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„Instead of being afraid.“ Josh chuckled. „I kind of like the added challenge.“
„Great. I think seeing Fearless Josh Cramer tame the demons of Spirit Lake will be a good career move.“
„Gee, thanks.“
At Josh’s wry tone, Marty gri
„Piece of cake.“
„That’s what I like to hear.“ Martin walked out, humming a little tune. He’d been managing Josh ever since his meteoric rise to fame ten years ago. When they’d met, Josh had been a cocky college kid who couldn’t resist taking on a challenge that most sane athletes wouldn’t even consider. Marty had been a brash young lawyer who was already handling some of the biggest names in sports. In the years since, he’d had plenty of time to learn just how to play Josh’s many moods.
Time off. He chuckled as he stepped into the lift that would take him to the main floor and his cronies. He had no doubt that one day the public would lose interest and move on to the next media celebrity, though he fervently hoped it wouldn’t be for many years. He’d acquired a fondness for the things money could buy. But when that day came, Josh Cramer would find himself with all the time in the world. Until then, Martin would do the job he was being paid to do, and see that he kept Josh too busy to think about the things that he might be missing in his high-profile, celebrity lifestyle. Besides, though Josh would never admit it, he thrived on activity. He’d go stark raving mad if he had to stay in one place with nothing to challenge him. Marty was just doing what his client wanted done. And making a pile of money in the process.
Marty was beaming with pleasure. „Josh, this is Wayne Thompson, who’ll be directing the television special.“
The director, wearing baggy fatigues and a baseball cap, stepped away from the cluster of sound technicians and camera crew loading their equipment aboard the larger of the two planes parked on the runway, and offered his handshake.
„And this is Brady Stewart.“ Marty dropped his arm around the shoulders of a tall, white-haired man with a military bearing. „Brady will be piloting the second plane which will trail yours. That way they’ll be able to snap some shots of you from the air, and get some aerial shots of the rugged terrain.“
Josh arched a brow. „Don’t trust me with a camera?“
The director shrugged and glanced at Josh’s agent. „I’m aware of your athletic prowess, but I’m not so sure about your photography skills. I want to be certain we have good, clean shots of everything. Later we can splice your photos and theirs together, to make a continuous narrative of your adventure. We’ll land with you at your base camp and get as much of the local color as we can while you set off on foot, then we’ll fly on to the final destination where you’ll meet up with us at the end of your trek.“
Marty chuckled. „Since there’s room for me, I’ve decided to go along on the first leg of the trip, too. After that, I’ll head to New York.“
„Sounds good to me.“ Josh looked up when one of the assistants approached carrying a clipboard. „Looks like it’s time to get aboard and do a final flight check.“
He shook hands all around before walking away.
Within the hour he was airborne, with the second plane trailing.
He pressed a hand to the knot of tension at the back of his neck. Though a night at the ski lodge hadn’t been nearly enough time to recharge his batteries, it would have to do until this latest assignment was completed. Then he intended to hold Marty’s feet to the fire and take some quality time alone.
„Below me is Spirit Lake.“ Josh flipped the switch that triggered the camera mounted below the belly of the plane and watched the view on a monitor mounted just above his instruments. He’d spent the previous night on the Internet, learning as much as he could about his destination. „Native Americans named it, believing that great spirits dwelled in those depths. It’s said to be one of the coldest and deepest glacial lakes in the country. Even the most sophisticated sonar equipment hasn’t been able to locate a bottom. What makes this area so exciting is the fact that there are a thousand miles of wilderness without any of the amenities of modern civilization. You see below me no power lines. Although there are a few cabins along the shoreline, most are occupied by rugged individuals strictly in the summertime, since the only way in or out is by boat or seaplane. Winter in this isolation would be pretty brutal.“
While circling the lake he switched off the outside camera and turned on the one mounted on the instrument panel. „I’ll be taking my seaplane down in just a few minutes, and you, my viewing audience, will be going with me for the ride. I’m looking forward to taking you along on my journey through this forest. I’m told it’s so primitive, I might be able to make the entire trek without seeing another human being.“
Out of the corner of his eye he caught a flash of shimmering light and turned his head, assuming it was sunlight bouncing off the water far below. Instead he was stu
He had a quick impression of fiery hair and intense blue eyes as he let loose with a string of curses. A stowaway? Some stalker hoping to make a name for herself? Hadn’t security checked out this plane before he boarded?
His tone was pure ice. „All right. Who are you and what’s your game?“
Her voice, soft, breathy, was little more than a whisper. „Don’t worry, Josh, I won’t let anything bad happen to you.“
„You won’t let…?“ He swore as turned to the camera. „Brady, as you can see on your monitor, there’s a stowaway here in my plane. A lunatic female. When you follow me down, I’ll leave it up to you to deal with this nutcase.“
Josh’s head snapped toward the woman. „Lady, when my companions get through with you, you’ll wish you’d never been…“
There was a series of beeps before a siren started blaring throughout the cabin. The instruments went crazy, as did the plane, which began spi
„Mayday. Mayday.“ Josh automatically called out the words while he struggled to maintain control of his craft.
The seaplane continued spi
He turned to the woman beside him. „Brace yourself. Make sure your seat belt is secure, and keep your head down.“
He saw no fear in her eyes. In fact, the word that came to mind was serene, but he was too busy fighting the controls to risk looking at her again.
Since Brady and his crew were right behind, Josh had no doubt they were witnessing his trouble. They could be down behind him within minutes, ready to help. All he had to do was survive the crash.
Adrenaline pumping, he braced himself for impact. Was this how his father had felt when his plane crashed?
His father.
He reached into his pocket and withdrew the tattered gloves, drawing them on. As always, the mere touch of them against his skin brought a sense of calm.
His passenger reached over and took hold of his gloved hand. Along with the sense of peace, he felt a wave of compassion for this stranger. However foolish she might have been to hide aboard his plane, she didn’t deserve this fate.
Too late for recriminations, he realized. Whatever would happen now was meant to happen.
That was his last conscious thought as his plane slammed to the ground and burst into a ball of fire.