Page 63 of Scent of Peril

That wasn’t exactly an easy question to answer considering the dead guy lying in the tunnel behind them. He glanced at Jess, who sighed.

“We’re not hurt,” she answered. “One bad guy is down. The other unfortunately got away.”

“Down, how?” Doug asked.

“I—shot him.” There was a slight hitch to her voice. “He fired first but missed.”

“Good job,” Doug said. Yet Logan could tell the accolade didn’t make Jess feel any better. She’d need time to come to grips with what had transpired in the tunnel.

Taking a life was never easy. Even when done in self-defense.

Teddy darted ahead, disappearing around a curve. Alarmed, Logan quickened his pace, only to relax when Teddy returned, his tail wagging again.

A few minutes later, Doug appeared. He hadn’t used a flashlight, no doubt unsure of what he was walking into, but Teddy’s trusty nose had recognized him.

“It’s good to see you.” Doug bent to pet Teddy, then enveloped Jess in a one-armed hug. He gave Logan a solemn nod of thanks. “Appreciate your help on this Logan. Care to show me the dead guy?”

“Sure, but where are the others?” Logan peered behind him. “I thought Shane was bringing Bryce to help search?”

“He and Bryce happened to find the other entrance to the mine,” Doug explained. “So I told him to stay put until he heard from me. Granted, that was before I realized the radios didn’t work down here.” He shook his head. “I’m still getting used to operating in the middle of nowhere.”

“I get that. Good thing it all worked out.” He was just glad Shane and Bryce were okay. Doug too.

Their plan had worked. Granted, it had taken a bad turn when Jess had been forced into the mine by gunpoint, but at least they’d all survived. Logan glanced at Jess who didn’t appear thrilled at the idea of returning to the scene of the crime.

But she managed a wan smile. “Yes, I’ll take you back to where I shot Benton. I don’t think we have to worry about the nasal-voice guy.”

Doug’s gaze sharpened at the reference. “You didn’t recognize him?”

“He wore a ski mask, like Benton. His voice was lower, raspier and nasal comparatively speaking.” She shrugged as they turned to head back the way they’d come. “I’m sure I’ll recognize it again when I hear it.”

Teddy looked confused for a moment, then fell in beside her. “I’m sure you will,” Logan said. He glanced at the dog. “And Teddy might be able to identify him too.”

She nodded. “Before the shooting, Benton and Nasal Voice were arguing about their next steps. Nasal Voice wanted to leave everything behind to get out of here. Benton was not willing to leave the product behind. He mentioned they were already behind schedule.” She pointed to Logan, then to herself. “Presumably because they took time out to come and look for us.”

“I don’t like knowing one of them is on the loose,” Doug said grimly.

“I know.” Jess’s voice was subdued. “I feel bad I let him go.”

“You were great,” Logan said, defensively. “They almost killed you.”

“I’m not upset with you or Jessica,” Doug said quickly. “You both did amazing work here today. You’re not law enforcement like I am. It’ll be my job with help from the game wardens and other officers to track him down.”

They walked in silence for several minutes until they reached what he’d dubbed the storage room.

“These are all various components to make synthetic drugs,” Jess said. “Based on what I saw in the next room, I’m convinced they’re making fentanyl.”

Doug let out a low whistle. “There’s enough stuff here to make a million dollars’ profit, easy. Maybe more.”

Ella’s face flashed in Logan’s mind. He still didn’t quite understand why she’d decided to try drugs. Was it something she’d done before without his knowledge? Or had it been her first and last time?

He doubted they’d ever learn the truth about that night.

“Benton is lying outside the next room,” Jess said, breaking into his troubled thoughts.

They continued through the tunnel. They all ducked at the spot where the roof lowered. Even Jess.

“There, that’s him.” Logan played the beam of his flashlight over Benton’s body. “I only touched him to feel for a pulse, then to remove his mask.” He shrugged. “I probably shouldn’t have done that, but I wanted to know who he was.”

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