Jack found Shadow sitting just off the trail. The light from a half moon showed only a dim trail leading off to the south. He was sure Bobby and her guard turned left off the path. Six feet off the path was a thick wall of pine trees. Jack stepped toward the pines and motioned for Shadow to go ahead. Shadow pushed his way through the pine branches with Jack right behind him. A fairly steep cliff face confronted them. Shadow plunged into the brush on the cliff face and disappeared. Moving slowly behind him, Jack found a cave opening and feeling with his left hand he felt that it was big enough to walk through upright. Once inside, he cupped the lens of his flashlight with the palm of his hand and switched it on. In the dim light he could see the cave extending back into the cliff side. Jack removed his hand from covering the lens and flooded the small cavern with light. There was evidence on the dirt floor of foot traffic. The cavern angled right. Jack and Shadow followed the turn. Jack checked for trip wires, beam light alarms, pressure sensors. He found none. He thought, They must believe this place is so secure they don’t need to trap it. Following the cave around another angled corner, they were faced with a heavy wooden door blocking further advance. An old padlock locked the hasp. Jack mused. This lock must be an antique. It took him only seconds to pick it open. He paused before opening the door to check for alarms and get ready for what may be behind it. Possibly a guard. Easing the door open, Jack peeked in. Six feet in was another door, this one made of steel. Again checking for alarms or traps, he found none.

Positioning Shadow to guard the first door, Jack set about picking the more complicated lock in the homemade steel door. The first door looked as if it had been there for years. The steel door looked more recent. The lock was an external padlock that secured a sliding bolt mechanism. It took Jack five minutes to get the lock open. He wished Kathy was here. He removed the open padlock and carefully slid the bolt open. Jack was sure women prisoners were held behind the door. How many, he had no idea. Deciding to move cautiously, he put the bolt and padlock back in place, re-locked the wooden door and fastened a short note to Shadow’s collar and sent him back to bring Kelly and Sally with their packs. Shadow raced off up the ridge. Jack figured it would take at least twenty minutes for them to get here, so he decided to check out the trail leading east.

The moonlight was even brighter and he made good time. The path stopped at another low building. It, too, was padlocked. Again Jack picked the lock open and stepped inside after a quick check for traps or alarms. He was in the Marshalls’ storeroom for ammunition, gasoline, and a cabinet with sticks of dynamite. Jack took several sticks and relocked the door. He hurried back toward the cave. Kelly and Sally should be there already or in a few minutes.

Shadow heard Jack coming up the path and went to meet him. Kelly and Sally were standing off the path blending with the pine branches. Jack touched Sally’s elbow and said, “It’s me. Follow me closely. No talking yet.”

Jack led them into the cave, leaving Shadow to watch just inside. He knelt in front of the wooden door and picked the lock again. He said, “Okay, we can talk here. Inside this door is another steel door. I can open the lock. There must be captives on the other side. I’ve no idea how many or what shape they’re in. My plan is to move quickly in with them, assess their condition, get them to trust us and get them ready to get out of here. I want to be on our way in no more than 15 minutes. Kelly, you and Sally get them going back to the cabin. Try to make it before nightfall tomorrow. Use your flashlights only in an emergency after you get over and down this ridge. After an hour turn on your flashlights and speed up. Use the same trail back. Take Shadow with you. He will actually herd the women and not let anyone fall back. Give them rest when they need it. I’ll catch up with you after I slow down the pursuit because they will be coming after you. Each woman means very big bucks to them. No mercy. They are slavers and killers. If you get to the cabin and I’m not there, call for a pickup and move down the fire road to meet your ride. I’ll make other arrangements. Just remember the slavers are out-matched and will probably end up dead. Okay, I’m going to open the door. Remember there is no need to let the captives learn our names or any other identifying information.”