Ends of the Earth

My baby.

He had to try. Had to protect her. It was his job, and he’d failed.

One foot in front of the other, he plowed on, following Ben, whose surefootedness and broad shoulders comforted. Rangers weren’t cops, but at least he knew the land.

As night fell, Ben wordlessly offered a granola bar, and they rested for a minute. Jason took a swig of water. “You think Brown will keep moving?”

Ben held up his palms. “Hard to say. He’d want to get far away as soon as possible, but without light, it’ll be nearly impossible.” He tipped back his head. “Doesn’t look like there’ll be any moon or stars visible tonight.”

“Are they going to send out a search party? Like for that fisherman?”

“Not in the dark. That’s why I had to rush off yesterday and help. We were fighting the clock. And the lake he was on was much closer to the campgrounds and main area of the park. Getting out here isn’t as easy, and with Brown armed with a hostage, it’s not a typical search and rescue. Rangers aren’t equipped for this.”

“Right.” Jason peered around at the shadowy forest. “Maggie doesn’t do very well without sleep. He’ll have to stop, or—” Bile rising, he squeezed his eyes shut. He’d tried not to think about it. Didn’t want to make his fears real by voicing them.

But he knew what happened to kidnapped little girls.

Then the oats and raisins of the granola bar were coming back up. He dropped to his knees, heaving up the bit of food and water he’d consumed, the wet earth soaking his pants.

“It’s okay.” Ben crouched beside him, rubbing a hand slowly up Jason’s back, his fingers warm on the nape of Jason’s neck.

For a few heartbeats, Jason didn’t move. He knelt there, head hanging low, letting Ben rub the strip of exposed skin. He fought the urge to bury himself in Ben’s arms. He had to be strong. He was Maggie’s father. He had to be a man.

Coughing, he swiped at his eyes. He took the bottle of water Ben offered and sipped. “Thanks,” he croaked. “I’m fine. Let’s go. We can keep looking until we can’t see.” Ben had a flashlight, but it would be too dangerous to use. They needed the element of surprise. It was their only advantage. Jason would tackle Brown. Trade his life for Maggie’s, and Ben could get her to safety.

Ben watched him for a long moment. “Okay.”

But Jason didn’t move, his knees cold in the wet leaves, a pinecone digging into his flesh. Terror paralyzed him, and even though Ben didn’t have the answer, he had to ask again, “Do you think he’ll hurt her? Do you really think he meant what he said about not molesting kids?”

“His offense did seem genuine. Like he has some weird code of honor. I saw his rap sheet and it was robbery and assault. Like I said before, nothing sexual.”

Jason exhaled. It was no guarantee, but at least it was something. He had to put the horrible possibilities out of his mind or he’d be hobbled. Just had to concentrate on finding her and getting her safe. If Brown felt like he needed her as a bargaining chip, he’d keep her alive. Jason had to believe that.

Ben quietly checked in on the radio, and the woman on the other end told them there’d be helicopters out in the morning, and that the local police were on their trail, but had to turn back and regroup, get organized and supplied up for first light. The FBI was taking over, and had ordered Ben be told to stop searching and “contain” Jason.

His gaze on Jason, Ben simply said, “Copy that. Over and out.” Then he kept walking, and Jason followed gratefully. He couldn’t stop. Maggie was leaving a trail. Maggie was waiting for him to find her.

They went another quarter mile and reached a babbling stream. It hadn’t been a warm day to start with, but now the temperature dropped like a stone as the hidden sun sank. With numb fingers, Jason filled their two bottles with fresh water. He closed his eyes briefly.

Maggie was gone.

Grief lashed through him for the hundredth time since she’d disappeared, screaming as that psycho carried her off. Jason fought the tears and rinsed his face, slapping his cheeks with glacial water. Sitting around crying wasn’t going to get her back.

He muttered, “I can’t believe I let this happen.”

Ben stood against a nearby tree, rubbing his face. “It’s not your fault.”

Jason shoved to his feet with a burst of impotent fury. He wanted to throw his head back and scream, but had to stay quiet. Before he knew what he was doing, he was in Ben’s face, gripping his jacket, gritting out, “Stop saying that. Stop it!”

Ben raised his hands. “Okay.”