Page 18 of Avenging Angel

“Man, I was hoping to explore the rim,” I tell him.

“You can, but it’s at your own risk,” he says, glancing up at the overcast sky. “Campgrounds up there are already closed for the season due to heavier-than-average snowfall, and the lodge on the rim is minimally staffed. If you get stuck, it could be a while before anyone can get to you. I certainly wouldn’t go without extra provisions and the proper winter gear.” Brad raises a skeptical eyebrow at our current attire, which isn’t meant for long-term cold survival.

“What about caves to check out?” Angel asks.

Brad’s lower lip dips downward. “There aren’t many near Crater Lake itself. You’d want to head south to the Oregon Caves National Monument in the Siskiyou Forest. It’s about an hour’s drive, and there’s over 4,500 acres of preservation lands worth exploring. The Marble Cave system inside the monument boundaries isn’t all that big, roughly 15,000 feet of passages. However, it’s well worth the trip if I do say so myself.”

My lips pinch and twist in frustration; not at Brad, but at the lack of caves. There has to be some place suitable to hide for a week where escaping would be difficult. “Thank you for the information, Mr. Callahan.”

“Please, call me Brad. It’s my pleasure to be of assistance. Part of my job is to ensure visitors enjoy their time at our parks.”

“Are you a park ranger?” Vinny asks.

Brad tucks his clipboard under his arm while he removes a set of gloves from his coat pocket. “Not exactly. I’m an inspector. It’s pretty boring stuff: audits, paperwork, compliance with regulations. That sort of thing.”

“You don’t seem like a boring guy,” I say. “I bet you’re pretty adventurous.”

Angel turns his head toward me so fast I almost laugh at the look on his face. Thankfully, he doesn’t say anything.

“My job might be boring, but it does allow me to travel to all the parks across the country. I’d love to tell you about it over dinner,” Brad says.

“We’re having chili tonight,” Angel interjects. “It’s not exactly first date food, if you know what I mean.”

I have to hand it to Brad; he doesn’t get flustered. “Well, I wasn’t really expecting to eat with you. I was hoping to take your sister out for dinner.”

Vinny gestures between us. “They’re cousins. Hence the differences in appearance.”

“I’m not available tonight, but how about breakfast tomorrow?” I suggest. “The diner down the road makes great French toast, and I’m dying to try Dottie’s waffles.”

“It’s a date,” Brad says. “I can pick you up….”

Angel interrupts yet again. “Daisy will meet you there.”

Brad keeps his composure, asking, “Is 7:00 a.m. too early? I have to be at work by 9:00 a.m. I wouldn’t want to rush through our meal.”

“That will be perfect. I’m an early riser,” I reply. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Taking a step back and smiling, Brad waves. “Tomorrow then.”

The three of us watch as he gets into his truck parked near the Welcome Center and drives past us, waving one more time as he leaves.

“What was that all about?” Angel asks as soon as the truck disappears from view.

“Are you jealous?” I joke.

“One hundred percent,” he admits. “I can agree to being friends with you, Daisy, but that doesn’t mean I want to watch you date other men.”

“It’s a smart move on Daisy’s part,” Vinny says. “Brad Callahan has access to all the parks in the country.”

At least someone is thinking clearly besides me. “He knows things about the parks that others wouldn’t, such as road closures, vacant campgrounds, trails that aren’t on a map, and those sorts of things.”

Angel’s brows draw together as he works through what we’ve just told him. “So, you’re only going on the date to get information from him? Nothing else?”

“I wasn’t trying to make you jealous, Angel. I promise. The date is about finding out Brad’s story, hoping he’ll tell me something that either puts him firmly on our suspect list or exonerates him.”

“I’m going with you tomorrow,” Angel says, as if the matter is settled. “If he is the man we’re looking for, then I don’t want you alone with him.”

“No way! That’s not going to happen!” I tap my ear to remind him that there are other ways to keep tabs. “Angel, you can listen to our conversation if you want, but this time I’m going in alone.”