Page 16 of Canyon Killer
“I’ll send your last paycheck to the bank in a few days,” Ian said. “Good luck to you.”
“You need that luck a lot more than I do,” George said and left.
Ian couldn’t even muster any anger over this latest setback. The only thing to do was move forward. He disagreed with his father about a lot of things, but that was one bit of his dad’s advice that he had found useful. Do the next thing.
With that in mind, he grabbed the keys to the Jeep.
The first thing he saw when he stepped outside was the banner the protesters had affixed to the cliff. No Via Ferrata, in crooked black letters on what must’ve been a bed sheet. One corner had come loose and rippled in the breeze. He would have to figure out how to get it down—or maybe the wind would do the job for him. Right now, he had more important things to do.
His first stop was Peak Jeep Tours. Bethany’s smile when he walked in made him feel at least two inches taller. “I came to apologize for my behavior yesterday,” he said.
“You don’t have anything to apologize for,” she said.
“Yes, I do. You and the rest of the search and rescue team were there to help that climber, and I distracted you, almost brawling with that protester. I should have waited for the sheriff’s department to handle the crowd.”
“I don’t blame you for being upset,” she said.
“Not everyone is as understanding as you are.” He came to stand beside her desk. “How are you doing? That was an impressive rescue yesterday. It looked intense.”
“The people on the ropes were doing all the hard work. I was just there to assist.”
“Still, that’s an important job, too.”
She nodded. “It takes the whole team. That was something I learned really quickly.”
He looked around the office. “Are you here by yourself?”
“I am. Dad is having a root canal and Mom drove him. Carter took one of the Jeeps to a glass place for a new windshield, and Dalton is leading a tour.”
“Do you have a minute to talk?”
She swiveled her chair toward him. “Of course.”
“I want to offer you a job.”
She stared. “Um, what kind of job?”
“Administrative assistant. I need help juggling everything to do with this construction project. After that, I’ll need someone I can trust to run the via ferrata in my absence.”
“Won’t you manage it?”
He shook his head. “My main focus is still climbing. And I have other projects I need to check in on. All that involves a lot of traveling. I rarely spend more than a few months in one place. I need someone here to keep an eye on the everyday operations.”
“And you want me to do that? I don’t know anything about climbing or via ferratas.”
“I’ll teach you what you need to know.” He bent down beside the desk so that he was more at her eye level. “I’ve seen how good you are with people, and you’re calm under pressure. I’ll pay you more than whatever you’re making here.”
“Wow.” She sat back. “I don’t know what to say.”
“How about yes?”
“I’ll have to think about it,” she said.
He stood. “That’s fair enough.” The door opened and a couple entered. He moved away. “Let me know when you decide.”
Ian hurried out, feeling more optimistic than he had before he’d walked in. He had one person on his side at least.
His next stop was the sheriff’s office. A trim woman with short white hair, red eyeglasses and red hoop earrings greeted him. “Good morning, Mr. Seabrook. What can I do for you?”
