case next to the duffel.
Time to go bag me a bigfoot.

CHAPTER 113

T
hey made good time to Tess’s camp. Tess looked around—it was already beginning to look abandoned. She glanced at the log where she and Charlie had first sat, and immediately a vision of Frank holding Charlie’s body appeared in her mind.

Tess took a deep breath. She promised to take care of them. She needed to do that.

Pax pointed to the sky. “What’s that?”

Tess looked up. A black speck to their east was heading in their direction.

“A chopper,” Dev answered, reaching for his binoculars. He watched it for a few seconds, then lowered them. “It’s not a county one. Maybe news?”

“Maybe,” Tess said, knowing occasionally they flew over the area when there was a news story. And a private military force tracking through a national forest was definitely a news story.

Shawn pulled out his own binoculars and focused on the target. He went still and then lowered them. “That’s an older military chopper.”

“Well, I guess they’ve arrived,” Dev said. “How many people can that chopper hold?”

“Maybe four or five, plus the pilot. Not enough for an invasion force. But that’s not the problem.”

“What’s the problem?” Pax asked.

“It’s not unusual for those choppers to be fit with heat signature cameras. They’re looking for your friends from the air.”

Tess looked again at the chopper. If it stayed on course, it would come awfully close to the valley. “We need to move faster.”

Shawn shifted his pack to his front and then lifted Missy onto his back. “Come on, little girl, time for a piggyback ride.”

Miss squealed and wrapped her arms around Shawn’s neck. There was a giant grin in her face. Tess only saw it for a split second, though, because she was already hurrying off into the trees.

CHAPTER 114

T
hey moved at a fast pace, and they only took one short break for water and a snack during the first hour. And during that time they saw three more choppers. They didn’t run into any of the military on the ground, but with the air getting as crowded as it was, she knew it was only a matter of time.

Ahead, Tess spotted a tall mountain maple that had grown around a large boulder. She remembered that tree, although she wasn’t sure which way to go from here.

Up ahead another chopper reappeared, heading back the way it had come. They had kept track of this one because unlike the others, its flight path would take them very close to the valley. Tess looked over at Shawn. “Do you think they found them?”

“Maybe. Or they could just need to refuel.”

Tess looked in the direction the chopper had appeared from. Maybe the bigfoot had heard it and had been able to hide before it could get a reading.

“Which way?” Dev asked.

“I’m not sure,” Tess said.

“It’s that way.” Missy pointed off to the right a bit.

“You’re sure?” Shawn asked

“Mm-hmm.”

Tess shrugged. “Sounds good to me.”

It was another hour before they stopped again. Tess took a swallow of water. Her legs were beginning to feel numb, but she knew they needed to press on.

Then, without warning, she felt absolutely terrified. Her head whipped from side to side.

“They’re here,” Missy whispered.

Tess looked at the guys. “Do you feel that?”

They all nodded. Dev pulled his shotgun from his pack.

“No,” Tess said. “No weapons. They’re warning us away. Let me have Missy.”

Shawn squatted down, and Missy scrambled off his back. She ran over and took Tess’s hand. “Do you know where they are?” Tess asked.

Missy pointed. “That way.”

“You guys stay here. We’ll be back,” Tess said over her shoulder.

Dev stepped forward. “No chance.”

Tess put up her hand. “Trust me.”

Dev held her gaze. “You have five minutes, and then we’re coming after you.” Shawn and Pax nodded their agreement.

“Okay.”

Tess went in the direction Missy had pointed. As soon as they were out of view of the boys, she said, “Can you tell them we need to speak with them?”

“I think they already know that,” she said softly.

Tess looked over her shoulder and jumped. The bigfoot standing behind her was ten feet tall, with a scar along his cheek.
Kong
. “Can you tell him the tribe is in trouble? That bad men are coming after them?”

Missy stepped forward, but Kong ignored her, his gaze fixed on Tess. Tess could feel his anger.
Damn it, why did it have to be Kong?

Finally he looked down at Missy, and for a split second, Tess saw his expression soften. Missy began to speak with him. When she was done, he looked back at Tess.

“You need to go,” Tess said. “They’re coming.” She knew her words wouldn’t be understood, but she hoped her tone conveyed the importance.

He grunted and said something to Missy.

“He wants us to come with him,” Missy said.

Tess thought of where the boys waited and shook her head. “We can’t split up. It’s not safe.”

Missy relayed what she’d said, and Kong disappeared into the trees.

Tess looked around. “Um, what did he say?”

“Nothing. He just left.”

Tess sighed. “Well, great. Come on, let’s get back to the guys before they storm in after us.”

The three men had their weapons in their hands when Tess and Missy returned.

“What did I say about weapons?” Tess growled.

Shawn gave her a pointed look. “Tess, this forest is crawling with the usual dangerous animals as well as a paramilitary force. We’re not dropping our guns.”

“Okay. Good point,” Tess said.

Pax hugged Missy. “Did you find them?”

Tess nodded. “We ran into Kong. Missy told him what was going on and he wanted us to come with him. But then I said you guys couldn’t be left behind, and he just disappeared without a word.”

“So what do we do now?” Pax asked.

“Well, we’ve warned them, which is what we had wanted to do. So… I guess we just head back,” Tess said.

Pax looked around the group. “Does anyone else feel like this was all a big build-up with little payoff?”

Tess wrapped her arm in his and teased. “Well, sorry I couldn’t make it more exciting for you, but—”

“Tess,” Dev said, a warning in his voice.

Tess followed Dev’s gaze and saw Kong stepping out of the woods. “Everyone put down your weapons, now,” Tess ordered.

From the corner of her eye she saw them follow her orders. And she also saw three of Kong’s lieutenants stepping out of the woods as well.

They were surrounded.