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sharktoothtotem) wrote2022-02-23 05:06 am
(no subject)
Scotland
2 weeks before Sam and Nate meet again
Sam had thought that she was right beside him as he crouched by the ruins of a stone wall. The dark-haired teen had fallen behind, he could see the light from her flashlight bobbing slightly. As much as he had wondered about the colored film over it, he had to admit, as soon as he actually had known what to look for, finding the little green light had been easy. Samuel Drake cursed as he heard the guards before he saw the lights from their flashlights bouncing in the distance. He only had about four rounds in his handgun, and he knew that the teen didn’t carry.
The guards caught up with her. “Where’s the other one?” One of the guards hissed at her, the sound carrying just enough for him to hear, as Sam caught her getting pushed to her knees. He had remembered her saying it would probably be better if she played bait, they had been so close to the shore line. Damn it girl, I told you no. We were gonna get to Nate. He thought trying to figure out how he was going to get her out of there.
“Sam! Run!” She yelled.
Sam noted that she was yelling towards the way of the only road in. Damn it, as soon as I can convince Nate to help, we’re coming back for you. He moved silently as he grit his teeth. She had been right, there would have been no way that they would have been able to both, escape. Though, Sam didn’t feel right about leaving a kid behind. She reminded him too much of someone from his past. Not to mention she was good at the research stuff, something he was sure that she had in common with Nate.
The man that had forced her to her knees had knelt behind her, quickly cuffing her hands behind her back. The kid fought some, though when she was pulled to her feet, Sam caught her limping as she was escorted away.
When did she get hurt? Damn it, you should have told me. He added as he stayed crouched down.
“So where did you think you were goin’ in the middle of the night? You know Rafe wouldn’t want his pet researcher goin’ too far. Not when you know all this pirate stuff.” The guard shoved her forward a little.
She spat something in a language Sam didn’t understand, though catching the reaction from the man, Sam winced as the dark-haired teen fell forward in his hold.
If Sam knew that they’d make it to the boat safely he would have taken the shot taking out the man that had hit her. Damn it, stay alive kid. I’ll be back soon, I promise.
“Rafe’s going to have a fit if you’ve hurt her too much. We need the kid to finish the translations.”
“He’ll understand.” The man escorted her towards the ruins of the church, where they had been camping out. “The rest of you keep searching. If he’s not found by daybreak, we at least have the translator.”
“Are you nuts? It’s cold as fuck out here. If he’s out here all night let him freeze.” The man’s companion said as they half dragged her. “He just wanted Drake here to rub it in that we have the resources to do this without him or his kid brother.”
Sam almost turned back; the guard was right. He wasn’t Nate, nor Taylor, who if he was honest with himself was a hell of a lot better than he or Nate had been at her age. Rafe wouldn’t kill her; or allow her to get hurt. Though it dawned on him as he managed to slip over the edge of a cliff, dropping to an overhang that he and Taylor had found a few days ago, that the kid, was probably going to be used as bait if the two of them didn’t get the treasure for him. “Fuck,” He hissed low to himself. He had been there three months working alongside her, and even though most of her knowledge of pirates were based on the Pacific Ocean, she had been able to figure out some of the details he had missed.
He paused, seeing movement on the beach. The raft was anchored under the dock, so he didn’t think that it would be found at least. Casting one more glance to the wall he had climbed down, Sam stayed low, moving for the raft. He couldn’t let the chance pass. Wading into the water he shivered, though stayed low. There was a change of clothes in the raft, he’d be able to warm up later. Getting it away from the dock he held on, swimming out some distance before risking climbing in.
Only once he had boarded the plane heading for the States, two days later, sure he had actually managed to ditch any tail he may have had from Rafe and Shoreline, did he look at papers he had found in his bag. They hadn’t been things he had tucked away. They had been in an envelope, simply addressed with his name. The handwriting was Taylor’s careful scrawl, something that looked harsh with its straight edges, reminding him of the Asian writing she used in her journals to hide details from Rafe and Nadine. His hand went to his jacket pocket where she had slipped him another note, telling him about the papers, he’d have to teach her how to be a better pick pocket when he saw her next. Her slight of hand was good at least. Though he turned back to the papers at hand.
The envelope had a realistic sketch of the monastery, the shadows hinted it was midday. He flipped it over, opening the letter settling into his seat a little more. It was going to be a long flight.
Sam remembered her sketching the image, it was from when they had gone searching for the way into the catacombs. Taylor had him stop, sitting on one of the old graves, her back to the tombstone as she sketched the old buildings.
