What do you have in mind? I asked. A hard smile crept across his face. Holt's got a weakness, revenge. If he thinks I'm bringing him Cairo's sister to settle a score, he won't kill her right away.
He'll want to savor it, show it off. He paused. That buys us time. It was a solid plan, but it meant putting Sihaya right in the middle of Holt's camp. Every instinct I had pushed against it.
There's got to be another way, I said. There isn't, Sihaya replied, her voice firm as iron. This is our best chance to save those families and make Holt pay for what he did to my brother. I looked at her and saw that same unbreakable resolve that had carried her this far. She wasn't backing down.
And deep down, I knew she was right. All right, I said at last. But we do this smart, careful. First sign something goes wrong, we pull out. Agreed, she said.
Rook gave a short nod. Then we start planning. If this is going to work, we need to think through every way it can fall apart. The next 2 days were nothing but planning. Rook knew Holt's operation better than anyone, and he walked us through every detail.
How the camp was laid out, their routines, the personalities of Holt's top men. Holt's main camp sits in Dead Horse Canyon, Rook said, sketching out a rough map on a piece of paper. About 30 men total, but they're not all there at once. Half of them are usually out on jobs or scouting. What about guards?
I asked. Three posted at all times, Rook answered. One at the canyon entrance, two up high watching the ridges. They're looking for lawmen or rival outfits. He glanced at us.
Not for someone riding in with a gift for Varick Holt. So how do we play it? Sihaya asked. Rook didn't hesitate. I ride in with you tied behind my saddle, he said.
Tell Holt I found you hiding near your brother's old cabin, that I figured he'd want to deal with you himself. He tapped the map. While I get close to him, learn what I can about the caravan plan, you keep him distracted. Give him a story he wants to hear. I didn't like any part of it, but it was the best shot we had.
What about me? I asked. You take the high ground, Rook said. Set up in the rocks overlooking the camp, close enough to cover us if things go bad, but far enough the lookouts don't spot you. How do we stay in touch?