In for the Kill [Hawkman Series Book 9] (27 page)

Peggy raised a hand and yelled. “No, wait!"

Paying no heed to the warning, Jennifer raced to the side yard while slipping the protection over her hand and arm. The falcon glanced toward her, then spread her wings and lifted into the sky.

"Pretty Girl, it's me.” Jennifer watched her make lazy circles close to the house. “Come on down,” she pleaded, her arm extended.

"Get back in the house,” Peggy urged. “You're in danger."

"Don't talk to me right now; I've got to coach her back."

Peggy backed into the shadow of the house, concern written all over her face. She canvassed the outer boundaries of the property, particularly where the blackberry bushes were the thickest. Any stirring of leaves, even from a breeze made her break into a sweat. She held her pistol, ready to fire at the slightest movement.

The workman stood like statues in awe as they watched. It took several minutes before Pretty Girl made a wide circle around the house, glided down, and gently landed on Jennifer's arm. She crooned to the bird and quickly walked into the house.

Hawkman had already placed the portable perch in the guest room. Getting the hawk to step onto the top rung might be a problem, but when she moved her arm to the right position, the falcon climbed aboard. Jennifer breathed a sigh of relief as she tethered her to the perch. “You're such a good girl,” she said in a soothing voice. “Hawkman is going to be so thrilled to see you."

Peggy stood in the doorway. “Girl, you scared me out there."

Jennifer frowned. “Why?"

"I didn't have a chance to tell you, but I'd just received word from Ken, the search uncovered the vehicle Jack and Ray were driving. But so far no sign of them. He thinks they may have headed in this direction and wanted me to make sure you stayed safe."

Jennifer put her hand on Peggy's arm. “I'm sorry. I didn't realize why you were so worried.” She glanced toward Pretty Girl. “But you know, I'd have taken the chance, as this bird means a lot to Hawkman; and he thought he'd lost her after the fire."

"I don't think he would've wanted you to take the chance. You're more important to him than the falcon.” She let out an audible sigh. “No sense in fretting now, it's done. At least you're okay and so is Pretty Girl."

Jennifer smiled. “I better get her some water and food."

After getting the falcon situated, Jennifer talked with Scott and assured him all was well. She persuaded him to work on the aviary as soon as they could reasonably do so, as the bird liked the outdoors better than being cooped up inside. “Keep the door shut to the guest room. Strange people might upset her right now. She's been frightened enough by the fire."

"I'll pass the word to my men. Shouldn't be a problem, I see no reason why we'd even need to go in there."

Once Jennifer had everything under control, she turned to Peggy. “Let's go back to your place. I need to check on Miss Marple."

"I'll feel much more comfortable with you at my house, rather than here. I know Jack and Ray would have a hard time doing you any harm with all these men around, but they're crack shots. And the minute you're in the open, you could be dead in a second."

"I understand,” Jennifer said, as they walked out the front door.

Peggy kept to her right, checking the area to the east as they climbed into her vehicle. “I want you to crunch down in the seat when I head up Quail Lane."

"Okay."

As soon as Peggy pulled out of the driveway, Jennifer hunched down until she got the okay to raise her head. They soon pulled in front of the Bronson's and both women hurried into the house. Du and Miss Marple were in the middle of the living room floor. The cat had her back up, ready to pounce on her new buddy. Poor Du covered her nose with her paws, and gazed up at Peggy with mournful eyes.

Jennifer laughed. “Miss Marple, I think you've worn your friend to a frazzle."

Jack leaned back into the shadowed area of the overhang,and let the binoculars fall to his chest. “They've found the truck. Now they'll start looking for us."

Ray placed his rifle on the top of the boulder. “Wonder what they plan on doing? Keep scouting with the ground troops or let the helicopter take over?".

"Get your gun off the rock.” Jack pointed. “Keep it back in the shade so the sun doesn't hit it. Whoever's in the helicopter would spot the glare real fast."

"You're right.” Ray put his glasses to his face. “Doesn't look like they're moving out; they're all just hovering around the pickup. And the helicopter turned and went westward."

"They may think we've headed for Casey's house or they need to refuel. I have no doubt it'll be back. Keep an eye out for a few minutes. I'm going to see what's behind us."