“What are you doing there, kid?”
“Calling on a hunch. Maybe it’s nothing. But I saw this stone in particular in my dream last night. And maybe it’s nothing.” She tucked away the sketch. “Maybe it’s nothing. Tell me about one of your adventures, preferably from somewhere warmer than here.”
“You really don’t like the cold, do you?”
“Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, and when I’m not there I’m usually surfing in warmer waters.” She chuckled pulling her gloves back on. “Keeping moving, keeps me alive when it comes to the guy that raised me.” She responded tucking the papers into the pouch at her hip.
Sam frowned. “Did you take this job as protection from that guy?”
“I couldn’t go to Gramps and Uncle. Not when my guardian already uses them to keep me in line.” She looked down at the ground before her. “And really, Rafe’s not that bad to work for when he’s not in one of his moods. He and Nadine make sure no one else messes with me.” She added. “It’s my mess, I’ll get myself out of it.” She moved to get up, and he held out his hand.
“Here,” He helped her up.
“Thanks.” She stood, brushing off her jeans. Turning she looked at the tombstone she had been leaning against. There was a marking in the middle of the stone that she reached out tracing lightly.
“You know that marking?”
“I’ve seen it twice before. One, was something that belonged to my mother, the other was in one of the old books that my guardian was afraid to let me read.” She looked at the stylized A that was on the stone. “It’s nothing, probably just a common mark.” She shrugged. “Come on, let’s get inside I want to look over the books again to see if we missed something because really, not seeing anything that could be a hidden door here.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right, and getting cold?”
“Maybe,” She snagged the thermos he was carrying knowing that it held coffee. “That and getting hungry. Unlike you I skipped breakfast.”
He shook his head at the memory as he opened the envelope there were a few papers within, one being a letter to him, another being a printout of some medical report, and the last was a photograph, it had been torn in half, though he knew the woman that was looking back at him. She had Taylor’s blue green eyes, ringed in gold. He almost said the woman’s name out loud as he stared at it in shock. Instead, he unfolded the letter.
The photo he had propped up against the back of the seat in front of him. The torn photo had his arm over the woman’s shoulder. Sam remembered the day it had been taken. Nate had been the one that had taken the shot. The Korean woman was smiling brightly, her long hair pulled up into a ponytail. He remembered it had been wet, she had just come out of the ocean after a surfing competition. It had been three days before they had left for Panama with Adler. He left the photo there reading the letter that Taylor had written him.
Sam,
The enclosed documents are how Adler got me to work with him. I know that I told you it was to protect me from my guardian, but I didn’t want you making a scene. I couldn’t risk Uncle Nate or Gramps. I’ll be fine. When I’m writing this, you’re crashed out on the couch in the library. I want to tell you, but I can’t risk you causing trouble. Not until I know that Uncle Nathan’s safe.
I, will admit, I abused some of the time I had in the infirmary while you were injured. I’m sorry about that, but there hadn’t been time to alert you to the plan before Adler pulled you out of there. Though, I never did thank you for jumping in when the security guard pinned me. Anyway, we’re lucky that the med tech humored me when I asked him. The test was done and as far as I know this is the only copy of the information. I had him blind test the samples, but they were ours. Though I don’t know if he showed it to Rafe and Nadine before he handed it to me.
Everything in here, should be enough to convince Nate to help if you can’t do it alone. Don’t be mad about it okay? I know staying will mean I’m in danger, I can at least keep him searching in the wrong places. He won’t tell my guardian what’s going on either. I’ll be safe for a while.
And right, I’m rambling. Though hoping that by the time you read this, you’re halfway across the Atlantic. Not that I’m not enjoying the company. You’re a true hunter unlike Rafe and Nadine and her men. I also know that you’re a different kind of hunter than I am. I have gone to a few sites, but I have never been the one to initially find a treasure. Hoping that this one, we can make it a family find; Uncle Nate, you and myself. I’m fine with screwing Rafe over on this.
Taylor
He hesitated, looking at the printout. Handwritten on the top margin were a few words he was dreading as soon as he had seen what she had written in the letter.
Tay, there is a 99.9% chance these two are related.
