The dog ran back to the door and starting scratching to get out. When Kade pulled the door open, Smoke shot off up the trail. The dog paused a moment where the path forked and sniffed the ground, then headed up the path to the right, Kade just behind him.

The dog moved faster, and so did Kade. The rain was picking up, steady drops that began to pool on the ground. He pulled up the collar of his duster and kept moving. Neither of them stopped till they reached the top of the hill.

No sign of Ellie or Billy. He took a look around and noticed a place where the grass had been flattened and boulders formed a barrier that made the perfect place for a watcher to survey the ranch from above.

Fresh fear shot through him, and his pulse accelerated. Turning, he followed Smoke on up the trail, which was rapidly turning to mud. As he hurried behind the dog, he pulled out his cell and phoned Wyatt.

“Ellie and Billy are missing. We need to start a search.”

“Maybe they just went for a hike or something.”

“Someone’s been watching us from the hill above the barn. I’m calling Sheriff Carver. I’m not waiting this time.”

“Where are you?” Wyatt asked, his tone shifting to dark and serious.

“I’m at the top of the hill. I’m going after them. I’ll stay in touch as long as I can.” Until there was no cell service. Kade ended the call. Smoke was bouncing anxiously up and down, winding around his legs.

“Go on, boy. Go find Billy and Ellie.”

Smoke barked and took off running. As Kade followed the dog along the trail, the narrow path winding through a grove of aspens, then climbing into the pines, he phoned the sheriff. He figured Carver would give him some guff about it being too soon to worry, but surprisingly he didn’t. Too much had been happening. Too many people were dead. The thought chilled him.

“I’ll put the word out and get some men together for a search party,” Carver said.

“This may be the same guy who shot Keller and Dunstan. If it is, he could be driving a dark green Hummer.”

“I saw the BOLO, and Webb Fischer called me about it. My deputies are on the lookout for a car like that in the area.”

“I’m following the trail up the mountain behind the barn. The path goes over the ridge, then in a half mile or so, it starts down the back side of the hill.”

“Listen, Kade. Don’t try to handle this on your own. You could get people killed, including yourself.”