Page 10 of Deadly Revenge
Chapter Eight
Juniper came back over to Maya and shoved the ball against her leg, pushing it, begging for Maya to throw it for her. It was hard to turn her down. If there weren’t a fire heading their way and a possible kidnap victim, then she would have given in and thrown the ball a few more times.
“Sorry, girly,” Maya said. “You need to drop it.”
Juniper tilted her head, asking if Maya really wanted her to do that.
“Drop it,” Maya repeated. With a heavy sigh, Juniper spat the toy out. “You get to track again.”
Juniper perked up. Maya clipped Juniper’s leash back on and they returned to the trail. She hoped they would be able to find the scent again and that they could find this missing teen. Backup would be good, but this fire was moving fast and by the time someone arrived, everyone could be dead. Maya needed to find this couple and girl. Juniper would be her backup.
Whoever these people were and whatever reason they took the girl, they were certainly not betting on a K-9 finding this phone. There was no cell signal in the area, so before Maya cast Juniper out, she radioed dispatch.
“This is FS 28. I believe we have a kidnapped child. I’ll be tracking with K-9 Juniper to see if I can locate the missing child.”
There was a moment of silence as one of the dispatchers probably had to stop thinking about the fire and switch gears.
“Roger that, FS 28. Be advised, the fire is moving fast in your direction.”
“10–4. There’s a phone number to trace. Might be a relative of the missing child or someone who can provide more information.”
Maya recited the phone number and signed off. Once they were back in cell service, Maya decided she might also call the number. Maybe even with good news that she and Juniper had found this girl. Maya turned to Juniper.
“Let’s see if you can go find ’em,” Maya said, allowing some slack in the leash and sending Juniper out in the direction where she’d last had a scent. Juniper’s body language immediately changed. “Good girl. Let’s go. Find ’em.”
Muscles tight and nose to the ground, Juniper lunged ahead. Maya was ready for the sudden movement that was like a racehorse coming out of a starting gate. When they’d first partnered, Juniper had taken Maya by surprise with the way she shot off starting a track. Now, Maya was ready and fell into a steady jog to keep up.
They wound their way through the trees. Maya had to stay quick on her feet as rocks jutted up on the trail or tree roots provided a tripping hazard. Luckily,she was used to this environment and able to navigate it while keeping up with her dog. The smell of smoke increased and a few ashes flew by them as a breeze picked up.
Please don’t get too windy. I need Juniper to be able to keep tracking and less wind will help the firefighters gain control over this fire.
Maya’s radio crackled.
“FS 28. Please evacuate immediately.”
She ignored them for now. The area she suspected the couple might be holding the girl was not far ahead.
Juniper surprised her, though, with a sudden turn on another trail. Maya kept up with her dog, but knew that the fire was gaining momentum and they’d need to turn around soon. And she’d also need to check in with the dispatchers. If she didn’t radio back that would create another situation with an officer not answering.
Just a little bit farther. I have to try. There’s lives at stake.
They continued their steady pace until Juniper arrived at an area where it was obvious someone had been camping. There were tire tracks indicating a vehicle had been there too. While this wasn’t the area Maya was thinking of, there was access to several roads. Disappointment that no one was there flooded her. The kidnappers had probably been spooked when they were seen at the campground.
Maya coughed as the air thickened with smoke. It was dense and to the point she and Juniper needed to get out of there. It wasn’t good for either of theirlungs, but with Juniper sucking in air to work, it was even worse for her.
“FS 28 to dispatch.”
“Go, FS 28.”
“Campground is empty. I’m calling the search for now and heading out,” Maya said, trying to keep her message short to keep airwaves open. Normally, being in such a small town and mountain area, she didn’t worry about that, but right now with the fire, there would be a lot of chatter.
“Roger that, FS 28.”
The only good thing about not finding anyone was that if they followed the roads that led to this area, then they’d be driving away from the fire. The roads were closed by other agencies like State Patrol. If they could get more information, she could issue a BOLO. Maybe they’d get lucky and the kidnappers would drive by one of the officers manning the road. When there was a kidnapped child, time was of the essence.
Abigail Harper leaned back against the cold, drab concrete block in her prison cell. A cell phone was tucked into a hole in her mattress. She’d just received an update. She’d told Jake and Vicki that the local officers still on her payroll had seen the little snot vaping every day during her summer school lunch hour. Taking her had been easy, but the stupid girl did have more gumption than she’d expected. Other than that, everything was going according to plan.
Abigail had been sitting in this hellhole over the winter waiting for her trial and that was only going toend one way. The evidence in her case was as concrete as the walls surrounding her. Being a former detective, she knew that. But she also knew the system and people. Everyone had a breaking point and it often had to do with money—especially in the justice system.
