Page 3 of Danger in the Wilderness (National Park Protectors #1)

D ekker’s pulse thrashed in his head as he shielded Blaire from the shooter.

Had the suspect returned to attack those who had invaded his territory?

Or had he been hiding nearby all this time?

If so, where was Dekker’s father? Multiple questions hounded him and sent his imagination into overdrive, increasing his already horrified mood. God, where are You?

Blaire squirmed beneath his hold and pushed his shoulders. “Get off!” Her tone revealed her terrified state of mind.

“Don’t move, Blaire. The shooter may still be out there.”

She pushed harder. “Need. To. Get. Up.” Her breathless words came out forced.

Why was she fighting his protection? He only wanted to keep her safe. He released his grip.

She scrambled to the closest tree, cowering against the aspen’s trunk. Her cornflower blue eyes darted left and right, as if following a tennis match.

Something besides the gunfire had scared his friend. “What is it, Blaire?”

She clamped her mouth shut and remained silent.

Shouts filtered through the forest, pausing his question.

Seconds later, Constable Chase ran toward them, his 9 mm drawn and raised. “You guys okay?”

“Yes. Is the shooter gone?” Dekker stood and brushed dirt from his jeans.

Chase pivoted in all directions, searching the area. “Couldn’t get a line of sight. Did either of you notice anyone?”

“Not me.” Dekker hurried to Blaire’s side. “Did you?” He took her arm and attempted to help her stand.

She recoiled and swatted his hand. “I’m okay.” She pushed herself to her feet, using the tree to balance. “I didn’t see anyone.”

Why did she flinch at his touch? This wasn’t the fun-loving, easygoing Blaire he once knew.

What happened to change that? They had met when she had traveled with colleagues for a joint law enforcement seminar he had also attended.

Their personalities had connected instantly, but she’d been dating someone and mentioned it was serious.

But she’d never been this squeamish with him before.

Blaire cleared her throat as if avoiding whatever had thrust her into a panicked state. “Did you call in the abduction, Dekker?”

“I did.” He turned to the officer. “Constable Chase, thanks for getting here quickly.” Dekker gestured through the trees at his campsite. “I was setting up camp with my father and had gone to the shore to collect firewood when I heard a shot. When I came back, my father was gone.”

Blaire’s jaw dropped. “What? It was your father who was abducted?”

“Yes.” Dekker checked his watch. “Just over sixty minutes ago. Constable Chase, I’ve searched the woods, and I found trampled plants indicating the suspect went that way.

” He pointed north then gestured toward indications in the dirt.

“Appears like he must have knocked my dad out as I found these drag marks.”

The constable eyed Blaire. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

She bit her lip.

Dekker caught their exchange. “Blaire, tell me what’s going on.”

“I was just at a prior crime scene, where Clara—our latest abductee—was taken. Her boyfriend was left unharmed, and he claims he heard nothing. Our suspect is subduing his victims by drugging them.”

“By suspect , you mean the Park Campfire Killer, don’t you?” Dekker held his breath, waiting for her to confirm what he already guessed.

PCK had his father.

Her eyes softened. “We don’t know it’s him yet, Dekker. Let’s not jump to conclusions.”

Movement along the pathway silenced them.

Chase pivoted and raised his gun. “Halt!”

“Whoa!” Manny stopped. “Just help arriving.”

Two other constables shuffled out from behind Dekker’s fellow park warden.

“Why didn’t you radio your approach, Constables?” Chase holstered his weapon and mumbled, “Rookie mistake.”

A younger female folded her arms. “We heard gunfire and didn’t have time. Thought saving your life was more important, Constable Chase.”

“Fine. You just startled us.” He gestured toward the pair. “Meet Constables Abigail Hudson and Sean White. They were stationed here a month ago. This is Park Warden Dekker Hoyt and criminal investigative analyst Blaire Tremblay.”

Constable White nodded at Blaire. “Why are you here? Analysts don’t normally come to a crime scene.”

“Long story. Nice to meet you.”

The female approached Dekker and held out her hand. “Warden Hoyt, I’ve heard lots about you. Nice meeting you. Finally. You can call me Abby.”

Dekker returned the gesture and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you too.” He turned to Blaire. “Blaire, I’d like you to meet my fellow park warden Emmanuel Boone.”

Manny dipped his head in acknowledgment. “Call me Manny.”

“Good to meet you,” Blaire said.

Dekker explained what happened. “Manny, did you and the constables see anyone on your travels?”

Manny folded his arms across his chest, tilting his head. “Dekker, you don’t know for sure this was PCK. Your father may have just wandered off and gotten lost.”

Frustration corded Dekker’s neck muscles at Manny’s flippant and incorrect conclusion.

