by Paul Regnier
“Bandit, get down from there,” I said.
She waved me off. “Oh, it’s okay. I love to spoil dogs.”
Officer Wilson had two Jack Russell Terriers at home. From what I’d heard, they got a steady supply of homemade beef jerky, and regular trips to doggie spas. All I could hope was that Bandit wouldn’t learn the extent of her pampering and expect the same from me.
She pulled a cube shaped treat from her purse. “Look what I found. Beef flavored.”
Bandit licked his chops. My favorite. Gimme.
Officer Wilson tossed him the treat, which he snapped out of the air like an alligator.
“Good boy.” She said.
Bandit looked back at me. You should tell Officer Wilson about the murder. She could catch the bad guy. She’s the best cop here.
Right. I patted him on the side. Thanks for staying objective.
Officer Brooke Casey walked toward the waist-high divider that separated the entry from the main office area. She looked so official in her uniform, with her sleek brown hair pulled back in a ponytail.
Usually, her natural beauty and easy manner made it difficult for me to stay focused on anything other than vying for her affections. Today, however, was different. My mind was still reeling. Kenny and I were witnesses to an actual murder, so there would be no romantic thoughts about Brooke for now. Well, almost none.
Obviously, the misunderstanding about Ellie, and the unfortunate newspaper headline pegging the police as ‘baffled’ still hung like a weight in the back of my mind. But in relation to current events, those seemed like small matters. I resigned myself to focus on the issue at hand and deal with the relationship roadblocks later.
She waved us over, and soon Kenny and I were recounting everything we’d seen through the drone camera.
Brooke had her pen and cop pad out, taking notes the whole time. Bandit stayed near Officer Wilson, making cute doggie faces in hopes of more treats.
“And you’re saying you actually saw the stabbing?” Brooke continued jotting down notes.
“Well, no,” I said. “When he fell out of the cabin, he already had the knife in his chest.”
“One of those big hunting knives,” Kenny chimed in.
Officer Bennison met Brooke at the counter. He was a tall, rigid beanpole of a guy around our age, with spiked black hair like porcupine quills. My brief history with Officer Bennison was dodgy at best. For some reason, we always ended up clashing. If he’d read my newspaper article with the fantastic headline, today was going to be exceptionally bad.
“Hunting knife, huh?” Officer Bennison smirked at Kenny. “Is this about the ‘drone murder sighting?’” He made air quotes.
“Yes,” Brooke said.
Officer Bennison looked at us. “How far away were you? Drones generally only show the wide shot.”
“Close enough,” Kenny said.
“Oh yeah?” He folded his arms. “And you saw all this through the drone camera?”
“Yes,” I jumped in. “We both did.”
“So, you saw all this happen...” Officer Bennison spoke in a mocking tone. “…and yet, you didn’t record any of it?”
I looked at Kenny.
“Sorry.” Kenny spread out his hands. “How would I know that was coming? It’s not like I’m flying over Los Angeles.”
“Hm.” Officer Bennison tapped a finger to his lips in a theatrical manner. “Baffling. I’m baffled.” He turned to Brooke. “Aren’t you baffled?”
“Yes,” she sighed. “Very clever.”
He chuckled and made a parting comment to Brooke as he walked away. “Good luck with this one.”
“Look,” I said. “I didn’t write that headline. Carl usually–”
She put up her hand. “Not the time, Luke. Let’s prioritize. Did you see anyone else at the cabin?”
“Sort of,” I said. “Someone grabbed the guy by the legs and dragged him back inside. I only caught a quick glimpse of the killer’s hands.”
She nodded and snapped her notepad shut. “Okay. I’ll go check it out.”
“By yourself?” I asked.
She gave a slight smile. “You don’t think I can take care of myself?”
“No, of course you can. You already saved my life once. It’s just ... Don’t police have partners? You know, backup in case something goes south?”
She tapped at the radio on her belt. “The station knows where I am, and I can always call for backup. And if there’s trouble...” She rested her hand on the grip of the pistol holstered on her belt. “...my Glock nine millimeter is always there to lend a hand.”
