Caleb’s hand tightened on his weapon. These old passages weren’t maintained. Many of the gold mining businesses that worked up here in the past had moved on to greener pastures, leaving behind shafts that were slowly disintegrating.
He pushed those disturbing thoughts aside as they continued moving.
According to Larabee’s map, they should run into the place where they believed Wax was hanging out.
It was strange that he hadn’t moved since the last viewing. Why would he stay in one place?
Swift movement from behind had Caleb turning. Larabee caught up with them.
He brought up the map again. What was there was alarming.
There were now three separate heat residuals. All were heading away from each other.
Ava stared at the screen. Caleb could see her wavering over her decision to send their people into the tunnels.
“What’s the plan now?” Grace whispered.
“It feels like a trap,” Caleb told Ava.
“We can’t afford to abandon our search. He could have other victims.”
Caleb hadn’t thought about that.
Ava assigned teams to head down two of the passages from which the heat signals were coming. “We’ll keep going this way.”
She radioed the change to the second team.
“Copy you,” Harper confirmed.
Ava watched the groups head off toward the heat signals before she faced the long dark tunnel in front of them.
“Ready?” she whispered.
Caleb didn’t hesitate. He’d do whatever was necessary to protect her. Even if it was from herself.
With Shadow leading the charge they kept going. Larabee was with them.
Caleb’s body ached from walking bent over for so long.
Larabee provided updated readings from the heat signals that still weren’t moving.
“Something off,” Ava said, halting Shadow. “He’s not picking up any scent.”
Caleb had noticed the same. It had been a while since the dog had been on Wax’s trail.
“We need to call this off. It’s a trap.” Ava gave the order through the headset.
Larabee headed back toward the location where they’d split off with the others when an explosion ripped through the tunnel.
“Run,” Caleb yelled. The last thing he saw was Larabee running away. Then the dust and debris flew past them, disappearing the park ranger.
Caleb grabbed for Ava. He barely had time to clasp her hand before the dust and debris covered them and the air became so thick with soot that it was a struggle to breathe.
Somehow, Caleb kept Ava’s hand in his as another aftershock landed them on the floor of the tunnel.
Ava coughed, trying to clear her airway. Caleb did the same. “Larabee,” he called out without a response.
“Where is he?” Ava asked before bursting into a coughing fit again.
