Mountaintop Murder

Chapter 3

The ruins left by the total loss of the ranger's cabin afforded those that desired them, many a hiding spot. They had discovered several such spots many weeks ago when they began to plan out where to leave the body. It was in one of those spots that they had secreted themselves when they heard someone approaching.

The chance of getting caught was always part of the thrill with what they did. The couple that had discovered their latest body had almost discovered them when they went to view it, and now someone else was coming. They felt a slight thrill when the woman came into view. She was dressed in hiking apparel but was clearly a cop. The gun on her hip was a dead giveaway. They knew this cop and she was very good at her job. They also knew that it would be she that would get assigned to the case. It would seem that the game was afoot.

They shifted ever so slightly in their position to try and get a better look at the cop when she stopped walking. They froze, uncertain if they had given away their position. They watched as the cop scanned the area, her hand on the butt of her pistol. There she stood until two more people joined her. They recognized the pair as a couple of techs. These would be the people that would collect any clues that would lead this lady cop to their door. They could barely contain their excitement.

The male tech said something imperceptible, and the lady cop answered. They strained their ears but could not make out what was being said. When the lady cop was finished talking, she started her ascent once more and the pair of techs followed behind her. The cop's eyes never left the spot where the cabin once stood. It was evident that she knew on some level that they were there. They stayed hidden away in their secret spot for several minutes after the trio vanished from view.

Slowly, they extracted themselves from the spot and came out by the chimney. They knew that they were smarter than the cop could ever be and had already demonstrated that fact many times over. She was the cat to their mouse and for once the mouse would win. They hoped that she enjoyed the gift that they left behind. They knew that it was perhaps a bit predictable and slightly childish, but they wanted her to know that she was being challenged, maybe even dared to come find them.

They turned to leave the mountain, deciding the best way off was via the lesser used observer's trail. This would allow them to avoid the police that were most likely stationed in the parking area for the ranger's trail. As they walked away from the foundation, they began to prance and whistle a happy little song, Don't Worry, Be Happy.