Page 1 of Saving Dakota

CHAPTER ONE

"He's been missing for eight days now, as far as we can tell." Able, one of the elders explained to Dakota. "His sister Paula lost touch with him on Sunday, and she hasn't heard anything since." Dakota understood that Eric had gone south to lower Michigan to the Traverse City area on a short fishing trip with his friend Ivy.

"What about Ivy? Has she been contacted?" He asked.

"No, neither of their phones are active. Ivy often fails to pay her bill, and her phone gets shut off, but Eric never lets his phone out of his sight, and it is always on. Paula reported him missing on day five, but the police in Traverse City don't seem to be taking it very seriously. They think he's a runaway."

"He's nineteen. How can he be a runaway." Dakota shook his head.

"Any answer is good enough if you don't care." Able looked away and walked over to take a seat on one of the straight-back chairs in the main room of the Tribal Police Station.

“Why didn’t Paula come to us?” Dakota asked curious as to why she didn’t seek their assistance sooner.

“She thought she had to contact the police station nearest to where he was last seen.

“Yes, but we can also help. I’ll look into it and get back to you this evening.” Dakota promised.

“Thank you, Dakota. Eric is a good kid, and I’d hate for something terrible to happen to him.”

"I'll do everything I can, sir," Dakota swore.

"I know you will." The old man stood and patted Dakota on the shoulder, then turned and left without further discussion. Dakota had his work cut out for him. He needed to have something to present to the family by evening.

Dakota Winters held the rank of Detective Lieutenant at the Lac Vieux Desert Reservation Department of Public Safety also referred to as Tribal Police. He’d been an officer for the past four years and at Twenty-three years old was one of the youngest to reach that level of rank. He was good at his job, and he took pride in serving.

The situation with Eric was not uncommon, and often, as the police in Traverse City claimed, it was a case of a person simply wanting to get away from their home, family, responsibilities, or perceived pain; it could be anything. But Able wasn't one to raise the alarm for no reason, and he was not one to jump to conclusions. If he believed there was a problem, then there was a problem. He was the tribal shaman and was intuitive and able to see things that many others did not.

After speaking with Paula and a few of Eric's friends, he found out that he'd intended to stay no longer than a couple of weeks in the Traverse City area, camping, and fishing with Ivy before returning. He had a job lined up at the casino, which was to begin on Monday, and he wouldn't have missed that. It was a dealer position for which he'd already completed the trainingand was eager to become part of the team. It was a good job with good pay and benefits.

The police station in Traverse City did not provide much and their disinterest in the case was made obvious. They reported that both Eric and Ivy had checked out of the motel where they’d been staying on Sunday. That was the same day that Paula lost contact with Eric.

According to the officer he was speaking with, the attendant at the motel told him that Eric mentioned they were going further south. The investigation was left there. Everything they had was half-assed and barely there, and Dakota was not filled with confidence in regard to their concern for the welfare of this young man.

They were convinced he simply wanted to get away from the reservation and his people were overreacting. It was a belief they were not willing to budge on and Dakota figured he needed to pick up this case himself and that’s what he reported to Paula and Able when he met with them that evening.

“As you know, I’ll have to do this on my own with no backing of the force. I will have no jurisdiction, but my position should afford me some respect and access.” Dakota explained. “It looks to me like he may have headed in the direction of Mt. Pleasant. Ivy has family there and reported sightings have placed them near that area. I’ll start in Traverse and head south from there and will keep you updated.” He promised.

He felt for Paula, who, at ten years Eric's senior, had taken custody of the young man when he was eleven and had worked hard as a single woman to raise a strong and emotionally healthy young man. There had been too much tragedy in that family, and he wasn't going to give up on Eric without a fight.

“Come to my place tonight and I will prepare you.” Able told him before parting and Dakota agreed. Able was their shaman and a deeply spiritual individual with powers that went well beyond the natural. He would provide Dakota with blessings and protections for the journey.

“Things have been pretty quiet these last few weeks. I think I could get used to it.” Terrance commented as he and Raul headed for the Zen Bar. They ran the local private investigation office in downtown Mt. Pleasant. It was a cover the Coven used to keep a presence in the town proper and also be on the cutting edge of any problems that might arise.

They had been field agents for most of their careers but came home when the opportunity presented itself. Raul had since found his beloved while working a local job involving rogue wolves, but Terrance had yet to find his forever lover. Raul's beloved Colin was a lovely young man, and the center of Raul's life, and Terrence often found himself anxious to have some of what those two owned.

The love, support, and sense of owning someone’s heart touched Terrance and he wanted it all. But as always Fate worked in her own time and the years passed and Terrance was still alone. Soldiers and leaders and even Chef Reid found their forever lover and Terrance was left watching and waiting.

He took a job in Detroit and even accompanied the Coven Second to a meeting in Los Angeles in the hope of maybe connecting with his beloved, but each time, he returned alone. He decided that Fate would bless him when the time was right, and he needed to get his mind off the fact that everyone was finding the one except for him.

“Colin and I are going to the country house for the weekend. We’d love to have you join us if you don’t have other plans.” Raul mentioned as they entered the Zen and took a seat at the bar.

“Why would you want me to come along on a romantic weekend?” Terrance shook his head. “I’m not that pathetic, am I?" He laughed.

"Colin worries about you, Terrance. He said you're spending too much time alone."

"I appreciate his concern for me and your willingness to allow him to invite me along on this getaway, but honestly, I'm fine." Terrance was touched by their thoughtfulness but smiled when Raul patted him on the shoulder.

“I would have loved to have to come along but I have to admit I was looking forward to having Colin all to myself in those dark woods.” He laughed and Terrance joined.

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