“Thanks a lot,” Maya said with a laugh.
“And here I was going to say she was a beautiful lady,” Nick said, also chuckling.
“Well, she’s beautiful,” Maya said. “But sometimes she’s not a proper lady, but that makes two of us, doesn’t it, girly?”
Juniper gave a yip and then a loud bark making everyone laugh, which helped break some of the tension. Maya was glad about that. If they could loosen up a little bit, then they would all work better. She grabbed the scent article from the front seat of her vehicle. Then the trio all headed to the trailhead.
“I’ll stay back,” Nick said. “I know you and Roryhave worked together and I’ll let her back you up, but if need be, I can help.”
“Thanks,” Maya said, glad that Nick obviously had some experience working with K-9 teams. She opened the bag with Hope’s shirt and let Juniper stick her nose in it. “Let’s go find her.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Juniper trotted along the dirt trail, pausing to sniff at a rock or bush every now and then, but Maya could tell by the position of her tail and relaxed body language that she wasn’t in odor. Maya would let her sniff the scent article and then cast her out in different directions, to see if that would help.
Juniper was working well, but there was no scent for her to follow. Disappointment welled up inside Maya, but she wanted to get to the campground area before she completely gave up. She asked Juniper to stop and unclipped the water bowl from her duty belt. Nick had agreed to carry a CamelBak full of water. Maya filled Juniper’s bowl and let her get a drink. They all took turns sipping their water too. Everyone had to be careful they didn’t get dehydrated.
After Juniper finished and Maya picked up her bowl and clipped it back on her duty belt, a breeze picked up. Juniper’s nose poked in the air and her muscles tensed. Had she caught a scent of Hope from the breeze?
Maya gripped the leash, ready to go. She knew if Juniper did catch an odor they would be off like a shot out of a cannon. Juniper continued to air scent.
“Find her, girl. Go find her.”
Juniper shot off. Even though Maya was used to the way her dog started a track, she still almost lost her hold on the leash. She was able to catch up to Juniper after a few strides since the dog had settled into a fast jog.
The breeze picked up again, making the trees sway back and forth. Juniper stopped and put her nose up in the air, taking in the odor. All Maya could smell was smoke, but she knew her dog could sift through the different odors and keep Hope’s scent. Unless it became too windy. Then Juniper could still find the odor, but the wind would just make it harder for Juniper to pinpoint it. They needed some luck and that meant the winds staying calm—for both tracking and the fire.
Working the scent, Juniper continued her track. She was doing more air scenting, but taking them in the direction of the campground where Maya suspected Hope might be kept. As the breeze died back down, Maya could hear the footsteps of Nick and Rory behind her. She was grateful to have them so she could watch her dog. Whenever possible she had a backup officer, but when you patrolled millions of acres by yourself, sometimes, that wasn’t always possible.
Juniper continued to stay on the path until they came closer to the campground. Tail up and body tense, showing she was still in odor, the Mal stopped and then went to cut across a grassy area. There were some large rocks in the distance which was why the trail wound its way around toward the camping area. Maya followed Juniper, trusting her dog. The boulderswere just big enough that a body could be back in this area. Were they going to be too late?
Maya navigated over some of the rocks when she saw a van in the distance. It was an old beat-up gray Ford. The paint was faded in spots and there was rust on the wheel wells. The windows had been tinted dark. It would be hard to see out of them, or in for that matter.
“Good girl, Juniper.” Maya shortened the leash. If the couple was inside with Hope, they could get spooked and do something rash. They didn’t need to get this close and have the kidnappers panic and kill Hope. She scanned the area and listened. Was Abigail here? Or was she still on her way? There were no sounds other than some birds chirping in the nearby trees.
Maya glanced behind her and saw that Nick and Rory had unholstered their handguns and were in low ready position. They were waiting for her lead. The K-9 handler always called the shots in these situations.
“I’m going to get a little closer and then announce our presence,” Maya said. “Also, if Finn is on the same scent, he may bring Josh, Wilson and Aaron here. We need to be careful in case they’re in the area. I don’t want another officer caught in cross fire.”
“Got it,” Nick said. Rory nodded.
Maya and Juniper crept closer. Maya kept an eye out for anyone on the perimeter. She approached the back of the van just like a traffic stop. “Forest Service law enforcement! Come out with your hands up!”
No answer.
She repeated her instructions again. No answer.
Juniper whipped around and stared off into the woods. The sounds of twigs snapping echoed as the breeze softly picked up again. Nick and Rory were ready with their guns pointing in the direction of the noise, but neither had their fingers on the triggers. Not yet anyway. They would change that in an instant if necessary. The leash was taut and Maya could feel Juniper’s power and slight quiver.
“Forest Service law enforcement,” Maya said again, hoping that if it was Josh, he would hear her.
Then she heard, “Maya. It’s me, Josh.”
Nick and Rory pointed their guns down toward the ground, relaxing slightly, but still ready just in case. Maya let out a deep breath.
“We’re over here,” she yelled. “By the meadow.”
A few seconds later she saw Finn’s yellow head appear and then the rest of his body. Based on his similar body language, he was in a strong odor too. Deputy Wilson and Aaron were behind Josh, their guns also unholstered. At least they were ready should the kidnappers show up. Maya didn’t think there was anyone in the van.
