“The sap and granite dust both match the terrain west of Hidden Lake. This is our best lead so far,” Rachel said while studying her table.
Caleb was familiar with the area. The low areas weren’t as treacherous as the place they’d been the day before. But once you got past the lake, the trek up to the mountains was challenging in good weather.
Ava straightened, her expression unreadable. “Unless that’s what he wants us to think. It wasn’t an accident that he left the key and the evidence on Emily’s body. He wanted us to find them. And the swath of cloth we found yesterday...”
“What about it?” Caleb asked when she didn’t finish.
Ava shook her head. “I don’t think it belongs to Wax. It was perfectly cut from the garment and not torn. He left it there as a clue, possibly to lead to the next victim’s ID or something else. Maybe something from his past.”
Rachel’s excitement dimmed and Ava added, “But we’ll figure it out, and Hidden Lake is a good place to start.” She headed up the trail with Shadow close to her side.
Caleb fell into step beside her followed by the others.
The trail remained level for only a few feet before it slanted into a steep incline weaving through the trees. “Watch your step. It’s slick,” Caleb warned. “There’s ice covering the snow.”
Ava nodded without looking his way.
Even though the circumstances were vastly different from when they hiked together before, being close to her again like this reminded him of the future he once thought would be theirs.
Back then, never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined how things would end between them. Truth was, since she’d left, he hadn’t been able to move on. His inability to let her go completely had caused tension between him and his parents. When they’d suggested wanting to move to a warmer climate and invited him to come along, Caleb knew he couldn’t leave this life behind. And so, he’d taken over the running of the lodge which worked out well for his hunting guide business.
Still, things remained tense between him and his parents, who worried about him.
Caleb glanced down at the Malinois whose nose was tucked to the ground. Even the tiniest sounds that got missed by human ears caught Shadow’s attention.
When the dog stopped suddenly, Caleb almost stumbled over him.
Rachel and the two rangers caught up with them. “What’s going on?” Rachel asked.
Shadow doubled back to a fallen log.
“I’m not sure.’ Ava followed instantly. “Show me, Shadow.”
The dog pawed into the snowdrift next to the log until he’d uncovered something. It appeared to be a piece of canvas material.
“What on earth?” Larabee murmured as they gathered around.
Ava carefully retrieved the canvas. The edge was frayed and faintly scorched.
Caleb leaned closer. “Looks like part of a backpack strap maybe.”
“It’s old,” Shackelford stated. “But it doesn’t appear to be aged from exposure.”
“He placed it here for us to find.” Ava searched the trail ahead as if expecting Wax to leap out and attack.
An unwelcome shiver sped down Caleb’s spine as he looked around at the countryside on edge.
Shadow growled low, startling everyone. The dog sprang into action once more. Ava gave the command to track.
Caleb followed them through deep snowdrifts. The thin air at this altitude burned his lungs as they continued to push deeper into the backcountry and off the trail.
Shadow stopped abruptly and barked once.
Caleb caught up with Ava. Half-hidden by woods was a small cabin, its roof sagging beneath the weight of snow. Smoke curled faintly from a narrow chimney, almost invisible against the gray skies and mountain backdrop.
“That place has been vacant for years. No one lives there,” Caleb said in shock.
“Someone’s been here recently.” Ava raised a gloved hand, signaling the team to stop. “We proceed carefully. He’s armed and unstable.”
