Page 35 of Chasing Creed

“That would make sense.”

“What happens now?”

“The State Patrol’s mobile crime lab will be there in the morning. I’m meeting Sheriff Norwich for a late breakfast to go over everything. But I think you and Jason and the dogs should head back in the morning.”

He waited for her to put up a fuss and insist she not be treated any differently. That whole argument about how they were all part of the same team.

Instead, she said, “That sounds good. I'm ready to go home.”

She petted and hugged Grace while he tried to wipe the surprise from his exhausted face. That was the first time he’d ever heard her call their place “home.”

Then she told him, “Goodnight” and shuffled back through the adjoining doorway. He heard her go into the bathroom. Waited until the toilet flushed and the sink faucet turned off.

His cell phone buzzed. He glanced at the caller ID and quietly pulled the door between the two rooms, leaving it open a crack. Then he crossed the room to the easy chair by the window and answered.

“Hey, Maggie.”

“Did I wake you?”

“No,” but he rubbed his eyes as he said it. Suddenly, sitting down in this chair in the soft light and quiet, he realized how tired he was. “Grace and I just got to the hotel room a little while ago.”

The little dog didn’t even raise her head. She curled up against the headboard. He could barely see her buried in the pillows.

“How’s Nebraska?”

“You won’t be surprised to hear this. It’s snowing here.”

“I thought when you landed it was raining?”

“And then ice and now snow.”

“So, they knew you were coming.”

She laughed. It didn’t last. She was serious when she said, “You sound really exhausted. Tough search?”

“Tough day.” He told her about the messy scene and the sheriff’s ambivalence. It felt good to talk to someone who understood completely without much explanation. Maggie had been through plenty of similar situations. He mentioned the drone they found tangled in the brush. When he told her about Brodie, he tried to leave his emotions aside and keep it to the fact that she was being a good sport about all of it.

She was quiet for a beat too long. His jaw tensed, preparing to say he didn’t want to talk about it.

Then she said, “Tell me about the drone.”

“Jason said it wasn’t a hobby one. Also, Grace led us to it.”

“So, it might have been carrying drugs?”

“Jason was concerned it might have explosives on board. Said cartels have been weaponizing their drones. Almost like they’re militarizing them.”

She was quiet again.

“Jason’s right. I’ve seen reports. Cartels would rather blow up the drone and even the drugs on board if they’re found by law enforcement or someone other than their pickup person. I’m glad you left it alone. Where did you say you found this?”

“In one of the pastures. This place hasn’t been cared for in a long time. The sheriff said it was abandoned decades ago. If it wasn’t for a hunter and his dog, no one would probably have found our missing person’s vehicle. Or that drone. You think the two are connected?”

“Let’s see, a cartel drone and a bloody crime scene with nothing else around for miles?”

“I think the drone was still active.”

“What do you mean?”