by Sara L Foust
“And a water filter. You know, the Sawyer ones.”
“Yeah, I have one myself. So, the guy was maybe backpacking.”
“More than likely.”
“And if we can get this piece of map to fit, we’ll know where to begin.”
“We?”
“Huh?”
“You said we. Does that mean you’re taking the job?”
She had said we, hadn’t she? “I don’t know.”
“Campsites near Little Pigeon.”
“Yeah, I’ve narrowed it down a bit. And I think I’ve found a match.” She opened the book to a map of trails and backcountry sites located near Elkmont.
Zach leaned in. “Hey, look at that. Good job, Annalise.”
“Thanks.”
“Let’s go.”
She wrinkled her brow. “Right now?”
“Sure.”
“I can’t today.”
“Yeah, neither can I.”
She laughed. “Why did you suggest it then?”
He shrugged. “This weekend then.”
“Deal.”
“The case is transferring to SMIF. By Saturday it will be their—our—jurisdiction.”
“You really should stop calling it SMIF.”
“Probably should. You have two days to let them know if you’re in or out.”
She chewed on her cheek “I know. I don’t need you to remind me, Zach.”
“Well, either way we can hike out on our own time. Right?”
“True.” She smiled.
He spun on his heels and headed for the front door. “Here’s your keys.” He tossed them over his shoulder.
Somehow she caught them. “How are you getting back to work?”
“Walking.”
“Okay.” Wait, what? “You can’t walk! It’s like forty-five miles.” But he was already out the front door. She trotted after him, swung the door open, and peered down the street. Her car was parked in her driveway, and a police cruiser shot away, with Zach in the passenger seat. She giggled. What a goofball. A loveable, sweet goofball. Thank you for Zach’s friendship, Lord. She had a feeling she was going to need it more than ever soon.
Chapter Eight
AT LEAST WORKING STILL felt normal. Annalise settled into her cruiser’s seat and sighed. No, it didn’t. Nothing felt normal. Nothing felt right when her and Dave’s relationship was so wrong. She had to pin her husband down and talk to him. Why was that so hard for her?
Because she was afraid of what he would say.
She sighed. It was going to be a long night.
After a full city patrol—twice— then driving through to get dinner at Wendy’s, and circling back over Norris Dam, Annalise’s mind still would not rest. She texted Dave. “I miss you. Can we meet up and talk?”
And then held her breath. When had she last told him that she missed him? Ugh. She hadn’t exactly been lovey-dovey lately. She’d blame it on the stress of the job, if she could. But that would be dishonest.
Her radio crackled to life. “Officer Baker, please respond to 152 Lee Lane. Non-emergency. Complaints of vandalism.”
Annalise rolled her eyes. Vandalism in this little town meant toilet paper in trees. “Ten-four. ETA five minutes.”
She pulled into Coach Huntley’s driveway and pushed down a smile. How many times had she responded to this gruff older man’s house for TPing? The students must hate him. As soon as she stepped from the vehicle, Coach Huntley stormed down the driveway.
“I caught them on video this time, Officer Baker. I know exactly who it is, and I want them brought to justice.”
Justice? For toilet papering? “Yes, sir. I understand how upsetting this must be for you. Can you show me the video, please?”
She followed him inside, where he replayed a clip from the night prior on his computer. Two boys sneaked into his yard around midnight and proceeded to unwrap, unroll, and cover every reachable surface with the white, flowery-stitched paper. “Do you know their names?”
“Absolutely. Cody Moss and Braden Seeber. Eighth grade. Couple of hooligans who are in detention every other week.”
“I will get their addresses and go speak with their parents.”
“I want them to clean this mess up, Officer.” Coach Huntley gritted his teeth. “That little delinquent. After I tipped him extra for mowing my lawn last summer and everything.”
“I will keep you updated, sir. Please refrain from contacting the students and parents yourself. This is now a police matter.” Police matter? For toilet papering. This was the town she lived in and loved, but really?
Zach had a murder that needed solving and required hiking into the mountains she loved even more. It required real investigation and would, hopefully, bring healing and closure to a grieving family and justice to a murderer.
Maybe she should take the job. Dave would support her like always. He would recognize how much she needed the challenges the new task force would bring. How much she loved being involved in the cases that made a real difference in people’s lives. Wouldn’t he?
Her phone beeped with an incoming message from Dave.
“I can do a late lunch.”
She sighed and replied. “I’m sorry, just got a call. Can we talk at dinner?”
“Big surprise.”
Annalise frowned. He knew she had to do her job. It wasn’t her fault she’d caught a call. Why was he being so huffy? “I love you. I promise I’ll come home at dinnertime and we can spend time together.”
“Don’t know if I’ll make it home. Working on a big job.”
Tears threatened to climb to her eyes. She stuffed them down and aimed for Cody Moss’s house. A knot the size of a baseball settled into her stomach. Things with Dave were worse than she thought, and she didn’t even know exactly why.
CODY SLAMMED THE MATH book shut. Why did he even try anymore? It wasn’t like he could study his way out of failing. Not with his dumb brain calling the shots. He never dreamed eighth grade would be so hard.
