“I mean … was the explosion an accident or … ?” Jennie hesitated. Maybe he didn’t want to talk about it yet.
“Did someone blow up the truck on purpose?” Jeff finished. He stared at something on his desk for a long time, then closed his eyes. “I wish I knew. The truth is, I can’t remember. I close my eyes and all I can see is the explosion and the flames. Nothing more.”
Jennie walked over to her uncle’s desk. “Did you know about the death threats Heather and Joseph got while you were gone?”
“My father told me of the message left on the deer.” He raised an eyebrow. “And how you took the note from his garbage.”
Jennie’s cheeks flushed. “I … he threw it away and I thought it might be important. Monday—the day I arrived—Heather and I had stopped for lunch and when we came out of the restaurant there was a note on the Jeep. They were written by the same person.” She pulled the papers from her pocket to show him.
“Why didn’t you give them to the sheriff?”
“I probably should have last night when he was over at the Danielsons, but I forgot. Actually, that’s not entirely true. Maybe I didn’t really forget. Heather said she didn’t trust him. I wasn’t too impressed with him either.”
“Might be just as well, in case we have to go to another law enforcement agency. He let Danielson go,” Jeff said, his voice flat and without the anger she expected.
“On bail?”
“Sam didn’t arrest him.”
“I can’t believe that. Look at the evidence.”
“He did. His deputies weren’t able to lift any fingerprints from the interior of the truck, which means it had been wiped clean. He figures Danielson would have no reason to do that. There’s nothing to indicate who drove it. What’s more, Sam would need absolute proof to arrest Jake. The man’s his brother-in-law and practically owns him.”
“So you’re saying that even if Danielson is guilty, he won’t be arrested?”
“Not without infallible evidence, with eyewitnesses to testify against him. I should amend that to honest witnesses.”
Jennie stared at her uncle. She wasn’t sure how to respond. She placed her left arm on Jeff’s desk and leaned toward him. “I don’t get it. How come you’re telling me all this? How come you’re not shoving me out to play and telling me to mind my own business?”
“I don’t trust Sam Mason. He’s too easily swayed by special interest groups. Though he won’t admit it, he’s sympathetic to the white supremacists and anti-government groups and as far as I’m concerned that’s a dangerous place to be. If I could be out there solving this case I would.”
He paused and glanced down at his leg. “But I can’t—leastwise not yet. I’d planned to tell you tomorrow when you came back from Blue Ridge, but I guess now is as good a time as any.” He paused and held her in a long steady gaze. “I need someone to investigate for me.”
Stunned, Jennie moved over to the chair and dropped into it. “You want me to … investigate?”
Jeff smiled. “Trust me, Jennie. If it were solely up to me, you would not be my first choice. Not that you aren’t competent. But you are my sister-in-law’s kid. If Maggie or Susan find out I’ve encouraged you, I’d be … well let’s just say I’d rather you didn’t tell either of them we’re having this discussion.”
“I don’t get it.”
“I spoke with my father today. He believes God has sent you to help us. He says that you are going to investigate with or without our blessing and, considering this, feels we should assist you. At the moment I’m not so sure. But my father is a wise man. I’m willing to support his decision, but you’ll need to report everything you learn to me. If I’m not here you must speak with my father.”
“Are you serious? You actually want me to investigate?”
Jeff nodded. “I’m afraid so. There’s one more thing. Be careful. Don’t go off alone with Marty Danielson or any of the other men around here. Don’t even trust the sheriff. Snooping around and digging up information is one thing. I doubt any of these men will be taking you seriously, which gives us the advantage. Joseph and I will be watching out for you as best we can. So will Bob.”
“He knows?”
“He came in to talk to me before dinner. Said you were asking all kinds of questions.” Jeff grinned. “Don’t worry, you can trust him. Bob Lopez is like a second father to me.”
“Thanks, Uncle Jeff.” Jennie bounced out of her chair, walked around the desk, and threw her arms around his neck. When the cast connected with his head she mumbled an apology and backed away. “Sorry.”
“No problem.”
