he could do it. That wasn’t the problem. He was a search-and-rescue specialist, trained in the Air Force. There was no one better suited to the job.
But the kidnapper had been very specific.
“Don’t even think about leaving me behind, Matt,” she said. “William Matthew is my baby. He needs me. When you hand over the money, I will be there to take him in my arms.”
THURSDAY 1600 HOURS
After coordinating times and plans with Special Agent Schiff, Matt drove straight back to Castle Ranch. He needed to talk to Deke.
At thirty, Deke Cunningham was one of the most decorated Air Force combat rescue officers alive. His skill with a rifle was legendary. The only thing he did better than shoot was fly a helicopter.
Which was exactly why Matt wanted him on alert for the ransom exchange.
When he got to the hangar, Deke wasn’t there. But at the door to his office, Matt saw something he hadn’t noticed before.
The plaque hanging beside Deke’s office door. It had hung in Rook Castle’s office since the day he’d created Black Hills Search and Rescue, Incorporated. It was small and plain, with a simple message.
IN MEMORIAM
Vietnam Veteran and Combat Rescue Officer
Arlis Hanks, 1944-1990. Our pledge—to honor your bravery by rescuing the innocent.
Matt touched the four signatures that were emblazoned into the bronze. Robert Kenneth Castle, Deke Cunningham, Matthew Parker and William BarkerVick.
Irina must have given it to Deke. Matt nodded to himself. It was fitting.
He found Deke in Irina’s office, sitting with her, Specialist Rafiq Jackson and Aaron Gold near a bank of windows that framed a view of the desolate, magnificent Black Hills. He nodded at Rafe and Aaron, and acknowledged Deke with a brief glance.
Irina smiled and stood to give him a hug. Rook Castle’s widow was as vibrant and lovely as ever. Her blond hair glowed in the sunlight that streamed in the window. But behind her smile and the sparkle in her blue eyes, Matt saw a shadow of grief.
He couldn’t imagine how difficult it had been for her to give up searching for her husband. She’d seen him shot, and watched him fall into the Mediterranean Sea. Even so, she’d clung to the hope that because his body had never been recovered, he might be alive.
Now, she’d given up. For everyone who knew her, and who’d supported her efforts to find him, that made it official. Rook Castle was dead.
“Irina,” Matt said. “When you called me the other day, I didn’t get a chance to say—”
She held up a hand. “I know. Thank you, Matt.” A small, sad smile lit her face. “It’s been more than two years. It’s time I stopped living in a fantasy world. What’s important now is rescuing Aimee’s baby. All my resources are available to you.”
He studied her face, wondering if Deke had told her about his theory that Novus was behind the kidnapping. He decided not to mention it. “I wanted to see if Deke could help me out.”
“Of course. You two talk here. I need to check with Pam about my schedule. Rafe, Aaron, walk out with me.”
After Irina left, Matt sat and propped his elbows on the table. He intertwined his fingers. “What’s up with Rafiq? Did you talk to him about Novus?”
“He’s listening in on activity around the Afghan/Pakistan/China borders. Chatter’s way up in the region since Irina stopped searching.” Deke rubbed his face. “Nothing concrete, mostly speculation.”
“I’m glad we’ve got Rafe. It’s good to have someone who speaks the language. Has he heard anything about what Novus is up to?”
“Well, you made big news when you left. Sounds like you’re right. The chatter supports the theory that you left because you found Rook.”
“Hmph. So much for my fifteen minutes of fame. I wish the chatter were right.”
Deke didn’t respond.
“What about you?” Matt asked him. “Are you on a case right now?” he asked.
“Nope. No case. Just hanging. I’d love to be out kicking butt somewhere, but I feel like I need to be here. You know?”
“Irina looks pretty good. How’s she holding up?”
Deke shook his head. “It took a lot out of her to make the decision to stop looking for Rook. All this time she’s lived with the image of him being shot, then disappearing into the Mediterranean. It was awful—” Deke’s voice cracked. “I mean, it had to have been.”
Matt didn’t have to imagine. He had his own night-mares. His dreams were haunted by the sight of Bill Vick spinning helplessly as he plummeted to earth, trailed by the parachute that failed to open.
“What about Aimee?” Deke continued.
“Not good. And I’m afraid I made it worse, showing up like that.” Matt stared at his clasped hands. “With her about to break, and the kidnapper’s demands, I’ve got a real situation brewing. Can you be on alert for the ransom drop?”
“Yeah, sure. When is it? Soon, I hope. There’s a doozie of a winter storm heading this way, and my bird’s not fond of snow.”
“I know. I’ve been tracking the front. I think it’s going to blow in earlier than they’re predicting.”
“You should know. I still say you should hire yourself out to the local TV station as a weatherman.” It was an old joke.
“Hair gel and a blue screen? I’ll do that the day you become a rodeo sharpshooter.” Matt couldn’t help but smile. Then he got back to business. “The ransom drop is scheduled for 1500 hours tomorrow. Here are the coordinates the kidnapper gave us.” Matt handed Deke a scrap of paper.
Deke snagged it and stepped over to an area map hanging on the wall. He tapped the point with his finger. “It’s pretty high up, and isolated.”
“Yeah. I’m going to take one of our Hummers. There’s a maintenance road up the south side. It’ll take at least two hours to get up there.”
“I see it. But if you’re right about the storm…Why don’t I fly you up in the bird? It’d be a lot quicker.”
“Because there’s a complication. The kidnapper demanded that Aimee make the drop herself.”
“The Hummer holds two passengers and it’s heated. Coming back, we may have a baby.”
Deke’s brows shot up. “May? You don’t think your kidnapper is going to turn over the kid?”
“That location gives me a bad feeling. How’s he going to handle
