Because he had no description of who Prudence Knight was traveling with, Larry had focused on the woman. Her photo wasn’t a lot of use, so he reminded them that she was scratched and bruised from a fall. She had long, blonde hair and would probably squint a bit, since she’d lost her glasses in the fall through the tree. She was traveling with someone else, so look for people in pairs. He figured that was good enough to turn her up once they emerged from the woods.

They’d seen where they went into the woods, of course, but had been unable to find any other signs of them. Too many miles to cover and only one chopper to do it with. It had seemed wise to abandon the air search and focus all their attention on places where the pair could get transportation. At least until Grady got them an ID on the truck and possibly a picture of the owner.

He couldn’t fault the support Grady had sent him. It was an education and, if he were truthful, a bit troubling. He’d had no idea Grady had this level of support at his fingertips. It was damn near an army.

At first he’d thought about heading into Estes Park. It was closer than Boulder and would have a hospital and more transport options than most of the smaller towns, but it was away from Denver, and Grady said that’s where they would head. They could still be on skis, of course, maybe still heading cross country, but they’d have to take them off eventually, and he was pretty sure they had them boxed in. How could they not?

He noticed a couple looking into an antique shop across from the bus stop. It was pretty cold to be window shopping. Maybe he’d just check them out…

He turned in behind them. If they were expecting trouble or the girl had gotten a look at his face, the situation could get hot fast. On the other hand, he didn’t want to pull out the guns on a town street. Just wanted to ID them, then follow them and take them somewhere quieter. He pulled out a map and studied it, like he might be lost. Then he rolled down the window.

“Excuse me.” The couple didn’t move. He opened his truck and hopped out, approaching them from behind and forcing them to turn. The woman was still partly in shadow from the overhang, but as soon as he got closer, he could tell she wasn’t his gal. Even in the shade, her short blonde hair poked out from under the edges of her ski cap. And no sign of bump or bruise on her model-perfect face, and not squint. Prudence Knight had been a real geek with pulled back hair. Couldn’t stop now, though. He held out the map. “I seem to have taken a wrong turn somewhere. Can you tell me how to get to Allenspark?”

The guy, his air of authority enough to jump Larry’s heart, took the map from him and spread it out on the hood of his truck. His mind raced as he pretended to follow the man’s directions. Where could they be? And why had he chosen a cop to ask directions from? He’d remember his face, and he was sure, from the piercing look he got in return, that the guy would remember him.

“Thanks. Don’t know where I went wrong.” He took the map and looked at the girl. “Anything interesting there? My wife likes antiques, and she’s got a birthday coming up.”

“Slim pickings here, I’m afraid,” the girl said, with a slight, lovely smile. “Ready, honey?” she said to the man, then to him, “My husband is going to buy me my very own handgun. I know a Glock isn’t usually considered a lady’s gun. What do you think?”

Larry didn’t know what to think. He backed away. “A Glock’s very nice. As are others—well, thanks.” He climbed into the truck and watched the pair cross the street and enter the gun and tackle shop. Maybe someone at the local eating places had seen a woman with a scratched face.