“Whoa,” Kenny raised his eyebrows. “Remind me to stay on your good side.”
Brooke joined us in the entry, then continued on toward the front door. “I’ll call you if I find anything. Sit tight.”
I waited a beat until she was outside. “Give her a couple minutes, and then we go.”
“Where? Wait, you’re not gonna follow her are you?”
I put a finger to my lips and lowered my voice. “Let’s just say I’m going on a scenic drive that takes me in a similar direction.”
“You’re crazy. I’m not going to that murder cabin.”
“Would you keep it down?” I hissed. “I can’t let her go there alone. What if something happens? It would be our fault.”
“Our fault? I didn’t do anything.”
“Fine, it’s all my fault. Come on, let’s go.”
Soon we were back in the car headed toward the Turner cabin.
“Can’t you drop me at home first?” Kenny asked.
“There’s no time,” I said. “Brooke is headed right to a killer. And I’m the one that told her about it. If something happened to her I could never forgive myself.”
“Well, what are we gonna do about it? She’s got a gun. We got nothin’.”
Bandit growled from the back seat. Speak for yourself. I have teeth. I can take him out.
Kenny glanced back. “What’s he growling about?”
“He wants to protect Brooke. He’s a great dog. Could be a K-9 police dog if he wanted to.” I reached back and patted his head.
Bandit panted happily. You got that right.
“Oh, right.” Kenny shook his head. “Like Bandit wants to go charging straight into a murderer’s cabin. I’m sure that’s exactly what’s on his mind.”
Bandit looked at Kenny. Well, besides bacon. The smell of that BLT still lingers.
“Come on Kenny,” I said. “I have to go. You know that, right?”
He was quiet for a moment. “And I can stay in the car with the doors locked and the engine running?”
“Sure, whatever.”
He sighed and leaned back. “Fine. But if some axe-wielding mountain psycho comes toward the car, I’m outta there. You’re on your own.”
“That will never happen, but okay. Deal.”
Kenny frowned and crossed his arms like I was taking him to the dentist.
Several minutes later we hit Aspen Drive. The dirt road, flanked on both sides with evergreens, wound its way up the mountain. Soon we arrived at the turnout that led to the old Turner cabin. I turned down the path, driving at a snail’s pace. There were no other houses nearby, so the sound of an approaching car was very audible in an otherwise quiet forest. Ferns and wildflowers grew in thick clusters throughout the area.
Brooke’s squad car sat vacant about fifty yards ahead. I pulled the car to the side of the road and shut off the engine.
“Why did you stop way back here?” Kenny said. “We should be next to the police car where there’s guns and emergency radios and stuff.”
“I can’t. Brooke will hear the car if I get too close. We’re not supposed to be here.”
“Psh. You got that right.”
Bandit whined and strained against his harness. What’s the hold up? When do I get to bite bad guys?
I reached back and unclipped his harness. “Okay, boy. We’re going, we’re going.”
“H
old up.” Kenny had his phone out, watching the screen. “There’s no signal. I can’t even call for help up here.”
“You won’t need to. The police are already here.”
“Yes. One cop. And she’s walking straight into the danger zone.” He waved his phone at me. “No signal. What am I supposed to do if I’m in trouble?”
“Just whistle. Bandit will come running.”
Bandit barked. You know it.
Bandit and I got out of the car and circled around to the trunk to grab the baseball bat I kept next to the spare tire for just such an occasion. The bat felt lighter in my grip than I remembered. At that moment it seemed a weak defense against someone with a gun or even a knife.
“When’s the last time you used that?” Kenny called out of the window. “Little League?”
“You’re right. It’s been a while. Come on out so I can take some practice swings.”
Kenny rolled up the window and pushed down the lock on his door.
“Let’s go, Bandit.” I walked past my car, leading him by the leash.
