by Cindy Bell
“You two shared so much.” Kerri frowned as she studied him. “I can’t imagine how hard this is for you.”
“No, you can’t.” Colin stood up from the table and without another word headed out of the diner. She noticed that he didn’t stop to pay at the register. She figured the least she could do was pay for his coffee. As she stared down at her food she wondered if she could eat it. A deep breath of the aroma of the food reawakened her appetite. She was almost finished eating, when someone paused beside her table.
“Kerri, I thought you might be here.” Steve slid into the chair that Colin once occupied. He eyed the empty coffee mug. “How are you doing? Did you get any sleep?”
“Yes, some.” Kerri smiled at him, then wiped her mouth in case any toast crumbs lingered. “I just finished a conversation with Colin, Pam’s friend. Apparently, they weren’t dating, but he was in love with her.”
“Interesting. Was he able to tell you anything about her family? I haven’t found any.” Steve frowned. “I’ve been digging.”
“According to Colin, she didn’t have any that he knew about. She was in the foster system.” Kerri filled him in on the information she’d found out about Colin and Pam the night before, as well as the photograph she’d found of Elm looking at Pam from the woods. “Which reminds me, I want to send that to Detective Carver.” She pulled out her phone and attached the picture to a text that included the information she had about Elm.
“Ah, she might be a bit busy right now.” Steve rubbed his hand across his cheek. “That’s why I stopped by here, to see if you were here. I went by the house, but no one was home. Well, no one but Cashew.”
“Why didn’t you call?” Kerri glanced at her phone, there were no missed calls.
“I wanted to tell you in person.” Steve reached his hand across the table.
“What is it?” Kerri frowned as she set her hand in his.
“I heard over the radio that George was picked up for questioning.” Steve locked his eyes to hers. “I’m sure it’s just a routine thing but—”
“Oh great, he was right.” Kerri sighed. “He’s always right. He said that Detective Carver would go after him.”
“We don’t know that’s what’s happening, yet.” Steve gave her hand a light squeeze. “Let’s just take it one step at a time.”
“Good idea. Next step is to go talk to Elm, since Detective Carver is too busy questioning the wrong person.” Kerri stood up from the table, left enough money on the table to cover two coffees, her meal, and a tip, then headed for the door.
“Wait a minute, Kerri, are you talking about going up the mountain?” Steve followed after her. “Not without me, you’re not.”
“Then hurry up.” Kerri flashed him a brief smile, then bolted out the door.
Chapter 9
On the drive up to the mountain, Kerri and Steve discussed everything they’d learned so far about the murder. As usual Steve had an interesting perspective on the situation.
“Keep in mind that just because she was a protester, it doesn’t mean that was why she was killed. It’s easy to zero in on one possibility. But the truth is, she could have been targeted for any number of reasons, not the least of which is love. Maybe Colin did tell her how he felt and she rejected him.”
“I had considered that.” Kerri nodded as she watched the scenery slip by. “But I’m not ready to focus on anything as far as motive is concerned, just yet. I want to know why Elm was looking at her in that picture. One step at a time, right?” She looked over at him with a smile.
“Right.”
After they parked, they still had to hike some distance up the mountain to reach the loggers’ campsite.
“I hope he’s willing to talk to me.” Kerri plodded along the trail, still a bit exhausted from the events of the night before.
“Maybe let him talk to me first.” Steve shrugged. “It might go smoother that way.”
“Why would you think that?” Kerri stepped over a thick root that spanned the width of the trail.
“I’m just saying, let me take the lead. These guys aren’t used to a woman like you.” Steve pulled back a branch and held it to allow her to pass by.
“A woman like me?” Kerri paused in front of him and turned to look into his eyes. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing bad.” Steve smiled as he studied her. “Just that you’re strong, and intelligent, and determined. Guys like this, they’re so macho, it’s all about dominance and control.”
“Is that so?” Kerri crossed her arms as she returned his gaze. “Do you know a lot about loggers?”
