Wilderness Reunion

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ve been through a lot. When you get the chance, go through the photographs and see if you can find him.”

Alice nodded. She couldn’t argue with his thinking.

“What can you tell me about the marijuana garden?” he asked. “Would you say it was large or small?”

Frowning, she shook her head. “Compared to what?”

“How many rows of plants did you see?”

“I don’t know. I was looking on from a distance and through the underbrush. I can’t be sure, but I saw a couple of rows, at least.”

“Why does it matter?” Griffin asked.

“I need to know what kind of operation this is and the exact location before I call in the multicounty task force, which would mean pulling deputies and sheriffs from several counties and possibly LEO from other agencies as well, depending on the size. Do you understand why I need to know before I bring down a storm on this location?”

“But you know that they shot at me, Sheriff. There were several men firing automatic weapons, so that tells you something, doesn’t it? This isn’t a minor, one-man operation.”

He nodded, his expression grave. “I’m just grateful you made it out alive.”

“You and me both,” she said.

Griffin closed the small distance and placed both hands on her shoulders from behind, squeezing gently. Though she wanted to keep her guard up around him, through his touch she sensed his heartfelt relief that she hadn’t come to any harm, and she was hard-pressed to push him away. Was it really so wrong to soak in what comfort she could get? They both knew she wasn’t out of danger yet.

“There’s also the chance, given how much time has lapsed since you ran into this operation, they could have pulled out already,” Sheriff Kruse said.

“They could harvest before we even get there,” Deputy Reed said to clarify.

Griffin shook his head. “I don’t think so. They’re not going to leave what amounts to millions of dollars behind. Even a small garden can add up quickly. And getting that out of those woods will take them time. It won’t be any easier for them to leave than it will be for us to get there.”

“True. Which brings me to this.” Sheriff Kruse set his coffee mug on the desk. “We need to take the shortest and most expedient path, which isn’t going to be easy in the wilderness area.” He gestured to the detailed map of the region spread out on the desk. “Show me your path and the location of the operation.”

Alice pointed out the path she’d taken Marie on, which really wasn’t a path at all. No roads—not even forest service roads—carved through the government-designated Wild and Scenic area. That was the whole point of a wilderness region. Disappointment curdled in her stomach at the realization of how long it would take them to get there. What if Griffin was wrong, and these men did, in fact, harvest the majority of their crops and leave before the sheriff and his crew got there? She would forever be looking over her shoulder. She couldn’t trust that her life would no longer be at risk just because the operation had been shut down. They could want revenge, for all she knew. But bottom line, she had recognized that man, and would eventually remember who he was. She was a witness to his crime and he knew it.

At least...at least she wouldn’t have to face those woods again for the next few days. She’d done her part by calling the sheriff and pointing him in the right direction. She dreaded that her schedule included guiding out a group next week, even though that was on the opposite side of the river. If only she could cancel, but that wouldn’t be good for the Wilderness, Inc. reputation. And Alice needed to get back on the proverbial horse, at least with the hiking, or she’d lose her confidence. She had yet to get back on the river after the tragedy.

The sheriff moved to stand directly in front of Alice. Not good. Not good at all.

“Alice—” his serious tone drew her eyes to his piercing gaze “—I’m real sorry but I’m going to need you to guide us there.”

* * *

“What? No!” The protector in Griffin rose up. “She showed you where she thought she’d seen the garden. That’s all you need.” He didn’t want Alice going back into danger.

He recalled her words last night. But that’s so dangerous. Those men don’t just have guns. They have automatic weapons. They know their location has been discovered and they’ll be expecting you. They’re going to try to kill you... No. She couldn’t do this.

Alice shrugged off Griffin’s hands that he’d kept on her shoulders. “I don’t want to go back in there, Sheriff, if at all possible. I’m sorry if that disappoints you, but I can’t do it.”

Griffin hated seeing how this ordeal had tormented Alice. He knew she was strong and resilient and she’d eventually spring back. But it was far too soon to ask this of her.

“I understand you’ve been through a lot, but we need an experienced guide. That’s you. And you know where this garden is. You’re the one to take us there, Alice, I’m sorry. Please be assured that I have no intention of getting too close or putting you in harm’s way—any more than necessary.”

Oh, now, those last words reassured Griffin. Not. He fumed at his uncle, and tried to push it down. He’d have words with him later.

“Can’t you just swoop in with helicopters and take out the bad guys?” she asked.

