Monday evening: Somewhere in Montana early evening

Ellie Limberhand removed the ski mask she was wearing once the mini-van was a safe distance away. Ellie was also Cheyenne, a lifelong friend of Rainhorse, a wealthy woman with medical training and many “special” skills.  It was she who saved Rainhorse from near death when Barnabas’s men caught up to him years earlier. When Rose Summer had called her with the message that Rainhorse would be eating hamburgers by five o’clock, she knew it was code and what it meant. She plotted the path the FBI would take and established a position waiting for them to pass.

“It’s good to see you,” she said. “Are you all right?”

“I’m good,” he said. “Thank you for coming.”

“Always,” she replied.

He pulled up his pants leg, exposing the ankle monitor, “Can you get this off?”

Ellie nodded, “I came prepared.”

“Excellent. Thank you.”

“Of course.”

“How is Neha?” he asked.

“She misses you,” Ellie replied. “I am trying to keep her involved in the rehabilitation facility but her heart is not in it.”

“If I do this right, I will see her again, soon,” he replied.

“Aren’t you going to ask about Lindsay?” she asked.

Rainhorse paused. “How is she?” he asked, finally.

“Hurt and pissed off,” Ellie replied. “She talks about you every day. Lindsay has thrown herself into the development of the rehabilitation center. She works nonstop. She is doing incredible work.”

“Good. She is strong,” Rainhorse said.

“Do you know what Barnabas is up to, yet?” Ellie asked.

Rainhorse told her the entire story, including his strong suspicion that Barnabas had acquired a nuclear weapon and planned to use it on US soil on the anniversary of his court-martial, two days from now. Ellie reacted in horror.

“So, what’s the plan?” Ellie asked. “I must admit I was a little surprised to get the call. I would think you’d stand a better chance of getting to Barnabas with the help of the FBI.”

“They have a mole,” Rainhorse said. “They might keep this quiet for now, but as soon as the FBI deploys its resources, the mole would alert Barnabas, and he’d disappear forever.”

“Do you know who this mole is?” Ellie asked.

Rainhorse shook his head, “No. Barnabas called him ‘Singer.’ I don’t have the time to flush the mole out myself. I'm leaving that to Andrews. I need to get to Seattle, tonight.”

“Seattle, Washington? Why Seattle?”

“Because that is where Barnabas will be.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“It’s a long story, Ellie, but trust me, I know.”

“Will he set it off in Seattle?”

“Probably. I need to get there in the next four hours.”

Ellie nodded, “I’ve got you covered. I figured the FBI would watch the airport. I arranged for a private jet to take you anywhere you want to go. There is an airfield a few minutes from here.  If Seattle is where you need to be, you’ll be there by the time the FBI finds their agents.”

“Thank you,” he said. “I knew you’d come through.”

“Don’t I always?”

He smiled and nodded.

“There is a gym bag in the back,” Ellie continued. “I packed you a change of clothes, some burner cell phones, a Sig Sauer hand gun and a few other surprises.”

Rainhorse unzipped the bag and peeked inside, moving the contents around. He smiled.

“Change out of those prison clothes,” Ellie said. “I don’t want you freaking out the pilots.”

Rainhorse chuckled and pulled the jeans and a t-shirt from the bag.

“There’s a hat and sunglasses in there, too,” she added. “Pull your hair up and tuck it under your hat.”

“You are the best,” he said. “I also need you to make a call for me after I take off.”

“To who?”

“Chuck Johnson,” he said.

“Who is Chuck Johnson?” she asked.

“A friend,” Rainhorse said. “He’s a former Navy SEAL. He was my partner once on a joint mission when I served in the Rangers. He was a younger up-and-comer as my military career was winding down. I can trust him and he will believe me. He’s part of an organization called the Brotherhood Protectors. I will need him.”

“Give me his number,” she said. “I’ll call him.”

“This is all going to go down quickly. I need to strike hard and fast. The key to stopping this operation is cutting off the head of the snake,” the Cheyenne replied. “Here, the snake is double-headed, Barnabas and Randolph Henson, his second in command. In the event one of them is captured or killed, the second man carries on. I have to coordinate getting both at the same time. Normally, the two men operate separately, but shortly before an operation is executed, they get together to confirm the final details. That’s when I need to strike.”

Ellie nodded, “Even the great Rainhorse can’t be in two places at once.”

Ellie pulled the vehicle into the tiny private air terminal and drove up to the private jet she had chartered earlier. Rainhorse had changed clothes and donned the hat and sunglasses. The pilots were sitting outside, waiting patiently.

“These boys are trustworthy,” she said. “They’ll get you to Seattle in under three hours. A car is waiting for you. Good luck.”

