“Always.”
Katie and Cisco led the way back to the entrance where the gravel road ended. It was clear the construction crew had put down the gravel due to all the driving back and forth through the property. There were two tree lines that seemed old, and most likely had been there for decades, if not longer. Katie roughly surveyed the area and decided how they would grid the search. It was really more of a tracking to locate something not typical or not related to the surroundings; dogs were so adept at finding lost items or things that were out of place.
Katie glanced back and saw McGaven taking his position just behind and a little to the right of her. He was out of the downwind location but close enough to still be able to see up ahead.
The wind seemed to stop, which was a good thing as it made it easier for Cisco to find the odor or follow the scent without it blowing all over the place.
Katie felt a tightness in her throat. It wasn’t always present, but in times of stress or when she was pushing through anxieties and other challenges, post-traumatic symptoms surfaced. It was something she had learned to deal with in her life, and today she pushed herself to find more clues that would help to direct them in the investigation.
Taking a couple of deep quiet breaths, Katie said, “Such,” a German command directing Cisco to search.
The jet-black dog took his direction and moved forward at a moderate pace, his large paws working their way into the forest area. His long body remained relaxed but focused on the surroundings, tail hanging straight, sense of smell heightened, as he trailed from left to right.
Katie watched Cisco for any indication of a change of behavior. Her mind flashed to the skeletons with their fingers intertwined and the shiny bracelets hanging on the wrists. Even though they hadn’t received official information about the bodies and forensic evidence, she still pressed her mind and theories to move forward.
She heard the crunch of the gravel under vehicle tires as the CSI van left the area. Her mind gently wandered back to her morning with John, but she quickly pushed forward to the task at hand.
Cisco slowed his pace. He was still keeping his body relaxed, but there was something that seemed to pique his attention. It could be a scent he’d caught in the air that wasn’t related to the investigation: a bird, a small mammal, or even the leftover smells from the crime scene.
Katie glanced back to McGaven who was keeping a watchful eye of their surroundings. He had a serious expression, no smile, giving only a quick thumbs-up indicating everything was good so far.
The sound of the van leaving the area finally dissipated and then disappeared altogether. They were alone. Normally this didn’t bother Katie, but ever since their first visit to the scene something hadn’t seemed right. That could be said for most of her crime scenes, of course, but this feeling had a certain jab to the gut that was keeping her on her toes.
They worked the area for almost ten minutes, winding their way back and forth, making a grid pattern. The only noises heard throughout were their footsteps toward another grove of trees.
As they reached the grove Cisco slowed. His fur prickled along his spine and the back of his neck, and his tail stiffened, slowly moving from side to side as he took a few strides. Katie raised her hand, indicating to her partner that something was up that the dog didn’t like. She didn’t speak and intensely studiedCisco’s posture. She slowed her pace to match his. Watching Cisco, she realized it was an unusual stance that she had only seen him in during their tours in the Army. That set off more warning signals.
Cisco suddenly stopped and downed his position, indicating there was danger ahead. Katie looked from side to side, expecting a wild animal like a bear or mountain lion to charge them. Seeing nothing, she too kneeled down to try to figure out what Cisco was warning them about. McGaven quietly made his way to them and took his position next to her. His face clearly expressed his concern.
Katie leaned toward his ear and whispered, “I’ve seen him act like this when there are tripwires or other signs of a trap.”
She felt her partner’s tension.
“What do you want to do?” he said softly.
“We need to make sure there’s nothing here.”
McGaven nodded and waited to follow Katie’s lead.
She was contemplating how to investigate so that they would be better equipped to deal with the situation, and whether they needed to call in the police department, SWAT, or bomb squad. She might be getting ahead of herself, but she knew that whatever Cisco was picking up, it wasn’t good.
Katie lowered the long leash and dropped to her belly. She gave Cisco the command to back up a few feet, but to stay in a down position, keeping him from moving until she gave the next command.
“Okay?” said McGaven in barely a whisper as he lowered his body to the ground and mirrored his partner.
“Cisco alerted to something in the air, but he downed and won’t go any farther.”
“Which means?” he said.
“It means there’s something either right in front of us or on either side.”
“What do we do?”
“Do you have your mini binoculars?”
“Yeah.” He reached around on his police utility belt and retrieved them.
Katie took the binoculars and then scooted on her belly toward the right side. She peered through the lenses with her elbows supporting her and slowly scanned the area, starting with ground level and then gradually moving higher.