“Wait.” Kenny rolled down the window and leaned out of the car. “Where’s the keys? You promised I could wait with the engine running.”
“I thought you were kidding.”
“I don’t joke about horror film scenarios.”
“Are you for real?”
“Hey, the guy that gets left behind by himself is always the first victim. I need a getaway plan.”
“Oh, brother.” I dug in my pocket for the keys and tossed them over to him. “Try not to take off at the first dangerous rabbit that comes too close.”
He frowned and slid over to the driver’s side. “You laugh now but I’ll be the one that makes it out of here alive.”
I shook my head and led Bandit toward Brooke’s squad car. Once we’d passed her car, Bandit sniffed at the ground.
I’ve got Brooke’s trail. Bandit surged forward, straining against the leash.
We headed down a narrow path that wound through the trees and was overgrown with foliage. The air was cool and the thick branches overhead blocked out most of the sun. Thin rays of light crept through, creating a dappled pattern on the ground.
There’s another scent here. Bandit stopped and sniffed at the edges of the path. Maybe two. Hard to tell. The other trails are pretty cold.
The small Turner cabin was just visible through the gaps in the trees ahead.
“Okay,” I whispered. “From this point forward, let’s stay quiet. No barking. Even if a deer walks by. Got it?”
What about a raccoon? Or a bear? Bandit tilted his head. I mean, you can’t expect me not to bark at them.
“Any animal. No barking.”
Bandit sneezed. Well, that’s just crazy talk.
“Bandit?”
Sorry. Instinct takes over. What can I do?
I sighed. “Well, try. Okay?”
He went back to sniffing the ground and pulled me forward. No promises.
I stopped at the edge of the clearing where the cabin stood. The thick trunk of a fir offered a nice spot to hide.
Bandit pulled at the leash. Why are we stopping? The trail goes toward that house.
I crouched down near Bandit and whispered. “I know but we’re not supposed to be here. Brooke would not be happy to see me.”
Why? Is mating season over?
“Okay, first of all, there’s no mating going on. We’re just friends. We’ve been on a few unofficial dates, but relationship things aren’t really clear. Women can be confusing.”
Men too. Humans in general, really. You make everything so complicated.
“Maybe so. I just know I don’t want her walking into this bad situation by herself.”
Bandit’s head snapped toward the cabin. Someone’s coming out of that house.
Chapter 9
A flare of adrenaline pulsed through me at Bandit’s warning. I leaned forward and peered carefully around the tree.
Brooke emerged through the front door, pistol at the ready. She scanned the surrounding area, her extended arms following her gaze, angling the barrel of the gun slightly downward. My muscles relaxed at the realization that it was her, and she was safe.
She continued forward, circling the cabin with cautious steps, her gaze sweeping across the surrounding area.
Why can’t I go see Brooke? Bandit whined. I want to run over so she can pet me and scratch my cheek. I love when she does that.
“I already told you. We’re not supposed to be here. Now keep quiet.”
Brooke completed her circuit around the cabin, and her shoulders relaxed. She held her gun loose at her side and mumbled something into her radio.
I let out a long breath. “Thank God. Looks like the coast is clear. I wonder where they went?”
Can we go see Brooke now?
“Later. For now, we head home. I’m just glad she’s okay and never knew we were here. This worked out just like I’d hoped. Come on, let’s get back to the car.”
As I started back down the trail, a squirrel loped through the forest just ahead. Bandit lunged forward, barking like a mad dog. Luckily, I had a firm grip on the leash and held him back.
“Shh, quiet. You’re giving us away.”
Bandit continued to bark at the fleeing squirrel, my commands nothing more than white noise in his doggie brain. All my hopes of leaving undetected crumbled like an old cookie. Dozens of excuses spun through my brain in preparation for Brooke’s displeasure.
Brooke jogged onto the trail nearby, arms extended and gripping her gun, aiming it toward the ground. “Luke?” She frowned, slowing as she neared us.
“Hey.” I gave a lame wave. “Sorry. Bandit saw a squirrel.”
