Wilderness Reunion. Elizabeth Goddard

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СКАЧАТЬ pushed those thoughts aside and focused. “Someone followed me as I walked into town last night. It happened just as Griffin got here.”

      “I could tell something had spooked her,” Griffin said.

      Sheriff Kruse sent Griffin a warning look to let Alice speak. Then his eyes shifted back to her.

      “I decided not to stay in the house in case the man knew where I lived. But obviously he watched us come here and stay.”

      The sheriff nodded, taking it all in.

      “Okay, then. Let me hear the details of what happened in the woods on your hike.” Sheriff Kruse took a seat for himself and gestured for Griffin to sit, as well.

      The deputies stood against the wall. Alice realized the gravity of the situation. That Sheriff Kruse had pulled two deputies from the county already strapped to focus on this. A knot lodged in her throat.

      Sipping her coffee at intervals, Alice tried to remember and share every detail, while all the men listened intently. Griffin had heard the story from her last night, but he watched and listened like it was the first time.

      When she finished she released a long exhale and looked at him.

      Had she forgotten anything?

      He gave a subtle, approving nod.

      “I’m sorry to hear you believe the man recognized you, Alice.” The sheriff poured himself some more coffee. “That puts you in additional danger until we take care of things. And you can’t place him?”

      “No, though I’m sure I’ve seen him before. He could have been in Gideon—a tourist, or someone who has come through Wilderness, Inc. But I can’t put a name to his face.”

      “All things considered, I agree with your assessment the man you confronted last night could be the same man you faced in the wilderness, or at least someone involved with that operation, but we can’t be sure of that. I suppose we will learn soon enough. If I recall, you guys take pictures of the groups that go out. Of your clients. Have you thought of looking through those?”

      She shook her head. “No, I didn’t. I guess I should have.”

      “Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ve been through a lot. When you get the chance, go through the photographs and see if you can find him.”

      Alice nodded. She couldn’t argue with his thinking.

      “What can you tell me about the marijuana garden?” he asked. “Would you say it was large or small?”

      Frowning, she shook her head. “Compared to what?”

      “How many rows of plants did you see?”

      “I don’t know. I was looking on from a distance and through the underbrush. I can’t be sure, but I saw a couple of rows, at least.”

      “Why does it matter?” Griffin asked.

      “I need to know what kind of operation this is and the exact location before I call in the multicounty task force, which would mean pulling deputies and sheriffs from several counties and possibly LEO from other agencies as well, depending on the size. Do you understand why I need to know before I bring down a storm on this location?”

      “But you know that they shot at me, Sheriff. There were several men firing automatic weapons, so that tells you something, doesn’t it? This isn’t a minor, one-man operation.”

      He nodded, his expression grave. “I’m just grateful you made it out alive.”

      “You and me both,” she said.

      Griffin closed the small distance and placed both hands on her shoulders from behind, squeezing gently. Though she wanted to keep her guard up around him, through his touch she sensed his heartfelt relief that she hadn’t come to any harm, and she was hard-pressed to push him away. Was it really so wrong to soak in what comfort she could get? They both knew she wasn’t out of danger yet.

      “There’s also the chance, given how much time has lapsed since you ran into this operation, they could have pulled out already,” Sheriff Kruse said.

      “They could harvest before we even get there,” Deputy Reed said to clarify.

      Griffin shook his head. “I don’t think so. They’re not going to leave what amounts to millions of dollars behind. Even a small garden can add up quickly. And getting that out of those woods will take them time. It won’t be any easier for them to leave than it will be for us to get there.”

      “True. Which brings me to this.” Sheriff Kruse set his coffee mug on the desk. “We need to take the shortest and most expedient path, which isn’t going to be easy in the wilderness area.” He gestured to the detailed map of the region spread out on the desk. “Show me your path and the location of the operation.”

      Alice pointed out the path she’d taken Marie on, which really wasn’t a path at all. No roads—not even forest service roads—carved through the government-designated Wild and Scenic area. That was the whole point of a wilderness region. Disappointment curdled in her stomach at the realization of how long it would take them to get there. What if Griffin was wrong, and these men did, in fact, harvest the majority of their crops and leave before the sheriff and his crew got there? She would forever be looking over her shoulder. She couldn’t trust that her life would no longer be at risk just because the operation had been shut down. They could want revenge, for all she knew. But bottom line, she had recognized that man, and would eventually remember who he was. She was a witness to his crime and he knew it.

      At least...at least she wouldn’t have to face those woods again for the next few days. She’d done her part by calling the sheriff and pointing him in the right direction. She dreaded that her schedule included guiding out a group next week, even though that was on the opposite side of the river. If only she could cancel, but that wouldn’t be good for the Wilderness, Inc. reputation. And Alice needed to get back on the proverbial horse, at least with the hiking, or she’d lose her confidence. She had yet to get back on the river after the tragedy.

      The sheriff moved to stand directly in front of Alice. Not good. Not good at all.

      “Alice—” his serious tone drew her eyes to his piercing gaze “—I’m real sorry but I’m going to need you to guide us there.”

      * * *

      “What? No!” The protector in Griffin rose up. “She showed you where she thought she’d seen the garden. That’s all you need.” He didn’t want Alice going back into danger.

      He recalled her words last night. But that’s so dangerous. Those men don’t just have guns. They have automatic weapons. They know their location has been discovered and they’ll be expecting you. They’re going to try to kill you... No. She couldn’t do this.

      Alice shrugged off Griffin’s hands that he’d kept on her shoulders. “I don’t want to go back in there, Sheriff, if at all possible. I’m sorry if that disappoints you, but I can’t do it.”

      Griffin hated seeing how this ordeal had tormented Alice. He knew she was strong and resilient and she’d eventually spring back. But it was far too soon to ask this of her.

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