by M K Dymock
Mina helped Ryan to Kevin’s car. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” she said as she shut the door on him, careful not to nick his toes.
21
Mina drugged herself into an early slumber, and woke up with a gray dawn struggling through her window.
Several text messages filled her phone, including three from her mom. It took years of conditioning to convince her mother if she didn’t respond to a text right away, it wasn’t because she was dead, only out of service. Apparently, word had gotten to her mom about Mina’s night in the canyon. She made a quick call that turned into a long call.
“Mina, why did a sheriff of the law tell me you were missing?”
“Mom, it’s okay. I got snowed in and couldn’t get phone service. You wouldn’t believe the amounts we got. The skiing is going to be once in a lifetime. You should come out.” Once upon a time, her mom had learned to ski beside Mina. That was before her father’s layoff and Mina’s student loans had wiped out their retirement.
“Are you safe?” The last word came out with a half sob.
She liked to roll her eyes at her mother’s constant worry, but at least Mina was loved. She didn’t come home for one night and people noticed, unlike their John.
Part of the reason she lived at such a distance from her parents was that same love she had for them. The guilt at close proximity was too much. They’d lived and breathed the American dream, and it spat them out. They’d worked hard for Mina to go to the best schools, get a law degree, and support them in their retirement.
Her parents still worked full time and then some. She’d moved all the student loans to her name, but the damage had been done. She could run away from expectation but never responsibility.
“I’m safe; I promise.”
“Will you be safe tomorrow and the next day?”
“Will you?”
“Yes.” Her mother would never be deflected. “Tell me why a sheriff called me to tell me my daughter did not show up for work.”
Mina thought up five lies, none of which her mother would believe. “I’m working part time for the sheriff’s office. No biggie—I pick up trash and direct traffic.”
Her mom’s sigh vibrated through the phone. “I wish you would settle. You are so smart, but you don’t always act smart.”
“I’ve got to go.” As she hung up, she stared at her phone. Her mom was right; she didn’t always act smart.
From the moment she’d met Ryan, she’d known something felt off about him. It took a couple of different search terms to find an article about a body found in pieces in the Shasta Lake area of Northern California. The report didn’t offer much in the way of description about the remains.
Partial remains were discovered in the mountains above Sunshine Camp, a summer camp for teenagers. According to Sheriff Broden, it appeared the body had only been there a few days, and they are still determining the identification.
Sources from the camp say the body had been found in pieces. “There was a whole leg 20 feet out,” said an employee of the camp who wished to remain anonymous.
The remains were first found by a fourteen-year-old boy who had become lost on a group hike. The juvenile spent the night in the woods before finding his way out in the morning light to call for help.
Mina hadn’t lasted ten minutes in the forest after finding the body, yet Ryan, still a child, spent the night in the woods. The paper published another article a few days later.
Remains found Tuesday at Sunshine Camp have been identified as Hannah Eliason, a camp counselor who worked at the camp for several seasons.
Sheriff Broden said, while they’re conducting a full investigation, it’s most likely an animal attack. “I advise people recreating in the area to carry bear spray, keep all pets on a leash, and above all, don’t go into the woods alone.”
There weren’t any other articles she could find beyond an obituary, which didn’t mention cause of death. It did, however, mention Hannah’s love of the outdoors and children.
She called the office, but the sheriff had long since retired. Once she claimed to be from the company managing his pension and had a concern about a large amount being withdrawn, they quickly gave her his cell phone. He didn’t answer, but she left a message, this time with the truth.
As she hung up, Mina’s phone buzzed. An unknown number called her, and she picked up. “Hello?”
“Mina, it’s Ryan. How are you?”
Not wanting him to know she’d spent the last hour digging into his life, she faked a lighter tone. “Cold. How are you?”
“Warmer than I was yesterday at this same time.”
“How are your feet?”
“Some, but I have to ignore the urge to stuff them in a vat of boiling water. Kevin says not to expose them to extreme heat, and apparently, that qualifies as extreme.”
She wanted to ask him about the body but surprised herself with the words, “What are you doing on Christmas Eve?”
“Why?”
Why, indeed? “I don’t know; I just thought maybe you want to meet up for lunch. You probably have plans, so don’t—”
“I’d like that.”
“Okay, then.” She hung up before she could blurt out any other dumb ideas.
Sol was her next call. “You bored yet?” he said by way of hello.
She’d been home for all of a half day. “Yes, very.”
“Thought you might appreciate an update. The wayward Charlie surfaced.”
Mina didn’t know whether to be relieved it wasn’t a local or frustrated they still didn’t know who their victim was. She chose both emotions. “Where was the idiot?”
“Drunk enough he’s not fully sure, but sober enough he surfaced for work. And I called that ski instructor you mentioned. Her missing date texted her back the day after you two talked. He apologized but said he wanted to get to the airport before the storm.”
“So, we’ve got nothing?”
