We sat together in the heat and the silence, waiting for justice to arrive.
Chapter 22
Sapphire
* * *
The sound of aircraft engines finally cut through the hot afternoon air. I stood at the cave entrance with Kayden beside me, shielding my eyes against the sun as a fixed-wing plane appeared over the ridge, banking wide before touching down on a flat stretch of dirt that was further from the cave than I wanted. The pilot landed it easily, like he’d put down in worse terrain than this plenty of times. The Royal Flying Doctor Service logo was unmistakable on its white fuselage, catching the light as it taxied to a stop.
Kayden and I raced toward the plane.
Two men climbed out, hauling a portable stretcher and two heavy medical kits that they rested on the dirt.
“Boy, are we glad to see you,” Kayden said as we neared.
“Damn, this is a big property.” The pilot offered his hand. “Xander Devlyn. And this is Dr. Izak Torres.”
Izak nodded. “How’s the patient?”
“Still kicking. I’m Kayden Branson, and this is ...”
“Sapphire Delaney,” I cut in. “What shall we take?”
“Grab the stretcher. It’s a gunshot wound, right?” Izak asked. “Lead the way.”
“Yes,” I said as I led them toward the cave. “A bullet wound to his lower back. He could be paralyzed. He’s been down for a few hours.”
“He’s lucky to be alive,” Izak said.
“Yeah, real lucky.” Kayden couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
Xander gave him the side-eye.
“He’s my father,” Kayden added. “He’s an asshole.”
“Right, then,” Izak said.
“That sounds like a story I want to hear.” Xander wriggled his brows. “And I want to know more about Bob. Jaxson told us some details.”
“There’s a lot to tell. I’ll wait until everyone is here.”
“Sure thing. Looks like you need medical attention, too,” Izak said, nodding at Kayden’s arm.
“I’m fine,” Kayden said.
“Yes, he does,” I said. “Kayden was shot by Bob. He’s just lucky that bullet wasn’t two inches to the left.”
“Sounds like you guys have had a lot of luck on your side,” Xander said.
“If we were lucky, I’d have Bob in handcuffs,” I said.
“Don’t worry. Now that Aria and Jaxson are involved, we’ll get him,” Xander said.
We were halfway to the cave when the distinctive thump of rotor blades cut through the hot air.
“Here they come now,” Xander said, squinting at the sky.
A helicopter crested the same ridge, red and white against the brilliant blue sky, and settled down fifty meters from the cave in a swirl of red dust.
