Page 66 of Scent of Peril

Doug and Logan didn’t waste a second covering the distance. Doug held his weapon on Big Al as Logan grabbed the guy and tossed him down on the ground. She was impressed, as Big Al had fifty pounds and several inches on Logan.

“Release, Teddy,” she said. Her K9 did so, backing away while keeping his dark eyes centered on Big Al.

She stepped forward to envelop Teddy in a hug. “You’re a good boy.”

Teddy wagged his tail in agreement.

“You’re the one who sent Benton a.k.a. Karl Matthews to me, didn’t you?” Logan demanded as Doug frisked the guy, findingand tossing a handgun to the side. “You were helping him move drugs all this time!”

“I—don’t know what you’re talking about,” Big Al sputtered.

“Save it,” Doug said wearily. “We’ve already neutralized Kevin Tinley and Benton/Matthews. You’re under arrest and have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” Doug continued to issue the Miranda warning, but ended it by adding, “Know that if we find drugs or the components to make drugs on your plane, you are toast. I suggest you cooperate with the investigation or risk serving a life sentence in federal prison. Your choice.”

Big Al didn’t answer. But the expression in his eyes indicated he might be taking Doug’s suggestion to heart.

She turned toward Teddy. “Search! Search for peppers!”

Logan grinned and opened the door of the plane. Teddy went to work sniffing along the ground, then trotting toward the plane. Her K9 gracefully leaped inside, then let out a sharp bark.

Peering into the plane, she saw there were several boxes piled in the back. Teddy was sitting beside them, watching her.

She forced a smile for her K9’s sake. “Good boy!” She pulled out the moose, showed it to him, then tossed it away from the plane. Teddy lunged forward, jumping down from the plane and tearing after the stuffed toy.

“Well, well, looks like you’re going to be doing time for transporting drugs,” Doug said. He grabbed Big Al’s cuffed wrists and hauled him to his feet. “Let’s go.”

“Wait, I’ll cooperate!” Big Al said, fear lining his voice. “I’ll tell you what I know!”

“Good. We’ll talk more once you’re assigned a lawyer, but I do need to know one thing.” Doug stopped Big Al, forcing the man to look at him. “Is there anyone else within law enforcement involved?”

Jess held her breath again, waiting for Big Al’s answer. “Just Kevin Tinley. He made sure no one bothered us here at the mine.”

Doug held the cuffed man’s gaze for a long moment, then nodded. “Okay then. Let’s go.”

Teddy trotted to her side with the stuffed moose. She took the toy, then kneeled beside her dog, giving him a long hug. When she stood, Logan caught her close. They stood entwined in each other’s arms for a long moment.

Grateful their perilous mission was finally over.

Logan didn’t wantto let Jessica go, but when he realized Doug was waiting for them, he forced himself to step back. There was so much he wanted to say, to explain, but this wasn’t the best time. He cleared his throat. “I guess we need to head back to the Cabin Creek Campsite.”

“Yeah.” She went up on her tiptoes and brushed a kiss over his lips. He was surprised and would have pulled her back into his arms, but Teddy wedged himself between them. “Okay, Teddy. We’re going.”

Doug’s voice came through his earpiece as he updated the rest of the group. Before he’d finished speaking, Game Warden Eddie Marsh rode toward them. Right behind him, on Kevin Tinley’s horse, rode Sergeant Wayne Carter.

“Big Al?” Eddie’s expression was full of disappointment. “What in tarnation were you thinking?”

Big Al bent his head and stared at the ground.

Wayne looked surprised too. “We sent a team into the mine to see if anyone else was hiding in there.”

Logan frowned. “The radio doesn’t work down there, and cell phones probably don’t either.”

Wayne nodded. “I know. Now that we know you have everything under control here, we’ll head back.”

Logan noticed Big Al was looking off to the right. He followed the pilot’s gaze. “Wait. If they’re bringing their cargo in by plane, there could be another entrance out here.”

“Teddy, search! Search for peppers!” Jess commanded.

The dog went to work, sniffing along the ground for a long minute before trotting to the right.

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