Following a careful study of the plans, Vaill suggested they would be best climbing from the south and circling to the north end, where there appeared to be no windows. If the plans were right—what the Slugger had found were faded and not that easy to read—the package of C-4 Vaill had taken from the FBI’s weapons stock was capable of creating a door where none existed. Also in Vaill’s tactical backpack was a rope, a Swiss Army knife, an extra pistol, some power bars, a flashlight, a bottle of Gatorade, and a couple of radios in case they needed to separate.

“Make sure your gun is snapped into the holster and the holster is on tight.”

After some debate with Vaill, Lou had agreed to carry a weapon. He removed his backpack and Windbreaker to double-check the nylon straps of his harness, which allowed for a horizontal carry of the Glock G27 pistol Vaill had supplied.

“If I get in trouble, I’m going to count on you to get me out,” Vaill had said. “Just point and shoot.”

As Lou tightened the straps, he flashed on Cap, as he often did, running alongside him in the Chattahoochee forest. Then, out of his control as usual, his mind began reliving the fall, and in particular, Cap’s eyes.

Please hold on … please!

I’ve got your back, Tim Vaill, Lou was thinking as he double-checked the snaps locking the Glock into its holster. I’ve got your back.

They stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the foot of the cliff, trying to see through the fog. If the skies opened up, the climb would become next to impossible. Lou’s suggestion on the flight that they get backup had been brusquely dismissed. Not only was a mole in the agency still a possibility, but anyone who could own a place like Red Cliff could own the town nearby as well. There was only one thing left to do.

Climb.

“Maria and I actually used to climb together from time to time,” Vaill said. “God, but she was good at it. Just follow my line and keep your body as close to the wall as possible. If you get tired, reach up and tap me on the leg if you can, and rest. Otherwise, just rest. Got it?”

At that moment, a wicked gust of wind kicked up, followed by a spray of seawater that soaked the rockface and stung Lou’s eyes.

“Got it,” he said with little enthusiasm.

With his hands stretched high above his head, Vaill felt around the loose stones and jagged rocks until he found a suitable purchase. A moment later he hoisted himself two feet off the ground, and soon after his feet were well above Lou’s head. Moments later, he vanished inside the fog.