Free Payback (The Canine Handler Book 1) by Maria Hillegas Page A

ranger looked up to the women for guidance; the dog’s actions were not lost on him either. Gunner started to move along the inside of the boat, trying to keep in contact with this new human’s scent.
    “Watch where his nose leads him and try and follow,” Kellee instructed the ranger and pointed to where the dog wanted to go. “Gunner is trying to work out where the scent is coming from. Once he can really lock on, it will be easier to pursue where he wants to go.” The ranger responded by keeping a watchful eye as Gunner moved along the deck.
    Pulling the GPS out once more, Kellee hit the Mark Waypoints button on the front panel, and noted the coordinates on her waterproof pad with “Dog’s first alert.” She pulled out her radio to call in the dog’s alert to base camp. She watched Sarah follow behind Gunner giving him the support he needed to help work out where the scent was rising off the water. Water search work took serious focus and stamina for the dog. Between keeping his body steady in the boat and continually staying motivated to search for scent, it could prove very fatiguing.
    “Keep us posted,” base camp replied. “We’ll keep eyes on you from the shore. Dive team has been notified and is on standby ready to go in.”
    “Copy that,” Kellee replied, releasing her thumb off the receiver and pocketing her radio.
    They had gone several meters back toward the west when Gunner turned in the boat and headed back to the stern. Sarah looked back at the ranger. “On it,” he said and swung the boat sharply back east and in the direction of the dam.
    The dog’s body movements became more intense, showing frustration. He snapped at the air and hung himself over the gunwale trying to bite at the water. A few short woofs escaped his throat. Sarah painted a serious face, concentrating on where her dog wanted to go. She knew they were closing in. The thought he had actually found the body excited Sarah, but it also caused her a ping of sadness. It meant her dog had located someone deceased. She had to push those thoughts from her mind and believe that she and her team were actually helping someone with closure. Piecing together the other item Gunner had found earlier left several wild thoughts running through her head as well.
    The ranger made smaller and shorter grids as he watched Gunner and followed the direction the dog’s nose led. The dog stood still and studied the air for a moment. Gunner’s decision process could be seen by everyone in the boat as he calculated the situation. He sucked back into a secured position along the gunwale then broke loose. He vigorously began to bark. A deep, full bark spilled out, filled with spittle which sprayed Sarah and Kellee. The dog was locked on. Close enough to where the scent was coming up through the water and leaving the surface.
    Appearing almost possessed, Gunner tried to jump over the edge. Kellee took up some of the dog’s long line and helped to hold him in the boat. Sarah peered over into the water beside Gunner, pulling a Kong on a rope from her pocket. She swooped the toy down below the barking dog and brought it up to him as a reward for pinpointing the scent. Sarah tried to make it appear as if the toy had come up from the water, but Gunner knew it had been in her pocket the whole ride. There was no fooling him; he knew how the game worked. He latched onto the toy with a forceful bite and gnashed the rubber Kong between his powerful jaws. He continued to bark and mash the toy as he hung over the boat.
    “Good boy, Gunner!” Sarah heaped on him as she gave him a few swift, hard pats along his rib cage.
    Sarah looked back at Kellee. She couldn’t contain the excitement, her grin stretched wide across her face. Kellee returned a quick smile. Picking up the GPS and radio once more, Kellee noted the coordinates and called in a confirmed indication and location. Their boat rested about 50 meters off the dam and 200 meters from the southern shoreline