by Melissa Good
Did she? Dar thought about all they’d been through.
“I don’t think your spirit animal has rabies, either,” Ira continued. “I’m glad we got to work the water together.”
“Yeah,” Dar answered. “This is a beautiful place.”
“It’s a fierce place.” Ira crossed his ankles. “The earth here is very sharp, and very angry because it wants to stop the river and it never can. The river just keeps changing it.”
“Humans can change the river,” Kerry said. “And they have, with the dams and all that.”
“They can, but you know, that won’t last forever,” Ira said. “It’s been here way before us, and it’ll be here way after we’re gone. It’s permanent. We’re not.”
Dar nodded. “That’s true.” She listened to the rain for a minute. “But you can feel the time here. You can see it.”
“Yep, you can.”
IT SEEMED LIKE she’d only been asleep seconds when the sound of helicopters rattled the air in place of the storm. A soldier shook them awake. Kerry sat up, blinked her eyes, feeling almost as exhausted as she’d been before sleep. “Whoa.”
“Sorry, time to go.” The man who shook her shoulder moved on. “Get ready.”
Dar stood up and stretched, glancing across the tent to where the medics were preparing to take Todd and Marcia out, along with Pete and PJ. “Be stupendously glad to see that damn RV.”
There was coffee in a big oatmeal colored thermos on one remaining table and they headed for it, along with Rich and Dave, who were rubbing their eyes and looking a bit somber.
“Something’s going down,” Dave said, as he dispensed coffee into paper cups. “They took Janet out first and Tracey’s really freaked. Not sure what’s going on.”
She remembered their earlier conversation. Kerry just kept silent and sipped her coffee, hoping it would clear some of the fog.
“I’m sure we’ll find out eventually,” Dar said. “Right now I just want to get the hell out of here.”
“Heard that.” Rich said emphatically. “Want to get out, and get to civilization and have a hot shower.” He said. “Hope they got that ready back at the ranch.”
The soldiers were packing things up, and as they took their coffee out into the canyon they found a cloudy, but not rain filled, sky and two helicopters bearing Army markings.
Kerry had her dry bag, all she’d had on her when she’d fallen off the raft. In it she had her camera and Dar’s book, if nothing much else. Dar had nothing at all, just the clothes she’d jumped in the river with now dry, and somewhat stiff feeling.
“Ended in a bummer,” Rich said. “But we were lucky there finally.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Next time I go with one of those paddle ops.”
Sally looked at him. “Next time I go to Cancun.”
“Next time we stay home,” Kerry added wryly.
They watched the stretchers being loaded, and Amy and Don climbed into the first helicopter along with PJ and Pete. They were all silent, and as the door closed the soldiers motioned the rest of them toward the second chopper, and they ducked under the wash and climbed onboard.
Hard seats and webbing, not at all like the helicopter that had dropped them to the canyon floor. Dar slid to the last seat and grabbed hold as Kerry tucked herself in next to her and the rest found space as they closed the door. A moment later they were lifting and rising up past the canyon walls.
Then they were in free air, and the chopper went from vertical to horizontal flight and they were moving across the rim of the canyon heading back toward the ranch.
After a moment of silence, Kerry put her head next to Dar’s. “Can’t wait to call home.”
Dar snorted faintly, the motion jerking her shoulders a little. “Bet they can’t wait either.”
THE HELICOPTER SETTLED to the ground and they gazed out the window as the rotors spun down and several of the staff from the river operation ran forward to meet them.
There were police cars gathered near the gate, and men with guns standing by.
“Mm,” Kerry grunted softly.
“Thaaat doesn’t look good,” Rich said, from the webbed seat next to her.
“They probably heard about Josh.” Sally said, briefly.
Josh. Dar inched forward as the door slid open and she hopped out, keeping her head down as she moved away from the helicopter. She’d almost forgotten about Josh, the kid’s death now seemingly part of a foggy past where so many other things had happened.
