Hunt and Prey (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 8) by Kaylie Hunter (novels to read for beginners txt) 📕

“That puts us further away from the action,” I said.

“Ever hear of a zoom feature on your camera?” Wild Card said as he walked over to his rental and started pulling his gear.

I looked over at Maggie. “He’s such a baby.”

She whispered low enough for Wild Card not to hear, “What are the chances that the gators will be in the field we’re about to walk across?”

“Don’t know, but I brought both a thermal camera and a rifle with a night-vision thermal scope—just in case.” From the back of the SUV, I pulled out my duffle bags, passing out vests and gear.

“When did you pack all this?” Wild Card asked, looking over my shoulder.

“I keep gear in all my vehicles. I transferred everything from my Mustang to your ride when we stopped at the mansion.”

Wild Card pulled a utility belt loaded with flash bangs out of one of my bags. “I’ve been driving your convertible around with explosive toys in the trunk?”

“Yup.”

“This is Florida. Doesn’t the trunk get hot?” Maggie asked.

“I paid for special insulation to be installed in the trunk. And the bags are also insulated. So, most days it’s not an issue. But if we’re having a heatwave, Garth moves the gear indoors.”

“This is so cool,” Wild Card said.

I looked over and saw him playing with the thermal camera. He had it aimed at Beast. You could see Beasts tongue, appearing orange and red on the camera, hanging down about eight inches, dripping red dots. I pulled the strap on my vest and secured the Velcro.

“You want the rifle or the camera?” I asked Wild Card as I closed the back of the SUV with one hand and carried the rifle with the other.

“Camera,” he answered, strutting toward the field.

“All right. But watch out for groupings of small lizards.”

“Why?” he asked, panning the camera across the field.

“Baby gators. Anything born this year will only be a few inches long, but they’ll be grouped together. If they’re last year’s babies, they’ll be around a foot or two in length. Either way, momma gator will be nearby.”

“How long will she protect them?” Maggie asked, looking across the field.

“Until they’re big enough to protect themselves. Usually four feet or so.”

Wild Card looked back at me, offering me the camera as he reached for the rifle. “Just tell me where to shoot.”

I laughed and started scanning the field from the road to the furthest distance on the other side. I’d have to keep checking, but for now, it appeared safe enough to cross.

~*~*~

Three hours later, I was about as annoyed as a person could get without screaming. In the earpiece I listened to Gibson babble non-stop about sports. Behind me, Maggie and Wild Card were playing with the thermal equipment. One of them would find a heated image in the field, then they’d guess what the animal was before racing each other to find a match on google using their phones.

At least Uncle Hank and Quille had muted their mics after they’d vacated their patio table and pretended to drive away. I hadn’t heard from them since they’d relocated back to the restaurant parking lot, letting me know they were watching the front parking lot via binoculars.

I didn’t mind stakeouts. In fact, most of the time, I enjoyed them because I was usually alone. It was quiet. Peaceful. This was nowhere near that.

Beast’s head swiveled to the right, toward the road. I watched Spence drive past in my Toyota—again. Spence and Ryan had set up a loop. One of them passed every twenty minutes. I had no idea what they did the rest of the time, but hoped that Spence had stopped somewhere to put gas in the tank. The short-bed truck was decent on fuel but had a small gas tank.

Beast sat up, leaning his weight into my leg. I reached over to pat him, but realized his head was no longer facing the road. Looking, I followed his stare to the side door of the truck stop. Sue Dodd was opening the door and stepping out to look around. When she didn’t see anyone, she flung the doorstop downward to hold the door open. She was on her phone, but I couldn’t hear what she was saying.

I turned my mic on, “Stand by. We have activity on the west side of the building.”

Wild Card and Maggie turned around in the tall grass, turning off their electronic gadgets.

“What’s she doing?” Maggie asked.

I didn’t answer. I pulled the camera from my bag, and after checking to ensure the flash was off, I snapped a few photos of Dodd with the zoom feature. I watched her end her call but she stayed by the door, watching the parking lot.

“Got something,” Chambers said. “Taking pictures. Sixteen-foot freight truck entered through the back drive off the side road. He’s driving behind the truck stop now. His headlights are off.”

“Damn it,” I whispered. “If he parks in front of the office, I’m going to lose my visual.”

“Maggie?” Wild Card whispered. “How long has it been since we scanned the north side of the field?”

“Ten minutes, maybe?” Maggie answered.

“Shit. Okay. Whatever. This is my fault, so I’ll fix it.” Wild Card grabbed my camera and veered off into the darkness toward the north.

“What’s he doing?” I asked Maggie.

“He’s the one who made you set up here, so I’m guessing he’s moving to where you wanted to be, and he’ll take your pictures for you.”

I waved a hand at the field. “Idiot. You guys just entertained yourselves for three hours playing guess the animal. And now he’s sneaking through the same field without the thermal camera?”

“It didn’t feel right taking the thermal from you guys,”