Page 58 of Hunting the Truth
“Let’s go back to the crime scene and wait for the deputy to arrive. Then we can regroup. If Torres wants this evidence and he really thinks it’s somewhere here in Pinecone Junction, then he won’t be leaving,” Josh said.
Maya nodded, knowing that he was leaving out the part that she was also still a target.
“When we find him, we can put together a tactical team,” Josh continued. “This guy is smart. No one gets away from you.”
“He probably had a handcuff key,” Maya said. “I didn’t even think about that, and I should have patted him down better. Who in law enforcement doesn’t keep one on them?”
“Come on, let’s head on back to where Torres was camping. Maybe there’s something there that will help us figure out where he’s staying.”
“I’ll get Juniper some water there too,” Maya said. “I left my backpack with all my supplies there.”
The three of them started trudging back. Luckily, the campsite wasn’t too far from where Torres had parked his vehicle. When they arrived, Maya gave Juniper some water. She happily took a big drink and then went over to some shade to lie down. Maya was tired too.
“This is why you need a backup officer,” Josh said.
“I know,” Maya snapped. She started to pace. It helped her think and avoided his stare. She knew he was right, and she’d acted impulsively.
“Did Torres shoot the other suspect before or after you texted me?”
“After. I know, you don’t have to say it again, I should have had a backup officer.”
“I won’t say it again, but I was guessing that you were out on your own doing something like this.”
“What made you think that?” Maya said, with a little bit of sarcasm.
“Hmmm...let me think, you were gone from your office this morning, not answering your phone and I found your patrol vehicle at your cabin. I figured you had decided to go out on your own.”
“I guess you know me well,” Maya muttered.
“I do. Your independence is something I love about you, but I wish you’d be more careful. Where’s this suspect you’re talking about?”
“Over there.” Maya pointed. “Follow me.”
Juniper stood back up and shook. She took her place by Maya’s side and they all headed in the direction of the body. Harold was still and lifeless, and flies were already buzzing around the remains. Maya shook thinking about how he had grabbed her hair as he gasped for his last breath.
“What if this had been you?” Josh said. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”
“I’m sorry. I know I need to be careful. I would never want to hurt you,” Maya said, starting to feel bad. Part of being friends or even something more was thinking about others. “I know it sounds crazy, but I think Torres saved my life.”
“I’m grateful for that, although you don’t need to take risks and prove yourself,” Josh said with a sigh. “I have radio signal out here, I’ll call it in.”
“Okay,” Maya said. She couldn’t get out of her head what Josh had said—he loved her independence. What exactly did that mean? She’d have to think about it more later. Right now she just needed to focus on the investigation. She couldn’t deal with her feelings at the moment. “Not too much to investigate. I saw Torres shoot him.”
“I’ll make sure we get a search warrant for his tent too,” Josh said.
“Good idea,” Maya said. Even though they were on national forest land, they didn’t need a defense attorney getting evidence thrown out because they didn’t have a warrant.
“I also won’t mention that you went out on your own to anyone,” Josh said. “I wouldn’t want your boss to think you disobeyed orders.”
“I’m sure he just assumes that’s what will happen by now,” Maya said.
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. As far as I’m concerned, you and Juniper took a long hike and happened to run into Eric Torres, who shot a man following you. That’s pretty much what happened anyway.”
“Thanks,” Maya said, feeling relieved. It was bad enough that Torres had escaped. If her boss knew she’d intentionally tracked today, he would probably be upset. Justifiably too.
“I’m here for you,” Josh said.
“Why are you so good to me?” Maya asked.
