Man's Best Alibi

by Tara Meyers

  Daenerys tilted her head and raised her ears. Smiling at the dog’s expression, Ember rubbed her back reassuringly. “Don’t worry, girl. I wouldn’t even get close. We’d just get some pictures.”

  The sun was finally beginning to rise, and it looked like another day of clear skies. Checking the forecast, Ember was further compelled to carry out her growing plan. They’d been experiencing an Indian summer. But all good things come to an end, and as was typical of the unseasonably warm fall, it was about to change abruptly. Where this week they’d been enjoying temperatures in the fifties and fleeting rain, snow was forecasted for the rest of the week. Starting the next day, on Friday, the mountains would become increasingly inaccessible for the rest of the year. This might be the only chance to discover the source of the mercury and to make sure it wasn’t an ongoing threat.

  Having made up her mind, Ember went to the hall closet and dug out her Nikon. It had a decent telephoto lens and would allow her to get some good pictures without getting too close. But as she shoved it into her backpack, she hesitated. Nathan’s plea from two nights before caused a wave of guilt to well up in her chest.

  “Let me handle things from this point.”

  While she hadn’t actually made any promises, she knew he’d be disappointed when he found out she’d gone off on her own again. But it had nothing to do with her not wanting to involve him. She knew his hands were tied, but hers weren’t.

  Turning back to the closet, she rummaged around for a few more minutes until she found her GPS device. Gathering the coordinates of what she thought was the mining site from the computerized map, she entered them and was relieved to see that the shortest route was from her own back property. She could bypass the campsite and take a more direct route, getting there in around four hours. If all went well, she should be able to get in, take the pictures, and get back home before dark. She’d then be armed with the new evidence for Agent Miller in the morning.

  Knowing Mel would check her email first thing when she opened the clinic in a few hours, Ember sat down to write her a letter.

  Mel-

  Don’t be mad, but I’ve done it again and have run off to create havoc. Seriously, though. I’m sorry to drop another day of work on you, but I think you can handle the three appointments we have. If something else comes up, refer them to Doctor Salisbury in Parker.

  I figured something out. I know where the mine is. Don’t make that face! I know what I’m doing. Well, maybe not, but I like to pretend like I do. I’m taking a quick hike just to take some pictures. I promise that’s all! I’ll be back before dark, but if for some reason you don’t hear from me by…say, five, then give these coordinates to Nathan:

  47.935765, -120.870841

  Don’t worry! I’ll be fine. See you tonight. (I’m taking Daenerys.)

  Love,

  Ember

  TWENTY-TWO

  It took less time than she expected.

  By ten thirty, Ember was standing about a hundred feet downstream from what she believed was the tree from the map. Looking through her camera lens, she strained to make out the details, but there was too much foliage in the way.

  “Just a little closer,” she whispered to Daenerys. The dog had been uncharacteristically sullen throughout the hike. Normally eager to run off and explore every scent and sound, she’d stayed close to Ember’s side.

  The trek up had been relatively easy. Once they’d cleared the thicker woods, it was a clear path toward the gulley since there weren’t any peaks or passes to get over. But once they’d headed down into the ravine, the rain from a few days before made the going a little slick. Fortunately, the natural landscape made it possible to pick a gradual descent over rocky outcroppings, so Ember felt secure enough in her footing to continue. After finding Parker Creek, all she had to do was follow it north until she got close to the coordinates on the GPS. They weren’t exact, but they should’ve been close enough.

  Pulling her hood up, Ember debated whether to take the time to remove her backpack and pull out her down jacket. It was cooler down in the deep crack in the earth. Peering up at the filtered sunshine far above, she decided to push on. It was still warming up, and soon the sun would be directly overhead.

  The loamy floor of the gully emitted a strong earthy smell, reminding Ember of the times she’d gone spelunking in large, damp caverns. Glad to have Daenerys with her, she looked back to make sure the labradoodle was still behind her. What she saw made her freeze.

