“Do you have a vehicle?” Audrey asked. “That might be easier than backtracking through the woods to mine.”

He shook his head. “They’re in the garage of an inholding cabin on the far side of the lake.”

“Which one?” She couldn’t think of anyone who would give the Navy access to their cabin.

“The one owned by the Kalahwamish tribe. A tribal member is Army Special Forces. He’s worked with a SEAL lieutenant I know. We went through channels and cut a deal.”

“You’re talking about Bastian Ford.”

“You know him?”

“We’ve met—through George. George is part Kalahwamish, and he was in the Army once upon a time. Served in Vietnam. Bastian and George have hung out in the lodge a few times.”

“I wish we could pack you off in one of our vehicles,” Xavier said, “but yours is much closer.”

She looked toward the windows. The pounding rain would make the trek to her car difficult, but at least the noise would cover their passage through the woods. And maybe they’d encounter some friendly SEALs on the way.

A girl could hope.

They searched the main and upper floor of the yurt quickly, finding no other trace of Cohen and no useful weapons. They were limited to what he had in his tactical vest and she carried in her pack.

There was a magnetic waistband gun holster that was salvageable, and Xavier showed Audrey how to hook it over her pants or the lip of a pocket to secure the Simunition Glock within easy reach.

“I think it’s a good idea to keep the round chambered,” he said. “You comfortable with that?”

She nodded as she tried to decide where to wear it. Finally, she tucked it in front of her left hipbone for easy reach with her right hand, if her raincoat had two buttons open. “I’ll be careful.”

“If someone comes at you, aim for the face if they aren’t wearing eye protection. It’s your best shot at doing real damage, and we know they won’t hesitate to hurt you.”

Her stomach churned at the idea of deliberately shooting someone in the face. She thought of poor Jeb and steeled her resolve. She pressed a hand to her belly.

She’d do whatever it took to get out of here alive.

The hike back through the woods to Audrey’s car took far too long in the frigid rain and darkness. First, they had to head in the opposite direction to a culvert so they could cross the road without exposing themselves. After that, they trekked through the woods paralleling the road until it became the gravel track that ran behind the lodge complex.