Page 21 of Danger in the Wilderness (National Park Protectors #1)

D ekker tapped his thumb on the table, considering Blaire’s suggestion of the campfire image. Could his father be one of those three spots? Dread slumped his shoulders, elevating the pounding in his temples.

“But what about victimology?” Quinton asked. “Have you been able to find a connection between each?”

“Only that they were all abducted and their bodies left in parks.” Blaire paced around the table. “PCK isn’t favoring one gender over the other, and the ages range from midtwenties to sixties.”

“What about their vocations?” Dekker took another pizza slice.

Reed tapped on his laptop. “Nurse, mail carrier, carpenter, hair stylist, lawyer and your father.”

Blaire halted. “Reed, what about the latest abductee? Can you give me specifics?”

“Female, age thirty-five. Veterinarian.”

“Quinton, did you find anything unusual at the scene? I wasn’t able to get there. Little busy fighting bears and saving Dekker from drowning.”

“And it’s not your job anyway, Blaire.” Reed scowled.

Heat flushed Dekker’s face at the flippant attitude of this man. How could someone be so rude?

Dekker opened his mouth to reply, but Blaire raised her hand, stopping him. “Reed, quit reminding me. You’re aware of why I go to the crime scenes.”

He huffed and sat back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Right. You want to get in the killer’s mind.”

“Anyway, to answer Blaire’s question, same MO. Ripped tent, chairs knocked over. That sort of thing.” Quinton snapped his fingers. “Oh, except for the bloody rock and note addressed to Dekker. That’s new. Why would he add that? Does he have a vendetta against you?”

“Let’s ask the profiler.” Dekker looked at Blaire. “What do you think?”

“Some serial killers like to insert themselves into the investigation, but in this case, I feel PCK is making it personal. Either you’ve upset his status quo, or you know him.”

“I can’t imagine anyone I know performing these heinous crimes.” Dekker racked his brain, trying to come up with something, but fell flat. “And he’s totally changed his timetable, right?”

“Yes. Something has triggered him to be more aggressive.” Blaire added timetable and a question mark beside it to the board.

“Do you think my dad has more time or less?” Dekker chewed the inside of his lip, waiting for Blaire to answer.

Her gaze penetrated Dekker’s then shifted away.

“What is it, Blaire? Tell me.”

“The fact he’s kidnapping sooner than expected tells me he’s angry and now isn’t holding back. Why, I’m not sure.” She raised a finger. “But maybe he’s holding on to Frank for a reason. To get to you.”

Frustration corded Dekker’s neck muscles. “We’re running out of time. We need to find him.” He pointed to the map. “We’ve marked off a lot of areas, but who knows if PCK is moving him around? Our park is massive.”

“Has Supervisor Nicols considered closing the park?” Reed asked.

“We’ve put up numerous signs warning the public to stay out of the park until further notice, but it may be a good idea to shut down all campsites.” Dekker made a mental note to ask Nicols. “But PCK strikes in other parks too. I can’t imagine shutting down all the national and territorial parks.”

“They may have to until we catch this killer.” Blaire addressed Reed. “We need to caution the public again. When did Mullins first go live with the news of a serial killer?”

“After the third victim, but we don’t have a profile to share.” His face screwed into a scowl. “Well, we do, but you keep changing it.”

“Let’s get back to the victimology.” Blaire turned to Chase, clearly ignoring Reed. “Quinton, what did you say her name is?”

The constable flipped through his notebook. “Paula Koden.”

Dekker leaped upright, his chair crashed to the floor. “Wait. That’s Peter Koden’s sister. We’ve been so busy searching for Dad, I didn’t catch the name.”

Blaire hurried back to the board then circled PK. “PK. How do you know Peter?”

“He’s the warden at the northern tip of our park. Paula is his little sister. I need to get our park tablet. I’ll be back.” He raced from the room and returned in seconds, tapping on the screen. “I have a hunch. I’m checking Yukon’s list of park staff.”

“You think these initials represent park employees?” Blaire asked.

Dekker held up his finger. “Just a sec.” He swiped through multiple screens, reading.

Then gasped. “Not just staff. Park wardens and park officers.” He wrote the names on the board, corresponding to the initials, plus their vocations.

Quinton slapped the table. “Wait. I know Joshua Landers. I attended his sister’s funeral. She was a nurse and victim number one. The family is heartbroken.”

Blaire’s jaw dropped. “I would guess all the vics are related to these wardens.” She waggled her finger at Reed. “That’s the missing piece.”

Dekker turned. “What is?”

“PCK is targeting park wardens, park officers and their families or someone they love.” Reed keyed on his laptop.

Blaire slammed the marker onto the ledge. “Exactly. We’re ready to give the profile. Quinton, can you set it up for tomorrow? We’ll need all law enforcement here, as well as any park wardens and park officers we can get.”

