Page 28 of Danger in the Wilderness (National Park Protectors #1)

Dekker jumped. He couldn’t remember the last time his mother lost her temper.

“Forgive him before it’s too late.” Her lip quivered as a sob emerged.

I’d like to see the Frank that Jayla and Hazel see. Not the one I’m used to. The last words Dekker said to his father tumbled through his mind. Words he desperately wanted to erase but couldn’t. If only he could reverse the clock and have a do-over.

Dekker returned to the table and set his coffee down before taking her hand in his. “I’m sorry, Mom. You’re right.” Tears welled. “I want to take back the words I said to Dad before PCK abducted him. I will ask his forgiveness once we find him.” He squeezed her hand tighter. “And we will find him.”

She nodded as tears slipped down her face.

A knock sounded, and the door squeaked open. Blaire stuck her head inside. “Okay to enter?”

“Of course.” Dekker stood and hauled out a chair. “Have a seat.”

She obeyed. “Sorry to interrupt, but I thought you’d want to know. Quinton just called with news.” She glanced at Dekker’s mother.

“It’s okay, Blaire. You can tell us in front of Mom. After all, she’s the real backbone of the Hoyt family.” Dekker patted his mother’s hand. “What is it?”

“Rick is in critical condition. PCK beat him up badly, but he survived…so far. Seems PCK is unraveling and not ensuring his vics are deceased. Rick told Quinton that Frank was still alive the last time he saw him.”

“Praise the Lord,” Dekker’s mom said.

“Did he say where Dad was being held?” Dekker chewed on the inside of his mouth then stopped. He had to break his nasty habit.

“The last thing he heard was PCK telling Frank they were going to his special cabin. Then Rick woke up tied to a tree like the others.”

His mother’s jaw dropped. “Where’s this special cabin?”

“No idea,” Blaire said. “Rick is now en route to the hospital.”

A question rose in Dekker’s mind. “Did he have a photo in his hand?”

“Yes. It was just of your father.”

Dekker sucked in a breath. “The last tip of the flame.”

“The what?” his mom asked.

“Tell you more later.” Dekker’s gaze traveled to Blaire’s. “What did the message say on the back?”

She raised her cell phone, turning the screen so Dekker could read it.

The end of the beginning. DH

What did that mean?

***

Blaire analyzed Erica Hoyt’s expression. Her wrinkled forehead revealed confusion. Not that Blaire blamed the woman. This entire case had them all stumped. And this latest message?

Was PCK saying he wasn’t done killing?

Dekker’s expression hardened. “What do you think he means by this?”

Once again, she glanced at Erica Hoyt. How much should she say in front of the woman? Her husband was being held by a serial killer, and time was running out. “Good question. It’s—”

The door burst open, and Jayla rushed in with Bryson and Hercules at her heels.

Saved by the interruption.

Erica stood and collapsed into her daughter’s arms. “My sweet girl. I’ve missed you.”

Jayla sobbed. “Mom, I’m so sorry. I can’t find Dad.”

“You will. God’s got him in His arms.”

Hercules barked and rubbed against Erica’s legs.

Erica let go of Jayla and squatted, giving Hercules a kiss. “Missed you too, bud.” She looked up at Bryson. “You too, son.”

Dekker nudged Jayla. “Jayla, can you take Mom to Justin’s? I’ll give him a heads-up. There should be room for her in your cabin.”

“Yes, there are two bedrooms.” Jayla turned to Erica. “Let’s go, Mom. I want to tell you some exciting news.”

“Dekker, will you be okay?”

“Yes, Mom. I need to consult with Blaire and coordinate some things with Supervisor Nicols before we head back.” He hugged his mother. “I love you. We will get through this.”

She patted his back. “We will. Love you too. Remember what I said earlier.”

Blaire didn’t miss Dekker’s posture straighten. Whatever his mother referred to clearly had him riled.

“Jayla, are you sure you don’t want to stay and search more?” Erica pointed to the small window. “It’s still light out.”

“Other teams are taking over. Nicols ordered us back as we’ve been out all day in the heat.” Jayla addressed Dekker. “Fresh teams are going out now.”

“Good. I’ll see you all later.” Dekker kissed his mother’s cheek. “I’ve missed you, and I’m glad you’re here.”

The group left.

Blaire loved the closeness of this precious family.

A ball of remorse formed in her stomach.

She missed her mom and Izzy, but most of all, she missed her father.

He was taken from them too soon and by the hands of his own brother.

Let it go. Rebecca Tremblay’s words returned.

Your uncle isn’t worth it. It’s God’s job to deal with him, not ours. Concentrate on the here and now.

Blaire knew her mother was right, but Blaire still struggled with the fact her uncle snatched their father from them.

She pushed away the memories and turned her attention to the only Hoyt left in the room. Dekker.

He sat back down. “Okay, now that Mom’s gone, let me know what’s going on. What do you think PCK’s message meant?”

She puffed out a sigh. “You’re not gonna like it.”

“Be straight with me. I can take it.”

“Frank’s death will be the end of this group of killings, but PCK has caught the thrill of the kill, and he won’t stop.” She sat across from him and reached for his hand. “But my gut is telling me we’re getting closer to unearthing his identity. He can’t hide forever.”

“Some serial killers do.”

Dekker was right, but Blaire wouldn’t let that happen. Not on her watch. She rolled her shoulders back. Time to catch PCK.

But right now, she had to change the subject to something happier. “Your mom seems so sweet.”

Dekker’s eyes softened. “She’s the best.” He clicked on his cell phone. “I’m texting Justin to give him a heads-up.”

Curiosity invaded her thoughts. “What was she referring to when she told you to remember what she said?”

His expression clouded.

She raised her hands. “Sorry, none of my business.”

He leaned back. “No, it’s okay. It’s time to confess something, and you’re going to hate me.”

“No way. I could never hate you, Dekker Hoyt.”

“Don’t be so sure.” He paused. “My high school best friend, Aaron Goins, and I went to the same college together. We were roommates.” Dekker stood and moved to the window.

“We both played football. I was a quarterback. He was a wide receiver. The team was vying for a position in the championship, so everyone was hyped up. In the fourth quarter, a defender tackled Aaron, badly injuring him.”

Blaire remained silent and waited as Dekker lingered at the window, studying something outside.

He turned. “He started taking oxy for the pain and got hooked. His doctor stopped prescribing them, so Aaron resorted to buying them off a dealer but ran out of money.” Dekker raked his fingers through his hair.

Blaire eased herself up and hobbled to his side, ignoring her throbbing ankle. “It’s okay. Tell me what happened.”

He lifted his eyes to hers. “He was desperate, and I didn’t know what to do. I was young and foolish, so I got him some meds. I gave him one pill and hid the rest before I left to go on a study date that evening.”

“Let me guess, he found where you hid them?”

Dekker nodded. “I found him on the floor when I returned late that night. He had overdosed.”

She squeezed his shoulder. “And that’s why you refuse to take painkillers? You think you’ll get hooked.”

“Yes.” Tears pooled.

“Dekker, Aaron’s death wasn’t your fault.” She wiped a tear that slipped down his cheek.

His gaze locked on hers, then his eyes moved to her lips.

Was he going to kiss her? Did she want him to?

He leaned closer.

Luca’s face flashed before Blaire, reminding her of his betrayal, and she staggered backward.

Dekker’s previous softened expression rumpled with disgust.

She had failed him, but he obviously misunderstood the why. “Dek, it’s—”

A piercing fire alarm blared throughout the station, cutting off her explanation.

The building was on fire.