“Mitch, line one. It’s Bryan Cole. Sounds urgent.”

He pushed the button. “Ranger Cole?”

“Got an emergency at Thunder Hole, and it’s a hellish nightmare.”

Mitch stopped smiling and listened. “Close off the area to spectators. We don’t need a panic. Don’t touch anything. Try to preserve the scene as much as possible. As for witnesses, isolate them from each other. It will keep them from feeding off each other’s recollections. Get them coffee, and pencil and paper to write down everything they can remember. I’ll get there asap!”

“Will do.”

As Mitch hung up the phone, he issued instructions to Louise. “Call Dr. Musuyo, tell him he’ll need his forensics kit, an EMT, and the ambulance, and to meet me at the main entrance of the national park. Musuyo is to ask for Ranger Jane Dorsey. She’ll direct him to the scene.”

Louise adjusted the eyeglasses that had slipped down on her nose. “What is it, Mitch? What’s happened?”

His voice brooked no nonsense. “In a minute, Louise. Right now, do as I’ve asked.”

He punched auto-dial for Laura’s number and was relieved when she answered on the first ring.

“Hey, Mitch, I’ve been meaning to call and thank you for telling me about Elio—”

He didn’t have time for platitudes. He glanced at his watch. Eleven fifteen. “Friday, I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes. Bring your camera.”