  The dog was rigid, her nose pointed up, nostrils flared like she smelled something other than the earth. The hackles on her back were raised in response to a threat Ember couldn’t see.

  Creeping back toward her dog, Ember withdrew a large can of bear spray. It was late in the year, but it was still possible to encounter one of the local black bears or even a mountain lion. She calmly laid a hand across the dog’s haunches. “What’s wrong, Daenerys?” she cooed. “Is something out there?”

  Her ears flicked, and then Daenerys chuffed once before shaking her head. Turning to Ember, she stretched forward and licked her on the nose as if to give the all-clear.

  Unaware that her heart had started hammering, Ember took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Chuckling, she scratched Daenerys behind the ears. “Trying to freak me out? Come on! We need to hurry. Mel is going to be the one freaking out!”

  While whatever it was that caught the dog’s attention must have moved on, Ember still proceeded with more caution.

  Another five minutes of traipsing along the edge of the creek flowing through the bottom of the canyon brought them within clear view of the suspect tree. They were on the opposite bank, and Ember thought she spotted what looked like a trail worn into the greenery above it. Slipping off her pack, she got her Nikon and zoomed in on the area.

  “Yup,” she murmured. “I’d say that looks like a trail!”

  Excitement won out over caution, and she edged closer. They hadn’t heard or seen a sign of another person the whole morning. Odds were definitely in her favor that they were alone, and the more proof she got for her mining theory, the better.

  Picking out a spot that looked the shallowest, Ember carefully crossed the ten-foot span of water, only slipping off a rock once and soaking her right foot. Daenerys plodded through the frigid water gleefully and then proceeded to shake it out on the other side, spraying Ember in the process.

  Doing her best to ignore the chill creeping into her bones, Ember examined the immediate surroundings. They were about twenty feet from the tree, which was a huge, twisted cedar. It leaned out precariously from the steep bank of the ravine, hanging out over the creek and creating a natural covered space under it. In that space was the remnants of a campfire and various indistinguishable items.

  On the far side of the tree, she could see scattered two-by-fours, a broken whiskey barrel, and assorted rusting hand tools. Looking back at the fire, Ember saw that pieces of the barrel had been fed to the fire. Someone was burning the evidence.

  She’d found it! Her heart played a staccato in her head as she began snapping off pictures.

  This has to be enough! Now Agent Miller will have to listen to us!

  Wanting to get closer, Ember carefully picked her way through the rocks at the base of the cliff. The area under the tree was well-trampled, and it was obvious that it had been in use for a long time, with chairs, a small table with a broken leg, and a rusted camp stove. Several plastic tubs were lined up at the far side, next to a collapsed tent just beyond the reach of the low-hanging branches.

  Drawn to the plastic containers, Ember ducked under the branches and went through. The sweet smell of woodsmoke was strong, and she was glad for the fresh air on the far side. Bending over, she studied the contents in the tubs, which appeared to be different types of rock and dirt but no platinum. Not that she was expecting any to be left lying around.

  Several broken whiskey barrels were scattered about a few feet farther away, the ax that was likely used lying amongst the de
bris. A trough still stood. Handmade but functional, it ended at Parker Creek. Ember imagined that it was used in the amalgamation process, but there wasn’t any sign of the mercury. Raising her camera, she began taking more pictures. She had a sudden, renewed urge to get out of there. Something about it—the woodsmoke!

  Her head jerking back toward the tree, she stared at the fire pit. Were those red embers she saw?

  Ember was so riveted by the realization that she failed to notice Daenerys reacting to the movement above them. Until she started barking. Startled, she almost dropped the camera. It wasn’t a playful bark but menacing and aggressive.

  The labradoodle was baring her teeth toward the ridgeline, and just as Ember turned to look up in that direction, she heard an odd sound. A clattering that grew in volume. It took a few seconds for her brain to make sense of it, and as she dropped the camera and dove backward toward Daenerys, her only thought was to protect the dog.

