by Tara Meyers
“It doesn’t officially open until Monday,” Ember stated, her voice dry. “But thanks for asking.”
“You’re wrong, ya know.”
“What?” Ember asked, watching Sandy closely.
“I remember everything I said the other night, and it was all true. I can’t afford to pay for another one of father’s pets.”
Her face burning, Ember blurted out a retort before she could stop herself. “He seems to have a way of finding the money when he needs it, like convenient insurance policies.”
Gasping, Sandy looked like she’d been slapped. “What in the hell are you talking about?”
Committed now, Ember was already kicking herself for not having more control over her mouth. It always got her into trouble. “You’re the accountant. Do the math yourself, but some things are worth more dead than alive.” On the verge of saying more, Ember literally bit her tongue. The exchange was so far nothing more than two women being petty. Anything further could have the potential of ruining her career in Sanctuary. She wasn’t going to be that careless.
“If you’re referring to Black Shadow, father donated half of that money to a local organization, against my advice,” Sandy countered. “And then he refused to press charges against that old codger.” But Ember could tell she’d gotten the other woman thinking.
The revelation of Ellsworth giving up half of the policy payout also had Ember thinking. It didn’t make sense, given that according to his daughter, he was supposedly on the brink of financial ruin.
“Sandy,” Ember asked, trying to sound reasonable. “Who did he donate the money to?”
Sandy stared silently at her for a moment before paling slightly. Her façade of confidence gave way to what could best be described as a flash of fear. If she was about to give an answer, Ember wouldn’t find out, because Morton Ellsworth returned, a box of records under one arm.
Glancing at them both for a moment, he warmly greeted his daughter and then proceeded to go through the documents with Ember. Sandy didn’t say a word about Ember’s outburst to her father and actually stayed in the study for the remainder of their meeting.
As she was leaving an hour later, Ember reflected back on the encounter. For some reason, the suggestion that whoever received the insurance may have been up to something with her father hit a chord with Sandy. However, she’d already promised herself that she was going to do her best to let that all go. While it was troubling how eager everyone else in Sanctuary was to dismiss Tom’s death, there was nothing to gain by pursuing unsubstantiated allegations. It would be much easier to fall in line with the rest of them and just do her job.
But was Sandy right? Was her father trying to buy her silence, the same way he might have bought Tom’s? The thought that Ellsworth was trying to manipulate her made her skin crawl. Grinding her teeth together, Ember glanced down at the box of documents he’d sent home with her. Vowing not to forget Tom and the killer she knew was still loose in Sanctuary, she glanced at herself in the review mirror.
“I’m nobody’s pet.”
TWENTY ONE
Giving the last strap a tug, Ember stood back from Daenerys to evaluate the fit. The labradoodle sat obediently on the porch, her head held proudly as if to say she approved of the backpack. Happy with what she saw, Ember took out her phone and snapped a picture. Not liking the background, she called to Daenerys and repositioned her so that Crystal Lake was the backdrop instead of the house.
Hitting the share function, she typed out what she hoped would be an engaging post for the few followers the clinic page had:
I’m heading up to Parker Creek Trail right now for an afternoon hike, and this time Daenerys will be carrying her own gear. Did you know that working dogs enjoy being given such a task? In fact, most any dog that likes to accompany you on a hike is likely capable of carrying their own food and water. I grabbed this cute dog backpack online for under $25. I’ll be testing out a couple of brands, and soon the Sanctuary Animal Clinic will be offering a whole line of outdoor gear for your best friend!
Hitting the post button, Ember was happy with the spontaneous idea that was formed as she wrote it. In the summer, Sanctuary was a hub of activity for all the campers in the surrounding national and state parks. She could easily see one end of the large reception area of the clinic being turned into a pet supply store. It would be the only one like it in town.
