Along the way, Brian's keen eyes spotted plenty of fresh tracks on the ground and some small footprints.
In an open area, it's difficult for tracks to remain visible for several days.
The mountain wind would carry away leaves that covered any traces.
This indicated that the tracks were fresh.
Judging from the tracks and footprints, these weren't left by the police officers; they more closely resembled those left by the victimized children wandering through the forest.
In an open space, tracks are hard to preserve, and scents are even more difficult to retain.
Movement plus strong wind meant scent molecules had no chance to cling to the surroundings before being dispersed.
Other than detecting some residual urine smell, Brian didn't notice any particularly distinctive scents along the way.
After walking about fifty meters more,
He came across Chief Jilder waiting under a cluster of disordered trees, with a few patrolling officers around him.
Their faces were mostly grim.
