The First Death (Columbia River, #4)(89)

But West is out there.

“That shot wasn’t far off,” said Evan. He’d drawn his weapon, his gaze scanning the woods around them.

“But was it Malcolm or Liam?”

A minute later she recognized the rushing sound of a river. “I think I know approximately where we are,” she said.

Near Liam’s dumping ground.

Shouts reached their ears, and she commanded Thor to return. She hooked the leash to his harness and got a reproachful look for it. He wanted to finish the search.

“We’ll celebrate later, boy,” she whispered.

Evan moved in front, weapon leading, and she followed.

“Holy shit!” Evan started to run.

Rowan tried to see past him as she ran too. They broke out of the forest onto the flat banks of the river. Two people were fighting in the water, but she could only see the back of one man’s head as he held the other underwater. He had short hair.

That must be Liam.

He’s drowning Malcolm.

Cries drew her gaze farther downriver, and she saw West struggling. He came up for air but was flipped and dragged by the water hitting the rocks.

“Get West!” Evan shouted at her. He had his gun trained on the men in the water.

“That’s got to be Liam!” she yelled back, already running with Thor toward the boy. Rowan’s bad leg struggled with the big, slick rocks, unable to get a purchase. Thor pulled, and she let go of his leash.

He was a black blur, leaping over rocks, an arrow headed straight for his target. Thor crashed into the water and grabbed West’s shirt in his mouth. The water was too deep for Thor to stand, so he swam, pulling the boy to shallower water.

Got him!

West was crying and sputtering, and Rowan was furious when she realized his hands were tied behind his back. She planted both feet and scooped him up in her arms. “I’ve got you, West.” She sat on one of the bigger rocks and pulled at the fabric on his wrists. It came loose, and West lunged to wrap his arms around her neck, wailing.

“You’re safe now,” she said. “No one is going to hurt you.” Thor shook, showering them both with water, and then sat, his gaze meeting Rowan’s.

“Good boy, Thor. Best job ever.”

“Get off him! I will shoot!”

Rowan looked upriver. Evan stood in a foot of water; his weapon was trained on Liam, who was flailing in the water two yards away.

He’s still holding Malcolm underwater.

Evan yelled his warning two more times.

Clutching West, she got to her feet and carefully stepped from rock to rock, putting more distance between them and the struggling men. She reached the river’s bank and turned to watch.

Liam abruptly sat up and swung his arm toward Evan. Rowan saw the blur of black in Liam’s hand.

A gun.

He’s going to shoot Evan.

The crack of a shot filled the forest as Evan fired.

Liam jerked and fell to one side with a splash. Malcolm shot up from the water, coughing and gasping for air.

Thank God.

For a split second she’d believed she’d lose both Evan and Malcolm.

Evan grabbed one of Liam’s feet as he started to float downstream.

“Show me your hands!” Evan yelled at the man. “Show me your hands!”

Liam didn’t move.

“Stay back, Rowan!” Evan shouted. “He could still be armed.”

She stayed in place, balanced on two rocks. West was quiet but clung to her like a koala.

Malcolm pushed through the thigh-deep water toward Evan. He was dripping, his long hair plastered to his shoulders.

“Stay back,” Evan told him.

Malcolm ignored him. He stopped next to Liam and stared down at his face. He met Evan’s gaze and shook his head. Malcolm turned around and studied the water, as if trying to see into it. He took a couple of steps, lowered himself into the water, and came up with a gun.

“Thanks, Malcolm.” Evan holstered his weapon and dragged Liam to the shore by his feet. Malcolm grabbed Liam’s shoulders, and they moved him to a flat area.

Rowan stepped off the rocks and set West down on one. “Don’t move,” she told him. He nodded, his eyes wide.

He’ll remember this for the rest of his life.

She joined the others. Evan sat on the ground near the man’s feet, resting his arms on his legs. Liam had a large wound in the side of his chest.

“There’s no pulse,” Evan told her.

“I’m sorry, Evan,” Rowan said. It didn’t matter that Evan had fired in self-defense; he’d killed someone, and it would forever weigh on him.

Malcolm stood silently at Liam’s head, staring down at the body. Rowan moved beside him and wrapped an arm around him. “It’s over.”

“Yes.”

Evan joined them. “Why do I feel like I recognize this guy?”

Rowan finally looked at the dead man’s face and then gasped. “That’s Eric Steward. Ken’s cousin.”





49


Three days later


Evan grabbed another beer at the birthday party. He was quickly becoming a fan of Rowan’s family. They were a lot of fun and clearly cared deeply about each other. He twisted the top off as he watched Malcolm happily eat a second helping of strawberry shortcake.