“Maybe not every logger, but I have interviewed quite a few of the loggers that are working in these woods. I’ve been following the story since they arrived, and I’ve covered some of the protests as well. These men are not to be toyed with.” Steve’s voice hardened as he spoke. “I know that you think you can handle anything, Kerri. I admire that about you, but sometimes that pride can lead you into dangerous situations.”
“So, now I’m prideful?” Kerri stepped past him and continued along the trail. “The things I’m finding out about myself today are quite fascinating.”
“Don’t be mad.” Steve caught her by the shoulder and turned her back to face him. “You know I don’t mean it that way.”
“I know.” Kerri smiled enough to put him at ease. “I don’t take offense. I just think that you’re underestimating me.”
“I said you were strong, and intelligent, and determined and that’s underestimating you?” Steve grinned as he searched her eyes.
“You’re right, I do think I can handle anything, but that’s only because I can.” Kerri winked at him, then continued down the trail.
“I don’t even know why I try.” Steve shook his head as he followed after her. “Just do me a favor and take it easy?”
“I’ll do my best.” Kerri stepped off the trail onto a wider path that served as a road for the loggers. “But I can’t make any promises.”
“No, I suppose you can’t.” Steve took her hand as the path was wide enough for them to walk side by side.
As they walked along, Kerri recalled the uncomfortable feeling she had around Elm when she was alone with him. It sure seemed to her that he was showing a good amount of dominance as he spoke to her, even if it was unintentional.
“You’re right, Steve, about these guys. I’ll be careful.” Kerri glanced over at him in time to catch a wisp of a smile on his lips.
“That’s all I ask.” Steve gave her hand a light squeeze.
Ahead of them, a group of four men were gathered. It only took Kerri a few moments to pick out Elm from the group. He was taller than the rest and stood just slightly apart from them. While the others joked about something, he remained silent and gazed out at the horizon. As they approached, the men noticed them, and a few began to back off a bit. She guessed that they didn’t often have good reactions from hikers. Elm started to turn away as well, but paused, as he gazed at her.
“Hi Elm.” Kerri stepped forward and smiled at him. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“You too.” Elm smiled in return, then his attention shifted to Steve, who walked up beside her. “You came to visit me, and you brought a friend?”
“I’m Steve.” He extended his hand to Elm.
“Oh, I know who you are. You’re that reporter. You’ve been hitting up everyone for interviews.” Elm gave his hand a quick shake. “I guess you’re up here for more?”
“Actually, we’re up here to talk about Pam.” Kerri crossed her arms as she looked into Elm’s eyes. Already she detected a shift in his body. His shoulders spread, his muscles tightened, and his chin lifted just enough that he could look down at both of them along the slope of his nose.
“Who?” Elm flashed a brief smile. “Is that someone I know?”
“It’s the young woman who was killed in these woods last night.” Steve’s tone grew stern.
Kerri glanced over at him and noticed his shoulde
rs had spread as well. She raised an eyebrow as she observed his mild manner harden.
“Oh, right.” Elm cleared his throat. “I heard about that. Such a terrible thing.”
“Any idea what might have happened to her?” Kerri looked back at Elm.
“Not a clue. Although, I was told a tree fell on her.” Elm shrugged. “Just a freak accident I guess.” He frowned as he met her eyes. “Is that really what you came all the way up here to talk to me about?”
“Yes. Because it wasn’t an accident.” Kerri focused only on him as she spoke her next words. “She was murdered, and I’d like to know by whom.”
“Murdered?” Elm took a slight step back as his eyes widened. “Are you serious? I thought it was a tree.”
“It was a tree.” Steve nodded. “But someone cut that tree to fall on her. That’s not an accident.”
“That’s crazy.” Elm scratched his fingernails back through his hair. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“Which is why we’re up here, to find out more.” Kerri moved a little closer to him. “It was one of the protected trees, Elm. You mentioned that none of the loggers you worked with were cutting them down, but someone was.”
