Page 50 of Scent of Peril

“I was surprised Teddy growled like that. Can that dog smell through walls or what?” Logan asked.

“I’m sure he heard something,” Jess mused. “Although it’s interesting that he responded to whatever that was with a low growl. He doesn’t usually overreact to strange noises.”

Logan considered that for a moment. “Maybe the gunman made some sound he recognized.”

“Maybe,” Jess agreed.

“Okay, you guys stay here. Which room were you in?” Wayne asked. “I need to check out what’s left of it.”

Logan gave him the number. Wayne nodded and moved out from behind the desk to cross the lobby. When he reached the hallway, he looked both ways before heading in the correct direction.

Logan gestured toward the plush chairs and sofa overlooking the fireplace. “We may as well sit for a while. We won’t be usingour room from this point forward.” As far as he was concerned, he wasn’t going to stay in a hotel again for a very long time.

“Sure.” She followed him over but then looked down at Teddy. “He probably needs to go out.”

“Okay, hang on. We’ll take Wayne or Officer Norman with us.” Logan strode quickly down the hall toward their room.

Wayne and Officer Norman stood just inside the doorway, surveying the damage. It looked worse with the lights blazing, shards of glass littering the beds where they’d been sleeping. If Teddy hadn’t woken them, he had no doubt they’d have been shot and killed.

The dog too.

While he knew it was a crime scene, he had no intention of leaving their backpacks and outer gear behind. For one thing, they would need it for their trek back up the mountain, especially Teddy’s K9 vest. Plus, Jess had other supplies in there. She’d want to feed Teddy breakfast before they headed out.

“Jess needs to take Teddy outside, and I’d like a police escort.” He reached for their coats and then the backpacks. “The gunman may not have gone far enough for my peace of mind.”

“Okay.” Wayne frowned but didn’t argue when he gathered their personal items together. “Technically, those should stay.”

“Not happening.” Logan lifted his chin to the small holes in the wall. “Those bullets are the only evidence you’ll need.” He stared at the broken glass for a minute. It was strange that the gunman had known their exact location. And if so, why had he fired through the window rather than going through the lobby? “There’s no reason for us not to have our things.”

“I guess you’re right. The crime scene techs have been getting enough of a workout over these past few days.” Wayne shook his head as he reached for Jessica’s backpack to lighten Logan’s load. “Feels like January with Doug Bridges searching for his missing sister all over again.”

Logan nodded in understanding. Cody didn’t normally have this level of crime. None of the cities in Wyoming did. It was one of the biggest reasons people flocked to the area.

And it was also why these drug dealers had chosen a remote area to produce their illegal trade. If that’s what they were up to.

He followed Wayne back to the lobby.

“Thanks.” Jess took her pack from Wayne, setting it on the chair. Then she reached for her coat. Teddy stood staring at the front door as if willing it to open. Or maybe willing him and Jess to read his mind about his need to go out. The dog was smart, no doubt about that. Logan drew on his coat.

Wayne led the way, opening the door for Jess and Teddy.

The two police cruisers and an SUV sat outside the front of the hotel. Hopefully, they were enough of a deterrent for the gunman.

“Get busy, Teddy,” Jess said. The dog trotted over to lift his leg on the squat bushes lining the front of the property.

“I take it you’ve called Doug?” Wayne asked.

“I did, yes.” Jess watched her dog. “I told him there was no rush, but I suspect he’ll show up soon. At this rate, we should plan on heading out at first light.”

“This trip is likely to be full of peril.” Wayne’s expression was grim. “We’ll need to be on full alert.”

That’s putting it mildly, Logan thought. But he didn’t comment. What could he say? There was no getting around the fact that Teddy was their best chance of finding this guy. And there’s no way in the world Jess would let the dog go with anyone else.

All he could do was hope and pray that by this time tomorrow the danger would be over for good.

12

Jess settled into the sofa across from the fireplace in the lobby and hugged Teddy close. She knew Wayne was right about the looming danger. Her primary concern was her dog. And Logan.

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