Page 36 of SEAL the Deal

Ali and Jenny found the raft lodged between rocks on a bend in the river. From high on the bank the deflated craft resembled a discarded garbage bag submerged in a puddle.

They climbed over boulders to get a closer look. Fixated on the boat Ali slipped on the slimy surface. She threw an arm out to brace herself, but missed and toppled into a shallow pool, drenching her bag and clothing.

“Ali, are you OK?”

She grimaced in pain, clutching her arm to her chest as Jenny helped her from the water. Axe bounded across and licked her face as she sat on the bank. “So stupid.”

“Show me your arm.”

Ali extended the injured limb toward the ranger who inspected it.

“Wiggle your fingers.”

She complied.

“Now clench your fist.”

Pain shot through her forearm, but there was no impingement to the movement.

“It’s not broken. However, it’s pretty badly bruised.”

“I’m so sorry, Jenny. I’m not usually this clumsy.”

The ranger looked at her with kind eyes. “Hey, it’s not your fault. You’ve got a lot on your mind.” She took a map from her pocket. “The good news is there’s no sign of the boys. So, I think they’re walking out. If TJ is half the woodsman he seems to be they would have pushed up this ridgeline and down the track.” She used a twig to show the route. “That means they would have reached Granite Hut. It’s not far from here. We’ll head over, get you dry, take another look at that arm and radio HQ. You think you’re going to be right to walk?”

Ali nodded. “Yeah, I might be clumsy, but I’m not soft.”

“I didn’t think so. OK, let’s get a move on.”

* * *

It took Ali, Jenny and Axe a little under an hour to reach Granite Hut. The eight-bunk outpost got its name from an outcrop that was visible from the porch. Popular with climbers and hikers it was the main access point to the east of the park.

Jenny unlatched the door and placed her backpack on the table inside. Soon she had a fire lit in the iron stove and a kettle heating. “I’ve got a dry sweater in my pack.”

Ali sat on a stool with her arm held across her chest. “Thanks, any chance you have some pain killers?”

Jenny pulled clothing and a medical kit from her pack. “Of course. How’s the arm feeling?”

“Starting to swell.”

Jenny tipped pills into the cap of a bottle, poured a cup of water from the cabin sink and handed them to Ali. “This should help.”

She took the medication before struggling out of her wet T-shirt and slipping Jenny’s sweater over her head. As she warmed in front of the stove Axe explored the cabin, sniffing every corner.

“Mike hasn’t been here,” she concluded when he sat at her feet.

Jenny strode across to a large steel cabinet and unlocked it with a combination. Inside were a radio and shelves loaded with search and rescue supplies. She turned on the radio, adjusted the frequency and spoke into the handset. “Base, this is Jenny at Granite Hut.”

There was a pause then a hiss of static and finally a reply. “Jenny, good to hear from you. How are things going?”

Ali didn’t recognize the voice.

“We found the raft near Whistler’s Bend. No sign of the guys.”

“OK, the chopper spotted movement about three miles due west of your location. Had to return to base before he could check it out.”

Jenny turned to Ali and nodded.

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