“Halfway across, she panicked. One of her feet slipped off the rope, then she fell partway through. For several seconds she just hung there, but instead of waiting for Gage to reach her, to help her back to her feet, something went wrong. Gage nearly died himself trying to save her, but it was too late. She plunged to her death at the bottom of the gorge.”

“Oh, my God.”

“Gage brought her body home. The expedition failed, and Gage never went back.”

Abby’s eyes burned. Her heart ached for the woman who had died so young. And for Gage. “Thank you for telling me, Mateo.”

“You are not like Cassandra. Gage knows this. I believe he cares for you, but it may not be enough.”

Abby said nothing. She could only imagine the guilt and pain Gage had suffered. He wouldn’t risk that kind of pain again.

She told herself it didn’t matter, that her heart wasn’t involved, and she would make certain it never would be.

“You must sleep,” Mateo said, rising to his feet. “Tomorrow you hunt your abuelo’s gold.”

“Yes . . .” Abby stood up from the rock. “Tomorrow we search for it. Good night, Mateo, and thank you.”

He made a faint movement of his head. “Good night, Abby.” She climbed back into her sleeping bag and closed her eyes, but her mind raced with thoughts of Gage and the woman who had loved him.

It was nearly dawn when she finally fell asleep. The echo of a woman’s cries as she plunged to her death crept into her dreams.

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY

SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GROGGY AS SHE ROLLED OUT OF BED AFTER a mostly sleepless night. Instead, Abby felt invigorated, excited clear to her bones.

Kyle made coffee, then went to tend the mule while Abby took photos and video of the camp. They powered up on protein bars, drank boiled water for hydration, then refilled their bottles. Kyle and Mateo both headed off to stand watch on different sides of the camp as she and Gage searched. Mateo would be scouting their back trail, looking for any sign of the men, but Gage was clearly worried.

“Keep your eyes open,” he’d said to them. “Watch for sunlight reflections, anything that might signal their location.” He glanced at the peaks and ridges that could provide a hiding place. “If they’re out there, they’ll be somewhere above us. Keep your weapons handy.”

Kyle’s hand went to the Glock holstered at his waist. Mateo was armed only with a knife, but Abby figured he knew how to use it a dozen different ways, including self-defense.

Gage headed for a flat rock at the edge of their campsite and spread open the various maps they had brought with them. Abby took out King’s notes and joined him.

They reviewed the first few paragraphs. Gage paused and looked around.