Page 15 of Ranger Belief
Brett had a phone to his ear and said, no comment before hanging up. “The reporters have started calling.”
“We knew it would happen.” She checked her watch. “The media liaison should be here shortly. Then we can direct all the calls that way.” She hurried back to Alli. Scout licked the little girl’s hand, eliciting a peal of laughter from her. Laney smiled.
“Alli, I’m gonna go find your mom, while Ranger Torres and Scout bandage up your knee.” Jonah nodded toward Laney before hurrying out.
Laney kept up the chatter with Alli while she cleaned her wounds. Both scrapes were minor. She’d just attached a cartoon band-aid to Alli’s knee when a woman rushed in. Her red hair—the same shade as Alli’s—was pulled back and held by a clip. Worry pinched her features. She was followed by Jonah.
“Sweetie, are you okay?” She bent down beside the child. “What happened?”
“I fell and got a boo-boo.”
“You weren’t supposed to go this far.” She sent an exasperated look in Laney’s direction. “I’m so sorry. We were finishing up lunch and a group of kids wanted to play hide and seek. Thank you for helping her.”
“It wasn’t a problem.” She’d worked as a park ranger long enough to know that kids often wandered out of sight. It was part of the adventure of being outdoors, exploring and discovering. As long as they knew how to find help when they needed it, a little independence was healthy.
She smiled at the little girl. “Alli was very brave. And smart enough to tell us your name and where you were. You should be proud of her.”
Alli beamed. Laney got down on her level. “Make sure you listen to your mom, okay? Don’t go too far, just like she says.”
“I will. I promise.” Alli hugged Laney and then Scout.
Her mom took her hand. With a wave and a smile, they headed back outside.
Laney collected her first-aid kit. “Crisis averted.”
Jonah snorted. “If only all our problems were easily fixed with a cartoon bandage.”
“Right. Sometimes I miss being a kid.” A family had come in while Laney was tending to Alli, and Brett finished assigning them an RV spot. Two school-aged kids ran around in circles, their pent-up energy making Laney suddenly feel old and tired. She hadn’t had much sleep last night, and she wished she could bottle their enthusiasm for herself.
She slipped behind the front counter to return the first aid kit as the family exited the building. The silence that followed almost felt unnatural. Laney knew it wouldn’t last, so she took the opportunity to ask, “Brett, what can you tell me about Tylerand Ava? I noticed on their paperwork that you were the one who checked them in.”
His expression grew sad. “Yeah. They showed up around 2:30 or so. The check-in itself was uneventful. Tyler booked Campsite 8 when he made the reservation, so there wasn’t much to discuss.”
Jonah moved closer, his stance casual but his eyes sharp. “How did they seem with each other?”
Brett frowned, his brows furrowing. “To be honest, I didn’t really pay that much attention. I’d say fine, I guess.” He cast a glance toward Laney. “I’m sorry I don’t remember more. People run together, you know? Especially when it’s busy.”
She knew exactly what he meant. Unless a guest did something weird, people and conversations blurred together. Brett must’ve spoken to over fifty people yesterday. “Do you recall if anyone else was in here while Ava and Tyler were checking in? Another guest? Or someone from the staff?
He tilted his head. “Well, you passed by on your way out to do a patrol. Deputy Ranger Dawson came in, but I don’t remember exactly when... Hold on.”
Brett drew closer to her, and belatedly Laney realized he was attempting to get to the computer behind her. She side-stepped as his arm brushed hers. The scent of his cologne hit her. Spicy, familiar, and old-fashioned. Something a thousand men wore. Unbidden, a memory surfaced of her father teaching her to tie fishing knots. Back when he was still Dad. He’d worn the same aftershave.
But beneath that, there was something else. Something darker.
Her breath caught. A flash of darkness overtook her senses, the weight of a body pinning her down, terror filling her chest as she fought for her life?—
“Laney. Laney.” The voice sounded far away, but then there was pressure on her arm.
She jerked away, accidentally ramming her hip into the corner of the credenza behind the front desk. The papers and plastic shelving vibrated with the force of her movement. A growl erupted from Scout. The sharp sound—along with the pain—cut through her flashback. She blinked to find Brett standing nearby with his hands up in a non-threatening manner. “Whoa. Sorry. Didn't mean to crowd you.”
Laney forced a laugh, though her heart was still hammering. “No, you're fine. I think I've had too much coffee today.” She pressed a hand to her chest, willing her pulse to slow. “I’m more jittery than I realized.”
Jonah was at her side, concern etched on his features. She briefly met his gaze and shook her head. She’d explain to him later about the cologne. Her attacker had worn the same old-fashioned aftershave. But half the men in Texas probably wore it. Her own father had. It was an important detail, and it proved she remembered more about the attack than her mind recalled initially, but it wouldn’t lead them directly to the killer.
Scout growled again, the hair on her neck raised. Brett took another step back.
“Scout, heel.” Laney's command was sharp. The dog hesitated and then did as she was ordered, although there seemed to be a disgruntled look on her furry face.
