Chapter 6 Louise
LOUISE
The team gathered around the folding table, breath misting in the icy air.
I wedged myself between two cowboys built like oak trees, their canvas jackets brushing my arms as they leaned in.
Something about this town—this cold, brooding forest—made me feel even smaller than my five-foot-two frame.
I stretched on tiptoe and peered at the table.
Next to a carafe of coffee and bags of doughnuts lay stacks of paper and printed maps, lined and marked with color-coordinated quadrants.
“Everyone got their pairs?”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as people shuffled into pairs.
“Austin and Aaron are going to search together. Guess they’re buds,” Miles whispered. “Margie asked if I’d go with her. Do you have someone from last night you can pair up with?”
“Yep,” I lied.
Aaron clapped again. “Okay, gang, let’s get started. This area is pretty different from yesterday’s. It’s much denser and rockier. Walk carefully. There’s also dips and valleys in the terrain you’ll need to watch out for.”
He nodded to his tattooed buddy, who began passing out the maps to the groups as Aaron explained.
“Each map is specific to your group. Search your quadrant only, staying on the marked path. Remember, we’re looking for any trace of our missing person, or any sign that someone traveled through this area recently.
We’re looking for footprints, clothing, a blood trail, broken twigs or limbs that indicate someone pushed their way through the brush—”
“What about deer?” a woman in the back asked.
“That’s a good point. A deer path is going to be carved out of the brush, the branches pushed aside, not typically broken. That said, people tend to take the path of least resistance, so always check a deer path if you see one. Now, special circumstances. You obviously see the snow.”
Aaron motioned to the flurries and then continued.
“But I’m not too worried about that because it’s not supposed to pick up until tomorrow.
What I am worried about is the temperature.
We’re already barely hovering above freezing, which is why we’re calling this thing off in exactly two hours.
It’s imperative that you stay focused, on course, and keep track of time.
Keep moving. If you stop, your body temperature drops and you’ll freeze.
I’m not in the mood to save any of your asses tonight.
And, Huckster,” he jerked his chin to one of the men beside me, “if you have one more drop of whiskey, I’m pulling you from the search. ”
A throaty giggle sounded from the back.
“We’re using GPS for this search.” Aaron nodded to the tattooed guy who began passing out GPS devices.
“According to the roster, we’ve got six pairs for tonight’s search.
I’ve already programmed your search quadrant into your device.
It’s specific to your group, so don’t mix them up.
Again, stay on course. We’re lucky enough to have solid cell reception right now, so I’m not worried about any of you getting lost and not being able to call for help. ”
Aaron stopped for a moment, cueing everyone to stop checking out their GPS devices and return their attention to him.
“If for some reason your GPS stops working or you get off course, text or call me and I’ll come get you.
My number’s on the top of the paper. If for some reason you lose cell reception and your GPS—I’m looking at you, Huckster—use a compass and follow it southeast. You can’t mess that up.
That will take you to the river. As soon as you reach the river, stop and wait.
Someone will be coming for you once we realize you’re lost. I repeat, southeast. Everyone got that? ”
Nods came from around the group.
“So, follow GPS. If that fails, cell phone. If that fails, compass to the river. If that fails, you probably shouldn’t be here.”
I chewed my lower lip.
“We typically don’t do searches at night, but we made an exception to extend today’s efforts because the chief and I agree that this will be the last boots-on-the-ground search for Kara Meyers due to Winter Storm Barron coming our way. It’s not worth the risk to lose one of our own.”
“What?” I blurted. “Are you serious?”
Miles and Margie whipped their heads toward me.
“That’s how it goes, Miss Sloane,” Aaron said. “We’re supposed to get two inches of ice and a foot of snow over the next week. This area will be shut down.”
The chief nodded. “These mountains will definitely be shut down. When roads become impassable, we’ll have to close them.”
“But what about Kara? What if she’s out there?”
“Then I hope she hangs on.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. There was no doubt in my mind they’d continue the search if Kara were one of their own.
“All right, guys. Bruce, Johnny, you take the horses. Everyone else, let’s head out. Vamonos.” Let’s go.
“We’ll find her.” Miles assured me while securing the front strap of his backpack. Then, he turned and checked Margie’s pack.
“Hey.”
I turned to see Aaron hovering behind me.
“Got your head on straight?” He eyed me.
Is it possible to have your head on straight after forty-eight hours of no sleep?
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. McCord told me you’re searching alone.
I don’t like it, especially with you not being from around here.
I want to make that clear. But I’m also not your dad, and I’m not going to tell you that you can’t help.
So here’s a GPS.” He shoved a black device at me.
“But I will tell you that when we call this thing off, you’re going home, or to your hotel, or wherever you’re staying.
It’s too cold, and this area is too remote to stay out here alone. ”
“Or what?”
“Or you’ll be the second missing person tonight. Do you understand that?”
“I’m not stopping until I find her.”
“You will if you’re dead.”
With that final warning, Aaron walked away.