DESERT GOLD (A Monk and Lee Adventure Book 2) by Tony Reed

Author:Tony Reed [Reed, Tony]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-21T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Lincoln dropped the six-inch-wide by ten-foot-long plank over the gaping abyss. The plank barely spanned the hole’s width, just catching the rim on the other side. He adjusted the plank’s position and held it firm against the ground then cocked his head toward the group.

Carlita crossed over the makeshift bridge first, followed by Luis and Goldie. Allison was the next to make it across with Barry, Desmond, and Mich, cradling Dolly in his arm, close behind. The stress and strain from the continuous weight change threatened to weaken the wood’s tensile strength. As Lincoln crossed over, the plank’s center bowed. The sharp crack of wood splitting along the ten-foot length into two three-inch wide lengths filled the passage. Lincoln hastened his transit over the pit and leaped into Barry’s arms, sighing in relief at having made it across.

Because of his sheer size and weight, Carlita had instructed Mexican Jaws to be the last to cross. He dutifully acquiesced to her request and stood alone, watching nervously, with the only sound the echo of the splintering wood.

Lincoln could imagine what was going through the big man’s mind. Normally his commanding size was a plus in his line of work, but now, staring at the black pit below with a broken board the only way across . . . Poor guy is probably cursing the day he was born.

Mexican Jaws timidly averted his gaze from Carlita and the others. His trembling hands and wide eyes expressed his wanting to live life to the full like any other human being and not fall to his death. “I stay here,” he said, trying to hide the shame in his voice, staring at the black hole at his feet.

“Big guy, there’s no way out back there. The cave-in saw to that. If we want to get out of here, we have to move forward,” Lincoln urged.

Mexican Jaws gazed at the broken board, fear in his eyes.

With arm outstretched, Lincoln leaned out over the rim as far as he could without falling. “I got you.”

MacLean appeared at Lincoln’s side. “I always prefer one less drug goon on the face of the earth, but I can’t let a man die like this.” He too, held out his arm over the rim.

“Help him,” Carlita commanded Goldie, who reluctantly joined Lincoln and MacLean. Carlita nodded to Luis to do the same, but he avoided her disapproving glare and leaned against the rock wall. Despite the life of one of his men hanging in the balance, he continued cleaning his cuticles.

Lincoln took a tentative peek down and regretted the move. Taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart, he said with a shaky smile, “Big guy, I don’t like heights either, but here I am. If I can do this, so can you.”

Still, Mexican Jaws hesitated.

“Do you know what I do when I’m nervous?”

The big man couldn’t take his eyes off the abyss.

“I sing. What’s your favorite song?”

Silence.

“You must have a favorite song.”

Lifting his line of vision to match Lincoln’s steadfast stare, the big Mexican whispered, “Hotel California.

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