Chapter 40—Search Party

The kids had been gone nearly twelve hours, and by 7:30 p.m., the three sets of parents had gathered at Adele's kitchen table to share notes. Joe explained that the foursome—Nikki, Jake, Devin, and Christina—had gone to Scouter Mountain for a hike.

"Maybe they were too ambitious and are staying the night," Joe said. "It happens. They've been out together before. I've driven them to the trailhead and picked them up twice, but tonight they didn't show at six. I waited until seven and texted Jake, but no service."

"Maybe they got lost," Laurita said. She took a sip of the sweet, black coffee from the cup Adele had refilled. "Did anyone pack for that possibility—sleeping bags, tents? I know Christina had nothing like that when she left this morning."

"Not necessarily," Joe said. "It's summer, and they can always find dry wood to make a fire and then sleep near it on the ground. That's nothing for healthy kids. I'm worried someone is injured and couldn't make it back."

"Do we know exactly where they went, James?" Laurita turned to Devin's father.

James was a cartographer. His company made topographic and trail maps for the local mountain region and the Cascades.

"Devin told me he was headed out on a day trip with a school team," James said. "I saw him pull out maps he drew years ago of the old mine area. He said they were searching for unique crystal stones they needed for a NASA project." He turned to Adele. "Do you know anything about that?"

"That's news to me," Adele said. "Maybe Jonathan, my NASA colleague, knows more, but he's in France. It's after midnight there and I don't want to call him yet. What could he do from five thousand miles away?"

Joe looked around the table. "At least we have an idea where they are. I'll get a search team together. Lucky it's June, so we'll have decent light until nine or so." He walked out onto the back deck and tapped numbers into his phone.

Laurita pulled on her ear. "How long do you think it'll take the team to get there?" Her ear looked red.

Then they heard barking on the back deck and raced out to see Joe greeting an over-excited German shepherd. Ranger had returned, frantic and dusty. Joe soothed him and the dog sat down, whimpering as Joe rubbed his head.

"He's definitely been in the tunnels." Joe held the dog tight. "And a small one. His ears and snout are filled with crystalline dust."

"What does this mean?" Laurita's eyes filled up. "Is someone stuck inside a tunnel?"

"Not necessarily," Joe said. "Ranger may have his own route in and out of the mine, an animal cave perhaps. But maybe he raced home to alert us that the kids need help."

Joe put his hand on Laurita's shoulder. "Don't worry, Laurita. We'll find them. They're probably fine. You know kids."

Adele felt numb but knew from experience as a scientist that worrying before discovery did more harm than good. She walked to the coffee carafe. "Refill, anyone?"

At 8:00 p.m., four exhausted hikers stepped out of tunnel number seven.

"Yikes, look at the time," Nikki said. "Our parents are in a fit right now." Her heart sank as she thought about her dad, who would be angry if he found out she'd been in the mine.

"What time is it?" Jake checked his watch.

"We're two hours late; we'd better run," Nikki said, starting to move.

"Wait," Christina said. "First let me check Devin's leg." He didn't resist as she coaxed him toward a flat stump. "How does it feel? Sit," she ordered, pulling out her first aid kit.

"Yes, ma'am," he said with a smart salute. "I can walk fast with the pole, but run, not a chance." He grunted as he sat down on the stump and pulled up his pant leg. It was wet and the sock beneath it was bright red.

Gross, Nikki thought, and walked away. She couldn't stand waiting, but tried to act patient as she commiserated with Jake about Devin's injuries. Most of the skin on his lower leg had been scraped off, and several cuts looked deep. Christina removed the wrappings and cleaned the area again. Pressing gauze over the worst leaks would help stanch the bleeding. Then she taped on new pads as tight as she could and looked up at Devin. He was gritting his teeth.

"This should hold till we get back. Then I'd ice it right away to bring down the swelling."

"Where did you learn your first aid skills?" Devin asked, trying to distract himself.

"I want to be an emergency room doctor," Christina said. She packed up the kit of supplies. "My mom's a supervising nurse at the local hospital. She's taught me a lot."

"That's cool." He started to stand, but feeling dizzy, toppled back onto the stump.

"Whoa, cowboy." Christina grabbed his arm. "Not so fast."

"We've got to go," he said. "Our parents are worried."

"I know, but you can rest one minute. That way you won't slow us down later. A stitch in time saves nine." Then she looked at him and they both laughed.

"Is that an emergency room joke...a stitch in time?"

"Yeah, I guess it is. Some doctors actually run around with surgical needles in their pockets. They never know when they might need them in a hurry."

They looked up at Jake and Nikki who were leaning over to see how the repair job was coming.

"I think he's going to live," Christina said.

Joe walked back into Adele's kitchen. "I've got four experienced trekkers familiar with the crater and the mine. They're meeting me at the trailhead in twenty minutes. That's where I left the kids this morning and was to meet them tonight."

"That was fast," Laurita said, rubbing her arms.

"That's how we work. We've done searches before." Joe looked at his watch—a chronometer with a GPS unit. "Let's see...it's seven-thirty now, we'll get to the trailhead by twenty of eight. Adele, you're my contact. Stay close to your phone. I'll let you know as soon as I find anything, or in one hour. Then every half hour."

"Do you mind if I come along?" James asked. "I don't have search experience, but I can wait at the trailhead. That way someone will be there if the kids show up. I could call you."

"Phones aren't dependable on the trails or inside the tunnels, but it's a good idea to have someone wait at the trailhead. So great, come along. I appreciate it."

James looked at Adele. "Would you call my wife and keep her informed?" Adele nodded. The men walked out the back door, leaving the screen to slam shut behind them.

The two moms steeled themselves for a long wait. At least they would have each other for comfort. Adele stood to make a fresh pot of coffee. "I think it's going to be a long night."