Survival Mission - Chapter 9
Valerie’s lips tingled from Trevor’s kiss for at least the first mile of her hike up to an elevation where she figured she’d have a decent chance of cell phone service. It was easier to think of their hot lip-lock as Trevor’s idea, or else she’d have to look more closely at her own actions. And reaction. Because that kiss had been the best of her life to date.
Caroline would tell her it was because she hadn’t dated much after breaking up with a longtime partner who’d married less than a year after their split. But Valerie knew better. She believed phenomenal attraction to another happened, at least once or twice in life. So why did she have to experience it with a man who in all likelihood was involved in drug trafficking? Because why else would he be out in the woods at the same time as the bad guys? He wasn’t in the group, she reasoned, because maybe he planned to take the bulk of the drugs and run. Make the most for himself. Which meant… He’d have to kill Ziggy and his gang.
Did I just kiss a killer?
Her phone vibrated against her thigh and she pulled it out of her side pants pocket. Numerous texts and missed calls appeared in her notifications, and she sighed in relief at the three bars of five that appeared in the upper right-hand corner of her screen.
She hit her speed dial for Cascade Confidential’s CEO.
***
Trevor had too much time to think as he followed Valerie out of the campsite, careful to stay back far enough to avoid her detection. He had until later today to circle back to the site, and be there when the mules received their drop. He’d already sent in a report to his team, via the satellite comms device that looked like a regular cell phone to the untrained eye. He hadn’t had time to wait for a confirmation response before he turned the device off to save battery power, as Valerie had wasted little time in beating it out of the campsite.
But she’d left her tent, and her campfire remained set up—for future use, perhaps?
If she was a part of the mules, either they didn’t know she was, or they’d posted her apart from their group as a lookout for someone like him. Did she think he was a civilian hiker who’d only hoped to hook up with her?
The thought twisted his stomach and irritated his heart more. But he had to remain focused. Which meant he needed to know where Valerie was headed.
***
“Let me repeat back what you’ve reported. You overheard a group of possible narco-traffickers planning for a drop at the location you sent me.” Toni O’Malley’s voice, even though she knew she must have woken her at this hour, was at once reassuring and alarming as she recounted Valerie’s report. Toni was CC’s CEO and kept a finger in all of the security firm’s operations, especially any involving more serious crimes, including drug trafficking. “You’re certain that six of seven men are involved. What about the seventh?”
Trevor.
“He, uh, I’m not sure yet.”
“You said the leader’s name is Ziggy, and the other is Jim…” Toni listed all the names Valerie had memorized. “But what about the seventh? No name?”
“Yes, I have his first name, if it’s his real name. He said it was Trevor.” She let out a shaky sigh. “I don’t suppose any of our agents who were previous LE ever worked with a Trevor?”
Two mourning doves clucked and flew in front of her as she stood at the edge of a cliff, and she nearly stepped over the precipitous edge.
“Hey!” She involuntarily yelled at the horny birds. What had startled them?