Page 13 of Scent of Death (Sullivan K9 Search and Rescue #5)

S immering anger boiled in Alexis’s blood. That this guy would try to poison Denali burned hot. She wanted Griff to find and arrest this killer and soon.

“We need to get out of here.” Griff’s expression was grim.

“Where are you going?”

“I need to make sure he’s not following us.” He glanced at her. “I know a back road that will take us into Greybull. I intend to avoid the main street if possible.”

That made sense. Fighting to maintain control, she pulled out her phone. Thankfully, Joel answered on the first ring. “Hey, Alex, what’s up?”

“I need you and Justin to come back to Greybull for a few minutes. I know you’re supposed to find a missing hiker, but I have a bag of what I believe is poisoned dog food that was set out to entice Denali.

” Her voice quivered, and she tried to steady herself.

They were safe, at least for the moment.

“Denali is fine, but we need to get out of here. And I want this food tested in the FBI lab.”

“We’re turning around now,” Joel said. “I can’t believe a serial killer would try to harm your dog. It’s a personal attack against you.”

She silently agreed and knew the attention she’d drawn from this guy was not good.

The only reason to harm her dog was so he had a clear path to get to her.

She didn’t voice her concern, though. No point in getting her brothers riled up.

“Thanks, Joel. Call when you’re close.” Through the side mirror, she could see the town of Greybull disappearing behind them.

Griff had headed west rather than east as she’d expected. “We’ll find a place to meet.”

“Sounds good. Stay strong, sis.” Joel had sensed she was on the edge. Justin and Joel were twins, and they were close. But she had a special bond with Joel too. Much the way Trevor had bonded with Kendra.

“I will.” She ended the call and stared down at her trembling fingers. Denali wasn’t hurt. Her smart K9 had identified the threat. Yet if Denali wasn’t so well trained...

“Alexis? Are you okay?” Griff’s concerned voice broke into her thoughts.

“Yes.” She wasn’t, but she needed to get over it.

God had been watching over them since Denali had found that hand poking out of the earth.

She needed to have faith that they would get through this.

She drew a deep breath to calm herself. “Joel and Justin are turning around. Hopefully, this won’t take too long, and they can get back to Antelope Butte.

We’ll need to find a place to meet up with them. ”

“Okay.” He passed the next intersection. A mile later, he executed a three-point turn. Twisting in her seat, she peered out the back window. Denali was stretched out in the crate area, likely asleep as if she hadn’t narrowly been killed.

“How will we know if we’re being followed? We have no idea what vehicle he’s driving.” Traffic was never a problem in Wyoming, but in summer, there were far more cars on the road than normal. A wave of despair threatened to overwhelm her. How on earth would Griff find him amid the tourists?

“I know, that’s why I did that quick turn.” He punched the gas, and the SUV surged forward. His gaze went from the rearview mirror to the highway stretching before them. “So far, so good. Nobody has turned around to follow.”

“Okay.” She opened and closed her fingers to relax. “I trust you, Griff.”

He shot her a quick glance. Then he surprised her by reaching for her hand. “I’ll protect you with my life.”

Tears welled in her eyes. She blinked them away, hoping he didn’t notice. She told herself this was nothing personal. Griff was a federal agent. Of course, he would protect her and any other victim of a crime. He would do the same for Wendy Evers too.

If the young woman was still alive.

Still, his intense green gaze made her think he really meant it. She managed a smile and squeezed his hand. “Thanks. I appreciate your determination to get this guy. I just wish we had more to go on.”

“We will. I have a feeling your brother’s trail camera idea will help.” Griff continued to hold her hand. The warmth of his fingers cradled hers. She admired him and the work he did. Too bad he lived in Cheyenne.

Not that it mattered, she hastily reminded herself. She wasn’t interested in pursuing a relationship with Griff or anyone else. And even if she was, attempting another long-distance relationship was not an option.

“I don’t think I’ve been on this road,” she said after a few minutes. “This goes into Greybull?”

“Yeah. I got a little lost when I went to see Barbara Evers, Wendy’s grandmother, and ended up here.” He flashed a crooked smile. “So many of these highways look the same. Since I cover the entire state, it’s hard for me to keep track of which one is which.”

“For us too,” she admitted. “Although since our ranch isn’t that far from here, we know Greybull and Cody pretty well.”

Soon, the town came into view. Her phone rang. Seeing Joel’s name, she quickly answered. “Hey, are you close?”

“Yeah, we’re in Greybull now. Where are you?”

