Payback (The Canine Handler Book 1)

by Hillegas, Maria

  After what seemed like forever, but was really only a few minutes, the deputy returned Kellee’s ID. He stood to the side and waved both women through the stone gates to the base camp area. Sarah didn’t realize she had been holding her breath. She exhaled sharply with a happy sigh of relief.

  Sarah slowly drove along the access road. This area was one of her favorite spaces within the park. The horse trailer parking lot was a well-used area for avid trail riders. Many other park goers stopped there because the site lent well to dog walkers and hikers. The lot was large and open. There were several picnic tables available as well as wide well-groomed bridle trails that park goers liked to hike. The trails near this lot traveled close along the lake’s contour.

  The space was level with an entrance and an exit. The horse trailer lot featured crushed stone and sported a portable bathroom. It was the perfect location to be set-up for a wilderness search within the park parameters. The site would accommodate several searchers, their vehicles, media and the county’s large command center if that was also being utilized.

  Across from this site was a sizeable hay field that could hold overflow vehicles. There was also capacity for a helipad if the need arose. Helicopters were useful for searching areas with difficult to access terrain, and the use of infrared at times was beneficial as well. You never knew what a search would entail—or the outcome—even though you hoped it would be a good ending. But, that is why training involved as many scenarios as possible.

  Searchers always kept their hopes up that it would end with a live find—subject found alive and well—and everyone goes home afterwards. But a helicopter would came in handy if a search victim was found with debilitating injuries, requiring emergency transport. Even that was better than a deceased subject find—which turned into a recovery rather than rescue.

  Sarah followed the narrow road’s twists and turns with Kellee trailing close behind. Amazed at the recent storm’s devastation, Sarah spotted downed and uprooted trees. She made a mental note not to forget to wear gaitors over her hiking boots and pants to help protect her feet and legs from rough patches they might encounter while out in the field. Made of tough, waterproof Gore-Tex, the gaitors zipped up the side of her calf like a half chap covering from the top of her boots to the bottom of her knee.

  Sarah passed the glistening lake. She marveled at how the morning sun bounced off the overflowing body of water. Her thoughts turned toward the water search for a moment. She was thankful there had been a portion of beach to run the shoreline searches yesterday. All the recent rains had swollen the lake and in turn, the water level was at its highest. Some of the lake’s normal rocky shoreline that met the grassy edge had completely flooded the beach on this side of the lake.

  Close to 0900 hours, Sarah and Kellee arrived at the lot, already at capacity and full of activity. The area was full of deep, wide puddles. The ground looked soft and muddy where it met the crushed stone. Sarah quickly scanned to find an open and less soggy spot where both vehicles could park side by side. She also wanted a spot away from most of the activity. If she could back the truck in, the dogs would not be as distracted by the comings and goings of other personnel attending the search. The less motion the dogs took in while in their crates, the more they could relax, or so she thought.

  Heading to the back of the lot, Sarah spied the perfect spot. Dropping into four-wheel drive with the flip of a switch, she executed a three-point turn and parked on the soggy grass between the porta-potty and a small clump of trees. Kellee opted to park her front-wheel drive van on the gravel in front of Sarah’s truck. Good thinking, Sarah thought, no use getting stuck and causing a second rescue today.

  Sarah saw the local media and a news commentator heading her way as soon as she put the truck in park. “Great!” she voiced out loud with a bit of irritation. This was the last thing she wanted to deal with at the moment. Calm down, she told herself, don’t let the red-headed attitude show through. You can handle this. Taking a deep breath, she thought back to her training and how they were taught to deal with the media. She slowly opened her truck door to step out.

  Luckily for Sarah, Kellee sprang from her van to intersect the reporter and entourage. Although at times, the media can be positive for a search, they can also be a hindrance, trying to glean information from search responders, especially at the most inappropriate and inopportune times.

  I wonder why and how they got in. I thought this was a “closed” search? Maybe it’s to show the public how their taxpayer dollars are being utilized.

  Kellee blocked the reporter and the cameramen. Sarah could see the spokesperson continue to point toward Sarah’s truck. Sarah made busy with the dogs and her gear until Kellee could satisfy them. Finally, the news team turned and headed toward another group of searchers who had just pulled into base camp. Kellee threw her hands up in the air and smiled as she walked to Sarah. Sarah responded by rolling her eyes and shrugging her shoulders and a slow, sly smile crept across her face.

  Sarah let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Sarah gave Kellee a quick hug. “I owe you big time!”

  “Oh, don’t thank me,” Kellee retorted with a smirk and a wink. “I said you’d give them a full interview after the search was concluded. Including all about how your dogs work, what’s involved with training air-scenting canines—and even a demo.”

  “Great, Kellee. I know I can always count on you,” Sarah said sarcastically. “We better go sign in.”

  The command unit and sign-in table were not far from their vehicles. Sarah felt confident leaving the dogs unattended for the short time she would be away. She opened up the back of the truck to allow air to vent for Gunner and Sam. The dogs stood up in their crates. They had stopped barking but were still whining. “Okay, guys, I’ll be back in few. Just chill out for now.” The dogs tilted their heads at Sarah as they listened. They stopped their whining for a moment as she spoke, but it picked right back up when she turned to leave.

