Savage Thunder by Johanna Lindsey Read Free Book Online Page A

count?” Elliot asked the Mexican.
    “Six, senor.”
    Elliot nodded. He should have known her guards wouldn’t break habit just because the trail was narrow and not what they were used to. Six always rode ahead, and six behind the coach. It was just as well there was room below on that ledge for the lead riders to maneuver past the coach when the Mexican started the shooting, to draw their attention to the back of the train. There was little that could be done if they didn’t move back to investigate, for it was doubtful all six could be picked off before they had a chance to find cover. And if the coach did escape the boulder, that would leave too many guards to still protect it.
    “Go back to your position,” Elliot ordered the man, “and wait for the signal to begin.”
    Dewane watched him go before sneering, “Ya ain’t tol’ the Mex she’s ta die, have ya?”
    Elliot stared coldly at the older Owen brother. It was his policy to explain himself as little a possible to his hirelings, and he saw no reason now to mention his experiences with the Mexicans and that he wasn’t taking any chances with the one he had hired to guide the duchess away from the main roads so she would be forced to come this way.
    “Quite right,” was all he said, and that was enough.
    These men were leery of him and that was as it should be. They shared a camaraderie of nationality from which he stood apart, which was as he would want it even if their differences did not enter into it. When you employed men as cold-blooded and merciless as yourself, a separateness had to be maintained so there was never any question of who was in control.
    Elliot turned to watch the Mexican hurrying along the upper ledge to his assigned position. This spot really was ideal. With two ledges, the upper one concealed from below, it was absolutely perfect for ambush. There was even a path leading down the other side of the bluff to where their horses were hidden. And those below could not give chase even if they wanted to, because the two separate trails didn’t meet until they reached the bottom of the mountain on this side. The path leading down the other side of the bluff met the foothills on the western face of the mountain, but horses couldn’t maneuver up or down it.
    Soon…soon he could get on with his life. Nothing was going to go wrong this time. It couldn’t. He was due some luck of his own.
    He moved into his own position, which allowed a clear view of the trail below. He could see the lead riders now, and Sir Parker Grahame, captain of the guard, out in front as usual. He knew all of her people by name, and some of their histories too. He had spoken with them, bought them drinks, almost managed to seduce that silly French maid, Babette, while they were in Egypt. That they had no idea who he was or what he looked like made it easy. As long ashe never approached one of them unless they were alone, and never approached the same one again in another town or country, they never suspected a thing.
    “Best get ready, gentlemen,” Elliot said quietly to the men behind him.
    He lay stretched out to the left of the boulder. He would not relinquish his place, wanting to see the devastation firsthand. The huge rock sat on the very edge of the bluff. They had had to do no more than loosen it from the mountain’s grip beforehand, so all it needed now was a push.
    The four men ready to do the pushing set their hands to the boulder and waited. Elliot waited for the lead guards to pass and the first of the coach horses to be directly below before sending the Mexican the signal to begin his part. Dewane joined him, a gun in each hand, though he laid one down for later use. The last man took out the mirror that would flash the signal to the Mexican.
    “I want the driver of the coach eliminated before he applies the brake.” Elliot repeated this particular order. “He’ll stop the coach as soon as the guards up front start to turn around to investigate