“Never. My father is a seasoned park warden. Where do you think I learned everything? He’s not familiar with this area, but he knows enough not to get lost.” Trust me, I know.

He failed to suppress the anger in his voice. “Plus, I heard gunshots.”

Manny raised his hands in a stop position. “Okay, okay. Don’t bite my head off. Just trying to help.”

Dekker’s shoulders slumped. Stay calm. “I’m sorry. I’m a little rattled right now.” He glanced upward. Remember, like Dad always says, eyes to the skies and ears in nature . Would that help in this case?

Dekker rubbed his chin as he paced. Think. What would Dad do?

“You’re assessing the situation, aren’t you?”

He jumped at Blaire’s question. “I didn’t realize you were right beside me. Yes, I’m trying to figure out what my father would do in this case. How did you know?”

“Because you rub your stubble when you’re thinking.” She smiled. “Something I’ve noticed when we’ve been together.”

He dropped his hand. “Bad habit.”

“Not bad. Kind of cute, actually.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re not the only one to point it out. Jayla always—”

Wait! That’s it! How could he forget his sister and her amazing dog, Hercules?

“What is it, Dek?”

“I have an idea.” Dekker rushed back to Chase. “For the other abductions, did you use K-9s to search?”

“Of course. That’s how we eventually found the bodies,” Chase replied.

“We put in a call to the K-9 unit, but our dogs are out on other cases right now,” Constable Hudson said.

Dekker held out his hand to Manny, wiggling his fingers. “Give me your sat phone. Please.”

“What for?” Manny unhooked it from his warden duty belt and passed it to Dekker.

“Because I know a dog that’s the best. My sister’s K-9, Hercules.” Dekker dialed Jayla’s cell phone and waited. Come on, sis. Pick up.

“Hey, Dek. Don’t tell me you need me to intervene with Dad on your camping trip already.” Jayla’s lighthearted voice brought a calmness to Dekker.

But that calmness wouldn’t last after their conversation.

“Not exactly.” Dekker closed his eyes and took a breath. “Jayla, is Bryson nearby? I have something terrible to tell you.”

“Dekker? What happened?”

Rip the Band-Aid off. “There’s no easy way to say this, but Dad’s been abducted.”

“No! Please don’t tell me PCK hit again. I’ve been following the news alerts.”

“We’re not exactly sure, but can you get here and bring Herc? I realize he’s an avalanche dog, but we could use his keen nose.”

“He finds more than just avalanche victims.” Jayla’s words sounded breathless, as if she was running. “Send me your exact location, and I’ll get there as fast as I can.” She paused. “Have you called Mom?”

Dekker puffed out a sigh. “Not yet.”

“You best do it soon and get her prayer warriors on it. We’re on our way. I’m using the chopper, so it won’t take us long. Bryson will come too as he’s off for a few days.”

“Who will look after Avery?” Bryson’s niece lived with them, and they’d officially adopted her.

“Her grandparents and, well, Bertie is hovering too.” A bark filtered through the phone.

“Thanks, Jayla. Be safe.”

“You too. We’ll find him. God’s in control, remember?”

Could Dekker believe that? “I certainly hope so. See you soon.” He punched off the call as the last words he’d spoken to his father resurfaced.

I hope the rest of our trip together is more peaceful. I’d like to see the Frank that Jayla and Hazel see. Not the one I’m used to.

He collapsed against a tree, sliding into a seated position on the ground. The bark cut into his T-shirt, scratching his back, but he didn’t care. All he cared about right now was that those wouldn’t be his final words to his father.

Dekker had to find Frank Hoyt to make things right.

Before it was too late.

***

Blaire analyzed Dekker’s contorted expression. He was hurting—and bad. She squared her shoulders and approached, squatting next to him. “I will do everything to help find your father. I promise.”

Dekker bit his lip. “I can’t believe this is happening.

The last horrible words I said to him keep replaying in my mind like a scratched record.

He came to mend fences, and I blew it. I need to make it right, even after everything he’s done.

What if I never see him again?” He plunked his forehead on his folded arms, resting on his knees.

How could Blaire answer that question when she’d lost her own father recently? The loss still left an ache in her damaged heart. Izzy, what would you say to Dekker? Her sister was always better with words than Blaire.

Hope. The word flew into Blaire’s mind. It was all she could offer Dekker right now. Hope, and her profiling skills.

If this abduction was indeed PCK.

And her gut screamed that was the case.

Blaire steeled her jaw in determination. She would get the profile perfect so they could find not only Frank Hoyt, but Clara too. Before…

She couldn’t finish her thought. The clock was ticking for both victims.

Wait—she popped upright.