Harlequin Intrigue August 2019, Box Set 2 of 2 by Debra Webb

Author:Debra Webb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Dalton doubled back and waited as other cabin dwellers gathered at a distance from the fire. He watched them, looking for some sign that one or more were armed. The first to arrive were the rangers, who quickly disconnected the propane tank outside the kitchen window and dragged it away.

They told everyone to keep back and asked if the two in the cabin had made it out. He waited with Erin outside the circle of light cast by the flames until the fire department and state police arrived. Only then did Dalton leave cover. He made straight for the police. Erin followed, despite his order for her to wait. She left her pack and the automatic weapon behind.

Dalton scanned the crowd. Everyone seemed intent on watching the cabin blaze. He worried about the surrounding dark. A sniper could pick them off with ease.

“What happened?” asked a park ranger. “Stove blow?”

Dalton pulled Erin down so that the ranger’s pickup truck was between them and the woods above the cabin. Before them, flames shot out of the windows and smoke curled onto the roof of their cabin.

“I heard gunfire,” said a woman in pink yoga pants and an oversize T-shirt.

“Automatic gunfire,” added the tall, balding guy holding a half-finished cigarette.

The group clustered together, arms folded as they watched the firefighters set up. Erin held Jet and squatted beside a rear tire.

“Can you wait here just a minute?” Dalton asked.

She hesitated, chewing a thumbnail. “Where are you going?”

He pointed to the well-built trooper, his hat sloped forward revealing the bristle on the back of his head. He was tall and broad shouldered, wearing a crisp uniform with a black utility belt complete with all appropriate gear.

“That guy is the real deal. I’d bet my life on it,” he said.

“Good, because you’re about to.”

“I’ll be right back,” he said.

“You said there might be more of them out here.”

“We need help, Erin.”

She stood and shouted, “Mr. State Trooper. I need help.”

The trooper turned and looked their way. Erin waved.

“Over here.”

The officer strode toward them. Dalton had to smile. Erin had gotten help without leaving cover.

“Yes, ma’am?” said the trooper. He was young, Dalton realized, without a line on his baby face. Still, he stood with one hand casually near his weapon and eyes alert.

Dalton identified himself to the trooper as an NYC detective and showed the officer his gold shield. Then he quickly described the situation.

“Two dead. One in the cabin and one behind the cabin.”

The trooper lifted his radio. “Wait here.”

“If you use that radio, anyone listening will know our position. Call it in with your phone.”

The trooper hesitated, then nodded. “That your dog?” His gaze went to Jet, who sat calm and alert beside Erin.

Erin slipped an arm about Jet, suddenly protective.

“Is now,” said Dalton. “Why?”

“Do you know anything about a couple murdered in the Hudson Gorge Wilderness? They were camping with a black dog.”

“Plenty,” said Dalton.

Erin interrupted. “Did you find a teenage boy, Brian Peters. He was in my party.”

“Not that I’m aware of.

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