Page 48 of No Man Left Behind

He searched the area with his eyes first, then when he found nothing else, he took some photos and then moved around the clearing. No other evidence. The rope wouldn’t hold fingerprints, but it would be something more to add to the evidence they were collecting. More proof of hiding in the woods.

Garrett was the first one to arrive in the clearing, announcing his arrival with a cardinal call. Marcus pointed at the rope and then the tree. With a nod, Scooby moved beneath it, then hoisted himself up onto a branch. In moments, he was invisible to Marcus. Definitely a good hiding space.

As the rest of the team arrived, Marcus pointed up the tree. They all nodded, but no one spoke. Oz pointed in the direction he’d come with a shrug. A potential trail left by the asshole. They’d follow it through depending on what Scooby found.

When Scooby dropped to the ground a few minutes later, he grinned at them all and pulled an evidence bag out of his pocket. Marcus had ensured they were all equipped.

The bag contained a few more Afghan cigarette butts, a scrap of tan fabric, and a candy bar wrapper. Nothing that would help them find the man, but more proof that they would use to nail his ass in court.

Knowing Garrett would have taken pictures and recorded the evidence in place before moving it, Marcus pocketed the bag, and they moved out following Levi.

Sure enough, there were signs that someone had walked through the woods. Not an offense in Vermont. There were probably dozens of people who went off the trails on a regular basis. Most people in town had a healthy respect for the woods and knew how to stay safe.

Levi pocketed a dog toy, and Slick picked up a tennis ball as they walked deeper. Eventually, this direction would lead them to one of the roads leading to Phail.

It was an empty stretch of highway. Their asshole could have parked anywhere along there and walked in. Because people headed into the woods all the time, no one would have thought twice about seeing a car along the side of the road.

But they now knew his pattern.

Unless he knew they were in the woods now, he would follow that pattern. And that was how they’d take him down.

Elina watched Tansy and Tessa with awe. They were like a Special Ops team in how they coordinated the teams out searching and kept everyone in the loop.

Elina was useless there, so she rose to find some way to help. Maybe she could keep working on the renovation with someone.

At that moment, Graham entered the station with a huge box. The security system had arrived. She didn’t know him well, but he was a trusted member of Marcus’s circle. “Can I help you with installing that? I don’t have any experience, but I’m pretty good at following directions.”

Graham nodded, sympathy in his eyes. He knew she was trying to keep herself busy. “Sure. It’s definitely not a one-person job.”

He set the box on the floor and opened it up. Without a word, he passed her a few smaller boxes and then grabbed a tool belt. At the front door, he installed a keypad, explaining each step as they went.

She passed him tools and pointed the flashlight where he asked. “I appreciate you letting me help. I don’t do well with waiting.”

He laughed. “You mean you don’t do well with waiting when the guy you’re crazy about is off doing something dangerous?”

She had to laugh as well. “You’re exactly right.”

“Marcus is one of the best men I know. Since we arrived at Midnight Lake, he’s helped us many times. He’s pretty unflappable, and he’s good at his job. I imagine he was a kick-ass leader in the military. His teammates think the world of him and would do anything for him. He can handle himself.”

Pride filled her at this man’s words. “He impressed the hell out of me from the beginning.”

Graham waggled his eyebrows. “Is that what we’re calling it these days?”

Her skin flushed, but she laughed along. It was impossible not to. Graham continued to engage her in easy conversation while they installed another keypad on the backdoor. Then he led her through running wires around the windows and doors. “This will be the most secure station in the country by the time we’re done.”

She could believe it.

“I don’t have the interior cameras for the cells yet, but I do have the exterior cameras. I can do that part on my own, though.”

She rolled her eyes and picked up the camera boxes.

He frowned at her. “Are you sure you should be heading outside? Seems like this man might be focused on you. We don’t want to be giving him a target.”

“It actually seems like he’s focused on Marcus. I want to help ensure he’s protected.”

Graham’s grin was fierce. “I like you, Elina Vasquez. Hope you stick around.”

Warmth filled her as she smiled back. “I think I just might.”

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