Page 254 of Taken Away

Beneath the camera, fixed to the tree with two rusty screws, was a weathered aluminum tag.

PROPERTY OF BLACKWATER LAKE LODGE

Declan stared at it.

Then his gaze shifted back toward the logging road.

Toward the fence line.

His expression changed.

Walter could wait a little longer.

Declan returned to his car, turned around on the narrow road, and drove toward Blackwater Lake Lodge.

The lodge appeared through the trees less than ten minutes later, built of dark timber and stone, with the lake flashing blue beyond it. The place had a different soul from Blackwood. Warmer. Less polished.

Blackwater Lake on one side.

Blackwood land beyond it.

Two properties divided by trees and fences.

Kelly Belcher looked up from behind the reception desk as Declan stepped inside. Broad-shouldered and powerfully built, Kelly had the kind of frame that suggested years of hard work and time spent in a gym. His shaved head caught the afternoon light filtering through the windows, and an easy smile softened features that might otherwise have seemed intimidating.

“Lose your way?” he asked with a grin.

Declan removed his hat. “Not entirely.”

Kelly chuckled and set aside the papers in front of him. “What can I do for you, Mr. O’Rourke?”

Declan nodded toward the woods. “You’ve a trail camera down near the Blackwood property line.”

Kelly’s brows lifted. “That one? Yes. That’s ours.”

“Thought as much.”

“Emily’s idea,” Kelly said, smiling despite himself. “We bought this place from Mabel about ten years ago. Emily fell in love with the wildlife almost as quickly as she fell in love with the lake. She started setting out trail cameras to see what wandered through. Deer, foxes, raccoons… we even caught a black bear last month.”

Declan glanced toward the large television mounted above the stone fireplace.

“You keep the footage?”

“Most of it. Emily labels the cards by week.” Kelly studied him more closely. “Why?”

Declan did not answer at once.

“Mabel sold ye this land, did she not?”

Kelly’s expression shifted.

“She did,” he said. “Ten years ago. Best decision Emily and I ever made.”

“And ye knew her well?”

“Well enough to do business with her.” Kelly gave a small shrug. “Mabel Blackwood wasn’t what I’d call easy, but she was fair. Once she made up her mind, that was it.”

“Aye,” Declan said softly. “That sounds like the woman.”