Page 98 of Race to Save Her

Katie put on her backpack in addition to her utility belt with her gun, extra ammo, and flashlight. It had been decided that McGaven was going to run the scene and then go back to the police impound to oversee what the car’s evidence had to tell them, and Chris would be Katie’s backup. The young deputy had proved he could handle anything. She saw him pull up behind her. He was also dressed as if he was going to be sent out on a military maneuver.

“Hey, Detective Scott. I mean, Katie.”

“You made good time, Chris,” she said.

He was a good officer who would keep them all safe. Trust wasn’t something given—it was earned.

Cisco was happy that he was going to do something important. It was obvious the dog was feeling the tension of the high stakes. He and Katie had been together for a while and been through things most people couldn’t imagine. It was the same for every mission for the Pine Valley Sheriff’s Department. They were ready.

Katie, Cisco, and Chris walked to the top of the gully where the car had been pulled out.

“You guys ready?” said McGaven. “I can’t say I’m envious.” He forced a smile, but there was some concern sweeping across his face.

“We’re all good,” she said, giving her partner a look that said, Yes, they’re just fine.

McGaven went to talk to John before he left. Katie watched a large white SUV roll up. Within seconds, Sheriff Scott stepped out. He was dressed in his uniform, his authority instinctive. His military-short grayish hair against his tanned face was magnetic as he walked with purpose up the road. Sometimes Katie was almost always surprised that this commanding sheriff was her uncle; she wanted to make him proud.

The officers made their respectful hellos to the sheriff.

Katie smiled. “Hi, Sheriff.”

“I’ve been briefed on the situation. Are you and Cisco going to search the forest?”

“Yes. It seems the driver, or the killer, would have taken that route instead of the road.”

The sheriff looked around the scene and walked to the edge of the ravine. He studied the main road in each direction. Cisco whined and wanted the sheriff to pet him, but it was working time.

“Be vigilant,” said the sheriff. “Make sure you have her back,” he said to Chris.

“Yes, sir.”

The sheriff gave a slight smile that only Katie really noticed and then he left. Katie turned her attention back to their job at hand. She pulled a rolled-up map from her backpack and unfolded it on the Jeep.

“Here’s where we are,” she said to Chris. “And you can see the two other crime scenes southeast from here.”

Chris studied the locations. “Looks like there’s a private road west of here.”

“Exactly. We’re going to search in a wide grid pattern until we reach it.” She ran her finger along the map to illustrate.

“What do you think we’ll find?” he said.

“Where the driver went and how he was able to disappear.” She looked at him. “He’s cocky now and that’s when killers slip up.” She saw McGaven was preparing to leave. “You ready?”

“Affirmative.”

Katie reached the top of the incline and began making her way down with Cisco. The dog easily navigated the terrain as if it were nothing. Chris slid down with ease and agility.

Once at the bottom the land began to level off. There was no indication of heavily muddy or standing water, which was a relief. Katie still had the image in her mind of when Cisco was stuck, but working an area that was like most searches they’d done before helped her to keep her mind on track. She stopped a moment and felt the air. There was a slight breeze wafting downwind, which worked in their favor. Chris appeared calm and hyperaware of their surroundings. He was instinctively in the back toward the left formation, which was perfect for Katie and Cisco.

Katie paused, turning her attention to the left, straight ahead, and then to the right. The trees were dense and some had fallen in previous storms, but it wasn’t typical for Pine Valley. There was a large amount of undergrowth, and small bushes resembling young trees were scattered among the large trunks. There wasn’t a straight road to follow. She’d have to use her handheld GPS to make sure they weren’t deviating off the route.

Once they were immersed in the depths of the forest, they wouldn’t be able to see anything except various shades of green. The tall trees acted as a canopy, blocking out the day’s light. But if you knew where to look, there would be signs of where someone had walked through to get to the private road: broken small branches, bent-over weeds and smaller foliage, as well as potential blood trails to help guide the K9 team.

Katie officially gave Cisco the German search command “such” and the dog instantly moved forward at a medium pace. His black fur almost disappeared in the denser parts of the forest, but he kept his sweeping rhythm as they all moved together as a team, slowing in areas heavy with undergrowth. Katie tried to imagine she had escaped from the car and was trying to get to a designated location. She decided to move slightly to the right as it seemed like a more natural route.

Cisco slowed his pace dramatically, seeming to show interest in something. He remained in an area that appeared to have been trampled. His body became rigid and his tail dropped.

“Wait,” she said. There was something.