Chapter 19
Nineteen
Wolfe discovered the Beast parked some distance away from the bridge on Maple.
Water lapped around the wheels. He drove closer and noticed a pile of clothes on the back seat, including Kane’s distinctive black Stetson and Carter’s snakeskin cowboy boots.
They must have planned to go into the river.
Closer to the swirling muddy torrent that used to be a crystal-clear river, blue and red lights flashed from the ambulance, and beside them a team from search and rescue unloaded crafts from trailers.
Having no idea of the nature of the emergency, Wolfe had come alone.
He used his satellite phone to call Jenna’s office and spoke to Rio.
“Yeah, there’s a vehicle washed up alongside the river.
Something else has happened here. Search and rescue is already on scene. Did Jenna call in her position?”
“Yeah, she reported a vehicle had been washed into the river. Since then, we’ve had reports of a landslide in the mountain.
It took out one side of Dead Man’s Drop.
The entire contents of the rock pool released into the river.
The damage is being assessed. The mayor engaged search and rescue.
Our orders were to remain here and be ready to assist where necessary.
I haven’t heard from Jenna since then, but she has Jo and Carter with her as well as Kane. ”
A wave of concern knotted Wolfe’s gut. Kane hadn’t contacted him because he couldn’t and his tracker was used only in a dire emergency.
Whatever had happened was bad, real bad.
“I’m on scene and there’s no sign of Jenna or the others.
Kane activated his tracker. I have him about a mile downstream but have no way of getting to him.
I’m heading now to speak to search and rescue.
They have boats. I’ll keep you in the loop. ” He disconnected.
He had fishing waders in the back of his van.
He carried everything he might need in an emergency.
He climbed into the back and pulled on his slicker and waders.
He stuffed foil blankets into his medical kit and headed out.
After explaining that the sheriff and her deputy and two FBI agents had likely been washed downstream, he climbed into one of the boats and they skimmed along the top of the floodwater.
He kept checking his satellite phone and the map with the constant beep that told him Kane’s position.
Peering through the downfall, the destruction from the rush of water surprised him.
Trees had been dragged out by the roots and tossed around as if they’d gone through a hurricane.
Long strands of wheatgrass hung from branches like Christmas tinsel, and animals both alive and dead floated by.
He gripped his phone, inside a plastic bag, constantly wiping the rain blocking his view.
His attention moved from the screen to scan the way ahead.
The beep told him they were getting closer, but would it be Kane’s body that floated past them next?
He shook his head, not willing to consider Kane’s life would be taken so easily, but after all, he was only a man.
“I see something moving.” The search-and-rescue guy at the front of the boat turned and looked at him. “No, two people.”
The boat accelerated and, through the pouring rain, Wolfe made out Carter and Jo.
Relieved, he blew out a breath, went to his bag and pulled out foil blankets.
As they came alongside, he stared at Carter’s wide grin.
Soaked through with long hair plastered to his face, he looked fine but Jo’s exhausted expression told him she’d been through hell and back.
She had blue bruises under both eyes and scrapes all over.
He knelt in the boat and held out his arms. “Hand her up to me.” He lifted her into the boat and she curled up on the bottom shivering.
He covered her. “Keep the blanket around you. I’ll check you over real soon. ”
One of the search-and-rescue guys came forward waving a Thermos. Wolfe looked at him. “Thanks. We need to get these people warm.”
“I’m mighty glad to see you, Shane.” Carter slid into the boat. “Dave is somewhere behind us. He went looking for Jenna. She was with Jo when they got washed into the river. We were trying to extract a woman from a vehicle when the wave hit.”
Swallowing hard, Wolfe handed him a blanket. “Do you know if she’s alive?”
“Nope.” Carter’s eyes filled with remorse. “You know, he won’t come back until he finds her?” He lifted his chin, the blanket hanging from his fingers. “I should get back at it and help him. He can’t do it alone.” He went to roll off the boat.
Wolfe laid a hand on his shoulder. “He’s not alone. We’ll find them.”
