Page 16

Fifteen

As they headed into town, Jenna turned to Kane.

“We’ll need to split the team. I’ll go with Wolfe to the crime scene and you’ll need to go with Carter to spot Raven and Emily.

You can at least get their coordinates so we know what to tell the road crew heading that way to clear a path through for them.

It will also give us an idea of just how much damage the landslide has done to the roads.

I suggest you drop them provisions for a few days, just in case we can’t get to them. ”

“They are our priority.” Kane flicked her a glance. “The problem is I need someone else in the chopper to work the winch and lower me down and then pull them up.”

“In normal conditions I could do that from the cockpit.” Carter leaned forward in his seat and Duke licked his face.

“The problem is the wind and the low cloud cover is causing havoc at the moment. The wind alone is a reason why I can’t be distracted for a second while I’m that close to the mountain.

” He stroked both dogs and leaned back in his seat.

“I say we have a look-see and then work out a plan to rescue them. Dropping them supplies is a good idea because we have no idea how long the cloud cover is going to cause a problem. Low clouds come and go, which makes matters worse.” He sighed.

“We don’t need to be flying a rescue mission in dense clouds.

It would be suicide that close to the mountains. ”

Understanding the risks that chopper pilots took when undergoing rescue missions, Jenna nodded.

“I’ll call Aunt Betty’s and ask them to make up a few boxes of supplies.

If we’re going to be on the move most of the day, we’re going to need them as well.

We can pick up energy bars and bottles of water from the office.

Will Raven need a first aid kit? Not speaking to them personally is a big problem.

” She sighed. “I wish I could talk to Emily and find out if she’s okay.

I also want to know if they believe the crime scene was obliterated by the rockfall or not and if Emily managed to take enough photographs and swabs to identify the body. ”

“Wolfe did say that Raven needed to climb some distance up the rockfall to get a signal, so I doubt you’ll be able to speak to them unless they’ve found a way through the forest, which in that area is just about impossible.

” Kane stared ahead as they turned onto Main.

“They’ll need a lot of water, maybe a purifying kit as well.

I’ll see what we have in the store closet.

We can’t waste any time. The moment the cloud cover lifts we need to be in the air. ”

Jenna pulled out her phone and called Aunt Betty’s.

She placed a huge order and then looked at him.

“They’ll have it ready as soon as possible.

I’ll pack energy bars and chocolate as well as military provisions just in case they’re there for a time.

We’ll drop by Aunt Betty’s on our way to the crime scene to collect it. ”

After making a few phone calls while Kane and Carter collected everything they needed, she stood the moment they walked back into her office.

“Ready to go? I’ve spoken to Rio. This case is familiar.

In fact, it is exactly the same as one we’ve solved before—a copycat of James Earl Stafford—but they only mimicked his crime scenes.

This one is different. I know that killer is either dead or in prison.

It’s another copycat.” She leaned back and pressed her hands into her spine and moaned.

Sitting had become a problem today. “Wolfe has just arrived. We need to get there ASAP.”

“We’ll be right along.” Kane gave Carter a meaningful stare and he slipped from the room with Zorro on his heels. “Jenna, I can handle this if your back is aching. It might mean the baby is coming. You really need to be close to town.”

Jenna smiled at him. “I love that you care, but I need to be close to you. I’ll have my doctor on scene and my coach if needs be.

Right now, I’m not having contractions, just an aching back.

Your baby is very heavy, Dave. By the way it’s kicking right now, I’m starting to believe it’s a boy dressed in tactical gear and Army boots and wearing night-vision goggles. ”

“Well, they do say the baby goes quiet before delivery, so maybe it’s going to be a few more days yet.” Kane chuckled. “Army boots, huh? Now wouldn’t that be something?”