Good point.
“Only if they aren’t guilty.”
“Bingo. You sure you don’t want me to come out there anyway?”
“There’s nothing we can do tonight. It’s dark as pitch in the woods. I’ll come back tomorrow at first light and look the area over in case he dropped anything while he was running away. If he did, it will still be there.”
“You’re the boss. Ten-four.”
As Brad stowed his phone, he listened again.
Nothing but thehoo-h’HOO-hoo-hooof a great horned owl broke the stillness.
The trespasser was gone.
Holding on to trees for support, he limped back to the trail and continued toward the cottage, wincing with every step.
At the door, he took a steadying breath and gave a soft knock.
No response.
He tried again.
The curtain on the window beside the door fluttered, and he moved in front of it so Cara could see him.
Seconds later a bolt slid and the door opened. “Come in.” She stepped back to give him access.
He moved inside. “Were you asleep?”
“Yes, believe it or not. I laid down to wait for you and drifted off.”
“I’m not surprised. It’s almost one.”
“Did you see anything?”
“Oh yeah.” He motioned to the café table and chairs against the wall. “Do you mind if I sit?” Maybe that would ease the throbbing in his ankle.
“Sure. Can I turn on a light?”
“No problem. The guy’s long gone.” He limped over to the chair and gingerly lowered himself to it, trying not to grimace.
A soft glow filled the room after Cara flicked a switch, and as she joined him, her eyebrows pinched together. “What happened to your leg?”
“Ankle.” He gave her the short version. “It’ll be fine.” Even if his boot was getting uncomfortably tight. “The most important thing is that I did see a guy in the woods. I had him under surveillance and backup was on the way when two deer decided to wreak havoc with my plans. He took off, and while in pursuit I had my unfortunate encounter with the tree root. I’ll come back in daylight to see if he may have dropped anything in his rush to get away.”
“What happens if he didn’t?”
“I wish I had the answer to that. It’s possible I scared him and he’ll never show again. If he does come back, though, you can bet he’ll be extra cautious.” He forked his fingers through his hair. “I’m going to talk to Natalie again tomorrow about cameras. With the guy concealing his face, we won’t get a read on his identity, but at least we’ll be alerted if he’s on the premises and can try to get over here before he leaves. That shouldn’t be hard, given the gap between your sighting and when he left.”
“Which makes me wonder why he was on the property for so long and what he was doing while he was here.”
“I had the same thought. What time are you leaving tomorrow?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I plan to be on the road by six. Is there any reason I should cancel my meeting?”
“No. The next steps with this are up to me and the deputies.” He pushed himself to his feet, flinching as he tested his weight on the injured ankle. “I’ll let you get back to sleep.”
“Easier said than done after all this excitement.”
