An older woman with shoulder-length gray hair stood and reached across the table to shake his hand. “I’m Megs Hill, operations manager of the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue Team. Thanks so much for helping Julia find these sons of bitches.”
Darius had heard of Megs. As the first woman to have free-climbed El Capitan, she was climbing royalty. “Happy to help.”
Megs introduced the others.
Darius was pretty good at remembering names and faces. He’d also heard of Mitch Ahearn, Megs’ husband, who sat to Megs’ right, his hair white. Across from him was Eric Hawke, another Team member and the town’s fire chief. Beside Eric sat Nicole Turner, who said she was Sasha’s best friend. Next to her sat Creed Herrera, who shook Darius’ hand and thanked him.
“What have you found so far?” Herrera asked.
“Let the man read the menu,” Megs said. “We can bombard him with questions after Rain takes his order.”
Darius needed to nip this in the bud. “I really can’t answer questions. This is an ongoing investigation.”
“Shit.” Megs frowned. Her gaze shifted to Deputy Marcs. “Julia?”
“We don’t know anything yet. We found the vehicle, but you probably heard that already. We’ve impounded it and are doing a thorough search.”
Darius lowered his gaze to the menu. He’d have a little talk with Deputy Marcs later. When Rain returned, he ordered the jalapeño burger—and made it clear that he would pay for his meal.
“I understand. Just know how grateful we are.” Rain left with their orders.
Darius found the others staring at him. Rather than explaining, he asked questions. “How long have you all known Sasha?”
One by one, they shared how and where they’d met her, with Megs going last.
“I knew who she was before I met her. After she won her first world championship, I read in some climbing magazine that I was her role model. Then we rescued a friend of hers in Eldorado Canyon State Park. She came up here to thank us and to meet me. She stayed and joined the Team. When I look at her, I see myself at her age, except that she’s a lot more talented than I was.”
Then Nicole spoke. “You need to understand that Sasha could do anything she wants to do. She has a small fortune. Her family is wealthy, too. They’re software engineers in Silicon Valley. She’s probably the most famous climber in the world right now. But shechoosesto live in Scarlet because she loves the town and because it makes her happy to use her climbing ability to save lives.”
If this was true, Darius was impressed. Still, he couldn’t help but be skeptical. He had yet to meet a celebrity who wasn’t focused on themselves—their appearance, their wealth, their public image.
Mitch, who’d mostly been silent, spoke. “Her smile lights up the room.”
Every head at the table nodded.
Darius would find out for himself this afternoon.
Without warning, Deputy Marcs turned and yelled. “Marcia, Cheyenne, quit staring! Not every hot guy who walks through the doors is looking for a date!”
This made the others laugh.
Darius followed the direction of Deputy Marcs’ gaze and saw two young women watching him, one behind the bar and the other in front. When they saw him looking their way, they abruptly became very busy.
“Sorry, Silva. I didn’t mean to call you ‘hot.’ Not that you’renothot, I mean. You are, but…” Deputy Marcs’ face turned beet red. “Shit.”
At this, the others laughed harder.
It must have beenearly afternoon when Ellie woke Sasha again. “Julia Marcs and that detective are here to see you.”
Sasha picked up her empty pitcher. “Can I have more water?”
“Let me help you get situated, so you’re covered and comfortable.” Ellie rearranged the sheet and blanket and adjusted Sasha’s pillows. “I’ll just raise up the head of your bed a bit more and then get your water.”
Ellie walked to the door. “You can come in.”
Sasha looked over to see Deputy Marcs. Behind her stood a tall man in a white shirt and dark slacks. Her blinds were closed, so she couldn’t see his features. “Hey.”
Julia walked over to the bed. “Hey, Sasha. How are you feeling?”
