The Romanov Ransom (Fargo Adventures 9)

“Do you know what I don’t see?”

He glanced at the tin and realized the moment she said it. “An office with no typewriter.”

Sergei and Gustaw stopped their search, Gustaw asking, “Why would that be important?”

“Not sure.” Sam handed his pack to Remi and she placed the found items inside it. “But we have someone who can research it for us. Let’s finish up in here and get moving.”

They went through every last crate but found nothing but canned goods inside. A few minutes later, they left. Once they hit the railroad tracks, Sergei stopped to look back.

“What’s wrong?” Sam asked.

“Who knows what else is down there. It’s a shame we can’t explore farther.”

“We can always come back another time.”

“Of course,” Gustaw said. “You know where I am. Anytime you want to come back, you come see me.”

They reached the cave entrance, climbing over the boulders that had bridged the creek bed. A shaft of sunlight lit the floor, dust motes floating up and around the rope they’d left hanging.

They climbed out, emerging into the bright sunlight, but the peaceful sound of the water trickling beneath them was broken by the buzz of Gustaw’s phone. He pulled it from his pocket, looking at the screen. “Someone’s here . . .”

Sam scanned the area in the forest below, not seeing anything. “Where?”

“Everywhere.” Gustaw looked up from his phone in shock. “We’re surrounded.”

36

How many men out there?” Sam asked, his eyes on the woods.

Gustaw swiped through the various screens on his phone, each showing a different area where the alarm had tripped. “Eight. No, ten. Four, just coming up to the cabin. The other six are fanning out. If any of them have tracking skills, it won’t be long before they notice our trail up here.”

Sam realized they had very little time. The thick trees of the forest below would shield them from view for a bit, but not for long. He grabbed the double strand of rope hanging from the birch, handing it to Sergei. “You wanted to do a little more exploring? Looks like you’ll get your wish.”

Sergei turned a worried glance toward the forest. “I didn’t mean now.”

“Sorry,” he said, drawing his gun. “Not a lot of options.”

Sergei climbed down.

“You’re next,” he said to Remi.

She dropped down.

A moment later, a half dozen armed men crashed through the forest into the clearing. So far, they hadn’t been seen. He doubted their luck would hold.

“Hurry,” Sam whispered to Gustaw, aiming at the approaching men. Gustaw slung his rifle over his back, then lowered himself into the shaft.

“Da oben!”

A shot whizzed by Sam’s head.

He returned fire.

The men below scattered.

Sam grabbed the two strands of rope, ripped off another shot, holstered his weapon, then slid down. The second he landed, he gave a tug, and the rope snaked down into the cavern at his feet.

Sergei watched as Sam coiled it, then slung it over his shoulder. “How will we get out?”