In front of the shops in Augusta Town, a free Christmas tree cut from the mountains is still placed on the wall.

Most of the shops are already open.

Life is not very stressful, and the residents here are quite laid-back every day and don't need extra relaxation.

City dwellers have wealth and they lose something, and in a town like Augusta, the holidays are just a reason to take a vacation, go hunting, fishing, and sleep at home.

The older generation felt that the clothes sold in the market were not as warm as animal skins, so they learned from the wisdom of their ancestors, wore clothes made of beaver and deer skins, and lay under the eaves of the wind to bask in the sun

This year's early cold wave froze to death many animals that did not have time to prepare for the winter.

The number of hunting permits issued has decreased significantly compared to previous years, and the most severely affected animals such as elk and moose are directly prohibited from hunting.

Because Canada is farther north, it is colder than here, and Frathead has recently arrived in a large group of British Columbia wolves that have gone south for the winter.

This makes life even more difficult for the herbivores in the already difficult Flathead National Forest.

Other animals in the snow can't escape the encirclement of this wolf.

Even if they don't eat it, they will be killed for the pleasure of British Columbia wolves, including the pups of brown bears, jaguars and other animals.

So after surveying the wolf population, the park service increased the number of British Columbia wolves allowed to be killed this year to 200.

For every one killed, there is a reward of 100 dollars, which attracts many hunters to go into the mountains to hunt wolves.

When Han Xuan arrived in Augusta Town, he clearly noticed that the atmosphere here was more depressing than before.

People couldn't help but feel sad on their faces while welcoming him.

Puzzled Jason to stop and open the car door, Han Xuan asked a young cowboy on the side of the road who worked in the Snow Mountain Ranch and had met several times before, "Is something going on in the town?"

Everyone was not very happy. ”

"You're back, little boss.

Maybe you haven't heard that Uncle Knahan and his son Rick were killed by wolves.

Yesterday they went into the mountains to hunt and did not return all night.

In the morning, the new mayor of the town, Mr. Fritz, took more than 300 of us to search the park and found their bodies almost two kilometers from the forest."

Han Xuan was shocked!

Mr. Knahan Sr. was the sheriff of Augusta and was revered by the residents for more than three decades.

He is 59 years old, and when he retires next year, he will hand over the position of sheriff to his eldest son Rick, but he didn't expect such bad news to happen!

Suddenly remembering something, Han Xuan set his eyes on Old Barton, who had just gotten out of the black Humvee.

Knahan was his best friend in life.

The two have been neighbors since childhood, grew up together, and have maintained a friendship relationship for more than 50 years......

Old Patton went to Billings overnight to pick up Han Xuan, and at the moment he didn't know the news of his friend's death.

Laughing, he patted the cowboy on the shoulder and asked, "Elmand, had a good Christmas, right?"

Didn't you say you were going on vacation with your family, and you haven't left yet?

Hey, why are you looking at me like that, I didn't deduct your salary......"

Seeing the unusual gazes of the people around him, Old Patton's voice became quieter and quieter.

Knowing that something might have happened, he took off his mask, exhaled white air as he spoke, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Be prepared, Barton. ”

Old Barton's face suddenly turned red, "What? I'm fine, let's say, Han!"

Han Xuan's tone was sad, and he took off the hat on his head, "Sheriff Knahan, he died. ”

Old Patton stood there, nearly falling.

The cowboy named Elmand hurriedly grabbed him by the arm and made him sit on the ground.

The old cowboy leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

Tears poured out instantly, and at his age, he already looked down on life and death, but he couldn't suppress the sadness at the moment.

Barton bit his lip and raised his hand to cover his eyes, tears dripping down his chin.

As a strong western man, that pride did not allow him to cry too ugly, and said tremblingly, "No......

I also had a drink with him the other day, and he was going to retire to watch the Super Bowl, how could he die. ”

"He went out hunting with Rick yesterday and was wolfed"

When Han Xuan heard Elmande's words, he was afraid that something would happen to Old Barton's excitement, so he hurriedly pulled him and prevented Elmande from continuing to speak.

At least wait for him to recover first.

This way of dying by a wolf is too cruel.

A few years ago, in a town not far away, this kind of thing was encountered, and the corpse of that person even vomited when he entered the mortuary, and he was stunned on the spot

Old Barton cried even harder, and his mind didn't react for a while.

The voice stopped suddenly, and he lowered his arm, revealing those terrified eyes: "What about Rick?"

Rick: How's he?!"

“……”

No one answered him, and they all bowed their heads and did not speak.

Old Patton understood something, and collapsed powerlessly on the street.

There was a circle of people around, silent, not making a sound.

Montana's harsh environment has led to a ferocious temperament of carnivores, and many people die unexpectedly every year due to the weather and wild animal attacks.

Every person who goes hunting will have this kind of preparation for death before entering the mountains, and in the past, the speed of gun loading was slow, and there were so many tragedies.

In recent years, as shotguns have increased in range and power, this has rarely happened.

After a long time, old Barton looked at the blue sky, struggled to get up, and said to himself in a hoarse voice, "I don't believe how a good hunter like Knahan could be bitten to death by those damned wolves."

His bullets have never been wasted, and Rick is as good as his father to help him!"

The old mayor was too old to resign in early December.

Newly elected by the inhabitants of Augusta, the original judge, Fritz, who had just turned 50 this year, took on the post of mayor of the town.

When he received the news, he rushed over, heard the words of old Patton, and comforted: "I have been to see the scene, and there are at least twenty or more British Columbia wolf footprints.

It's a big pack of wolves, and they killed eight of them......"

"Even then, Rick will climb trees!

He has been a great tree climber since he was a child!

Kenahan is old and may die, but he must have a way to save his son!

Even if he dies himself, he will definitely save Rick!"

Old Patton's voice was even more hoarse, and a voice that suppressed anger came, and if there was anyone who knew Sheriff Knahan best, it would have to be him.

Han Xuan could see the bloodshot eyes of the old cowboy, and he was no longer as approachable as before.

I was very worried about his health, but now in this situation, I didn't plan to persuade him anything, it was useless.

When talking to Barton a few years ago, he said that Sheriff Knauhan wanted Rick to be Rick's godfather on the day he was born.

But the elder Barton decided that he was not in a position enough and refused.

To Barton Sr., Rick was like a son.

Wipe away your tears and push through the crowd to move forward.

His legs were weak and he fell, but because of the thick clothes, nothing happened, so he got up and continued walking.

Han Xuan caught up and grabbed him, "What are you doing?"

"Don't worry, I'm fine.

Someone must have killed them, I'm going to look at the body and find out about it!"

You go home first, Kelly prepares lunch for you.

Take Anya home first, it's cold outside. ”

Old Barton forced a smile

Han Xuan looked at Patton's back, in fact, he also thought in his heart that the sheriff and his son were targeted by wolves, and they were too far away from the forest border to escape, which led to their death.

But he couldn't destroy the old man's psychological pillar, sighed, and took out the phone.

Call the senior agent of the FBI Montana Division in memory, Mr. Edgar.

At the time of Christina's abduction, there was contact with him.

After connecting and identifying himself, after chatting a few words, Han Xuan said, "Mr. Edgar, please help me arrange for a few detectives from the Crime Scene Investigation Bureau to come over."

There was a fatality in my neighborhood, an animal attack, and I wanted to investigate ......" (To be continued. )