Feeling like her creative genius might have made up for leaving the clinic early, Ember’s step was lighter as she jogged for the truck. After yesterday’s meeting with Ellsworth and the exchange with Sandy, the mindless work she and Mel did for most the day was a relief. But she found herself needing something more, and with cleaning the only thing left to do before the weekend, she sent Mel home early. They still had tomorrow, Friday, to get that done. She invited Mel to go on the hike with her, but apparently, while they shared several hobbies and interests, trekking through the woods wasn’t one of them.
The farther into the mountains they drove, the more relaxed Ember felt. She rolled down her window and pulled the scrunchie out of her hair, letting the wind blow it around. By the time they pulled into the trailhead parking lot, it was around three, and there were only two other cars there.
Just the way I like it.
Ember felt rejuvenated when she hopped out and called Daenerys to her. “Sit,” she directed, backing up a few steps so she could take another picture. “Your fans want to know what you’re doing, and we won’t be able to share anything once we get started.” While there was a decent signal partway in, the rest of the trail was spotty at best.
After two hours of vigorous hiking, they’d already passed the other groups of hikers on their way back out. Stopping for a break, Ember sat on an old log covered with thick, spongy moss. A huge mushroom sprang from the surface, and she laughed when Daenerys sniffed at it and then darted away.
“I wouldn’t recommend them,” she cautioned. “I don’t trust my knowledge of fungus to risk it. But these,” she added, plucking a ripe raspberry off a nearby bush, “are fabulous. Just ask the bears!”
Daenerys sniffed at the offered berry before happily devouring it, and Ember tossed a few in her own mouth. They were perfect, almost to the point of falling off the vine. Picking the last few, she then gathered her stuff together.
“Time to head back,” she told Daenerys after tossing one more tasty morsel to her. “It’ll get dark out here early.”
An hour later, the thicker area of woods started to fill with shadows, although they still had plenty of time before nightfall. Nevertheless, a stillness fell over the forest, and an ageless, damp smell arose that heralded the dark soon to come. Compelled to move faster, Ember was jogging when her cell phone suddenly began to ring, causing her to stumble and nearly fall.
Cursing under her breath, Ember stopped and checked to see who was calling. It was her Aunt Becky. Surprised to have a signal, she figured she better answer.
“What’s up, Becky?” she said breathlessly.
“What in the world are you doing?” Becky countered, skipping the pleasantries. “Running a marathon?”
“Hiking up at Parker Creek Trail,” Ember explained. “Not too far from the truck, but it’s already getting a bit spooky out here.”
“I don’t like you up there by yourself,” Becky countered.
“I’m not alone! I have Daenerys with me. And bear spray,” she added as an afterthought.
Laughing, Becky let it go. “I talked to Kim, Butterscotch’s previous owner, about your parade idea. Although I’m still skeptical about the whole thing, she thinks it’s a marvelous plan. Said that he used to do some sort of exhibition riding in his earlier years.”
“That’s great!” Ember began walking slowly, eager to get moving but not wanting to drop the call.
Close to her side, Daenerys pricked her ears and stopped, staring back toward an especially dense area of trees.
Pausing, Ember squinted, trying to spot what had caught her dog’s at
tention.
Was that movement?
Thwack!
Both Ember and Daenerys jumped at the same time, as the sound erupted from a nearby tree. Crying out and nearly dropping the phone, Ember spun around to discover a quivering arrow only a few feet away, embedded in the trunk of a cedar.
TWENTY TWO
“Ember! What happened? Ember!”
Becky’s voice was calling to Ember from a distance. Her brain catching up with what happened, she blinked rapidly and brought the phone back to her face as she frantically looked around. “Someone shot an arrow at me,” she whispered.
“Hey!” she called out, finally grasping the situation. “Stop! I’m a person, not a freaking bear or deer!” At the same time that she shouted the words, Ember realized she hadn’t tied a colorful bandana to her backpack like she normally did.
A second arrow went whizzing by, splintering the bark a few inches besides the first one. That wasn’t a hunter mistaking them for an animal.