Sam looked at the words again, then back at the woman in the torn photo, standing there smiling in her bikini, reaching out to the camera man, almost as if she was trying to stop him from getting the picture. Why didn’t you tell me? I would have stayed instead of going to Panama. He thought as his hand trembled ever so slightly. He had left his daughter, with the man that had left him behind to rot in that prison. He knew that if Nate had known, he would have come back for him. Probably bringing Sullivan along with him. He crumpled the paper, as much as he wanted, he couldn’t let Nate know. Not yet at least. Sam needed to talk to her first. He wanted to figure out what they really wanted to be. He was all for her being Nate’s niece.
If he wasn’t midair, he would be reaching for the smokes that were tucked into the bag under his seat. Instead, he called for one of the stewards. He needed a stiff drink, something to calm him for now.
Another printout peeked out from the crumpled paper. He pulled it out of the ball, carefully folding the medical one, again, tucking it back into the envelope, the other paper he looked at. It was a cross, like the one that he and Nate had been after so many years ago. The kid must have snagged it from Rafe’s research at some point. He had a feeling Rafe wasn’t going to like that. Damn it Taylor, how did you get into this dangerous game. Stay safe, Natty and I will come get you soon enough. And if that bastard hurts you, I’m killing him. He growled slightly after making his order.
Sam wondered if she knew the importance of the cross in the picture.
“Fuck,” He whispered under his breath as he stuffed all but the photo back into the envelope. He was of half a mind to see about getting on the first flight back to Scotland once the plane landed. No, get Nate first, then we’ll go get Taylor, she’s right. Rafe won’t kill her.
Focusing on the photo again, he realized it was laminated, it was probably the same token he had caught the kid looking at whenever she was scribbling in the journal, she carried on that leather pocket strapped to her hip all the time. He hadn’t thought about asking her about it. She had seemed so mature and put together, even though she looked like she was someone you didn’t want to mess with, with her locked hair, toned body, which he had seen peeking out from under the cropped hoodies she loved wearing and her tight jeans. He knew she was stronger than she looked. The girl had scaled rock walls free hand up a cliff about two hundred feet without taking a break. He had watched the whole thing as she had secured holds for him. All while complaining on the radio about the cold, Sam wondered if her grumbling about it was her way of just messing with everyone. He wouldn’t put it past her, she was stuck in a bad situation.
Thinking back on how Rafe had introduced them; he had been introduced as Nate’s brother, which meant the kid had known Nate for a while. And the kid probably was expecting the same kind of good values that Nate had. His brother was always too good for his own good. He took a drink of the bourbon he had ordered, grimacing at the taste he closed his eyes. It was his fault he had left Kali, no, she had told him her real name, Dan-Bi, though everyone called her Kali for how she seemed to flow like a Goddess on a surfboard. The fact she wasn’t Hindu had amused him over the late night, conversation they had looking over the ocean. He had promised it would have only been a few weeks at most. That had been before the trip had gone sideways. Now finding out that he had a kid, one that he had spent time with now. Sam managed to stay silent. Though he wanted to yell, if only at himself. I meant to go back. I’m sorry, I won’t leave our daughter there. I’ll go back for her. I’ll get Nathan, and we’ll both go save her, give her the family she needs. I won’t fail her.
The printout of the cross crumpled in his hand again. If he had known all of this back at the site, he would have made sure that she had been on this plane and not him.
Looking at the picture again, something in the back of his head told him to flip it over. The handwriting was the same careful sharp lines that Taylor favored, though it wasn’t her handwriting. This was her mother’s. It was all small capital letters.
Dearest Daughter,
If you are getting this, it means I sent you away to protect you. The man in the photo is your father. Though, I have a feeling you’ll never meet him. At the time of me writing this, he’s been gone two years, and you’re currently napping in your big girl bed after going to your favorite shaved ice place. I hope you still like guava ice.
Anyway, I found out about your father’s passing the day you were born. It, actually was the reason you came early. If Sullivan hadn’t been there, you would have been born on the beach.
That had Sam pause, Sully had been with her when their daughter was born. Did Nate and Sully know that Taylor was his? He continued to read the letter.
One life ended so another could begin, I’d say it’s some circle of like thing, but I am not that spiritual. Which is why I won’t say that he looked forward to meeting you, in fact he left me before I even knew I was pregnant. I have a feeling that if I had told him, he wouldn’t have left. And letting his brother go off on a treasure hunt alone would have killed him. Your father was quite protective over his little brother. That protectiveness, I see a lot of it in you with the way you protect your younger cousins on the playground from the bigger kids. He’d be proud that his daughter is such a fighter. I know that I am.
