Page 52 of Capture the Moment
“Best bet?” Wade scoffed. “She’s a chief ranger, Feldmann. She’s not some rookie we can manipulate easily.”
“That’s exactly why. I went as a mole to a conference at Yellowstone. This ranger was asking a lot of questions about park employees’ retirement package, and she didn’t like the answers. So, after the meeting, I made a point to get to know her. Sat next to her at meals, you know, that kind of thing. It was obvious that she was angry at the NPS and that she needed money. By the end of the conference, I knew she was willing to play ball. I actually think it’s genius that she’s a chief ranger. In her role, she’s got power to help us.”
“How?”
“By limiting public access to areas where that bear might be.”
Okay, Wade thought. Apart from one clean shot at the wolf, proving the turncoat could actually hunt, he still wanted proof that she could be trusted. “I want her put to the test. Have her go after a bear.” He patted his chest. “Notmybear. Just any other bear. Let’s see if she’s playing ball or if she’s playing you for a fool.”
Feldmann nodded. “I’ll get it set up.”
With that, Wade turned on his heel and stalked back to his hotel room. This turn of events only fueled his determination to succeed, but it also made him wary.
Time was ticking.
Thirteen
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
—William Shakespeare
Coop leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, as he watched Frankie stumble groggily out of bed. Frankie had been out past midnight and turned on the light when he finally came back to the room, waking Coop out of a sound sleep.
So Coop decided to return the favor at four a.m.
Dawn would be here soon, and they were due up at Pilgrim Creek to keep an eye on the bear-eager photographers. “Speed it up,” Coop muttered, his patience already worn thin.
Frankie mumbled something unintelligible—perhaps unrepeatable—as he stumbled into the hallway to head toward the communal bathroom. Coop had to step over things in their cluttered room. Frankie’s junk was strewn everywhere. Coop sighed, disgusted.
As he searched for the keys to his truck, Coop thought to check the pocket of Frankie’s coat. Bingo. There they were. Unbelievable! He was just starting to think this kid had someredeeming qualities, and nowthis. No wonder he kept getting kicked out of boarding school.
With a frustrated huff, he held his keys in the air as Frankie returned to the room. “Seriously? You borrowed my truck without asking?”
“I didn’t want to wake you up to ask.” Frankie shrugged, his nonchalant attitude only fueling Coop’s irritation. “What’s the big deal?”
“It’s a pretty big deal to me.” Coop couldn’t believe Frankie’s lack of remorse. He was no stranger to the self-centeredness of teenagers, but this kid took it to a whole new level. “And it’s a big deal that you made me late for work.”
With that, Coop left the room to let Frankie fend for himself. As he reached his truck, he threw open the door and climbed in, only to find more evidence of Frankie the slob. Candy wrappers littered the floor, empty soda cans rolled around on the passenger seat, and worst of all, the gas tank was nearly empty.
“Incredible,” Coop muttered to himself as he started up the truck.
The passenger door opened, and Frankie scrambled in, boots still untied, shirt unbuttoned, coat unzipped. “Hey, I’m sorry, dude.”
“Sure you are.”
Frankie closed the door. “Really. I am. But if I had wheels, I would loan them to you, anytime. We’re compadres.”
“You don’t have wheels and we’re not compadres. I’m your boss and you’re my lowly intern.”
Frankie huffed. “Fine. I won’t borrow your truck again without asking.”
“You won’t borrow it, period.”
He rolled his eyes. “Got it.”
“And you’re going to buy me a full tank of gas today.”
“A full tank? Dude! I only drove to Jackson and back last night.”