“Hang on a minute.” She looked for a familiar landmark. “We’re on Industrial Avenue coming up on the Attwell Restaurant. Can you meet us in the parking lot?”

“Yep. See you soon.”

“I don’t think we’re too far from the hardware store,” Griff said, and he approached the restaurant. “I may head over on foot to avoid attracting attention.”

“Maybe you should take one of the twins with you.” Oddly, she didn’t like the idea of being separated from Griff. “Just in case.”

“I can handle it.” His offhand comment sparked her anger.

“No, I mean it, Griff.” She tightened her grip on his hand. “Please don’t go alone. I need you.”

He glanced at her in surprise, then slowly nodded. “Okay. Justin can tag along if he’s willing. I just hate to make them late for their search.”

“It’ll be fine.” She would make sure Justin accompanied him. This wasn’t the time for either of them to go off alone. Especially while the killer was still in the area.

Likely driving around looking for them.

Joel and Justin were waiting in the farthest corner of the parking lot.

Griff pulled in beside them and killed the engine.

She slid out and opened the back for Denali.

Then she reached into the vehicle to retrieve the poisoned dog food.

“Here, take it.” She thrust the bag toward Joel.

“This needs to get to the Cheyenne lab as soon as you’re finished searching for your missing hiker.

I would be shocked if it wasn’t laced with rat poison or some other toxic substance that is harmful to dogs. ”

“We need to get that guy,” Justin muttered.

“I agree.” Joel tucked the evidence bag into the SUV. “Don’t worry. Once we finish up out here, we’ll get Logan to make another trip to Cheyenne.” Joel offered a wry grin. “He won’t mind. That man is happiest when he’s with Jess or flying his plane.”

“Thanks.” She knew her brother was right.

After they were married, Logan and Jess moved into Jess’s ranch cabin.

Logan had insisted on selling his house in Greybull, and they had built a large hangar near the ranch landing strip to house his three planes.

And his tools, of which there were many.

Logan either flew planes or worked on them.

Alexis turned to her brother. “Justin, I need you to go with Griff to the hardware store. We didn’t get the trail cams yet.”

Justin frowned. “Okay, but why the concern?”

“We don’t know how the killer found us at the campground.” She held her brother’s gaze, imploring him to go along with the plan. “What if he’s out there, cruising up and down Main Street? I would feel better if he was walking with you.”

Justin exchanged a look with Joel, then shrugged. “Sure, why not? I don’t mind.”

“Thanks.” She knew her family would come through for her. “Joel and I will wait here with the dogs. Taking Stone with you will only draw more attention.”

“Let’s go,” Griff said. “The sooner we get those cameras and get out of Greybull, the better.”

Alexis watched them go. Feeling Joel’s gaze on her, she arched a brow. “What? This guy is a brutal killer. I doubt he’d hesitate to kill a federal agent.”

“You care about Griff,” Joel said.

She decided there was no point in arguing. “Yes, I do. That’s not the real issue here, though. We need to figure out who this guy is and stop him before he hurts anyone else.”

Joel nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah. I’m worried this killer has set his sights on you, Alexis.”

She attempted a casual shrug, despite the sick feeling in her stomach.

Never in her life had she been targeted by a ruthless killer.

She’d never worked in law enforcement the way Maya had.

Even Jess used to work the airport with Teddy, who could find drugs.

“Maybe. Thanks to Denali, he hasn’t gotten too close. ”

“You need to stay with Griff from here on,” Joel said.

Since that was her intent, she simply nodded. “Hey, if you don’t mind, I’m going inside to use the bathroom. Keep an eye on Denali for me.”

The three dogs were romping in the open field nearby. She didn’t think they were visible from the road as they were stationed right behind the restaurant. As she headed inside, she hoped Griff and Justin wouldn’t take too long.

When she was finished in the bathroom, she opened the door and almost walked right into a woman waiting. “Oh, sorry,” Alexis hastily apologized.

“No problem.” The woman tipped her head to the side. “You’re Alexis Sullivan, right? You tutored my son in history a few years ago. Kenny? Kenny Tripp?”

“Oh, of course! Nice to see you again, Mrs. Tripp.” Kenny was one of five students she’d tutored during her senior year. Kyle, Kenny, David, Tyler, and Steve. “How’s Kenny doing?”

“He’s great!” Mrs. Tripp’s eyes brightened with pride. “He’s in his second year of college at Wyoming State.”

“I’m so happy for him.” Alexis was glad to know her tutoring Kenny had helped. “Tell him I said hi.”