CSi: But Not Forgotten

by A Rhea King

In Nevada, the CSi investigate a hearse and coffin found at the bottom of a canyon. In Miami, the CSi have been investigating the kidnapping of one of their own. Both cases lead to Ryan Wolfe.

10. Chapter 10

MOJAVE DESERT : PRESENT

Ryan tripped over a rock and staggered before he caught himself on a boulder. He immediately pulled his hand back from the burning rock. He looked ahead. The canyon wall had tapered into desert, but he'd seen something that looked like a house in the distance. He didn't know how the fast building heat of the desert played tricks on a person's mind. If he'd just kept following the foothills like he'd intended, he would have come to a major road by nightfall – twenty minutes before a local would have driven by and found him. Instead, he headed for the house in the desert.

Ryan was almost to it now and the illusion of the house suddenly gave way to a dead pine tree.

"No," Ryan whimpered, laying his hand on rough bark. He wanted to punch it, but that called for more strength than he could muster. He started walking again, heading into the desert. Ryan found himself wishing someone would come along to save him – like the stranger had a few days earlier.