“I guess I’d better go.”
As she reached the door, Jeff stopped her. “There’s one more thing, Jennie. If you happen to find Hazen—” His eyes closed and he frowned. “Just tell him I don’t hold him responsible for anything that happened out there.”
“What makes you think I’ll see him?”
Jeff shook his head. “Wishful thinking, I guess. That and your track record.”
Still stunned, Jennie left. Except for Gram he’d been the only adult to take her seriously. Excitement bubbled up inside her, then ebbed. What if you fail, McGrady? What if you let them down? And who are you to take on a case like this? You’re dealing with a militia group, not the Boy Scouts.
“Come on, Jennie. I’ve got everything all ready.” Heather stuffed a swimsuit into Jennie’s hand a pushed her out of Jeff’s office and in the direction of the main floor bathroom. As instructed, Jennie put the swimsuit on under her clothes.
When Jennie emerged, Heather led her out to the front porch where she’d set their boots. “You’re going to love the surprise I have planned for you.”
“What surprise?” Jennie sat on the steps beside Heather and pulled on her boots. “You said you were taking me to some hot springs, then camping on Blue Ridge. Is there more?”
“Definitely, but I can’t tell you.” Heather flashed her an infectious smile.
“I can hardly wait.” Jennie set aside the warning bells and decided her cousin had gone through an attitude change. After all, they had grown closer in the last couple of days. Maybe Heather had decided they could be friends. Maybe.
Heather scrambled to her feet and reached down to give Jennie a hand up. The fast movement set off a chain reaction in her sore muscles. “Whoa. Take it easy.”
“Sorry.”
Mounting Gabby should have been getting easier, but Jennie’s legs and hips protested more loudly with each try. “Ouch. I may have to give up riding if this gets any worse.”
“Another day or two and you’ll be fine.” Heather turned her honey-colored mare named Brandy and headed southwest down the same path she’d taken on the night Jennie had gotten lost. The thought didn’t exactly fill Jennie with confidence.
The deeper into the woods they rode, the stronger Jennie’s suspicions grew. Heather chatted about her last photo shoot with Eric. “I am so excited, Jennie. His agent has me scheduled to do a photo session with Andre.”
“Who’s Andre?” Jennie asked.
“Only the most popular photographer on the West Coast. His photos have been on the cover of every major magazine in the country this year. And nearly all of his models are doing films. This is a major break for me.”
“So, when is all this supposed to happen?” Jennie asked.
“You sound like you don’t believe me.”
“Oh, I believe you. It’s Eric I’m worried about.”
“Eric loves me. He wouldn’t lie about something this important. It’s our dream.”
“When are you going to tell your folks?”
“I’m not. Well, I did leave them a note, but …”
“What do you mean, you left them a note?” Jennie’s loud response startled Gabby. The horse shied, nearly dumping her on the trail. She grasped the saddle horn and held on tight.
“Whoa, Gabby. It’s okay. I’m sorry.” She patted Gabby’s neck and glared at Heather. “Well?”
Heather stared back, unflinching. “I have to do this. I may never get another opportunity. My parents won’t understand.”
“All right. Go ahead. Mess up your life. But don’t expect me to help you. I’m going back to the ranch.” Jennie winced. She was beginning to sound like her mother.
“You’re not going to tell, are you?”
“Yes … I don’t know. I should. You could be setting yourself up for … anything. I’ve heard some pretty gruesome stories about girls who run away from home wanting to be models or actresses. They leave home expecting a career and end up living on the street.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“I hope not. What you’re doing is dangerous.”
“I thought maybe you’d understand. You can go back to the ranch, but even if you tell Mom and Dad it won’t do any good. I’m going.” Heather spurred her horse forward.
Jennie debated. Should she go back or stay with Heather? If she stayed, maybe she’d be able to talk her out of leaving.
“Okay, I give. I’ll come with you. I won’t tell your parents—yet. Just explain one thing. If you were going to run away, why drag me into it?”
