Page 67 of Chosen Path
“That’s … harsh,” Molly said.
It was. It also jogged his memory. He turned to Hope as Molly opened the door to the front bedroom with a loud creak. “What did you say the name of the council means?”
Hope looked at him quizzically. “The Ättestupa Council?”
“Right, that.”
“It’s the name of several mountaintops scattered throughout Scandinavia.”
“But what’s the translation? Family and precipice?”
“Oh, yeah, kin or clan plus steep cliff. Something like that. Why?” Hope asked.
Molly looked over her shoulder to hear his answer, but he shook his head.
A theory was taking shape in Bodhi’s mind. It was a monstrous theory, and not one he planned to give voice to unless and until he was able to confirm it.
“Let’s see what’s in Doc’s boxes,” he said instead.
Molly shrugged. “Come on, then.”
* * *
“Bless you,” Hope said, as Molly sneezed. Again.
“Thanks.” Molly rubbed her eyes. “I think these boxes are equal parts dust and old paper.”
Hope looked up from her pile of rubber-banded correspondence. “No kidding. Some of these letters go back to the 1970s. I never would have pegged Doc Larson as having such a sentimental streak.”
Molly held up a creased and faded recreational pamphlet highlighting the trails around the mountain. “I never would have pegged him as a hoarder. This map is dated 1960. Check this out. Most of these trails don’t even exist anymore, do they?”
Hope leaned over for a closer look. “Oh, no, they don’t. The village voted to close off access in the late sixties.”
“Why?”
“They were too dangerous, deadly even. A lot of falls from the cliff.”
Bodhi lifted his head from his pile of documents. “Did you say falls?”
Hope nodded. “Yeah, there’s actually an article about it in the library archives. I bet Doc has that pamphlet because he’s the one who finally got the village to block the trails. He started working on it as soon as he took over the practice. I guess it was his first public safety initiative.”
“Was it well received?” Bodhi asked.
“Well, it was way before my time, but he got them to do it, so … he won.”
“Who lost?”
Hope thought. “I’m trying to remember what the article said. It’s a been a few years since I ran across it. But I’m pretty sure the village council opposed it.”
“The Ättestupa Council?”
“Right. They thought people should be able to decide for themselves if they felt safe hiking those trails. Something like that.” She side-eyed him. “Are you okay?”
The theory he didn’t want to articulate was only growing stronger. His heart rate was rising. Whether from the thrill of the chase or from dismay, he couldn’t be sure.
“I’m fine.”
Molly raised her arms over her head and stretched. “Well, Doctor Larson had his final physical exam in September, about a week after he made me the offer to come join him. Doctor Thompson’s notes are unremarkable. The only complaint Doc had was some mild arthritis and joint stiffness. Doctor Thompson offered to prescribe an anti-inflammatory, but Doc said he took something over the counter when it got bothersome. Doctor Thomas also suggested yoga, but his notes indicate that suggestion was not well-received.”
