Page 15 of Danger in the Wilderness (National Park Protectors #1)

D ekker took off his hat and wiped the perspiration from his forehead using the back of his hand.

It had been two hours since they received the report of the latest kidnapping and almost twenty-four hours since his father’s abduction.

Time was running out, and Dekker couldn’t get PCK’s annoying ticktock message out of his head.

Plus, his left arm throbbed again, but he refused to take meds and didn’t want to slow their search down, so he kept quiet.

Instead, he chewed the inside of his mouth to take his mind off the pain.

“What are you thinking?” Blaire took out her water bottle and drank.

“I’m trying not to.” Compartmentalizing wasn’t normally hard for Dekker, but it was a whole different game when it came to family. “Time is running out, Blaire. I’m scared PCK will continue to move up his clock and start torturing Dad.”

“I don’t think so.” She positioned herself on a large rock and stared across the small lake nestled deep in the park.

“Why do you say that?” Dekker observed Jayla, Bryson and Hercules in the distance, downstream from where Blaire and Dekker had stopped. The dog hadn’t alerted to anything new, but they continued on their hunt.

“Because he’s also targeted you and is playing a game, trying to get under your skin.”

“Well, it’s working.” Ugh! Dekker hated that he’d allowed PCK to rattle him. He curbed his anger at himself and pressed his radio button. “Jayla, we’re resting for ten minutes.”

She looked over at him from her position at the lake’s edge. “Copy that. We’ll let you know if we find anything.”

Dekker sat beside Blaire on the rock. “I can’t imagine what I ever did to PCK.”

“Have you had any run-ins with anyone in your park warden career?”

“A couple here and there when I had to forcibly remove hikers from the park for repeatedly disobeying rules.”

“Like what?”

“Setting fires when there’s a ban, littering, disturbing the peace. That sort of thing, but nothing causing someone to hold a grudge.” Dekker snatched a twig from the ground and broke it in two, chucking one into the lake.

“Something triggered PCK to target you.”

“Not only me. You too. Why do you suppose that is?”

“Maybe my association with you? Or more than likely, he knows I’m working on the profile.”

Dekker extracted his jackknife from a pocket on his belt.

“How would he know that?” He unfolded the blade and whittled at the twig.

Something he and his father did while camping.

Trips they used to take together, where Frank Hoyt had taught Dekker how to survive in the forest. Dad, I’d give anything right now to have a redo on our camping trip.

“Many serial killers insert themselves into the investigation and hover at crime scenes. If he did early on, he probably saw me at them. My sergeant allows me to visit the scenes so I can get deep inside their heads.” She picked up a stone and threw it into the lake.

It plopped into the water, and ripples formed, disturbing the glasslike surface. Birds chirped from the treetops. The sun’s rays beamed through the lush leaves.

A serene setting for a romantic walk in the forest with the beautiful woman beside him.

If only that was an accurate picture of what was happening in Dekker’s park. Instead, their proverbial romantic stroll involved hunting a serial killer.

A killer playing a sick game with both Blaire and Dekker.

Blaire pointed to the stick. “What are you making?”

“Nothing in particular. Just something I used to do while camping with Dad when I was younger.” Dekker snapped his blade shut, shoving it back into its pocket. “When I’m anxious, I like to keep busy. Woodworking is something I love to do in my spare time.”

Blaire brushed dirt from her jeans. “Are you close to all your siblings?”

“Not all, but I’m in the process of rectifying that. I can be a better son.” One who was more attentive to his family’s needs.

“Family can be tricky. Izzy and I have had many disagreements throughout the years, but we’re now closer than ever. Sometimes time is the biggest healer.”

His family had scattered throughout Canada, choosing to live in different provinces. Funny though how they all had chosen vocations centering around the wilderness. Seemed their father had been an influence on each of them.

Hercules barked in the distance.

Dekker stiffened. “Sounds like Herc alerted to something.” Hope coursed through his body, and he pressed his radio button. “Jayla, where are you?”

“Downstream about one kilometer. Herc found something you’ll want to see.”

“On our way.”

***

Blaire dashed around a large rock and followed Dekker toward the barking K-9, her chest constricting at what they’d find.

Jayla’s tone told her it wasn’t good. Moments later, they reached the area Hercules had alerted to: the rocky shoreline next to the lake, where he was feverishly digging, tail helicopter-wagging.

“Jayla, what is it?” Dekker raced to Jayla’s side.

She pointed.

A black fanny pack lay nestled among the stones on the beach.

