by Rebecca Rode
Suddenly overwhelmed by the events of the night, I click off my lights, crawl into bed, and slide down into my sheets. I’ll have to decide later. For now, I’ll have to be more vigilant.
2
Trev Cooley
I PULL MY JEEP INTO the parking lot above the office for Black Diamond Adventures. Eight years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined owning an outdoor adventuring business. Now we employ more than two hundred specialized guides in ten offices across seven western states.
Suddenly, the feeling of pride I feel building in my chest is buried beneath a landslide of worry. I spent the last two weeks in our Montana and Wyoming offices, undercover as well, trying to find the clues for why our profits took a nosedive in the last two quarters. Nothing. I’m in the Colorado office now, looking for…who knows what. If I knew, I wouldn’t still be looking.
My business partner’s face shows up on my phone as it buzzes.
I click on the speakerphone. “How are things in San Francisco?”
“The weather’s great. I think—”
“I meant at the corporate office. I hope you have some good news for me, Nolan.”
“Fine. No clues yet. I’m taking a couple of the investigating accountants into the office tonight to snoop around. They advised us not to tell the current staff, including your sister, until the audit is done, in case it’s an insider who’s doing this.”
“Okay. I won’t be able to Skype in for the staff meeting this morning.”
“No problem,” Nolan replies. “I told everyone you went to Düsseldorf. I’ll just say the time change isn’t lining up, and you’re partying your head off.”
That makes me laugh. “Yeah, they aren’t going to buy that last part. And anyway the only German I know is ‘guten morgen.’”
“We should have talked about your cover story a little more—you might not have ended out in Germany. I thought it would throw everyone off. If I had said Colorado, they would have asked if you were visiting the Peak City office. Besides, you’d be surprised how much German you already know, like ‘Gesundheit.’ How did you pull off your cover story there, anyway?”
“Luckily, they had a help wanted sign posted. I applied and started last week.” I check my clock. Time for work. “I’ve got to hang up—I’m at the office.” I turn off the car and reposition my phone to my ear.
Nolan laughs. “And what? You told them you did adventuring as a Boy Scout and they thought that was good enough? We need to set up a better company policy for screening our employees. I question our standards.”
“Very funny. Were you able to intercept the paperwork?”
“Yeah. And I shredded that W2. We’re not actually going to pay you for your work, but that doesn’t mean we don’t expect you to be the best employee in the corporation. Long hours, little appreciation, working for the man.” Nolan’s voice stretches out the last phrase then laughs at himself.
“Bye. I don’t need you to razz me while I’m here. I won’t be calling you back.”
“Yeah, you will. But,” He pauses. “I need to tell you about a girl. This one is different, but you don’t have time for that, so I’ll tell you about her later.”
“Are you kidding?” I ask, unable to keep my voice from sounding shocked.
“No time to talk. You’ll be late, and I’d have to fire you for being a lousy employee. Bye.”
The call ends. Is he serious? That’s a pretty big change if he is. I pocket my phone and walk to the office. I think Nolan’s probably enjoying dangling that little bit of news at the end of our conversation. Why didn’t he bring it up earlier? He’s either exaggerating or he doesn’t want me to know who he’s seeing.
After I stash my lunch in the break room, I head to the office to check in with Bill Smith, this office’s manager, then look at the schedule to see where I am today—zip line tours. Not my favorite. I’d rather have a group go rock climbing, rappelling, or spelunking, but zip line’s not the worst assignment here. That would be at the desk, answering calls, taking appointments, and not making it outside to cake mud in the treads of my shoes.
Even with janitorial duty, I get outside a few times dumping trash as long as I’m the low man on the totem pole. It couldn’t have turned out better if I’d planned it. I’m able to stay later than everyone else. I’ve gone through the trash for clues. Nothing. I’m starting to look through file folders. Nothing, again. I’ll keep at it for a few more days. If I don’t find anything, I’ll move on to the Idaho office.
