Page 56 of Black Ice
His radio crackled and he stepped aside, recognizing the dispatcher’s voice from the sheriff’s search and rescue unit. Listening in, he heard someone had slipped off a path and down an icy slope and was unable to get out.
Hearing the trail location, Wyatt realized he was a thirty-minute hike away from the scene. Probably less if he pushed himself or cut through the woods from this trail to that one. He didn’t need to go. A highly trained rescue unit was being deployed to the scene and he had his own group to think about. His primary role today was tour guide. They’d hired him to show them the rugged beauty of the area, provide a fun experience, and get them back safely.
Besides, Evie would skin him alive if he involved himself and then wound up late for the party. The casino event was their one big non-negotiable each year, especially since becoming parents.
And he enjoyed it as much as she did, mainlybecauseshe did. Seeing her all dressed up and getting to undress her afterwards was the perfect way to cap each year.
He walked back to the group. While they snacked and took photos, he answered more questions, made some suggestions for good options to round out their holiday vacation in Deadwood.
The radio crackled again. This time the dispatcher was asking directly for Wyatt to respond. “Excuse me,” he said, retreating once more. “Go for Jameson.”
“Sheriff Russell. Are you at the overlook?”
“Yes, sir. With a party of four,” he confirmed. “Rescue is responding to that hiker in distress, right?”
“It’s now a compound situation. Secondary victim. Could use your help.”
Wyatt looked around. He wasn’t sure exactly what he could do, but the sheriff wouldn’t have called directly if he didn’t have an idea.
“Can you wrap your tour early and come to us? We’ve got a missing kid.”
“I can. We’re on snowshoes, but I’ll come back up on a snowmobile.” It was the only way to save time. “How old is the child?”
“Unclear. Ten or so,” the sheriff replied.
Wyatt was thinking about the area and all the places a kid that age could find trouble. “I’ll be on scene as soon as possible.”
The radio was quiet for a moment, then the sheriff came back on. “I’ve spoken with Lisa. She’s sending up someone to take over your party.”
Wyatt had been mentally calculating refunds for cutting the group’s excursion short. “Okay, we’ll be ready for the change up.”
Russell worked fast. Wyatt had barely finished explaining the situation to the guests when he heard the snowmobile rumbling up the trail. “And that will be my ride.” He pocketed a couple of bottles of water knowing plenty of other rescue gear would be on the snowmobile.
The group asked for a picture with him and wished him luck with the rescue.
“Thanks,” Wyatt replied. “Please stop by the office at the Silver Aces. Lisa will make sure to sort out the refunds for you.”
They all protested immediately. “No way, man! We’ve had a perfect day. This just adds an extra layer of excitement to our story.”
“Offer stands,” Wyatt said. He shook hands with both couples before trading his snowshoes for the snowmobile with Sam, one of their long-term, full-time employees. “Sam will take great care of you.”
Heading into the woods, he radioed Sheriff Russell to confirm the location and estimated arrival. Then he set off with single-minded focus, running as straight a line as he could to reach the scene and join the rescue team.
When he got there, things were in motion, all of them more harrowing than he expected.
The rescue crews were working to pull an adult victim up from the icy slope. A treacherous and tedious task. They made every effort to prevent further injury while trying to stabilize the victim and get them to safety.
He walked over to the search and rescue leader, Cori Yardley. “Sheriff Russell sent me up,” Wyatt said to her. “What have we got?”
A tight smile flashed in greeting. “Wyatt. Great. Thanks for coming.” Cori turned to the woman beside her. “Mrs. Jenner, this is Wyatt Jameson. He’s going to help us find your son.”
The woman’s hand trembled a little as she extended it to shake Wyatt’s. “Thank you. He’s eleven and always wanting to help.” Her smile wobbled.
“Sounds like a good kid,” Wyatt soothed. “What’s his name?”
“Noah.” She swiped a tear from her cheek. “We were having a snowball fight when my husband slipped and fell. Noah, he, um… He went to look for a cell signal when my calls didn’t go through right away.”
She looked around as if the boy should be right there with her. “I thought he would stay on the trail. I didn’t expect him to wander off. I was there, trying to—” She gestured toward where the rescue crew worked. “But now I can’t find him and he’s not answering me when I call for him. He’s not answering the phone either. But the signal is weak.” She dropped her face into her gloved hands, sobbing. Her eyes were red and puffy when she looked up again. “I-I can’t lose them both.”