  It proved unnecessary as Daenerys’s instincts were better than her own, and she was already retreating. Daenerys yelped in confusion as Ember wrapped her arms around her, and the two of them tumbled into the water. Boulders as big as Ember’s head crashed to the ground where she’d been standing only moments before. A cascade of smaller rocks and debris followed, scattering over the ground and sending up a plume of dust.

  It was over as fast as it began. Shocked by both the event and the cold water, Ember struggled to turn over onto her hands and knees, the foot-deep water making it more of a challenge. Her camera lay shattered amongst the rocks, and she quickly scrambled to her feet when the realization that the only other camera she had was her phone, which was in her back pocket. It wasn’t waterproof.

  Reaching for the phone, Ember stopped. What was she doing? Who cared about the camera! That wasn’t an accident. Someone just tried to kill her! Backpedaling away from the cedar, she shielded her eyes with one hand as she gazed up at the top of the ravine. It had to be close to seventy feet to the top, and the sun was blazing above it in full force.

  Her thoughts quickly turned from collecting proof to retreat. It had been stupid to go out there by herself. She would be out of cell service until she was nearly home … if her phone even still worked. She’d have to hope that whoever was up there would be content with her leaving and would decide not to pursue them.

  Just as she was about to turn and run, she saw movement. At first it was a vague form, but then a clear silhouette of a man stood out in contrast to the blue sky. He had something in his hand.

  Every nerve tingled as Ember tried to gauge how fast she could duck under the tree, and if it would be enough protection. But before she could move, a blur of red flew past her and headed up the trail.

  “Daenerys!”

  Daenerys didn’t slow down. Barking again, she scrambled along the narrow trail, on a direct route for the man at the top!

  “Daenerys, stop! Please stop!” Forcing herself to move forward, Ember began to follow her dog, but the distinct sound of a shotgun being racked stopped her cold. Looking up, she could see the man raising the weapon to his shoulder and sighting down the trail.

  A sob tore from her throat. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing her friend this way. But she wasn’t listening to her. She wasn’t responding to her name—

  “Shappa!”

  The labradoodle hesitated and then skidded to a stop.

  “Shappa! Red Thunder! Please come back!”

  Daenerys was transformed at the sound of her old name. Spinning around, she tore back down the trail twice as fast as she’d ascended it. Tongue lolling, she raced toward Ember.

  Her eyes never leaving the man or the weapon, Ember watched as he wavered when the dog stopped advancing, the shotgun lowering. It didn’t last long. But as he brought the shotgun back to his shoulder and she dove frantically for the tree, another shadow moved behind him.

  A long, crooked stick swung through the air and connected with the assailant’s head with a sickening thud, loud enough to reach the bottom of the gulley. The man dropped like a rock, the shotgun clattering halfway down the trail before coming to a stop against a boulder.

  Holding on to Daenerys, Ember debated whether to call out. It might’ve been safer to run away and figure it all out later. But before she could make up her mind, the distant thump of a helicopter began to resonate through the air. Tears stung her eyes as she saw the local SAR helicopter swing into view. It was over.

  “You okay down there, ma’am?”

  Relief flooding her, Ember leaned out and smiled up at the familiar voice of Ernest Tucker.

  TWENTY-THREE

  The trail was steeper than it looked, and it took Ember nearly fifteen minutes to get to the top of the ravine.

  As she searched for a handhold for the final step, a weathered hand reached out to grasp hers. Surprised by the old man’s strength, Ember found herself hauled nearly effortlessly the last few feet.

  “I would ask what it was you were doing out here, Doctor Burns, but I have a feeling that rock you showed me the other day has something to do with it. And this fellow here didn’t take too keenly to your interest in the matter.”

  As if on cue, the man who was lying facedown began to moan. The thinning dark hair on the back of his head was matted with blood, and he raised a hand to tentatively touch at the rising knot.

