At the top of the rise, she stood tall and drew in a long inhale and breathed in the smell of rushing river water, mountain air, cedar, ponderosa pine, and Douglas fir. Water from snowmelt, rain, and maybe a few springs along the way carved down the mountain and brought a fresh scent of its own. She let that waft over and calm her.

Alex led her away from the falls to the trail where they had initially been targeted, and where the bikes had been abandoned.

He approached a dark-haired man and shook his hand. “Detective Campbell. Thanks for the help.” Alex gestured to her. “This is Mackenzie Hanson.”

Alex acted like he and the detectives were almost best buddies.

“And you already met Detective Tanner.”

“Please just call me Jack.” To Alex, he said, “No sign of the shooter, but that doesn’t mean he’s not hanging around. Let’s get you out of here, and we can take your statement at a safe location.”

“You’ll need my gun for ballistics.” Alex handed it over. “I gave cover as we ran to the cave.”

Jack bagged it. “You have another firearm?”

“Yes. That’s the main gun I use when I’m off duty. I’d like it back as soon as possible.”

Mackenzie looked up at the treetops. No sign of the drone either. When she let her gaze drop, she caught Alex studying her. His gray eyes struck fear in her soul—what did he see in her? What was he thinking? And suddenly the law enforcement surrounding her, including Alex, sent her mind racing right back to the moment she was surrounded by federal agents who wanted her confession.

God, why can’t I escape the memories?

“You’ll get it back. In the meantime, deputies will search the woods,” Detective Campbell said. “I suspect the shooter is long gone if he knows what’s good for him.”

“Her,” Alex said. “The shooter was a woman.”

SEVEN

With visions of waterfalls, shooters, and Alex Knight dancing in her head, Mackenzie entered the eerily dark and quiet cabin through the garage door. Alex set her broken bike against the wall.

The detectives had driven them to a nearby gas station, of all places, to take their statements. Considering the shooter had escaped, the woods remained dangerous. After Alex and Mackenzie gave their statements, Detectives Tanner and Campbell—Jack and Nathan—dropped Mackenzie off at the Hanson cabin. Alex had refused a ride back to where he was staying and had gotten out at the cabin too. The county vehicle steered away and left him behind, along with the bikes.

“Nice having friends in high places,” she said. “But seriously, Alex, I’m worried about you taking the trail. Plus, I mean . . . aren’t you exhausted? How far do you have to go?”