“No, we can’t catch the bad guys with a helicopter, especially one we don’t have. Once I’ve identified the exact location and the details of the threat, then the task force might be able to requisition a helicopter. Regardless, I have to investigate in person first before I make that call. I don’t want to waste time finding another guide, especially when you know exactly where to take us. The whole reason these guys grow weed in the wilderness is because it’s hard to stumble upon. Hard to find. We could hike in the general direction and still miss it. Wouldn’t you agree?”

She nodded. “You’re right. You need a guide. Hiking in could be dangerous for you, and I’m the one who found the site.” She folded her arms. “I just wasn’t prepared to hear that from you, is all. I’ll wrap my head around it and be ready.”

Griffin released some of his pent-up anger. He didn’t want to put Alice through this if they didn’t have to. But there really was no other way. The news had upset Griffin as much as Alice. On the other hand, he understood his uncle’s reasoning. It made sense. Total sense. But that didn’t mean he had to like it.

“I’ll be there with two of my deputies, and Griffin, who has military experience and training. We’ll protect you.”

Her gaze flicked to him, antagonism apparent on her features. He hoped her resistance had nothing to do with his sudden appearance and the role he played in her past.

“When do you want to leave?” she asked.

“As soon as possible, but let’s think this through. Plan it out first.” He pressed his finger into the map. “You said it took you three days to hike to this point. The closest forest road to that point ends here. Will that get us there any faster than your route?”

“No, it would still take days to hike from that point through the mountains. And half a day to drive the road to even get to there. The designated wilderness region is just outside of fifty thousand acres.” Alice wasn’t telling Griffin’s uncle anything he didn’t already know on that point. “The fastest way I can get you there is to take the same route Marie and I took, though it won’t take quite as long since Marie and I took our time. Regardless we’ll have to gear up and backpack, travel according to the water sources to refill our supply.”

“That’s too long, Sheriff.” Deputy Edwards hiked his pants up by the belt. “There has to be a better way.” He stared at Alice as though expecting her to come up with another solution.

“There is.” Sheriff Kruse eyed his deputy, and then his eyes fell on Alice, his expression weighty. “The river cuts through here. If we take a raft down to this point, Bartlett Creek, and hike in from there, how much time would that save us?”

“Wait. You’re asking her to guide you down the river, too?” Griffin wished he could do much more than ask a question. He wanted to shield and protect her from this whole idea, but his words could do nothing to help her.

“Yes. The river twists and curves through the mountains, but I think it could save us some time. It should be quicker that way. And the faster we get there, the better.”

Griffin’s anger boiled, his indignation on Alice’s behalf skyrocketed. “No, Uncle Davis.” His uncle didn’t like him to address him personally when he was working in official capacity, but so be it. “It’s enough you’re making her go into the woods when she’s been traumatized. But the river...just no. If it takes us three days, it takes us three days.”

His uncle glowered at him, then flicked his gaze back to Alice. “How much time would this save us, Alice, if we stop off at this creek and hike in from this point?”

“It would save us almost two days, maybe a day and a half, depending on if we have to stop before we get to that point or if we run into issues on the river. But there’s a problem. You’ll need a special use permit to enter the wild section of the river.”

“I’ll clear it with the Bureau of Land Management. You’ve got the raft and everything we need here in Gideon to head out right now, don’t you?”

Deputy Edwards shook his head. “We don’t need her to guide us on a raft. We could just take a boat up the river. It would have to be a jet boat to get us over the rapids.”

“I happen to know for a fact the only person who has a jet boat in Gideon is Phil Howard, my cousin.” Deputy Reed scratched his nose. “And he took his boat over to Lake of the Woods for the week, which means we’d have to go all the way to Gold Beach for another one.”

Sheriff Kruse glared at his man. “That’s over a hundred miles up the river. It would take us all day. We’d have to start tomorrow. Using my plan, we could be where we need to be before dark tonight. Hike out before dawn and find that garden and head back. I don’t want to get stuck up there near the operation after dark. It’s the best way.”

Alice sucked in a few breaths like she might hyperventilate. “But the river... I haven’t been on the river in eight months... I...”

Griffin eyed his uncle. What was the man up to? He thought there might be three-parts truth, and one-part manipulation on his uncle’s part. Was he trying to get Alice back into the river for her own good? Or was Griffin reading too much into this?

“Do you mind if I speak with Alice alone?” Griffin asked.