Page 32 of Danger in the Wilderness (National Park Protectors #1)

E very part of Dekker’s body ached, but that didn’t compare to the emotional trauma affecting him.

Both his father and Blaire were in the hands of a madman, and Frank Hoyt’s seventy-two hours had almost run out.

PCK’s ticktock played over and over in Dekker’s mind, haunting him.

He hadn’t slept a wink and right now sat at the SAR tent, nursing a large cup of strong coffee.

The park station building was closed because of the fire, so Nicols had moved the SAR tent to another location on the property.

The team had assembled early that morning.

Jayla squeezed Dekker’s shoulder before sitting opposite him. “We’ll find them both, Dek. We have to.”

Hercules barked as if in agreement.

Leave it to a dog to lighten his mood. Dekker ruffled the retriever’s ears. “You’re a good boy.”

“Sure is.” Erica Hoyt set a bag in front of Dekker. “You forgot your lunch.”

Dekker sprang off the picnic bench. “Mom, I told you to stay at Justin and Kari’s. What are you doing here?”

“Sorry, Dek. Couldn’t talk her out of it.” Bryson plopped his backpack onto the opposite bench before slipping beside his wife.

“Mom, do you think Dad would want you here?”

She clucked her tongue. “Don’t you dare tell me that.

I’m just as capable in the wilderness as you kids.

Frank taught me the same things as all of you.

” She raised her finger. “Don’t worry. Kari arranged for her church friends to come here so we could form a prayer circle.

” She poked Dekker in the chest. “And before you say anything, there’s power in prayer.

You know that…even though you refuse to believe it. ”

Dekker rubbed his achy legs. “Well, right now, I’ll take all the help I can get.”

His mother took out a bottle of ibuprofen from her pouch. “Take two of these.”

“Mom, you—”

“Don’t you Mom me, young man. Your father and Blaire need you at full capacity. I realize you refused to stay put after your injuries from last night’s accident, so the least you can do is listen to your mother. Let the past go.” Her tone spoke volumes.

Dekker was too tired and frustrated to argue with the strong-willed Erica Hoyt.

Besides, wasn’t a mother always right? Plus, he had to put Blaire and his father before his own fears.

Dekker plunked back onto the bench and held out his hand.

“Fine. I’m counting on those prayers to help us through today. ”

She opened the bottle and dropped two pills in his hand. “Son, God’s got you. Remember that.”

Dekker downed the pills with his coffee, contemplating his mother’s words. He wanted to believe that. With all his heart.

Why won’t his throbbing head agree?

Nicols clapped. “Can I have your attention everyone?”

The group silenced immediately. They knew what was at stake.

The clock was running out.

“PCK has abducted Blaire Tremblay.” His eyes met Dekker’s. “We’re guessing that she’s being held captive with Frank Hoyt, so we’ll take assurance in the fact they’re together.” He raised his clipboard. “I’ve assigned each team with new coordinates. Come and get yours.”

The groups obeyed, and each set off in different directions.

“Mom, we’re heading out now,” Jayla said. “You stay here and get your prayer circle going.”

She nodded and brought her daughter into her arms. “Stay safe.”

“We will.” Jayla yanked on Hercules’s leash. “Hercules, come.”

The trio trotted down the northeast path.

Nicols approached. “Mrs. Hoyt, why don’t—”

A cruiser squealed into the station’s parking lot, and Chase jumped out. He opened the rear door and reached into the back seat.

A cuffed Travis Moore stepped out, his curly hair disheveled and clothes rumpled. The dark bags under his eyes revealed his exhaustion.

Kind of like the entire search party.

Dekker stood and zipped toward the duo, Nicols following close behind.

Dekker grabbed Travis by the collar. “Where are you holding my father and Blaire?”

Chase hauled Dekker off Travis. “Hold on, Dekker. I brought him here because you are all gonna want to hear what he has to say.”

“Isn’t that unorthodox, Constable?” Nicols asked.

“He’s not under arrest. We found him near here, and I had to share what he has to say before I take him back to his car.” Chase addressed Travis. “You gonna take another swing at me?”

The man shook his head.

“Good, so you don’t need these.” Chase removed the cuffs.

“What? You’re releasing him?” Heat flushed Dekker’s ears and traveled up his cheeks. “Why, Chase?”

“He’s not PCK.”

“How do you know that?” Dekker’s mother positioned herself to Dekker’s right.

