Sirens blared in the distance, growing closer.
“We need to get back to the cabin. I’ve got a lot to deal with in there.”
Her glossy eyes studied him.
“The Colombian?” she whispered.
“He’s dead.”
Relief flashed in her gaze, and her shoulders sagged.
Cap took her hand and guided her forward. She winced, and her grip tightened.
“What’s wrong?”
“My feet.”
When he looked down, he realized her feet were covered in flimsy-soled slippers. Christ, he’d sent her into the woods in those. During the urgency, he hadn’t given that any thought. The poor thing probably had cuts and bruises.
He turned toward her and scooped her into his arms, ignoring the screaming protest of his ribs, then made his way out of the woods.
“How do you do this?” she asked.
“Do what?” he asked as he chose his next careful step.
“Walk so quietly in the woods, carrying me. Not even cracking a branch. When I ran out here, you would have thought a herd of buffalo was crashing through the woods. I could barely see and tripped more times than I can count.”
“It isn’t my first rodeo walking in the dark in the woods.”
“Huh?”
“I deer hunt. I go into the woods early in the morning, before daylight, and then leave after dark. You get used to walking in the woods in the dark. You learn where to step.”
He hurried back to the cabin.
Chief Mertz’s squad jerked to a stop by the garage. A sheriff’s deputy parked his squad next to the chief’s, saving room for the ambulance to pull up to the porch.
Cap glanced around. Where was the Colombian’s vehicle?
Adrenaline surged through his veins. He set Emma down and ran into the cabin. Relief washed over him when he confirmed the body was still there.
“He’s dead?” Emma’s voice shook.
“Yes.”
He hadn’t intended for her to follow him into the cabin and see the dead body. But maybe it was for the best that she saw it and believed it.
Two EMTs entered the cabin. Their gazes landed on the dead guy, then they focused on him.
“Is anyone else hurt?”
Cap pointed to Emma.
“I’m fine. Just bruised up.”
“They’re here, sweetheart. Let them look at you.”
“No, really, I’m fine,” she insisted.
