Page 62 of Wilderness Search
Aaron called Gage and let him know they were bringing Kelli to speak with him. “Scott is in his office, with Ryker watching over him,” he told the others after the call ended. “Gage is going to meet us outside the lodge.”
Gage was waiting outside when they arrived, the overhead security light casting ghastly shadows over his features.
“Sergeant Walker, this is Kelli,” Jamie introduced the girl. “She needs to report a crime.”
“Yeah. A crime.” Kelli lifted her chin. “Mr. Sprague has been molesting girls at the camp. He molested me, and threatened me, and I think he did the same with Olivia. That’s probably why she ran away.”
Gage glanced at Aaron, who nodded. “You have a statement about all this?” he asked Jamie.
“Yes, sir. It wasn’t a stranger who attacked a camper behind the pit toilet tonight. It was Mr. Sprague.”
“Did you stab Mr. Sprague with a coat hanger?” Gage asked Kelli.
“Is that what happened to him?” Kelli shook her head. “I didn’t do it, but I wish I had.”
“I think Willa stabbed Scott,” Aaron said. “She heard Kelli cry out and went to investigate. She shouted at Scott to stop and that startled him enough that Kelli was able to get away. But now Willa is missing. Declan found her phone behind the pit toilet.” He held up the evidence bag with the phone inside.
“Where is Scott now?” Jake asked.
“He’s in his office,” Gage said. “Ryker is keeping him there. His story about rescuing a camper who was being attacked by a mysterious stranger didn’t add up to me.”
“Don’t believe anything he says,” Kelli said. “He lies all the time.”
Gage’s radio crackled and he answered the summons. “Sergeant, I’ve over here at Willow Cabin. Emma Agnew is fine. No sign of Scott.”
Gage sent a questioning look to Jamie, but Kelli answered him. “Emma is my little sister. Mr. Sprague threatened her if I didn’t do what he wanted. I asked the deputy to make sure she was okay.”
“You say you think Mr. Sprague was molesting Olivia Pryor?” Gage asked.
“I don’t have any proof,” Kelli said. “But he didn’t start bothering me until she was gone. And why else would she run away? If it hadn’t been for Emma, I might have tried to leave, too.”
“We need to contact your parents,” Gage said. “Where do they live?”
“Pennsylvania,” Kelli said.
Gage checked his watch. “It’s after midnight there.”
“I can contact them, sir,” Jamie said. “Kelli can speak with them. I’m sure they’ll want to come down as soon as possible.”
“What do I do until they get here?” Kelli asked. “I don’t want to stay here at camp.”
“We’ll speak with your parents,” Jamie said. “But if it’s all right with them, you and Emma can stay with me and my husband. He’s a law enforcement officer, too. My sister and our infant daughter live with us. You’ll be safe there.”
Kelli smiled. “It will be like having two bodyguards.”
“Speak with the Agnews,” Gage said. “I’ll see to Sprague.”
“There’s a side parlor we can use to make the call, over there.” Kelli pointed to a doorway to their left.
When Jamie and Kelli had left, Aaron turned to Gage. “I want to talk to Scott,” he said.
“What about?” Gage asked.
“I want to ask him about Willa. What happened when she interrupted him and Kelli?”
“He may not tell you anything.”
“I still want to ask.”