Dekker shoved her behind him. “Let us handle this.” His tone was sharper than he intended. “Sorry, Mom. My nerves are fried.”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

Dekker turned back to Travis. “If you’re not PCK, why did you run? Explain yourself.”

He rubbed his wrists. “I didn’t. Had to clear my head over all that’s happened, so I rented a fishing cabin a few towns over. I didn’t even tell Wendy where I was.”

“Why keep your little getaway from your wife?” Something about the man’s explanation didn’t wash with Dekker.

“Because we’d been fighting over fertility issues.

There. I said it.” Travis’s eyes welled, and he dabbed at the tears.

“We’re arguing over whether to try again.

She wants to. I don’t. I see what her miscarriage did to her, and I don’t want to put her through that again.

It’s time to trust in God’s bigger picture. ”

Yah, Dekker wanted to trust in God’s plan too, but he wrestled with it every day. He turned to Chase. “Where did you find him?”

“Another constable spotted his vehicle returning to the Clovercross Junction town limits and pulled him over.”

“I had a change of heart and needed to talk to Wendy.”

“When did you find him, Chase?”

“An hour ago. He’s not PCK.”

Travis tugged on Dekker’s arm. “But I think I know who is.”

Dekker sucked in a breath, a question rising.

Were they finally close to catching the Park Campfire Killer?

But were they too late to save his father and Blaire?

***

Blaire fought the monster keeping her captive in her dreams, but his talons were too strong and cut deep into her arms, holding her under the water. She struggled to catch her breath. God, help me! A hand reached into the water and plucked her out.

Blaire lurched upward on the cot, grasping for breaths. Her dream felt so real, like she was back in that river from her childhood. Back under the water that almost took her life.

Her current captivity held her under different waters. Waters she was scared would never let her go. God, forgive me when I don’t trust You. When I go down paths You never intended for me. I don’t listen and forge my future without asking You first. I’m sorry. Please give me hope.

Tears cascaded down her cheeks, flowing like the waterfall outside the cabin’s window and filling her with peace. A peace she realized only came from God.

Thank You, Lord. I surrender this situation to You. Please help Dekker be okay if Frank and I don’t survive. Bring him back to You.

She sniffed, filling her lungs with air. God’s got you.

“You okay?” Frank’s weakened voice revealed his state of mind.

“Just having a chat with God.”

“You a believer?”

“Yes. You?”

“I am. However, I’ve failed God many times throughout my life.” Another squeak sounded, telling her he shifted on his cot.

“Haven’t we all?”

“Absolutely. It’s knowing when to acknowledge that and vow to give God your all that counts. He understands.”

Wise words. Ones they all should live by. “Dekker will find us. He’s smart, and you taught him everything he knows.”

“I just want to tell him how proud I am of him. I’ve failed to do that in the past.” He pounded the cot. “This is the second time I’ve been kidnapped. God sure knows how to get one’s attention.”

“I hear ya. He—”

The door opened, and their captor flipped on the light. Brightness flooded the room, and Blaire shielded her eyes before turning to meet PCK.

Park Warden Manny Boone—the Park Campfire Killer.

“You’re both awake. Good. We need to chat.” Manny dragged a chair in between their cots. The scraping against the wooden floor boomed in the small room.

And sent shivers down Blaire’s spine as a chilling foreboding bristled her skin.

“I’ve set a trap for dear Dekker. He’ll probably be here fairly soon.”

Frank shot up in his cot. “You leave my boy alone. What did he ever do to you?” He wiggled his cuffed foot. “If I get out of here, you’ll—”

“You’ll what? Kill me?” Manny sneered, his handsome face twisted into one of evil.

Once again, Frank tried to free his ankle.

“Manny, why? Why would you kill all these innocent campers?” Blaire had to shift his attention back to her. “You’re a park warden. You should save lives, not end them.”

He harrumphed, his nostrils flaring. “Yah, where were the park wardens when I was thirteen? They left me to die.”

“What?” That didn’t make sense to Blaire. “Tell me what happened.”

“You do like a good story, don’t you, Miss Profiler?” He shifted closer to her. “I’ve been watching you. You’re not only beautiful, you’re smart.” He ran the back of his hand down her cheek, eyeing her lips. “So pretty.”

She recoiled at his touch, which reminded her of the men who almost sold her into their trafficking ring years ago.

Blaire ignored the stench of his bad breath and kept her eyes focused on him. She would not let him see her fear. “Tell me why you hate park wardens so much and why you became one.”