“I’ll radio Kessler,” Josh said, breaking the silence.
Maya knew they were all getting tired. Dogs included. Normally they’d kick into gear if they found human remains. She took a deep breath and said, “We need to start taping off the scene. I really wish we could drive up here. I’ll check and see if the road is still closed. Somehow Abigail got here. Or at least I’m assuming this is all courtesy of Abigail. Maybe if we can find out when the road was shut down, we can determine how far away she could be.”
“Where would you go from here?” Nick asked. “I don’t know the area like I do Montana.”
“There’s a couple options. That road will lead to Stone Creek Falls which is closed, but maybe Abigail got through before that happened. It’s a small town with a motel, convenience store, gas station and restaurant. The town goes from barely anyone there to a booming business in the summer and during hunting season. It’s big enough to have a small police department. I’ve worked with them a couple times. I’ll call the chief and let him know that Abigail could be heading their way.”
“That would make sense,” Nick said. “Although I would expect Abigail to stay off the grid.”
“Yeah, I would too,” Maya said. He was right. And if Abigail was going to a town like that, she had a plan. She knew police response. Would she be trying to set up some sort of trap? Or just send them in the wrong direction knowing that Maya would trust Juniper? Maya could see Abigail driving that way, knowing Juniper would track in that direction. “I think she’s planning something and we’re doing exactly what she wants. We need to be careful.”
Josh had finished radioing Kessler and came back to where they were all standing. “Kessler is on his way and he’s going to get the FBI ERT to come,” he said, talking about the FBI evidence response team. “But they are coming from Denver.”
“It’ll be dark by the time they get here,” Maya said. “Is the road open again?”
“I’ll find out,” Josh said, stepping away so he could radio dispatch.
If it was open, then they could drive back here and at least start running tape and securing the scene. Where would Abigail go? What was she up to?
Maya pulled the water bowl off her duty belt and filled it, giving Juniper a drink. The Mal lapped up the water eagerly. When she was done, Maya passed the bowl to Rory. “Will you fill it and give Finn a drink? I’d do it, but Juniper is already jealous he was able to play. If I give him any attention, she’ll be really upset.”
Rory laughed and took the bowl from Maya. Finn was also thirsty. By the time Rory handed Maya the bowl back, the sun had set. Thanks to the smoke, they wouldn’t be able to see the stars. The moon was just a sliver right now too.Give it another thirty minutes and we’ll be in the dark,Maya thought.
“I wish we could do an AMBER alert,” Nick said.
“We might be able to if Kessler knows the make,model and vehicle license plate of the guard’s car that Abigail stole. I’ll ask him,” Maya said. “And honestly, we don’t even know that Abigail has Hope. We’re making assumptions.”
“Yeah, true, but they’re good assumptions,” Nick said.
“Do you know Abigail?” Maya asked, deciding it could be a good time to fish for some information.
“Not well. Worked with her here and there when there was a fugitive she wanted. A lot of my work was guarding federal judges, but then I moved into doing more fugitive apprehensions. Can’t say I know her well, though.”
“What about your partner?” Maya asked.
“I think he knows her too, but not well. To be honest, I haven’t asked him. He offered to help and I took him up on it. You have a history with Abigail, don’t you?”
“You could say that,” Maya answered, still wondering about Aaron and his motives. She would keep a close eye on him from here on out. “At some point, I’ll tell you more, but my mother had evidence that could prove her guilt in many crimes. She hired someone to kill my mom and then my grandmother. She tried to kill me, but Juniper helped save me.”
Nick leaned against a tree and stared up at the sky. “I met your mother once.”
Maya didn’t know what to say. All she could think of was, “Eric mentioned that to me.”
“Yeah. I tried not to like her, you know? In my mind she was the enemy, but she was really nice. I’m sorry you lost her.”
“Thanks.” What else should Maya say? She added, “I wish I’d known her better and could remember her.”
Nick didn’t answer and Maya turned her attention back to the case. Talking about their dysfunctional family could come later. Josh came back over, glancing between Maya and Nick.
“Are the roads open?” Maya asked.
“They are,” Josh said. “The firefighters were able to get some control on this side of the fire thanks to it running into a prescribed burn area. It didn’t have the fuel it does in other areas. I think these roads will remain open for now. Although late tonight we’re supposed to get some more thunderstorms. Dry, though. Lots of wind and lightning, not much rain. Let’s leave Wilson and Rory here to watch the scene. We’ll get back to our vehicles and drive up here. That way we can do what we can and hope the weather cooperates both for the crime scene and the fire.”
“Before I go back, I want to see if Juniper catches a scent in the direction we’re suspecting,” Maya said. “I want to see if she tracks that direction and make sure we’re not wasting time. Juniper’s had a break now and should be ready to go. You go ahead and head back to your vehicle, I’ll have Rory back me up.”
“Sounds good. Deputy Wilson, you stay here and watch the scene,” Josh ordered. “Nick and Aaron, you can stay here, but Wilson is in charge until the FBI ERT arrives. Got it?”
Maya was glad Josh was giving the instructions. Nick nodded, but Aaron rolled his eyes and muttered something about how it wasn’t his first rodeo. Yes,he was definitely not her favorite person right now. Maya offered Juniper another drink before they started their track.