Being back in Colorado, especially in Peak City, brings back great memories of taking adventure trips in these mountains. It was the kind of thing I did on weekends to unwind and recharge for the next week—hiking, camping, and fishing. I kept it up after moving to California, and it probably saved my sanity while getting my Bachelors and going to grad school. Now it’s a job, but I still feel like it’s something I’d do for free. Glad I don’t though.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve become distanced from why I started in this business in the first place—fun! I have way more meetings than I have days in the mountains.
Now I need to find a way to save Black Diamond Adventures. The pit of my stomach sours. There’s money missing—more each month. Clues could be right in front of me, and I wouldn’t know.
Rob jogs up the hall. “Hey, we’re running the zip course together today.” He fist-bumps me. “Man, I love this job.”
I begin to secure my harness. “I was thinking that too.” Rob reminds me of myself when I was in college and started this business because someone would actually pay me to spend time in the mountains.
Rob continues. “Even more now that you’ve been hired and I’m off dump duty. Sorry, man. I’ve been there—all freakin’ year until you came. I’ll help you out—I’m cool like that.” He struggles to look serious when he adds, “Wash the mirrors first then the sinks.” A grin sneaks over his face. “Toilets last.”
“I’ll get right on that—later.”
“Maybe I should tell the boss you’re a slacker.” He laughs and shakes his head. “Second thought—no way. Then I’d be wielding a mop when you get fired. I’ve got your back.”
“It’s all about job security, man. What’s our first group like?” The company always gets info on the groups so we can know what to expect before they arrive.
“Family of four on vacation and have zero experience, complete newbs. Bronze Tour. We’ll teach them a little at ground school, put them on a couple of zips, and send them on their way.” He shrugs, and I follow him out the locker room toward ground school.
Most people who come through are on vacation, and expertise varies. Our goal is to make their first experience as smooth as possible—those are the most work. Black Diamond also sells Gold Tour memberships, so we have a fair amount of locals who come regularly too. Those are the coveted gigs—lots of fun, minimal work.
Rob and I take turns checking each anchor and zipping across the runs, making notes for the safety and run sheets that are filed nightly.
We have two groups today—the first is a two-hour Bronze Tour for beginners, and the last is a four-hour Gold Tour. The last group must be experienced because they have to bring their own gear to book that tour, and I’m looking forward to that one. There are higher and longer runs, broken up with hikes between the sections. The monotony of the short runs kills me.
“Do you know who booked the Gold Tour?” I ask Rob, hoping it’s a member I’ve met already.
“Nah, the bio said it was a birthday. They were the group booked for yesterday that was cancelled.”
We got rained out—too much lightning. Not a good time to go climbing trees.
The family on our first assignment wasn’t too bad. The kids had done a zip line at a summer camp and were fearless, and the parents were active enough that they caught on quickly.
After a short water break, Rob and I sit at ground school, waiting for our Gold Tour to show up. Technically, ground school isn’t required for experienced to
urs, but it’s still the easiest place to meet up and check gear before heading out.
I notice Zara’s black hair first. It’s short and bouncing against her olive skin as she and two other equally beautiful girls walk up the path toward us.
Rob gives a low whistle. “Something for everyone. The girl with black hair is hot—just my type.”
I jab him in the side.
Rob leans out of elbow range. “Did I say black? And by that I meant I kind of like blondes and redheads.” He stands and starts walking toward the group, ready to introduce himself.
I set my water bottle back in the cooler and take a breath in an attempt to collect myself. The best part of being in the Colorado office is seeing friends I’ve been out of touch with for the past ten years. Zara and I were best friends. We were flip-sides of each other—she was spontaneous and bold while I was the opposite. We both had a fearless streak, though. If there was adventure to be had, she and I were both all in.
Turning back, I see them give Rob a quick “Hi” before they move around him, continuing toward me.
It’s been a long time since middle school. I had the biggest crush on Zara. It took me three trades and a twenty-dollar bill to get a locker next to Zara’s our eighth grade year. She’s more gorgeous now.
