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.Although alive carried several definitions, she knew he wouldn't flat-out kill her, at least not yet.Ghost already hunted in the woods surrounding the small cabin.Harris probably didn't come alone, putting Ghost at a decided disadvantage in numbers.With plenty of adversaries to keep him busy, he couldn't rush to her aid.Fear raised its ugly head as the odds against them seemed to swell."Don't make me come in there.The longer you make me wait, the less merciful I'll be."She shuddered, then gasped as the front doorknob rattled.Without a second thought, she tightly clutched the rifle, and scurried to the back room.Pulling the closet door open, she pushed the tiny buttons in the far corner, then stepped back to allow the back wall to shift open.After closing the closet door back, she stepped inside the secret passage, punched the inside button, waited for the door to begin to shut, then spun on her heels.The narrow tunnel had only dim lighting from a string of lights attached to the ceiling, but she hurried along, trailing one hand along the wall to keep her balance and to help guide the way.Just a few more steps.The exit should be just ahead at the cave entrance.Suddenly, the air grew cooler as she emerged from the tunnel at the very entrance to a small cave.Squatting down, she half-crawled through the mouth of the rocky outcropping, not pausing until she stood once more on solid forest ground.If you have to run, head toward the creek at the east base of the mountain.The brush will provide cover.I'll find you there.Ghost's words played through her mind.Sucking in a breath, she trotted through the maze of evergreen trees, rocks, and slippery slopes, reminding herself to stay to the left as much as possible.Crack.Crack.A chunk of bark flew off a nearby tree and into the air.Josie bottled a shriek and ran like she'd never run in her life, thankful for years of cross-country running experience to help her navigate the uneven terrain at such a flat-out pace.Just get to the cover Ghost mentioned.She clung tightly to the rifle, holding the weapon against her body to avoid banging it against vegetation and potentially knocking her only protection out of her hands.Her feet churned as she jumped and dashed, trying to move as quickly and quietly as possible but knowing anyone without a few yards would hear something large crashing through the woods in a heavy charge or frightened attempt at escape.Her breathing sawed as she skidded down a particularly steep embankment, landing on her rear as she hit bottom.Jumping to her feet, she darted forward once more like a rabbit fleeing from a hungry fox.Just as she began to doubt the vague compass in her head, she glimpsed the small winding creek just ahead.To both sides, thick trees and smaller bushes lined the banks, as if crowding in for a small drink of water during the long dry spells.Hurdling a fallen log, she leaped over the stream, and landed smartly on her knees.She stood back up, turned right, and found the best cover possible.Without further consideration, she dove under a tall bush, ignoring the lower branches scratching at her face and arms, positioned her rifle to fire, and waited.Slow deep breaths.Get your heart and lungs under control.She heard her biathlon instructor's stern commands as she lay on the cold earth.Steady, Josie.You just might have to make the shot of your life.Always before, missing the silver dollar sized target in the prone position made for penalty laps to be skied or time to be added.Not this time.Granted, she had a much larger target, but this time she'd potentially pay with her life if she missed.She focused on her breathing.In.Out.In.Out.A twig snapping yanked her attention to the right, just in time for a bullet to ricochet off a nearby rock.Her finger tightened on the trigger, then the gun recoiled as she fired.Pop.Pop.Pop.Three shots rang out in rapid succession.Harris toppled over and lay unmoving."Easy, Josie.It's me." The low whisper startled her for she had no clue Ghost was anywhere near.Glancing over, she saw him on his belly, slinking up to her at a slow but steady pace.He settled in beside her, not even jarring a single branch of the thicket.Amazing considering the thickness of the brush and the rough, unforgiving ground they lay on.She breathed out a sigh of relief at his appearance."You okay?""Yeah." She tempered her voice to his level, a bare whisper that carried no farther than themselves."You?""Fine.""That is… was the fake FBI agent that showed up at my work.The one Ryan labeled as a deadly thief who never took no for an answer.""Any idea who the others are?""Not unless they're his buddies or hired help.I only saw him.Ryan said they caught the other guy who called my cell phone.The second phone call he said was legit."* * * *Ghost raked her with a look.She seemed a bit rattled but no worse for wear.Scratches marred her face and hands, but they'd heal soon enough.Not bad considering the other alternatives.When he'd heard running, then shots, his heart had sped as a surge of worry hit him like a lightning bolt.He had abandoned his position in a tree and rushed toward the noise, realizing Josie must be sprinting for her life to the creek.Never before had he been so careless in reaching a location, unconcerned of the noise he made or the fact he ran full-out upright.Nothing had mattered more than getting to her before a bullet found her.He had to give her credit.She followed instructions, found a good nest to defend, and shot the man hot on her trail.Most women probably couldn't have risen to the occasion.Josie not only stepped up, showed courage and bravery under fire, she exceeded and essentially saved herself.He saw her with a new level of respect.He'd debated taking her with him before but decided their best chances resided with her staying in the safe house while he patrolled the perimeter, taking out any threat before they drew close to her
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