Sam felt his eyes tear up as he read those words, taking another sip of his drink, grateful that he didn’t have someone sitting next to him on the plane.
Again, I’m sorry I had to leave you sweetie, but there are people who would hurt you, all because of you being my daughter. I have left clues to who I am scattered on the islands for you to find. Find them and you’ll know I’m close. I will never stop loving you, believe that. If there was any other way, I would have taken it. Let my last gift to you be freedom from my past, and that of my family. They’ll be watching you, but if I have done everything right, they won’t step in unless your life is threatened, or if you find them yourself. My family will take you in, but I ask you not to trust them blindly. They mean well, but they are set in old ways.
Dan-Bi
At the bottom of the letter was a symbol, one that Sam remembered on the tombstone that Taylor had leaned against. It wasn’t as fancy as the original one, though there were enough hints of the one from the stone to have Sam do a doubletake. What was Kali doing with pirates? Though he thought back on all the knowledge Taylor had on pirates in the Pacific Ocean. Had his daughter gotten herself mixed up with modern pirates? If that was the case, she took after her old man more than he liked.
I have to get to Nathan, and hope that the address Taylor had for him is right. Then we’re going to go get her. I’m not leaving her with Rafe longer than I have to. The asshole was pissed that Kali had chosen me over him the night we met her. He tucked the photo into his shirt pocket. As soon as he got Taylor, he’d be giving it back to her. And as soon as he showed the blood test and the letter to Nate, he had a feeling his little brother would insist on helping.
***
Back in Scotland
To say Rafe was pissed would be an understatement, Taylor could tell that much even before she was shoved into the map room. She had spent the night locked in one of the lower rooms in cuffs. The cuffs still tight around her wrists behind her back, too tight for her to slip, she had been trying since she had woken in the cell, and her lockpicks, she had slipped into Sam’s pocket just in case he would have needed them.
Stumbling, she almost fell, only to have the front of her tank top grabbed and finding herself slammed against one of the bookshelves. Looking quickly past Rafe, she could see the damage in the room, her and Sam’s work was scattered on the floor, as well as her journal, the blue leather with its water damage, mostly caused by too many days sketching on the beach during the rising tide, had her fight against the man pinning her smaller teenage frame. They had gone through her room, and with how the book was lying open on the floor, she could see pages were ripped from it.
“Bastard! Why’d you destroy my journal.” She gasped as his hand went around her throat.
“You damn thief, where’d you put it, Taylor? Or is that why you helped that asshole escape?” He slammed her back against the wall, with her hands behind her, she couldn’t pull at his hand around her throat. He growled shoving her away from him.
Taylor stumbled, tripping on one of the printed maps, falling hard to the ground. Taylor instinctively curled into a ball closing her eyes a moment, trying to remember how to breathe. Something else was thrown, she heard glass shatter and stayed curled in her ball, even though the noise had been across the room, she didn’t want to draw his anger to her.
“What? I, you have all the notes I’ve taken while here.” She managed to pull herself up, so she was leaning against the wall in a seated position. She was still betting on the fact that Rafe would need her alive. She knew he knew she was friends with Nathan and Sully. Which meant if Sam failed, he’d use her to get them to work for him. Probably using the blood test as a way to get Nathan there. Fuck, I should have never done that damn test! She knew he’d just rough her up, nothing that would cause permanent damage, after all he’d need her to keep her uncle or father in line. Anything Rafe would do, couldn’t beat what her guardian had done to her as a kid, or any of the wipeouts she had on a surfboard. Her head stayed down, her locked hair hiding her eyes as she scouted around, trying to find something of use.
“The printout.” Rafe turned looking at her. “The one with the cross.” He glared at her from the other side of the table.
“I’m not the only one that’s gone through your research. What about the asshole you brought in? He promised to take me with him when he left. Bastard had both of us fooled.” She was hoping that it would sway Rafe into thinking she had been fooled as well. “We should have left him in that prison to rot.” Sorry Sam, but I need to set his anger elsewhere, she thought as she tugged at her wrists. “Maybe he stole it, I have no idea why you’d want a damn cross anyway, we’re going after pirates, not like they were a highly religious bunch.”
