Page 61 of Scent of Evil
“I trust your instincts.” Justin reached out to take her hand. Surprisingly, she gripped his tightly. “We’re going to find him.”
“I pray you’re right.” She didn’t tug her fingers from his for a long moment. Then she gestured at the right-hand side of the road. “Slow down, I think we’re coming up on the entryway to the cabin.”
He slowed as requested. He noticed the overgrown driveway had freshly flattened tire marks from a recent vehicle. He kept going for another half mile and around a curve before pulling over to the side of the road. Behind him, Trevor did the same.
Raine glanced at him, then pushed open her door. “Let’s do this.”
He nodded and opened the back hatch for Stone. His K9 was well rested now and looked eager to play the search game. His brother Trevor quickly joined them with Archie.
The two labs would normally romp and play, but he and Trevor gave them the command to heel. Both dogs sat in the heel position staring up at them expectantly.
“We need to go in from different directions,” Raine said softly. “Justin and I will go in on this side, Trevor, you’ll need to take Archie around to approach the property from the opposite angle.”
“Sounds good.” Trevor patted his weapon on his hip. “I’ll back you both up as needed.”
Raine reluctantly nodded. “You both need to stay back, though, until we know about Amanda. If she’s there, I’ll need you guys to get her out of there.”
“Understood.” Trevor nodded, then turned away. “Come, Archie.”
Justin knelt beside Stone. The back hatch was still open, so he gave Stone some water. “Are you ready, boy? Search! Search Decker and Amanda.” Then he held Stone’s dark-brown gaze and put a finger to his lips. Stone didn’t look away, and he hoped the K9 would remember not to bark if and when he alerted. “Go on, boy. Search Decker and Amanda.”
Stone spun around and begin searching the grassy area along the side of the road. His K9 lifted his nose to the air, sniffing for long moments before trotting into the woods. Justin followed his K9 with Raine keeping pace beside him.
They didn’t talk, concentrating on moving through the woods as silently as possible. Stone moved at a quick decisive pace, which was a good sign. He hoped Decker was inside the cabin, where it would be more difficult to hear them approaching.
And he continued to pray they’d get there in time.
The trek through the woods seemed to take forever. When Stone veered toward the right, which was the direction the driveway was located, his pulse kicked up with anticipation. Had his K9 caught Decker’s scent?
Knowing the trail was fresh and the wind was in their favor, he wasn’t surprised when Stone continued pressing forward. When the faded side of a green cabin came into view, he glanced at Raine.
She gave him a nod and gestured for him to stay back as she veered away from his side to head closer to the cabin.
He was torn between following her and sticking with Stone. The dog continued moving toward the woods until they were at the edge of what appeared to be a rutted driveway. He didn’t see the Explorer, as it could have been on the opposite side of the cabin, but Stone stopped, sniffed for a long moment, then sat and turned to stare up at him intensely. Stone’s silent alert!
They’d found Decker and/or Amanda!
He gave Stone the hand signal to come. The dog raced toward him, wiggling with excitement over winning the search game. Justin bent and settled for praising the dog with his hands as a reward. Then he stood and gave Stone the hand signal to come. Stone didn’t seem to mind, and together they hurried to catch up with Raine.
Justin wasn’t sure where Trevor was, as he couldn’t see his brother or Archie through the thick woods. When he got closer, his gut tightened when he realized Raine was already pressed against the side of the cabin, standing between two smaller windows that likely belonged to a bedroom.
He’d promised to let her take the lead, so he hunkered down nearby and waited for her to slide to the closest window, taking a quick peek inside. She froze, then gestured for him to come join her.
Keeping his head down, he was much taller than Raine, Justin quickly ran toward her with Stone at his side. Her expression was somber as she leaned close. “There’s a girl in the bedroom. I need you to help her get out.”
He nodded but then frowned. “Where’s Decker?”
“I’m not sure. I’m heading around the corner of the cabin to get eyes on him.” She held his gaze. “Whatever happens, make sure Amanda gets out of here. If you hear gunfire, break through the window to reach her.”
“Okay.” He didn’t like it, but he’d go along. At least until Trevor got there. Then all bets were off.
Raine surprised him by brushing a quick kiss over his mouth before she turned to move cautiously along the side of the cabin. He leaned toward the window, catching his breath at the sight of a young girl, who matched the Amber Alert photo, sitting in the room with her bound hands resting in her lap.
Justin waved his hands back and forth, trying to get her attention. After several long moments, the girl finally turned to look in his direction. He gave her the okay sign, hoping that would reassure her that he wasn’t there to hurt her, but to rescue her.
The girl nodded, then slid off the bed to approach the window. He hoped the door was closed so that Decker wouldn’t see her interacting with him.
He lifted Stone’s front paws so she could see the dog. He knew from his siblings that kids were reassured by seeing dogs. Especially sweet-looking ones like Stone.