“Okay folks, come on this way. We’ve got a table set up in the lodge for you.” It was Tamara, the girl who had first greeted them at the check in desk, now in a ragged hoodie and jeans with a somewhat overwhelmed expression.
Dar looked speculatively at her, then she paused. “I’m going to get our phones out of the RV.” She stated, turning and heading toward the parking lot.
Kerry stayed with the group, who waited for Tamara to move off. “Relax,” she said, after seeing the girl’s expression. “She’s not leaving.”
“Okay.” Tamara nodded. “They want to talk to all of you.”
“I figured.” Kerry motioned her forward. “So let’s get it over with.”
Looking slightly reassured, Tamara led them through the gates over to the lodge. They went onto the porch and into the lodge, around the side of the desk to the restaurant and bar area where they’d first met.
Seemed like a year ago. Kerry settled at one end of the biggest table, while the rest of them picked chairs around it. The staff hurried over with platters of sandwiches and pitchers.
Against the wall was another table, with piles of paper on it and three police officers, who grabbed pads and pencils.
Kerry took a sandwich and inspected it, then took a bite of the simpleness of turkey and swiss cheese, and chased it with a sip of plain hot coffee. She turned her head slightly as Tamara came in, washing her hands together
“Okay, thanks everyone. So these officers just want to talk to you for a few minutes, then you can get on your way if you want to, or absolutely you can stay overnight here until you sort out your travel.” She hesitated. “Absolutely free, of course.”
“Yeah, I bet,” Rich said, with a wry, brief smile. “Along with our refunds for the trip, right?”
Tamara hesitated then nodded. “Yes, of course. We’re getting the paperwork all together.” She hurried out and they all exchanged looks, as the police came over to them. “Richard?”
Rich held up his hand.
“Could you come with us please? We’re just going to interview you, in that room there.” The officer pointed and Rich got up to follow him. “We appreciate you folks cooperating.”
Kerry watched them disappear into the small office off the bar and close the door. “As if there was choice involved?” She commented in a conversational tone.
“Yeah, right?” Dave leaned on his elbows and grabbed another sandwich. “Just hope it doesn’t take too long.” He glanced at Kerry. “You all going to stay over or take off?”
Kerry smiled. “If I had to bet, I’d bet on taking off.”
DAR UNLOCKED THE RV and stepped inside, greeted with the smell of leather and new carpet. She glanced around, but the interior seemed untouched and as they’d left it. She went to the cabinet near the driver’s seat and unlocked that, too.
Inside were both of their Handsprings and she took them out and turned hers on, waiting for the device to boot up and activate.
It was quiet in the RV, and she sat down in the driver’s seat feeling a sense of relief and comfort to be back here in their own space. Even if it was temporary, she’d gotten used to the sedate interior and she looked around at the two dog beds in one corner, and the scattering of toys on the floor.
After a moment she got up again and went to the refrigerator, which the campsite connection had kept running. She opened it and removed a milk chug, setting down the phone to open it with a smile of anticipation.
The phone’s message light fluttered. She gulp
ed down the cold milk in long swallows and picked up the phone, thumbed the speed dial, called up her office’s number and dialed it.
It rang once, then picked up. “Roberts Automation, how can I help you?”
“Hey Christy. It’s Dar.” Dar said. “Is my...” She paused as the receptionist let out a scream and then started yelling, muffling the receiver. “Ah.” She pulled the device away from her head and studied it. “I hope that means they missed me.”
Probably they did. She was generally well regarded by their staff though most usually went to Kerry first for anything but the nerdiest matters.
She had just time to finish the last swallow of milk when the receiver was grabbed and a male, breathless voice emerged. “Dar! Dar! That you? Holy crap! Are you okay? What the hell happened!?”
“It’s me. Back in civilization.” She paused. “Hi, Mark.”
