“Yeah.”
“She okay?”
“Yeah. Doc Browne was just here and said she’s come through the worst.”
A flash of joy lit him, but it died off instantly. “Smith might have a man at the hospital prepared to kill her. Keep an eye out.”
“No worries, bro. No one is getting through us.”
Knowing his brother spoke the truth, Reid disconnected. “It’s looking good,” he yelled to Smith. “One more call and we should be good to go.”
As Smith started appearing antsy, Reid dialed Jack. “You still have a clear shot?”
“Affirmative.”
“When I nod, take him out.”
“Roger that.”
Reid stowed his phone and eyed Smith. “No deal yet, but if you surrender and come with me, we can probably work something out.”
“No way, man, You’re playing me.” He held up the phone. “I want out of here or I kill the kid.”
“I can’t let you leave.”
“Then the kid dies.”
“No!” Megan screamed and charged Smith’s hand.
He held tight to the phone and took threatening steps toward Megan. “I’m so tired of your interference. One way or another. This ends now.”
Reid couldn’t let Smith get his hands on Megan. He locked gazes with her. “Do you trust me?”
Her eyes held a moment of unease, but then they cleared, and he knew she trusted him with her life and her child’s life. He smiled at her then held his breath and nodded for Jack.
A crack sounded. The bullet pierced Smith’s chest and lifted him off the ground. He plummeted backward over the cliff.
“Nooooo!” Megan screamed and dove for the cell phone.
“Megan, stop!” Reid shouted and raced forward. “Russ is with Ella. She’s fine.”
Megan swiveled to look at Reid as she tumbled toward the cliff. He dove to grab her leg. He hit the ground hard. Missed her ankle. She teetered then rolled off the cliff before his eyes.
“Megan!” He shouted, his voice holding all of his agony.
He pushed to his feet and went to the edge. He heard Jack crashing down the hill behind him.
Megan lay in a crumbled heap on a jagged ledge.
“Megan!” he shouted again.
She didn’t respond. He searched the hillside for a way down to her.
“Call for help,” he told Jack. “I’m going down there.”
Jack grabbed Reid’s arm. “Don’t even think about it. There’s no safe way down, and the snow is covering everything. You won’t be able to see what you’re stepping on, making it even more treacherous.”
“I don’t care. I’m going.”