Page 13 of Sparks Flying

Using his computer, his hands started flying over the keyboard much too fast for Chan and I to see what he was doing. Within seconds, satellite images popped up on the screen.

“This is the perimeter we’re working with,” he explained, shading the area of Ravenden territory. “Now, we look around the outer rim and try to find any weaknesses.”

“Well, this side is all woods. Anyone could hike in.”

“True, but that would be miles of hiking. Only here and here,” I said, point to two separate locations, “should be of any real concern.”

“Why is that, Bailey?” Archie asked.

“Well, the forest here does give it a natural buffer as Chan said, but these here and here look like possible campgrounds that are in close enough proximity to maybe be concerning?”

I felt stupid for even pointing it out. Chan was right. There was a big enough buffer that it shouldn’t be that easy to breach.

“Very good,” Archie praised, looking genuinely excited by my answer. “That’s exactly the level of detail we need for this. What else do you see?”

“Well, the cliffs are a natural buffer. No one is getting up there,” Chandler said.

“No, wait.”

“Yes?” Archie asked eagerly.

“What’s that? Can you zoom in further? It sort of looks like a trail going down the cliff-side. If it goes down, it also goes up.”

“Wonderful Bailey! I don’t know for sure that’s what we’re looking at and I can’t zoom in any further, so you’re going to have to go and physically check it out. Why don’t you do that now? Chan and I will continue looking for breeches.”

“Are you sure? Bailey seems pretty good at this stuff. I could go check it out and she could stay here and help.”

My shoulders sagged. Working with Archie wouldn’t be that bad, but I was excited to actually go and do something.

“That’s precisely why I want her to go. She already gets it. You need work.”

I gasped and then tried to hide my surprise and not laugh at the furious look Chandler shot my way.

It wasn’t my fault.

Archie tossed me the keys and shooed me away as he and insisted Chandler consider checking the perimeter from the satellite views.

I waited until I was in the car and driving away before I allowed myself a little celebratory moment.

My stomach rumbled, and I was surprised to find it was already well past noon. While breakfast at the diner had been delicious, I’d been too nervous to eat much.

Still, I knew I needed to go straight to the cliffs, do my investigation, then report back to Archie before satisfying my stomach. Fortunately, I’d planned ahead, though. My clothes had been unpacked last night at the motel to allow me to use my bag as a field kit. I rummaged around and pulled out a proteinbar. It wouldn’t satisfy any cravings, but it would at least stop the earthquake attacking my insides.

I dropped the bar on the floor of the car and felt around for it while keeping my eyes on the road. In victory, I found it. This time I had no trouble opening it up and devouring it as I found a place to park near the coordinates Archie and I had discussed. I was absolutely positive this was the spot.

Grabbing my backpack, I parked and got out to look around.

Without wasting any time, I went straight to the edge and looked around. It was a little nauseating. I wasn’t particularly fond of heights. What wolf was? But this was my job, so I forced myself to peer over the edge.

A wave of nausea hit me and my stomach churned, threatening to rebel against the protein bar I’d just eaten.

“You can do this, Bailey,” I reminded myself, and forced my eyes back open.

Carefully, I checked the edge until I found the spot on the satellite that looked like a path going down the side of the cliff.

“No one’s going to get up there. No sane person at least,” I said aloud.

I chuckled when I realized I was all alone and talking to myself. It was true, though. The path we’d seen was nothing more than an animal trail. A pretty stealthy animal at that. No way was I going down it to test my theory, but I felt pretty secure in the idea that no one was getting up that cliff-side.

---