Page 71 of Canyon Killer
She leaned in to view the image on Eldon’s camera. There she was, in helmet and harness, dangling off a cliff, a big smile on her face. “I look like someone who knows what she’s doing,” she said.
“I never knew you were such a good actress,” Carter said.
“Let me see.”
The others made room for Aaron, in his deputy’s uniform, to crowd in beside her. “Is everything okay?” she asked him.
“No sign of trouble.” He stepped back and pulled her with him. “Anything I need to know about?”
“No, it’s going well. We open in a week, and we already have almost all the entry slots filled.”
“Have you done the course yet?” he asked.
“Not yet. I’m waiting until Ian can take me.”
“Until Ian can take you where?” The man in question returned to her side. “Hello, Aaron.”
“You’re going to take me on the via ferrata,” she said.
“I want to do that,” he said. “I want you to be able to tell people about the experience and answer any questions they might have.”
“How’s the new job working out?” Aaron asked.
“I’m really enjoying it,” she said.
“Mom hired someone to take your place at Peak Jeep Tours.”
“Ashlynn. I trained her. She’s really nice.”
“I don’t think Mom is happy with someone she can’t boss around as much.”
“She still has Carter and Dalton.”
Aaron grinned. “Why do you think I refused to work for her and Dad?”
They bumped fists in solidarity, and he moved on. Bethany turned to Ian. “This is a great party,” she said. “I’m so proud of what you’ve done.”
“Thanks. Everyone seems to be having a good time.”
“Did you know Craig Boston is here?”
“I invited him. I didn’t know he made it.”
“I ran into him and showed him the memorial for Gerald and Abby. He was so moved he was speechless. I also showed him the group photo of him with Gerald and Walt and the three women.”
“What did he think of that one?”
“He asked if Walt had seen it. Then he said Walt wouldn’t like it because he wouldn’t want people to know he had been friends with Gerald. Craig said the two had a falling out over a woman. But he left before I could ask him what woman.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Craig mentioned one day that he had heard Walt and Katherine dated before Gerald married her. I wanted to follow up on it, but I couldn’t think where to begin. Then so much else was going on that it slipped my mind. But maybe Walt had a reason for wanting Gerald and Abby dead.” A chill swept over her as she spoke.
“Don’t let Walt hear you say that,” Ian said.
“I won’t. But I’m going to mention it to Aaron. Just so he can keep an eye on Walt.” She looked around at the milling crowd. “Where is Walt?”
“I don’t know,” Ian said. “Maybe he left already.” He put his arm around her. “Come on. It’s almost time for the ribbon cutting.”
* * *
Ian made aspeech in which he thanked as many people as he could remember who’d helped make the via ferrata a reality. He introduced the mayor, the town council members and the county commissioners, along with the sheriff and the construction manager. The photographer from the paper took a lot of photos. Ian cut through a ribbon stretched across the front of the welcome center with a pair of giant scissors, then the band started up again and he invited people to enjoy the food, the music and the evening.
