Wyatt didn’t answer right away. Finally, he said, “Most of the time, we find them.”
She absorbed that then glanced ahead at the trail. “What if we don’t find her today?”
“We keep going,” Wyatt said. “Searches like this don’t stop after one day. They expand.”
“Expand how?”
“More people. More teams. If needed, the state gets involved. Sometimes federal resources too, depending on the situation.”
“And who’s in charge?” she asked. “You? The park rangers? The sheriff?”
“It depends on where we are,” Wyatt said. “Out here, it’s usually a unified command. Sheriff’s department, park service, search and rescue—they coordinate. Nobody works alone on something like this.”
Kori nodded. “So Sheriff Sutherland would be involved.”
“He already is. And if this keeps going, he’ll be working alongside everyone else calling in resources.”
They walked in silence after that, following the dogs for miles. Occasionally, they called Mackenzie’s name. But mostly they let the dogs work.
Finally, the trail curved left, and a new marker appeared ahead—a weathered post with a faded sign reading TRAIL END. Beyond it, the path continued, but it was narrower and disappeared into the trees.
Based on the tracks in front of them, someone had recently been through here.
This was the part of the trail where Kori had said she’d turn around. But turning around now would cause them to lose time.
Moses slowed near the marker, circling once as if sorting through the scent. Whatever track he’d been following seemed to scatter in several directions.
As they paused, Jake’s radio crackled, and he lifted it to his ear.
Wyatt waited for him to finish before asking, “Everything okay?”
“A twelve-year-old is missing in Shenandoah. Out since yesterday afternoon. Park rangers there are requesting my help.”
Kori turned toward him, panic flashing in her gaze. “You’re leaving? But Mackenzie has been out here for six days. She could be?—”
“I know.” Genuine apology tinged his voice. “But a child needs help—a child who’s most likely alone and lost and without any skills.”
Her expression shifted as if she’d realized the situation, and she held up a hand. “I get it. You’re right. I’m sorry for my reaction. You need to go.”
Jake nodded, gratitude in his gaze. “Thanks for understanding. Moses got us this far, but the scent’s gettingmessy with the snowfall. This is the natural point when Thunder would take over anyway.”
Jake whistled, and Moses’s head came up. The canine looked at the trail and then at Jake. Then at the trail again.
Jake whistled a second time.
Moses came back this time, and Jake clipped his lead.
“You’re in good hands out here with Wyatt and Thunder,” Jake said.
“I know.” A hint of resignation filled Kori’s voice.
A few minutes later, Jake and Moses were out of sight.
Wyatt stepped beside her and looked at the marker. “Actually, this is where we agreed to stop. The trail is substantially harder after this.”
“We should keep going.” Her voice held no doubt.
He hesitated. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I can handle it. I can. Please. I’m not ready to turn around yet.”
Wyatt studied her face before turning toward the narrow path beyond the sign. “All right. But stay close. And don’t forget: The snow hides things.”