That’s why his dad had left. He was ashamed of his no-good, lazy, stupid son. The one who could never do anything right and constantly disappointed him. His dad hadn’t said it, but he hadn’t needed to.
As Cody walked by, he glanced out the window, and his stomach dropped. A police cruiser slowed and pulled into the driveway. Great. Just great.
If he hurried, he could sneak out the back door and disappear between houses.
He bolted down the stairs, pausing at the bottom and listening for his mother. The doorbell rang. He jumped and backed into the hallway.
“Going somewhere?”
His mother’s voice made him jump again. “Uh, yeah. Out with Braden.”
“Is that doorbell for you?”
“Nah.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re lying to me?”
Because he was. He shrugged.
“Don’t move, young man.”
He knew better than to disobey that cold, hard-toned command. As much as the police on the other side of the door freaked him out, his mother worried him more.
“Cody! Get in here. Now!” his mother hollered from the direction of the front door.
Here goes nothing. He squared his shoulders and entered the foyer. The look on the woman officer’s face was anything but menacing. Was she getting ready to bust out laughing?
“Cody Moss?”
He nodded then dropped his head.
“Coach Huntley has video of you vandalizing his yard.”
His mom planted her hands on her hips and scowled. “Cody Alvis Moss.”
“Aw, come on, Mom. It ain’t vandalism. Not like spray paint and stuff. Just toilet paper.”
“Again, Son? We have talked about this.”
More like she had talked and he had tried to tune her out. “What’s it matter?”
“Ms. Moss,” the officer piped in, “I’d like to take Cody for a little drive over to Coach Huntley’s house. I’ll be picking up a Braden Seeber on the way. If they do not clean up the
coach’s yard, he plans to press charges.”
His mom gasped. “Certainly. Of course. Yes, whatever you need to do.”
“Mo-om.”
“Do not take that tone with me. You did this to yourself.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Sounds to me like you got lucky. If Coach Huntley wants to make this a bigger deal, he easily can.”
Great. There went the rest of this evening. At least they weren’t able to pin all the prior times on him. Figured Coach Huntley would get surveillance cameras. “Ugh, fine.” He slammed the door behind him as he followed the lady outside.
ANNALISE TUCKED CODY into the backseat and shut the door. She finally let out the chuckle she’d been barely containing. Cody was mad, that much was obvious. He’d done something he shouldn’t, and he’d gotten caught. But the fact that he still obeyed his mother meant there was hope for him yet. Right? He was still young enough to “set straight” before toilet paper turned into illegal substances or shoplifting or worse.
She slid into the driver’s seat and glanced at him in the rearview. “Coach Huntley is pretty upset with you and Braden.”
“Yeah. So what?”
“If he wanted to, he could press charges for vandalism.”
Cody didn’t respond.
“Listen, kid—”
“I ain’t no kid.”
Oh, yeah, right. He sounded so mature with his improper grammar and whiny tone and baby smooth skin. “Cody, you have a whole life ahead of you. This isn’t exactly the best way to kick-start everything. Is it?”
“What does it matter?”
“I’m sure your mom feels differently. And what would your father say?”
“Dunno. He left.” Cody turned his gaze toward the window.
Ouch. Poor kiddo. It had taken its toll on Zach when his father walked out when he was a sophomore, and Cody was two years younger. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t need your pity, lady.”
“Didn’t say you did.” She sighed. This—this rough, snotty, pre-teen boloney—was why she didn’t want children. How was she supposed to diffuse the tension and let him know she wasn’t some dumb grownup who didn’t care? She never knew what to say to kids.
She drove the rest of the way to Braden’s house and then on to Coach Huntley’s, speaking as few words as possible.
Coach Huntley met them in the driveway with two garbage bags and some work gloves. And the biggest frown she’d seen yet.
While the boys cleaned, she and Coach Huntley stood in the shade of an ancient oak tree, sipping iced sweet tea.
“He’s so smart, that one.” Coach Huntley pointed to Cody. “Such a waste to see him failing his classes and skipping school, and apparently sneaking out in the middle of the night.”
“Mm-hmm.” It was a waste. Why couldn’t Cody see things more clearly? His mom seemed to genuinely care. He lived in a nice town, with good schools. He had opportunities a lot of kids would kill to have.
“Too bad his dad hightailed it out last year.”
“About that. I know it’s none of my business, but do you know where he went or why he left?”
Coach Huntley sucked on his teeth for a moment before he crossed his arms and lowered his voice. “Rumor is, Brian Moss had another family. A secret one next state over.”
“No. That only happens on television.”
“Yeah. He traveled a lot for work and was keeping up with two separate lives, apparently. Poor kid has been heartbroken ever since.”
“I can see why. That’s enough to break a grownup’s heart, let alone a kid.”
He nodded. “Yep. That’s why I’m not pressing charges.”
“Mighty big of you.”
Coach Huntley smiled smugly.
It was good he wasn’t pressing charges, but wasn’t there something someone could do to help Cody more? A guidance counselor or teacher maybe? She’d have to make some calls in the morning and see if she could encourage someone to reach out.
