Juniper gave Maya a slurp on the cheek in response.
“Thanks, girly.”
Maya stepped out of her patrol vehicle and headed toward the tent that was still up from the previous day. In her peripheral vision, she saw a person approaching her. Turning, she realized it was one of the reporters. It took Maya a moment to recognize the young woman. Payton Hayes. They’d gone to school together.
“Hi,” Payton said. “I hope you don’t mind, but I was hoping to talk to you for a moment.”
Maya did mind. She wanted to get to work, but she’d liked Payton. They hadn’t been close friends, but Payton had always been kind. “Good to see you. You’re a reporter now, huh?”
“I am. I’m the mountain bureau reporter for theDaily Times. I really like it, as I can report on the stories that matter to me, including our hometown news.”
Maya nodded, unsure what to say next. “I need to get to work. What did you want to ask me?”
“I have some sources within the CBI. I heard about the murder and missing person. I also learned that there might be a connection to your boyfriend. I wanted to ask you directly. You know, give you a chance to comment.”
Lucas does have a leak. I’ll have to let him know.
Maya shoved her hands in her pockets. Had Payton been one of the reporters camped outside their house? At least her suspicions about the reporters already linking Josh to the crime were accurate. “I can’t comment about an ongoing investigation. Sorry. But the CBI has an information officer and maybe that’s even who you’ve already talked to. You need to get your information from them, not me. Sorry, Payton. I need to get to work now.”
“I understand. Good to see you.”
“You too,” Maya said, turning away and continuing to the tent. At least she knew one of the reporters, which had its pluses and minuses.
There were search-and-rescue team members there, drinking coffee and studying maps. The team leader, Ryan, was on the radio. Spotting Lucas in the crowd, she made her way over to him.
“Hey, Tree Cop,” Lucas said. “Took you long enough to get here.”
Maya didn’t laugh. She knew Lucas was only teasing, but she also wanted to confront him about the leak. “You do have a leak. A reporter stopped me and asked about Josh’s connection. You need to keep your guys on a tighter leash.”
He sighed. “It’s been a long night. I’m sorry about the leak. I’ll see if I can figure out who it is.”
“I thought you were going to get some rest.”
“I changed my mind. Miranda went home to catch a quick nap, but I drank coffee and I’m going to keep going. For now.”
Maya nodded. “Any updates since I last talked with you?”
“Not really. I’m going to head out to the crime scene where this guy from Chicago was found. Doc is supposed to meet me out there and I’m hoping maybe by the time he comes, he will have heard from the dentist.”
“I can go out to the crime scene with you and we can run Juniper after Doc shows up. See if she can track anything or find more evidence. I’m guessing the SAR team isn’t excited about continuing with all the events of last night,” Maya said.
“No, but they have agreed to stay for now. If they find something or see anyone suspicious, they’re going to radio it in so we can respond.”
“That works. That way maybe we can find the missing person.”
“Who’s possibly being pursued by our killer,” Lucas said.
“I can head out to the cabins now. I have the key to open the gate into them anyway.”
“Perfect. I’ll be right behind you, and if you want to work Juniper, I can be your backup officer since I think the other gal is off.”
“Yeah, Rory worked some long hours, although knowing her, she’ll come back to help.”
“Young and dedicated. Remember when we were like that?” Lucas asked.
“It wasn’t that long ago. I’ll go get the gate unlocked so Doc can get into that area. It’s a perk of knowing a Tree Cop, Leatherneck,” Maya said, using a term for a marine affectionately. She felt a little bad now about getting on Lucas about the leak. It wasn’t his fault or something he would do.
“I’ll be right behind you. Just need to get my guys going on a couple things here,” Lucas said with a grin that suddenly disappeared. “Today is the start of Pops’ trial, isn’t it? Are you going?”
