“Yeah?” I look over at him.
“Yeah. I don’t know a ton about Willow, but she’s seems perfect for you, and she’s saving our ass on this half-cocked plan we’ve come up with.”
“She’s an author and writes thrillers. This entire case is right up her alley.” I chuckle at the fact she couldn’t stop herself from attempting to help. It’s in her curious nature.
“Badass. Well, let’s get this fucker, so you can go tell her all the gory details.” He slaps my back and disembarks the back seat.
I take one last deep breath and clamber out.
It’s time to finish this.
I’ve been walking on the trail for about twenty minutes, and so far, nothing. I’m making a ton of noise in the hopes it draws attention. Hell, even anyone in the park noticing me could help, although Lennox said he would try to steer people in the opposite direction when we initially talked.
I’m about to round the corner when I spot something on the trail.
A piece of fabric.
No, part of a uniform. I lean down and pick it up, realizing it’s a park ranger’s shirt.
Lennox.
I search for a clue to solidify my suspicion, but it just looks like a standard uniform. I tap the earpiece the Task Force set me up with.
“I found a ranger’s uniform.”
“Lennox?” Arlo asks.
“I don’t know for sure, but most likely. Has anyone heard from him recently?”
“No. I just tried to call him too.” Arlo’s tone sounds rigid, and I know he’s thinking the same thing I am.
“Try him again,” I urge.
“I am. Hold on.”
I pace, waiting for a response and when it comes, all I feel is panic.
“No answer. I’m coming to you,” Arlo says quickly.
I pace where I’m at, and within two minutes, Arlo is walking toward me. He yanks the shirt out of my hand and holds it up. There are a few cuts in the shirt that I missed initially.
“Shit,” I curse.
“We need to go to the cabin. If he has Lennox…” Arlo trails off, not even wanting to say it.
And I can’t blame him. Lennox has become one of my closest friends, and I won’t even allow myself the possibility of anything bad happening.
We both walk frantically in the direction of that cabin, but I pause when my phone rings.
Unknown Caller.
“This is Oakley,” I answer, wondering if it’s one of the guys on the Task Force and they have information.
“I think I have something of yours.”
I stop in my tracks.That voice.It haunts every nightmare I still have. It’s a voice that I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to unhear as I lie awake at night.
I see Arlo out of the corner of my eye, walking back to me to see what’s up.
