Ava shifted in the driver’s seat exhaustion weighing down her limbs. “Thanks, Rachel. Do you need to tell your parents we’re coming?” she asked Caleb and noticed his smile seemed forced.
“They moved to a warmer climate two years ago. A lot has changed since you were here last.”
There was something in his tone that warned her not to ask questions. But Ava’s curiosity wouldn’t let go of what he’d said. Caleb and his parents had always been close. Had something happened to change that?
“Our people know where to go,” Rachel said once she ended the call. “Should we head over and get the command set up?”
Ava glanced at the time. After midnight. Still, despite the late hour, she wanted to speak with the medical examiner right away.
“I’ll drop you and Shadow off. You can get everything organized,” Ava told her fellow agent.
Shadow heard his name and sat up from his position next to Rachel.
Ava leaned back enough to pet the dog’s head. “Time for you to get some food and rest, boy.”
The dog made a grumbling sound that pretty much confirmed he understood what she said and disagreed.
“Where are you going?” Rachel asked, while her gaze locked with Ava’s in the rearview.
“To speak to the medical examiner. I’m hoping he can provide us with some information to help find this creep. The clock is ticking on our latest victim.”
Ava flipped the SUV around and drove back in the direction they’d come. Once she reached the isolated road Emily had taken, she veered off onto another, more cared-for road.
After traveling some distance, the drive to the lodge appeared through the weather. Two lamplights on either side of the entrance worked like a beacon in the storm.
She drove down the pristine, snow-covered drive to Caleb’s family lodge. In the past, she’d spent several different holidays with his parents. Having been raised in foster care, Ava loved his tight-knit, loving family.
Once Ava parked out front, Caleb turned to Rachel. “I’ve texted the manager to let him know what to expect. His name is Oliver. He should be there waiting for you.”
“Thanks.” Rachel got out and tried to coax Shadow from the vehicle. The dog’s distrust of strangers became apparent quickly. He wasn’t going anywhere with Rachel.
“It’s okay. He can come with us,” Ava assured her. “We’ll see you in a bit. Once everyone arrives, have them get started going over the information we have now.”
She waited until Rachel was inside before pulling away.
“He’s gone through some trauma of his own.” Caleb indicated the dog as they retraced their path back to the main road.
She flinched. Caleb knew her story. Knew the horror she’d gone through. That was probably why she and Shadow just clicked from the beginning.
“Yes, he has.” She briefly explained what happened to the dog. “Everyone was ready to give up on him. I’m glad Marcus saw Shadow’s worth—and mine. I can’t imagine having another partner.”
He glanced back at Shadow, whose ears were at alert as if he understood they were talking about him.
Ava slid the SUV into one of the many available parking spots in front of the county’s morgue.
She twisted in her seat. “Stay. We’ll be back soon.” The dog grumbled again but settled into his seat—a sure sign of his weariness.
Ava found a blanket and wrapped it around the dog to help keep him warm until they returned.
She and Caleb fought the bitter cold wind all the way to the entrance. They stepped inside the sterile chill that always gave Ava the willies. The metallic scent of disinfectant mingled withthe faint copper tang of death gnawed at her empty stomach, a reminder that it had been hours since she’d eaten.
A man in his sixties stood near a covered body on the table.
“Dr. Hale,” Ava said as she neared. “We spoke on the phone. I’m Special Agent Ava Blake. This is Caleb Ward. Thank you for meeting with us.”
“Agent Blake. Caleb, good to see you again.”
Ava wasn’t really surprised that the doctor and Caleb knew each other.