“OFFICER BAKER, WHAT are you doing here today?” Principal Greene greeted her.
She stopped in front of the check-in desk at Norris Middle School and smiled. “I wondered if I might speak with you about one of your students.”
“Of course. Follow me.”
Annalise followed Principal Greene and her pin skirt, striped blouse, and bun into the glass-paneled office. The woman was the epitome of a stereotypical middle school principal, but Annalise had always found her to be kind.
“How can I help you?”
“Cody Moss. I wouldn’t want word to spread, but I picked him up for vandalism yesterday. He made some comments that led me to believe he is struggling with his father’s absence.”
“I believe his father travels frequently for work, yes?”
“Yes, but apparently he actually left the family last year.”
Principal Greene sank into her chair. “I had no idea. No wonder his grades have been falling.”
“Are there extra services available to him?”
“Yes, of course. I will pull him out of class today to meet with the guidance counselor. She can’t force him to talk, but she sure can try.”
“Thank you.”
“I feel terrible that I’ve missed this.”
“You have a hundred and fifty students, Mrs. Greene. The important thing is that he doesn’t slip through the cracks any longer. Right?”
“Right, yes, you’re right. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.”
Annalise’s chest swelled. Cody had potential, and she’d hate to see him throw it away. Too bad she couldn’t talk some sense into the absentee jerk of a father too.
Chapter Nine
ANNALISE CINCHED HER pack’s waist strap tight. “Ready?”
Zach nodded. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
“Trail.”
“Precisely.”
Annalise giggled. “Lead the way, Special Agent Leebow.”
“I’d rather let the professional hiker lead. After you.” He bowed and motioned toward the trail with an outstretched hand. “Special Agent Baker.”
“I didn’t take the job. Remember? The deadline was yesterday.”
“Not anymore.”
She pinned him with a sharp glare. “What?”
“Changed my mind. I’ll go first.” He trotted up the trail, away from her, and then tossed a glance over his shoulder.
“Zachary! Get back here!”
“Not on your life, Annalise!”
She raced to catch up to him, and when she did, she found him lounging on a rock at a bend in the trail. “What are you talking about?”
“I told the team you needed a day or two more to decide.”
He wasn’t wrong, exactly.
“And that you’d more than likely agree.”
“You what?” She smacked his biceps. But he still wasn’t wrong. She sank onto the rock next to him and leaned back, folding her hands behind her head. The leaves above danced in a slight breeze, tickling the blue skyline beyond. She did want the job. Why couldn’t she just say yes? Ugh. She’d already asked that question. The answer still evaded her.
“If Dave loves you, he will support you in this, Lise.” He sighed. “If he’s moved on, this will be a strong catalyst.”
How did Zach know exactly which nail to hit on the head? She nodded, even as a tear formed in the corner of her eyes. “That’s what I’m afraid of. If I don’t take the job, maybe I can keep denying anything is wrong. Just keep going like everything’s fine.”
“Until it isn’t.”
“Yeah.”
“One way or another, the truth will come out. Both if there is something situational going on and the true state of his heart. Do you really want to put off finding out?”
She shook her head.
“Then say yes.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He frowned.
“I really will.” She brushed at her cheeks and jumped to her feet. “Come on, we’ve go
t work to do.”
The sun-splotched trail ahead called to her, as it always did. It asked her to discover what lay around the next bend, over the next hill, through the next stream. It begged her to uncover hidden beauties—the tiny wildflowers nodding their heads in the shade of the hundred-year-old trees, the spiders waiting in their woven webs between branches, the birds speaking to their feathered, flittering mates. Too bad she couldn’t get lost out here and live like a native wild woman. Build a home in the middle of the dense, peaceful forest and dwell with the birds and beasts for the rest of her life. They wouldn’t make her feel this way. Wouldn’t give her this fear of the future imploding around her. Wouldn’t love her and then stop someday.
They questioned the backcountry campers at the first two rustic sites. No one had seen someone fitting the dead man’s description.
Three hours, a liter of water, and two granola bars in, they reached the remotest backcountry site and found it empty.
“Well,” Zach said as he plopped onto a stump, “what next?”
“Other than finding a place to go potty, you mean?”
“Take your pick.” He swung his arms wide. “Mother Nature’s toilets.”
“I’ll be back in a minute. Stay put.”
“Can’t move anyway.”
“You’re out of shape, Leebow.”
“Tell me about it.”
ZACH DRAINED HIS BOTTLE and wandered to the creek to filter and refill. He squatted next to the clear, babbling water, swiping another sheen of sweat from his forehead.
“Zach!” Annalise’s shout raced through the trees.
“Annalise!” Where was she? He strained his ears, listening for her next call so he could pinpoint which direction to run.
“Up here!”
She waved to him from the top of a steep ascent.
“Why on earth did you go up there to...well, you know?”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake, just get up here!”
He scrambled up the hillside, slipping on leaf litter and mushrooms. “How did you do that so easily?”
Annalise grinned. “I came up the trail.” She pointed. “Over there.”
“Oh, gee. Thanks for telling me.”
“You’re welcome.”
