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He dropped the speed to the park’s limit and continued on. We crawled past several more A-line houses, then a row of on-site caravans. At the far end of the park was a row of old-fashioned log cabins that had a porch and a carport at one end, and three windows along the rest of the building. As we neared the cabin at the very end of the row, the bracelet grew so hot that I had to grip the silk bag by its ties.
“They’re here,” I said. “How we going to play this?”
“By the book.”
“Meaning, I’m gathering, we’re not going to break and enter?”
A smile touched his lips. “Definitely not, if only because we don’t know if the place is empty or not. The last thing I need or want is to get into a shooting match with these bastards.”
“You getting shot would certainly put a dent in future seduction plans.”
“Which is one hell of a reason not to get shot.” He directed the truck around a rather tight curve and headed back to the park’s entrance. “Of course, I would advise against making any plans for tonight. If our hunters aren’t here, we’ll have to stake the place out.”
He obviously wasn’t including me in that “we.” “I wish the bad guys would give us a break. Surely a month or two without their sort of drama wouldn’t be too much to ask?”
His grin flashed. “Maybe when we get a proper reservation witch and the wellspring is shored up tight, that’ll happen.”
“Maybe.” But more than likely not. “I gather the stakeout will be a joint operation?”
He nodded. “I’ll send the address to the Bendigo crew once we park, and then we’ll go talk to the manager and see if he or she can tell us anything about the three men.”
He pulled into one of the parking spots near the manager’s house and, once he’d sent the text, climbed out and walked across to reception. I followed. I might not be a ranger, but I was nosy.
A small bell chimed as the door opened, and a few seconds later, a middle-aged woman with a bright smile and merry blue eyes stepped into the room and walked behind the desk.
“What can I do for you folks?”
“We’re after some help.” Aiden got his ID out and showed it to her. “We’ve had a couple of men illegally hunting within the reservation, and we believe they might be staying here in Cabin 10C. Do you know if they’re currently in the park, Mrs.—?”
“Allan. Lucy Allan.” The cheerfulness left her expression. “I’m afraid the men in that cabin left fairly early this morning, and I haven’t seen them return as yet.” She hesitated. “Don’t you need permission from the local cops to be active outside the reservation?”
“Yes,” Aiden replied evenly, “and they’re on their way as we speak. I just thought I’d do the prelim investigation while we’re waiting.”
Relief ran through her expression. Maybe she had images of getting into trouble with the local force for helping us out. “What do you wish to know?”
“Would we be able to get a copy of their registration paperwork?”
“I’m not sure I can legally—”
“The Bendigo boys will have a search warrant with them, so you’ll be in the clear.”
“Ah, good. Just a minute, then.” She disappeared into the small office behind the desk; after a few minutes, she reappeared with several sheets of papers.
“I’ve photocopied their papers for you and the cops,” she said, “but you can check them against the originals. Hope that’s all right.”
She placed the three sheets down on the counter. Aiden checked them both and then slid the original back across to her. “Thanks.”
As she disappeared into the office again, I murmured, “Charles Randall? Are we taking bets on whether that’s his real name or not?”
“The odds would be far too short to bet on, but I can check the car registration, as it’s a reservation plate.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I didn’t realize the reservation had its own number plates.”
“It’s basically only officialdom that does—rangers and council vehicles, mainly.”
“Does that mean this Charles Randall lives and works within the reservation? Or that the plates are stolen?”
“Possibly the latter, but at this stage, I’m not discounting anything.” He glanced up as the woman returned. “What can you tell me about the three men who’ve been staying in the cabin?”
