Page 18 of Seeking Evil

“Do you have the files digitized?” Cooper asked.

“We do. I’ll get them sent to each of you right away.”

Deb and Hannah brought in coffee.

“Food’s on the way,” Deb told them. “What can I do to help?”

“How about you bring out the whiteboard? We’ll use it to outline the cases,” Patrick told his wife.

Zeke couldn’t sit and go over files. He needed to be out there looking for Sierra. He’d eat when they got back. “Jack, I’d like to speak with the cabin owner. Maybe take a look around Sierra’s room. See if I can spot something out of place.”

Jack looked up from his laptop. “Take Cooper with you.”

“You got it.” Zeke headed for the door, and then realized he didn’t have a vehicle.

“I’ve got the keys to your rentals at my station.” Deb rose and went out to her workspace. She retrieved a set of keys. “Here you go. This is to one of the SUVs out front. License number is on the keyring.”

Zeke smiled. “Thanks, Deb.”

“You got it. Inez is a nice woman. She’s owned the cabins for decades. And she has her hand on the pulse of the community. Inez knows everything.”

“I look forward to talking to her.” Zeke headed out the door with Cooper.

“You want to let me drive?” His brother-in-law voiced the thought as a question but Zeke knew differently.

Zeke tossed the keys to him and got into the passenger side.

Cooper got in and started the Tahoe. “Take a breath, buddy.”

Zeke looked his way. He slowly released the tension inside. “You’re right. I’m okay.”

Cooper didn’t respond as he backed away from the station and headed out. “So, which way to the cabins?”

Zeke punched in the name and got directions. “Turn left up ahead. It’ll put us on Main Street. The cabins are at the edge of town on the right.”

Zeke kept replaying those final moments with Sierra. He’d been frustrated because he didn’t know how to help her. He’d missed what she really needed. Him.

“We’ll get her back,” Cooper murmured. “Then you can tell her what you should have said.”

Zeke prayed he had that opportunity.Take care of her, God. “Why do you think the kidnapper,” he couldn’t bring himself to say killer, “has started up again after so long?”

Cooper slowed to a stop at one of the lights. “He could’ve been incarcerated, or in a mental hospital. Maybe he moved away.”

Those were the usual answers. Yet none of those felt right.

“There it is.” Cooper spotted the sign for the Wind River Cabins and turned off. “I wonder if she’s open yet.”

The Tahoe’s time said it was five-thirty.

“I’ll check.” Zeke got out and tried the office door. Locked. No sign up front to announce the business hours. He returned to the SUV and noticed the diner next door was open. “Why don’t we ask at the diner next door, where Deb ordered the food. They’re open.”

“Let’s walk. I feel like I’ve been cooped up long enough.” Cooper got out and locked the Tahoe.

Together they crossed the parking lot separating the two establishments. A full moon was descending in the sky.

“When did Sierra take up mountain climbing?” Cooper asked curiously.

“Six months ago. Like everything, she throws herself into anything full speed. She’s quite good.” Sierra had taken him out on several climbs. Zeke enjoyed the challenge. He could understand why she loved it so much.

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