“That about sums it up. But I don’t want him to fall through the cracks. With the holiday coming up, we’re boosting patrols. Clint and I will be running ragged. I know you don’t have much experience, but if you want to look through the reports and…”
“Yes. I’m in.”
22
Ryan checked his email, starting with the newest first. Lucky for him, because the last email telling him he was fired saved a whole lot of time reading the previous fifty.
He could probably reply and explain himself, maybe get his job back. With his fingers hovering over the keyboard, he reconsidered. With a decent savings and some stock options, Ryan could take a few months. His skills were such that there’d be another job soon or later.
Maybe Mina had rubbed off on him in the mountains. Maybe he was finally ready to examine his skeletons. Either way, he closed his laptop and called Phil for a ride to the store. He would need better gear to go up next time.
As Ryan crawled into Phil’s car—the Range Rover had yet to be towed—spasms of pain shot up his leg, which he did his best to ignore.
His best wasn’t good enough, and Phil watched him, guilt lining his face. “I’m sorry I let you walk out.”
Ryan shrugged; his shoulders were the one part of his body not sore. “We all survived. How bad did it get with James?”
“He was fairly out of it. For a while there I didn’t think he was going to wake up.”
“Good thing he had you there.”
“He could’ve had better company.” Phil glanced out the window and looked as if he wanted to say something.
“Want to grab lunch?” Ryan asked.
“No, I can’t. I got a phone call with my lawyer about some stuff.”
Sometimes Ryan forgot about his friend’s previous identity as tech tycoon. Phil could probably get Ryan another job in a week, but he liked having a friendship that existed outside the real world.
They pulled into the local sporting goods store, where Ryan intended to buy anything and everything that could keep him warm. A salesper
son was showing him battery-operated boot heaters, which he would most definitely be buying, when he spotted James across the store.
James didn’t seem to recognize them, which made sense. It’d been dark, and he’d been a sorry state when they’d all met. A woman stood next to him, probably his wife. She glanced over and nudged her husband before whispering in his ear.
The man broke into a wide smile and quickly came over. “Man, I can’t thank you and Mina enough. Doing what you did.”
Ryan unconsciously rubbed the leg of his bad foot. “It was more her. She was determined to go, and I didn’t want to stay in the car with your sorry state.”
James laughed. “You made the right call.” Thanks had been offered and the receiving man acted like it was no big deal. Man code upheld.
James took Phil’s hand and shook it. “Sorry I didn’t recognize you at first. That day or so is a blur.”
Phil looked down at the ground and mumbled something, maybe a “you’re welcome,” before walking off.
“Is he doing all right?” Cate asked. “The few times we’ve met, he seemed a lot more talkative.”
“You know him?” Ryan shouldn’t be surprised. Phil could land on the moon and find someone he’d been acquainted with.
“Only a little. We met at the lodge and talked mostly about our kids and Christmas. I take it you are a Bigfoot hunter like him?”
Ryan flinched in surprise. “How did you know?”
“It’s a small town. All you have to do is listen, and you learn everyone’s secrets eventually.”
“What are you out and about doing?” Ryan asked, wanting to change the subject.
“Getting outfitted for the winter,” James said. “My last job was in Dubai. I don’t think I’ll be warm until August.” He rubbed the scruff on his face. “I’m trying to grow a beard, but that might be a lost cause.” His white hair matched the color of his skin. Dubai’s desert sun hadn’t found him out of the office.
Ryan hadn’t shaved in a week and his own beard had thickened up. “No kidding. This cold is unbelievable.”
Cate reached up and kissed her husband on the cheek. “Not too thick. I’m going to track down Phil. I want to talk to him about organizing an event for these Bigfoot hunters. Try to drum up some business in the off-season.”
“Ryan,” James said. “Remind me where you’re from.”
Before Ryan could respond, he caught sight of a man whom Ryan did not want to catch sight of him. “Sorry, I’ve got to run.” He backed down the aisle and rounded the corner with his eye on the door when Michael Jenkins stepped in front of him.
Michael clapped him on the shoulder as if they were old friends. “Ryan, I knew you would be here.”
Ryan regretted a lot of things in life, and trusting this man with his story was high on that list. “Yep, needed some gear.”
Michael laughed as if they were on a first date. “I mean in Lost Gorge. It must feel good to be close to vindication. Even a lot of Squatchers think you made your story up. Bunch of bleeding hearts. I’d love to get your perspective on my documentary.”
“I’m not going on camera.”
“I wouldn’t think of it.”
Ryan pushed past to the doors while Michael followed him outside.
“Look, I found a guy in town who can get me into an area known for its sightings. You have to cross through private property to get to it so there’s no going up without him. I want you with me.”
Ryan stopped to face him. “Why? I’m not changing my mind. And let’s be honest, you really don’t believe in Bigfoot; you’re only here to capitalize on a dead man.”
“I’m agnostic, which makes me open. But it doesn’t matter what I believe; what matters is you do. This area is legit, and it’s less than a mile from the attack. You want to find anything, it’s a good place to start.”
