Page 40 of Wilderness Search
“It looks like they moved some rocks to sort of funnel traffic this way.” Gage pointed at several piles of rocks on either side of a path that led toward the hole.
“They couldn’t have known who would end up in it,” Aaron said. “Even an animal might have been hurt.”
Gage nodded and walked the perimeter of the hole, studying it. “It looks to me like something a kid would do,” he said after a while. “My daughter and her friends are always coming up with schemes like this—you know, ‘Let’s dig a hole in the backyard, fill it with water and make our own swimming pool.’ Or ‘Let’s build a fort by the back fence.’ If they came across a big hole in the ground in the middle of the woods, they might remember a scene from a movie or book and decide to re-create it.”
“The only kid we think is out here is Olivia,” Ryan said. “Why would she do something like this?”
“Maybe she doesn’t want to be found,” Gage said.
Which again begged the question why. Olivia’s parents seemed like decent people who were truly concerned about their daughter. No one had reported Olivia having a bad relationship with her parents. Everyone they had interviewed said she enjoyed camp, though there was Stella’s report that Olivia had been sad about something for the past couple of weeks. What would have driven her away from the comforts of the camp to live alone in a rugged wilderness, through a rainstorm, cold nights and the possibility of encountering a bear? It didn’t make sense to Aaron.
They took a lot of photos, then marked the spot with orange flags and moved rocks and branches to guide people away from the area.
“That should keep someone else, or any animals, from accidentally falling in,” Gage said.
They searched for several hundred yards in all directions around the trap and didn’t find anything else suspicious. “I think someone saw that hole and decided to turn it into a trap on the spur of the moment,” Aaron said.
“More kid behavior,” Gage said. “Olivia’s parents said she was really into outdoor adventure and surviving in the wilderness stories. Maybe this is part of it. Maybe she isn’t running away from anything or anyone—she’s just out here having fun.”
“She has to know people are looking for her. And her parents are worried sick. That’s a cruel game. Nothing I’ve heard about her makes her sound like a cruel kid.”
“We won’t stop searching for her,” Gage said. “It’s just something to keep in mind. Our first idea about a situation isn’t always right.”
Aaron knew that. His former department’s first idea about Rachel’s killing had been wrong, and look what a mess that had turned into.
Chapter Eleven
Scott Sprague did not turn Willa down when she called and asked to meet with him Thursday afternoon. She arrived for their appointment, not at the lodge, but at the cabin on the property where he lived. He was freshly shaved and smelled of expensive cologne and she immediately doubted her decision to wear a clingy sundress instead of her nurse’s scrubs. She wanted this to work, but she didn’t want Scott to think she was coming on to him.
He invited her to sit on the porch with him. “I would invite you to join me in the house, but I don’t want to start any rumors,” he said. “A man in my position has to guard his reputation carefully. Working with children is such a vulnerable responsibility. I can’t even risk the appearance of scandal.”
“It’s a lovely day to sit outside,” Willa said diplomatically. From this vantage point, she could see most of the camp—the cabins and mess hall, and the lakeshore beyond. Boys and girls in green T-shirts ran between the trees or clustered around counselors. Several canoes bobbed on the lake, and another group of kids swam in an area marked by yellow buoys.
“You said you wanted to discuss volunteering at the camp?” Scott asked. “We’re all trained in first aid, but having a nurse on-site would certainly be welcome.”
“I was thinking I could teach a first aid class to the campers,” she said. “A couple of hours for each cabin, with hands-on exercises. I find children really enjoy wrapping each other in bandages and trying on slings.”
“Our counselors usually do some basic first aid instruction, but it might be good to have a medical professional teach a course.” He rubbed his chin. “That would take our training to the next level. Parents would like it. When are you available?”
“We could start tomorrow,” she said. Aaron hadn’t specified, but it seemed reasonable to her to try to collect information about Olivia as soon as possible. “I have the day off. I could do the girls this Friday and teach the boys next week.”
Scott rubbed his chin. “Friday afternoons we have our weekly canoe regatta, but the morning is open.” He nodded. “We can sub in your class instead of the pottery workshop. The girls can do pottery next week. Could you be here at nine?”
“Yes.”
He stood and extended his hand. “Thank you for offering. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
She texted Aaron on the walk back to her car.
Class is on for tomorrow. You have to help me figure out what to ask the girls.
He replied right away.When can you meet?
I get off at five.
We need somewhere we won’t be overheard, he said.
She hesitated, then typed,Come to my place.Gary would be there, but that was a good thing. With her brother present, she wouldn’t be tempted to let emotion get the better of sense. She didn’t exactly hate Aaron anymore, but she would never be foolish enough to trust him.
