Page 77 of Knox

“Soon.” Nash’s gaze moved between Knox and me. “We’ll post a fresh deputy outside the house to protect Sloane.”

Knox nodded. “Maggie, you can stay here with her. They’ll be safe and Sloane won’t have to be alone.”

“Actually,” I said flatly, flashing a warning look at my protector. “We’ve talked about this, and I’d like to go.”

“That was before last night’s escalation,” Knox argued.

The sheriff met my eyes. “No.”

I stood and motioned to the map. “Three giant Marines hiking to this ridge is going to be suspicious if he’s watching. But a couple out for a morning hike is normal. It makes more sense for me to go. He knows I’m a hiker. It’s what I do.”

“She has a point,” Maggie said. “Folks hike those trails every day.”

Knox shook his head. “Too dangerous. Something could go wrong.”

“I’ll be with you the entire time,” I said. “And this guy has already targeted me. If he sees me hiking with my boyfriend, acting normal, not hiding, it won’t raise alarms.”

Knox and the sheriff exchanged looks.

“It might make even more sense for Maggie and Colton to join us,” I said.

Maggie perked. Her brother scowled.

“I’m in,” Maggie said. “Don’t tell me no, because you know I won’t listen. Little sister trumps sheriff.”

Her brother rubbed his forehead, and Knox looked as if he wanted to laugh, but refused.

I nodded triumphantly at Maggie. She and I were going to make great friends.

We squabbled for a while, until voices were raised and we took a break.

In the end, Maggie and I won.

“Rules,” the sheriff said, his authoritative voice firm. “You both remain in sight, and preferably within arm’s reach of Colton and Knox at all times. If Archer or I give reason to abort, you turn and walk away. And heaven forbid y’all walk up on this guy and he’s armed, the two of you,” he pointed to me, then his sister, “are to run. Leave the men behind and run. Period.”

Knox nodded. “Absolutely that.”

“Understood,” I said.

“Same. What about equipment?” Maggie asked. “If we’re supposed to look like couples out hiking, we need the right gear.”

“I’ve got all of that,” I said. “In droves.”

We spent the next hour reviewing the plan in detail. Radio frequencies and call signs. Contingency protocols if something went wrong. Escape routes. Nash walked us through hand signals and showed us exactly where Archer would be positioned.

When they left, Knox turned to me. “Let’s pack some gear.”

I found everything except a decent light source, and I suspected we could use that inside an out-of-commission ranger station. “Do we have time to run out for a flashlight and batteries? I know I have a dozen, but I have no idea where they all went.”

Knox frowned. “Do you want me to check with Maggie? She might have one. Or we can grab something from Island Adventures.”

I chewed my lip, unsure. “Island Adventures sounds good.”

“All right.” Knox’s lips curved on one side. “Let’s grab a box from Mom’s shop.”

We pulled into the small empty lot in front of Island Adventures a short time later, and Knox jumped out. “Two minutes.” He crossed to the porch in quick strides, then entered the building a moment later.

I dragged out my phone and texted my mom to let her know I was alive and well.