Page 30 of Scent of Death

When she was finished in the bathroom, she opened the door and almost walked right into a woman waiting. “Oh, sorry,” Alexis hastily apologized.

“No problem.” The woman tipped her head to the side. “You’re Alexis Sullivan, right? You tutored my son in history a few years ago. Kenny? Kenny Tripp?”

“Oh, of course! Nice to see you again, Mrs. Tripp.” Kenny was one of five students she’d tutored during her senior year. Kyle, Kenny, David, Tyler, and Steve. “How’s Kenny doing?”

“He’s great!” Mrs. Tripp’s eyes brightened with pride. “He’s in his second year of college at Wyoming State.”

“I’m so happy for him.” Alexis was glad to know her tutoring Kenny had helped. “Tell him I said hi.”

“I will. Take care.” Mrs. Tripp scooted around her to duck inside the lady’s room.

Alexis hurried back outside. Kenny had been a decent kid. Really, they all had. Steve had been the quietest of the group, more withdrawn than the others. Tyler had struggled the most, despite her help, and after a few months of tutoring, he’d stopped coming. Last she’d heard, he’d dropped out of high school. Kyle and David had done okay, though.

Shaking off thoughts of the past, which seemed like another lifetime, Alexis hovered at the main entrance. After watching the street from the doorway for a moment, she headed out. She wanted to run but forced herself to walk calmly around the corner of the building to where the parking lot was located.

As she joined Joel, she glanced at her watch again. Griff and Justin had been gone for twelve minutes.

She lifted her gaze to the sunny sky and silently asked God to keep them safe.

“I recommend this one.”Justin thrust the box at Griff. “Do you want two just in case?”

“Sure.” Griff waited for Justin to grab a second camera.

“Buy a hammer and some nails too,” Justin suggested. “I have plenty of gear but no tools in the car.”

Griff picked those items up, too, then he turned toward the cash register. He hadn’t been separated from Alexis since she’d found the bodies and was struck by how much it had bothered him to leave her behind.

He used the self-checkout register and used his personal credit card rather than his government-issued credit card. His boss haggled over every charge ad nauseam to the point he found it easier to submit a receipt for reimbursement. Granted, that process tended to take longer, but he didn’t care.

Outside, he led the way to the back sides of the building to avoid being seen by the people and cars moving up and down the main street. The trip back to the Attwell Restaurant didn’t take too long, and when he saw Joel and Alexis standing outside the SUV, a wave of relief washed over him.

“You’re back.” Her blue eyes lit up when she saw him.

Griff longed to pull her into his arms but managed to hold back. The last thing he wanted was for her brothers to think he might take advantage of her. He smiled and nodded. “I have two cameras. Justin described how they work; it’s good they have batteries rather than needing to be charged up. We’re set.”

“Great.” Alexis turned to her brothers. “Let me know when the evidence has been dropped off.”

“That’s my line,” Griff said mildly. Alexis blushed but didn’t argue. “I would like to know as soon as the lab has tested the dog food. Make sure you let them know it’s related to this serial killer case.”

“Okay.” Justin opened the back hatch for the labs, taking a moment to give them water.

Joel hesitated. “Are you sure you don’t want me and Royal to come with you?”

“I’m sure.” Griff wouldn’t mind back up, but three people and two dogs would be more noticeable. “Thanks, though. You’re helping by getting the evidence to the lab.”

“I think we’ll head down Main Street,” Justin drawled. “Maybe this guy will follow us instead of you.”

“Works for me,” Joel said.

Alexis frowned. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You need to take the back roads the way we are.”

Griff kept silent, even though part of him liked the idea of a diversion. Not that he wanted to put any of the Sullivans in danger. Either way, he figured the twins would do what they wanted. Every Sullivan he’d interacted with over the past few years had a stubborn streak. He doubted Justin and Joel were any different.

Joel turned toward Alexis, then gave her a brotherly hug. “Be careful, sis.”

“I will.” Alexis hugged him back. “You too. I hope you find that hiker. Come, Denali.”

As always, Griff was impressed at how well trained the Sullivan K9s were. Denali trotted to Alexis’s side. She offered Denali water as well, and the dog lapped eagerly. When Denali finished, Alexis took a moment to hug her dog, stroking her fur before stepping back.

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