Page 19 of Danger in the Wilderness (National Park Protectors #1)

D ekker coughed and rolled to his side, emptying the water from his mouth. He sucked in air, trying to fill his lungs. Where was he? What happened?

The shot! The boom had echoed, and Dekker attempted to drop into the water but hit his head on the way down. “Blaire!” He coughed again and eased himself up, but she pushed him back down.

“I’m right here. You scared me.” She grazed the cut on his forehead. “Did you get shot?”

“Can’t breathe well. Need. To. Sit.”

“Slowly.” She helped ease him into a seated position. “Breathe in deeply. You need to fill your lungs. Don’t talk.”

He took several deep breaths, exhaling slowly. His rapid pulse gradually subsided.

Dekker observed his surroundings. They were on the other side of the shore, meaning Blaire saved him. He reached up and moved a strand of wet hair off her face. “Are you okay? Where’s the shooter?”

“Gone. I thought I heard something just before you woke up, but it must have been an animal.” She play-slapped his shoulder. “You scared me, Dekker Hoyt. I thought I lost you.” Her voice hitched.

“I’m sorry.” He hated to be the cause of her worry.

Ominous clouds had drifted in again, threatening more stormy weather.

“Help me stand. We need to get back to the station.”

“Wait, you almost died and need to rest first.” She examined his wound. “Did the shooter’s bullet graze you?”

“No. I dropped when I heard the shot, then slipped and hit my head on the rock on the way into the river.” He brought her into an embrace. “Thank you for overcoming your fear of water and saving me.”

“It was all God. He gave me the strength and courage I needed.” She rubbed his back.

He withdrew from the hug. “Do you have your radio?”

She pointed to the other shoreline. “I had to leave it behind to save you.” She gestured toward his waterlogged pack. “I’m guessing yours won’t work.”

“I can’t risk turning it on when it’s wet.”

Lightning flashed, followed by a deafening clap of thunder a second later.

“That was close.” Blaire bolted upright. “We need to find shelter.”

“What we need to do is get to the station.” He reached for her. “Help me stand.”

She complied.

His wobbly legs buckled, and he latched on to her arm to steady himself. Spots flickered, and he held his breath, waiting for the spinning to subside. “Now I know what they mean by sea legs. Don’t think I’d do well as a fisherman.”

“How far away are we from the base? Can I go get help and bring someone back?”

He shook his head. “I can’t risk you getting lost, even though it’s only about a fifteen-minute walk from here. There are multiple trails, and if you take the wrong one, it will lead deeper into the wilderness.” He studied the forest. “Besides, I can’t leave you alone with PCK out there somewhere.”

Fat raindrops turned into a heavy downpour within seconds.

Blaire held out her hands. “It’s not like we’re not already wet.”

“Let’s go.” He pointed into the woods. “That way.”

She took his hand. “I’ll help you, and we’ll take it a bit at a time.”

He forced a smile. He had to lighten the mood even though his throbbing head and wobbly legs wanted nothing better than to rest. “What more could a guy ask for? A walk in the rain with a beautiful woman. Sounds wonderful.”

Even with a killer on the loose.

Thirty minutes and three rest stops later, Dekker and Blaire trudged up the park station’s steps. The storm still pounded the region and would hamper any further search attempts.

Dekker wanted to get an update from his supervisor. He held open the door. “After you.”

They entered the packed station. Seemed everyone was taking refuge from the storm.

Jayla rushed forward and threw her arms around Dekker. “Brother, I panicked when I couldn’t get in touch with you.” She released him, her gaze traveling over his appearance. “What happened? You have a goose egg on your forehead.”

“I’m fine.”

She tilted her head. “Dekker.”

“There’s no fooling you, is there?”

Blaire stepped forward. “Here’s a summary. We were almost attacked by a grizzly, shot at while crossing the river and fell in. He almost died and is not just ‘fine.’”

Dekker pursed his lips. “Tell us how you really feel.” He laughed and gave his sister a more elaborate version of Blaire’s story. “I’m really okay and thankful to Blaire. She saved my life.”

Tears tumbled down his sister’s face, and she flung her arms around Blaire’s neck. “Thank you. Sorry, I know it’s the hormones, but I’m so thankful for you.”

“Well, his quick thinking saved me from a bear.” She winked at Dekker. “We’re even.”

“Hardly. That bear was enormous.” He snickered and gestured toward the groups huddled throughout the room. “Why is everyone still here, Jayla?”

“Supervisor Nicols was hoping to wait out the storm, but the latest weather report is saying it will linger.”

Dekker searched the crowd. “Where are Bryson and Herc?”