  Ernie wrinkled his nose at him and then spat at the ground near the man’s head. “I’d suggest you stay where yer lying. I got my own rifle here, and while I’d rather not use it, I don’t take kindly to men tryin’ to shoot at women and dogs. You’re fortunate your visit the other day sparked a new curiosity in me,” Ernie continued, looking at Ember. “When I saw the smoke out here this morning, I figured it was time to make it my business.”

  Ember finished catching her breath and moved several feet away, taking a growling Daenerys with her. The helicopter had already landed at a distance, and she imagined whoever was on board would be reaching them soon.

  “I wasn’t going to shoot anyone, you crazy fool! I was only going to scare them. They’re trespassing on federal land.”

  Ember gasped as the man pushed himself onto his side while he spoke. Although he wasn’t wearing his customary green uniform, Ranger Shane Cooper still portrayed a certain air of authority.

  Her head swimming, Ember tried to piece it together. Ranger Cooper? Wait. Cooper! “Do you have a cat named Garfield?”

  Startled by the question, Cooper turned his head slowly to look at Ember. He was likely suffering a concussion. “You mean that hissing furball that’s now worth more than my generator? Yeah, last I saw of him, he was happily licking himself on my leather recliner. You know I’ll have you arrested for assault!” he continued, glowering at Ernie. “Assault of an officer. And you, Doctor Burns! How about criminal trespass with intent to commit theft, and—”

  “I don’t think so, Shane.” Nathan interrupted the rant as he walked through some nearby trees, followed closely by Sheriff Walker.

  “Nathan!” Ember couldn’t help herself. Running forward, she threw her arms around him. “I’m so sorry. I should have told you.”

  Nathan gently pulled her away and silenced her with a look. “Are you okay?”

  Nodding, she stepped aside so he could advance on Cooper. Since she was safe, he was obviously Nathan’s primary concern at the moment.

  Removing cuffs from his utility belt, Nathan began reading his coworker his rights as he shoved him back onto his stomach.

  “Hey!” Shane shouted, beginning to resist. “What the hell are you doing, Nathan?”

  Walker moved in, pressing down on Shane’s shoulders as Nathan straddled him and brought his wrists together. Although he didn’t stand a chance, Shane continued to yell and buck like a wild animal.

  Backing away, Ember nearly screamed when she was grasped from behind. Spinning around, she faced Mel. Tears were streaming down her friend’s face.

  “Ember! Oh my gosh, you’re alive! I figured Shane would be hidin
g your body parts by now. I told you bad things happen in the wilderness. Why won’t you listen to me?”

  Pulling Mel in for a tight hug, Ember fought back her own tears. Confusion eventually won out over empathy, and she held the other woman out at arm’s length. “Can you please tell me what is going on? How did you end up coming here, and how in the world did you know it was Shane?”

  “I held out for almost an hour after getting your email,” Mel confessed. “Then I called Nathan. But he was already on to something by then and knew you were in danger. I bribed him with the coordinates to let me tag along for the rescue.”

  “I went to talk with Walker this morning, and Trenton told me about the raccoon,” Nathan interjected. He was hauling Shane to his feet, and the other man had finally stopped yelling, seemingly resolved to his fate now that the cuffs were on. “I realized their place was adjacent to Shane’s property and that the sick cat must have been his. I went out to talk with him about it, to see if there was anything else strange going on around his place. But when I got there, I had a very interesting conversation with his wife.”

  Shoulders sagging, Shane glared at Nathan. “You had no right to involve her!”

  Walker took hold of Shane then and pulled him away from Nathan. “Come on, Shane. I think it’s best that the Haven Sheriff’s Department handles your arrest. Nathan?”

  Nodding, Nathan didn’t object. He was way too close to the situation.

  “Wait, so Shane was the reluctant husband who didn’t want to pay for any testing to be done!” Ember exclaimed. That would make sense if he already knew what was causing his cat’s illness. The thought made her blood boil. “How could you do it?” she yelled at Shane. “How could you knowingly poison your own pets and your neighbor’s animals? Weren’t you worried the mercury would get into your water supply?”