Page 46 of Scent of Peril

“I’ll get in touch with Griff Flannery from the FBI.” Doug pulled out his phone. “I’m the closest thing to a DEA agent in the area. My current role is that of a criminal investigator for the state of Wyoming, but my boss is trying to change that to include a broader jurisdiction. Sounds like he has support from the FBI office.”

“Really?” Jess sounded surprised. “What does Maya think about that?”

“She’s fine with whatever I’d like to do. Especially since it hasn’t happened yet.” Doug grinned wryly and tapped a button on his phone. “But if this ends up being the big drug bust that I think it is, that will likely seal the deal. It’s not good that highly potent drugs are finding their way into our cites.”

Logan dropped down onto the edge of the bed, listening as Doug connected with the FBI office in Cheyenne. He was slightly reassured that others would be going along with them on this trip. Yet it would also take Agent Flannery a while to get there.Even if he chose to come by plane. Which now that Logan thought about it was the better option.

A glance at his watch had him doing the math. The hour was going on three in the afternoon, so the earliest they could get strike out to head back up to the mountain was first thing in the morning.

He could only hope and pray the trip back to the wilderness wouldn’t turn out to be their last.

11

Jess was impressed at how Doug managed to get the FBI agent from Cheyenne along with a game warden and several local police officers from Cody, including Sergeant Wayne Carter, to accompany them to the mountain.

“I’m surprised the local cops will have jurisdiction outside of Cody,” she said when Doug had finished with the arrangements.

“They’ll be deputized by the FBI as adjunct officers.” Doug shrugged. “They do that quite a bit out here. I would rather involve cops I know we can trust than adding the sheriff’s deputies I’ve never met to the list.”

Jess knew Doug was still upset at how he’d learned about a dirty cop being involved in his sister’s kidnapping back in January. So she didn’t blame him for being leery about adding unknown cops to the list. Back then, drugs had been the underlying reason for Emily’s kidnapping.

The arrests Doug had made back then may have slowed things down, but it was obvious the drug trade had been rejuvenated by Benton and his pals. And Ethan Dover had paid the price.

She really wished she knew why he was murdered.

“I hope we have enough people,” Logan said. When she looked at him in surprise, he scowled. “We don’t have any idea how many bad guys are up there.”

“Speaking of getting up there, what are your thoughts?” Doug asked. “Flying in might attract attention.”

Logan grimaced. “I have a plane we can use, but I agree that would be like announcing our arrival. I think we should drive to the Cabin Creek Campsite and go in by foot from there.”

“It will be a long hike,” Jess said. “But I agree, that’s probably better than flying.”

“Okay, then.” Doug rose. “Now that we have everything set up to go for early tomorrow morning, I’m heading back to the ranch.” He paused, glancing at Jess. “Unless you think I need to stick around here?”

“No need,” she hastened to reassure him. “I’m sure we’re safe.”

Logan frowned but didn’t offer an argument.

“You have my number if you need anything.” Doug bent to give Teddy a pat. “And the local police will be on high alert too.”

She didn’t bother pointing out that there would be only two officers on duty overnight. She and Logan had Teddy as an extra layer of protection. “Thanks again, Doug. I will feel better once we get back on that mountain to find this guy.”

“I just hope we find him before he finds us,” Logan said, following Doug to the door.

“That reminds me, I’ll need you to bring a handgun from the ranch for me to use tomorrow.” Jess glanced down at Teddy. “Logan is right that we need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. He has a weapon, but I didn’t bring one along.”

Doug hesitated. “I assume you know how to use it?”

She arched a brow. “Do you really think Maya and Chase wouldn’t make sure we could all hit what we’re aiming at?”

“Okay, okay.” Doug grinned. “I know Maya is a crack shot and so is Chase. I should have known the rest of you would be well versed in using firearms too.”

“Thanks.” She sank back down onto the bed as Doug left and Logan closed the door and shot the deadbolt home.

“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” Logan said.

She suppressed a sigh. “We’ve been over this Logan. Doug has involved several law enforcement agencies as support for the mission. Besides, what’s the alternative? This guy will only continue to target us if we don’t put an end to this.”

---