Page 62 of Flashback

Through the rage at the injustice of it all, to have innocent people in the grasp of a man like Ray, it helped to have someone like Kane watching his back. It had been a while since he’d had that. Almost like they were a team again, like his SWAT brothers. If anything, admitting his addiction and his past had gained him the respect he’d been so certain they’d withhold. Instead, it’d fostered trust.

Dakota got in Kane’s truck and drove north out of Ember toward the campground. The dark highway was eerily quiet. He pushed the needle past the speed limit, but the curvy switchbacks slowed him down as he made his way up the incline to the campground.

Lord, You hold not only the past but also the present and the future in Your hands. Guide me now. Protect Allie. Protect those boys. Let Your justice prevail tonight.

He was getting closer now. A billboard advertised the turn for the campgrounds, just a couple miles ahead. His stomach clenched tighter and tighter.

Hold on, Allie.

A pair of glowing green dots appeared in the ditch. Dakota slammed on the brakes, stopping just in time to miss the deer bounding out of the trees and into the road.

He kept his foot on the brake even after the deer crossed. Where there was one, there were often more. He was about to get going again when another pair of eyes on the side of the road reflected in his headlights. This animal was shorter than the deer. With dark fur. Maybe a raccoon?

No. It approached the road and barked.

Dakota pulled the truck off the highway and jumped out. “Scout! Come here, boy.”

The Lab came right to him, bounding around and licking Dakota’s hands.

“What’s going on. Why are you out here?” Ray was supposed to have him.

Scout whined. He barked and took a couple steps toward a trail coming out of the forest. It wasn’t a groomed campground path—more of a deer trail. But he was acting like he wanted Dakota to follow him.

He barked again.

“All right, just a minute boy.” Dakota rushed back to the truck.

Kane had tossed him the keys along with a comment that Dakota could use whatever he could find. Hopefully the guy had a heavy-duty flashlight he could use, maybe some emergency flares or something to use as a distraction.

He rifled through the center console. Nothing there. He flipped the front seat over. A black plastic case took up the width of the cab. Maybe Kane kept some emergency supplies there. Dakota opened it up.

“Whoa.” What was Kane doing with a cache of guns and ammo in his truck?

Scout wiggled his nose between Dakota’s hip and the open door.

Dakota wasn’t sure he wanted to know what the guy was hiding.

For now, he grabbed a Glock 23 and extra clip, hoping the weapons weren’t stolen.

In a duffel, he found a flashlight and a hunting knife in a sheath. He strapped the knife to his ankle and stuffed the light in the pocket of his cargo pants.

GPS on his phone indicated he wasn’t that far from the campground. He’d follow Scout and see where the dog led him first. He shut the truck door. “Scout, find Allie.”

He kept the flashlight off for now, trusting Scout to lead. There was enough moonlight filtering through the trees that it wasn’t quite pitch black as they followed the narrow trail through the forest. His feet quickly climbed the slight incline of a trail winding through the forest.

A mile or so later, they reached the burnt area. Scout set a good trotting pace around the trees and rocks. Dakota jogged to keep up. From this direction, they would be heading in on the west side of the campground.

Dakota’s plan was to take Ray by surprise if he was still there. But he’d still have to keep an eye out for any of Ray’s watchdogs too. He didn’t want to rush in if he was outnumbered, but he was going to save Allie.

God, help me save her.

Muffled voices carried on the wind.

Scout slowed. He whined but didn’t bark. They must be getting close.

Dakota slowed his pace. They reached the top of a ridge, and he looked down. Somewhere in the middle of a stand of stately pines was a bright light—maybe a campfire.

Dakota strained to hear the voices better. Definitely male. His gut said it was Ray. He had to get closer and see what he was walking into. The thick tree trunks grew closer together and blocked his view. He couldn’t see much through the trees.

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