Page 26 of Scent of Death (Sullivan K9 Search and Rescue #5)

Griff called Deputy Paul Holland as he led Denali to the SUV. He wasn’t sure why Alexis had set her gun and key fob aside, unless she’d been planning to change clothes?

A more likely scenario was that Jenkins had told her to leave the gun behind, and she’d subtly pulled the key fob out too.

He had no idea how the killer had gotten to her, but he felt certain he knew where she was. The cabin that was owned by Tyler Jenkins’s maternal grandmother.

The title should have been switched after the old woman’s death but hadn’t been. Maybe an oversight as the woman had passed away earlier that year. The title wouldn’t become an issue until it was time to pay property taxes.

Before Paul answered his call, a tall woman stepped in front of him. “Are you Agent Flannery?”

“Yes. I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to talk.” He moved to step past her, but the woman grabbed his arm.

“I’m Agent Cheri Aztec. You need to make time to talk.” Her haughty tone had him grinding his teeth.

“The killer has abducted Alexis Sullivan.” He wrenched free from her grasp. “I know who the killer is, so your services are no longer needed. Head inside and I’ll keep you updated on the investigation.”

She reared back. “You know him?”

He seriously did not have time for this. “Go.” He gestured toward the hotel. “We’ll talk later.”

“What’s going on, Griff?” Paul asked, finally answering the call.

He turned his back on Cheri. “I need you and as many other law enforcement officers you can get to meet me at the cabin.” Griff opened the back hatch for Denali.

She jumped in as if understanding they were heading out to find her handler.

“But no lights and sirens. We’ll need to meet at some point well away from the cabin to plan our approach.

This guy has killed at least three women, maybe more.

We can’t risk him shooting and killing Alexis if we rush in. ”

“Understood,” Paul agreed. “Text me the address.”

Griff took a moment to do that, forcing himself to remain calm. Thankfully, Cheri must have taken his advice because he didn’t see her. Good riddance. He wasn’t as familiar with the area as the local deputies were. He’d need to let them take the lead on where to set up their rendezvous.

And he needed to stay sharply focused on the plan if he was to rescue Alexis alive and unharmed.

Please Lord? He took a moment to lift his head to the sky, opening his heart to prayer. He needed God now more than ever. And he knew in that moment he never should have turned his back on his faith after losing Grace. Please keep Alexis safe!

A sense of peace washed over him. He could do this. Alexis would know he was coming, that’s why she set the key fob beside the gun.

Stepping back, he closed the back hatch, then ran around to the driver’s seat. His thoughts whirled as he drove to the cabin.

Was Maureen still alive? If so, they had two potential hostages.

That wasn’t good, yet he tried to believe the two women wouldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

Especially Alexis , he silently admitted.

It would not surprise him if Alexis did something to draw Jenkins’s attention away from the seventeen-year-old, even if that meant getting hurt or even killed in the process.

He and the other deputies would need to have a plan to prevent that from happening. He told himself Jenkins wasn’t as smart as he thought. Using the same spot in the mountains to bury his bodies was proof of that.

At some point, Griff needed to call his boss who was no doubt getting an earful from Cheri. She’d looked annoyed to realize her services weren’t needed after all.

Not that he cared, as she hadn’t given them anything useful to go on in the first place.

He took Highway 14 past the intersection that led to the shooting location. He wondered how Jenkins had gotten from this location to the highway and subsequently to the hotel without them noticing.

There must be another street that crosses the river. Or the Ram had taken a wide circle around the neighborhood to get past them. The latter option was more likely, as Jenkins obviously knew the neighborhood better than they did.

If only he’d chosen to check those properties first! Maybe they’d already be on their way to the cabin, rather than giving Jenkins the opportunity to take a shot at them.

He shook off the thought. Going back and wishing he’d done things differently was a waste of time. He needed to deal with the reality that Jenkins had Alexis and might already be drugging her to kill her.

The way he had his other victims.

Denali let out a whine as he drove. He glanced at the rearview mirror to see she had her head up. The dog was perceptive enough to know Alexis was in danger.

“Soon, girl.” He spoke to the dog the way Alexis would have if she was here and was surprised at how much he believed the K9 could understand his words. “We’re going to find her very soon.”

There was a thumping sound as her wagging tail hit the bottom of the crate in response.

If only Denali could talk, he’d know more. Then again, he wasn’t sure how it was that Denali hadn’t alerted Alexis to the danger in the first place. Had they been wrong about the dog latching onto the killer’s scent?

No way, Denali had proved herself over and over, tracking the suspect’s scent several times, and they’d found the shell casings nearby too.

His phone rang, and he recognized Paul’s name on the screen. “Take a left-hand turn off Highway 14 to Hawkeye Road. You’ll find us about two miles down the road.”

“I’ll be there soon.” Of course, the deputies had gotten there before he had. First, Cheri Aztec had held him up, and the hotel was farther away.

He increased his speed but then had to abruptly slow down as the beams of his headlights flashed on the street sign identifying Hawkeye Road. He made the turn, his headlights illuminating the cracked asphalt road.

