Chapter 67

Sam moved toward the big rock. All three of us looked around the edge. The man wore a green army jacket over a white shirt. His jeans were torn at the knee, and his hiking boots were dirty. They were so worn that he had duct taped them together.

Duct tape! Cammy and Tracy had said he used duct tape on them. Maybe this guy wasn’t innocent after all.

“Danny?” Sam said.

His short beard made him look like a rock star. “Yeah.”

“You hurt?” Sam said.

“Lost my footing.” He tried to point but winced. “Landed funny on my arm, crawled over here.”

“You been taking stuff from our barn?” Sam’s voice didn’t sound angry.

“Vegetables, some corn dogs, and a few pizzas. Those were a real bear to cook. I’m going to pay you back as soon as I get a job.”

“People are looking for you,” Sam said.

“Your parents,” Bryce said.

Danny stared at the ground. “What are people saying?”

“That you hurt some girls,” Sam said.

Danny shook his head. “I never touched anybody.”

Sam pulled out his cell phone and dialed.

Danny tried to stand. “You’re not taking me—” He fell back against the rock, holding his arm.

Sam identified himself and gave our address. “We have an injured climber on the red rocks and need an ambulance. And we need an officer too. We’ve found the guy you’re looking for.”

Sam hung up. “I want to call your family.”

“I don’t want them involved.”

Sam dialed information, but I knew the number was unlisted. Then I remembered my candle order form.

Bryce and I ran toward the house, and Sam stayed with Danny. Bryce told Mom what was going on while I ran to my room and grabbed the order form. I dialed the Ingrams, and Danny’s mother answered.