“They’re all over the Yukon,” Dekker said.

“Set it up for tomorrow afternoon. Those local can attend, and we’ll videoconference in the rest, including Sergeant Mullins. Quinton, can you and your team interview all these park wardens and officers? Find out if anyone has a vendetta against them or the loved one PCK targeted.”

“I’ll get Constables Hudson and White on it.” Quinton whisked out of the room.

Blaire plunked back into her chair, her face ashen.

She was tired.

“Time to get you back to the ranch.” Dekker rubbed his head. “And I have a splitting headache and need sleep.”

Blaire eyed Reed. “It’s too late for you to go back to Whitehorse, and I need you here tomorrow to help deliver the profile. You have friends you can stay with?”

“Not really.” He nodded at Dekker. “Any more room where you’re staying?”

Dekker didn’t like that Reed had just invited himself, but for Blaire’s sake, he’d relent. “Justin has lots of space. I’m sure they can accommodate you.”

“Good.” He pushed himself up and shut his laptop. “Text me the address, and I’ll meet you there.” Reed left the room.

Dekker placed his hand on Blaire’s. “Do you trust him?”

“He can be challenging, but he’s good at what he does. Why?”

“I’m not sure. Something just seems off to me about him.” How could he explain it when he himself couldn’t put his fin ger on the reason for his suspicion? Jealousy? Maybe. Or deceitfulness?

“We haven’t always gotten along, but he’s harmless.” Blaire paused. “I think.” She pulled the park station’s landline closer. “I need to update my sergeant.” Blaire punched in Mullins’s number and waited.

“Mullins here.”

“Sir, it’s Blaire. Sorry for bothering you so late, but I wanted to let you know we’re ready to give the updated profile.”

“Finally. When?”

“Tomorrow afternoon.” Blaire drummed her fingers on the table.

“Good.”

“And, sir, thanks for sending Reed here. It helped to talk it out.”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t send Reed to you.”

Blaire grimaced.

Dekker latched on to her arm, raising a brow. He had nailed it.

Something was indeed fishy about Reed Pratt.

***

Blaire stomped up the steps to the ranch and entered without knocking, letting the screen door slap shut behind her.

“Hey, wait up.” Dekker entered the foyer. “You slammed the door on me.”

Blaire halted and pivoted. “Sorry, Dek. I’m just so angry right now.

” She had noticed her sergeant’s tone on the word finally earlier.

Was he questioning his decision on making her team lead?

He’d never given her any indication of that, but her hesitance during this case may have pushed him toward that conclusion.

“I understand. Reed lied to you, but you’re letting him win. Take some deep breaths before you confront him.”

How could she explain that she sensed Mullins losing his faith in her too?

She exhaled slowly. “You’re right. I need to cool my jets.

” Once again, she counted to five. Seemed she’d been doing that a lot lately with her fellow profiler.

Kolby was always the one who helped her stay calm.

Tears welled at the thought of no longer seeing the sweet Kolby.

Dekker stepped closer. “You okay?”

“Just thinking about Kolby. He always talked me off the ledge when it came to Reed.” She bit her trembling lip.

“I’m here for you. You know that, right?”

She nodded.

Justin appeared in the foyer. “Hey, guys. You’re back.”

“Is Reed here yet?” Blaire asked.

Justin gestured toward the kitchen. “He’s in there having a snack.” He leaned forward. “Reed’s an interesting character.”

“Tell me about it.” Blaire entered the kitchen, marched up to Reed and poked him in the chest. “You lied. Sergeant Mullins didn’t send you. Why are you really here, Reed?”

He stuffed a chocolate chip cookie in his mouth.

Blaire crossed her arms and tapped her index finger on her bicep. “Quit stalling.”

Dekker took the plate of cookies away. “No more until you tell us the truth.”

Reed tilted his head, smirking. “Am I a child?”

“You’re certainly acting like one.” Blaire snagged a cookie. Even though she wasn’t hungry, sugar was her kryptonite when stress plagued her. She bit into the treat, waiting for Reed to respond.

Dekker marched into Reed’s personal space. “Did you have something to do with my father’s abduction?”

Reed stood his ground. “Hardly. Don’t blame me that you can’t even find your own father, Mr. Park Warden.”

Dekker drew in a sharp breath at Reed’s use of PCK’s nickname.

Blaire thrust her fists at her sides. “Tell us why you’re really here.”

“Because you’re not doing your job, and Sergeant Mullins is a wuss. He won’t tell you what we’re all thinking.” His eyes flashed venom. “You’re incompetent.”

Dekker grabbed Reed by the collar. “Lay off or I’ll kick you out of this ranch.”