It was surprising how quickly darkness had fallen. Forced into driving slower than he liked, he navigated the curvy road. It was after one sharp turn that he saw the two sheriff’s deputy squads parked off to one side.

Only two? His heart sank. After pulling off the road behind them, he killed the engine and hit the button to open the back hatch for Denali.

If Alexis wasn’t at the cabin, he prayed Denali would be able to lead them to wherever Jenkins had taken her.

If the guy used his truck to take Alexis somewhere far away, they’d be out of luck. They’d have a better chance of finding her if the perp used his four-wheeler.

“Okay, the cabin you’ve identified is about two miles from here,” Paul said in lieu of a greeting. “I agree that we should go in on foot, surrounding the cabin.”

“Keep in mind we don’t know if he has cameras posted around the property,” Griff said. “I’m worried we’ll tip our hand.”

Paul frowned. “I’m open to suggestions.”

“I don’t have any.” Griff raked his hand through his hair.

Then his gaze landed on Denali. “I could send Denali in first, see if she raises an alarm from anyone inside.” He hesitated, then added, “I’m not sure Alexis will appreciate this approach.

I believe she left Denali behind on purpose to protect her K9.

We already know Jenkins tried to poison the dog to eliminate her from the equation. ”

Paul glanced at the dog who stood beside Griff, her nose in the air as if she were already trying to find Alexis. “Alexis might not like the plan, but I do.”

Griff knew if anything happened to Denali, Alexis would never speak to him again.

And he wouldn’t blame her. But he’d rather have her alive and angry with him than dead.

He looked back at Paul. “We need to get closer to the cabin. Denali can’t follow a scent trail from this far back, not if the killer drove here with Alexis in the truck. ”

“Understood.” Paul gestured to Cameron. “Let’s drive a little closer so we only have to walk a mile or so.”

“Keep your headlights off,” Griff advised. “It’s getting dark, and the headlights can be seen from a distance. This road doesn’t appear to get much traffic. Three vehicles will be too noticeable.”

“Agree.” Paul nodded toward Cam. “Ready?”

“I’m in,” Cam agreed.

Griff went back to the SUV. The back hatch was still open, so he patted the floor of the crate. “Get in, girl.”

Denali didn’t move. She didn’t want to get in.

He tried again. “Up, Denali. Up. I promise we’re going to find her.”

Denali looked to where the deputies had pulled back out into the road. Even without the headlights, it was easy to see them. Griff hoped the taillights and running lights wouldn’t give them away.

“Up!” He patted the crate area.

Denali gathered herself and jumped up. Grateful, he closed the hatch and quickly slid in behind the wheel to follow the deputies.

When the deputies pulled over to the side of the road, Griff did the same. He released the hatch. By the time he pushed open his driver’s side door, Denali was already there, waiting.

The K9 was raring to go.

“There’s a two-track road to the right less than a mile up ahead,” Paul said when he’d crossed over to join them. “I think you should take Denali about three-quarters of the way, then cut into the woods. The more cover, the better.”

“Sounds good.” Dropping to one knee, he put his arm around the dog. “I need you to find Alexis, but you also have to promise to be careful. Don’t get hurt, okay?”

Denali stared up at him. He wanted to believe the dog understood but knew that was impossible. Still, he gave the dog a hug, hoping and praying this would turn out all right.

That he wouldn’t put Denali in danger for nothing.

He rose and went back to the SUV. The hatch was still open, and he rummaged around until he found water and a collapsible bowl. Thankfully, the Sullivans packed for every contingency.

After pouring some water in a bowl, he offered it to Denali. The dog lapped at it, then looked up at him again.

“Search bad guy.” He hoped the dog would follow his command. From what he’d learned since meeting the Sullivan siblings, each dog generally only listened to their specific handler. The K9s might be cross-trained in different search objectives, but they weren’t cross-trained to listen to others.

In this case, he didn’t have to worry. Denali wheeled around and trotted down the road. It was interesting that the K9’s nose was in the air, not sniffing along the ground.

Griff quickened his pace. The two deputies stayed back, giving the dog room to work.

He slowed when he realized the two-track was only a few feet ahead. He’d come closer than he’d intended, but that was okay. He’d backtrack a bit once they got into the woods.

“Denali,” he whispered. The K9 turned her head to look at him. “This way.” He tried to mimic the hand signal Alexis used to get the K9 to come.

He walked into the woods, keeping his gaze on Denali. “This way,” he repeated softly.

To his surprise, the dog turned and followed.

The darkness and foliage forced him to walk slower. He didn’t want to use his arms to move tree branches. Using the same cautious approach he used when hunting elk, he moved through the woods as stealthily as possible.

Denali did the same, her nose up in the air. Could she capture the remnants of Alexis’s scent in the air? That seemed like asking a lot.

Then again, Denali had amazed him before.

They walked for what seemed like forever before he caught a glimpse of a dark structure. He stopped and stood near a tall tree truck, peering through the darkness.

It was a cabin that blended incredibly well with the surrounding trees. He watched for a long moment but didn’t see any movement.

No lights either. Or a truck.

His heart sank. Were they too late? Was Alexis already dead?