Gage locked the apartment, then headed downstairs to the office and went to work, assembling as much of the gear they would need as he could find. Expeditions required a good deal of equipment. He grabbed the satellite phone out of his desk and the solar battery charger, a must whenever he was out of cell range, a lesson he had learned when his vehicle bogged down on a muddy back road in South America.

From his office, he went to the store room, pulled out sleeping bags, backpacks, tarps, kerosene burners, flashlights, batteries, bungee cords, a pack of Bic lighters—the list went on and on.

His personal gear included a vicious-looking machete and a pair of lightweight Zeiss binoculars, a good pair of wraparound Ray-Ban sunglasses, a Leatherman multi-tool, plus his .45 caliber S&W sidearm, 30.06 Winchester rifle, and ammo for each.

Once he had what he needed, he went back through and pared it all down. The outfitter, with Mateo’s help, would be in charge of meals. They were headed into very rough country. It was essential to be prepared while carrying as little as possible.

Gage and Walt Jenkins had discussed going in on horseback, leading a couple of pack mules loaded with equipment and supplies, but Walt had warned that the horses could only go in so far. Once the group headed off the trail, the terrain would be too steep and dangerous for the animals.

They would take a wrangler to take care of the stock; he would bring the horses out when the animals could no longer handle the tough terrain.

None of it was unexpected. This wasn’t his first rodeo.

Gage looked up at the sound of footsteps in the hall and spotted Abby walking toward him in jeans and a pink long-sleeved T-shirt with a floppy-eared rabbit on the front. She had pulled her hair into a ponytail that swung against her back.

How anyone could look sexy in a pink rabbit T-shirt, he had no idea, but the stirring in his groin said she did.

“Good morning.” She smiled, held up a red thermal mug. “I brought coffee. I figured you’d be ready for a fresh cup.”

“I’ll have to add mind reading to your growing list of talents.” He accepted the mug and took a healthy swallow, enjoyed the heat and freshly brewed taste. “You’re up early.”

“You said we were leaving today. Some of my clothes are still at Tammy’s—those that weren’t destroyed—but I’m guessing you don’t want me going back there to get them.”

He shook his head. “They could be watching the place, figuring you’ll be back sooner or later.”

“Then I need to go shopping.”

He nodded. “You can do that in Arizona.”

She studied the pile of equipment he had pulled off the shelves. “Looks like you’re ready to go.”