Page 39 of Hunting the Truth
Maya walked out the back door to get some fresh air and calm down. The sun was up high and already felt intense. She hoped for some afternoon clouds to roll in. She walked over to the edge of the back patio and stared at the mountain peaks, which were bare of snow except for maybe a few places that didn’t get sun.
Todd was right. She had to behave herself, but he did leave the door open for arresting Eric Torres if she found him. He didn’t say she couldn’t use Juniper to get that done. And now they were certified. Juniper was her best way to find someone who wanted to disappear.
Eric parked his truck in a picnic area that connected to a trail that ran along the edge of town and ended just past the sheriff’s office. There were plenty of trees to provide cover and not much foot traffic. He could hike down to the sheriff’s office and not worry about being spotted.
Another complication had just arrived and now he needed to get to Maya sooner rather than later. He wasn’t happy that his plans had been disrupted, but he should have known better. Abigail Harper wouldn’t stop until he was behind bars.
He would do everything he could to make sure she didn’t accomplish that goal—even if it meant killing her. If he could grab Maya first, though, she might have the answers he needed, but then what would he do with her after he got them?
First, he needed to see if Abigail really was here. He’d started out his career with her and they had worked together for a while. Abigail was ambitious, he had to give her that. But he was better, and they both knew it. Especially now that Abigail hadn’t been able to capture Eric. He was usually able to stay one step ahead.
But if the different departments teamed up, then that would make things harder for him. Luckily, he knew the mountains and how to survive, live off the grid and avoid capture. Having millions of acres to disappear in was an advantage.
Eric arrived at the area behind the sheriff’s office. He had to be careful he wasn’t spotted on security cameras, but he needed to see who was there and if he was right that Abigail was in town. Eric snuck around the next corner of the building, which led to a back patio and lunch area. He’d scoped out the building at night when there were less people around.
As he came around the corner, he sucked in his breath and stepped back behind a tree. Maya was there. By herself. She was the spitting image of Zoey. He couldn’t believe how much they looked alike.
Eric chanced another peek. She was pacing back and forth and looked like she was ready to punch something. He remembered the first time he’d had to arrest her mother, Zoey—she was feisty too and hadn’t made it easy for him.
Maybe this was his chance. Maybe he could distract her and get her now. The dog was out in the patrol vehicle, so that made things easier, but Eric wasn’t prepared. He didn’t have anything to subdue her, and he didn’t know if he could handle a fight. She was strong and tough. He knew that much from watching her.
As he thought through his options the door opened again and the deputy that couldn’t stop looking at Maya came out. Eric had missed his opportunity. He continued along the trail and checked out the parking lot. Sure enough, there was a detective’s vehicle with Montana plates.
Abigail was getting too close. Eric had to act tonight. It was now or never.
Chapter Eighteen
Maya heard the door open. She took a deep breath and turned around. Josh.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes and no,” Maya said. “I mean I’m glad we’re finding out more about Eric Torres and his background. How he thinks and works and things like that, but I just talked with my boss and he’s pulling me off the investigation because of the family ties.”
“I’m sorry, Maya. I know how hard that is, but it’s not a surprise. Your grandfather just let me know that he’s stepping out of this too. I’ll be in charge for the sheriff’s office. We need this Torres guy to go to prison and not go free. If you want justice for your mother and grandmother, this is the best way.”
“I know,” Maya said. “It still sucks. Although Todd did say that if I happened to see Torres when I was out on patrol, to arrest him. And then call you.”
“Todd should know better than to give you a loophole like that,” Josh said with a laugh. Then his face became more serious. “We’ll get him. I promise you that. And I’ll make sure it’s an airtight case and you and Pops will get the closure you need. Just promise me that you will be careful, and you won’t do anything without backup.”
Maya desperately wanted to go over to Josh and hug him, but she restrained herself. If someone saw them, that would only add to the rumors Miranda had been talking about.
“Thank you,” she said. “That means a lot to me...and I promise I’ll be careful.”
She and Josh locked eyes for a moment, and as Maya’s chest tightened, she cleared her throat and said, “I guess if I’m not on this case, I better go back out on patrol. I need to figure out who’s setting those booby traps and it is hunting season. I should probably help check some tags.”
“Okay,” Josh said, holding the door for Maya.
She went back inside, and as she passed Josh, his frame seemed to fill the door, forcing her to step a little bit closer. She could smell his cologne and wanted nothing more than to have him wrap his arms around her and tell her again that everything would be okay. They would catch this killer and her mother and Nana would finally have justice. Instead, Maya continued down the hall, Josh following behind her.
As they approached the meeting room, Abigail stepped out. “Where’s a good place to grab lunch?” she asked.
“There’s only one place in Pinecone Junction—the Black Bear Café. But luckily it’s good,” Maya said.
“You two want to join me?” Abigail said. “Blake has some personal business he needs to attend to and Lucas said he’s going to the crime lab to see if Miranda needs help with processing the vehicle, so I thought I’d grab lunch and then come back here to keep working.”
“Sure,” Maya said, turning toward Josh. “You want to come?”
“I wish I could, but I’m meeting up with Pops to fill him in on some other things. You two have fun.”
