Chapter Forty-Four
Exhaustion swept over Maya, but she forced herself to keep going.
She’d spent most of the night helping at the scene.
She’d also noted the SUV that thought it was out of sight up on the hill and blending in with the reporters who were camped out following the accident.
It had been there all night long but arrived after the news outlets.
Maya made a food and coffee run at one point, volunteering to do it because she wanted to see the vehicle.
She hadn’t mentioned it to Lucas because she wanted to get a closer look and see if it was going to tail her.
That way she knew who she had to lose before going to her property to see if Josh was there.
Juniper had her head through the compartment window, quiet but alert.
She knew that something was up. When Maya had driven by, she’d noted the license plate and that it was a rental car.
She’d pulled out a marker and written the license number on the back of her hand to run through the system later.
The car had waited for her to go over the hill and start the descent into town before it followed her. Maya headed to the only open place in town at this hour—the gas station. It was a straight shot down the road, but she took a few extra turns, and sure enough, the car followed her.
Now back at the crime scene with coffee, water, and snacks, Maya noticed that the SUV was once again parked where they thought they were out of sight.
They’d also followed her on the way back at a distance, pretending to pull off into a campground area.
Idiots. If they better understood my jurisdiction, they would know that I know that the campgrounds aren’t open right now.
Of course, maybe they’re not idiots and they wanted me to follow them to a remote area.
The thought made Maya shiver. They’d avoided being caught so far, and up to a point, she would leave them alone, but when she went to her cabin, she had to make sure they weren’t going to tail her.
She needed to come up with a plan. She suspected they were the senator’s bodyguards.
They’d arrived when he had come with Josh’s family.
As if it wasn’t obvious in a small town with very little springtime tourism to show up and then follow an officer.
She was back to thinking of them as idiots.
Then an idea came to mind. With a smile, Maya called Spencer. It was the middle of the night or early morning—she had lost track of time—but she had a feeling with Josh missing, his family would be waiting by the phone and not sleeping.
“Hello, Maya?” Spencer answered after a couple rings.
“Hi, sorry to call you right now…”
“No, it’s fine,” Spencer interrupted. “Do you have any news? Have you found Josh?”
Maya felt bad both for calling him at this hour and to break the news that she didn’t know anything, along with using him for her plan. “We haven’t found him yet, but we’re looking, and we have some good leads.”
“Okay, thanks for the update.”
“I have a favor to ask,” Maya said before he could hang up.
“Sure, anything.”
“I think we could use more hands to help with this investigation,” she said.
“I’m the only Forest Service officer in the area.
We have all the deputies out, plus CBI and State Patrol.
Josh mentioned to me that the senator’s security detail are retired cops.
Do you think they’d be able to lend us a hand?
Nothing major, but, you know, little things like directing traffic.
Stuff that’s better to have someone with experience helping with. ”
“Sure, I bet Dale wouldn’t mind. I’ll call him.”
“Great. Thank you so much,” Maya said. “I’ll let you know when we find Josh.”
“Okay, and Maya, thank you. I haven’t said this to you, and I should have, but you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to my son.”
“And he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Maya said. “I’ll call you when I know something, and thanks again for the help.”
Great, now I feel even worse for using him.
She walked over to Lucas, who was looking as tired as she felt. “Hey there. I called in some extra people for traffic help.”
Lucas stared at her. “At this time in the morning, the only traffic along here is elk, deer, and moose. I think the bears are still hibernating, and the reporters aren’t going anywhere until they get their story.”
“The bears might be out already. It’s been a snowy but warm spring.”
“The bears?” Lucas asked.
“Yes.”
“You think we need traffic help because bears might be out?”
“No, it’s because I want to go to see if Josh has made it to the location where I think he was headed,” Maya answered. “But when I went to get coffee and snacks at the gas station, I had company.”
“Really? That’s brave out here in the middle of nowhere with no other traffic.”
“Yes, which makes me think they’re either idiots or getting desperate.
If they’re desperate, then they’re dangerous.
So, what’s that saying about keeping enemies close?
” Maya said. “I don’t know for sure that it’s the senator’s security detail following me, but I want to see if that vehicle that’s been sitting up there for a while drives down here and who’s really in it. ”
“Actually,” Lucas said, peering over Maya’s shoulder, “a SUV just pulled out and is coming this direction.”
“Bingo,” Maya said. “Give them something to keep them busy but away from the investigation. Then we’ll leave and make sure we don’t have anyone with us.”
“We? Are you back to trusting me?”
“I never lost trust. I was just frustrated that Josh was getting framed. Have you found any connections between them and the Dark Angels?”
“Not yet, but I have someone working on it,” Lucas said. “Let me get them going. I think this crime scene needs traffic directors and someone to watch the very edge of the tape and make sure no one sneaks in there. Like a reporter.”
“This is why we’re friends,” Maya said, giving Lucas a fist bump.
She waited while he went and talked to the men that had arrived in the SUV.
Maya wanted to find out more about them and saw them give her frustrated glances.
If Josh was here, he’d know more about who they were.
Sadness washed over her. She didn’t know what she’d do without Josh.
It would be even worse if Pops was found guilty.
