Page 27 of The Fragile Ones
She stepped to the top of the path and looked down. The trail was wide and easily navigated, but there were the same heavily dense areas on the sides—again, most wouldn’t notice someone lying in wait.
Expecting to pass someone that was coming back up or a couple of kids running down, Katie was surprised at how quiet and deserted it was.
McGaven kept a distance of about seven feet behind her as he too looked around.
Finally they reached the area of interest; there was a swing but not the average kind. This was a long rope that had been securely tied around a tire allowing for kids to either sit or stand before jetting out over the running creek below.
“Wow,” said Katie, observing how far the rope would send you out between the trees and above the water. She touched the rope which appeared thick and secure. “What do you think, Gav? Give it a try?”
“That’s a firm no.”
She laughed. “These kids have more confidence than I would.” She pulled back the tire and let it soar across away from her.
Katie peered down toward the creek. She could see the water running over the rocks along the side. It was obviously higher now that it was fall going into winter. She stared at the movement and tried to imagine someone sneaking up to the swing area, but it didn’t seem likely.
“Hey, look at this,” said McGaven.
Katie turned in his direction and saw his focus was on a faint trail heading into the forest area leading up to the Mayfields’ house. It was overgrown with weeds, but the foliage was flattened as if someone had moved through recently. She decided to follow it to see if it was actually passable. There were outlines of footprints from heavy boots, but nothing recent.
McGaven followed.
“It’s probably a shortcut for wildlife—like deer,” she said.
The faint trail suddenly stopped and on one of the trees was a camera fitted with outdoor and weather protection, the kind commonly used by hunters or wildlife enthusiasts.
“Gav, here’s a camera and I bet there’s another one facing the other direction.” She followed her instincts, moving deeper into the trees, and found another video camera. “Another one,” she said. “It wouldn’t show who was on the swing, but it might show someone moving around.”
“I’m sure it’s motion-sensored too,” said McGaven.
Katie studied the cameras without touching them. Craning her neck and standing on her tiptoes, she said, “There’s a company name…looks like ACE Visions Incorporated and a very faded contact phone number.” She put the number in her cell phone. “Well, let’s give them a call, shall we?”
She dialed the number and waited. “It’s an answerphone.” Katie left her name, and that she was from the sheriff’s department, contact number, and what cameras she was inquiring about.
She walked back out to the swing area. “Let’s see. We might just get lucky.” Still looking around, she studied every possible way someone could approach to grab the girls. With all things considered, it seemed the only logical way they would not be seen would be to hide in one of the wooded areas—and wait.
“What do you think?” asked McGaven.
“It’s still wide open here and a person could hide anywhere for as long as it took.”
Just as she finished her sentence, there were two snaps from the underbrush to the right of the swing. Then what sounded like rapid footsteps.
Katie gestured to McGaven to take the faint trail and she would run back to the street and try to cut them off.
Running back, Katie pushed her steps hard until she reached the top. She glanced from left to right and back to the left again before heading toward the Mayfield residence. She hurried, feeling the cool air fill her lungs as she breathed heavily. Looking around, she heard only the quiet of the forest until the heavy footsteps of McGaven approached.
“Anything?” he said, a bit breathless.
“No, nothing.”
“Could’ve been an animal—deer or dog maybe.”
“Not likely, with those heavy steps.”
“I’m sure there are other ways to cut through this thicket.”
Slowly scanning the area, Katie said, “You’re probably right. But something seems off.” She didn’t tell McGaven, but she felt like they were being watched. Deciding to blow off the shivers for now, they headed to the little house to speak with Mrs. Mayfield.
Chapter Thirteen
