* * *
Caleb woke to the sound of voices echoing off the cave walls. His head throbbed fiercely, and the harsh voices weren't helping matters.
"Did you order the miners to leave after we brought the ranger in?" The voice was a low rumble.
Another voice answered. "Yes, I don't think they even saw anything. Only security is left on duty now."
"Good. And our other problem?"
"Surveillance confirms she's on the way."
Caleb made out the words as he tried to ignore the pain in his head. He opened his eyes to the dim light of the cave and realized he was against one of the walls. The sleepy-eyed guard was watching him, a shotgun on his lap, a toothpick jutting from between his teeth.
He watched Caleb but did nothing else.
The deeper voice replied. "Looks like we'll kill two birds with one stone. Get Roberts and Martinez and have them take up a position outside the entrance. They can nab her from behind after she comes in."
"Are you sure she will, Chief? I mean, what woman is gonna go creeping around in a dark cave?"
"The same kind that crawls around in the mud, hunting for frogs," the voice responded with a rough laugh.
"I still don't know how she figured out where we'd grabbed him."
"Probably the same way we figured out that she had figured it out. She's got cameras somewhere, just like we do."
Caleb heard the one called "the Chief" sigh. "It's too bad really. This is gonna piss the rich guy off something fierce. He said he didn't want anyone to know we are even out here. Now we've got two Nosy Nellies to deal with."
Caleb's hands tightened into fists at their flippant discussion of the professor. His hands were held securely behind his back, but he still wanted to choke someone. The voices got closer and soon they became men standing behind the guard's chair, peering down at the bound ranger.
"Looks like you're about to have some company," the taller one said to him, and Caleb realized his rough voice marked him as the Chief. He was the giant from earlier who'd ordered his lights put out.
It figured.
"Can't wait," Caleb muttered in response, his head throbbing at the effort.
The Chief gave a laugh and slapped his colleague on the back. "Go give Roberts and Martinez their orders, and have them escort the woman back here once they've got her."
The other man nodded and departed, moving from the smaller chamber back into what Caleb assumed was the larger area holding their equipment. Standing behind the guard, the Chief crossed his arms over his wide chest and peered down at Caleb.
The ranger eyed his captor, noting his muscled arms and sizeable proportions. Caleb was a large man and physically fit, but he wouldn't relish a wrestling match with the boss man. But it was the gun on the guard's lap that was the real trouble.
Caleb didn't like guns. He'd held the memory of his father's self-inflicted gunshot wound for so long that it seemed engraved on his very soul. No one should go that way, full of holes, insides spilling out.
Shaking his head, the ranger tried desperately to free himself of the throbbing ache and memories that had little to do with his head injury.
The Chief spoke again, and Caleb wished he hadn't. "We'll have the frog lady soon. I wonder why she came looking for you. Maybe there's something going on between you two that we haven't picked up on yet? She sure looks like a succulent piece. Have you been enjoying your little visitor's favors? Not that it matters, really, whether you are or not. You both know too much about our operations, and something'll have to be done."
"And you're the man to do it?" Caleb's words came out like a snarl.
The Chief laughed. "That's what they pay me for," he said with a shrug. "What they don't pay me for is making decisions. So you'll have to wait until the boss man lets me know what he wants."
"I thought you were the boss man," Caleb said, knowing the other man was referring to the real person behind the illegal mining operation.
"Nah, I'm just in charge on-site. The rich guy makes all the decisions. Don't worry, he'll be here soon, and you can talk to him then. Although, if I may make a suggestion -- take whatever he offers. Forget your pride, take his money and clam up. Then maybe you and the frog lady can walk out of here and go on to live your lives."
Caleb grunted in reply. He didn't feel like talking anymore. His head hurt, his muscles ached from their cramped position, and he couldn't stand the fear that was washing over him like the oncoming tide.
Dani was in danger, and it was his fault. He should have called it in, not bothered to confirm things. And dammit, she shouldn't have come after him alone. He pictured her, then, wide dark eyes in a heart-shaped face, pale pink lips trembling.
Those assholes had better not hurt her, or he wouldn't be responsible for his actions.
He tugged against his restraints, but they wouldn't budge. Trying hard not to think about the thugs lying in wait to ambush her, Caleb sent up a silent prayer.
Please let her turn back. Let her escape. Don't make me watch the death of another loved one.
At that moment, he admitted the worst had happened -- he'd fallen in love with the little professor. And just as he'd predicted, his love would lead to her doom.