Rainhorse nodded, “Thank you for everything, Ellie. I couldn’t have pulled this off without you.”

“You know that’s not true,” she replied. “You could have done it, but I suspect there would be four dead agents back there if I wasn’t here, so I’ll take the compliment. I packed everything you need in the bag.  I’ve arranged a car to be waiting when you land.  Good luck.”

“Do me a favor,” Rainhorse said. “Wait another hour and call the Feds from your burner phone and tell them where they can pick up their people. I will need to reach Andrews soon.”

Ellie nodded, “Will do.”

Rainhorse pulled the burner phone from the bag.

“What are you doing?” Ellie asked.

“I need to call Neha. I have instructions for her.”

“Don’t call her now,” Ellie said. “Wait until you get on the plane.”

“Why?”

“Just trust me. Now go.”

Rainhorse grabbed his bag and walked toward the plane. When he reached the steps to board, he looked up and saw Neha Littlebird standing in the doorway.

She gasped and placed her hand over her mouth to squelch a cry.

“Rainy!”

“Neha!” Rainhorse replied. “What are you doing here?”

“Ellie told me to be here but didn’t tell me why,” she replied.

The big Cheyenne turned back toward Ellie. She was smiling at him through the window.

“Your pilots will remain on the ground until you give them the signal to board the plane,” she said. “Go to her, but don’t take too long. You never know when someone might stumble on those stranded agents.”

He nodded, “Thank you, Ellie.”

“I’ll be out here, waiting,” she said.

Rainhorse climbed the ladder taking two steps at a time. Neha backed up as he reached the top and fell into his arms as he moved inside. Tears were streaming down his face.

“Oh my god, you’re ok,” she said wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. “Thank heaven you’re ok.”

Rainhorse wrapped his massive arms around her and picked her up, using his body to nearly envelop her. He smothered her face in kisses. She wrapped her legs around his waist and returned his kisses. He could taste the salty tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I can’t believe you are really here,” he said breathlessly, holding her tightly, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against his. “I’ve dreamed of this moment every night in my cell.”

“I’ve missed you so much,” she replied. He finally lowered her, looking deep into her eyes. They locked in a passionate kiss that seemed to cause time to stand still.  Their bodies seemed to melt together as they kissed. After an eternity, Neha finally broke it off.

“What do they want you to do?”

“I have little time,” he said. “I need you to listen carefully.”

“I will.”

“The FBI wants me to find and eliminate Barnabas Quince. I needed to be on my own to get him, so Ellie helped me get away.”

“You what? What’s going on? Did anyone get hurt?”

“No, no one got hurt.”

“Jesus, Rainy, this sound serious.”

“It’s as serious as it gets.”

“Tell me.”

“No. I can’t tell you the full story. You must trust me. The less you know the better.”

“But Rainy...”

“Neha, just listen, please.”

She sighed, trying to collect herself, “Ok.”

“Should we move?” Neha asked.

“I don’t know whether he will go after you and Lindsay before or after the operation,” Rainhorse said, “but that is why I have Red Feather and Yellow Wolf there. You are in good hands.  I need to go now. Anything else?”

“Yeah, Lindsay, she knows something is up. You were right. She’s figuring it out.”

“She is smart, I told you,” he said, “but even she cannot put all the pieces in place in two days.”

“What do I do?”

“Well, if she knows something is up, she’ll dig and dig until she gets the answer.  When she digs too much, she always gets in trouble. So, there’s only one thing to do.”

“And that would be?”

“We’ll use her to help.”

“Easier said than done.”

“A point well taken.”

“What will you want her to do?”

“I have an idea.”

 ”Rainy, I’m so worried,” she said. “I can’t lose you.”

“You will not lose me, I promise. You must go.”

She fell into his arms again and squeezed him with all her might.

“You come back Rainhorse,” she said. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he replied. “Forever. No matter what happens.”

Neha stood to leave the plane when a knock came at the door.

“Rainhorse, it’s Ellie,” came the announcement.

The former Ranger opened the door, “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I got a call from Lindsay,” she said. “FBI agents have pulled up to Neha’s house. They are entering.”

“Dammit,” Rainhorse exclaimed. “That was fast. They found Andrews somehow.”

“What now?” Ellie asked.

“We stick with the plan, with one small change.”

“Which is?”

“Neha.  She comes with me. The FBI will find her and hold her if I don’t. They may get Lindsay, too, I don’t know.”

“What should I do?” Ellie asked.

“I need you to do me a favor.  Call Chuck Johnson again.  I need him to meet me in Seattle... tonight. Tell him it’s an emergency.”