“It just came through,” she said.
“I’m tied up here in Junction. And Dr. Rand Martin, our medical director, is in surgery. I know you’re at the clinic today, but is there any way you can get free? It sounds like this climber is going to need medical attention and while there are plentyof people who can assess him and give the appropriate care to stabilize him until he can be transported, if he needs pain meds it’s better if we have a licensed person on-site.”
“Of course.” She stood and began gathering her belongings. “We’re not that busy, and there are people here who can cover for me.”
“Thanks. Let me know how it goes.”
She told her supervisor what was up and got permission to leave work early, texted Gary to let him know she might be home late and set out, grateful to have something new to focus on, even temporarily. Someone she didn’t know was having what was probably one of the worst days of his life. She could help make that day a little bit better.
Scott Sprague studiedthe damage to the storage room door, unspeaking, then moved into the center of the small space. “I can’t say for certain whether anything has been taken,” he said. “When the counselors need things like water or a sleeping bag or pack, they’re supposed to log what they take, but that doesn’t always happen.” He indicated a clipboard hanging by the door.
Aaron peered at the last listing on the board. “The last entry is dated two days ago. Someone took two bags of marshmallows for the bonfire.”
“Employees wouldn’t have broken the door to get in, would they?” Travis asked.
“They’d better not,” Scott said. “You say Gary Reynolds reported this to you?”
“Yes.”
“He should have told me first, and I would have notified you.”
“I was nearby when he discovered the damage,” Aaron said. “I think that’s why he came to me first.”
Scott said nothing. He exited the shed and Travis and Aaron followed. “Are you any closer to finding Olivia?” Scott asked.
“We’re still searching,” Travis said.
“But you’re not finding. She’s one little girl. How far could she have gotten in a rainstorm? You should have found some sign of her by now.”
“Unfortunately, there are a lot of places to hide in this rugged country. A lot of places to get lost.”
A lot of ways to get hurt,Aaron thought, but didn’t say it out loud.
“You took Reynolds in for questioning,” Scott said. “What did you find out from him?”
“Nothing,” Travis said.
“He’s my newest employee,” Scott said. “I don’t know much about him. Seems suspicious this girl disappears right after he shows up.”
“Do you think he knew Olivia?” Travis asked.
“What do her friends say?”
“They don’t remember ever seeing her alone with a staff member or even another camper,” Travis said.
“Kids are good at hiding things. And they don’t always tell the truth.” Scott spread his hands wide. “Don’t get me wrong. I love kids. It’s why I run a kids camp. But they’re not all little angels. You can’t believe everything they say. Or don’t say.”
“Have you considered temporarily closing the camp and sending the children home?” Travis asked.
Scott’s expression hardened. “I don’t think you understand what a thin financial margin I operate on here, Sheriff,” he said. “Closing the camp would be utter disaster for Mountain Kingdom. We might never recover. Of course, if I believed the children were in any real danger, I wouldn’t hesitate to send them away. But I really don’t see how petty vandalism and one missing girl—who probably ran away—is a serious threat.”
“Not everyone would agree with that assessment,” Travis said.
“I’ve run this camp for decades,” Scott said. “I know how to keep my campers safe.”
The sheriff held his gaze for a long moment, but Scott didn’t blink. “We’ll let you know if we find anything,” Travis said.
They left Scott contemplating the damaged door. “I want to talk to Wade Lawson,” Travis said.
