Page 65 of Capture the Moment

Holding his breath, Tim strained to hear the conversation, his heart pounding in his ears. Ear against the door, he heard the man say something that sent a shiver down his spine.

“So as soon as my client bags it, you’ll get your money.”

“Oh no,” Sally said. “We had an agreement, darlin’. Fifty percent now, fifty percent after he’s got what he came for.”

Tim’s pulse quickened. Money? What money? And bagged what?

The response came in a low murmur, barely audible through the closet door. “Fine. Fifty percent now, and fifty percent after the bear pelt is in my client’s trunk.”

“You ever going to tell me,” Sally asked, “just who this client is?”

“I’m not.” Then came the sound of a thunk on top of the desk, a crisp thank-you from Sally, and the sound of a metal drawer opening and shutting.

As the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, a sickening realization washed over Tim. He couldn’t believe Sally—thebest, most dedicated ranger he’d ever known—could be involved in plundering the park’s wildlife for profit.HisSally. His sweetheart.

Tim strained to listen as Sally and the man continued their conversation. He heard the door open and shut, then their voices grew faint as they moved down the hallway toward the door that led to the area open to the public.

As soon as he heard the door click shut, Tim opened the closet a smidge to peer out. Empty. He let out a breath of relief. The lights were off, and he heard the sound of cars start up outside, so he assumed they wouldn’t be back. Quietly, he slipped out of the closet. He turned his flashlight on and noticed that her rifle was now back in the rifle case. He shone the light over Sally’s desktop, cluttered by the familiar maps and paperwork that constituted her daily routine.

The bottom left drawer of her desk was slightly ajar and he pulled it open to find a fat envelope. He grabbed the envelope and peered inside to find a thick wad of hundred-dollar bills. Heart pounding, he tucked it into his shirt and headed down the hallway and out the back door.

No. He wasn’t going to rest easy tonight.

Coop couldn’t shake off the odd encounter he’d just had with Sally Janus. In the middle of the night, she’d woken him and told him to meet her in the parking lot. “Now,” she said. “I’m waiting for you. And come alone.”

Wide awake, he quickly threw on some clothes and ran a hand through his hair, trying to figure out what was happening. Meanwhile, Frankie was still in the land of Nod, snoring loudly. Oblivious.

Outside, it took Coop a while to find Sally’s jeep. It took her flashing her headlights once or twice for him to notice where she’d parked. He climbed into the passenger seat. “What’s up?”

Sally looked Coop right in the eyes. “You know where 399’s den is, don’t you?”

When he started to sputter that he wasn’t absolutely sure, she waved him off, as if she knew that he knew. And he did.

“Tomorrow,” she said, “I want you to hike up Pilgrim Creek and find out if she’s alive. If there’s any evidence that she’s left the lair, let me know. Report back to me with coordinates. Use my cell phone, not the radio.”

“Why? What’s the deal with all the secrecy?”

“Extra precautions to protect her.” She pointed to him. “Tell no one if and when and where you see her. Only me. That’s an order.”

Stunned, Coop didn’t know how to respond. Something seemed shady. Sketchy. He thought about asking Sally if she’d been at Willow Flats and fired a shot ... but he held back. Tim seemed so sure that Sally wouldn’t have missed her target. From the look on her face right now, Coop thought he was probably right. She might be small, but she could be fierce.

“Have I been clear, darlin’?” Sally said, softening a bit.

“Crystal clear.”

“Then, off you go. Nighty night.” To underline the point that this discussion was over, she started up her jeep. He had hopped out, glad this odd midnight rendezvous was over.

Candidly, he was not at all unhappy to be given an order to go find 399. He’d been wanting to head back up there. Sally had said not to tell anyone if and where and when he saw evidence that 399 was alive ... or dead. She didn’t tell him not to bring anyone along with him. The buddy system was always the best system.

So why not invite Kate along? The den was at a high elevation, but she seemed to be in good physical condition. If he took it slow and steady, he thought she’d be up to the steep hike. And it could give Kate an opportunity to capture that one-in-a-million shot she wanted. Just so long as Sally never found out how she got it.

The morning mist hung low over Pilgrim Creek as Kate set up her camera, waiting along with dozens of other photographers for a first glimpse of 399. The other photographers leaned against their cars, talking quietly. Everyone was waiting, waiting, waiting. Growing impatient.

Kate heard someone call her name and turned to find Coop approaching.

“Morning,” he said softly, his breath forming small clouds in the chilly air.

“Good morning, Coop,” she said, a smile spreading across her face.

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