Page 36 of Clear Path

“Cogs in a wheel,” he repeated. “Yeah. Sadie’s a cog.”

“Others, like you perhaps, and certainly like me, are more free-spirited. We see the flaws in the system. We can navigate it, and we can live within it, but it constrains us.”

“But you’re the history center director. Youarethe system.”

He smiled. “Ah. Am I? Perhaps. I choose programming at the center that I think will raise questions about the powers that be. I also teach a history course at the college about American protest movements. Much of it focuses on workers’ rights. I think you’d find it interesting.”

“Yeah?”

“You could audit it.”

Aaron made a face.

Evan went on, “Or not. You could read. There are also podcasts and YouTube channels devoted to the subject. I’d be happy to give you a list.” He checked his phone discreetly, noting the time. Still early. He pocketed it and continued scanning the ground. Casually, he said, “You know, what Rory’s doing is a form of protest.”

“The exhibit? I guess. I mean, she’s showing the darker side of capitalism and revitalization and stuff.”

“Yes, that, but also her disappearance.”

“What do you mean?”

Evan paused. “She said she going to shine a light on the displaced. She left her home. She set out on the trail. That was to bring attention to the issue and to her work.”

“Right? And?”

“Well, what better way to bring even more attention to it than to go off the grid, to vanish? It would keep people talking.”

Even in the shadows of the light, Evan could see that this did not land well with Aaron. The vein in his neck tightened, popped out, and his jaw ticked.

“Are you saying she disappeared on purpose? This is a stunt? Did she plant that blood for us to find?” He was spiraling.

Evan wanted Aaron to question the situation, not melt down. “Son, let’s sit for a moment.” He guided him to a fallen log. “Take some slow breaths. You seem very distressed.”

Aaron gripped his knees and took several gulping breaths before he looked up, tears shining in his eyes. “I really care about Rory. If you know something, please tell me.”

Evan studied the young man for a very long time. “Are you and Rory … involved?”

“Not anymore. We dated for a while when she first moved to Union Hill. Sadie and I were taking a break. But Rory decided she didn’t want anything serious. She wanted to focus on her work.”

“Ahh.” Evan wondered how that idea had sat with Aaron.

As if he’d read Evan’s mind, Aaron said, “I understand. Now, I mean. I was pretty hurt at first. But seeing her photography, I get it. It’s powerful. Like that picture of Mr. Kovalic on his porch, the one hanging in your history center. I hope she goes back and documents the demolition of his house the way she did for Mrs. Hudson.”

Evan cleared his throat, then gave Aaron a bracing clap on the back. “Well, let’s go find her, shall we? So she can.”

He stood and hurried up the hill toward the barn, away from the eastern ridgeline, where the Kovalic house‚ the last remaining structure on Company Way, stood lonely and desolate in the distance. After a moment, Aaron trudged behind him.

24

Sadie was off the path, her map spread out on a flat rock and illuminated by a flashlight. Aaron and Evan had reported that the barn was a bust—no sign of Rory. So she carefully drew an x over that spot and studied the containment area. Where would Rory go?

Diana would have some ideas. She wouldn’t be able make out the details on the map, not in this light, not with her eyesight. But she knew these woods as well as anyone and had rescued dozens of lost hikers over the years.

Sadie began to fold up her map, planning to consult Diana when she overheard Aaron talking to the former police chief just feet away, down on the trail.

“You know,” Aaron was saying, “despite the circumstances, it’s nice to be outside after being cooped up inside all day.”

“So you were at the shop all day?”

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