Looked inside.
If she had to guess, this had just happened while Kori had been in the apartment.
She slowly straightened as dread dripped into her stomach.
The apartment no longer felt safe.
And Mackenzie’s disappearance no longer felt like an accident or mistake or even a spontaneous extension of her hike.
Something was wrong. Kori was sure of it.
Graham Griffin lived in one of the Forest Service cottages assigned to district staff—a modest place two streets over from the station, with a small porch facing the mountains.
Wyatt knocked, and the door opened within seconds.
His boss stood there wearing a dark flannel shirt with reading glasses hooked in the collar. “Wyatt. If you’re here at this hour, there must be something brewing.”
“Yes, sir. Hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”
“Not at all.” Graham stepped back to let him and Thunder inside.
The house was warm but spare. A fire burned low. Maps covered one wall instead of framed art.
The two men sat a comfortable distance from each other on the well-used blue couch. Meanwhile, Thunder made himself comfortable in front of the fire.
“What’ve you got?” Graham asked.
He was straight to business, which Wyatt appreciated.
“We have a missing hiker. She’s twenty-six. Name is Mackenzie Hutchins. She left five days ago for Lost Hollow Trail. Was due back yesterday.”
Graham’s expression narrowed. “Lost Hollow.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Experience level?”
“A rookie at best.”
Graham nodded slowly. “So she could’ve underestimated the terrain.”
“Most likely.”
“That’s never good.” Graham leaned back and let out a grunt. “You know how I feel about that trail.”
“I do.”
Graham had been trying to get it shut down. Too many people had gotten lost on it. A rockslide in the fall had made the path harder to follow. One particularly rocky area had landed several people in the hospital when they’d fallen.
Influencers made it seem like anyone could do the trail, and that a hidden waterfall and cave just off the path would make it all worth it. Wyatt didn’t agree—and neither did Graham.
Those “influencers” were just making the ranger’s jobs harder and putting people in unnecessary danger.
“As you know, the storm is supposed to hit tonight,” Wyatt added. “In fact, it’s already starting. They’re projecting twelve inches by the time it’s through.”
He raised his shaggy eyebrows. “That trail won’t forgive that.”
“No, it won’t. I’d like approval for a first-light search.”
Graham nodded once. “First light. I think that’s reasonable. I know you’re new with us, but I’d like you to take the lead.”
“I’d be happy to, sir.” Relief filled him.
Now Wyatt just needed to make sure he had everything lined up and ready to go.
If Mackenzie was out there, he and Thunder would find her. He promised himself that.
