Perfect Assassin

“What the hell is wrong?”

“That’s what’s wrong,” she hollered back, because he’d shouted the question at her.

“Weeko, dammit, Moon told you to stay out of here.”

“Weeko? What’s a weeko?”

“That’s her name.”

“What is she?”

“A raccoon. You’ve never seen one before?”

“No. Does it bite?”

“If she’s cornered. I’ve been bitten a few times.”

“Then get it out of here.”

The stranger scooped the raccoon under his arm and started out the door.

“Wait.”

He turned. “Yeah?”

“Who are you?”

“I’m Vic Krandle.”

“Moon’s friend?”

“That’s right. I worked on your leg last night. You don’t remember?”

“Vaguely.”

“That’s because I gave you a shot to put you out while I sutured your leg.”

Moon’s friend was average in weight and thin. He wore fashion jeans and a lemon-yellow sweater. He didn’t look like anyone Koko’s grandson would be friends with. He had a city flair about him, his hair short, and his hands looked as though they hadn’t ever been dirty once.

“Where’s Moon?”

“He left before dawn with the BLM to go back up to the crash site.”

“BLM?”

“Bureau of Land Management.”

Prisca stiffened. “They’re investigating the crash?”

“That, and bringing down the remains of Marty Stollen.”

Prisca looked away.

“Sorry. Billy mentioned he would be by to talk to you as soon as they got things settled on the mountain.”

“Today?”

“No, I don’t think so. Moon talked like he might not be back until tomorrow. But who knows. He said you don’t remember your name. Any change this morning?”

“No.”

Prisca turned and stared out the window, not wanting to remember anything about those terrifying minutes when she knew they were going to crash into the mountain.

“You all right?”

She looked back at Vic Krandle. “I’d like to get out of bed, but I need some clothes.”

“You didn’t come with clothes. I don’t know if you remember that or not, but don’t worry. We’ll get you some eventually. But for now, Moon left you a shirt of his.” He pointed to the red plaid flannel that hung on the log bedpost.

She eyed the shirt, then scowled at Vic. “That’s all there is?”

“Your left ankle is pretty swollen. You won’t be up and around for a while. Best to stay off it as much as possible.”

“I would prefer a doctor’s opinion on that.”

Pris was anxious to get out of there. If they were investigating the crash they might find her missing bag. Depending on how thorough they were, they might discover her secret.

“I’m a doctor, of sorts. A physical therapist, actually. But I spent a year’s internship in New York before I found my calling. There will be a scar on your leg, but I did my best.” He started for the door. “Moon will be back with Koko before long. Just sit tight, and don’t worry about anything. When the man gets back he’ll work on finding out who you are.”

“The man?”

He stopped and turned around. “Moon. I’ve learned over the months I’ve been here that there isn’t much he can’t do. Say, how old are you? You look pretty young.”

“I’m… I don’t remember.”

This game was getting too hard to play. She needed to escape, only how and when? If she had her cell phone she would break down and call Otto. Maybe it was a good thing she didn’t have it with her. What would she tell him?

“Where am I?”

“Montana.” The raccoon started to squirm under his arm, and he dropped the animal outside the door and she scurried away.

“Yes, but where exactly?”

“On a lake called Two Medicine.”

“That doesn’t help much.”

“I guess we’re about a hundred miles south of the Canadian border.”

Canada. She was close to Canada. The thought revived her. That’s where she would escape to. Soon, very soon.

“I’m from D.C. I was planning on going home today. Moon showing up last night with you changed my plans. But I guess I don’t mind. This place has started to grow on me. The man, too. He’s ornery, but smarter than most, and tougher than anyone I’ve ever worked with.”

“Worked with?”

“He wasn’t ever supposed to walk again after his accident. I moved in to rehabilitate him.”

“Is that why he limps?”

“He was in a wheelchair for months, but he beat the odds. No surprise. As I said, he’s one tough sonofabitch. You hungry?”

“I could eat something.”

“I’ll bring you in a tray. Then we’ll talk about your injuries and what you can expect in the next few days.”

Jacy was relieved to see his grandmother at the crash site when he, Billy and Tate arrived with the BLM crew. They had followed the trail she had promised to leave for them.

He had been thinking about her, had worried all night—in between worrying about the woman who hadn’t let go of him the entire trip down the mountain.

He understood her concern for the young woman—Koko was a caring soul. More generous than anyone he knew. She took on the problems of the world as if they were her own. But he was pretty sure she hadn’t told him everything about her vision. She was keeping something to herself and he wanted to know why and what she was holding back.

He looked over the site. The plane was pretty much gone, scrap metal and charred ash smoldering in the crisp morning air. It would be hard to say what had caused the accident, but there would be a thorough investigation. The plane wasn’t that old, but it had seen a lot of miles, with mostly thrift maintenance. Any number of things could have caused the aircraft to go down.

“His distress call was generic,” Billy said. “He was losing altitude. Nothing more.”

The crew started to go to work, and Jacy limped over to his grandmother who sat cross-legged in front of a small fire with her eyes closed. He crouched down next to her and touched her shoulder. She blinked open her eyes and when she looked up at him, she smiled.

“Good to see you, Grandson. Our little bird is safe?”

“She’s at the cabin with Vic.” He studied Koko’s face, said, “So what’s going on? What haven’t you told me?”

“Things aren’t clear yet. I’m still seeing pictures in my mind. But I’m sure it will all make sense soon enough.”

“Yesterday you seemed anxious to return to the crash site.”

“I did want to spend some time here, but sisttsi nan needed better care than I could give her, so I chose to start down the mountain. I didn’t want to leave Marty. His spirit was troubled.”

“Marty?”

“He was afraid at the end. I felt it. I have prayed for his spirit to take flight. For peace on his journey. He soars now with the eagles.”

Jacy fastened his eyes on a backpack. “And that?”

“It’s sisttsi nan’s bag. I found it over there.” Koko pointed a distance away from the airplane rubble. “It must have been thrown from the plane. Her personal things and clothes.”

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