Page 21 of Maddox: Wild Alaska (Hawke’s Ridge #1)

Agents Adele and Kalluk work well together.

They are efficient and work at a fast pace.

All this sucks. Branson seems to have slipped back into his old detective ways.

It's something he hasn't had to do since he moved here.

I'm relieved he's found his way back, but I'm not too happy about the reason why.

I rub a hand across my face, thinking about my brother, Gabe.

He's been quiet, and no one has seen him since Branson and the feds interviewed him this morning.

I know it worries Branson. Still, Gabe isn't responsible for what's going on.

When he tells the truth about his whereabouts, that will be clear.

Until then, the feds have doubts about him. I don't blame them.

He's acting like an asshole, and I'm angry with him for being evasive. The feds could be looking elsewhere, but Gabe is on their minds as they wonder why he's lying.

Frustration eats away at me as I pace behind my brother's truck. Landon sits in his patrol car while Branson and the agents talk amongst themselves.

Hunter strides toward me in his deputy uniform. "Dad told Mom," he says. "Now she's worried and crying."

"Mom didn't need to know anything yet," I grumble.

Hunter puffs out a loud breath and curses.

"He did it to get Mom here. You know that, right?

It worked, too. She's booked a flight.” Pause.

"Although, from what I gathered, she'd already booked the flight after a conversation about you and your trouble with women. So, I guess we can't really blame Dad."

"I don't have trouble with women. I was just looking for advice on how to get one woman. She's mine now," I add with a smile, tilting my lips. "I miss Mom." I sigh and look out over the forest. "But this is not the time to visit."

“I doubt Dad will let her leave the cabin, so she'll be safe enough.”

I wince at his words, and Hunter catches me, smirking. “They’ll only be doing what you and Sofie are.”

"Don't be such an asshole," I say, shaking my head to get rid of the thought.

"Should we join them?" He nods toward the group.

"I was waiting for you."

He snickers. "Pussy!"

I give him the finger as we turn and head toward the group. When we get close, the first thing out of Branson's mouth is, "Where's Landon?"

"In his car," Hunter answers.

Branson glances over our shoulders. "He's on his way.

" Sigh. "Landon!" he roars. "I want you to search the west side with Hunter.

" He turns to me and says, "You'll double up with Kalluk and take the east side. Sheridan and I will head north. Olivia’s father, Daniel, and her brothers, Scott, Jason, and Lyle are searching too.

I've loaned each of them a fluorescent vest. Stay in touch by radio. "

I nod, relieved that I don't get paired with Landon. However, Hunter hasn't unclenched his jaw since Branson laid out the assignments. We each take a radio and check in.

"Her name is Olly, short for Olivia,” Branson adds. "We're not doing this quietly, so call out. Make as much noise as you can. The rangers are keeping everyone away today. That doesn't mean a hunter or two hasn't bypassed them. So be vigilant."

I grab a fluorescent vest and clip the radio to it.

Branson grabs my arm. "Are you armed?"

"Yes."

"Good." He shuts his vehicle up tight and, after saying something to Sheridan they head out.

I glance at Kalluk and see that the agent is ready to go. "I know the area."

He nods. "Let's go."

Hunter waves Landon in front of him, and the officer reluctantly heads out. My brother glances at me over his shoulder. I wave, knowing it will annoy him. “Is there a story behind the deputy?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure what’s going on with him. The sheriff has tried to find out, but Landon remains the same."

“He needs a deputy who can back him up, but I don't see Landon reacting that quickly.”

"No," I sigh. "It's a worry."

Ten minutes later, we're crunching through layers of twigs and leaves, and sweat trails down my back.

The weather is hot and muggy, with hardly any breeze.

Every so often, we stop and shout for Olly.

Then, we listen closely for a response. Nothing.

I have a sick feeling in my stomach that the killer has her.

Maybe he thinks she saw more than she did. I hope my gut is wrong.

Suddenly, a flock of birds take to the sky. "There's something up ahead. Man, or animal. I have no idea."

He nods, accepting my word. "Hunters?"

"Could be. It could be one of us as well. Or something more deadly." I wince as the words leave my mouth. "Let's keep going but be more aware."

We move deeper into the forest where areas of shade and sunlight become scarce.

The smell of pine and foliage is familiar.

Piercing thorns dig into my skin as I push through the dense underbrush, which tangles and grabs at me.

My heart races with fear of what we might find if we locate Olly.

I try to push thoughts of danger out of my mind and focus on the task at hand.

It's easier knowing that Sofie is safe with Judean and Colton.

I wince, knowing Judean might not be impressed by my texting an SOS to my brother.

The sound of Kalluk's heavy breathing has me looking over at the man. "It's been a long time since I've trekked through a forest," he says after a moment.

Keeping my eyes on our surroundings, I ask, "How long have you and Sheridan worked together?"

"Two years." He huffs out a laugh. "She finished her probation and was assigned to me when the cross-state murders hit the bureau.

" He chuckles. "When she gets stuck into something, she won't let it go until it's finished to her satisfaction.

I'm glad she has my back. I don't think I've ever trusted anyone as much as I trust her.

" He smiles wryly. "She reminds me of my sister, Jonny's mom. A firecracker."

I smirk. "Should I be worried about my brother?"

The agent has a twinkle in his eye. "There are going to be a lot of fireworks there."

"That's my take. Ready to go on?"

He nods.

"Ahead, the trail passes between sheer rock faces. It's narrow, but only around ten feet long."

Kalluk pats me on the back. "I got it."

The agent keeps up and appears less winded after resting for a few minutes.

The overgrown section comes into view and the trail seems to disappear, but it doesn't. I found that out on my first hike in this area.

My clothes are sticky with sweat as I lead Kalluk through the dense foliage and out into the open space between the two rock faces.

"I see what you mean about it being narrow," Kalluk comments.

"We should call in our location because we might lose all signal for an hour or so on the other side."

"I'll do it."

After taking a drink of water, I wait until Kalluk has finished talking on the radio before heading along the narrow path.

I hear noise and glance up just in time to see rocks start to tumble down the rock face.

"Move!" I shout, dashing through the passage.

"Fuck!" The exit is blocked by a huge boulder. "We need to go back."

I quickly remove my backpack and hold it above my head as my eyes trail upwards. Kalluk does the same, turns around, and heads back the way we came. More stones tumble down and hit hard. "Stay close to the wall!" I yell over the noise, trying to shield myself from the falling rocks.

We break free of the passageway, and I quickly grab Kalluk by the arm and drag him away.

Seconds later, with a loud roar, another large boulder falls from the sky and lands where Kalluk had been standing.

Dust and debris fill the air as we catch our breath, grateful to have narrowly escaped a potentially deadly situation.

The sound of falling rocks slowly fades.

I yank my radio free of the vest and manage to reach Branson. After I explain the situation, he and Sheridan head our way. "We need to get up top," I tell Kalluk. "That wasn't an accident."

"No shit!"

I huff out a laugh. "Ready?"