One Hundred-Thirteen

She managed to cover another twelve miles, stopping and checking the breeze every mile mark on the odometer. The scent became stronger as she traveled along the upper ridge of the valley. When it was too dark to go on safely without lights, she found a spot where she could get off the fire trail and parked.

She got out and listened, but there was nothing but the breeze through the pines. She sniffed the air again and found that the scent was rather strong. She pulled out a flashlight and flipped its red lens down in place. She also pulled out the pistol and threaded the silencer onto it. She clicked on the flashlight and started walking slowly towards the scent. She carefully walked about a hundred yards when she found the tree he had marked. It was a huge pine, easily four feet across at the base. She looked around on the ground but there were no tracks, the thick layer of pine needles prevented it. She walked around the tree first, looking outwards. There was nothing that registered