Page 66 of Mountain Struggle

Damien had already been in the area at the time, so he’d been the first person to arrive on site, before his commander or any of the other team members. He’d also been the one to tell his father his son was dead.

The boy had fallen eight hundred meters down the ridge to his death—all he’d been able to do was certify his death. Damien recalled the boy’s broken body—such a waste, he remembered thinking.

An image of the father flashed in his mind—a large, wooden-looking man, overcome by the horror of the situation. He’d tried to punch Damien, screaming that they could have saved his son if they’d gotten there faster. Damien had held the man until the medic could administer a shot.

They’d both been evacuated in the same helicopter—the father unconscious, the son dead.

“The father’s name is Roger Dubois,” Hiro added. “He’s a farmer, owns significant acreage.”

“This was five years ago?” That was Kat’s voice on the headset, from the pilot seat.

“Yes—must have been shortly before you joined us. We didn’t even have our own pilot at the time, we shared one with the Annecy unit.”

“What I don’t understand,” Damien continued, “is why now? It’s been five years. I need you to go to the Dubois home now, Hiro. See what you can figure out, and call us.”

“But, Damien, we should get the team together and come find you—”

“No. Jamie’s life depends on us doing as the man asked, and he asked that we go alone. We’re already risking much by having Kat and Drake here.”

“If you’re sure, Commandant.”

“I’m sure. See what you can find about Roger Dubois and call me back, Hiro.”

Drake disconnected the call.

“How far are we, Kat?” Damien asked into the headset.

“I can drop you off on the west face, where you requested, and you walk the rest of the way, or I could get you a bit closer.”

“Drop me off. We don’t want him to hear the helicopter and get spooked. I’ll walk.” He looked down at his watch. It was going to be tight, but he could do it.

“What are you talking about? We’re going to do this again?” Tess asked, picking up on his pronoun use.

Damien sighed inwardly. He stretched his long legs and took off the headset, pointing to Tess to do the same so they could have a private conversation.

“I still think you should stay in the helicopter,” he began.

She nodded. “I’ve made a mental note of what you think, Damien. But I’m coming with you.”

“Kat and I could go—”

“Yeah, because Kat’s fiery red hair looks just like mine,” she said, looking disgruntled.

Damien took a deep breath.

“I don’t want you there, Tess.”

Her eyes shone with green fire.

“I don’t really care what you want, Damien. We have to get Jamie back, and we’re not going to give that asshole any excuse to hurt him.”

Damien clenched his hands. He knew what she was saying was true.

“You’ll do as I say?”

“I’ll do as you say, Damien, as long as I don’t think it poses a risk to Jamie’s life.” Once again, Damien’s eyes filled with tears. “I love him too, you know?”

“I know, Tess. I know.”