When we rolled into the trailhead’s parking lot, it looked like we weren’t too far behind the crime scene guys and extra officers who secured the scene while the CSAs worked. I noticed all the extraneous vehicles were gone, and I guessed the rangers went up the trail collecting hikers and asking them to leave.
I saw Hauser chatting with one of the crime scene types as we rolled into the parking lot, and she now wore attire almost exactly like Burke. Black cargo pants. Black pull-over shirt. Black tactical boots. She saw us arrive and ended her conversation to head our way.
“Thanks for collecting my wayward agent,” Hauser said as she approached. “Now that the crime scene people are here, we’re free to head out.”
Gabrielle and Buddy arrived at my side just then, and I didn’t see how proce
