Warren agreed. Lieutenant Daniels stepped forward, peering down at the map as well.

“What about Gifford Woods State Park?” he asked as he placed his finger down on the map, where the trail intersected with Route 100. “There’s a campground there. It’s closed right now with everything going on, but I know for a fact that people have still been trying to camp there.”

It was the same thing Sheriff Brady had said, that people were still not fully abiding to the portion of the trail being closed.

“All right, we got another checkpoint then,” Warren said.

They continued to pick out four more spots on the trail, based on access points, close proximity to campgrounds, and the estimated speed at which the killer was moving.

Warren then partnered them up, assigning each group a checkpoint until none remained. Tara was assigned the Route Four intersection and partnered with the lieutenant. Warren would take Gifford Woods State Park with another officer.

When done, Warren spoke again. “This could be very dangerous,” he warned the room. “You all need to be on your highest alert.”

There was a stroke of intimidation in his tone and stance that reminded Tara of the first time she met him. All the officers abruptly nodded at his words.

He continued: “Each team will take a walkie-talkie. We need to check in when we get there, and then every twenty minutes…and well, of course, if you see something.”

They each took a flashlight and radio, which were piled on one end of the table. Warren reached for the map and rolled it up before walking toward the door. Tara and all the other officers followed behind. But just before Tara left the room, she caught a glimpse of the clock hanging over the doorframe. It was now six thirty PM and she could hear the clock ticking away.

***

Tara checked the time on her phone, which showed it was one AM exactly. She and Lieutenant Daniels had been waiting at their checkpoint for about six hours. They had walked the trail a few times already, but they had yet to see anyone, and they were now sitting in the car as close to the trail as possible.

Tara had grown to like the lieutenant. He was optimistic, easy to work with, and just like Tara, he was new in his role. Their conversations were mostly about the case, but they had some small talk too to fill in the silence and she had just learned he was promoted last year.

“What made you want to get into law enforcement?” she asked.

“Eh, I’ve always wanted this. My dad was the chief of Bridgewater many years ago. He’s retired now, but I always wanted to follow in his footsteps.”

“To be chief?”

He nodded. “That’s the goal. I think it’s always been my dad’s too,” he said with a smile. “He threw this big party last year when I got lieutenant. I can only imagine what it’ll be like if I ever get chief,” he added with a chuckle.