Page 65 of Scent of Peril

“Whoa, what’s this about?” Kevin pretended to look upset, but he was a terrible actor. With every word, he sounded more and more like the ski-mask guy. Seeing him standing there, she could easily match him with the perp who’d been in the cave.

There must be more than two ways in and out of the mine since Shane and Bryce were standing guard over the one they’d located.

Kevin abruptly dove to the right, hitting the ground and rolling away. She noticed he had his gun in hand, but he was a second too late. Doug fired several rounds, calmly following Kevin’s rolling body. Until it stopped moving and the gun dropped from the game warden’s hand.

She blinked, stunned. Then she turned toward Doug. “How did you figure out he was involved? Did you pick up on Teddy’s growling? I tried to alert Logan, but you weren’t within reach.”

“Teddy was part of the reason, but also because Kevin wasn’t on his horse.” Doug crossed over to kick the dropped weapon away, then bent to feel for a pulse. He stood and sighed. “And when you mentioned the nasal voice, I immediately thought of Tinley. He mentioned his broken nose one night when we were working a case. Between Teddy’s growling, his nasal voice, and his missing horse, I just knew.”

She nodded slowly. “You’re one smart guy.”

Doug flashed a grin. “Make sure you remind Maya of that.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. Which was probably what Doug had intended. Her oldest sister, Maya, was head over heels in love with her husband. Their love glowed strong between them. Doug and Maya, as well as Chase and Wynona, had the kind of relationship their parents had shared.

The type of relationship she wanted to have.

Which made her think of Logan.

He slipped his arm around her waist, dredging up a smile. “I knew what you were trying to tell me when you cut off the circulation in my arm. I was reaching for my weapon, but Doug was faster.”

“I knew you’d understand.” She hugged him back, then frowned. “Two bad guys are down, but we still don’t know how many others might be involved.”

In the distance, she caught the faint sound of a small plane engine. Lifting her head, she scanned the sky. Their view was limited, due to their standing so close to the side of the mountain. “Logan, do you hear that?”

“Oh yeah.” His expression turned grim. “Doug? We need to get to the airstrip. I think I know who’s been helping these guys.”

“Big Al?” she asked.

“I believe so, yes,” Logan agreed. “Although it could be one of the other charter companies.”

Doug nodded and put his hand to his ear. “Game Warden Kevin Tinley was involved but has been neutralized. I need some officers to stay here near the mine while the rest of us head to the airstrip to intercept that plane.” Doug looked at Logan as he added, “Logan will lead the way.”

“Come, Teddy.” She felt bad about not giving her K9 a rest. Teddy gazed up at her, his tail wagging as if to reassure her he was fine.

Doug gestured for them to go first. Rather than heading up the steep incline she’d slid down on her butt, they headed in the same direction Kevin Tinley had come from. As they walked, she swept her gaze over the mountainside, searching for another entrance to the mine.

Burt Jones strode toward them. “You want me to watch the other entrance?”

“Please.” Doug clapped him on the back. “Be careful. We didn’t see anyone else inside, but we don’t know how Kevin got out of there.”

Burt looked somber. “Will do.”

Logan kept a brisk pace. The sound of the plane engine grew louder now, and as the trees around them thinned, she caught a glimpse of the approaching aircraft.

It was heading in their general direction. And the clearing was large enough to be used as a landing strip. Logan pulled her toward a cluster of trees. “Stay down. It’s better if he doesn’t see us coming.”

She, Teddy, and Doug huddled in the trees beside him. The plane grew larger and larger as it coasted in for a landing. She found herself holding her breath until the bird came to a full stop.

And even then, Logan held back. “There’s only one man, the pilot,” he whispered. “Which means he’s involved.”

“Understood,” Doug whispered back.

The minute Big Al jumped down from the pilot’s seat, Logan shot forward. “Stop! Hands up where I can see them!”

Big Al whirled and tried to jump back into the plane. Without giving herself time to think, she commanded Teddy, “Get him!”

Teddy shot out from the trees directly toward Big Al. The dog grabbed his leg, clamped down tight, and planted all four of his feet, adding his eighty pounds to the effort of holding Big Al back.

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