Lucas came to where she was standing. “It’s taken care of. I told one of my guys to make sure they stay busy and keep me posted if they leave. Let’s get out of here and go see what we can find at your cabin.”
* * *
They arrived at Maya’s camper about thirty minutes later. She’d had more coffee on the drive and felt a little more awake, adrenaline fueling her. I can sleep when this is all over.
Parking, she took in the surroundings. A small sliver of light appeared on the horizon as the sun started to rise.
To say it had been a long day and night was an understatement.
Everything around her property seemed peaceful.
There were no lights on in the camper, although Josh would be smart enough to not turn anything on.
Lucas pulled up next to her. Maya gave Juniper a little rub on the head and then got out.
“It doesn’t look like anyone is here,” he said.
“No, but let’s clear the camper really quick.”
Maya strode over and stood to the side, knocking on the door.
Normally she’d announce that she was a Forest Service officer, but since the only person she expected was Josh, she didn’t say anything.
There was no answer and Maya tried the handle.
The camper was open. Not sure if someone could be holding Josh hostage, she unholstered her gun and, along with Lucas, opened the door. There was no one.
They cleared the camper, Lucas taking the back, Maya the front when she saw the bag with the gloves. “I think Josh left this.”
“A bag with used gloves, that’s a great present.”
“No,” she said, grinning. “It’s not for me. It’s a present for Juniper. He left these as a scent article to find something.”
“They’re awfully tiny gloves,” Lucas said. “Do you think there’s a chance he found our other missing person? Elena?”
“I think there is,” Maya said, before sharing that she saw the smaller footprints at the house where they’d arrested the female suspect and found the deceased male.
“Okay, well, let’s go get your wonder dog and figure out the next part of the clue.”
Maya went to Juniper’s compartment. The Mal had apparently napped enough and was ready to work again, spinning circles as she saw Maya pull out her tracking harness.
“You can go off leash here, girly,” Maya said, trying to help her dog out of the vehicle. Juniper managed to fly out before Maya could do much. “We need to work on you waiting for me.”
Juniper answered with a grunt and head tilt.
“Okay, girly,” Maya said, opening the scent article and allowing Juniper to stick her nose in to get a good whiff. “Let’s go find ’em.”
Juniper put her nose up in the air, taking in the scent from the light breeze.
Maya would let her go out and work the area first, but if need be, she’d also direct her to allow the airflow to help Juniper pinpoint the scent.
Juniper’s body language quickly changed, and Maya could tell she was in odor.
They didn’t have to go far as Juniper trotted over to the stone chimney, worked the area, and then lay down, staring up.
“What did you find?” Maya asked her, walking over to where Juniper was holding the alert. “Attagirl. You’re such a good girl.”
Lucas handed Maya some gloves, and after she put them on, she crouched down next to her dog. It took her a minute to see the backpack wedged up in the chimney, but she was able to wiggle it out easily.
“Does that belong to Josh?” Lucas asked.
“No, I’ve never seen this before. We have a backpack in the camper, but it has a sheriff’s logo on it. I’m wondering if this belongs to Elena.”
“Let’s take it over to the camper. You have lights in there, right? We can go through it easier,” Lucas said, also putting on gloves.
“Yeah, we do have lights.” Maya handed Lucas the backpack and threw Juniper her reward—her Kong.
Juniper ran around with the toy in her mouth, happily throwing it out in front of herself and then retrieving it and dropping it at Maya’s feet.
Maya complied with Juniper’s request and threw the toy for her a couple times.
It seemed like Juniper always knew when Maya would play and when she wanted the toy back.
When it came to Maya putting the toy away, Juniper would suddenly lock her jaws.
After playing for a little bit, Maya managed to sneak the toy away from Juniper.
“You okay with her coming into the camper with us?” she asked Lucas.
“Sure.”
They all went inside. Maya was glad to have her dog with her, because not only did she love her and her company, but if anyone showed up who shouldn’t be on her property, Juniper would let her know.
The backpack had soot and other dirt all over it. Lucas gloved up and carefully unzipped it and pulled out a note. Maya recognized Josh’s handwriting.
Maya,
I’m so sorry that I had to go on the run, but I’m sure if you have found this backpack then you know that crash wasn’t an accident. You have also found the man I shot in self-defense. Please be careful. There are dangerous people after me.
I found Elena and we will fill you in more later, but for now, I know you’ll figure out a lot of this on your own.
Take Elena’s notes and photos and compare them with what I gave you.
Make copies of all her evidence. I believe extra copies will help keep us safe.
We need something to hold over these people.
I know you’ll want to find us, but it’s more important right now that you copy this evidence and get it to Pops and Lucas than to pursue us. We are with a “friend.” You may have an idea of who. Get some rest too. I’ll be in touch when it’s safe.
I love you!
Love,
Josh
P.S. Have Miranda process the camper for fingerprints, starting with the key. It wasn’t in its usual spot and our friend saw two men break in. Maybe we can get lucky and prove they stole the items that framed me.
Maya placed the letter back in the bag. “We need to follow his instructions.”
“What evidence is Josh talking about?” Lucas asked.
“Let’s go to my office and I’ll show you. I’ll give you copies of Josh’s evidence. We can look this all over and see if we can figure out what Josh is talking about by looking at the pictures. It should be straightforward if that’s what he wants us to do.”