Page 93 of Mountain Man’s Mystic Touch

Deputy Carver nods. “Backup is five minutes out.”

“I’m coming with you.”

Loralee’s voice carries from inside the booth. She stands several feet from the table while another deputy finishes photographing the open drawer. The portable light catches the bright strands in her hair, making her easy to locate even in the half-dark. Too easy.

“No,” I say.

She steps through the open panel. “I knew you were going to say that.”

“Then we’ve saved time.”

“You said I was safer beside you.”

“You are not walking an unlit service road while we search for someone who may be armed.”

Her attention moves to the map. “The road overlooks the festival.”

“It appears to.”

“Then he may have left more than a footprint.”

“That is what we intend to determine.”

She folds her arms. “Without me.”

“Yes.”

The answer comes easily. What does not come easily is deciding where she will be while I search. Her cabin is no longer an acceptable option. I have no evidence the intruder knows where she’s staying, but he knew which booth belonged to her and where she kept a deck most customers never saw her put away. I will not underestimate him again.

“Grant stays with you in the lodge,” I say. “The doors will be locked, and a deputy will remain outside.”

Loralee’s lips press into a thin line. “You’re assigning me guards?”

“I’m assigning you protection.”

“That sounds suspiciously similar.”

“It isn’t.”

Her gaze holds mine. Behind the frustration is something else. She knows I’m leaving her because the alternative would be taking her toward a possible threat. Understanding does not make her like it.

I step closer and lower my voice. “I need to know you’re secure while I do this.”

The resistance in her posture eases slightly.

“How long?”

“Twenty minutes.”

“That is an estimate.”

“It is.”

“And if you aren’t back?”

“Grant will update you.”

“I asked when you would be back.”