CHAPTER 18
A moment later,two Forest Service trucks pulled into the lot in tandem. Brett Adkins stepped out of the first, and a younger ranger Wyatt didn’t know climbed out of the second.
Brett crossed to him, his gaze sweeping Wyatt’s truck. “Someone wanted to send a message.”
“Yes, they did,” Wyatt muttered.
Brett held out his keys. “Tow truck’s on its way. Davis and I will wait with it.”
Micah was already moving back toward his SUV, radio to his mouth, his focus shifted entirely to Pete Williamston. He caught Wyatt’s eye and gave him a short nod that meant they’d talk later.
Wyatt looked at Kori.
She already knew what he was about to say. He saw it in her face.
He said it anyway. “I need to help with Pete.”
“I know.” A mix of resignation and understanding filled her voice.
“I’ll drop you off at the bed and breakfast.”
“That’ll work.”
Wyatt headed back to Hollow House, his mind turning over everything he needed to do. He needed to contact Graham. To loop in Forest Service law enforcement. To get the drone teams coordinated for tomorrow.
He needed to find Mackenzie.
And he needed to find Pete. The man was in his sixties, but he had heart problems. It wasn’t like him to disappear like this.
Kori sat with her hands in her lap and looked out the windshield as they drove.
She waited until they turned onto Main Street before asking, “Do you think Pete’s disappearance is connected to Mackenzie?”
He kept his eyes on the road. “I think two missing persons in the same small town in the same week is a pattern worth taking seriously.”
“That’s not really an answer.”
“No, I suppose it’s not.” He pressed his lips together in thought.
Wyatt felt Kori’s gaze on him. She wanted more—and she was patiently waiting for him to continue.
He squared his shoulders before speaking again. “I don’t know yet, and I’m not going to tell you something is true without proof.”
She turned back to the window. “Fair enough.”
He pulled up in front of Hollow House and left the engine running.
Kori sat beside him without moving while Thunder watched everything from the back seat.
When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet and genuine. “I hope you find Pete.”
“Thanks. I’ll call you once I know more. Then we can meet at the station and talk about the next steps for finding your sister.”
Something moved across her face. “What about Mackenzie’s backpack?”
“I’d like to take it back to the station and examine it. Is that okay?”
“If that’s what you need to do to find her.”