When her eyes connect with mine, and she smiles, electricity rips through me, like it did the other night at her place when our hands touched. Nothing new—I’ve always felt that way around Zara. Still, I miss Zara’s zest-for-life attitude. She was my counterbalance.
I’ve been working hard on building a business for the past six years, and when it took off, my work doubled and tripled. I haven’t thought of looking for someone to share my life with. I’m young. I have time. But looking at Zara makes me wonder what I’m waiting for.
“I told you he moved back,” she says to the auburn-haired woman next to her. “Hey, Trev, looks like we’re with you today.” She smiles again, and my heart flips in my chest.
“Of course we are. You asked for him specifically, and booked the longest tour available,” the other girl says. That earns her a smirk in return.
Zara rolls her eyes at her friend. “Thanks for saying that out loud.” Then she turns to me. “You remember Elena Maurell, right?” Zara points to the redhead, then gestures to the small blonde next to Elena. “And this is our friend Sienna. Sienna, this is Trev. He’s our long lost partner in crime. Oh, the stories I could tell you!”
I feel super lame, but the first story that jumps to my mind is when we both twelve and thought we should practice kissing so we wouldn’t be complete idiots if we ever got a chance to be kissed for real. Only for me, it turned out it was real. The second her lips touched mine, she was forever out of the friend category for me. I doubt she remembers that kiss.
She looks me straight in the eye and lifts her eyebrows, slapping my shoulder lightly. “And I will tell her.” Then she gives me a nod that means she’s serious.
“What I remember is that I always got caught, and you always got off. And yeah, I remember Elena. It’s nice to see you again, and to meet you, Sienna.”
Rob skirts around the back of the women to join me, then nudges me in the side and clears his throat.
“Oh, and this is Rob.”
“I’ll be the other guide today. I have a little more experience than Trev here, but he’s good.” Rob pulls a paper out of his pocket and reads. “We’re going to hit eight zip lines today. It will be awesome. There’s a long hike between a couple of the towers and a footbridge between seven and eight that’s sweet. Anything I can help you ladies with?”
Sienna shimmies out of her backpack. “Oh, yes. Could you carry this?”
“Mine too.” Elena passes hers over too, with a wave and a giggle.
That’s not quite what he was hoping for, but I’m sure he won’t give up quickly. Then the women move toward the trail to the first line.
We run them through a quick refresher ground school and check their harnesses before walking up the hill to the beginning base. “Gold Tour. So, you have a yearly pass?” I ask Zara.
“Yeah. I haven’t come as much this year as I have in the past, but after you left, I kept up with mountaineering as much as I could. I was a volunteer for the emergency rescue team until last year.”
“That’s cool. Should be fun today.” I’m impressed with Zara’s experience on the rescue team. They’re picky about their successful candidates. They don’t want someone going on a rescue who will just end up needing to be rescued as well. I’d trust her. She’s smart, thinks on her feet, and has tons of experience.
Rob goes first to catch on the other side if necessary, and I stay to watch them hook on and go.
“What have you been up to since middle school? Y’all moved to California, right?” Elena asks as we wait for the clear from Rob.
“Yeah, my parents are still in San Luis Obispo. After high school, I went to CSU in Chico. There are great mountains in northern California too.” I’d rather not go into further detail about my degree and what I did with it since I’m here undercover, so I grab the radio, “You set, Rob?”
“Yup, we’re go.” His voice crackles through.
“Okay, who’s first?” I turn toward the group, and Sienna steps forward.
“I’m up!” She snaps on like a pro, and she’s off. After a minute I watch Elena follow her down. It doesn’t surprise me that Zara’s friends like adventuring too.
Zara leans toward me. “Why didn’t you remind me who you were when you come over with Aiden?”
“I don’t know. It looked like you had a lot on your plate at the moment. I didn’t know if you’d remember me.” After all these years, I still feel a little invisible—or maybe I try to be.
