Page 4 of Danger in the Wilderness (National Park Protectors #1)

Dekker jerked his head up and stood. “What is it?”

She raised her index finger and addressed Quinton. “PCK’s previous victims were abducted one week apart, correct?”

The constable flipped through his notebook. “Yes. Clara’s boyfriend told police she was abducted around four yesterday morning.”

“So, why would he abduct Clara yesterday and Frank today? That doesn’t match his MO.” Blaire extracted her tablet and swiped to her notes app. “Quinton, how did the boyfriend know it was exactly four o’clock when he said he was a sound sleeper?”

“Good question.”

Dekker’s eyes widened. “You think the boyfriend is PCK? Perhaps he’s some type of guide, luring his victims into the parks on the pretense of a hike or camping trip.”

Blaire chewed on her lower lip, visualizing all the crime scenes in her head. She didn’t have her sister’s perfect memory, but she had studied the photos carefully. One by one. “No, that doesn’t make sense. There were only single tents at the other scenes. No witnesses.”

“But the boyfriend is hiding something. I sensed it in the interview. When I pressed him, he lawyered up.” Quinton turned to Constable Hudson. “Call the station and get Parker Earl back in for questioning. I want to talk to him again. We need to find out what he’s hiding.”

She nodded and walked away, speaking into her radio.

“Forensics are about five minutes out,” Quinton said. “They’ll process the scene. Constable White, you go with Warden Boone. Search the area. Any sign of our suspect, you radio me right away. Got it?”

The younger man nodded. He and Manny left.

Blaire continued to chew on her lip. Something wasn’t right with the timeline.

Dekker nudged her shoulder. “I can tell you’re still confused. Speak to me.”

“If this is indeed the Park Campfire Killer, something has escalated his abductions. It’s almost as if—” She stopped.

Could she tell Dekker exactly what she was thinking when she wasn’t 100 percent sure? She hated to make guesses. It was unprofessional in her circles. She based her profiles on facts, not gut feelings.

“Tell me. I know I was emotional earlier, but I’m under control. I have to find my father.”

“Something made PCK abduct your father off his normal timeline. I’m wondering if it’s personal. Does your father have enemies in the Yukon? Or—” Once again, she stopped.

“Do I?” Dekker’s face blanched. “No, none that would resort to kidnapping and murder. Sure, it’s true I don’t always get along with everyone.

” He hesitated and averted his gaze. “I guess I have some of Frank Hoyt in my personality too. I can be rough around the edges sometimes, but I’m learning how to curb that. ”

“When did your father arrive here in Clovercross Junction?”

“Yesterday. Surprise visit. Said he wanted some bonding time.” Dekker scratched his head. “There’s no way he made enemies that fast, Blaire. You’re reaching.”

Frustration clogged her throat. She swallowed to push it down, along with the rising heat in her cheeks. Great. Someone else who doesn’t trust her judgment. “That’s what my gut is telling me, and my gut is rarely wrong.”

Well, not always. Not when it came to love.

Constable Hudson returned to the group. “The sergeant is getting another constable to bring Parker in. He wants us to get a search going.”

“Jayla is coming in by chopper with Herc.” Dekker once again checked his watch. “But I want to search now.”

“Can I help? I realize I’m an analyst, but I’ve spent lots of time hiking in wilderness areas. The more people you have searching, the better. I just need to update my team.” Blaire took out her cell phone and checked her bars. “Ugh. Weak signal.”

“It’s too dangerous, Blaire.” Dekker gestured toward the campsite through the trees. “Constable Chase, okay for me to enter? I want to get my gear.”

“No, you should know better. We need everything to stay as is for forensics. Can you get supplies at your park station?”

“Yes.”

Quinton turned to Blaire. “And I agree with Dekker. It’s too dangerous for you to be out here with a killer on the loose.”

Blaire stuffed her tablet into her bag and thrust her hands by her side, digging her nails into her palms to curb her irritation.

“He’s probably long gone now since he knows we’re all here.

My shift is over, and technically, I’m supposed to be off for the weekend.

But that will change. No time to stop working now.

” She shifted her stance, looking at Dekker. “I’m staying.”

Dekker pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “Yah, I’ve seen your stubborn streak. Constable Chase, I don’t think we’re gonna talk her out of it.”

The constable hissed out a breath. “Fine, but you should be with someone armed at all times. Just in case.”

“She will be,” Dekker said. “How are we going to warn the public?”

“I spoke to my sergeant earlier. We’ll be alerting campers to stay out of the park for now as there’s an investigation in progress.

But we know some won’t listen, so we’ll put up signs warning them to enter at their own risk and be diligent.

We’ll also quarantine this site here at Fortcastle Mountain. We don’t want them anywhere near here.”

“Good plan. I’ll get put back on shift and have Manny rope off the trails that lead in this direction. That should help. You guys came in on ATVs, right?”

Quinton pointed down the path. “Yes, until we reached the fork in the trail. Too rugged.” He handed Dekker the keys. “You go back with Blaire to your park station to get geared up. I’ll stay here with Constable Hudson to wait for forensics.”

“Sounds good.” Dekker edged Blaire forward. “I hate to leave with my dad still out there somewhere.”

She didn’t like the distress in his voice.

It matched the fear peeking through his pinched eyebrows.

“But you know, in order to find him, we have to be prepared. You once told me your father taught you all about wilderness survival. I’m counting on the belief that he’ll get away and hide out until a search party comes along. ”

“You’re right. We’ll gear up. By the time we get back, Jayla will have arrived. Let’s go.”

Blaire and Dekker reached the Clovercross National Park warden station in record time. They cut their ATVs’ engines.

Park workers hovered around a table holding a large, hastily written sign saying Searchers, Check in Here. Two hikers stood in front of it, scribbling on papers attached to clipboards.

The search party had begun. Good. The sooner, the better.

Blaire dismounted.

Her phone exploded with dings as her phone’s signal kicked in, announcing multiple texts and emails.

She stiffened. “Great, sounds like someone is trying to get in touch with me.” She fished out her cell phone from her crossbody bag.

She swiped the screen and scrolled. Mostly Kolby and Reed asking when she would return to Whitehorse.

“Everything okay?” Dekker removed his own phone from his jeans pocket.

“Work stuff.” She scrolled to the end of the texts and halted.

No caller ID appeared. Scammer? Her finger hovered over the message, debating whether to read the text. Curiosity won, and she clicked.

I see you, looking all pretty today. Tell Dekker I have his father. You and your team will have to pay for interfering in my quest. Stop psychoanalyzing me. You’ll never win. Time is running out.

Ticktock. Ticktock.

PCK xo

Blaire sucked in a breath.

Her gut was right. The Park Campfire Killer abducted Frank Hoyt, and now she, along with her team, were targets.