Chapter 37

Murphy's van entered the reservation and behind him two other vehicles. They spread out in different directions in search of readings. His van was going for the next mountain expecting them to follow a pattern.

It didn't take long for someone to pick up a trail, and it was at Henry's home. He was sitting on his porch with the dog taking a break from the heat. Next to his chair was an old yellowboy repeater that belonged to the family.

"Mind if I ask you a few questions?" Murphy displayed an FBI badge.

"Did you find the vandals?" Henry stood up from his seat.

"We needed more information to narrow the search." Murphy went with it.

"They came by in the middle of the night and tried to get into the car. After the dog was let loose, and a few shots rang out they scattered towards the east." Henry approached Murphy.

Garrett examined the shell casings near the door to collaborate the story. He pretended to check his phone and covertly scanned the car. Readings came from the passenger door and lingered in the front seat.

"I can fix the wiring for you." Garrett offered.

"My nephew is supposed to do it. Be a lot cheaper than a bill from uncle sam." Henry replied.

"That's true." Garrett greeted the curious dog.

"Doesn't seem like the barking type," Garrett stated.

"Daisy watch them." The dog retreated to Henry's legs and bared its teeth while holding its ground.

"Sit." Henry pet his dog.

"She's just properly trained," Murphy told Garrett.

"I can see that." Garrett promptly backed up.

"Thank you for your time, and if you see anything else concerning just reach out." Murphy extended his card.

"I will." Henry retreated to his porch.

Murphy glanced around one last time before returning to the van. Henry was an experienced hunter, and he knew how to cover a trail. They were driving eastbound as instructed and found another ping at Kinsey's house. Outside the home was an officer taking a report while Kinsey sobbed.

"I told you something was wrong!" Kinsey shoved the officer.

Garrett quickly exited the vehicle to assist the lone officer.

"Ma'am you need to calm down."

"You don't even know what's going on so fuck off!" Kinsey shouted.

Garrett discreetly reached for his jacket, but Murphy placed his hand upon his shoulder.

"Stand down," Murphy muttered.

"What's wrong?" Murphy hobbled towards Kinsey.

"My dad has been missing, and they won't do anything to find him." Kinsey glared at the officer.

"It's not the first time he went missing so we wanted to wait, and see." The officer told Murphy.

"What's the situation?"Murphy inquired.

"There are signs of a struggle in the room, and the RV is missing. We think someone may have abducted their father. " The officer replied.

"When did this happen?" Murphy asked Kinsey.

"Early this morning." Kinsey wiped the tears from her face.

Murphy got a detailed description of the vehicle and discovered it crossed a checkpoint to the east. They radioed the officers, and it was searched, but during it, a resident was in the restroom. As the officer finished his report Murphy returned to the van.

"You really think they would've missed him?" Garrett asked Murphy.

"Wouldnt be the first time a local badge slacked off," Murphy replied.

"Something doesn't feel right," Garrett stated.

"It does seem a little convenient, but the readings match up. The sweep should be done any minute, and we will know for sure." Murphy replied.

"I wanna deploy a ground team to double-check," Garrett suggested.

"We can't have boots sweeping the reservation, but I can bring in a chopper since part of the mountain is considered US soil." Murphy relayed the situation.

As a chopper was leaving a nearby base Cameron's group was going through the mountains. They were searching for a suitable cavern to shelter in on the eastern edge. Jordan used his binoculars once more noticing the undercover vehicles roaming the streets.

"We don't have time to be picky anymore," Jordan announced.

"Then the last one will have to do." Cameron turned around.

"You said it was questionable," Megan told Cameron.

"That's better than the alternative," Cameron replied.

"It's just a few cars right?" Megan asked.

They were walking toward the previous cave when a sound startled them. It sounded like a chopper at a distance, and their steady pace turned to a sprint. Jordan didn't even have the time to pester Megan on the dumb remark.

'It's just paranoia right?' Megan looked to the left and saw a blur at a distance.

Before the chopper could come into full view they made it to the cavern. Worried about thermal imaging Jordan made them push deeper. He was unsure if they would resort to those methods during the day, but the uneasy feeling wasn't easy to shake.

"I think this is good enough. We don't wanna push our luck, and get lost." Megan suggested.

"She has a point," Cameron stated.

"If things get bad enough we have to risk it." Jordan examined the fork in the cave.

'I just don't wanna see that thing again.' Megan examined the dark tunnels carefully.

While hovering over the top of the mountain a ladder dropped from the chopper. Three soldiers began to descend as the pilot eased them towards the mountain. Once they were at a safe distance they dropped down one after another.

"We need to navigate the border carefully, but if you see something check with command." The captain ordered.

"What rounds are we running?" An agent asked.

"Variety is the key to stimulation." The captain racked a round into the chamber.

The search team was starting on the top of the mountain heading down the southern ridge. With the ladder rolled up, the chopper assisted the recon. They were tasked with radioing any location suitable for shelter.

Agents drifted eastward on the mountain as they navigated the rocky terrain. The eyes in the sky were unable to use thermal, but their optics were sufficient. Something caught their attention on the east side of the mountain.

"We've got a large black bear encroaching your location." The pilot radioed.