Crying out again involuntarily, Ember grabbed at the strap on the top of Daenerys’s backpack and gave her a yank. The labradoodle didn’t need any more encouragement and began running ahead of Ember, up the trail. Blinded by fear, she followed recklessly, concentrating on her dog’s tail, her legs feeling numb.
“Ember! Ember!”
Becky’s filtered exclamations broke through her panic, and Ember realized she’d been yelling as she ran. It must have sounded horrific to her aunt. Slowing slightly, she tried to find her voice.
“I’m okay,” she croaked out, glancing behind her at the same time. “Becky?” she called, when her aunt didn’t answer. “Becky, are you there?” Pulling the phone away, Ember discovered the bars had disappeared. The signal was gone.
WHAAAAA …
Up ahead of them, someone was blasting an air horn. Skidding to a stop, Ember desperately tried to think clearly. Was it help? Or someone else trying to kill her? Air horns were a common hiker tool for scaring bears away. Did someone hear her shouting?
Heavy footsteps became audible, moving in her direction.
“Hello!” A man’s voice. Vaguely familiar.
Ember had just decided to respond, when Nathan came barreling around the next bend, nearly colliding with her. Putting her arms out instinctively, she found herself caught up in a strong, protective embrace.
“For cryin’ out loud, Ember,” Nathan barked. “Why didn’t you answer me? Is there a bear? Are you hurt?”
He held her out at arm’s length as he spoke, checking for wounds. Ember noticed then that he had a gun in his right hand. He was also wearing a reflective vest over his uniform, something she knew rangers were required to put on when walking the trails. What was he doing out there? The question drifted to her through a haze of confused thoughts. Shaking her head to clear it, she tried to reasonably assess the situation.
“I’m sorry,” she finally replied. “I panicked, I guess. Fight-or-flight syndrome and all that.” Taking deep gulps of air, Ember was acutely aware of the fact that he was still holding her. “Not a bear,” she rushed to explain. “An arrow. I mean, someone shot an arrow at me.”
“Shit,” he mumbled, looking past her and surveying the woods. “You should be wearing something bright,” he scolded, his eyes drifting back to scrutinize her again. “At least your dog is properly outfitted.”
Ember looked down at Daenerys sitting calmly at her feet like they’d been out for a nice evening stroll. The dog’s new backpack was bright orange with reflective tape across the bottom.
“It wasn’t a hunter.”
Finally releasing her, Nathan holstered his weapon, his expression stern. “What else would it be?”
“It’s not bow hunting season for any animals found out here,” Ember pressed.
“Which is why we call it poaching,” Nathan explained. “Campers have all been talking about the bears spotted out on these trails this past week. It wouldn’t be surprising to catch a hunter up here.”
“I might agree if they’d only shot one arrow.”
Nathan raised an eyebrow.
“Two,” Ember said, her voice rising. “Somebody shot a second arrow into the tree right next to my head after I yelled at them to stop.”
Sticking the air horn into a pocket, Nathan then took Ember by the elbow and turned her back down the trail she’d been running on. “Show me.”
“Show you?” she repeated, her eyes wide. “I don’t want to go back there, Nathan!”
“Ember,” he said calmly but with authority. “If someone intentionally tried to shoot you, I want the evidence. It’ll be dark soon, and I’d like to get it now. I’m sure whoever it was is long gone, especially after hearing the airhorn. A poacher … or anyone else engaging in illegal activity, is going to want to avoid a park ranger. So, come on,” he urged, tugging at her arm. “I want to get out of here before dark.”
Yielding to the pressure, Ember found herself walking back the way she’d just hysterically ran. Yet, she somehow felt safe. Glancing up at Nathan, her mind drifted back to her original thought. “What are you doing out here?”
“The trailhead is part of my nightly patrol,” he explained. When I saw your truck parked there, I thought I’d … well, maybe check in on you and walk with you on your way out.”
