But excellent was never good enough for the head of the Foxfire program. A cold, untrusting bureaucrat, Lloyd Ryker demanded constant updates on all his assets.
“Madonna is doing just fine.” Coolly Dakota logged on to the handheld unit and ripped through the tests, shifting easily from light source to light source. Like every man handpicked for the elite Foxfire team, Dakota liked difficult challenges, and he always played to win.
Izzy watched the lights flash, scoring Dakota’s speed. “Want to tell me about Nell MacInnes?”
“Not much to tell. She saved those kids, no doubt about it.” Dakota started to add a character assessment but decided against it. Saying more would amount to empty speculation.
“Did she say anything useful? Any comments about her father or her future plans?”
“We didn’t get around to trading life stories,” Dakota said flatly. “There was a gale up on the summit, if you recall. And now maybe you’ll let me concentrate here.”
For some reason the questions about Nell irritated Dakota. When he was done with the test, he handed the unit back to Izzy.
Across the snowy field, Nell was talking animatedly to a man in a bright green parka and high-tech climbing gloves. “Is that her partner?”
Izzy nodded. “He helped coordinate the rescue ascent. I understand he’s climbed with Nell for almost twelve years.”
Dakota watched the tall climber squeeze Nell’s shoulder. “Are they sleeping together?”
“He’s married with two kids.”
“Which means nothing,” Dakota said curtly. “Married men can screw around as much as single men. Maybe more.”
Nell laughed at something her partner said, and for some reason that irritated Dakota, too.
“My research says no. The relationship is strictly about climbing.”
“Any sign that he’s involved in the theft?”
“I’ve got him on the radar just in case. He’s had no large bank deposits that would indicate unusual payments.” Izzy closed the digital unit and stowed it in a secure case.
“Neither did Nell.” Dakota rubbed his shoulder idly. “Maybe he’s being careful.”
“I’ll handle him. Right now I want you to calm down and rest.”
“I’m not—”
“Of course you are. You’ve been wound up tight ever since you got down. I checked out Amanda Wilson and gave her one of the field hydration lines before she was flown out. You could use one too.”
“I’m fine, Teague.”
“Can it.” Izzy slipped a syringe expertly into Dakota’s arm. “There’s a serious nutrient boost in that line. Shut up and let it take effect.” Dakota muttered something gruff that made Izzy laugh. “I doubt that’s physically possible, my friend, and I don’t intend to find out.”
As the liquid dripped into his arm, Dakota’s gaze slid restlessly over the lower glen. He couldn’t seem to stop thinking about Nell. What made her tick and how many secrets was she hiding? Both questions were suddenly very important.
Izzy followed Dakota’s gaze. “What’s eating at you?”
“Nell. She doesn’t add up, Izzy, and I don’t like things that don’t add up.” He took one last look across the loch, where Nell was laughing with her partner, piling ropes in a canvas bag.
The woman had guts to spare and a quick, clever brain. If things had been different he would have enjoyed a little recreational climbing with her. They could start on a cove in Thailand near the South China Sea.
A beach where clothing was optional sounded good.
The thought of Nell in a tiny string bikini—and no top—made muscles tighten all over Dakota’s body. He let the 3-D fantasy smolder.
And then he put the thought away.
Never gonna happen, pal. She’s the target and you’re too smart to forget that.
Staying focused on the moment was the best way to stay alive.
Dakota’s rules.
He glanced down at the sealed security file Izzy was holding out. “New developments?”
“An international terrorist group just took credit for the da Vinci theft via the Internet. Ryker wants you fully briefed within the hour. The mission just got elevated to a level-four priority.”
Dakota watched the loch glitter silver beneath them as the chopper pilot returned, squinting into the wind. “What group?”
“The October Twelfth Brigade. They’ve been on our watch list for almost two years now.”
“That’s the same group who claimed credit for the theft of the Rembrandt last year?”
“One and the same. The painting never resurfaced, and we assume it was sold clandestinely.” Izzy’s eyes hardened. “I don’t need to tell you the money will be used in very unpleasant ways.”
“How much money?”
“The da Vinci could bring somewhere in the area of thirty million dollars.”
Dakota said something low and vicious.
“My sentiments exactly. Meanwhile, no more surveillance. Our new orders are to locate that piece of art and make certain it does not leave U.S. soil at any cost.” He pointed to the file in Dakota’s hand. “Read it. We have new information from a prison source that Jordan MacInnes is involved. You’re to use Nell to locate the painting. Use her in any way that’s necessary,” Izzy said coldly. “Is that clear?”
“I TOLD YOU already. I’m fine.”
Despite Nell’s protests, a young paramedic was scrubbing her hands with Betadine. When he pushed up her sleeve, she was surprised to see cuts and bruises covering her wrists. In all the chaos, she hadn’t noticed.
“Bad night up there, I’m thinking. Nasty patch of weather you had.” The paramedic glanced out at the remaining clouds that drifted across the dark summit of Blaven. “At least no one was killed.”
“The cold was the worst part.” Nell’s teeth chattered a little. She was feeling dizzy, which irritated her. Fighting exhaustion, she rubbed her face with her free hand. “Where did my partner go?”
“He’s helping to sort out the last kids. They’re phoning their parents now.”
“I should go help—”
“You’ll stay right where you are. Your friend is managing fine.”
Nell had trained with Eric and climbed with him on three continents. They had shared dangerous conditions, then traded stories when they came down. And after that Eric went home to his beautiful, understanding wife and two kids back in Idaho.
End of story.
There was no other man in Nell’s life.
Nell looked up as she heard the roar of a motor.
“One of the choppers is pulling out.” The paramedic glanced through the ambulance’s rear window. “They seemed in quite a rush, according to my crew. Your American climber was aboard.”
Nell shifted, trying to look out the window, seeing Dakota’s outline inside the helicopter.