“Holy crap.” Mark repeated. “They found you? Dude your dad went bananashit and started calling all these people I do not know who in the hell he was talking to,” he said. “After I got that blip from you I mean.” He clarified. “So I called him about it, y’know?”
Ah. “Yup, I get it. Good call.” Dar smiled to herself. “They found us. Some army unit with a craptastic attitude, but who cares.” She opened the refrigerator and removed another chug. “Thanks for calling them in. What a clusterfuck.”
“Dude,” Mark said. “Like no shit. I had military people crawling all over my ass for that one squilch of GPS info.” He exhaled in relief. “So glad you’re okay. You are okay right?”
“Just fine.” Dar put the chug between her knees and unscrewed the top with her free hand. “We’ll be heading out of here in a little while to go get the dogs. All good.”
“Oh, phew.” Mark exhaled again. “Wow after what we heard I’m glad you made it out okay.” He paused. “What in the hell really happened?”
Dar sipped her milk. “What didn’t?” She sighed. “Tell you all about it when we get home. Typical vacation for us.”
“Oh boy.”
Dar smiled. “Tell everyone we say hi, and everything’s fine. I’ll call my parents.”
“Will do boss,” Mark said. “Glad it all worked out. Bye. Talk to you later.”
“Talk to you later,” Dar said and hung up the phone. Then she dialed another number and waited, this one going to voice mail. “Hi, Dad, it’s Dar. Just wanted to let you know they found us, and we’re fine. Call me back when you get a chance.”
She stood up and slid both devices into her pocket then exited the RV, heading across the still muddy ground toward the lodge as the helicopter landed again and the remaining crew emerged from it.
Ira was with them and he started to head off, then paused as he spotted Dar and waited for her to catch up. They walked toward the lodge. “So, hey.”
“Hey,” Dar said. “They going to let those guys loose or what?” She indicated the crew. “Lot of cops here.”
Ira nodded. “Not sure what the deal is. They told me to take off and mind my own y’know? But I wanted to say hey.” He offered a hand. “Glad I met ya.”
Dar paused and they both stopped walking and she returned the clasp. “If you ever decide to come to Florida, look me up. You showed me your place, I’ll return the favor.”
Ira smiled. “You got it.” He released her and turned on his heel, heading back down the road leaving her to walk on alone.
The crew had already disappeared. The police cars were parked haphazardly. Past the lodge she could see the corral where two of the horses were idly grazing and one of the staff was standing near one, hugging its neck in a woebegone kind of way.
It made Dar a little sad. They’d had fun, right up until they hadn’t. She continued along the path and onto the porch, pushing the door open and going inside.
KERRY CAUGHT SIGHT of the milk chug and had to chuckle. She watched Dar come over and take a seat next to her, reaching over to hand Kerry her phone. “Thank you, honey.”
“I called the office,” Dar said. “And my folks.”
“Sure.” Kerry was checking the texts on hers. “Oh, Dar. We got that contract from Monroe County.” She almost felt a sense of relief at this return to a familiar world. “Great.”
“Great, because we will finally be able to get decent internet at our cabin.” Dar remarked, reaching out to take the last of the sandwiches. “I figured at some point I’d have to do that myself.”
Kerry chuckled. Then she looked up. “What did the office say?”
“Lots of expletives,” Dar said. “Mark told my dad, who made a bunch of calls and apparently resulted in this.” She circled her hand over her head. “So my stupid climbing heroics were not, after all, in vain.”
“Nice.”
It didn’t even seem strange, for that to be true. Kerry continued inspecting her texts. They had been so involved with so many different bizarre experiences in the past that if Martians had landed in their backyard and knocked on the door asking for Dar to debug one of their engine scripts she would not have even blinked.
Well. Maybe blinked.
“Okay folks, please come with us.”
Dar and Kerry both looked up to find the police there, pads in hand, waiting. They got up and followed the officers into the small room, taking seats opposite a paper filled table, as one officer sat down behind it and the other closed the door.
“Okay.” The officer behind the desk pulled over a folder. “You are Dar and Kerry Roberts.”
