The Target by Gerri Hill Page A

gone for hours,” Sandra complained.
    “Just hiking.”
    “You haven’t gotten enough walking in yet?” Lou Ann asked.
    Jaime glanced quickly at Sara, looking for a little help.
    “She didn’t want you guys to know, but she’s a closeted birdwatcher,” Sara supplied with a smile. “Give her ten more years and she’ll be wearing those funny little hats.”
    “ Very funny, Ms. Michaels. Very, very funny,” Jaime whispered.
    She stood back and motioned to the water. “You go first.”
    “Afraid I’ll drown you, huh?”
    “Trust me, Sara, if you jumped on my back completely naked, you wouldn’t have to drown me. I’d pass out.”
    “And what would be the fun in that?”
    “Fun? Want me to show you?”
    “Stay away from me. Or have you forgotten your little backflip last night?”
    Jaime grinned. “Well, I like my women a little rough.”
    Sara was about to shoot back a reply when she realized every eye and ear of the group was trained on them. Instead, she flashed Jaime a grin. “Rough? I can beat the shit out of you.”
    Jaime stared as Sara stripped where she stood, tossing her sweatshirt on top of her jeans and walking calmly into the springs.
    “Hey. Close your mouth,” Celia whispered, just loud enough for everyone to hear. Quiet laughter erupted.
    “Thanks a lot,” Jaime whispered back, stripping down and piling her clothes next to Sara’s on the ground. She stood on the rocks, stark naked, and grinned. “Move over, Sandra honey, here I come!” She did a belly flop into the springs, splashing everyone within five feet of her, Sara included. She resurfaced next to Sara who was still wiping the water from her face. Without thinking, Jaime scooped up a handful and tossed it at her. Sara returned the favor and a water fight ensued. They both ended up laughing so hard that Jaime had to walk away, coughing up the water she had swallowed.
    “You’re vicious,” Jaime said as she slicked the hair back from her face.
    “Oh? So you thought I was teasing about drowning you?”
    “Well, yes, actually. I see I need to keep my eye on you.”
    “As if you’re not,” Sandra said, causing howls of laughter among the others.
    Jaime showed mock surprise and shot a handful of water Sandra’s direction. They finally settled down and Jaime relaxed on a rock, stretching her arms out at her sides and closing her eyes.
    The professional side of her knew they shouldn’t be out here playing.
    It was just courting danger. But she couldn’t think of how to explain to everyone what was going on without causing panic.
    Tomorrow, though, they would need to be careful. If they were a smaller group, she would consider bushwhacking it across the mountain and forgoing the trails. But not with this group of twelve. They would never make it. No, tomorrow, she would most likely tell them all about the possible danger. They could decide then what to do. Unfortunately, they were a seven-day hike from where they started. Their best bet was the Cottonwood Pass Highway, although this time of year, traffic would be sparse. But surely, they could catch a ride down the mountain, if need be. The other alternative was the St. Elmo ghost town. There was a general store that operated during the summer months. Perhaps someone might still be about this early in September. And if they climbed higher, she might get service on her cell. That is, if the battery was still charged. Of course, if she wasn’t just a lowly detective, if she was a real FBI agent, they’d have supplied her with a satellite phone or something. But no, just bogus threats, just a vacation.
    Right.
    “You’re frowning,” Sara said.
    Jaime opened her eyes, finding Sara close by. “Was I?” Jaime looked away. “Just thinking.”
    “You’re worried, aren’t you?”
    “You should be too.”
    “This is what? Day seven? Surely there’s been ample opportunity,” she said quietly.
    “Maybe.” Jaime turned back, meeting the blue-green eyes that were nothing