Page 23 of Scent of Fear

Only once they were back on the highway did the guy behind them return to his truck. Soon the driver was out of their sight.

Libby was glad the encounter was uneventful but hated knowing they were no closer to finding her grandfather.

“You were supposed to stay inside the SUV.” Shane shot her a narrow look. “I’m going to turn around and head back to your grandfather’s cabin if you can’t follow simple instructions.”

“I couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to you.” Maybe she deserved his annoyance, but she had only his best interests at heart. “You’re not a cop, and it occurred to me that if the driver was the poacher, he might shoot first and ask questions later.”

“Exactly why you should have stayed in the car.” He blew out a breath. “Seriously, Libby, you need to let me take the lead on this. I had Bryce as an added layer of protection. You would have only gotten in the way.”

“Okay, okay.” She knew he was right. “I can’t help feeling disappointed. I thought for sure Grandpa was in the truck.”

“Bryce didn’t alert, and I couldn’t get close enough to see if anyone else was inside.” Shane’s expression was somber. “I don’t want to believe that guy was lying to us, but I would have liked to see inside the trailer.”

She glanced at him in surprise. “He’s too old to have been one of the poachers.”

“Is he?” Shane shrugged. “Who’s to say the old man wasn’t working with the poachers in some way? Just because Bryce didn’t alert on your grandfather’s scent near the truck doesn’t mean that guy isn’t involved. He could have made up the story about taking the four-wheeler to his grandson. For all we know, he had two machines back there.”

Realization dawned. “So that’s why you took pictures?” Her heart thudded painfully against her ribs. “You think it’s possible the two poachers split up?”

“I have no idea, but I didn’t want to force his hand.” He held out his phone. “Find Paul’s name and send him the pictures. Maybe one of the sheriff’s deputies will have more luck in talking to him. They’ll run his plate number and hopefully get an address.”

She found Paul Holland’s name and created a text message to send along with the photos.Passed this guy on the lookout, please run his license and talk to him?

The response was a long time coming.Will do.

With a sigh, she dropped the phone in the center console. “Paul agreed to follow up with the truck.”

Shane nodded. “The local police will likely have more success.”

And what if their best wasn’t good enough? She swallowed the comment, knowing there was no point in thinking the worst. That was Shane’s MO, not hers. Deep down, Libby was sure that if her grandfather was dead, she’d know it. Feel it or sense it in some way.

They drove in silence for a few minutes before Shane gestured to a passing sign. “We’ll stop for dinner in the next town, then turn around to head back to the cabin.”

She wanted to argue but sensed she’d be wasting her breath. Maybe she should go back to her grandfather’s cabin. Better to be close in case her grandfather was able to get back home under his own power. The poachers may have dropped him off someplace far away to give themselves time to escape without being caught. Grandpa could have caught a ride back to his place.

Maybe he was right now waiting for her there.

The minute the thought flashed through her mind, she realized her grandfather would have called her. She recalled seeing his phone on the charger in his bedroom. Grandpa wasn’t good about remembering to take his cell phone with him. Every time she scolded him for not answering when she called, he reminded her that he didn’t grow up with a phone attached to his hip the way she had.

“We rode our bikes to our friend’s houses,” Grandpa would say. “We didn’t call, we just showed up. If they were home, we’d head out together. If not, we’d move on.”

“What’s so funny?” Shane asked.

She realized she was smiling at the memory. “Nothing really. I was hoping Grandpa might be waiting for us back at his place, but he left his phone in his bedroom, so if that were the case, I’m sure he’d call.”

“I didn’t realize he left his phone behind.”

She shrugged. “I wasn’t surprised, although it would have been nice if we could have tracked it.”

“Not likely to have been able to track it very far considering the lack of cell service,” Shane said. “I take it he doesn’t wear one of those fancy watches that link to the phone?”

“Nope. His watch is one of those older models that needs to have the battery replaced every year or so.” She shook her head. “I think he’s had it for almost fifty years. I’m surprised it still works.”

The corner of Shane’s mouth quirked in a rare smile. Then he gestured to the road ahead of them. “I’m not sure they have a lot of restaurant selections but let me know where you’d like to eat.”

“Carla’s Café is fine with me.” She was aware of a strange awkwardness between them. Under different circumstances, this could have been considered a date.

Not that she could imagine spending a lot of time with the grumpy Gus sitting beside her. Shane was handsome and nice enough, but his less than enthusiastic attitude was already wearing her down.

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