Page 78 of Solid as Steele
Ryan handed it over to Owen.
They fell silent, and Mackenzie listened in as Owen brought Lieutenant Sage up to speed on the investigation. Ryan seemed to be listening too as he maneuvered the truck down winding roads. Owen gave a concise update, and his call ended in a matter of minutes. She waited for him to speak, but he shifted to watch out the windows.
She didn’t bother him or Ryan for the remainder of the drive but checked her email on Ryan’s SAT phone and found a report from Nick on Leach and Tovar in her inbox. Hoping to see a strong lead, she carefully read each report then slid forward between the seats. “I got Nick’s report on Leach and Tovar. Nothing we didn’t already know, but he said he’s still running algorithms and could have added information later.”
“I don’t get it,” Owen said. “Potential murder suspects aren’t usually this squeaky clean. They both have to be hiding something, and we’re missing it.”
“I get that feeling from Tovar for sure,” she said.
“We have to work harder to prove it.”
She didn’t see how much harder they could work, but they reached their destination so she dropped the subject.
Ryan parked in an area overlooking the rugged trailhead. His brothers pulled in closer to the opening leading into the secluded hunting grounds. Russ and Reid got out and added earbuds for their communication devices to their ears.
Ryan put in an earbud too and clipped a mic to his shirt. He bent his head foreword. “Yeah, I read you loud and clear, bro. Check in every five minutes. No exceptions.”
The men put on Kevlar vests and strapped on sidearms. Russ withdrew a rifle from a padded case. He gave Ryan a salute, and the pair set off down the trail. Ryan got binoculars out from the center console and rested his hands on the steering wheel to peer out the front window.
Time ticked by slowly. The air in the truck seemed to evaporate.
“I don’t like this waiting,” Mackenzie said. “How far will they go before determining it’s safe?”
“Based on our review of the satellite footage, they’ll keep hiking until they get a visual on Leach’s campsite. If they spot him, and he’s not on the offensive, they’ll give us the all clear.”
“Means we could be sitting here for some time,” Owen said.
“Yeah, but they’ll report in regularly, and that will help.”
Owen looked at Ryan. “You and your brothers seem to know what you’re doing.”
Ryan snorted. “You sound surprised.”
“I didn’t mean it that way. It was a compliment. Maybe I’ll take some survival classes with you when this is all over.”
“Be glad to have you. Not that you need many survival skills in the metro area. But the big one is coming, and we can help with that.”
Though Mackenzie didn’t want to think about it, he meant that Oregon residents should be preparing for a big earthquake that statistics said was overdue.
Mackenzie thought about how the last few days had played out. “I’ll come too. I was looking for peace and quiet on this trip and got adventure. If I’m hoping to do more adventurous things in the future, does that mean I’ll only get the peace and quiet?” She laughed.
Ryan joined in. “You always were the risk taker of the family.”
“I’ve lost that and want to get some of it back.”
Owen looked over the seat. “Nothing wrong with being risk averse. Means whoever’s in a relationship with you doesn’t have to worry.”
“No relationship planned.”
“Oh, come on.” Ryan rolled his eyes in the mirror. “The chemistry between you two is like mixing a beaker of the wrong items in a chemistry lab. Ready to explode at any time.”
Mackenzie didn’t know how to respond. Owen obviously didn’t either as he clamped his lips closed and turned back to the front.
“Fine,” Ryan said. “Keep ignoring it. Why, I don’t know. You’re two single consenting adults who could find happiness together.” Ryan touched his microphone and tilted his head. “Roger that.”
“Your brothers?” Owen asked.
Ryan nodded. “They’re moving out of sight. No sign of Leach.” He lifted his binoculars. “You really think he’s your guy, or are you liking the truck driver more?”