“Okay.” Carter shook out the blanket and moved closer to Jo. He took a cup of coffee from the search-and-rescue guy. “Thanks. Head toward the next bridge. That’s where Deputy Kane was heading.”
The boat moved off again and Wolfe shook his head.
He’s never seen Carter and Jo look so defeated.
It was as if all the life had been drained from them.
He grabbed a few things from his bag and went to work on Jo.
Her scrapes were superficial but she’d swallowed a ton of filthy water.
Carter had a small bruise on one cheek but hadn’t complained of any injuries.
He’d need to check him out later, once they’d showered.
“I’ll need you both at the morgue. I’ll need to run tests.
That water is teaming with microbes and other nasties you don’t want to know about.
I’ll give you both shots and meds to cover anything sinister. ”
“Jenna tried to get to me but the river swallowed her.” Jo’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I caught hold of a log floating by. It saved my life.” She leaned into Carter and his arm went around her. “I couldn’t do anything to save her.”
Wolfe dabbed at the scrapes with antiseptic and narrowed his gaze.
“Jenna is tougher than you imagine. She understands how to survive in a river and has done it before. Kane will be searching for places she might have made it ashore.” He scanned the wall of rain ahead.
“The bridge would be a good place to start.”
“I see someone.” The search-and-rescue guy at the front of the boat moved a search beam through the dim light. “There.” He pointed and the boat sped up.
Relief flooded through Wolfe as the beam picked up Kane, white-faced and grim, wading through hip-deep water with Jenna wrapped around him.
She had her legs around his waist, one arm circled his neck with the other tucked in.
Kane had locked his arms around her. As the boat got closer, the strain on Kane’s face was evident.
His mouth turned down and rain streamed over his bare head.
He looked at him and nodded. Wolfe kneeled in the boat and lifted Jenna from his arms. She appeared waxen and freezing cold against him.
Water poured from her clothes, leaving puddles in the bottom of the boat.
Moments later, Kane rolled over the edge and pulled her against him.
Wolfe wrapped them in foil, hoping she was alive.
“Jenna, I want you to open your eyes. Talk to me.”
Nothing.
“She’s alive.” Kane’s voice sounded hoarse. “Jenna.” He gave her a little shake. “Shane is here, and we’re going home.”
Concerned, Wolfe ran his hand over Jenna’s ice-cold skin and lifted her chin, feeling for a pulse. The slow but steady beat reassured him and he looked at Kane. “We need to get her awake and warm.” He tapped Jenna’s cheek. “Jenna, open your eyes. Talk to me.”
When her eyes fluttered and opened, Wolfe relaxed. “Don’t y’all go back to sleep now. We have fresh coffee.” He squeezed her arm. “Jenna.”
“Okay, okay.” Jenna winced. “I’m in pain. Like with a capital P.”
“She dislocated her clavicle.” Kane met his gaze. “I likely did more damage putting it back in the socket, but I couldn’t carry her with it like that. If it hurts right now, it will get worse once the cold eases.”
“I figured he’d shot me.” Jenna leaned into Kane. “He’s been carrying me for miles.” She noticed Jo and Carter close by. “Oh, thank the Lord, you’re both okay.”
“Exhausted but okay.” Carter smiled at her. “Dave would have carried you to the end of the earth if necessary. He’s as stubborn as a mule.”
“Just as well, huh?” Kane snorted and took a cup from the search-and-rescue guy. He handed it to Jenna. “Drink the coffee, Jenna, and keep talking.”
Wolfe pulled a shot of morphine from his bag, swabbed Jenna’s arm, and pushed it in. He lifted his gaze to Kane. “The drug will ease the pain but she’ll want to sleep. You must keep her awake.”
“I know the drill.” Kane sipped his coffee and turned to the search-and-rescue guy. “Get us the heck out of here.”
As the boat spun around and headed back toward the flooded parking lot, Wolfe’s phone buzzed. It was Rowley. “We have them. Dave and Jenna are close by. I’ll put you on speaker.”
“That’s good.” Rowley’s serious voice sent up alarm bells for Wolfe. “The body of the woman in the sedan was located. It’s another of the women from our self-defense group. Her name is Roxanne Dunn.”