FORTY-TWO

The choppers hovered in place above the entrance into the mountain. Although Pierce faced downhill, he was able to turn his head and clearly see soldier after soldier dropping down by rope from the choppers.

He found himself surprised that it was so well organized. Appalachia obviously knew how to successfully pull off military domination. Even if the Clan believed in combating military force with force, they didn’t have a chance.

How long would it take before the soldiers arrived to take Carney and him away? Would they be heading to a factory or something more fatal? Pierce knew that Bar Elohim would provide falsified evidence to his superiors Outside, showing how he disappeared into the Appalachian wilderness. While they considered him a top operative, they wouldn’t be surprised. It had happened before, and investigating his disappearance would risk unnecessary relationship tensions between the two U.S. countries.

Pierce didn’t have to wonder about his fate for too long. He spotted movement farther down the path. A big man pushed his way through the bush.

He’d seen him before, but it took him a second to remember the kid’s name. Big kid. The deputy.

Billy. That’s it. Billy.

The kid got closer, bug-eyed as he saw them strapped to the tree. “Sheriff Carney?”

Carney reacted by frantically pulling against the duct tape. Making noise from behind the tape on his mouth.

Billy took hesitant steps closer like he was scared that somehow Carney had the power to do something to him.

Carney yelled more from behind the tape.

Billy reached for it and tugged slowly. The ripping tape elongated the flesh on Carney’s face, and he scowled.

Billy gave it a good yank, and the tape ripped loose.

“Sheriff Carney?”

Carney panted, nodding. Billy started cutting the tape from his arms.

“I mean, how did you get here? They told me to come up here and help a couple of men. I didn’t know it would be you.”

“Who told you to help us?” Carney began unwrapping his legs.

To get attention, Pierce grunted from behind his own tape. They could talk about this somewhere else. Who knew how long they had before soldiers came looking for them as Mason had threatened.

Billy looked at Carney for permission to help Pierce.

Another nod.

Pierce braced himself for the sharp pull. He was glad he’d shaved. Smooth skin hurt less. He, too, gasped for air after Billy pulled the tape loose.

“Let’s go, kid,” he said. “You two can compare notes later.”

“You going to arrest me?” Billy asked Carney. “You came here looking for me, right?”

“He can’t go back to town either,” Pierce snapped, nodding toward the sheriff. “He’s one of them.”

“One of them what?” Billy looked from Pierce to Carney, then back to Pierce.

“One of the Clan,” Pierce said. “He’s been helping people escape Cumberland Gap for years. Aren’t I right, Sheriff?”