“Taking a break. I sent Bryson to get fresh clothes for all of us at the ranch. I guessed you both would probably need some too, so I sent them.” She ran her fingers through her dark hair. “I didn’t want to leave.”

He got it. Dekker was learning the importance of family sticking together. Why had it taken him this long? “Jayla, can you do us a favor? Have Bryson pick up a couple of cell phones on the way back. Ours are waterlogged. Besides, Blaire could use a new phone so PCK will stop targeting her.”

“Sure thing.” She tapped on her cell phone and walked away.

Nicols approached. “Dekker and Blaire, you okay? I hear reports of a grizzly sighting near you.”

“Yes, but this grizzly was bigger than the one on the video footage near the station.” Dekker fished his radio out of his soggy backpack. “Not sure if we’ll be able to salvage this or not.”

“No worries. I’ll put out a grizzly alert to all employees to notify anyone in the park. Although many have left due to our warnings about PCK.”

A chill attacked Dekker’s body, and he shivered. He had to get out of his wet clothes. “Nicols, can you give me a search update? Any sign of my father or the other abductee?”

“Nothing. We’ve covered a lot of caves. I’m wondering if PCK has moved Frank.” He gestured to the crowd. “I’m sorry, Dekker, but I need to send everyone home. The storms aren’t going to let up, and it’s too dangerous out there.”

“We’re running out of time. Both Dad and this other person don’t have long.”

Fifteen minutes later, after Nicols updated them on the search, the front door opened and closed. Hercules barked and bounded toward them. The dog nestled into Jayla’s open arms.

Bryson approached, carrying a duffel bag. “Wow, you look like a drowned rat.” He passed Dekker two burner phones. “As requested.”

“Thanks, Bryson.” Dekker addressed his supervisor. “Thanks for the update. I need to go change.”

“Good idea.” Nicols raised his finger. “Oh, Blaire, someone is waiting for you in the boardroom. Said his name is Reed.”

Her eyes bulged. “What? Why is he here? This can’t be good.”

Dekker didn’t miss the anguish turning Blaire’s beautiful smile into a terrified grimace.

Something about the man’s presence had her spooked.

Saturday, 8:00 p.m.

Blaire shuffled into the boardroom and halted at the sight of her coworker sitting behind his laptop at the long table. “What are you doing here, Reed? Shouldn’t you be under a doctor’s care?”

He pushed himself up, his eyes narrowing. “Sergeant Mullins sent me. Blaire, we need to complete the profile before anyone else gets hurt. You could’ve prevented Kolby’s death.”

Dekker placed his hand on the small of her back. “Wait a minute. His death resulted from a killer, not Blaire.”

Blaire held up her hand. “It’s okay, Dekker. I can handle this. Why don’t you get changed?”

“Will you be okay here with him?”

She shoved the chills from her wet clothes down deep and rolled her shoulders back. “Yes.” She wouldn’t let her true feelings show.

“Fine. I won’t be long.” Dekker left the room.

“Your new boyfriend here to defend you?” His eyes traveled up and down Blaire. He smirked. “You take a dip somewhere?”

Blaire dug her nails into her palms and counted to five slowly. Reed’s sudden appearance already grated on her nerves.

“Well? I’m waiting.”

“I don’t need to explain myself to you. But, if you must know, I faced down a grizzly, got shot at and pulled Dekker from a rushing river today.

Then hiked back to the station in the pouring rain.

” She waggled her finger at Reed. “I don’t need your attitude.

” Blaire hated the harshness in her voice, but she had to display her authority. She was still the leader of their team.

He whistled. “Wow. You’ve been busy.” He raised his hands. “I surrender. I’m just on edge since the bombing and Kolby’s death.”

Blaire’s tensed shoulders relaxed. “I’m sorry. Me too. Since you’re here, let’s work together on the profile. We’re only two now, but still a team. Okay?”

“Agreed.”

“Grab a coffee from the lunchroom. I need to go change. Then we’ll get started. We’ll order some food too, as I think it’s gonna be a long evening.” Blaire didn’t wait for a response, but left the room to get out of her wet clothes.

Blaire sipped her coffee and picked up another photo fifteen minutes later.

“Thanks for bringing these. So much easier than looking at a screen. How did you get them?” She taped another picture to the whiteboard at the front of the room.

She had created what she referred to as a murder board to assist in the investigation. She snatched a marker from the ledge.

“Sweet-talked them.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “Wait, you didn’t steal them, did you?”

“No. I’m kidding. Had them released to my chain of custody after I told them their importance to catching a killer.”

“Pizza’s here.” Dekker raised a stack of boxes before setting them in the middle of the table. He turned and faced Blaire then whistled. “You’ve been busy.”