“Yeah, I mean, I guess. I’ve never seen it for myself, I’ve just heard the rumors.” Elm held his hands out in front of him. “There’s nothing I can tell you about all of this. Sorry. I’m sure she was a nice enough person, but I didn’t know her.”
“Are you sure about that?” Kerri locked her eyes to his. “You’ve never met her?”
“Of course, I’m sure.” Elm slid his hands into the pockets of his well-worn jeans. “Like I said, I’ve never met her.”
“That’s interesting, because I came across this.” Kerri pulled out her phone and selected the picture of Pam, with Elm watching her from behind the trees. “Do you remember her now?” She held up the phone, and studied every aspect of his reaction. His eyes widened at the sight of the picture, but his hands also clenched within his pockets. He looked away almost instantly. “Oh right, I remember her now. I never knew her name.”
“So, you did know her?” Kerri lowered her phone, and watched as a few beads of sweat popped up on his forehead. The sun had shifted, it beat down on all three of them, but only he faced it, was that the cause of his perspiration? Or was he nervous?
“I didn’t know her, I mean, I never met her. She was with those protesters, creating a disturbance, taking pictures everywhere that she shouldn’t have been. I kept an eye on her, but I never spoke to her.” Elm shrugged, and his hands relaxed in his pockets. “I didn’t realize that was who had been killed.”
“I see.” Kerri tucked her phone back into her pocket and glanced at Steve. “Well, anything you might remember about who she was with, what she was doing, that might be of great help to the police in their investigation.”
“I did get a call from a detective. Uh, Carver, I think. She wants me to meet her for an interview. But I’ve got work to do.” Elm glanced over his shoulder at a few other men who waited for him. “We can’t get too far behind or we’re all going to lose money on this job.”
“Just keep in mind what you know might help solve a murder.” Steve crossed his arms. “Money is important, but some things are more important.”
“Says a reporter who has never worked out in the summer sun for peanuts.” Elm cast an annoyed look in Steve’s direction. “She’s gone right? There’s nothing anyone can do about that. Sorry to hear it, but it’s not really my business.” He turned and walked off towards the other loggers.
“Ouch.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck as he watched Elm walk away. “I hate to say it, but he’s right about that. I’ve never worked an outside labor job.”
“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean that you were wrong. I’m surprised he doesn’t want to help the police as much as possible.” Kerri gazed after the group of loggers for a moment, then turned towards Steve. “It makes me wonder why he is being so defensive.”
“We do know that the loggers and the protesters had a tense relationship.” Steve led the way back down the path towards the car.
“That’s true, but we’re talking about a woman dying here. Could he be so cold that he just doesn’t care?” Kerri frowned as they headed towards the logging road. “I’m not ready to go just yet, if that’s okay with you.”
“Sure, did you want to take a look at the crime scene again?” Steve peered through the thick trees. “We should be able to spot the crime scene tape.”
“Actually no, I don’t want to step on Detective Carver’s toes. While we’re up here, I’d love to find the conservationist I ran into when we were camping. Sylvia. I’m just not sure where to find her.” Kerri frowned as she swept her gaze across the towering trees. “I know she was studying owls in a protected area. Maybe we could ask Ranger Bancroft where that might be.”
“The station is this way.” Steve gestured towards a trail marked with a small, wooden sign. “I bet it’s not too far. Do you think she’ll know anything about what happened?”
“I think it’s possible. She told me that she’s been in the woods for quite some time, and my guess is that she sees a lot. She was aware of the loggers and the protesters.” Kerri led him down the path he pointed out. “Ranger Bancroft seemed pretty helpful last night. Hopefully, he still will be.”
As they broke through a dense patch of trees, they stepped into a small clearing. In the middle of the clearing was a log cabin with a sign posted outside declaring it the ranger station. She noticed the front door was propped open by a rock.
