Page 37 of Raven's Curse
“When’s the last time anyone saw her?”
Jordan glanced at Eli, then back. “Not since she went off shift two days ago. We did a welfare check. No one home. No signs of a struggle, but there were a couple sets of footprints in the mud along the property line by some trees.”
“What kind of footprints?”
“Based on the tread, I’d say combat boot, size eleven. Had to be sometime after the rain ended early this morning.”
Eli stepped forward. “But that area is on the boundaries of a state park with lots of trails. It could have been a hiker or dog walker.”
Greer nodded. “Still, the timing’s questionable. Let’s?—”
“Sheriff?” Shirley stuck her head around the corner. “Hate to interrupt, but I just got a call about a woman trapped on a cliff on the edge of Oswald Park. Description matches Anna Delgado. Normally, I’d just call Atticus, but in light of everything…”
“This caller leave a name?”
“Nothing. Said he was flying over in an ultralight. Couldn’t help, then the line went dead.”
“Damn.” She looked at Foster and the others. “What’s your take?”
Foster walked over to the map Greer had covering a large portion of one wall. “Landscape’s a bit of a nightmare. Heavily forested with tons of blow down. Chase and Kash can rappel, but trying to get a litter back up without it getting caught up on deadfall and branches would be nearly impossible. Especially with the way the cliffs curl in on themselves. Creates this giant funnel. Best bet would be to anchor everything from the top and pull her up. Once she’s on solid ground, we can probably airlift her — transport her to Providence.”
Chase nudged her. “You know we have to respond.”
“Of course, just… If you’re using Saylor as backup, send someone with her. And I’ll drive out — meet you along that fire road. If this is Anna, I’ll need a statement if she’s able. Some photos, just in case.”
“Not alone.”
“Chase…”
“Either you pick someone, or I’ll ride with you.” He stared her down. “With the way you drive, we’d probably get there around the same time anyway.”
“Fine.” Greer pointed at Eli. “Eli, you’re with me. Bodie. Jordan. Hold down the fort, and unless there’s a mass casualty event, you stick together on any incoming calls.”
Greer shoved Chase when he hovered too close. “All right. I’ll meet you guys there. Just be careful.”
Chase stared at Eli until the guy inhaled, then nodded. Greer looked between them, but Chase simply turned and walked out, Foster’s truck pulling out of the station lot a moment later.
She motioned to Eli. “What was that?”
Eli drew himself up. “Nothing.”
“I was in the bureau for twelve years. I can handle myself.”
“Of course. I’m just backup. Getting a lay of the land.”
She glared at him, then headed for the door, stopping when Shirley stepped in front of her — held out a protein bar. The woman tapped her foot, waiting until Greer peeled back a corner — took a bite — before Shirley moved aside. Looked at Eli as if she planned on quizzing him once they got back as to whether Greer had eaten all of it.
Greer chewed on the bar as she ran to her Bronco. She needed to get ahead of this asshole before he left another clue. Or worse, he decided it wasn’t worth drawing out and tried to take Chase’s entire team down in one epic event.
Chapter Ten
“Chase. Brother, you need to breathe.”
Chase clenched his jaw before eyeing Kash across the cabin. Nyx sat at his feet, harnessed and ready to deploy. Just like they’d done all those years in the service.
Except it wasn’t just Chase and his buddies’ lives on the line.
He looked out the window, watching the coastline rush past. Waves crashed against the unforgiving cliffs, long stretches of rugged forest terrain stretching toward the horizon. “I am breathing, jackass.”