Rafe scowled. They knew that the cross was going to go up for auction at the Rossi Estate, and right now the teenager curled against the wall was his ticket in. She had the contacts that could get him and Nadine into the auction. It was still a good two weeks away, which would give bruises time to heal. He’d need her at least looking healthy. Probably also meant she wouldn’t be able to go far from him once on the estate. He wouldn’t want her slipping away to tell the right contact what was going on. Though if Sam did his part, she’d have a way out. And in three hours, there would be an email sent to a contact she didn’t want to use, though the Crofts did owe her for a favor she had done. The favor was owed by Lord Croft, though she was hoping that his daughter Lara would fill it. All that would be needed would be a call to Interpol to send officers to the estate. Taylor knew she would be able to escape in the chaos.
I just have to stay alive long enough to slip away or for Sam to come get me. I’m sure that Nathan wouldn’t let me stay in danger. My plan was always that I would play the distraction, there was no way I would have been able to escape with him once I had twisted my ankle. She thought as she watched Rafe. He moved closer to her, causing her to curl up more.
“You gave him the file, didn’t you? I noticed that little picture from the whore that birthed you was gone too.”
Taylor kicked out at his knee as hard as she could. She could handle being insulted, but her mother had given her life to make sure she lived. Even if it had meant she had been a trophy of the man that had killed her. Rafe fell back crying out, she hadn’t heard a satisfying snap, but knew he’d be walking with a limp a few days at least. Before he could actually collect himself to swing at her Nadine entered the room.
“Rafe! We still need her alive to get onto the Rossi Estate.”
Taylor pulled herself into the corner. Nadine called for one of the medics to take a look at Rafe.
“I’ll make sure she stays put for now. We really don’t need Sam, do we?”
“She double crossed us. Make sure she won’t leave until we’re ready to go.” He stormed out the best he could, limping. One of the medics brushed past him.
“I’m going to check on Miss Lin, his temper after all.”
Nadine nodded, “I’ll go calm him down. Take her back to her room.”
Taylor stayed curled up in a ball as she heard them talk. She recognized the voice; it had been the tech that had run the blood test for her. As soon as the door closed, the man’s demeanor softened. “Did he hurt you?”
Taylor shook her head. “Not bad, more startled me.” Her voice was still raspy.
“Turn around, I’ll deal with the cuffs.”
“Why help me?”
“Have my reasons.” He undid the cuffs letting her get circulation back. “He made it didn’t he?”
Taylor didn’t say anything, not sure what to say.
“Doesn’t matter, come on, let’s get you back to your room.”
Taylor let him help her up, finding that the few times she had been slammed against the wall, had probably bruised her back, which meant she would have to be careful a few days. Not that she’d be leaving her room.
Damn it, Sam please just hurry to Italy. Coming back here will waste your time. She thought as she let herself be led to her room, trying not to wince too much.
“There will be a time to leave. Now you’re safe. Don’t worry there are plans in place.” The comment had her look at her companion a moment as he opened the door for her.
She was about to ask what he meant by that when she heard the door click behind her. There was a tray of food on the table, which she ignored, instead going to her bed, she’d clean up the mess that had been made when they had searched her room later. I should have left with Sam. She closed her eyes a moment. Her journal was still in the map room, something she probably could get later. I still can’t believe I gave him mom. Could really use her here right now. Taylor looked up at the ceiling.
Nate and Sam will get the cross, I’ll pull distraction, and hopefully can get away from Rafe long enough to get Cook’s journal from the library. Screwing over Rafe and David both would so make my day. She carefully listened to the sounds around her. The medic had locked her in, though she thought back. He had slipped something into her pocket.
Her hand went for her pocket drawing the item out. It was a ring, a woman’s size, though fiddling with it she found a hidden compartment with a piece of rolled up paper inside. Sitting up, she reached over hitting the switch to turn on the light. Unrolling the tiny scroll, she read the writing.
You are a hard woman to find Miss Lin. Which was why I was amazed that one of my brothers found you. He will try to keep you safe, unfortunately things are too delicate at the moment to extract you. Not without risking David finding where you are.
I made a promise to your mother, and I will fulfill it, just please stay safe for now.
She couldn’t make out the signature but toyed with the ring a moment before she tucked it around one of the thicker locks of hair, having a feeling that it should stay hidden. The note had been safely tucked into the hidden compartment again as well.
Sam and Nate will have to get the cross first. If I can get away with them great, if not, I’ll have to figure out my own way. Whoever the medic’s friend is, is just going to have to wait until I have time to find them. Right now, I don’t have the time for mor mysteries. Sam and Nate will find the cross and I’ll slip away from here to meet up with him before David finds out what we’re after. Only saving grace, I was the one invited to the Rossi estate, not David. Means they trust me a little more than his thieving murderous ass. She thought wincing again as she moved strangely.
