Chapter 561

• Tripp took the heavy bag off his back and leaned it against a tree. It had taken him a lot longer than he would have liked to follow this trail. With the snow coming down now, the tracks were covered. If it hadn’t been for the narrow path in the trees, he would have lost it—but a vehicle could only fit there.
• The sun was going down, but that was to his advantage, the hazy period between day and night made it harder for him to be seen and easier for him to move through the shadows and glares the departing sun left in its wake. His cat was just as annoyed as he was that the woman had been out there this long. He didn’t have time to pause and reassure his animal.
• The trail from the vehicle headed down through the bush and he debated for a moment on following it, but the smell of a fire burning piqued his interest and he’d learned a long time ago that following his gut paid off more than misleading signs laid out before him. It wasn’t a coincidence that the trail led past someone with a campfire going. With the storm, it was doubtful it was just some hikers out enjoying the fresh air.