Bandit barked once more at the long gone squirrel, then turned and sat beside me. He wagged his tail, his tongue hanging out of his mouth, as if expecting affection from Brooke.
She sighed and stuffed the gun into her holster. “What’re you doing here?”
“Well,” My mental wheels spun quickly. “I got to thinking. Officer Wilson always calls my dog Officer Bandit. I know it’s just a nickname but I realized you don’t have a K-9 unit. So I figured this might be the perfect situation to–”
“Stop.” She held up her hand. “Is this some lame excuse to check up on me?”
“What?” I waved her off. “No. Of course not.”
She folded her arms and raised her brow.
“Okay, maybe a little. But it’s not that you need help. You’re very capable. It’s just that you don’t have any backup out here, and it’s way out in the forest and–”
“Luke, I get it. It’s kind of sweet, but it’s not safe. If there was gunfire, you or Bandit could catch a stray bullet, and then what? I don’t want that on my conscience. This is a police matter, and until the area is secure, I can’t have any civilians on site.”
I nodded. “I totally get it. Sorry. Never happen again. I mean probably never. Never is a strong word. I’ll really make an effort next time.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“You want me to leave now, right?”
Brooke let out a deep breath. “No. But you owe me. Big time. There’s no one here. The cabin is empty and there were no signs of foul play. Officer Bennison is gonna have a field day with your false drone surveillance lead.”
“It wasn’t false. I saw it. Kenny saw it.” I motioned back down the trail. “You can ask him right now.”
“Kenny’s here too?”
“Yeah. Back in the Mustang. Engine running. Ready to bail at the first scary noise.”
She grinned. “You two are quite a pair.”
Bandit barked. What about me?
She kneeled down and scratched his cheek. “Oh, I didn’t forget about you, cutie.”
He tilted his head back to invite further scratching down his neck. Ah, that’s the spot.
“You know, Bandit found another scent on the trail.” I tried to steer our uninvited nuisance status into something helpful.
Brooke stopped scratching Bandit and stood. “Really?”
Hey. Bandit whined. That’s it? That was barely a scratch.
“Yeah,” I said. “He said it was another human.”
“He said?”
“I mean, you know, in his own doggie way.”
She glanced down at Bandit. “Maybe he just smelled a forest animal.”
Bandit shook his head. Yeah, like I could confuse human smell with forest creatures. Does she have any idea what she’s talking about?
“Nah,” I said. “He has a certain way of sniffing when it’s humans. In fact, I’ll bet he can pick up the scent again.”
I bent down and ruffled the fur on his neck. “Okay, buddy. Find that scent again. Come on, boy. Find it. You can do it.”
Bandit gave me a blank stare. What’s with the baby talk? I’m no puppy. I’m supposed to be acting like a K-9 unit. Brooke is watching.
Alright. What do you want me to say?
Give me a cool one word command. You know, like they do in those cop shows you watch.
“Bandit.” I pointed to the ground. “Track!”
That’s better. Bandit leapt into action. He sniffed at the ground, trotting down the path toward the cabin.
“Wow,” Brooke said. “You trained him to be a tracking dog?”
“Well, he’s kind of a natural.”
She nodded. “Well, as long as we’re already here, and I’ve got no reason to call this a crime scene, let’s see if he can sniff anything out.”
Bandit led us on a zig zagging path back to the cabin. The closer we got, the creepier it looked. The wood was rotted, and the whole structure leaned slightly to one side. Two small windows on either side of the house were coated with a dingy brown residue, allowing little light inside. The front door stood open but even in the noontime sun the interior was dark.
Bandit paused at the front door. He sniffed inside then sneezed and backed away.
What? I looked at him. What is it?
I’m not going inside. Bandit shook. Strong chemicals in there. It burns my nose.
Okay. What about out here? Anything?
He sniffed the ground near the door. There’s two other human scents here besides Brooke. He moved toward a patch of grass. Wait. Here we go. There’s some fresh blood on the grass. Right here.