“Is that your father’s?” Blaire asked.

Dekker nodded. “Jayla, why is Herc still digging?”

“Not sure. He alerted to the pack, and once we dug it out, he barked again and kept digging.”

“You don’t think…” Dekker’s voice hitched, and his question trailed off before he could share what everyone was probably wondering.

Could Frank’s body be under the pile of rocks?

Jayla latched on to her brother’s arm. “Dek, I can’t go there. Don’t even say it.”

Dekker yanked free from her hold, rushed forward and began removing the larger stones. “Come on, let’s see what else Hercules found.”

The group cleared the rocks and pushed away the sand covering the item in question.

A clear plastic bag containing salt-and-pepper strands of hair with a note attached.

The clock is ticking. How much time does Frank Hoyt have left?

Dekker pointed. “Is that?”

Blaire leaned closer. “Yes, looks like a chunk of hair. I’m guessing it’s Frank’s since Hercules alerted to his scent. I’ll take some pictures.” She dug her cell phone from her pocket and shot multiple photos. She’d send them to her system and to Quinton.

“Dek, is there a cave around here?” Blaire pocketed her phone and brought out her binoculars. She peered through them, circling the lake area. Nothing suspicious stood out, but the question remained in Blaire’s mind. Was the Park Campfire Killer watching?

“Let me check.” Dekker tapped on his cell phone’s screen and, using his index finger and thumb, expanded the map.

Blaire tucked her device away.

He lifted the screen in her direction and pointed. “Nearest known cave is about an hour east of here. But how do we know if Dad is still in a cave? PCK may have moved him.”

“Have we searched that particular one?” Jayla asked.

Dekker unclipped his radio. “Let me check with Nicols. It wasn’t searched earlier today, but may have been now. I’ll contact the constables too. They’ll want to get CSI here to gather the evidence.” He walked away, speaking into his radio.

Blaire’s cell phone rang, and she jumped, surprised a signal got through. She checked the screen and hit Answer. “Sergeant Mullins, did you find out anything regarding the photos?”

“Yes. I’ve uploaded pictures of what they found to our system. Good call. You’re gonna want to check it out.” A pause. “Blaire, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

His tone shifted to one of concern. She braced herself for bad news. “What, sir?”

“I’m sorry to tell you this over the phone, but Kolby just passed.”

“No!” She sank to her knees, the rocks cutting into her shins. She winced but ignored the pain. God, why?

The others turned at her outcry but kept their distance, giving her privacy.

“I’m so sorry. He was a kind young man and will be missed.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “How’s Reed taking it?”

“I’m about to call him but wanted to connect with you first. How much longer will you be searching today?”

“Not sure, sir, but I will head to the station soon to look at what you uploaded.” She pushed herself up and rolled her shoul ders back, determination steeling every fiber in her being. “I will find whoever was responsible for Kolby’s death.”

“I have total faith you will. Are you closer to updating the profile?”

“Almost, sir.”

“Hopefully, what we found on the photos will help.”

Blaire prayed that would be the case. “Any reports from the bomb team?”

“Yes, pipe bomb. I’m afraid the bomber didn’t leave any prints, though.”

Blaire dug her nails into her palm. “Not surprised. Another dead end.” She was tired of those.

“Unfortunately, this guy seems to know how to evade capture. Gotta run. Stay safe, okay?”

The sixty-something man’s voice held a tenderness, warming Blaire’s distressed heart. “Will do. I’ll keep you updated.”

Blaire tucked her phone away, fighting to keep the tears at bay. Losing Kolby was a blow to the gut, especially since Reed was hard to get along with. Not that she’d want anything to happen to him either, but he fought Blaire at every turn.

Dekker finished his conversation and approached. “What happened, Blaire?”

She shared the news her leader had given her. “There are now only two of us left on the team.”

“I’m sorry. Do you want to head back to the station?”

“Depends. What did you find out about the cave?”

Dekker clipped his radio back onto his belt. “It hasn’t been searched.”

“Let’s check it out then.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I need to keep my mind occupied, and I can look at the photos when we get back to the station.”

Dekker turned to his sister. “We’ll check the cave. You guys continue searching this sector. Sound good?”

Jayla nodded. “Is someone coming to gather this evidence?”

“Yes, they should be here within twenty minutes.” He gestured downstream. “You continue. We’ll wait.”

Jayla threw her arms around Dekker’s neck. “Please be safe and keep in constant touch.”

“I will, sis.”