Page 84 of Every Deadly Suspicion

“Everett said to look in the mine.”

“Look in the mine?”

Asa nodded. “That’s what he said before he passed out.”

“This place was a—”

“Do you hear that?” Jared held up a hand and interrupted.

Hanna couldn’t hear anything. “Everyone, quiet your radios and stay still for a minute.”

They complied. In a few seconds, Hanna did hear something. It sounded like yelling, far away.

“I hear it. It’s coming from over here.” She stepped to a door that was padlocked. For some reason, she’d not noticed it before and credited that to tunnel vision.

“We’ve got a key for that.” Asa got on the radio and asked for someone to bring it down.

While they waited, Hanna put her ear against the door. Someone was yelling; it sounded echoey and far away.

A few minutes later, a firefighter jogged in with a set of bolt cutters. In short order, the lock was cut and the door opened.

It exposed what looked like an enclosed back porch. Hannaflipped the light switch. She could see that the porch gave way to a cave.

“It’s a mine shaft,” Jared said.

“I hear Nathan.” Hanna hurried forward. Ten or fifteen feet away, the floor opened to a gaping hole.

“Hey, we’re down here,” could be heard echoing up from the opening. The boy’s voice was also audible. “Here, here, we’re here.”

Hanna got down on her knees and peered down into blackness, shining a flashlight Asa had handed her. “Nathan?”

“Hanna! Thank God. I’m here, but I’m all busted up.”

Hanna’s fear dissipated, relief rolling over her. “What about Braden?”

“He’s okay. And Pancho.”

The deputies shone their lights into the inky blackness as well. About eighty or ninety feet down, she could see Braden looking up and Nathan waving his hand.

Hanna stood and looked around the dank, smelly place. There was no way to descend. No ladder was in evidence. There weren’t even any ropes. She shone her light along the wall. There had been ropes at one time. Anchors were embedded in the stone wall; she counted at least five. “We need to get them out.”

“I’ve got this.” Jared took the backpack off his back and opened it up. He had climbing gear.

“You can’t go down there.”

“Why not? I can anchor up here and go down there to check on them while you let Fire know we need a rescue team. I have a first aid kit and some lighting.”

Hanna could not think of any reason why not. Jared was an EMT, and he was a climber. He was perfect for the job.

He climbed into his harness, and Hanna checked each of theanchors. They all appeared set and secured. In the meanwhile, Asa radioed to Fire to explain what they needed.

Jared picked an anchor and set up his belay device. He put his backpack back on and prepared to descend.

Hanna gave him a radio. “This is so we don’t have to yell. Be careful, Jared.”

He took the radio and shoved it in his pack. “I got this.” He reached over and squeezed her hand, holding her gaze. Hanna held her breath when he let go and backed up to the side of the shaft, then proceeded to rappel into the darkness.

Jared was in his element, even though it was dark. Climbing was one of his passions. The wall of the mine shaft was slippery but navigable and he was at the bottom in no time. He unclipped himself and turned, shining his light against the wall first where Braden sat, cradling his dog, and then at Nathan. Down this close to him, Jared could see the pain in his eyes. His right leg was bent at an unnatural angle.

---