Free Hard Target by Barbara Phinney Page A

them.
    Regardless of the car's appearance, it was durable and less imposing than the bigger SUV. And judging from the thin cart path this road was becoming as it hair pinned up the lesser mountain, driving a narrow vehicle was definitely a good idea.
    "Cardon Plata is about forty kilometers in on this road. According to the map, the village clings to the far side of this mountain," Tay said over the sounds of gravel peppering the inside of the wheel wells. He glanced over his shoulder. Nothing but a thick cloud of dust behind them.
    He faced the front. They'd left the tropical vegetation behind in the valley. Now, thistles and scruffy grass provided the only green, while the stark mountains finished the palette with wavy tiers of various browns and ever-present snow.
    "The ambassador said that Cardon Plata means 'silver thistle'," Dawna said suddenly. "According to local legend, the Aymara Indians laid giant thistles in the river beds to catch the silver granules as they washed down the mountains."
    "Do you believe that?"
    Dawna turned her head toward him and smiled briefly, catching him by surprise. Heat rushed through him, and her smile had been only a glancing blow. Then, in slow motion, it seemed, she reset her attention on the dirt road.
    "No, but most legends have a basis in fact," Dawna finally answered. Tay folded his arms over his chest, straining to remember the question he'd asked. Oh, yeah, did she believe in the legend of the silver thistle?
    Of course not. No wild tales for Dawna. Work alone drove her imagination.
    His father had been equally dedicated. Except he'd escaped to his other home, the police station, when things got demanding with his family.
    " Go back to your partner, Nathan. You love him more ."
    His mother's voice rang so clearly in his head that Tay had to steal a glance at Dawna to ensure she hadn't heard the brittle retort as well.
    Her attention stayed focused on the bumpy road.
    Tay held his breath, shock waves rippling through him. What the hell was that? His mother's voice, loud and clear, but still in his head?
    What was happening?
    Forcing himself to relax, Tay stared at the approaching mountain. Above, clouds billowed, their bellies heavy with unseasonal rain.
    Forget it , he told himself. An anomaly. Tension making him edgy, that was all.
    Still, his heart pounded. Uncharacteristically.
    He glanced behind him. Only dust chased them. No ghosts. He turned back and stared through the thick windshield. "Those clouds don't look good."
    Dawna peered up at them. "We should have checked the forecast. Like everywhere else in the world, Bolivia's weather is changing. La Paz saw several feet of snow a few years ago and that looks like rain coming. Really odd for this time of year. This is the dry season."
    They fell silent until the tiny village appeared from behind a series of sharp turns. Mud and cement block homes, even some traditional round Inca homes, all haphazardly encircled a small yet only unique church.
    From this distance, Tay could see the square whitewashed spire, with its classic arches and small bell hanging. Below its dome. Attached to it was the sanctuary, a simple square with single door dividing a chipped plaster wall.
    Dawna leaned forward and shut off the fan. Tay hadn't noticed the cooler air filtering in, but now, he shivered. "Lucy's right. It's a lot cooler up here."
    "Just when you were getting used to the warm city, too," she muttered.
    Tay coughed, feeling his chest tighten with the altitude.
    "We should have brought a Thermos of coca tea with us," Dawna added. "It helps with the altitude."
    Pulling in a deep breath, Tay found himself glancing over his shoulder. Again . "It'll have to get a hell of a lot colder before I'm bothered. Same with the altitude."
    "You haven't seen the rain, yet. This high up, it may even come as snow." Dawna let out a snort so soft, he wasn't even sure he'd heard it. "And I've seen snow."
    He pursed his lips. Of course she would have seen