Page 9 of Hunting the Truth
Josh took a deep breath. “I haven’t talked with your grandfather about this yet, but I’ve been contacted by some state investigators. They’re being cryptic, but I can tell they’re looking for information about what your grandfather knew about Doug and the drug trafficking before they talk with him. I don’t know what’s next. My guess is that the sheriff’s committee will be meeting to discuss if they will ask him to step down or continue his duties. I just felt like I had to talk to you about it and tell you that I’ve had to answer questions. I wish I could somehow protect your grandfather, but I have to be honest with the investigators.”
“I know. I understand.”
Maya let her hand drop back down from Josh’s arm, although what she really wanted was to step closer and feel his arms wrap around her. She needed Josh to tell her everything would be okay, but the reality was that Pops was in trouble if investigators could prove that he’d withheld information. To make it worse, it was because of Maya’s friend and Juniper’s former handler, Doug. Doug had told Pops about drug trafficking in the national forest and his involvement, but had asked Pops to stay quiet and let him turn himself in. Pops had agreed but then, as the saying went, the shit hit the fan and Doug and several other people died. The state was now investigating a law enforcement code of ethics charge against Pops. He could go to prison.
As Maya gathered her thoughts, a man came up the trail in the distance and sat down on a bench close to the ponds. He pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and lit one up. The smell of the smoke wafted in their direction, taking Maya back to that morning. Had she smelled smoke at her cabin? Should she tell Josh about her feeling that someone was watching her? That the feeling had started when they reopened the investigation? Or was she just on edge because cigarettes were found at both crime scenes along with the added stress of Pops being in trouble?
As the smell of smoke continued wafting toward them, Maya closed her eyes.
She had been hiding in the closet. She had covered her ears after the loud bang, but they continued to ring. She couldn’t help herself—she had to see what was going on.
She had carefully opened the door just a crack, taking care not to make any noise. Her mom had sat slumped in a chair, staring straight ahead. There was a shadow, but Maya couldn’t see who it was. The shadow was doing something to her mom and Maya was so scared. She’d gone back inside the closet and back to hiding, pushing herself back into the corner.
As her ears stopped ringing, Maya heard footsteps coming down the hallway. Big feet that made a loud clunking noise. She pulled jackets around herself, shivering in fear. The closet door opened, and Maya held her breath, squishing her eyes closed. The smell of cigarettes permeated the closet. Then the door had shut, and she had breathed a sigh of relief.
The footsteps had retreated.
“Maya?”
Dark had surrounded her.
“Maya?”
Silence.
Except someone was talking to her.
Josh.
Maya snapped out of her trance.
“Hey, you okay?” Josh stood closer now. Concern crossed his face. Maya could smell his musky cologne rather than cigarette smoke.
“Sorry. Yeah, I’m good... I’m having these memories come back. About the night my mom was murdered. It’s like they’re all hitting me at once.”
Juniper stood and pushed her head into Maya’s palm. She returned the dog’s love with a scratch on the head. Josh took another step closer, and to Maya’s surprise, he reached out and then wrapped her in his arms. At first she hesitated, but this was what she’d wanted just a few seconds ago. She allowed herself to lean into him and rested her head against his chest, his cotton shirt soft against her check. She felt safe for a moment.
Juniper, annoyed, shoved her pointy nose in between them and pushed her way into the hug. Maya took the opportunity to pull back from Josh. What was she doing? She didn’t need anyone protecting her. She didn’t need someone to make her feel safe. She was tough and could handle these memories on her own.
As Maya stepped back, she saw the man on the bench squashing the cigarette under his foot and then staring in their direction. Was he watching them? Was she really becoming this paranoid? Juniper stuck her nose up, air scenting of the breeze. Her hackles came up and a low rumble started in her throat, her gaze intent on the man as well.
“What’s up with her?” Josh asked.
“I don’t know.” Maya took a firm hold of the leash. Juniper was a loving and friendly dog, but she was still trained to apprehend criminals. If Juniper didn’t like someone, she could flip that switch. Maya didn’t need her biting a civilian. But she also trusted Juniper with her life and Juniper was wary of the man. Was she reading Maya’s body language and feeling her paranoia? Maybe, but Maya always trusted her dog.
“Do you think that man is following us? Or acting strange?” Maya asked as the man stood and started walking in the opposite direction.
“No, I don’t think so. Wish he wouldn’t smoke out here with it being so dry, but at least he picked up the butt and took it with him. Why? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“No.” Maya glanced down and petted Juniper. She was a horrible liar. She wanted to tell Josh about the feeling someone was watching her, but that would only make him worry about her. She didn’t need that right now. That would complicate her life, not help it. “No, everything’s good. I just was wondering why Juniper was reacting, that’s all.”
Josh shrugged. Maya could tell he didn’t totally believe her. “Well, she’s a working dog. She wants to keep you safe.”
“And she needs to get some energy out.”
Maya was about ready to say they should keep going, but her cell phone rang. Grateful for the interruption, she looked at who was calling. It was her friend Lucas from the CBI. Maybe this was the break in the case they needed.
It wasn’t smart to have sat down on the bench where they could see him. Eric knew that, but then again, why should he worry? He was just an average citizen out for a walk and smoke. He’d started following them keeping a good distance, but then they’d stopped to talk and that had presented a dilemma. Luckily, the bench had been there, and he’d been able to pretend to watch the geese on the pond.