  Sarah looked around base camp. There were units already on scene from other volunteer search organizations she and her team trained with on occasion. It looked like the ground-pounder team and mounted unit had already checked in and were headed out on search tasks. She saw a couple gentlemen who were highly skilled man-trackers. Even though her anxiety was high and her adrenaline was pumping, she felt right at home among all the other searchers and frenzy of activity.

  With such a large turn-out from the search community, Sarah hoped for a task far from base. Or at least an area up-wind of other searchers for Gunner and Sam’s sake. If there were less people for the dogs to check out, it would make it easier for her to control their whereabouts since they would work off-leash.

  Sarah knew her boys would waste valuable time checking out any human they caught scent of who might be working close by. Sam and Gunner weren’t trained to scent discriminate like Dave’s bloodhound Bella. She would only search for a certain person’s scent. But the German Shepherds were taught to search and locate any unfamiliar human that happened to be in their assigned search area. And dogs didn’t understand search task boundaries. If there were searchers in an adjacent area they wouldn’t check the GPS before following whatever human scent blew their way.

  Sarah noticed the state had brought its larger mobile command post today. It was centrally positioned in the parking lot. Geez, an impressive bit of a beast. The mobile unit was a large Class-A motorhome that had been morphed into a highly utilized resource center, complete with the county’s 911 logo and other contact phone numbers emblazoned on the outside.

  Several large antennas sprouted from the sides and top of the vehicle. Its windows were darkened glass so no one could see in, but people working inside could easily peer out. Spotlights were attached to the sides of the unit, as well as a huge awning. Generators were running, but were semi-quiet and barely audible. They made a low humming noise and a low rumble Sarah could feel through the ground.

  Normally on a search, there
was a certain “hurriedness” to getting there and being ready, but usually, there was a lot of down time as well. It was pretty much a “hurry up and wait” game. Most searchers would use the down time to check packs or take a nap and get as much information on the area and the missing subject as they could. Today’s search resembled the norm more than yesterday’s water search. To Sarah, it epitomized the atmosphere of a regular call-out and search. Thank God, she thought, doubt I could handle the stress that surrounded yesterday’s deployment two days in a row.

  Both women headed over to the crowded sign-in table and stood in line behind other first responders waiting to check in. Sarah was fidgety and the line seemed to move slow. Finally, she thought as she made it to the table. “Sarah Gavin, local county canine team,” Sarah began when it was her turn. The officer manning the table looked up when she stated her name.

  “So you’re Sarah,” he said. He smiled at her and she returned the smile.

  Sarah wasn’t expecting her name to bring recognition from someone she didn’t know. It surprised her. Taking a deep breath to control rising anxiety she returned the exchange. “Am I on the wanted list?” she laughed.

  “Oh no,” the officer replied with a grin. “Seems a few people are pretty impressed with you and your dogs.”

  “Is that a fact?”

  “Yes, it is. The lieutenant was very happy with the job and support your team provided yesterday.”

  “That’s nice to hear. Good feedback’s always welcome,” Kellee piped in. “Our team trains and works diligently to make sure we can provide a reliable resource.” Sarah could tell Kellee was trying to take some of the pressure off of her. Her friend knew she didn’t always like being in the spotlight.

  “Well, we really appreciate you joining the efforts again today.”

  “Not a problem. Glad we can help out.” Sarah handed over her ID so the officer could check her in as they continued their conversation.

  “I believe the lieutenant is waiting on you guys. When we’re done here, go ahead in the command center and check in with her.”

  “Okay, appreciate your help.” Sarah tucked her ID back in the case that hung around her neck on the lanyard. She waited for Kellee to finish up and they headed to the door at the end of the command unit.

  Although Sarah knew she and her dogs were ready for today’s search, she still had apprehensions left over from the previous day and the water search. She was worried her nervousness would show through or she would say something stupid in front of the lieutenant. Chill out, she told herself. We’ll get through this fine. We’re all human. She didn’t understand where all the angst was coming from. Kellee opened the door and both women entered the unit.

  Chapter 16

  Sarah

  The moment Sarah and Kellee entered the state police command unit, they were impressed. The hulking RV had been a recent purchase—over $500,000 of federal money spent upgrading to a newer, higher tech model. Not as expensive as many other states, but it was still a large chunk of money.

  This unit was much more glamorous than the smaller, older county unit they’d used for yesterday’s water search. It sported the most up-to-date computers, communication and internet systems available, as well a full kitchen and bathroom. They were tied into the state’s computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system which allowed search management easy access to all databases.

  Kellee looked at Sarah and mouthed, “Wow.”

  Sarah nodded her head. Overkill, she thought. This place is nicer than my two-bedroom shack.

  The unit was pulsating with commotion. It felt like it was its own entity possessing private energy. A ground-pound team stood near the front receiving a briefing on their search assignment. Communications buzzed with the sound of radio transmissions from teams just heading out or starting their task.

