The men stopped, ran the light beneath the rig, the edge of the circle landing an inch from Coulter’s hand gripped around the metal frame, before moving on. He held his breath, ready to drop and roll if he got even an inkling they’d found his team, before the men mumbled something about Ramsey being paranoid, headed for the next vehicle.
Coulter remained in the cramped space, muscles twitching, his ribs barking at him until the sounds faded, just the hum of a generator somewhere in the distance, the occasional growl of an engine drifting down from the top level. He dropped to the ground, sticking close to the side of the loader as he inched out, whistled.
Neve answered, appearing a moment later as she balanced on the frame then jumped, landing softly beside him. The other women followed suit, barely making a noise despite the drop. He kept watch, Sig sweeping the grounds, head on a swivel, when Zadie froze, held up a fist.
She cocked her head to the side, one hand covering her ear before she grunted, shook her head. “Another transmission from Ramsey. Said he’s cycling the lights?”
Coulter groaned, motioned them all back against the rig a moment before a new set of halogens brightened the dark, lighting up the pit area like a stadium. He took a chance, ventured to the edge of the bucket, then peeked out.
Most of their shadows were gone, the only true darkness lingering at the far end of the lot, where a narrow cage swung in the breeze, a long cable disappearing into the night above it.
He inched back. “Houston, we’ve got a problem.”
Neve cringed. “Any cover left?”
“Where the beams don’t overlap, we’ve got some dense contrast, but we’ll have to leapfrog across the lot until we reach the bottom of that cliff. Our only options to get to the top are a series of metal ladders gleaming in the spotlights, or that chain elevator, though I think calling it an elevator is being more than kind. Looks like it’s for running supplies. And god knows if it’s even functional.”
Zadie sighed. “What you’re really saying is, we need to kill the lights.”
Coulter looked in the direction Zadie had thought the generator shed might be. “That’s a lot of open territory.”
“No worse than the way you’re going.”
Coulter glanced at Neve, arching his brow.
Neve studied each direction, jaw clenched, eyes narrowed. “Go for the shed but take Scout with you. We’ll keep going. You two are to breech the shed, then lay low. Don’t confront anyone unless you have to. We’ll arrange a rendezvous point once we have Ramsey.”
Scout clapped Zadie on the back as she edged toward the far side of the loader. “They’d have to find us first. We’ll monitor the comms. Don’t be heroes.”
“That’s my line.”
Scout grinned, stared at the gravel lot as if calculating a complicated route in her head, then took off when Coulter signaled, the rest of them darting out and over to another rig — sticking to the limited shadows as much as possible.
Coulter watched the edge of the upper level, timing each sprint with the lights from the guards, as they made their way across the pit and into the shadows lining the wall.
Neve scoped the area, covering the pit twice before finally lowering her rifle. “I don’t see anyone. And we should be clear from snipers. My vote’s on the lift unless you two see something I don’t.”
Wynn snorted. “Since when is climbing a ladder ever a good idea? We’d be exposed the entire time. At least inside the lift, the cage will provide a bit of protection.”
Neve nodded, looked at Coulter. “Any additional thoughts?”
Coulter cocked his head. “Yeah, don’t get caught.”
He moved out, slinking along the bottom of the cliff, vaulting over some old machinery and piles of tailings before reaching the bottom of the lift. The ancient, rusted, steel-mesh cage rocked in the breeze, the long, twisted cable snugged inside a pulley guide. A half-gate closed it in from the front, the size barely enough to fit one of them.
Neve looked inside, scanning the grounds before lifting the latch, easing the door open. The hinges groaned, the low sound blending in with the growl of an engine overhead.
She stepped inside, turning twice as she shook her head. “I don’t think this was ever meant to haul people. I don’t see any controls.”
Coulter leaned in, cursed. “Fuck, it’s a damn tool lift.”
Neve arched a brow. “And that means…”
“It’s manual.” He pointed to a lever at the base. “There’s a massive, concrete counterweight on that other track and the entire thing is controlled by this friction brake wheel.” He raked his hand through his hair. “Do you think you two can squeeze in together? I’ll work the brake, get you both up to that second level, then you can cover me while I climb the ladder.”
Neve stepped in close. “Coulter…”
“Believe me, it’s not my first choice either, but… None of us will be safe if we get caught on the side of the cliff halfway up. At least if you’re above me, you can cover my ass.”