Was he blushing? She smiled at him and then saw a familiar bend up ahead. Her grin faded. “I’m glad you decided to … check in on me,” she replied, pulling against his hand to make him stop. “That’s the spot,” she said, pointing at a large cedar tree. “I remember the fallen log next to it, and the rock in front of it that looks like a gargoyle.”
Chuckling, Nathan titled his head toward her. “A gargoyle?”
Shrugging, Ember failed to see why her imagination mattered. Looking more closely at the tree, she drew her brows together in consternation. “Where are they?”
Forgetting her fear from just moments before, she jogged over to the spot where her terror had unfolded. Leaning in close to inspect the bark, there was patch of splintered wood and what may have been holes, but that was all.
“They’re gone,” Ember announced, turning to look back at Nathan. “The arrows are gone!”
***
They were still a good couple-hundred feet from the trailhead when Ember’s phone erupted with missed calls and message announcements. Before she had a chance to answer any of them, Sheriff Walker came barreling down the trail toward them.
“Nathan!” he yelled when he spotted them. “You have Ember Burns with you?”
“I’m here, Sheriff,” Ember answered for him. Twilight was taking over the space around them, making it hard to discern one shadow from the next. Daenerys ran ahead and bounced around Walker’s feet, happy to see him.
“Well, unless you’re lethally maimed, you’d best call Becky before she has a complete coronary. She called me in an uproar, convinced you were being eaten alive by a bear!”
Nathan jogged up to Walker and spoke with him in low tones while Ember did as ordered. When Becky answered on the first ring, her voice thick and near tears, she felt horrible. Not wanting to worry her aunt any more than necessary, she gave her Nathan’s explanation of a poacher.
“I told you it was dangerous to be out there by yourself!” Becky lectured, but she was clearly relieved. “I’m just so glad you’re okay. Do you want to come over for a late supper? The kids would love to see you again.”
“Thanks, Aunt Becky,” Ember choked out, fighting her own tears. She appreciated having someone in her life that cared so much. “But I have an early morning start tomorrow. Really, I’m okay. It was all a misunderstanding.”
Satisfied, Becky said goodbye, and Ember was finally able to join the men’s conversation. They were gathered back at their patrol cars, heads leaning toward each other. Ember’s truck was the only other vehicle there.
“There were two arrows,” she said without preamble.
“Okay. There were two arrows,” Nathan answered. “I never said I didn’t beli
eve you.”
“But you still think it was just a poacher?”
“Poaching is actually a federal offense,” Nathan explained. “It comes with a very hefty fine, and possibly even jail time. Whoever did that knew they were in real trouble if caught. It doesn’t surprise me that they went and collected their arrows. Might have been checking to see if they hit anything, too, but hightailed it when they heard us coming.”
Looking back and forth between the two officers, Ember felt her level of frustration rapidly increasing. “Sheriff, you don’t find this odd?”
Clearly uncomfortable, Sheriff Walker pushed away from his car and put his hands on his hips. “Of course I find it odd, Ember. Heck, I’ll even go so far as to say I find it disturbing. But what I don’t have is a motive, a suspect, or even a weapon! So, I don’t know what it is you want me to say, other than you should probably wear some bright gear next time and maybe not go hiking alone.”
Nathan calmly took in the exchange, squinting in thought. “I feel like I’m missing something here.”
“Ember has a bit of a conspiracy theory regarding an incident with our old vet being somehow tied into Tom’s death.”
Ember closed her eyes. When Walker put it that way, it made her sound ridiculous. She was suddenly very tired.
“How would anyone possibly know you were out here?” the sheriff pushed. “And even if you were right, it’s a huge leap to say someone tried to kill you.”
He had a couple of good points. Thinking about it, something clicked into place. Ember glanced down at her phone before holding it out to Walker. “Because I posted about it before coming up here,” she told him. “And I don’t think they were trying to kill me, I think she is trying to scare me.”
“She?” Nathan asked, but Sheriff Walker was already scowling.
“Sandy Ellsworth,” Ember offered. “She follows our website, and I happen to know that she’s an expert shot with a compound bow.”