To Catch a Thief Read Free Page A

frightened climbers. Thanks to the howl of the wind, Dakota could only pick up one word in three, but from what he heard, Nell was dealing with the rescue quickly and by the book.
    She assessed injuries, boosted morale and passed out dry trail rations and chocolate, then radioed down to the SAR leader to have transport with a medical team waiting at the foot of the mountain. The climbers were teenagers from an international school in London, and their leader, a burly ex-naval officer from Brighton, was clearly out of his element. Why he had tried the ascent was still unclear, but Dakota knew the speed of weather changes on Skye could take anyone by surprise.
    He fingered his transmitter. “Alpha to Teague.”
    Instantly static crackled. “Pizza to go. What can I get you, Alpha?”
    â€œI figure a large cheese with double pepperoni is out,” Dakota said dryly. “So I’ll settle for backup medical response at the lower trailhead. One girl up here has full-blown asthma with signs of respiratory distress.”
    â€œRoger that. I’ll wander on by to help and make sure it looks like a coincidence. What about the other climbers?”
    â€œThere are seven in all, plus their leader, Ian Westlake. He might have had a heart attack. He’s holding on, but he’s no help to anyone. Nell’s about to try guiding the able ones down and I’m going to meet her on the slope to help out.”
    â€œCopy that. Better get the lead out, Alpha. That storm is picking up speed.”
    Bad news, Dakota thought. “Roger. I’ll check back in ten. Alpha out.”
    The SEAL stared across the slope. To his right a steep cliff fell away in a vertical drop straight down to the loch. To his left a lower ridge vanished into the notched teeth of the Cuillin range.
    There would be no climbing down tonight.
    They were on their own. No rescue chopper could land in this wind, even if any were available in this remote corner of Skye. Dakota had to help Nell hold the kids together, dig in on the ledge for the night and wait out the storm.
    In exactly eight minutes he rounded a turn and saw the little group, huddled beneath a ledge. Nell was snapping out crisp orders to a gangly teenager in a brand new parka.
    â€œHamilton, get your pack lashed over that boulder. Then I want you and Meyerson inside your tent in sixty seconds.”
    â€œYes, sir. I mean ma’am.”
    Once the boy’s pack was secure, he joined his terrified partner in the tent that had been pitched and tethered around stones in the lee of the wind.
    What lee there was.
    Another icy gust pounded over the ridge.
    â€œWu, secure your tent. Hernandez, get that lantern ready to help him.”
    Dakota watched Nell work beside the kids, making temporary shelter. She was using their last names, which created distance and the comfort of hierarchy, making orders easier to give and follow.
    He noted that two other boys were working to secure another tent to nearby boulders, with packs tied down near the tent entrance.
    â€œGood job,” Nell called. “Now all of you get inside.”
    So where were the wounded ones? Dakota wondered.
    A tent flap opened. A slim girl crawled out, looking for Nell. “I found that radio you asked about, ma’am. “It’s—”
    â€œWilson, go back inside and take cover. This wind is—”
    The rest of Nell’s order was swept away in an icy gust that screamed over the ridge, caught two unsecured backpacks and threw them into the teenage girl, knocking her into a spine of sharp granite. As her scream was swallowed by the wind, Dakota dove forward and caught her waist, pulling her away from the cliff edge. She moaned brokenly as he lifted her into his arms. Blood streamed over his fingers from a gash down the side of her forehead. Dakota noted her erratic pulse and diminished pupil response.
    Neck wound and probable concussion. Internal injuries were also