Brooke tiptoed into the foliage, stealthy and silent. Abby crept close behind, wincing as her bare foot encountered a sharp rock. They inched forward, ears and eyes peeled. Abby saw no signs of humans or large animals. She heard no sounds, other than birds chirping and lizards rustling through the leaves.
Brooke continued through a small clearing. They were straying too far from the lakeshore, but Abby kept moving. She squinted at a strange shape in the trees ahead. Insects swarmed in a dark cloud. Her nostrils tickled with a muddy, metallic smell. She became aware of a stretching sound, like swaying rope.
Ugh, Brooke said, wrinkling her nose.
Abby pushed past Brooke to see. Her stomach dropped as she examined the gory scene. A full-sized deer hung from the tree, eviscerated. Its entrails lay in a neat pile on the leaves. Blood dripped from the flayed belly, streaking the animals dark fur.
Nathan and Leo entered the clearing a moment later. When Leo saw the hanging deer, his handsome face went gray. He stumbled away and retched in the bushes.
Nathan gave him a disgusted look. Pull yourself together, Leo.
Abby couldnt believe hed criticize his son for getting sick at a time like this. Brooke threw down her stick and went to see if Leo needed help. He shrugged off her attempts to rub his shoulder.
Its fresh, Nathan said, inspecting the deer.
Abby stepped forward to investigate.
They took the choice cuts and left the rest. Thats illegal.
She noted the missing chunks at the animals sides. Those hikers, you think?
Maybe.
What about the screams? Brooke asked.
We didnt see anyone, Nathan said.
Neither did we, Abby said.
A mountain lion can scream like that, Brooke said.
Nathan nodded. Theyre drawn to the smell of blood.
Abby glanced around the woods, studying the dark shadows as if a big cat might spring from the depths at any moment. Lets get out of here.
CHAPTER SIX
THE TRIP AROUND the lake took a lot longer than the swim across.
As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, the temperature dropped into the 70s. Comfortable for hiking, if they werent wet, half-naked and barefoot. Nathans shorts were soaked. Hed have suggested swimming back, but they were all cold, and Leo was still pale. Nathan didnt want him to throw up again.
The sight of the hanging deer brought back old memories. Nathan had hunted with his father in the woods of Wisconsin, where hed grown up. He hadnt enjoyed the sport. Hed always felt a little queasy, pulling the trigger. Dressing the kill was no picnic, either. Hed never complained, of course. His dad would have cuffed him for whining or showing weakness.
He felt disloyal for remembering his father that way, as if being strict was a crime. Maybe it was, in California. Now Conrad Strom was dead and gone. Former military, hed been tough as nails, unaffectionate and slow to praise. A parent from another era. But there was nothing wrong with a man wanting his son to be strong.
Was there?
Nathan owed a lot of his success in baseball to his stern Midwestern upbringing. If his dad hadnt pushed so hard, Nathan wouldnt have achieved half as much. Hed been drafted into the minor league right out of high school. His father had encouraged him to reach for the stars. Whenever Nathan tried to do the same for Leo, it backfired.
This whole situation was a mess. One minute he was palling around with Leo and getting cozy with Abby. The next, he was creeping through the woods with a club, searching for a screaming girl.
Maybe hed needed an interruption. His comments to Abby had been too suggestive. After a few minutes in her company, hed forgotten his vow to keep his distance. She was just so...beautiful. Her curves made his mouth water and his palms itch. In his defense, he hadnt gotten laid in a really long time.
It was more than that, though. They had great sexual chemistry, but he liked her personality. She had depth. If shed been vapid or conceited or shrill, his urge to fuck her would have faded already. Instead, it kept growing with every smile he coaxed from her, every laugh that escaped her lips.
Damn.
She seemed interested, too. He assumed she was single. Her signals werent so obvious that he knew he could score with her. With some women, he could tell right away. Others were more of a challenge. Abby was the type hed have to work for.
But never mind that. He wasnt here to put the moves on Abby. His main priority was bonding with Leo. He wanted to be a better father. When this trip was over and they were back in San Diego, he could call Abby. Unless he kept making a jerk of himself and ruining his chances, which was possible.