Ryan wasn’t above using this guy to get closer to the truth. “When do we leave?”
23
Mina took Sol up on his offer. Despite it being two days before Christmas and the start of her busiest stretch, the resort had yet to rebound from the gruesome discovery. Her clients had canceled for the week, making reservations elsewhere. The snow would’ve drawn people back had it come soon enough they hadn’t already swapped one set of plans for another. At least this season she had another option.
She pushed open the sheriff’s office door to see Sol hovering over Clint’s computer. “Where’s Clint?” she asked.
Sol looked up, disapproval carving his face. “You shouldn’t be outside. I thought you’d work from home.”
“I’m not; I’m in.”
One of these days she hoped to force an unintended laugh from her boss. It appeared today would not be that day. “Clint took the day off. His wife wasn’t feeling too well, and they didn’t have anyone to take care of their son. Why are you out?”
“I’m officially full-time,” she said, surprising herself.
Sol walked her through what had been done in the investigation in the last few days. And while much had been done, not much had been accomplished. Still no identity and no official cause of death. “The shuttle driver remembers a single man riding up the morning of. He noticed the skier because he seemed to be a tourist but most tourists travel in groups.”
“Where did he pick him up?” Mina asked.
“He’s not sure, but we’ve hit all the hotels and contacted everyone registered over the weekend. No one is unaccounted for. Look through the files with fresh eyes. Maybe you’ll see something.”
He left her at the office while he went out to patrol the highway. On holidays people had the tendency to take a break from adhering to the laws, and he would serve to remind them.
Before she dug too deep, the door opened, bringing in a rush of arctic air, and Mina unconsciously pulled her scarf up around her face. Cate blasted through the door with the cold. Her cheeks were red and her eyes bright.
“Hey, Cate,” Mina said, perking up. She wasn’t much used to the solitude and quiet.
“Hi, how are you?” She shed her coat. “The kids don’t want to ski with any other instructor. I took them up yesterday to do a few runs, and all they did was tell me what Coach Mina said about everything.”
“I’m impressed you went with them. You’re learning fast.”
“Not as fast as them.” She glanced around the office. “Sol around?”
“No, he went out on patrol.”
“Shoot, I wanted to ask him about organizing an event. Thought maybe we could capitalize on the Bigfoot thing and do a gathering here.”
“A gathering?”
“Yeah, I’ve been talking to some of these guys. They host gatherings with events and things. Might help us draw in a crowd for January.”
Mina did not want more crazy people climbing through the mountains hunting shadows. “I don’t know. What’s the city say?”
“Do whatever you can to increase tourists if you want to keep your job,” said Cate without a hint of irony.
Mina didn’t have a response to that. “Sorry.”
“Don’t worry.” She winked. “As my husband says, I tend to exaggerate.”
“How is James?” Mina asked to change the subject.
“I think that man dropped two grand on winter clothes yesterday. Not sure if he’s warmed up from being stuck.”
“He’ll need those if he stays all winter.”
“That’s a big if.”
Mina’s phone rang with the number she’d called the California sheriff with. “I’ve got to answer this.”
“No problem. Tell Sol to call me.”
Mina picked up the phone to talk to the former sheriff, who very well remembered a body from twenty years ago. Some things you don’t forget.
24
The sheriff in California remembered the body too well. “It was just in pieces.” Twenty years did little to alleviate the wonder in his voice. “We get animal attacks often enough, but that was just different.”
; “Different how?” Mina figured she knew the answer but didn’t want to fill in his words.
“Decimated, I guess. The poor girl hadn’t been missing that long, but we never found all of her. I figured bear, but there weren’t slashes on the carcass, only pieces. Same with her clothes, torn apart but not shredded like you’d expect.”
“What did you decide happened?”
He scoffed on the other end of the line. “You don’t get to decide what happened.”
“What did Ryan say? I mean, the kid who found her.”
A heavy moment of silence filled the phone. “Who are you, really?”
Mina had no choice but to explain about their situation and Ryan showing up in it. There was no reason not to, but she felt a twinge of guilt like she was somehow betraying Ryan.
“That kid is still telling everyone it’s Bigfoot, huh?”
“That’s what he said back then?”
“Not in so many words.”
“Do you think he had something to do with it?” she asked, trying to hide the anxiety in her voice.
“I don’t know.” He paused. “He was just a scrawny kid. Tall enough, but all bones. You know he found the body close to dusk but didn’t get out to find help until morning? Can’t imagine what that night would’ve been like for him.”
Mina could, and she’d only lasted fifteen minutes before fleeing for help.
“I did wonder with his background if there wasn’t more to it.”
“His background?”
“Yeah, the camp was a place for juvenile delinquents to get straightened out.”
Ryan had lied. He’d told her his parents had sent him to camp to get him away from video games.
“He didn’t have a record,” he continued. “But all the boys who went there had to have a reason. And I did think there was something the kid held back, something he wouldn’t say. Whether that was intentional or the fear pushed it down, I don’t know.”