CHAPTER TWO
It was now evening at Heidi's school. No trace of Heidi had been found. Several police officers were now on-site with Brass coordinating the search. Search dogs had been brought in as well. Grissom and Sara had come to join Iris with Brass for support. Iris had briefly left to return with Durante and Cyrano. She wanted to help in any way possible. The possibility for abduction was now the prime concern but no call from a kidnapper had been received. Heidi's parents kept vigil inside the school. News vans came and went as an Amber Alert had been issued by the LVPD for Heidi Watson.
"Jim, have those dogs found anything yet?" Grissom asked. He'd heard sounds of barking from the dogs. Sara was standing with Iris nearby.
"Nah. Those hounds have been going all over the place and now we're getting ready to head over to a park a block away. It's got woodsy areas and walking trails. Doubt we find anything tonight." Brass walked over with Grissom to rejoin Sara and Iris.
"Sara, we're all heading on over to the park. The search dogs have a scent trail that's leading them there. We can go in my Denali." Grissom informed them.
"Can I bring the pups?" Iris asked.
"Sure, I can make room in the back," Grissom replied with a slight smile. He understood Iris's reasoning for bringing the bloodhounds. They were pets to Jim and Iris but also formerly trained scent dogs when Iris still lived in Dallas.
Sara rode shotgun with Grissom, as Jim and Iris sat in back. Brass held Iris's hand as she looked outside intently. "We're gonna find her, don't worry yourself, hon," Brass said softly to Iris, as he raised her hand to kiss it. She briefly rested her head against his cheek as she nodded silently in agreement.
Grissom drove quickly to the park, which was only five minutes from the school. They quickly exited to join the other officers already scouring the park. Bright lights had been brought in to illuminate the parking lot. Iris told Jim she wanted to speak to the officers handling their own scent dogs. He told her to stay nearby.
Iris walked her dogs over to where the other dogs and their handlers were grouped.
"Officer Morales, have you had any good scent leads?" Iris asked a female officer holding her own bloodhound.
"Off and on but right now the dogs have gone cold. We had one good hit going into this part of the park but it's just become a dead-end for us."
"Could I help with my dogs here? I've got extra hands or should I say paws here and no expense to the department." Iris asked hopefully.
"They'd be of no use to us since they're older and I doubt they'd scent nearly as well as the ones we have now which are younger." Officer Morales replied.
"I agree they're not as young as they used to be, but I believe they could be of value here." Iris persisted.
"Sorry. I can't grant you the permission. If you'll excuse me…" Officer Morales quickly removed herself and went on to be nearer the other dog handlers.
Iris knelt by Cyrano and Durante as she whispered. "I know you guys can do it if given the chance."