Page 75 of Last Chance Christmas
“I’ll let you know if Titan and I find anything.” Cole trekked down the narrow path. His shoes squished in the slush of leaves and dirt mingled with the freezing rain and snow. The canopy covering from the pine trees should have helped, but the wind worked against them and blew the pellets of icy rain every which way.
“Let’s hope this tip pans out and Mackey hasn’t gotten far,” Thomas said. “Cole, I’ll circle around and meet you at the overlook in fifty.”
“Copy that. Mackey can only survive so long in the elements.” Cole scanned the open expanse in front of him. The bare trees and overcast sky didn’t help visibility. But Cole wouldn’t let the forecast deter him. “If he’s nearby, we’ll find his footprints too. This weather is working against him.”
Cole pulled out a bag with a piece of fabric in it. Thanks to a quick DNA test, forensics had confirmed the patch of clothing was Mackey’s. And Titan’s skills were top notch. His partner could find Mackey, even though the convict had changed outfits and was no longer wearing the easily identifiable orange jumpsuit. “Titan, sniff.” Cole held the bag open, and the German shepherd stuck his nose toward the fabric. “Good boy. Titan, track.” The dog veered to the left and cantered alongside the path.
“All right, Mackey, where are you?” Cole’s voice was drowned out by the rain.
Other officers had spread out to cover more ground and cut Mackey off.
The latest tip had Mackey spotted near a makeshift cave, thanks to a few locals who had cabins up here in the woods. They didn’t see many travelers on foot this time of year unless they were coming in for snowshoeing or ice fishing. Although the lake on the south side wasn’t fully frozen over yet.
Cole forged ahead, following Titan. The dog let out a bark and picked up speed. Cole broke into a jog and grabbed his radio with one hand. “I think Titan’s found something. When’s the copter coming in?”
“What direction are you headed?” Thomas asked. “Copter should be airborne in five minutes.”
“Northwest.” Cole focused on Titan, whose black tail wagged behind him. “Good. We need as many eyes as possible.”
The flight crew would be able to see a larger expanse than any of the officers on the ground. If Titan led them to Mackey, Cole wanted the copter to have eyes from above. Make sure Mackey knew there was no chance of escape.
The sleet fell harder now. Droplets flew off his waterproof jacket, and Cole wiped the precipitation off his brow. He followed Titan around a bend to a clearing among the trees. Titan let out a bark and barreled to a set of boulders. He sat on his haunches near a small opening and whimpered.
“I’m at a clearing, and it looks like there’s a place to hide in the rocks.” Cole pulled his Glock from the hip holster and kept it aimed at the ground in front of him. “Thomas, how far are you from my location?”
Each of the officers had a tracking device on their uniform. For search and rescue cases, or in this situation, search and arrest, it proved helpful in making sure no one got lost when they covered a large coordinate grid.
“Copy. I’m two minutes out,” Thomas said.
Cole whistled. “Titan, go.”
The dog barreled into the opening and disappeared.
Cole positioned himself to the right of the rocks and waited. The moment Mackey stepped out of hiding, Cole would be there to put an end to the man’s plans. His pulse throbbed in his neck, and his cheeks warmed. The adrenaline rush warded off the frigid temperatures.
Seconds ticked by, and Cole held his breath. Where was the snarl from Titan? Or a human cry from the dog’s quick response to latch onto the culprit? Cole exhaled, and his breath puffed in front of him.
He didn’t have all day to wait around, and Mackey couldn’t hide in there forever. Cole pulled out his flashlight with his free hand and flicked on the switch. With his weapon still in his left, he shone the light into the cave and ducked into the opening.
“It’s time to give it up, Mackey.” He moved the light around the space. A pair of footprints marked the territory and led to the back.
Titan turned around and whimpered.
Cole let out a grunt. The guy wasn’t here. The space wasn’t more than eight feet wide, and giant rocks closed off the back area. Only one entry and exit point.
“Titan, come.” Cole crawled back out of the space and tucked his weapon and flashlight away. “You did good, boy.” He rubbed the German shepherd’s head, then handed him a treat.
“Negative on Mackey.” Cole relayed on the radio. “But he’s been here at some point.”
“You’re kidding.” Thomas sighed.
“Hold on. It’s not over yet, guys,” Ramble said. “Another lead just came in.”
“Where at?” Cole stopped walking and signaled for Titan to wait.
“Mountainview Ridge Overlook.”
Cole pulled up his map of the area. “On foot, we’re thirty minutes away.” Footsteps came from in front of him, and Cole lowered his phone to see Thomas approaching.
