Knowing to no longer take anything for granted, Tansy pointed at the area. “I’m not sure it’s anything, but a flock of birds shot out of those trees. Didn’t look like a natural formation. They scattered instead of following the leader.”
Sam slammed down his coffee mug and called Graham. “When will Joe and Nico be back?”
Tansy turned to him. “Back? Where did they go?”
Graham checked his phone. “They’re at the sawmill. They’ll be here soon. I gave them a heads-up. Nothing on the cameras.”
Tansy pointed out the window. “There’s another flock. Definitely something coming this way and not something the wildlife is used to. Someone not used to moving through the woods.” She watched the trees for a bit. “Seems like isolated movement. I’d guess no more than two people, more likely one.”
Graham spoke up again. “I texted Marcus. He’s on his way.”
“Maybe I’m wrong.”
Sam kissed her head and squeezed her in a hug. “Not likely.”
Graham nodded. “What’s the plan?”
“It could be a lost hiker.” She wanted it to be a lost hiker.
“Not likely.” Both men echoed her words back to her.
“Keep your phone on you. Wait, where’s your phone?” Sam looked around, then jogged up the stairs to where she’d had it the night before.
He kissed her and pointed to a chair. “You’ll be able to see from there, but it’s off to the side, so no one should be able to see you in the shadow. We’ll text you once we have him.”
“But…”
He kissed her again. “We’ll be back soon.”
And then they were gone.
Sam double checked the lock on the door and then slipped down the back stairs and to the back of the garage.
Graham would stay there and cover the lodge.
Sam knew the terrain better thanks to his jogs with Tansy, so he slipped into the woods.
At the very least, he’d scout out the situation. At best, he’d take down whoever was on their land.
Joe and Nico would be close, with Marcus not far behind.
Sam jogged through the trees and waited at a spot where some larger rocks tumbled together beside some pines.
A good location if the person turned out to have a gun.
Once Sam was settled, he didn’t have long to wait. Someone swore, and Sam saw trees moving. Then more of them.
“Why the hell couldn’t she live in a damn city like a normal person?” The frustrated complaint was loud enough that Sam recognized the voice. James Stephens.
He fired a quick text off to Graham, knowing he would take care of sharing the info.
Sam doubted Stephens was good with a gun, if he was even armed, but he kept his own gun free in case the man wasn’t alone. According to the man’s running monologue, he wasn’t a fan of the woods or hiking.
When Stephens broke into view, Sam had to stifle a laugh. He was covered in mud, his jacket was torn, and he had a twig stuck in his hair.
The man didn’t look around, didn’t lower his voice, didn’t show any indication that he wasn’t alone.
“Stupid cameras. Stupid woods. Stupid woman. I just want to talk to her.” He slipped and landed flat on his ass. Sam almost laughed out loud. He was wearing fancy dress shoes. Something like what Nico would own.