Page 37 of Maddox: Wild Alaska
"Okay." He backs out of the office, and I turn to face Judean. "I bet he tells Colton what you said."
She scoffs. "No way. Branson doesn't gossip like his brothers do."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that."
"Why is this filed under 'M'?"I ask, not understanding the previous filing system at all.
Judean lifts her head from the file she’s reading. "What name is on it?"
"Joshua Pearler."
"Huh. Well, your guess is as good as mine."
Our eyes move to the door as Landon steps inside. I turn to him and ask, "Do you know why this is filed under M?" I hold it out to him, and he takes it from my hand.
He scans the cover quickly before replying, "He killed his wife, Melanie."
My eyes flicker to Judean, who shrugs and quickly buries her face in the file she's engrossed in.
"Oh, well, that makes sense."
He looks at me as though he can't decide if I'm serious or being sarcastic. I hold his gaze, trying to keep my expression neutral. Huffing out a breath, he moves toward the back of the station.
"Does that make sense to you?" I ask Judean.
"Well, if I'm the one filing and retrieving, then perhaps. Pearler isn't the only file out of place. It's such a mess. How anyone is expected to find anything in these cabinets is a mystery." Judean plops down beside me and sighs in frustration. "I just started this job, and I like it. Once everything has been filed correctly, it won't be so difficult."
"From your mouth to God's ears," I mutter.
Judean snickers. "If only." Her stomach growls at that moment.
"Oh! I forgot. Lunch is in the truck. Let me go get it." I hand Judean the file and head outside.
Maddox stands beside his brother, who is writing in a notepad. He sees me and breaks away from the group. He leans in close and says, "This isn't good, Sofie." I search his eyes and see only worry. I step into his space and wrap my arms around him. He buries his face in my shoulder, seeking comfort.
Brushing a kiss across my lips, he puts his arm around my shoulders and leads me to his truck. "I'm going with Branson to organize a search for Olly Denver. I'll leave the keys to my truckwith you. When you're done with Judean, drive her back to the lodge, okay? I'd rather you not be on foot."
"You're really worried."
"This guy is escalating." He holds my face in his hands and gently rests his forehead against mine. "I need you and Judean to be safe."
"Okay. Please don't worry about me. Take care of yourself." I kiss him and say, "I need to get the sandwiches out of the truck."
"I forgot about those." He gets them himself, and I follow him back into the office. "I'm going to take two for me and Branson." He kisses me again, puts the keys to his truck in my hand, and leaves.
“They’re going to search for Olivia Denver. I really hope they find her unharmed."
“This is awful. That poor girl. Do you think we should join the search?"
"Yes, if they ask for volunteers. For now, though, Maddox wants us to finish up here and head back to the lodge. He's worried about our safety."
"That's why I'm here," Colton says to our surprise, stepping into view.
"Where did you come from?" I ask, drawing his gaze from Judean.
"I'm parked around back. I came in that way."
"Why are you here?" Judean asks, her hands on her hips.
