He was surprised by her enthusiasm, especially given the mist clinging to the upper canopy of the trees and the cold edge of frost that had morphed into the wet drip of moisture from the few remaining leaves that clung to the branches. He loved being outside in any weather. He handed Yael binoculars to loop around her neck and suddenly found himself wishing that they could do this for real sometime.

He closed the truck doors quietly, locked it. “Let’s go.”

He led the way, which went against his ingrained manners but he’d rather be the first to encounter any potential danger as they trudged up the steep narrow path. At the top of the first incline, it widened so they could easily walk side-by-side.

“Makes me wish I had a dog,” he admitted.

“Really? I’ve never had a pet, but I’ve thought about getting one.” A sad expression settled over Yael’s features.

“Not even a goldfish?”

She pulled a face and shook her head. “We moved around a lot.”

Her expression closed down and Shane let it go.

Baby steps.

The mist hung low on the branches as they climbed higher up the ridge. After about a mile he checked the GPS, which was accurate to within ten meters.

They were only a quarter of a mile from Zenko’s mom’s cabin now but it was down a steep, heavily wooded incline. The sound of birds singing and squirrels chattering were the only noise that filled the air. The taint of woodsmoke rose on the breeze. Someone nearby had a fire going.

He quelled his excitement. There were at least ten cabins on the other side of this ridge, any one of which was likely to be occupied.

Surely Zenko knew it wouldn’t take the FBI long to be onto him? Surely, he’d appreciate the cabin in the woods would be one of the first places the FBI would locate and search?

Yael slipped and he caught her with his right hand before she went down into the mud.

“Easy. The leaves are slippery.” He reluctantly let her go.

“Thanks.” She shivered and whispered, “Where are we?”

He showed her on the GPS system. She glanced in the direction of the property. Her cheeks wore small flags of color and her lips were a little pale.

“You cold?”

“A little,” she admitted, crossing her arms and stamping her feet. “I’ll be okay.”

The last thing he wanted was Yael succumbing to hypothermia.

“Let’s climb a little higher and then cut down through the trees. Here.” He slid out of his raincoat and slipped it over her shoulders. “It’ll help you blend in a little better.” It was better quality than her own raincoat and should keep her warm.

“Won’t you get cold?”

“I run hot.” He gave her a wide grin and was surprised when she laughed at him.