“Yup.” Kerry responded. “That’s us.”
“We’re here to discuss the finding of Josh Albert’s body,” the officer said, glancing up at them. “So tell me about that.”
Obligingly, Dar did. “So I came up over the little rise in the path and I saw a bundle of debris, with a lot of flies around it.”
The officer nodded.
“It really wasn’t,” Dar hesitated. “It was hard to tell what it was until we moved it around and saw the bones.”
The officer nodded again. “That’s what the rest of them said. What made you think it was that missing kid?”
“We found his backpack earlier,” Kerry spoke up. “And the scraps of cloth in it...he was wearing khaki shorts with their company logo.”
“That’s really circumstantial,” the officer said, in a mild tone.
“We’re not police officers,.” Dar said. “But we knew he was on the path, we knew it was his backpack and we knew there were mountain lions around so it wasn’t out of the question.” She paused. “Wait, and they found his wallet.”
“They did?” The man checked his notes. “I don’t see anything about that here.”
“They did.” Kerry confirmed. “It was halfway chewed, but you could see his driver’s license.”
“Huh.” The man across the desk leaned forward. “What made you burn the body?”
Both Dar and Kerry were silent for a few minutes. “Just respect, I guess.” Kerry said. “I don’t really know.”
“Who suggested that?”
“I did,” Kerry said. “I guess just the thought of animals eating at him bothered me.”
The officer scribbled down some notes. “And the rest of the group agreed?’
“Some did,” Dar said. “I did, Don, the crew. Todd wanted to save the wood for cooking.” She cleared her throat a little. “I decided it was the right thing to do and we did it.”
The officer looked up at her. “You did.”
“I did.”
“Did it occur to you that you were destroying evidence?”
Dar shook her head. “No.”
“No?” The officer queried. “Really, Ms. Roberts? You find a body in a canyon and you never considered it might have been foul play? Never thought some other member of the group, or some vagabond out there might have done him in?”
“Really, no,” Dar responded, with another shake of her head. “The bones were chewed.”
“Could have been after he was killed, you know,” the officer said. “Doesn
’t mean he was killed by what was chewing on them.”
“Do you really think that happened?” Kerry asked. “Josh headed off before the rest of us to try and hike out. No one followed him.” She fell silent. Was she sure? It had been dark and raining. “I don’t think,” she finally admitted. “There was a lot going on.”
“We don’t know,” he said with a faint shrug. “And now we can’t know, because you all burned the evidence.”
“But there wouldn’t have been any left even if we hadn’t,” Kerry said. “By the time you found us, between the rain and everything it would have been gone.”
The officer eyed her.
“She’s right,” Dar said, with a faint smile. “Wasn’t a lot left even then.”
Kerry took a breath, paused, and just released it instead of speaking.
There was a knock at the door, and the officer leaning against it opened it up. A tall man in green entered, glancing around, “There you two are,” he said. “Jackson, I need these people.” He stared at the officer behind the desk, who then just shrugged and pushed the folder aside. “Are you done?”
“I guess I am,” Jackson said. “Everyone has the same basic story. Not much else I can do.” He stood up. “All yours.”
Dar and Kerry got up and filed out, as the man in green held the door open. He followed them closing the door on the two officers.
“Sorry about that,” he said as they went across the porch area and into the restaurant, where a number of the Army staff were seated, having coffee. “They don’t like us stomping in here. Gives them a hive.” He offered them a seat at one table, which had a coffee pot and cups on it. “I won’t keep you long.”
“Do they really think someone killed Josh?” Kerry asked.
“Who?” The officer sat down and poured himself some coffee. “Oh, that kid? Who knows?” He took a sip. “We don’t think so. I heard the story. Sometimes a pickle is just a pickle, you know what I mean?”
“Yeah.” Dar said, taking some coffee and pouring a cup for Kerry. “Walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, probably not a raccoon.”