Target on the Mountain by Elizabeth Goddard (the chimp paradox .txt) 📕

up ahead. I think it’s the second camp.” She handed him the binoculars.

From what he could tell so far, nothing about the second camp was reassuring. It appeared as overgrown as the last one. Alex chose to keep his misgivings to himself. “Let’s hope we find Liam there. Then we can get out of here and figure out what’s really going on.”

The exhaustion of the hike had begun to take its toll on his body. His legs felt like rubber. He was fit and used to the rigor. He couldn’t imagine how Rachel was feeling.

Once they reached the opening leading into the camp, Alex stopped to take in their surroundings. In the dark, it was hard to tell much about the place, only that it appeared as if it had been years since anyone had been there. The surrounding woods had already reclaimed parts of the camp. But then Rachel had said that was one of the reasons Liam’s friend had wanted to buy the place.

“We can’t afford to use the flashlight. We could be walking into a trap.” The hackles along his neck stood at attention. He didn’t like it. “Maybe you should wait here. Let me check it out first.”

He didn’t have to look at her to see her reaction. “As I told you before, Alex, we’re in this together, I’m coming with you.”

He touched her face gently. Losing her again was an unbearable thought, but he knew it was useless to argue.

Please keep us safe...

“Ready?” he asked, the weight of what he wanted to tell her roughening his voice.

She covered his hand. “Yes, I’m ready.”

Alex shoved branches away and stepped into what had once been a camp.

When they were in the clearing, he stopped for a moment to listen. Only the sounds of the night could be heard around them. Still, the uneasiness in the pit of his stomach had him on full alert.

“Let’s start over there.” He leaned in close and whispered so that only she could hear. The last thing they needed was to alert anyone with deadly intent. He pointed to a particular area. “There’s a couple of buildings still standing. He could be in one of them. Stay close. I don’t like this.”

Alex could see the uneasiness he felt reflected in her eyes as they slowly advanced into the camp. The first building they came upon had collapsed in upon itself. It appeared to be where the trees were milled at one time.

“I can’t see anything on the inside.” He took out his flashlight and shone it around the dilapidated building. “There’s nothing here.”

An unsettling thought occurred. What if the camp were empty? They’d have no choice but to keep climbing up the mountain to Liam’s last known location. By coming this way, they’d cost themselves several hours of valuable time. If Liam were injured, it could mean the difference between life and death.

The next building appeared to be living quarters of some type, mostly intact. Alex stopped next to the door. It took several tries for it to free itself of years of decay.

Once it screeched open, he and Rachel eased inside. It took a few minutes for his eyes to become accustomed to the darkness enough to make out shapes.

The place consisted of a single room. What appeared to be a broken-down table was shoved into one corner. On the opposite wall a bed was set up. There was nothing else. Alex’s heart sank. It didn’t appear that anyone had been here in a while, either.

Frustrated, he turned back to Rachel. “It’s empty.” He barely got the words out when a noise that sounded like a wounded animal came from the area where the bed was located.

“What was that?” Rachel asked.

Alex whirled around to survey the area. “I don’t see anything.” He slowly advanced to the bed with his weapon drawn. Had some animal gotten injured and crawled inside the cabin to seek refuge?

There was nothing but a ratty old mattress on top of the bed. He realized the noise was coming from under it.

He indicated that Rachel should cover him. Alex clicked on the flashlight and counted off three in his head. Then he grabbed the bed and shoved it out of the way.

Huddled beneath it was a badly injured man who had clearly been shot. But the most disturbing part was the fact that Alex recognized this man, too. He knew him. Had worked several missions with him. This was the legendary CIA agent Deacon Broderick.

SEVEN

Rachel tucked her weapon behind her back and hurried to the man’s side. He seemed to be caught somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness. It took only a cursory exam to realize he was in bad shape. “He’s been shot in the shoulder and leg. He’s lost a lot of blood.”

Alex knelt next to her and undid the man’s shirt. “Someone’s bandaged the wounds,” he said in amazement. “Still, he needs proper medical care right away.”

“Do you know him?” Rachel asked. She’d seen the way Alex looked at the man.

He searched the man’s pockets and come up empty. “Yes, I know him. I’ve worked with him before. His name is Deacon Broderick.” His gaze slid to hers. “He’s CIA, Rachel. And he’s a legend at that. Deacon has helped take down some of the biggest threats around the world.”

She couldn’t believe it. If this man was CIA, then what was his connection to the supposed deceased agents? “Do you think he’s working with the others?”

Alex shook his head. “No way. Deacon is a stand-up guy. He may know something about Liam’s disappearance, though.”

His attempt to rouse the man proved futile. Deacon continued to mumble incoherently. “He’s delirious. We need to get him help.”

Alex was right. It was time to reach out to the Scorpions for assistance. A man’s life was in danger. Liam was still missing and they were way outmanned. “You should call your command. Tell them where we are so that they can send help. We can’t let Deacon die.”

Alex clutched her