“I’ve never forgotten you.” Zara clips on, but doesn’t swing off the platform. “I’m glad you’re here, Trev. And maybe I’ll see you tonight, too.” Then, with a smirk, Zara zips toward Rob. I take a deep breath and clip on myself.
She’s only three breaths ahead of me. It’s a warm day, but the air whooshing past me feels cool. A tiny stream runs downhill below us to our next landing. This is my favorite section of the run, a tight fit through an aspen grove. When I stretch out my foot, the outer branches and leaves whip against my boot. I watch Zara doing the same.
We’re grown now. Neither of us is the same as our barely teen selves when I moved from here. My mind flips through the last ten years, tracing how I went from an insecure boy in high school to a guy who turned playing around in the mountains into a small business, then to a CEO of successful high adventure corporation, who still feels more comfortable around trees than people, especially women.
Enough income is being syphoned off that I’m not sure if the business can survive if we don’t plug that leak.
We go down a few runs, making pleasant small talk before the group gathers at a nearly invisible trail. Even deer have a hard time finding this one. We’ll hike to a lookout point about a mile up the mountain and break out snacks before we come back down for the next section of zip.
Around line seven, I remember that the group bio said this is a birthday party. “Whose birthday are we celebrating today?” I ask.
“Mine!” Zara bumps my side.
“But your birthday is August sixteenth. Celebrating early?”
“Yeah. No one wants a party on Monday, so it’s tonight. I wanted to ask, would you like to come? It’s just a bunch of us at Elena’s house tonight—totally casual. I could text you the address.”
She pulls out her phone without waiting for the answer and turns it to face me, “Type in your number.”
I take the phone from her and quickly punch in my phone number, smiling to myself that she got my number and assures that I’ll have hers. Rob should take notes—Zara is smooth. She hits save at the same time I do, then we exchange phones, tucking them into our pockets.
Although I start this hike in the front, I work my way back to walk beside Zara. The second run is on the backside
of the next hill—we have some time to talk.
“You’re taking care of your mom?” I probably should have started a conversation with something about what she’s been doing instead of jumping right into the heavy stuff.
“For about a year now. When dad died, she seemed to get a lot worse fast. Or maybe Dad was dealing with it all, and I didn’t notice how bad the symptoms of Alzheimer's were getting.”
“Do you mind if I ask what happened to your dad? He was a great guy. He always made me feel welcome at your place.”
“That’s because you both liked pork rinds. Yuck!” She pauses then adds, “It’s nice to have someone to talk to about Dad. I like remembering him, but it makes Mom confused, so we don’t.”
“Hey, that was spicy pork rinds. What could be better than deep-fried bacon?”
“Since you put it that way—it sounds kind of good. Anyway. Dad was killed in an auto accident. You know where the highway goes around the hairpin turns?” She pauses, and I nod. “Well, the driver of another car didn’t even slow down and plowed out of his lane and into my dad’s door.”
Zara pulls a small branch off an aspen sapling and begins plucking the leaves from the stem. “He died instantly,” she whispers, her eyes cast down. She blows out a long breath.
She straightens her shoulders and looks me in the eye. She seems like she’s reaching for strength, but only faking it right now.
I place my hand on her shoulder, and she looks into my face. “Zara, I’m sorry. If this is too hard, you don’t have to tell me.”
“It’s okay. I’d like you to know.” She gives me a sad smile, then clears her throat. “The driver was high. He’d been shooting up at some party, hopped in a car, and killed my dad.” Her jaw clenches as her hands fist and then relax.
“How selfish is it for someone to screw up his own life, then end my father’s life—the entire future of a family—all because he couldn’t keep a needle out of his vein.”
She folds her arms in front of her, and her tone deepens. “We sold my parents’ house, and Mom moved in with me in the apartment at the mortuary. Well, you know that part. At first, she followed me around, helping arrange flowers for funerals, or setting up the preparation room for embalming. But then she would get confused and make mistakes or get lost in the mortuary.” Zara’s lip trembles. “Recently, she’s started wandering off.”