go,” ordered Tessa.
12
The five of them tracked into Bishop State Park at a jog. It would take forty-five minutes to walk to the clearing, and Cate hoped to cut that time in half. At first they’d had light from the nearly full moon, but as they entered the trees, it was little help. They rotated three flashlights, keeping an eye on the rocky trail.
Cate felt as if they were running in a spotlight, creating perfect targets.
Kurt had stayed with Abby at Jane’s home, keeping watch with Logan. Trekking through the woods, Mike, Bruce, and Tessa were armed; Henry and Cate were not. At least they had ballistic vests, but the extra weight made the jogging all the more difficult.
“There’s a tire mark.” Tessa stopped and pointed with her flashlight. It was narrow like a bicycle tire and weaved between the rocks. “He pulled her in on something.”
Cate wished they could have used ATVs, but the trail in was cramped and rocky. Somehow Chris had found something to make his journey a little easier. “He probably crafted something to get around the rocks. I’ve wondered how he physically got the women in. I’ve assumed they were drugged and needed to be carried somehow.”
They kept moving, their breath showing in the cold air.
Don’t let us be too late.
“What’s the plan?” Bruce asked Tessa as they jogged around a boulder.
“Get Emma.”
“No. Really.”
“Really,” panted Tessa. “I’ll figure out a plan when I get there.”
None of them knew what they were running into. Cate forced the thought out of her mind.
Keep moving forward.
“Almost there,” said Mike, after what felt like hours of running. “Let’s regroup.”
They slowed, breathing heavily. Ahead between the firs, glimpses of the clearing gleamed in the moonlight.
Something flashed, lighting up the meadow.
“He’s taking pictures,” whispered Cate. “He’s definitely here.”
“And Emma must still be alive,” said Tessa. “All the women were alive in his photos.”
“He’s only a few hours ahead of us,” said Bruce. “That’s not enough time to dig a grave.”
“We finished up here two days ago,” Tessa pointed out. “He could have done it at any point during that time.”
Mike crouched and picked up a stick. “The rock and graves were close to the edge of the clearing.” He drew a square and placed an X close to one edge. “We’ll assume he’s here. Half of us can come straight across the clearing, get his attention, while the rest of us circle through the woods and come in behind him, right by the graves.”
Tessa nodded. “Bruce and I will come across and confront him. The three of you go behind. We won’t be able to see you, so stay out of the way at two or ten.”
So they can shoot if needed.
She looked at Cate. “You should be armed.” She removed a handgun at her ankle. “My backup.”
She’s right.
Cate silently accepted it; the weapon felt both foreign and familiar. She hadn’t held a gun in months.
They turned off the flashlights and split up, relying on the moonlight to not trip. Cate, Mike, and Henry edged through the trees, trying to use the dim light to see yet stay out of sight.
Flashes continued near the rock. Each one gave Cate hope that Emma was still breathing. A few tense minutes later, she finally saw Emma. Chris had propped a flashlight that shone on her body. She was on her side on the rock, a gag in her mouth and her hands tied in front of her. Chris was talking to her, but Cate couldn’t make out his words. Emma’s head moved, and her eyes opened but then fell immediately shut. She gave a soft moan.
She must be drugged.
No blood.
The three of them crouched at the two o’clock position. Their view showed Chris from the hips up, blocked by the rock.
“This isn’t good enough,” muttered Cate. “I’m moving to ten o’clock.”
“I’m coming with you,” said Henry.
She glanced at Mike, who nodded. He’d stay.
Henry and Cate continued along the edge of the wood until she estimated they were in a safe position. She couldn’t see Tessa and Bruce. Or Mike.
I think we’re in the right place.
She gestured for Henry to step behind a tree, and she did the same, keeping an eye on Chris. Now she could see all of him.
Chris set his camera on the rock and picked up something.
Cate squinted, trying to make out the shape in the poor light.
“It’s a ligature,” Henry whispered. “He’s going to choke her.”
No.
Cate took an instinctive step toward the rock, and Henry caught her arm. “Wait!”