“Well, we’ve searched the area where his body was found, both the top and the bottom of the ridge, and still nothing. It can’t hurt to look.”

Dark clouds hung directly above them as the wind tossed the trees around. They picked up the pace, but Terra might just get to see Jack doused in a rainstorm despite his proclamation to the contrary. At the trailhead, county vehicles almost pinned their vehicles in.

“See you later.” She waved and ran to safety before she, too, was doused. After climbing inside and buckling, she spotted Jack on his cell as he climbed into his SUV.

He made her smile.

Then a big raindrop plopped on her windshield. And another, until rain pounded against her car. She couldn’t believe they’d made it before the rain started—maybe there was something to Jack’s claim. Regardless, she hoped the rain got the whole mountain and not just this patch. The thunderstorms weren’t called scattered for nothing.

Her cell chimed. ASAC Daniel Murphy.

“Connors here.”

“I want a rundown.”

She’d sent him an email yesterday and relayed the information regarding the cabin and artifacts. Dan blew out a low whistle.

“You’ve got the experience, Terra, so I trust you to work through this, though I’m happy to assist if needed.”

Relieved to hear he had confidence in her, she allowed a slow exhale. She was in this now and wanted to find Jim’s killer.

And work with Jack . . .

She ignored the errant thought.

“Got a report on a meth lab,” Dan said.

“Can’t the locals handle that?”

“Forest service officers have shut it down, but you need to look into it.”

She bit her lower lip. “I think this murder and the apparent stash of artifacts is complicated, Dan. I’d like to stay focused on this.” They were all spread far too thin.

“Because of the murder, the archaeological crime is a priority. I trust you know how to juggle your caseload. But let me know if that becomes an issue.” He ended the call.

Terra slammed the steering wheel. One moment he complimented her, the next he challenged her abilities. She suspected that Dan hadn’t liked that she’d gotten the job as a special agent. She’d heard that he had a friend he’d wanted for the position. She half-suspected that Gramps had put in a good word for her. If he had, she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

Her heart rate calmed, and she realized that Jack was still sitting in his vehicle. Was he waiting on her to leave? She steered away from the trailhead, and he followed her into Big Rapids. She wasn’t sure where he was going. They hadn’t discussed doing more today, but lunch and dinner had come and gone, and she was starving.