Page 35 of Cole

They quickly crossed to the back of the clearing where the containment pond sat beneath its sagging blue tarp. The tarp had torn further since yesterday. Whether from the weight of the snow or simple deterioration, Janice couldn't tell. Through the rips, she could see the dark, partially frozen liquid beneath. The container was the size of a small swimming pool, and she approached cautiously.

Her sampling kit felt inadequate as she pulled it from her pack. She wondered if these small containers and her careful protocols would be enough. Would this evidence she collected be sufficient to stop whoever was here and save this wilderness?

“You’ve got to be careful,” Cole warned.

His concern was warranted, but she already knew to be cautious. She had no idea what might be in the container. She bent over at the edge, and the cold wind rushed over her. She ignored it, focusing on the task at hand. Her fingers fumbled with the sample containers, clumsy in the thick gloves. After a moment of frustration, she pulled the gloves off, hissing at the immediate bite of cold against her bare skin.

Her hands were so cold. The wind cut through her exposed fingers, making them ache and then go numb. She fumbled with one of the containers, nearly dropping it before catching it against her chest. “Damnit!” She immediately looked around to ensure there was no one else around other than Cole.

“You can’t touch that water with your bare hands,” he hissed. “I don’t want any trace elements on you.”

She nodded, remaining quiet, but holding up a metal vial holder that clipped onto each vial. She was able to dip the glass into the water to collect samples without her hands touching the glass or the water.

He nodded his head in approval. Janice worked as quickly as she could, collecting samples from multiple locations around the pond. Each container had to be properly labeled with date, time, and GPS coordinates with a marker. She then placed them into her pack, breathing a sigh of relief that they’d been successful so far. Each vial represented evidence that could bring down this entire illegal operation.

Cole stood a few feet away, his attention constantly scanning the tree line, one hand resting near his holstered weapon. He was coiled with tension, ready to react at the first sign of threat. But he didn't rush her, didn't tell her to hurry. He just kept watch, trusting her to do what she needed to do.

The forest remained silent except for the natural sounds of wilderness. No engines. No voices. No indication that anyone else knew they were here, trespassing on this illegal site, gathering evidence that could destroy a multi-million-dollar operation.

Janice secured the final sample in her kit, her fingers barely able to grip the container holder. She pulled her gloves back on, gasping with relief as the insulation cut off the worst of the cold, and struggled to her feet.

"Got everything," she managed through chattering teeth, still managing to smile. "These samples will show exactly what chemicals they're using, what's leaking into the watershed. I just need to get some samples from the creek close to here. It's the proof we needed."

"Good work." Cole helped her to her feet, his hands steadying her when her legs wobbled from kneeling in the cold. “You head toward the creek, and I’ll check serial numbers.”

She nodded, hating that she wasn't closer to him. “Okay. I’ll just be at the water’s edge over there.” She pointed toward the spot she would collect runoff water from the area.

She walked about twenty feet downstream, then carefully made it to the water’s edge. Bending, she took off her gloves, holding the collection vials with the metal handles, labeled them, and then put them back into her pack. Standing, she didn’t see Cole, so she carefully made her way back up the bank.

At the top, she could only hear the whistling of the wind as she pulled her balaclava back up, needing to keep the icy sting of snow from hitting her cheeks. Looking around, she hated that she couldn’t see him and wished they had stuck together.

Just when she was about to start searching for him, he came around one of the tarped pieces of equipment. His gaze landed on her, and his stride increased as he made his way to her quickly.

"Ready to get out of here?"

Relief flooded her. "Yes," she said fervently. "Let's go."

He reached his gloved hand out, and she grabbed it, glad to have his steadiness as they started back across the clearing. Janice allowed herself a moment of relief, of triumph even. They'd done it. They'd gotten the evidence. Now they just had to make it back to the cabin, get the samples secured, and⁠—

"Janice."

Something in Cole's voice made her freeze. She looked up at him and saw his expression had gone hard, dangerous.

"What—"

“We need to get out of here. Now!”

She didn’t have a chance to ask him what was happening. His hand clamped around her arm and the two hurried back the way they came. She kept looking over her shoulder, terrified she would see someone following.

She couldn’t walk as fast and knew her stumbling in the snow drifts only made their escape more difficult. Refusing to give up, she plowed along with him until they finally came to the creek crossing where they’d left their snowmobile on the other side.

Stopping to look up at him, he ordered, “You go first.”

Looking down, she let out an exhausted breath but simply nodded, taking her first unsteady step onto the rock.

16

From the moment Janice had settled onto the snowmobile behind him, her arms wrapped around his middle, Cole felt as though his focus on the mission was shot to hell.