Page 26 of Canyon Killer
“Why is Walt against it?” Sheri asked. “He’s not a climber.”
“His ranch borders that property,” Tony said.
“Then I’m surprised he didn’t try to buy the place,” Carrie said.
“Maybe he did,” Ryan said.
“Let’s get started, everyone.” Danny directed their attention to the front of the room. “In light of last week’s rescue operation to retrieve an injured climber, we’ve decided this week’s training will include an overview of the equipment involved and the roles of team personnel in a rescue pickoff,” he continued. “Next Saturday, we’ll meet up in Caspar Canyon to practice what we’re reviewing tonight. It’s important for everyone to be familiar with the equipment and roles in a rescue like this, even if you aren’t a part of the pickoff team. Your handout includes a list of terms you’ll need to memorize. There will be a written test on Saturday.”
Bethany studied the handout. She recognized a few of the terms—belay,anchor, andtwin tension lineswere familiar to her. But others she didn’t remember hearing before. She listened intently as Tony described each item on the list, showed slides that demonstrated the various equipment in use, then passed around examples of the various items.
By the time the evening ended, Bethany’s thoughts were as tangled as climbing ropes, extending in every direction. As she tucked away the handout to study later, she reminded herself that no matter how chaotic a rescue rigging appeared, it was actually very organized.
Dalton appeared beside her. “Come on—we’re ready to go,” he said. She had ridden to the training with her brothers.
Bethany shouldered her backpack and followed them into the parking lot. She was startled to see the black rental Jeep idling out front. As she jogged over to it, Ian opened the driver’s door and got out.
“Ian, what a surprise.” She stopped in front of him. She wanted to throw her arms around him but was aware of her brothers right behind her and most of her fellow volunteers looking on.
He glanced around at all the people, then turned to her. “I had to make sure you were okay,” he said. “I stopped by the rental office and no one was there, so I went to your parents’ place. They told me you and your brothers were here.”
“Why wouldn’t she be okay?” Carter put a hand on Bethany’s shoulder.
Ian looked pained. He took a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Carter. Bethany looked on as her brother unfolded the note. Printed in block letters was the message LEAVE HUMBOLDT CANYON ALONE OR NEXT TIME I’LL AME MY SIGHTS ON BETSY.
* * *
“My name isn’t Betsy.” Bethany sounded and looked much calmer than Ian felt as she studied the note. “And they misspelledaim.”
“I think they’re trying to make a pun on our last name,” Dalton said. He was reading over Carter’s shoulder.
“Where did you find this?” Carter asked.
“It was tucked under the wiper blade on my Jeep when I came out of the Cake Walk Café tonight,” Ian said.
A dark-haired man with an air of authority shouldered his way through the crowd gathered around Ian’s Jeep. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“Jake is a deputy with the sheriff’s department,” Bethany explained.
“I found this note on my Jeep.” Ian took the note from Carter and handed it to Jake. “I came here to make sure Bethany was all right.”
The deputy read the note. “Where were you parked?”
“In the alley behind the Cake Walk Café.”
Jake nodded. “From what I remember, that alley is pretty dark. I can ask around, but I don’t think the chances are good that anyone saw whoever put this on your Jeep.” He turned to Bethany. “Who calls you Betsy?”
“No one.”
“Dalton and I call her Betty sometimes,” Carter said. “But only because we know she doesn’t like it.”
“Someone who heard your name once or twice and didn’t really know you might get mixed up and think it was Betsy.” A petite redhead woman joined them.
“This is Hannah, Jake’s wife,” Bethany said. “She’s a paramedic with Eagle Mountain EMS.”
“Why would someone leave a note threatening Bethany on your Jeep?” Jake asked.
“Someone must have seen us together,” Ian said.
