“No time for nerves now, ranger boy, Pip could fall at any time,” Joe said. “Keep Buzz from following me.”

Everyone moved into position, and Dylan tied the rope securely around his waist. Mickey wrapped it around a tree, then he and the others took the other end. He lowered himself over the edge to the right of the ledge Piper and Zander were on.

“What now, Zander?”

Piper’s voice sounded husky, like she was in pain. Was she hurt?

“Shut up, I’m thinking.”

“I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to stay here either.”

“I said shut up!”

Dylan gritted his teeth as Piper moaned in pain. That bastard had hurt her. The rope jolted, and he went down hard, his feet scrambling to find a foothold.

“What was that?”

“Bats,” Piper hissed. “Big ones.”

Dylan eased down a few more feet until he was level with where they were. They couldn’t see him, as he was pressed to the edge and they weren’t looking. It was hell knowing he was this close to her and he couldn’t tell her.

“We need to climb out.”

“You climb out, I can’t. Let’s face it, Zander, you’re screwed. Your plan is toast, and the only place you’re going is to jail—or plunging to your death.”

“No! I can adjust.”

He heard her snort, then the call from Luke.

“What was that?”

“A Northern Fickler. They’re night birds.”

She was quick, he’d give her that. He eased forward. Looking beyond the ledge, he saw Joe was moving in too. Gun in hand, he looked at Dylan.

Holding up three fingers, Dylan made a swinging motion, and Joe nodded. Pulling out his gun, he counted down, then silently he pushed off on three, at the same time as Joe.

They swung wide and landed in front of the ledge.

Piper screamed as Joe grabbed her. “Up now!” he roared.

Dylan pointed his gun at Zander.

“Don’t move or I’m shooting, and I don’t care where it hits.”

“No!”

Zander lunged at him, catching him around the middle. Dylan wrestled with him, hearing the curses from above at the extra weight.

“I’m killing you!”

“Stop, Zander!”

Dylan tried to grab the boy as he slipped, but his hand found only air, and then he was gone.

“Dylan!”

Piper’s scream filled the air.

“Pull me up!”

It was slow going, but finally he was able to climb over the ledge and onto the trail.

“Dylan!”

“Piper.” He reached for her.

“Watch her left shoulder,” someone said from above them.

“God, Piper.” He held her gently.

“I-I thought you’d f-fallen.” She was crying now, trying to burrow into him. “It hurt so much.”

“No, love, Zander fell.” He cupped her face, easing her out of his arms. “You’ve hurt your shoulder?”

“Yes.”

Joe touched it, and she yelped.