Page 60 of Scent of Death

“Keep your headlights off,” Griff advised. “It’s getting dark, and the headlights can be seen from a distance. This road doesn’t appear to get much traffic. Three vehicles will be too noticeable.”

“Agree.” Paul nodded toward Cam. “Ready?”

“I’m in,” Cam agreed.

Griff went back to the SUV. The back hatch was still open, so he patted the floor of the crate. “Get in, girl.”

Denali didn’t move. She didn’t want to get in.

He tried again. “Up, Denali. Up. I promise we’re going to find her.”

Denali looked to where the deputies had pulled back out into the road. Even without the headlights, it was easy to see them. Griff hoped the taillights and running lights wouldn’t give them away.

“Up!” He patted the crate area.

Denali gathered herself and jumped up. Grateful, he closed the hatch and quickly slid in behind the wheel to follow the deputies.

When the deputies pulled over to the side of the road, Griff did the same. He released the hatch. By the time he pushed open his driver’s side door, Denali was already there, waiting.

The K9 was raring to go.

“There’s a two-track road to the right less than a mile up ahead,” Paul said when he’d crossed over to join them. “I think you should take Denali about three-quarters of the way, then cut into the woods. The more cover, the better.”

“Sounds good.” Dropping to one knee, he put his arm around the dog. “I need you to find Alexis, but you also have to promise to be careful. Don’t get hurt, okay?”

Denali stared up at him. He wanted to believe the dog understood but knew that was impossible. Still, he gave the dog a hug, hoping and praying this would turn out all right.

That he wouldn’t put Denali in danger for nothing.

He rose and went back to the SUV. The hatch was still open, and he rummaged around until he found water and a collapsible bowl. Thankfully, the Sullivans packed for every contingency.

After pouring some water in a bowl, he offered it to Denali. The dog lapped at it, then looked up at him again.

“Search bad guy.” He hoped the dog would follow his command. From what he’d learned since meeting the Sullivan siblings, each dog generally only listened to their specific handler. The K9s might be cross-trained in different search objectives, but they weren’t cross-trained to listen to others.

In this case, he didn’t have to worry. Denali wheeled around and trotted down the road. It was interesting that the K9’s nose was in the air, not sniffing along the ground.

Griff quickened his pace. The two deputies stayed back, giving the dog room to work.

He slowed when he realized the two-track was only a few feet ahead. He’d come closer than he’d intended, but that was okay. He’d backtrack a bit once they got into the woods.

“Denali,” he whispered. The K9 turned her head to look at him. “This way.” He tried to mimic the hand signal Alexis used to get the K9 to come.

He walked into the woods, keeping his gaze on Denali. “This way,” he repeated softly.

To his surprise, the dog turned and followed.

The darkness and foliage forced him to walk slower. He didn’t want to use his arms to move tree branches. Using the same cautious approach he used when hunting elk, he moved through the woods as stealthily as possible.

Denali did the same, her nose up in the air. Could she capture the remnants of Alexis’s scent in the air? That seemed like asking a lot.

Then again, Denali had amazed him before.

They walked for what seemed like forever before he caught a glimpse of a dark structure. He stopped and stood near a tall tree truck, peering through the darkness.

It was a cabin that blended incredibly well with the surrounding trees. He watched for a long moment but didn’t see any movement.

No lights either. Or a truck.

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