CHAPTER 20
Back at the ranger station,Wyatt had a topographical map spread across the conference table.
He’d stayed at the general store for another hour. Thunder had even sniffed out Pete’s trail. It had led out back to a small parking area, where it then disappeared. That indicated Pete must have gotten into another vehicle, and he’d been taken somewhere else—most likely, not by his own free will.
Micah was officially heading up the search for Pete. However, Wyatt had made himself available to help if needed. If it turned out Pete’s disappearance was somehow connected to what was going on off Lost Hollow Trail, then Wyatt and his colleagues would step in.
Right now, Micah was reviewing footage from security cameras around town.
Wyatt prayed Pete would be found, but the situation didn’t look good.
“You think drug deals are going down on that trail?” Wyatt asked as he and Graham both studied the map.
Graham straightened and let out a breath. “It’s possible. Remote trail, limited visibility. People use places like that for exchanges sometimes.”
Wyatt nodded. “What about poaching? Those trail cameras could be tracking game.”
“That was my first thought. Happens more than people realize. Especially this time of year.” Graham tapped a spot on the map. “But most poachers don’t set up cameras to watch the trail itself. They’re watching animal movement—not who’s coming and going.”
Wyatt frowned. “So what else?”
Graham hesitated. “Could be squatters. Off-grid types. People trying to stay off the radar.”
Wyatt let out a low whistle. “You think someone’s living out there?”
“I think something’s happening out there. I just don’t know what yet.” He glanced back at the map. “That would explain the cameras. But it doesn’t explain why Mackenzie was monitoring the feed.”
“Thatiscurious.” He stepped closer and pointed to another area on the map. “This is where the old Harrow’s Mill is located. Could that be connected?”
Harrow’s Mill was a whole town at one time. There were workers, families, kids. When the company pulled out, people packed up and left. Some didn’t even take everything with them. But the remains of the settlement were still out there and a favorite spot for social media influencers to travel to and explore.
Graham rubbed his chin, the way he always did when he was thinking.
Wyatt heard the door to the station open and looked up. Kori stepped inside.
He’d called her about twenty minutes ago to see if she wanted to meet back at the station.
He observed her a moment. She’d changed out of her damp hiking gear into some jeans and a pink-and-blue flannel shirt that didn’t quite fit her personality.
If he had to guess, the clothes were Mackenzie’s.
Looking at her caused something to involuntarily shift inside him. He ignored the feeling, not having the bandwidth to explore what it meant right now.
“Kori, glad you’re here. We have some questions.” Wyatt gestured toward the table. “By the way, Kori Hutchins, this is Graham Griffin. Graham, Kori. He’s the chief ranger.”
Graham stood and extended his hand. “Ms. Hutchins, I’m sorry to hear about your sister. We’re doing everything we can to find her.”
Kori shook his hand. “Thank you. I appreciate your team and the help they’ve given so far.”
Graham gestured toward an empty seat.
She pulled the chair close to the table and lowered herself there.
Wyatt looked back at the map. “We’re going back out tomorrow. Now that we know more, we’ll be better equipped. We’ve requested a thermal imaging drone from the state. If there’s a heat signature in that forest—a person, a structure, a fire source—we’ll find it from the air before we set foot on the trail.”
Kori leaned forward, her eyes on the map. “How long will that take to arrange?”
“It’ll be here by morning.” He looked at her. “I know that feels like more waiting.”
