Guarding the Witness. Margaret Daley

line to use. As long as you’re attached, I should be able to help you. Don’t go in until I reach the other side.”

      He moved farther out into the rapids, water hitting the rocks and spraying up into the air. With long, even strokes, he headed for the opposite bank at an angle. He didn’t stop until he was over on the other shore. Waving to her, he held up the rope and signaled for her to start.

      Sucking in a steadying breath that did nothing to fill her lungs, she waded as far as she could, fighting to keep herself upright with the strong current. Even though Brody had swam at an angle upstream, he’d ended up about ten feet downstream. Was that far enough away from where they first went into the river? But even more importantly, could she keep herself from being swept up in the current?

      Two seconds later she plunged into the river, using all the strength she had to dog-paddle toward the other side. Water splashed over her head, and she went under, swallowing some of the river water. Panic threatened to take over. Again she fought to squash it as she struggled to the surface. Her head came up out of the water, and she gasped for air at the same time the current slammed her against some rocks. Black swirled before her eyes.