"What good will that do? We can't outrun them. Our best bet is to stay quiet and hidden."

"Just going to check and see what advantage they might have if they spot us and plan a surprise attack by coming up the backside."

Jack climbed out of their den and started around the side of the hill. He had trouble keeping his footing due to the small rocks and pebbles. He slipped several times skinning the palms of his hands in an attempt to catch himself. Ray would never be able to handle this uneven ground if they had to dash out of there. So best they stay right where they were. He put his hands on his hips and stared out across the landscape. “Guess this is as good a place to die as any,” he mumbled.

He stumbled back into their lair. “If they try to come up back there, we'll hear them. And there's no way we can escape if we get cornered. So I hope you're all right with your Maker."

"As good as I'll ever be,” Ray said.

Jack rummaged around in his backpack and pulled out a couple of energy bars. “Here, I saved these for later, but I have a feeling we're going to need them."

Ray's mouth widened into a big grin. “Great, my stomach was rumbling. This should calm it down.” He took a bite, then picked up the canteen and took a big gulp. “It feels much warmer up here."

Jack settled behind the boulder and put his glasses to his eyes. “Yep. We're away from the water.” He straightened. “Something's going on. They're moving around. I see Tom Casey with the group. The big cowboy hat gives him away."

Ray stood up beside his dad. “He's mine."

Hawkman searched the hills with his binoculars, but saw no activity. The leader of his group, a big brawny man called Barney, gave a hand wave for the K-9 handler and his dog to go forward. The men followed.

The group spread out and marched along the creek. Their trained gazes traveled along the path for any sign of clues. When the stream veered to their left, Barney signaled for them to keep going straight ahead.

As they moved along, Hawkman noticed the dog straining on the leash and wondered if he'd caught a scent. Even though these animals were not bloodhounds, they could smell a human trail.

The whirling rotors of the helicopter could be heard in the distance. Soon, they came over the knoll and hovered for a few seconds in front of the advancing men, then proceeded on toward the rising mounds. Hawkman put his binoculars to his eyes and studied the craggy appearance of the large mass in front of them. He pointed toward a rocky area. “Lots of hiding places up there. We'd be easy targets, so stay undercover as much as you can."

Barney walked over to Hawkman. “You from here? You sound familiar with this area?"

"Yes . I used to hike it with my son. I don't remember every crevice, but I know there are caves and places you could hide. Very rocky and steep."

"Why don't you come up front. This is all strange territory to me. Even though I was born and raised in Montague, I never spent much time in this neck of the woods."

"Sure, be happy to assist.” As the two men walked to the front, Hawkman nudged Barney's arm. “Don't let the men get away from the tree line.” Then he pointed. “When you get to that open space, let the helicopter pilot and spotter do their job. Also, I've been watching that dog straining on the leash. I have a feeling he's sensing a trail. If so, it's pretty fresh."

"The handler will probably let him loose shortly."

Hawkman frowned. “Not so sure that's a good idea."

"Why?"

"Jack and Ray are bound to know we're close due to the copter, but they might not have seen us yet. The minute that dog charges into the clearing, they'll know we're right behind him."

Barney hurried toward the K-9 handler and spoke with him for several seconds, then joined Hawkman. “He's aware of the problem and will keep the dog on the leash until the Commander gives the word."

"That's a better plan."

The men soon reached the edge of the trees and stopped. Barney held his radio close to his lips and transmitted their position to the Commander. As they waited for instructions, Hawkman's gaze followed the plane as it made several passes in front of the knoll and glided over the top out of sight, only to appear again from a different direction.

Barney turned to Hawkman. “He's waiting to see what the spotter says."

The sun climbed higher in the sky, and Hawkman felt the heat of the bulletproof vest as the rays played across his back. After stepping into the deeper shade, he glanced out over the barren ground, but couldn't spot the other team. They were good, and had kept well hidden. If Jack and Ray were high in those crevices, they had a good vantage point. They were definitely in for the kill and would have the opportunity to pick off the dog and several men before they could locate them. This worried Hawkman.

