Page 15 of Scent of Death

“Yes.” Griff handed it over. Joel carefully picked up the shell casing, then passed the bag back. Griff examined it, then glanced back up at the branch overhead. “I hope the lab is able to match this with our previous casing.”

She nodded. “I’m sure it’s the same guy, but having proof would be nice.”

“This was definitely his perch.” Joel backed out of the brush, taking a moment to pluck the prickers from his clothes. Then he rewarded Royal a second time. “Good boy!”

Denali glanced up at her, as if asking why she was left out of the game. Alexis stroked her fur. “Next time.”

Denali wagged her tail as if in agreement.

“Let’s head back to the cars.” Griff pocketed the second shell casing, then frowned. “I confess, I wasn’t paying attention to my compass.”

“I was,” Joel said. “We’ll find our way back, no problem.”

“I double-checked our location too.” Alexis turned to follow Joel.

“I feel like a dope,” Griff muttered, his cheeks red. “I was too focused on watching the trees to make sure he didn’t jump out at us.”

“You’re not a dope, verifying our location is second nature for those of us using K9s to track scents.” She managed a weary smile. “It only takes one time getting lost before you make it a habit.”

“I can imagine.” Griff shook his head. “I have a lot to learn about what you and your siblings do.”

She didn’t know how to answer that, so she fell silent. While there was no hurry, she’d noticed Joel set a brisk pace. She didn’t mind, and glancing at Griff, she was relieved he wasn’t limping.

When they reached the clearing, she moved toward her vehicle. “Hey, Griff? I need the key.”

“I’d like you and Denali to ride with me,” Griff said. “I don’t like how this guy climbed a tree with his rifle to shoot at you.”

As much as she didn’t like it either, she didn’t appreciate being ordered to give up her car. “I’d rather use my own vehicle.” She held out her hand, wiggling her fingers. “The key, please.”

Joel and Royal came up beside her. “You should go with Griff,” Joel said. “Chase would want you to be safe.”

“Go where?” It was difficult to maintain her composure. As much as she had already accepted the fact that this guy had set up here to eliminate her, she wasn’t about to go along with a plan she didn’t understand. “What’s the point? We’re heading back to the ranch, aren’t we?”

“Where we have two pregnant women and a child?” Joel asked, referring to Maya and Chase’s wife, Wyn, and their son, Eli. He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“I suggest we find a place in Greybull to stay for the night.” Griff crossed over to her. “Please, Alexis. I need to stay in the area anyway. I promise you’ll be safe with me.”

She sighed, knowing Joel was right. She would never place her family members in harm’s way. Especially not her pregnant sister and sister-in-law and her nephew, Eli. She held Griff’s gaze. “Fine. I’ll go with you, but you’re going to keep me in the loop on this case.”

“Of course.” Griff nodded and tossed the key fob to her brother. “Thanks, Alexis. Let’s hit the road.”

Swallowing a sigh, she turned to Joel. “I need supplies for Denali from the SUV.”

Her brother opened the back hatch. She stepped forward, rummaging for extra dog food and Denali’s bullet-resistant K9 vest. Denali’s regular vest was lightweight for the summer months. The Kevlar vest weighed a ton and would not only slow the K9 down, but it would also add to the need for frequent rest breaks.

The inconvenience was nothing, though, compared to protecting Denali. Summer or not, she would insist the dog wear the Kevlar vest out in the field from this point forward.

She double-checked her backpack to make sure she had what she needed, then stepped back. “Come, Denali.” She moved toward Griff’s SUV. “We’ll put her in the back. You don’t have a crate barrier, but it will have to do.”

“I can buy one,” he offered.

“No need.” She waved that off. “This is a temporary arrangement.”

“Do you want me to follow you into Greybull?” Joel asked. “We can meet for dinner and discuss options.”

“Dinner sounds great. I’m starved.” Griff swept his gaze around the clearing one last time. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Jump up!” Alexis gave Denali the hand signal to get into the back of Griff’s vehicle. The dog did so, then stretched out and rested her head between her paws. She stroked a hand over Denali’s soft fur. “You worked hard today, didn’t you? You deserve to rest now.”

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