Chapter 1The cold pierced his coat and worked right into his skin, enveloping his bones. Jay Archer had been a Park Ranger for fifteen years, but he had never been more miserable. The rain didn’t fall in drops. It came down in sheets and layers. The tiny poncho and his damned hat did nothing to protect him, and the mud sucked hungrily at his boots. Each sloppy step threatened injury, and he grasped with futility at the sharp branches and rough trunks, trying to keep his balance.
Jay tried to comfort himself with promises of a hot shower, hot coffee laced with strong whiskey, a hot bed, and maybe, a warm body if he could find one. But his body wasn’t fooled. His flesh couldn’t be placated with empty promises, and right at that moment, he couldn’t quite believe anything warm existed anywher
