Maya inched along the boulders, hoping Abigail wouldn’t see her until the last minute. She was careful where she put her feet as she didn’t want to kick a stone and have it roll off the rocks, giving away her position. She was finally on the same side of the canyon across from Abigail. Juniper couldn’t see Maya anymore and she hoped the dog would stay until she could give her the command to apprehend.
She slipped down from the rock and onto firm ground. There was a spot behind a boulder where she could take cover if needed. And it was probably goingto be needed. Maya pulled her gun out of her holster and took a deep breath. This was for everyone Abigail had taken from her or had tried to harm. This time, Maya was going to win.
She stepped out and said, “Drop the gun and put your hands in the air.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Maya had assumed that Abigail wouldn’t comply. She ducked behind the large boulder as Abigail turned and fired two shots in her direction. Luckily, the shots went wide. Maybe Abigail didn’t know where Maya was now. Maya peered up over the boulder. Abigail was waiting for her.
As soon as Maya’s head appeared, two more shots were fired. Maya crouched and shot back from the side of the rock. She peeked down the canyon and saw Juniper was breaking her stay to come help. Maya gave her dog the hand signal to stop and stay. Juniper listened perfectly, but the thing was, Juniper was now in a bad spot and an easy target if Abigail noticed her.
She needed to get Abigail to step her way so Juniper could help her out. Maya was amazed with all the gunfire that Juniper was staying in place. After Maya shot back, there was silence. She took the opportunity to try to coax Abigail out of her hiding spot.
“I thought you wanted to talk,” Maya said.
“I offered, but you want to arrest me. Told me to put my hands up.”
“So if I come out, you’ll talk? You won’t shoot me?” Maya knew the answer would be a lie.
“That’s right.”
“I’ll do that then,” Maya said, figuring she could lie too. “But you first.”
“Why would I come out first?”
It was like a game of chicken, Maya thought. “Because you fired first.”
“You tried to arrest me.”
“Okay, come out, and keep your gun pointed to the ground. I’ll let you keep it.”
“Where’s your dog?” Abigail asked.
“She’s not with me. Too hot.”
There was more silence. Would Abigail believe her? Probably not. But Maya also knew Abigail wanted something before she tried to kill Maya. What that was she wasn’t sure, but Maya had to try to get Abigail in front of the area that led through the small canyon.
Abigail finally spoke again. “I thought K-9s were always with their handlers. And I thought you and your dog had some sort of special bond or something.”
Maya did her best to sound annoyed at having to repeat herself. “I told you. It’s too hot and the fire is creating too much danger for my dog.”
Juniper is actually waiting to bite the heck out of you. Just come out to the entrance of the small canyon and let Juniper have her revenge too.
Maya’s knees were starting to kill her as she continued to crouch behind the boulder. The fire had moved closer. She could feel the heat and the smoke had become thicker. She needed to end this. Had Hope made it to the spot she was supposed to? Maya had promised to radio dispatch, but right now wasn’t a good time. IfHope had listened and made it to where the chopper could land, then Maya could get control over Abigail and radio in.
If she survived.
Stop it,she told herself.I lived through a war where every day someone wanted to kill me. Abigail will not be the one to end my life. I am stronger than her.
She took her eyes off Abigail and started to take in her surroundings. There were some thick old trees not far away. Maya could try to come out, draw Abigail to where she wanted and get behind those trees. It was worth a try.
“You there, Thompson?” Abigail asked.
Maya knew she’d been quiet as she went through her options. Keeping Abigail talking was a good idea. “I am. I was just thinking again about how you could have left when you escaped prison. You must really hate me to go to all this trouble.”
There wasn’t an answer. Maya thought maybe Abigail had changed position. She knew Abigail wouldn’t leave even though that would be the smart move on her part. Maya peeked over the rock and saw that Abigail had taken cover on the other side of the path. That was good. Abigail wouldn’t be able to spot Juniper from there.
“You’re right. I do hate you.”
