“A forest service wildland firefighter was out snowshoeing this morning. He saw smoke and thought that was odd and he was concerned, since even this time of year with snow on the ground, fires can get going. He discovered that someone had lit a slash pile, but there were no burns scheduled today.”
“Okay,” Maya said, thinking that this was going to be an arson investigation. Slash piles were made up of dead trees and branches. The fire crews would create a large pile and then burn the dead trees and branches when the snow was deep and fire danger was low. “I can get out there and help make sure the fire is out and help with an arson investigation.”
“Murder and arson.”
“What?”
“It’s a murder and arson,” Todd said. “The firefighter called in some other crew members, and they were able to get the fire out. Thank goodness it was in an area where there was lots of snow. But after they suppressed the fire, they realized there was a body in the slash pile. They haven’t disturbed the scene, but they think they see a gunshot wound on the remains.”
“Crap,” Maya said.
“Yeah, I have other words. Can you get up there and see if they need help with the investigation? I know the sheriff and undersheriff have been called by dispatch, but you probably know that.”
“I do. We were all having breakfast together.”
“Sorry again that it’s a Sunday and your day off.”
“No, it’s okay,” Maya said. “I’ll get home, get changed and load Juniper in case we need to track or find evidence.”
“Great. And, Thompson?”
“Yes?”
“Try to stay out of trouble,” Todd said before hanging up.
Maya ended the call. Thanks to several murders in the national forest over the past few months, her boss had started ending each call that way. Somehow, though, it never seemed to work. Staying out of trouble wasn’t Maya’s specialty.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Maya waited for Josh and Pops to come down the café stairs.
“I’m assuming your call was Todd Davis asking you to help us with this possible homicide?” Pops asked.
“That’s correct. We’ll go home, change into our uniforms and get our respective patrol vehicles. And I’ll get Juniper. Josh, you might want to grab Finn too. Since there’s a possible homicide victim, we might need him. Do you need to say goodbye to your parents?”
“I already did,” Josh said. “Let’s head home, get changed and get out to this crime scene.”
Josh headed to their vehicle as Maya watched him. She could tell he was stressed, and based on his reaction, she was certain the Bradfords were probably the family of the victim that Amber had called about. But there was more bugging Josh and Maya wasn’t certain what that was.
“What’s up with him?” Pops asked. “You two have a fight?”
“No,” she said. “My guess is it has to do with the friends who came with Spencer and Natalia.”
“Great. I’ll be glad when my trial is over for many reasons, one of which is the Coltens don’t have to bring friends here.”
“I agree,” Maya said. “I’ll see you at the crime scene.”
“I’m going to stay here. I need to go over some things with Spencer and Josh will be stepping up in charge this week anyway. But you both know how to get me if you need me.”
“Okay, I’ll keep you updated.”
“Stay safe,” Pops said.
“Always,” Maya answered.
* * *
After changing into her uniform and making sure she had everything she needed, Maya and Juniper were heading out of town running hot. The victim was already deceased, but Maya wanted to make up for lost time—and Juniper loved to howl with the sirens.