Anyway, he had other things to worry about. Lawbreaking hunters and strange sounds and gutted animals. Nathan held the tree branch in a firm grip, just in case. He didnt want to tangle with a hungry mountain lion.
When they reached the other side of the lake, he drew in a sharp breath. Their backpacks had been tampered with. Zippers and pockets were gaping open. A few stray items were strewn across the sand.
Son of a bitch, he said, tightening his grip on the club. Theyd been robbed! Check to see whats missing.
While Nathan stood watch, the others searched the packs.
My cell phones gone, Brooke reported.
Abbys eyes widened with dismay.
At least its my backup, so theres no information to hack.
Why would they steal a phone they cant use? Abby asked.
They can wipe it and sell it, Leo said.
Nathan narrowed his gaze at the trees along the trail. Those long-haired creeps had drawn them away from their belongings to rob them. He didnt know who or what had made the screaming sound. This was some sneaky, sinister shit.
My stuff is all here, Abby said. I didnt bring any money.
I did, Nathan said. It was in the side pocket.
She reached into the zippered pouch of his pack and pulled out an empty clip. The wad of cash was gone.
Fuck, he muttered, raking a hand through his hair.
How much was it? she asked.
Three hundred.
Leo snorted at Nathans stupidity. There goes our fancy dinner at that four-star restaurant down the trail.
Nathan didnt bother to respond. He always carried cash for emergencies, and it was a trifling amount. When they were done looking for missing items, Brooke reorganized the backpacks and they put on their discarded clothes.
What should we do? Abby asked.
We have to make camp, Brooke said. It will be dark soon.
Abby studied the trail, her lips trembling. It went without saying that this situation freaked her out.
Theyre gone, Nathan said.
What if they come back?
They wont. We dont have anything left to steal.
This logic didnt appear to convince her.
Nathan tried again. Fresh venison is worth more than my cash and Brookes phone. In this weather, they have to get it to cold storage right away.
How do you know?
Ive hunted before. Meat has to be kept at forty degrees. The nightly lows have been in the fifties.
Abby exchanged a nervous glance with Brooke. They might have a cooler.
How do you know?
Ive hunted before. Meat has to be kept at forty degrees. The nightly lows have been in the fifties.
Abby exchanged a nervous glance with Brooke. They might have a cooler.
No. Ice is too heavy to hike in, and it wont last a day out here. The lake isnt cold enough, either.
She blinked a few times, close to tears. I want to go to the cabin.
Mom, Brooke said in warning tone.
Leo stayed silent, as if he had no opinion either way.
Three young women have disappeared in this area, Abby said in a rush. One right here at the lake.
She drowned, Brooke said.
They didnt find a body.
Youre overreacting! Theyre thieves, not serial killers.
Abby flinched at the accusation, crossing her arms over her chest. Her anxiety seemed like a direct response to Brookes nonchalance. Abby had to be twice as careful to make up for her daughters lack of fear.
Nathan fell somewhere in the middle. He doubted the hunters were a serious threat, but hed been wrong before. Whatever they are, theyll be on that trail. Its the quickest way back to Monarch. If they think were following them, they might get defensive. Camping here is the safest option.
I dont know, Abby said.
My dad and I can take turns keeping watch tonight, Leo offered.
It was a good suggestion. Nathan agreed immediately.
Abby stepped away from Brooke and Leo, waving Nathan toward her for a private chat. I have a bad feeling about this.
What choice do we have?
Im scared, she whispered.
Dont be, he said, his chest puffing up a little. He liked the idea of protecting her. But he also felt conflicted, as if he shouldnt enjoy the ego boost. One day in the wilderness had turned him into a caveman. I wont let anyone hurt you or Brooke.
What about tomorrow?
We can look at the map and choose an alternative route back to the cabin.
Not Lupine Meadow.
No.
She exhaled a ragged breath. Okay.
They put on their packs and prepared to leave. If they delayed much longer, theyd be pitching tents in the dark.
Lets switch up the hiking order, Nathan said. Leo should go first.
Leo didnt have to ask why. He found another good-sized rock to use as a bludgeon. Nathan had a buck knife in his pocket. He hadnt drawn it on the other side of the lake, and he didnt pull it out now, but he was glad to have a weapon. Before they walked away, Nathan noticed a small rectangular package on the sand.
