Page 64 of High Side
“Okay, so run me through what happened with this Joshua,” Geoff asked, and Brittany turned the desk chair she sat in side to side, the movement helping her get over her nerves. She’d never given a statement to the police before.
“We were in preseason training, taking rafts full of locals down the river. And we do that with two guides in each raft. He jumped right out into the river and went AWOL. Left me with a boat full and no help. And then he came back the next day to say I had kicked him out of the raft. He was unhinged.”
“Did you report it to anyone?”
“Aside from Joe and Kylie? Liz and Lupe. I mean, most everyone saw it. But it just seemed weird. Not like, criminal.”
Geoff nodded. “That sounds reasonable, really. So you didn’t think it was scary, then? You didn’t feel threatened?”
“I was more pissed off. He was jeopardizing my chance at getting a job, you know?” She shook her head. “And everyone seemed to think he was basically a windbag.”
“Got it.” Geoff scribbled notes. “And did anyone see him again after that?”
“Not that I know of, no. I mean, no one mentioned it. I think we all figured he’d moved on.”
Geoff sighed. “He’s been staying at the campground. Molly says he kept to himself, but he’s been lurking around all summer.”
“Dammit. And you didn’t find him there?”
“No. And now he’s cleared out the tent and moved somewhere else.”
“Well, he has a kayak. It’s on the video. It wasn’t one of ours.” That was Liz, who’d been sitting quietly through the interview.
“No, ours are blue. That one’s green.” And she wasn’t sure where he’d bought it, but she bet Liz would figure it out.
Liz nodded. “And his was an open leg. Those are way cheaper. I’d check with the closest big box sporting goods place. He probably bought it here. He was never the kind to have his own gear before.”
“Not if he’s living out of a tent, right, Liz?”
“Yeah.” Liz grinned at Geoff. “We’re doing your job for you, man.”
Geoff snorted. “Good. We’re stretched thin. We need you to be proactive. Okay, I’ll ask around town, see if anyone has seen him. Food places, stores. The thrift shop. He may have had to buy his own tent now instead of renting one.”
“Make sure you warn Molly,” Liz said. “I don’t want him hurting her.”
“I’ll call her on my way out.” Geoff started packing up his gear. He’d already walked the grounds and taken pictures and fed Sadie a cookie.
“Thanks, man. I’d hate for her to get in trouble.”
“Me too.” Geoff nodded in that cop, end of the interview way. “If he’s still around, we’ll pick him up. He’s sailed past misdemeanor into small-time felony now.”
“Good. I’m sick of this fucker,” Liz said. “I want to press charges all the way.”
“You and me both, lady.” Brittany knew that he was fucked up, but she hadn’t thought it was so big.
“I’ll call you when I have something.” Geoff headed for the door, but Liz’s phone rang, and he paused at the door to wait. Just in case there was some more information, she guessed.
Liz went pale and glanced up, meeting Lupe’s eyes.
“There’s been an accident. They can’t find Kylie.”
“What?” Brittany stared, her mouth going dry as a bone. “What kind of accident?”
Liz actually looked green around the gills. “Nina says that one of the rafts was damaged, so Kylie was bringing it back here to show Geoff. They found the truck empty on the side of the road, and she was gone. I have to call her parents.”
“Shit. I’m going to find her.” Brittany hopped up, pushing past Geoff.
He grabbed her arm. “Hey, no. We can’t all run off in all directions.”
