The Romanov Ransom

71

Remi listened while Sam outlined the plan, then detailed exactly what they’d need to do in order to pull it off.

“You’re in?” he said.

“You have to ask?” If there was one thing she knew, it was that her husband weighed everything, including the risks. “When do you want to start?”

“The first part we can do now. The rest let’s wait until at least a few of them have dozed off. I like the odds better that way.”

They worked their way back down the trail, passing the first trip wire, then stopping at the second. Remi kept watch in the direction of the camp while Sam picked up the stones marking the location of the wire, moving them beneath another fern about twelve inches closer to the clearing. “Let’s hope it trips them up,” he said, examining his work.

“Pun intended?”

He gave a quick grin. “As long as we don’t forget where it is.”

“Good point.” Something rustled in the leaves behind them and they both pivoted, aiming their guns at a five-foot boa constrictor gliding out onto the trail. The moonlight glistened off its smooth scales as it slithered past, disappearing from view into the plants on the other side. Remi lowered her gun, eyeing the pile of stones. “Let’s hope this works.”

“Have my plans ever failed?”

“There was that time in—”

“Never mind. Let’s go see what our friends are doing.”

They returned to their hiding place behind the thicket of pineapples. The men were passing around a bottle of amber liquid, their talk growing louder the more they drank. One glanced back at Nando, the man’s comment causing the others to look back at him, then laugh. After nearly an hour and another bottle, they seemed to do less talking and more staring at the fire. Eventually, five of the men leaned back against their packs to sleep while the lone guard — his back to Sam and Remi — lit a cigarette, the smoke drifting up to join that of the dying campfire.

“Now?” Remi whispered.

“Now.”

Remi, close enough to smell the faint, acrid scent of the guard’s cigarette, made her way around the edge of the clearing toward Nando’s tree. When she felt enough time had passed for Sam to be in position, she crept out to where Nando was tied, crouching down behind him. It wasn’t until that moment that she realized he was actually awake and trying to loosen his ties.

“Nando,” she whispered. “We’re here.”

His hands stilled.

She pulled the knife from her belt and cut his ties. When he started to rise, she grasped his hand, holding him back. “Not yet,” she said, leaning out just far enough to see around his shoulder. The guard hadn’t moved. Her glance shifted to the right, where she knew Sam was waiting. A moment later, Sam threw a baseball-sized pineapple down the trail. The thump, as it hit the ground, and the rustle of leaves, as it rolled, drew the guard’s attention.

The man stood and ventured toward the sounds, stopping at the edge of the clearing. Remi gripped Nando’s hand even harder. “Keep still,” she whispered.

The guard gave one last look into the jungle before returning to his spot by the fire.

Sam threw a second, larger pineapple at one of the trip wires. An explosion ripped through the air, debris flying up. The guard jumped to his feet, slinging his rifle from his shoulder, aiming toward the trail. The other men scrambled for their weapons. One started toward Nando.

“Leave him!” the guard said. “He’s not going anywhere. Follow me.”

They ran toward the trail in the direction of the explosion, each man jumping over the first trip wire. The moment the last one disappeared from view, Remi let go of Nando’s hand. “This way.”

Nando followed her into the thick foliage. “Where are we going?”

“To find Sam.”

She pointed toward the trail that led toward the ruins, keeping low. Nando followed behind her. When they reached the path, Remi stopped at the sound of rustling leaves up ahead. She aimed her gun. Relief flooded through her as Sam emerged on the other side. He held up his hand, motioning for them to stay where they were. He looked across the clearing, then waved at them. “Go!”

Remi took Nando’s hand, leading him down the moonlit path, watching for the pile of stones that indicated another trip wire. She stopped, pointed, then carefully stepped over it. Nando followed suit while Sam brought up the rear.

“The prisoner!” someone shouted. “Gone!”

“Maybe he set off the explosion?” another asked.

“Impossible. He was tied. You three, head south. You two, with me toward the ruins.”

Remi looked back at Sam.

“Keep low,” he said quietly. “Nando, let Remi go first. We moved some of the trip wire markers.”

He nodded, stepping behind Remi, matching his pace to hers, stopping when she did at the next wire. They stepped over it, Sam following. When they reached the ruins, Sam took a quick look around. “Inside. If we’re lucky, they’ll pass us by.”

Another explosion rocked the air. The ringing in their ears dulled the sound of someone screaming in agony. A gunshot cracked, and the screaming stopped. “Keep going!” the first guard shouted.

The moment they entered the ruins, Sam went for his pack, digging out the extra ammo and the speed loaders for his gun and the box of rounds for Remi’s.

“They’re coming,” Nando said to Sam. “Shouldn’t we try to outrun them?”

“Three-foot stone walls,” Sam said. “It’s the closest thing we have to a bunker.” He handed the box of ammo to Remi. “What do you say we go for that nice chilled champagne when we’re done?”

“Perfect plan.”

“See you at the bar, then.”

Nando, who was leaning against the wall, shook his head. “How is it you two can joke at a time like this?”

“Passes the time,” Sam said, giving the place one last look. His gaze caught on the top of the ruins and the thick vines that grew up the side, providing plenty of cover at the one window that looked out in the direction of the trail. “You’re the sharpshooter in the family,” he told Remi. “What do you think?”

She followed his gaze, then tugged on the vines. “Looks doable. Where are you going?”

“The window. They’ll be looking for us on the ground before anywhere else,” he told her. “Don’t give your position away unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“Got it.”

She holstered her gun, slipped the box of ammo into her pocket, and he gave her a boost up.

Nando watched as she climbed to the top. “What about me?”

Sam took up a position near the window on the right side, where the leafy vines created decent cover. “Keep your head down. If we’re lucky, this’ll be over soon.”

Remi stretched out along the top of the wall, the sharper stones digging into her as she drew her gun, aiming toward the trail. “And if we’re not?” she asked, glancing down at Sam.

“The champagne will have to wait.”