“There’s a jeep over there.” Steve pointed out the vehicle which was half-hidden behind the log cabin. “I’m guessing that someone is inside.”
“Let’s find out.” Kerri approached the door and poked her head inside. “Ranger Bancroft?”
“Yes.” He rolled towards her on an office chair. “Oh, I remember you, from last night.” He nodded. “How are you doing?”
“Okay, I suppose. I met a woman in the woods yesterday, a conservationist named Sylvia. I’d like to try to find her again. Do you happen to know where her campsite might be?” Kerri stepped aside as Steve joined her inside.
“She tends to move around.” The ranger rubbed his chin. “But you can always find her with the owls, she’s there at least a few times a day. Here, I’ll draw you a map.” He grabbed a piece of paper and sketched out a quick map of the trails. “Just follow that path, and you’ll be headed straight for her.”
“Thanks.” Kerri shot him a quick smile. As she looked over his work space, she noticed pictures of the protestors posted up on a bulletin board. None of the pictures were of Pam, but Colin was in a few of them. “What are those for?”
“I try to keep a record of everyone in the woods. Even those that don’t register. It just keeps everyone safe, or if someone gets reported missing, I at least have a picture to work with. This month it’s been mostly the group of environmentalists that have decided to set up camp and protest. When they leave, the pictures come down.” The ranger shrugged as he glanced over at the photographs. “It doesn’t hurt to have them in case the police need some evidence either.”
“Evidence of what?” Steve studied the pictures as well.
“Sometimes these protesters get out of hand. They end up destroying exactly what they insist they are trying to protect. It’s quite a shame.” Ranger Bancroft stood up and rested his hands on his hips. “They’re not as peaceful as they look.”
“This group caused some trouble?” Kerri turned her attention back to him.
“Not too much yet, but enough. They have been harassing the loggers and chaining themselves to trees.” The ranger sighed. “The loggers are doing their part, lowering the density of trees in the area.”
“I’ve heard that some were cutting down trees that were marked as protected. Is that true?” Kerri took one last look at the pictures, still no sign of Pam.
“I haven’t caught any in the act, but there have been severa
l trees cut down that were marked protected.” Ranger Bancroft shrugged. “I can’t see why the loggers would do it, but I also don’t know why anyone else would either.”
“Thanks again for the map.” Kerri tucked it into her pocket. “I hope we’re able to find her.”
“Tell her I say hello if you do. I love having a chance to talk with her. She’s a very knowledgeable woman.” Ranger Bancroft settled back in his chair and rolled it in the direction of his desk.
“Will do.” Kerri gave him a brief wave.
Chapter 10
Once back outside, Kerri used the map to lead Steve in the direction of the protected area. However, her thoughts drifted back to the pictures on Ranger Bancroft’s bulletin board. It seemed very strange to her that Pam was missing from the board.
“Are we close?” Steve’s voice brought her back to the present.
“Oh yes, it shouldn’t be far now, but we have to go off the trail.” Kerri led him through some brush, and then continued on until they reached a tangle of bushes. She looked back down at the map to be sure that she didn’t miss anything. From beyond the bushes, she heard a soft melody. It was sung so quietly that she almost didn’t notice it. Once she did, her eyes widened.
“I think that’s her, Steve. Sylvia?” Kerri peered through the thick bushes and watched as the woman turned slowly in her direction.
“Who’s there?” Sylvia began to walk towards the bush. “This area is protected, no one is supposed to be out here.”
“Sylvia, it’s me Kerri, and my friend Steve.” Kerri tugged Steve forward through the bush and to the other side.
“Kerri.” Sylvia stared blankly at her for a moment, then nodded. “Oh yes, I remember you now. The camper, right? With the cute little dog?”
“Yes, that’s me.” Kerri grinned. “But Cashew stayed home today. She needed a little rest.”
“I see.” Sylvia smiled and glanced at Steve. “It’s nice to meet you, Steve. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve had so many people out here lately. So many people trespassing. Could you tell me how you found this place?”