  On one side of the command center, a huge area map covered most of the wall. A trooper was writing “LKP,” Last Known Point, in red letters on the spot where the car had been found. There was a red circle encompassing the immediate search area with the acronym “RoW” written just outside of it. The acronym stood for Rest of the World, the portion outside of the immediate search area. Their efforts would be concentrated within the red circle. Eventually, if the subject was not found within that immediate search area, sectors within the RoW would be the next step. We will be searching somewhere in that area, Sarah thought as she made a quick study of the map.

  Everyone had a job to do and was acting on it. No one was standing around idle. All the fervor sent Sarah’s energy level up another degree.

  “Well good morning, ladies. Didn’t think we would be meeting again like this so soon,” Lieutenant Langenberg greeted them.

  “Good morning,” Sarah and Kellee returned in unison.

  “Glad we could help out again,” Kellee added.

  “Are your dogs up for a search again so soon?” the lieutenant asked. “Isn’t this tough on them mentally and physically?”

  “They’re ready and waiting. They would be here without me if they didn’t need a chauffeur,” Sarah laughed. “It’s really not that tough on them. Since we split the search tasks up yesterday, Sam and Gunner had plenty of downtime. It will be more physical for them today, running through the woods, but it will help use up some of their excessive energy. Maybe they’ll sleep well tonight,” Sarah added.

  “The dogs are pretty physically fit. We wouldn’t deploy with them again if it jeopardized or compromised their health and well-being,” Kellee stated.

  “Okay, I just wanted to make sure. You guys did a fantastic job yesterday. My team and I were pleased with the work your organization provided—and the level of professionalism.”

  Sarah looked up and met Kellee’s gaze. Both women smiled. The weight of what the lieutenant was saying was not lost on them. Kellee nodded in response.

  “Thank you, we appreciate the opportunity to help out and utilize all of our training,” Kellee stated.

  “It’s refreshing to work with ‘drama free’ teams as well. Since we’re treating this area as a potential crime scene, we expect that same work ethic today. We don’t know if today’s subject is in any way tied to what we found yesterday, but we don’t know that he’s not either.”

  The lieutenant pointed to the table as she spoke. Sarah and Kellee obliged, heading to the desk full of paperwork and maps. They sat down across from each other, but Lieutenant Langenberg remained standing at the head of the table. Search management personnel continued to interrupt the lieutenant, peppering her with questions regarding placement of resources and other decisions that needed to be made. No one realizes how much work and energy goes into a search effort, Sarah thought.

  Turning her attention back to the two women, Lieutenant Langenberg closed her eyes and gathered her thoughts. “Okay, we have a lot of information to go over. Some new knowledge has just come in from our K9 Unit as well. We’ll wait for him to make his way over here from the LKP. After we’re done going over the map and the subject’s details, I want you to meet with him so you can go over what he and his tracking dog found.”

  “Are you talking about Trooper Graves?” Sarah questioned.

  “Yes, that would be the one.”

  “Was he able to work Bella this morning successfully?”

  “He worked her over at the LKP and I believe the pair found some information that will be useful in determining where we’ll task you and your dogs. But let’s go over the map and the subject first. Then we find out what he’s learned. You three can discuss all the canine jargon.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Kellee added.

  The first map the lieutenant opened up and straightened out across the table was a topo map. “Here we are,” she pointed to a cleared area with an unimproved road running alongside it, a small stretch of trees and the lake on the tree line side.

  “Here is the LKP where the subject’s car was found.” In red letters, LKP was marked in a small clearing along Sinsheim Road and a small finger o
f Lake Marburg. A black circle had been made around that portion, indicating the initial search area that Sarah had noticed on the wall map on her way in. From there, arrows and notes had been drawn regarding the main trails, the most popular points along those trails and other frequently visited sections of the park.

  “This is the area our K9 worked this morning.” The lieutenant continued to point at the black-encircled area with the tip of her pen. “The dog was able to pick up a track on this trail head, and follow it several hundred meters, but then apparently lost it. Dave can give you greater details. He should be here any minute.”

  The door to the command unit opened. Dave’s booming voice could be heard as he spoke to the search management team on the way in.

  “Hey there, guys! How’s it going this morning? Any luck yet?” Dave asked management, making his way toward the group of women. The management team just shook their heads as he passed.

  Sarah was quiet as Dave approached. He seemed to be in a great mood. Beaming’s more like it, she thought. His smiling face did nothing to hide how he felt.

  “Bella worked great this morning,” Dave said as he looked at the lieutenant, hands on his hips. “The conditions were difficult though. With all the major storms that have passed through there’s been a lot of rain since the car was left in the lot. And tons of foot traffic through the area as well. But Bella never gave up,” Dave said proudly. “Although we lost the track, she did give us a clue as to which direction the subject went after he exited his vehicle.”

  “That’ll be very helpful,” Kellee responded.

  “Good thing Bella’s on our payroll,” the lieutenant teased Dave.

  Sarah couldn’t help but smile at him. Dave was excited and full of enthusiasm as he described how Bella had worked and found the track, giving every detail of their search effort from earlier. His energy was infectious as he used his hands to describe how Bella worked and the track she picked up. He was very animated. She could tell he was completely absorbed with his canine partner and doing scenting work. It was hard not to be.