“Looks like she was here,” the senior detective murmured. “Recently.” Another officer crouched beside a shallow pit blackened by soot. “Campfire. Rain killed it maybe a day ago.” Valorian circled the area once, then sat heavily beside the tarp, chest heaving. His job, for now, was done.
The handler laid a steadying hand on Valorian’s back. “Easy, boy. You found it.” The mastiff blinked, slow and weary. “We’ll call Forensics,” the detective said, already on his radio. “Get a team out here. Could be where he kept her.” He glanced at the dog. “This guy just handed us the map.”