If possible,I’d like you to return to the park andhelp wrap this up. I get that this is eatinginto your time,but we both know an unfinished articlefrom Fletcher is just going to make a mess ofthings.
Call me when you get this. Except don’tcall between10:00a.m. to11:00a.m. I’ll be in church.
Signing off.
Twelve
Nature provides exceptions to every rule.
—Margaret Fuller, journalist
Scout was poking at the last of her scrambled eggs, debating whether she was actually hungry enough to finish them, when Frankie slid into the booth beside her, nearly knocking her coffee mug over. Maisie squeezed in next to Chase, beaming like they were all old friends who’d planned to meet here all along.
“Hey, Scout, you gonna finish that?” Frankie jutted his chin toward her plate.
Scout pushed it toward him. “Be my guest.”
“What are you two doing here?” Chase said.
Maisie leaned against him like she was sharing top-secret intel. “We’re looking for the envelope that Enzo stole from your car. He said he tossed it in a dumpster, but he didn’t say which one.”
Frankie stuffed a forkful of eggs into his mouth. “So I’m dumpster diving all over town.”
Scout burst out laughing. “Sothat’swhat I’m smellin’!”
Frankie ignored her and reached for the basket of biscuits, plucking one out like he owned the place. “Any luck finding gold?”
Frowning, Scout jabbed him with her elbow. “Shush.”
Chase glanced around the diner. “Keep your voice down. We’re working on it.”
Between bites of Scout’s eggs, Frankie said, “What’s the next clue?”
Chase tapped the photo app on his phone. “‘Where the earth bows to the sea, and the sands stretch pale beneath the crag’s shadow, seek where the waters gather to cradle the light of the sun and moon and stars.’”
Maisie leaned over to peer at his phone, but he clicked it off. “What does that mean?”
“We aren’t sure.” Scout let out a sigh. “Naki would know.”
“Don’t need him,” Chase said. “I’ve cracked it. Precipice Trail.”
Scout stilled. “Precipice? Are you sure?”
“No doubt about it. There’s a couple of eagles’ crags up there. All we need to do is get up there and look for the shadows under the crags.”
Then it clicked. “There’s also peregrine nests up there. The trail is closed.”
“To park visitors,” Chase said. “Not to park rangers. Call Rivers. I can guarantee he’ll sign off.”
Scout frowned. Chase never seemed to be in doubt of anything. With his eyes steady on her, she pulled out her phone, half-hoping the chief wouldn’t pick up. But he did—on the first ring. She laid out the situation, assuming he would say no, or at least provide a bureaucratic detour—a permit, a form, a delay.
Instead, he didn’t hesitate.
“Yes, go ahead,” Chief Rivers said. “You have my permission. Just be careful, Scout.” And then he hung up before she could say another word.
Chase’s grin said it all—he’d heard every word. He pulled a business card from his wallet and slid it across the table toFrankie. “Listen, if you find that envelope, call me immediately. And I mean ... immediately. There’s a reward in it for you. Got it?”
Frankie grabbed the card and stuffed it in his jacket pocket with a nonchalant nod.