“I wasn’t dragging you in. Actually, I’m not leaving until tomorrow. I just wanted to share my good news and spend some time with you before I leave.” Heather smiled. “It’s hard to know when we’ll get together again and I’m starting to like you.”
Jennie wanted to believe her, but her intuition cautioned her to tread carefully.
A few minutes later, they emerged from the trees and rode along a ridge.
“We’ll be there soon. Can you hear the waterfall?”
The rushing sound of water eased Jennie’s nerves. Maybe Heather was just taking her to the hot springs. They rode on in silence for several minutes, then entered the woods again and rode until they came to a wide meadow divided by a creek.
The creek gave rise to a steep rock formation where water dropped from a hundred-foot cliff. Beside the waterfall, steam rose from an almost circular pool.
“Oh … Oh, Heather,” Jennie whispered. “It’s beautiful.”
“I told you. Wait until you get in.”
The girls tied their horses to a nearby tree, stripped down to their swimming suits, and set their towels on the rocks. Heather climbed in while Jennie sat on the edge and wrapped her cast in plastic wrap. She eased her body into the pool, taking care to keep the cast out of the water. Her aching muscles soon began to relax as the warm water melted away her tension.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said.” Heather tipped her head back and gazed at the colorful western sky.
“About what?” The water had relaxed her so much Jennie had let their discussion about Eric float away. Now it drifted back. “Oh, you mean about running away?”
“You might be right. I mean, I do trust Eric, but I don’t know anything about the agent. I may not show it sometimes, but I love my family. I wouldn’t want to hurt them.” Heather shifted her gaze from the pink and lavender sky to Jennie. “Do you think Mom and Dad would let me go?”
Jennie shrugged. “I don’t know. They might say no, but if your folks are anything like my mom, they’d have a good reason.”
“I don’t think I could bear it if they said no.”
“I sort of understand where you’re coming from. I want to go into law enforcement—maybe become a detective or a police officer. Mom thinks being a lawyer is okay, but says the other is too dangerous. I figure I’ll just give her some time to get used to the idea, go to college, then decide for sure. The one thing I know is that whatever choice I make, Mom will be there for me.”
“Hmm. Maybe I will talk to them.”
“They might surprise you.”
Heather slid beneath the water again, her jet black hair splayed out on the water as she ducked under. She popped up laughing and splashing.
“Hey, no fair. I can’t get all the way in.” Jennie reciprocated by kicking up a wall of water. Heather called a truce.
“Look,” Heather said, pointing up at the dusky sky. “The first star. Do you ever wish on it?”
Jennie nodded. “I used to wish I’d find my father. I haven’t made a wish for a long time.”
“Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.” Heather squeezed her eyes tight.
Jennie did the same. She wished for Heather to make the right choice. And for Hazen to come home. And for Hannah to be safe and well. “I have too many things to wish for.”
“Me too.” Heather sighed.
When they climbed out of the hot springs, the darkening sky had turned the stars to diamonds. After removing their wet suits, they toweled dry and dragged on their clothes. Jennie was amazed at how clearly she could see with only the moon for a night-light.
As Jennie slipped on a sweatshirt the hairs on the back of her head sprang to attention. She glanced around. “Heather?”
No one answered. Jennie walked around the rocks to where they’d left the horses. They were gone.
Oh no, not again. “Come on, Heather, this isn’t funny.”
An eerie silence bred fear in her heart. “Heather?”
A coyote howled an answer in the distance. Jennie shivered as she scanned the moonlit hills. Shadows. Too many shadows.
A twig snapped. Jennie whirled around. Not more than fifteen feet in front of her—astride a huge silver-white horse—sat an Indian warrior. Long black hair shimmered in the moonlight and streamed behind him as the wind sliced through the canyon. He stared at her with eyes dark as the night.
Jennie backed up against a rock. This couldn’t be real. She half expected a director to walk on stage and tell her she was playing the scene all wrong. “Who—who are you?”
The warrior didn’t answer. His menacing gaze fastened on her. Jennie thought about running, but couldn’t move. He lifted a hatchet from his belt, raised it high above his head, and hurled it toward her.