Free Death Cache by Tiffinie Helmer Page A

uncomfortable. She wanted to look away but couldn’t.
    He started to speak, fast, as though regurgitating what happened. “My brother-in-law beat the shit out of my sister. Apparently, he’d been doing it for years, but no one informed me until she was hospitalized. They didn’t know if she was going to live through it. Mitch had beaten her within an inch of her life. Broken ribs, collapsed lung, left her blind in one eye, and caused her to miscarry her pregnancy of five months. Jury’s still out on whether she’ll be able to have any more kids. She refused to press charges, said she’d fallen down the stairs. Something had to be done. So I flew back home to New Mexico and confronted Mitch, told him to leave. He wasn’t going to be within a hundred feet of my sister ever again. We got into it. He pulled a knife and I killed him.”
    Tern’s heart clenched at the pain and powerless rage in Gage’s voice. “Why didn’t you call me?” she asked.
    “I couldn’t call you from jail. Tern, I never wanted you to know what I had done.”
    Silence once again smothered like a blanket over the group. What did she say to that? She wanted more information, like how was he released? Was there a trial still pending? Would she lose him again, this time for life as he served out a murder sentence?
    “Okay, time to move on.”
    Wait? She wasn’t ready to move on. She couldn’t process everything that Gage had said.
    Mac continued, “We know what this psycho is using against us. Does anyone have anything else to add?” Everyone looked at each other but didn’t say anything. “From what I can tell this whole thing has been orchestrated around Tern. So, Tern, what’s your verdict?”
    “None of this means anything,” she said. “ None of it changes how I feel. I still care for everyone the same.” Why hadn’t Gage trusted in her?
    Gage lifted his head, his eyes focused on her.
    “I knew about Nadia’s past and I’m not naive enough to assume that all of you are perfect. I don’t understand what was to gain by this exercise.”
    “Probably trying to pit us against each other,” Robert said, calmer now. “We just found out that we’re stuck with a bunch of people capable of murder.” He nodded at Gage.
    “Given the right motivation, everyone is capable of killing someone,” Gage said.
    “I don’t know about you guys, but I could use a breather,” Nadia said. Tern silently agreed.
    “I could use a drink,” Lucky said attempting to joke until he caught the look in Robert’s eyes. “Sorry, bad taste.”
    “I suggest we figure a way to get out of here,” Robert said. “I’m not going to be used like a pawn in some psychotic fuck’s game.”
    “This was supposed to be fun,” Lucky said. “I’m not enjoying myself at all. Anyone else?”
    There were a few grunts of agreement.
    “We need to hike out of here tomorrow morning, first light,” Lucky said. “The Yukon River is below us. There is bound to be traffic this time of year. Fishing, tourists, supplies headed up river. We hike down, walk along the bank until we run into someone. Chances are we might get some cell service.”
    “Except our cell phones were taken, remember?” Nadia reminded. “I think we should stay put. The plane is going to be here in a few days—”
    “We can’t be sure of that,” Lucky said.
    “Who’s to say if we leave, we won’t run into more problems?” Nadia pointed out.
    “We’re sitting ducks here,” he returned.
    “With water and food—”
    “We’re almost out of food,” Lucky said.
    “Enough,” Mac interrupted. “Let’s put it to a vote. All in favor of hiking out of here come morning raise their hand.”
    One by one everyone’s hand rose except Nadia’s.
    “I have a real bad feeling about this,” Nadia whispered, wrapping her arms around her as though in a hug.
    “Majority rules,” Mac said. “We hike out of here in the morning. Until then, I suggest we hunt up some food.” He regarded