Page 40 of Canyon Killer
Bethany sent a text to Ian:Headed your way. What’s going on?
She didn’t get an answer, but he was probably busy with whoever was injured. She wouldn’t allow herself to think it might be him.
The ambulance was waiting in Humboldt Canyon when the search and rescue team arrived. Captain Danny Irwin also met them.
Hannah Gwynn walked over to meet them as they exited their vehicles. “He’s up there, on the ledge,” she said.
Bethany followed Hannah’s pointing finger and spotted the crumpled figure on a narrow ledge halfway up the canyon. From this distance, she couldn’t tell much about it. “Who is it?” she asked.
“We don’t know yet,” Hannah said. “We called up to him, but he didn’t answer. We checked him out with binoculars, and we’re pretty sure he’s still breathing.”
Danny turned and began hauling gear out of the Beast. The others pitched in to do the same, though Bethany kept looking back at the small figure. “Where’s Ian?” she asked.
Hannah turned to her. “Is he supposed to be here? We haven’t seen him.”
“He lives here.” Bethany felt sick and stared back at the figure on the ledge. Could that be Ian?
“Who called this in?” Grace asked.
“They refused to identify themselves,” Hannah said.
“What’s that hanging above the ledge?” Tony asked. He had come to stand beside Danny, who was scanning the scene with binoculars.
“I think it’s some kind of construction scaffolding.” Danny handed the binoculars to Tony. “One end is collapsed, like maybe our guy fell from above it and it broke when his body slammed into it.”
“Ouch.” Sheri had moved in on Danny’s other side. “Hitting the scaffolding could have caused more injuries.”
“But it also would have slowed him down, maybe changed the angle of his fall,” he said. “We need to figure out the best approach to get to him.”
After a brief consultation, they elected to send Danny and Tony up to the ledge. As an RN, Danny could assess the man’s injuries and try to stabilize him. Tony could help transfer him to a litter.
“That ledge doesn’t look wide enough to hold anyone else,” Sheri said. “You’ll need a sling. I’ll take care of that.” She turned and started calling for the equipment they would need.
Bethany tried to focus on helping, but once the climbers started up the canyon wall, all she could do was watch.
Carter moved in beside her. She stiffened, bracing herself for some barbed remark about Ian. Instead, he put his arm around her shoulder. “If it is Ian, he’s in good hands now,” he said. “You know Danny and Tony will do everything they can to save him.”
She bit her lip to keep from crying, unable to speak. But she leaned against him, grateful for his comforting presence.
* * *
Someone was shouting. Noise reverberated off the rock. Ian couldn’t make out the words. He didn’t have the strength to answer. He closed his eyes and drifted away again…
“Ian. It’s Tony Meisner. We met climbing Katahdin years ago. I’m with Eagle Mountain Search and Rescue. We’re here to help you.”
Ian focused. On breathing, though it hurt to do so. On opening his eyes and pushing back the fog. A weathered, bearded face leaned over him. That face receded, replaced by a second, a blond man. “I’m Danny,” the man said. “I’m a nurse. I’m going to assess your injuries and try to make you more comfortable.”
Another groan. He had to do better than that. “Thanks,” he whispered. Had they even heard him?
“It looks like you fell from above,” Danny said. “Maybe hit the scaffolding on the way down and landed on this ledge. Does that sound right?”
Did it? He couldn’t remember. “Where…where am I?”
“Humboldt Canyon. Eagle Mountain, Colorado.”
Concentrate. Why was that familiar? The via ferrata! His via ferrata! Memory returned. “The catwalk supports failed,” he said, speaking slowly and carefully enunciating each word. He wanted to be sure they understood. “Someone sawed through them.”
“What catwalk?” He thought Tony asked this.
