“Pay attention to what?”
“Everything, I guess. My sight became so important to me after my operation that I automatically saw every detail and couldn’t understand why other people couldn’t. But in this particular case, it was those gunmen Lynch took out at the old gas station.”
Stevie crossed her arms and leaned back against the table. “Then you shouldn’t mind telling me how you can possibly know all this stuff?”
Kendra shrugged. “Well, to start with, I got a pretty good look at two of the men’s boot soles after they were lying dead on the ground in front of me. They both had gray-and-white pebbles lodged in the ridges. The only place around here I’ve seen pebbles like that is in the dry lake bed near here. It’s a good bet they walked right through it.”
“But you knew they came through a field north of there.”
“There’s fresh mint growing in that field. A lot of it. With a good strong breeze, I could smell it a mile away. I could smell it on the gunmen’s clothing. For the odor to be that strong on their boots and pant legs, I’d say they must have walked right through it on the way to the dry lake bed.”
Stevie nodded. “I think I smelled that in the field, too. I hate the smell of mint.”
Kendra smiled. “I can deal with it in chewing gum. Otherwise, I’m not really a fan.”
Stevie wasn’t about to totally give in. “Okay, what about the valley they came through?”
“Chiggers, lots of them.” Kendra wrinkled her nose distastefully. “I think I still I have some stuck to my sweater. One of the guys had some stuck to the Velcro flaps of his pack, and another even had one in his beard.” She added hesitantly, “I may have been pushing it to call that area a small valley. It might be more of a gully. But it’s still a good place for us to start while you try to pull location data from those phones.”
“I agree.” Stevie smiled. “I’m starting to understand why Lynch has such faith in you.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Lynch said. “The only question is, do we want to follow up on this ourselves, or do we want to bring in some help?”
Stevie asked, “You’re leaving this up to me?”
Lynch nodded. “You’ve got the most to lose.”
Stevie didn’t even hesitate. “If you’re still not sure who we can trust, I say we scope things out ourselves. Everyone has been doing great figuring out stuff so far. If we think we’ve found where they’re holding Dad, we can decide what to do then. We’ll bring Archie with us for protection.”
“Archie won’t slow us down?” Kendra asked.
Lynch chuckled. “No way. If anything, we may slow him down.” He paused. “But it might be wise to give ourselves another day or so to verify the information we’ve gathered.” He smiled as he saw Stevie’s disappointed expression. “With your permission, of course. I don’t like it either, but I’m trying to impress you all with my patience and lack of barbaric bloodlust in a bad situation.”
Stevie sighed and then nodded reluctantly. “Okay . . . I guess. But I kind of liked the idea of bloodlust when it concerns rescuing my dad.”
Kendra reached out and squeezed her hand. “We all sympathize.” Then she gave Lynch a sly glance. “But I’m sure that Lynch will soon exhibit it again to entertain you. He has that reputation.”
“Ouch.” He flinched. “And just when I’m making this splendid attempt.”
“I didn’t say I objected,” Kendra said. “I was just comforting a friend in need.”
“Were you?” He was studying her expression. “It wasn’t quite that, but it was close enough to be promising. I believe I’m encouraged. Particularly if you substitute me as the friend in need.” He flashed her a brilliant smile. “I’ll take that as progress.” He turned to leave. “So we make preparations now, head out tomorrow night just after dark.”
CHAPTER
13
FOUR HOURS LATER
The knock on the sunroom door was very light, almost tentative. It was followed by the door opening and Stevie sticking her head into the room with an equally tentative smile. “Kendra? I don’t want to be a bother, but I wonder if I could come in and talk to you? Would you like a cup of tea? I could get one for both of us from the kitchen.”
“That sounds like a bribe.” Kendra leaned back in her chair and grinned. “This is your house, Stevie. I should be the one waiting on you. We’ll talk about tea later. What’s bothering you?”
Stevie hesitated. “I guess it’s not important. At least, not enough to worry you. I just knew you were still working in here tonight and I wondered what you were doing and if I could help.”
“I was only checking out those maps that Lynch and I put together and making sure that they’re as accurate as we can make them.”
“And are they?”
