Page 36 of Shephard

Time was of the essence in these situations so it would appear I had no choice. “Fine, but you owe me one.”

“I’ll send you what I have from the hysterical parents. Find him,” Greg insisted.

“One question. Why is rich boy hiking at night?”

“He’s not. Wedding reception and he got into a skirmish with his buddies and walked off. And… he’s intoxicated.”

“Perfect.” That meant his senses were dulled or dead. That would mean he had no sense of direction or even the instinct of upcoming danger. Like falling off a cliff. The odds of finding him were bad and the location was considered treacherous at night. Shit. Shit. Shit.

“What the fuck is happening?” Shephard asked after I disgustedly tossed the phone onto my dashboard.

“Well, you’re in for a ride, but you’re a civilian and you will need to stay in the Jeep.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

The man wasn’t too happy with being forced into a situation. That was easy to see. “It means I have a lost tourist that must befound up the mountain a couple miles. I have no other choice. It’s just my job.” I hadn’t wanted him to learn more about me, but there was no other choice.

“You’re a fucking park ranger.”

“I am. So what?”

He chuckled, as if it was something he should have figured out. “Lost tourist.”

“Yeah, some rich kid attending a wedding. Not the best odds. Grab the bag from the back for me, will you? Double check the flashlights. I’m going to need them.”

I sensed he was reluctant to do anything to help, but finally did as I asked just as I turned on the access road. This wasn’t the best scenario to deal with. Damn it.

The silence by the time I’d driven four miles was oppressive. At least I knew the flashlights were working fine. I’d already known that, but I’d wanted to break the tension. It hadn’t worked. As soon as we closed the distance to the area, I could swear Pepper could smell something was wrong.

Her growl could raise anyone’s hackles, including mine.

I checked the coordinates, trying to envision the area in my mind as I parked the Jeep. I opened the door, stepping out and grabbing what I’d need. I had hooks to keep various pieces of equipment attached, especially in the dark. He wasn’t even looking in my direction. A typical guy who acted tough, but knew this wasn’t his forte. Good.

Maybe.

“Just stay here. Hopefully, I won’t be too long.”

Pepper jumped out, joining me as I turned on the larger flashlight. My weapon was within easy reach, but hopefully the light would keep the critters away.

I took a deep breath and headed deeper into the woods, using markers to keep me on track. There was a small clearing ahead, which would be perfect to send off a flare. Even drunk, the missing tourist would see the bright orangey-red light. Or so I hoped. I had a very bad feeling about this.

I’d gone maybe two hundred yards when I felt a presence behind me. Stopping short, I hissed. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“What I know how to do.” His tone held no air of arrogance, just certainty.

“You’re a resort operator.” Yes, I was goading him into telling me more.

“Not tonight.” He flanked my side, another flashlight in his hand. It wasn’t one I owned, but it was powerful. I had no clue how it could fit anywhere in his clothes given the tightness of his jeans.

I had a feeling the man would refuse to obey my orders.

“Just stay out of my way,” I told him. “You have no clue what you’re doing or what you’re getting in the middle of.”

His answer?

“Bet me.”

CHAPTER 11