Chapter 40

FORTY

Beth enjoyed the scenery as they flew to the ranch in Helena. They followed the mountain range for some time and the way the trees seemed to walk up the side of the mountains intrigued her. The sky stretched out in an endless sea of blue with the odd puffy white clouds on the horizon. A multitude of rivers meandered throughout, like shimmering snakes crawling toward each small town along the way. Herds of elk were making their way through the forests to the green pastures on the lowlands. Tall wheatgrass moved in a sea of golden green. The tops moving like waves on the ocean as the chopper went overhead. They spooked a herd of bison and it took off in a brown arrow in the middle of the grass, throwing up a cloud of dust behind them. At the beginning of their journey, she'd walked toward Carter's chopper and received a very strange look from Styles. Unable to interpret his sudden change of mood, she'd turned on her heel and walked back to him, making a joke about heading to the wrong chopper. She'd noticed him relax as he grabbed her bags and placed them in the back of his chopper before he settled Bear. It seemed that Styles took the fact that they were partners very seriously. She believed she should say something and considered her words very seriously. She adjusted her headset. "It's going to be very strange working with Carter." She smiled at Styles. "You're used to my idiosyncrasies. He might just believe I'm batshit crazy."

"I personally figure it's like leaving matches and sticks of dynamite with a child." Styles flicked her a glance. "They call me a maverick because I use my hands rather than shoot people. Carter always appears to be laid-back and easygoing, but in truth he's as sharp as a whip." He turned his attention back to flying the chopper. "He knows you can be a little impulsive at times, but so can he. Having you together facing danger alone isn't something I'd advise."

Concerned, Beth stared at him. "You really believe we're irresponsible? That's a little harsh."

"Carter is with Jo because she's a calming influence on him." Styles shrugged. "It's worked and he's a better agent for working alongside her. You're the opposite. Heck, you even encourage me to take crazy risks." He snorted. "Okay, they've worked fine so far, but you must admit we've come a little too close at times. We've skated round the rules more often than I would like to admit." He flicked her a glance. "Like now. This is an unsanctioned investigation. No one knows we're here. If it all goes to hell, we don't have backup in place. We're literally on our own."

Shaking her head, Beth raised both eyebrows and stared at him. "We've literally been on our own since I arrived in Rattlesnake Creek. This is the first actual mission we've gone on with the Snakeskin Gully team. Loosen up, Styles, it's all good. We'll catch these guys and put them away for a long, long time."

"I hope you're right." Styles landed the chopper at the Helena airport behind Carter's bird. "There's no more time to think it over. It's game on." He looked at a chopper parked a short distance away. "That's our ride to the ranch. Nice and inconspicuous. We'll be able to drop our things and drive into Helena for the meetings."

Beth gathered her things as the chopper propellers slowed to a halt. She climbed out and took her bag from Styles. "Are you two going to argue over who is the pilot?"

"Nope." Styles pushed on his hat and smiled. "I've been to the ranch before, so I was the natural choice. You'll feel safer with me piloting, Carter takes risks."

Beth frowned. "I heard it was the opposite. You're the crazy one."

"Only when I need to be." Styles led Bear to the other chopper. "We'll dump our things and I'll do a preflight while Carter does the paperwork. There's coffee inside. Do you remember where to go?"

Beth nodded. "Yeah, are you taking a break before you leave?"

"Only while our choppers are being refueled." Styles walked away to speak to Carter.

Beth headed toward Jo. "I guess we're on our own."

"Yeah, there's nothing for us to do here." She looked around. "Restrooms?"

Beth led the way inside. "Yeah, over there. I'll get coffee and sandwiches. I figure it's going to be a long afternoon."

They arrived at the ranch an hour later. Beth was surprised to see the place deserted. She turned to Styles. "Who cares for the cattle?"

"They'd be here on agistment." Styles stared at the sky for a second. "Ah, I forget you're a city girl. The cattle are turned out here to fend for themselves. There is water in the river and plenty of food and shelter. They don't need daily tending. The owners would ride by to check on them or move them from pasture to pasture over the course of the year. I'd say they're owned by a neighboring ranch and they likely pay for the privilege. I have no idea."

Beth frowned. "You mentioned transport?" She turned to stare at him. "Supplies?"

"We have supplies enough for a week." Styles dragged bags out of the back of the chopper with Carter. "The vehicles are always ready. This is an FBI safe house, so all the essentials are here. We just brought fresh food because we know you'd prefer fresh milk on your cereal rather than powdered and fresh fruit and vegetables, is all."

Beth headed inside, trailing her suitcases behind her, wheels rumbling across the polished wooden floors. The house smelled of stale air, as if it had been locked up for a long time. She walked along the passageway and peered into each bedroom and picked one with a dressing table and mirror. She would need a decent mirror with lighting to complete her disguise before she went to the adoption agency with Carter. After the attempted murder in the park, she'd taken everything she'd need to disguise him as well. If they were recognized by anyone from the pedophile ring, their chances of discovering the identity of the doctor would be over. She'd created their identities, used deepfakes to create the photo IDs and everything they needed to convince anyone who looked that they were legitimate.

The bedroom had two beds, which made life easier for her as she didn't bother unpacking, rather just laying the clothes she needed across the bed and setting up her disguises on the dressing table. Once she was done, she walked into the kitchen to meet the others. "This is a good setup, with plenty of room, and each bedroom has its own bathroom, which makes life a lot easier."

"Yeah, and the refrigerator runs all year round." Carter was packing the shelves with food from a cooler. He handed Styles a bottle of beer with a smile. "Well stocked with beer and wine as well. I wasn't expecting that luxury from the FBI."

"I've stayed here before." Styles filled the coffee pot and ground beans from a packet he'd purchased in town. "We have about an hour before you need to leave." He looked at Beth. "How long do you need to fix your disguises?"

Beth stacked cans into a cabinet. "Not long."

"You should get ready now." Jo took the can from her hand. "You don't know what the roads are like between here and Helena. "You don't want to miss your appointment. We can finish up here." She gave her a long look as if reading her mind. "Have you gotten your story straight? I've been questioning Carter all the way here."

Having played so many parts in her lifetime, Beth had confidence she could convince a horse to drink sand, but Jo might be another matter. The feeling Jo knew something wasn't quite right about her always shimmered on the surface and it made her wary. In times like this, she usually had her psychopath charm to fall back on, but with Jo it might be a red flag. She just shrugged. "Of course I'm a little nervous. I wouldn't be normal if I weren't and that might be a good thing. I believe couples would be nervous going to an adoption agency." She smiled. "Don't worry about me, I spent a good part of my early years with the FBI being an undercover agent. This will be a walk in a park in comparison to some of the roles I've had to play in the past."

"She's good." Styles dropped another box of food on the counter. "In San Francisco she had to dress as an underage sex worker. She knocked on my door at the hotel and I didn't recognize her and sent her away."

"I'd like to have seen that." Carter shut the refrigerator door and grinned at her. "Did he run a mile?"

Beth chuckled. "Something like that. He wouldn't be seen with me in the hotel." She sniggered. "He has his reputation to uphold."

"Why don't the two of you get ready to leave. Time is a-wasting." Styles waved them away. "And we'll leave the dogs behind. They're a dead giveaway."

"Copy that." Carter headed along the hallway with Zorro at his heels.