Rolling papers.
Leo saw them at the same time. Guilt flashed across his features, replaced quickly by belligerence.
Are those yours? Nathan asked.
Yeah. So?
Tell me you didnt bring pot with you.
I didnt bring pot with me, he said in a flat voice.
He was lying. Nathan could read the truth all over his handsome, grown-up face.
Take off your pack, Nathan said through clenched teeth, resisting the urge to shove Leo to the ground and rip it from his shoulders. When Leo didnt comply, Nathan whirled him around and unzipped the front pouch.
Dont bother, Leo said, shrugging away from him. They stole it.
Goddamn it, Leo!
Leo stepped back another few feet. He still had a rock clenched in his fist. He looked stubborn and rebellious and...scared.
He should be scared. Nathan couldnt remember being this angry with him before. Tenderness and concern were difficult emotions for him to express, but rage rose right up to the surface, spilling over. What the fuck were you thinking? Were you going to light up after we went to sleep? Share a joint with Brooke?
Brooke doesnt smoke weed.
I did once, she corrected.
Who gave it to you? Nathan asked.
Her nonresponse spoke volumes.
I only brought it because I couldnt leave it at home or in the cabin, Leo said. I wasnt going to peer pressure Brooke. He made quotation marks in the air, as if he was talking about something that didnt exist.
Ray could have you arrested if he found your stash, Nathan said.
Leo shrugged, playing hard-ass.
I cant believe youd be so stupid.
His eyes narrowed. Okay, boozehound.
Nathan felt the insult like a punch in the gut. You know I dont drink anymore.
I know youre a hypocrite.
They stared each other down for a moment. Leo had put on at least twenty pounds of muscle in the past few years. He wasnt a kid anymore. Fine grains of stubble darkened his jaw. Hed started shaving. Nathan had missed his transition from boy to man.
Hed missed a lot of things.
Nathan glanced at Abby, who was watching from the sidelines. She looked sad and sorry and full of sympathyfor Leo. Maybe she thought Nathan was wrong for calling him out like this, but he didnt know what else to do. He couldnt ignore the problem and hope it went away. Leo needed help.
Lets talk about this later, Abby said.
Nathan scrubbed a hand over his mouth, nodding. He remembered his first drink, given to him by his father on a hunting weekend the summer hed turned twelve. Hed raided the camp for more beer and gotten tipsy as hell. His uncles had laughed as if Nathan was the funniest thing theyd ever seen.
Hed always considered that a good memory. Now it was sour, like the taste in his mouth when he was jonesing.
Nathan trudged forward until they reached the campsite. Although it was less than a mile from the lake, the uphill climb tired him out. Theyd had a long day of emotional stress and physical activity. The campsite was located in a hilly area with a good view of the trail. It had a clearing for tents and primitive fire pits. There was a ramshackle outhouse about a hundred yards from the clearing.
Abby grimaced at the sight.
This is great, Leo said with sarcasm, taking off his backpack. And to think I wanted to go to the Bahamas.
Were you expecting a hotel? Brooke asked.
No, I was expecting a bug-infested shit hole.
This is a nice camp, she said. There probably wont be many gnats or mosquitoes this far from the lake.
They set their backpacks down by a log in front of the fire pit. Abby stretched her arms over her head while Brooke removed a water filtration system from her pack. Theyd passed a rushing creek on the way here.
I have to get water, Brooke said.
Why dont you go with her? Nathan said to Leo.
Why dont you?
Come on, Leo, Brooke said. Lets try to make the best of it. Id be happy if my dad was here.
Yeah. Too bad he cant be bothered to spend time with you.
This cracked Brookes sunny persona. Her brows slanted downward. If it wasnt for your mom and her stupid ankle, he wouldnt have canceled.
Leave her out of it.
I dont think she wanted to come on the trip.
For good reason.
What?
Theyre getting a divorce, Leo said.
Nathan hadnt heard this news. He glanced at Abby, who appeared as shocked as he was. She sat down on a log in front of the fire pit and cupped a hand over her forehead. Nathan hated the way Lydia had left him, but he didnt wish another divorce on her. Abby didnt seem happy about it, either.