Page 89 of Hunting the Truth
“Maybe, maybe not. For now, I need to stay on the run. Like Abigail said, this whole thing is bigger than just her.”
“Don’t you want the evidence?” Maya asked. “Don’t you want to know if it is stashed in the mine?”
“I do, but I think you’re at a point to find it and do what needs to be done.”
“If you run, I’ll send Juniper after you,” Maya threatened.
“Then I’ll have to take my chances,” Eric said.
“I mean it,” Maya said. “I’ll send Juniper to get you.”
“You really do, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then go ahead, arrest me.” Eric turned around and put his arms behind his back. Maya had Juniper guard while she cuffed him.
Maya took Eric back over to where Abigail was just as Deputy Wilson came up the path they had originally hiked in on, looking out of breath.
“I’m so sorry, Officer Thompson,” he said. “I took a wrong turn on the way here.”
“Didn’t you grow up around here?” Maya asked.
“Yeah, I did, but I get lost easily,” he said.
“You’ll have to work on directions if you’re going to be a deputy. You can make up for it by helping me take Abigail Harper and Eric Torres to the parking lot. I’ll let you book them into jail tonight.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m so sorry. I’m going to be in so much trouble.”
“No,” Maya said. “You’re not. Unless you keep calling me ma’am. Then I’ll have a talk with your boss.”
“Thanks.”
“Just don’t do it again. Let’s get these two down the trail and off to jail where they belong. Then I have one more thing to do.”
By the time Maya helped Deputy Wilson take Eric and Abigail to the parking lot, she was exhausted. Eric went with another deputy who had just arrived, and Abigail went with Deputy Wilson to the local jail, where she would receive medical care. They would both be held there until the FBI arrived. The crimes had crossed state lines and several had occurred on national forests, so now Lucas would be working with the feds. Maya drove the old Chevy truck with Juniper by her side and her mind raced at all the information Eric had told her. She’d listened to the recording on the way down the mountain to town and it had turned out perfectly. Every word from Abigail was picked up.
Maya had called the hospital and Josh was fine. The stake had missed his artery by millimeters. He was resting and doing well. She really wanted to see him, but instead she called Pops and, after apologizing, asked if he wanted to go for a drive back up to Deer Valley Pass. Maya knew where the evidence was stashed. She also called Lucas and asked him to join them.
Pops and Lucas met her at the Deer Valley Pass trailhead. Pops agreed to ride with Maya in the truck and Lucas would follow them. Juniper sat between Maya and Pops.
“Don’t get used to this,” Maya said to her.
Juniper let out a yip and then curled up on the seat. Pops petted Juniper and then they rode in silence for most of the drive. As they got closer to Deer Valley, Pops spoke up. “Did you hear that Eric Torres escaped?”
“What?” Maya said, almost driving off the road. Juniper lost her balance and fell into her, giving her an indignant look as Maya straightened the truck. “How the hell did that happen?”
“The deputy taking him in said he was stopped at some railroad tracks. Before he knew what was happening, Eric had the handcuffs off and kicked out the back window. He took off and we haven’t been able to find him.”
“Why didn’t you call me? I could have tried tracking him.”
“You’re tired, Juniper is tired and I feel like we have the most important person in custody—Abigail. We put out a BOLO for him and deputies are out looking for him now. We’ll find him. I’m curious to see who this evidence convicts, but I’m really curious to see if she’s the one in charge. She’s not saying anything right now,” Pops said.
“Me too,” said Maya. “She’ll probably lawyer up.”
“Probably. Where do you think it is?” Pops asked. “I mean, if you’re going to break and enter and steal my truck, I hope you at least know where it is.”
“I thought it was the mine, but when I was up by the waterfall, I remembered a fire tower up the hill. Nana took me there once to see it. It’s not in use anymore, and in fact the road to it is closed for the year. But a perk of being a Forest Service employee is that I have a key. I think Nana took the evidence there.”