He put his binoculars to his face and studied the hill starting at the top. He worked his view slowly down the front side. Suddenly, he straightened. Focusing on an area about halfway, he adjusted the lens. The sun rays reflected off of something shiny. Possibly the barrel of a rifle. Or it could be just a piece of glass or shiny rock, but definitely worth reporting. He took the radio from his belt and called in to the Command post, hoping Ken could hear the report in the copter.

Jim immediately instructed all the men to halt in their positions until they made a fly over of the area to check it out.

Hawkman watched the plane bank and come back toward the location he'd suggested they examine. Soon, Ken came over the air waves.

"There's definitely a bright reflection, but don't think it's a gun barrel. However, the jutting rock formation prevents us from getting close. It appears there's a large space under the hangover. The ground crew will have to investigate. It'll be dangerous. The men will be in the open if they go straight in, as the tree line stops at the foot of the hills."

"You men stay in position until I give the word,” Jim's booming voice announced. “Let me check out a safer way. Ken, how familiar are you with this area?"

"Not much. Tom Casey might be able to help."

"Are you there, Casey?"

"Yes."

"What's your feeling?"

"This is rugged country, and it'll be tough. But I think it would be safer if the men stayed in the protection of the forest until they get to the south side. If Jack and Ray are hiding in the suspected area, they won't see the men making their way up the back."

"Good idea. Let's go for it. Ken, distract our felons."

"Be happy to."

The helicopter made a steep turn and then hovered, kicking up dust and small pebbles over the spot where they'd detected the reflection.

Jack and Ray hunkered down behind the boulder as dirt and rock were hurled into their hideout.

"What the hell is going on,” Ray swore.

He grabbed his gun, but Jack put a hand on his arm. “Don't do anything stupid. We don't know if they know we're here or just playing a game. The minute you make yourself visible or shoot, they'll kill us."

Ray put his rifle down beside him and coughed. “This flying debris is killing me, I can hardly breath."

"They won't stay here long. Just keep down and hold on. They can't get close enough to see us or the blades would hit the rock. So we're safe."

Ray pulled his shirt up around his nose. “I hope you're right."

Soon, the helicopter pulled away, and swerved around the side of the hill.

When Ray started to stand, Jack pulled him back down. “Are you crazy? Stay down. They'll spot any movement as long as they're this close."

"I need a breath of fresh air."

"If you get shot in the head, it won't make any difference. Don't worry, it will clear in a few minutes. Let's just hope they don't come back."

"What do you think is going on?"

"I'm not sure. Something made them look for us up here.” Jack glanced around the small hideout. He reached across and grabbed the metal canteen Ray had placed beside his feet. “There's our culprit. When the sun got at high noon, and the shade moved, this little tin can sent out a signal as bright as a spotlight. Someone spotted the reflection and they're checking it out.” Jack picked up his rifle, placed it across his lap, then removed a box of shells from his pocket. “I think we better get ready for an ambush. They'll be coming in from all sides."

Once the men made it to the south side, they spread out along the base of the hill and the K-9 handler took off up the side with the dog still leashed. Hawkman could tell the canine had lost whatever scent he'd followed earlier, as he acted a bit distracted.

Ken had told them over the radio they couldn't spot any activity in the area where they'd seen the reflection, but it didn't mean Jack and Ray weren't there. The pilot couldn't get the copter close enough to see deep into the cavern due to the overhanging rock. They'd hoped the kicking up of dirt would drive the men out, or they might spot some movement. But they observed nothing.

Hawkman knew Jack and Ray were tough. Both having been trained by the Agency, they could withstand a lot before caving into a little discomfort. He scanned toward the other group and noted a couple of the men hiding behind what few trees were scattered along the hillside. Also he spotted the other dog and handler leading the pack, as they made their way upward. He scrutinized the hill and calculated where the crevice appeared on the other side. Instead of going over the top, he'd prefer to come in from the side. He shifted over to the right, joining the men moving in that direction. To his relief, he noticed the K-9 had moved into position ahead of them. He didn't want to get ahead of the dog and take the chance of being attacked. So far the dog was held on a tight leash, but more than likely, the handler would soon turn him loose and give the command.