As we walked, I kept my eyes on the ground, watching for the prints we followed, but despite my aching body, my thoughts kept straying.
What kind of person did something like that? Who hunted an animal just for parts and left the rest to decompose in the forest?
Someone with no regard for life, that’s who.
That thought bothered me. What if Dustin had stumbled across those poachers? What if he’d seen something he shouldn’t have? The prints we followed now were laid down around the same time the bears died, according to Toren. It was entirely possible we’d find Dustin decaying in the forest just like the bears.
No. I pushed the thought away. He could just be injured. Or lost. That happened all the time in the bush. People came in unprepared or they stepped wrong and broke an ankle. Maybe he tumbled into the river and lost his phone, so he couldn’t call for help.
But that didn’t explain the other boot prints following his. Because they were definitely following. Toren was tracking Dustin, but the same prints from where the river forked were continuing along with Dustin’s. Toren thought they were all laid down around the same time.
That thought bothered me as much as the thought of there being people out here who would kill an animal for no other reason than money.
Another giant boulder loomed in our path. Toren’s long legs ate it up with minimal effort. I set my foot in a divot and pushed myself up and over. I would love to hike further inland, but we’d lose Dustin’s trail. The riverbank wasn’t terrible, but there were a few spots, like here, where any sort of beach eroded and we were left with rocks butting up to the sharp edge of the bank. It was either climb over the rocks or get wet. I’d rather climb.
Puffing out a breath, I glanced up. The sky had been overcast all morning, but now it was darkening. The wind had picked up as well. That promised weather system was rolling in.
I checked my watch. It was barely noon. Walker said the weather wasn’t supposed to come in until later. He’d been wrong, from the looks of things.
“How much further do you think we should go before we stop for the day?” I asked.
Toren glanced up at the sky, his expression unreadable. “Depends on how much longer those clouds hold.”
Almost on cue, the first drops of rain splatted on my face. “I think they’re done.”
His lips twisted as a scowl darkened his face. “Dammit. I was hoping to follow these tracks longer. The rain’s going to wash them away.”
“We can keep going. It’s not pouring yet.”
“No, but I’m not sure how long it’ll be until that happens. This system’s moving in faster than expected. We need to make camp before we can’t find any dry firewood.” Reaching into his pocket, he took out the satellite phone. “I’m going to let Walker know he can head back to Juneau.”
I bit back a groan. I’d really been hoping we wouldn’t have to spend the night out here. If this weather system turned to snow, it could end up being more than one night.
Tuning out the sound of Toren calling Walker, I picked my way over the rocks, crouching to look at the prints in the sand. How would we ever find Dustin once we didn’t have this trail?
“Lana.”
I glanced back at the sound of my name.
Toren tipped his head toward the forest. “Let’s go.”
As soon as I was on my feet, he veered away from the river, moving toward the forest. I followed, trying to keep up as he picked his way through the trees. The undergrowth was denser here, the canopy thicker. We were well off any sort of trail now.
The rain intensified as we walked, but under the thick tree cover, very little reached us yet. It hadn’t pooled enough todrop off the overhead branches. The temperature had dropped, though. I could see my breath, now.
“Here,” Toren said finally, stopping at a small clearing, about twenty feet in diameter, backed by a rocky outcropping. The rocks rose about eight feet and curved around, creating a natural windbreak. There was an overhang as well. It wasn’t a cave—more of an alcove with a roof—but it would provide some cover from the rain and wind. Pine needles covered the ground beneath it, offering a nice cushion for sleeping.
I shrugged off my pack with a groan of relief.
Toren dropped his bag next to mine and unhooked a thin, rolled pouch from the bottom. “Why don’t you go gather some firewood while I set up the tent? But don’t stray far. Stay within shouting distance.” He opened his bag and pulled out a piece of fabric with handles. “Here.”
I took it, holding it by one handle to deduce what it was. It was a carrying tote for wood. Folding it back up, I tucked it under my arm. “Where do you want me to pile it all?”
“Over there.” He pointed to a spot against the rocks. “It should stay dry back there.”
“Okay. I’ll be back.” Spinning on my booted foot, I traipsed away from the little alcove.
Without my pack, moving across the uneven ground was much easier. Some of the shake disappeared from my legs as I made my way over small boulders. I was glad of that, because the rain was seeping through the canopy now. I needed to fill up this tote before things got too wet.
