“You look like you’re cold,” Josh said. “And maybe you need some fresh clothes. There’s clothes in the master bedroom. I could get you some. They might be big on you, though. If you put your weapon down, then we can go get you something to change into.”
“Do I look that dumb?”
“No,” Josh answered. “I’m just trying to help.”
“I’ll keep my knife. I don’t need your help, and I’m certainly not going to a bedroom with you. But I do need to know one thing…”
“What’s that?” Josh asked.
“Did you kill Amber?”
“No.”
“Why should I believe you?” Elena asked.
“Because, honestly, I could have shot you before I came around the corner. You were standing in the open. But I didn’t. I’ve been framed for Amber’s death and even the guy out at the cabins, but that was you who killed him, wasn’t it?”
“It was self-defense,” Elena snapped.
“I have no doubt. He was a gang member and I’m sure he was hired to kill you. Look, I don’t think we should stay here. We have a lot to talk about. I’ll tell you everything I know and hopefully, you’ll tell me what you know. But we need to stay on the move. We can talk as we hike. You can keep your knife. I will take the gun, but it’ll be holstered.” Josh pulled up his sweatshirt to show her the holster he’d taken from Larry’s gun safe. “Are you up for hiking?”
“I’m starving and I’m really thirsty,” Elena answered.
For the first time, Josh sensed her starting to trust him. “Then let’s get you something to eat and drink. There’s bottled water in the pantry. I think you can rest for a little bit and when you’re ready, we’ll leave. Let me at least find you a warmer jacket. It’s dark now and the temperature is dropping.”
“Where are you planning on going?” Elena asked. “There’s nothing out there.”
“Did you follow the stream down from the cabins?” Josh asked.
She nodded.
“I’m going to follow that stream back, but there’s a spot where I’m going to split away. It’ll be before the cabins. If we hike another half mile or so from there, it’ll lead to a property that my girlfriend owns. There’s a camper there. She’ll come there and that way I can leave her a note. Give her something to go on and investigate.”
“I take it your girlfriend is in law enforcement?”
“She is, and she’s a K-9 handler. If I leave an obvious track, with the help of Juniper, her K-9, she’ll guess where I’m headed,” Josh said. “But it’s going to be a long hike. I think it’s about ten miles. It might take all night. Are you up for that?”
“I can do it. I just need a quick break and then I’ll take the jacket, food, and water and come with you.”
“It’s a plan,” Josh said. He took the gun and put it in the holster. Then he found one of Debra’s jackets in the hall closet and handed it to Elena. The bottled water and granola bars were in the kitchen pantry. Josh handed her a couple waters and the food. Then he stashed the rest of the supply in his backpack.
It was going to be a long night, and he hoped she really was up for this hike. She’d been out in the wilderness for a while. But the shaking had stopped. She sat on the couch as she ate.
“Let me know when you feel up to leaving,” Josh said.
“Okay, I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
“We’ve been looking for you. I’m glad you’re still alive.”
“That makes two of us,” Elena said, for the first time cracking a small smile. “Who’s been looking for me?”
“The sheriff, my girlfriend and her K-9—they’re with the Forest Service—and some search-and-rescue teams. I think we came close to catching up with you a few times.”
“I kept wanting to find help, but it seemed like every time I could rest and start to think through how to find someone to trust, the guys would show up again.”
“Do you know what they look like? Have you been able to get a good look at them?” Josh asked.
Elena shook her head. “Not a great look. I think two of them are former cops by the way they carried themselves. The other guy I didn’t see. He was grabbing at me and I stabbed him. I didn’t even know he was a gang member.”