Her eye fell on something that was in the middle of the room, a small bone carved fish that she used as a bead to keep her journal closed. Going for it she snatched it up as well, It had been a gift from Tak, a man who had been like a father to her, and had known her mother. She wasn’t going to leave it behind. The bead was toyed with a few moments before it joined the ring in her locks. “Sorry Tak, this is the way to keep you closer.” She mumbled to herself before finding her way back to the bed, sitting on it. There wasn’t a lot she’d be able to do until they unlocked that door anyway. She was just glad that nothing in the journal had been tied to the hunt she was still trying to out smart her guardian on. The only item that he doesn’t have access to is Cook’s last journal. I know it’s in the library, I hid it there last time I was at the estate, Adler thinks he’s using me. Once we’re there he’ll be in for a rude awakening when I let it slip to head of security what’s going on. None of them will want to risk their favorite researcher. Should buy Sam and Nate some extra time too.
The thought made her glad she had hidden the journal though, two weeks before she had been brought to Scotland, her apartment in Kyoto had been bombed. Only reason she hadn’t been blown up had been a man had bumped into her at the shop up the street, stopping her from getting back when it had been set to blow. Taylor knew it had been David, because it couldn’t have been a coincidence after she had just come back from a trip to Chicago. He had probably ransacked the small Japanese apartment, though the flash drive that hid the key to the information he was looking for was now safely in her hair again, the ivory carved fish had been hollowed out enough to slip a micro flash drive in just under one of the fins. As long as she had it, the man that raised her wouldn’t get the treasure he was after, she had seen to that. Now she just had to derail Adler, for the pure reason he was pissing her off.
Her thoughts went back to the lecture she had been giving at the college then, having been asked to speak about Cultural History and how important it was, to a bunch of college freshmen. As someone who was mixed, she had been denied her mother’s history thanks to the man that had raised her. Her guardian had taken her in as a trophy after murdering her mother. Shaking her head, she closed her eyes. She’d need to get her journal from the map room, which meant getting out of the room she was locked in now. Her eyes fell on the gap under the door, flicking the light out again. The hall light was still on, and she could see a shadow. Okay so the hall’s out of the question, and my twisted ankle is going to make climbing the wall a little bit more complicated.
She heard footsteps in the hall. Staying still on the bed she listened, hoping it was just the guards. Her mind went back to the journals she had been taking notes on from the library. Sam and Adler were both after Avery, who was more of an Atlantic pirate, though he had traded with some of the pirates who frequented the Pacific, which meant he may have written down details of her missing island, which was the only reason she had agreed to help Rafe in the first place. The chance to look at those journals. If he had written it down, they weren’t hidden in the monastery, which meant that if they still survived would be on the island. Ugh, going through ancient texts that are going to probably fall apart, that is if they don’t turn to dust when I touch them.
The footsteps went past her room, and she heard one of the security team say good morning to Nadine. Curling up on the bed, Taylor looked back up towards the ceiling.
Toying with the fish charm again she closed her eyes. Her thoughts drifting back to her childhood and the doctor’s little games. Still in the race to beat David to that Isu charm. For now, he’s going to be behind, he needs the research, but… once he figures that out, he’s going to trace my steps. I may have put Nate Sully and Sam in danger. She bit her lip a moment, the guard moved from her door. Moving her foot, she fount it hurt a little still. I need to get back to the map room, get the maps that Sam and I were looking at. I can look over them later, for now hiding things from Rafe and David will probably be for the best.
She slipped to the window carefully opening it. Up one floor to the right two windows, I made climbs like that back in Hawaii. Pulling herself up on the windowsill, she glanced up to where she had to go. The climb would be harder with her ankle, but doable. Glancing down, she watched as the lights went out. Now or never
Taylor scrambled up the rock wall, slipping in just as the rain started up again. Crawling along the rafters she made it to the middle of the room, freezing when the door opened.
“Cool it Nadine, I know I screwed up. Besides, if they did plan this. Just means we’re working against both Sam and Nathan. They won’t make a move while we have the kid.”
“I still don’t like it.” Nadine’s voice came up to Taylor as she stayed still covering her mouth with her hands to keep from blowing dust down.
“You just make sure the men know where to aim the guns. They failed us already by letting Sam leave.” Sam was looking over the maps, trying to see if he could figure out exactly what Taylor and Sam had found that he had missed. “And make sure that she’ll be able to get us onto the estate. We’re going to need that cross.”