One Last Step by Sarah Sutton (free e books to read TXT) 📗

difficult. They knew they didn’t have much time. They had already lost almost a full day, and it was likely the killer could strike again that very night.

Warren spoke to the room. “We’ll pick some checkpoints and split up into teams.”

They all nodded.

“Just let us know where you need us. We know these trails well,” the lieutenant replied for all of them.

His last name was Daniels and he stood about six feet, with a five o’clock shadow that made his jaw look even more defined than it already was. It was nice to have someone on their side for a change, and Tara felt a new optimism in his presence.

She peered at the map again and placed one finger on the dot where the second crime scene was, right outside of Hanover, New Hampshire, and another finger over the dot that marked the third crime scene in Vermont.

“Well, he traveled fifteen miles in about twenty-four hours, so potentially that means in five hours…” She used the map’s scale and mapped out another fifteen from where that murder occurred. “He would be about here, in Vermont, where the trail intersects with Route Four.” She placed her finger down on the map to mark the spot. “I think one checkpoint should be there.”

Warren agreed. Lieutenant Daniels stepped forward, peering down at the map as well.

“What about Gifford Woods State Park?” he asked as he placed his finger down on the map, where the trail intersected with Route 100. “There’s a campground there. It’s closed right now with everything going on, but I know for a fact that people have still been trying to camp there.”

It was the same thing Sheriff Brady had said, that people were still not fully abiding to the portion of the trail being closed.

“All right, we got another checkpoint then,” Warren said.

They continued to pick out four more spots on the trail, based on access points, close proximity to campgrounds, and the estimated speed at which the killer was moving.

Warren then partnered them up, assigning each group a checkpoint until none remained. Tara was assigned the Route Four intersection and partnered with the lieutenant. Warren would take Gifford Woods State Park with another officer.

When done, Warren spoke again. “This could be very dangerous,” he warned the room. “You all need to be on your highest alert.”

There was a stroke of intimidation in his tone and stance that reminded Tara of the first time she met him. All the officers abruptly nodded at his words.

He continued: “Each team will take a walkie-talkie. We need to check in when we get there, and then every twenty minutes…and well, of course, if you see something.”

They each took a flashlight and radio, which were piled on one end of the table. Warren reached for the map and rolled it up before walking toward the door. Tara and all the other officers followed behind. But just before Tara left the room, she caught a glimpse of the clock hanging over the doorframe. It was now six thirty PM and she could hear the clock ticking away.

***

Tara checked the time on her phone, which showed it was one AM exactly. She and Lieutenant Daniels had been waiting at their checkpoint for about six hours. They had walked the trail a few times already, but they had yet to see anyone, and they were now sitting in the car as close to the trail as possible.

Tara had grown to like the lieutenant. He was optimistic, easy to work with, and just like Tara, he was new in his role. Their conversations were mostly about the case, but they had some small talk too to fill in the silence and she had just learned he was promoted last year.

“What made you want to get into law enforcement?” she asked.

“Eh, I’ve always wanted this. My dad was the chief of Bridgewater many years ago. He’s retired now, but I always wanted to follow in his footsteps.”

“To be chief?”

He nodded. “That’s the goal. I think it’s always been my dad’s too,” he said with a smile. “He threw this big party last year when I got lieutenant. I can only imagine what it’ll be like if I ever get chief,” he added with a chuckle.

Tara forced a smile. She couldn’t help but feel envious of the relationship he had with his father. He spoke about him with such admiration and it was clear how much his influence shaped him. It was a support system Tara had never had, and she wondered how different her life would’ve been if she did.

“What about you?” he asked.

Tara’s face flushed. “Same,” she said. “It’s been a dream of mine since I can remember.”

He waited for her to elaborate, and an awkward silence filled the car. But then a voice sounded through the walkie-talkie. It was Warren.

“Checking in,” he said.

Tara held down the button and spoke, thankful for the distraction.

“Nothing to report here,” she said.

One by one, each group checked in, reiterating Tara’s words. They had nothing to report.

Tara placed the radio back down and sat further into her seat. A cool breeze flowed in through the window and brushed against her face, but just as quickly as it came, it left, and the humid summer heat settled once again within the car, along with the silence.

“Maybe we should check the trail again?” she suggested, trying to avoid another question about her past.

They had been checking every thirty minutes, and it was just about that time anyway.

The lieutenant agreed.

They stepped out of the car, flashlights in hand, and were soon entering the trail. Again, not a soul was to be seen, but they continued their rounds. They walked up and down the trail, shining their flashlights every which way, but just like the last few times, there was nothing.

Tara was growing more doubtful about their efforts. No one had discovered anything, and it had been hours. But as the doubt seeped into her mind, so did a feeling of worry. The