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“Yeah, I found that too. Let me know if you need anything else.”
I leave Thompson at the site to wait for the tow truck. Normally, I’d wait, but as I’m pressed for time, I hit the road. The six-hour drive to Palmer is going to be busy with it being summer.
Ryder sleeps most of the way, even though I pull over several times to get him out and let him run around. We make it into Palmer at seven in the evening. Our first stop is to the station to drop off the evidence so it can head into Anchorage in the morning.
By the time we get to Dylan’s, Ryder isn’t ready to head to bed, and with the sun still up, he plays outside with Griffin’s kids. Dylan doesn’t have any kids, but he and Griffin live close by each other off of Lazy Mountain.
* * *
The next day, after several hours of hostage negotiation training, Dylan and I decide to head out to the Knik Bridge and Jim Creek area to show Ryder. The parking lots are full of families and others from the around the area and Anchorage who want to ride four-wheelers, dirt bikes, and other off-road vehicles. Several families camp out here too. It’s a bit of a lawless area because troopers can’t be out here all the time. Vehicles get burned and there is lots of drinking and drugs. Locals like to come out here too, but they hate that it’s overrun by city people. This area is an access point to get to the Knik Glacier about twenty-five miles up the river.
In the distance you can hear the drag race cars at the racetrack. The sound reverberates off Pioneer Peak through this part of the valley. Pioneer Peak stands over the valley like a centaur keeping an eye on its minions below. The beauty of the rugged mountains, glaciers, and rivers keeps people visiting.
“Can we go see the cars, Daddy?” Ryder asks me full of excitement. He’s always loved cars. At almost five years old, it’s either dinosaurs or cars.
“I guess we can. What do you say, Dylan?” I ask our tour guide.
“Sure, why not. They’re probably only doing tests and tune at this time of night. Celebrating today’s winners.” He laughs as he climbs back up into his large truck. He’s right, it’s almost nine o’clock at night. People are still running around and playing as if it was midday.
We load up and are about to head out when a call comes across the radio in Dylan’s truck. It’s for a suspected assault at the Alaska Raceway Park.
“Looks like we have to go there anyway.”
“I’ll hang back with Ryder. You do what you need to.”
We make the quick five-mile run and pull up to the pit gate entrance. The dispatcher said ambulance is on its way. Suspect is still at large but female victim is secured. We can’t get too close because of all the cars, motorcycles, and campers in the area. Dylan parks and gets out. He heads to where the crowd is. Everyone parts as he walks up, and I see someone I recognize. My body instantly starts shaking. Please don’t let it be her.
“Ryder, stay here, little man,” I order him. I jump out and see Scout’s daughter being led away from the group crying along with Scout’s friend, the French one.
I move toward her, and she steps back, but the little girl just looks up at me. Her eyes are swimming with tears, and I know in that moment it’s Scout who’s hurt.
“I can’t remember your name, but my son is in the back seat of that truck.” I point to Dylan’s truck. “Can I trust you to watch him?” I ask the French woman.
“My name is Minuet or Frenchie, and yes, I’ll watch him. Maybe he’ll help me distract Little Bear.” Her accented voice is soft as she waves to the young girl.
“Thank you.” I start to move away from them when the little girl finally speaks.
“Why did someone hurt my momma?” she asks me.
I turn back around and drop to my knee in front of her. Looking at her, I see so much of Scout, but I’m too focused to really look at her. Now’s not the time.
“We’ll find him, Little Sunshine.” I fluff her hair and she smiles at me.
“Sunshine is what my mom hates to be called,” she comments with a giggle, and it takes me a moment. I stand up and start moving. People shift and I see her lying back in the bed of a truck. She’s already strapped to a backboard from the racetrack’s safety crew.
She looks over and sees me. I stop and take in the damage. She’s in running shorts, a sports bra, and a tattered T-shirt. The safety crew is in the process of cutting the shirt the rest of the way off her.
I can’t stop my legs. I’m moving closer to her when River steps in front of me.
“Get out of my way,” I growl at River. She doesn’t move. She puffs out her chest, ready to fight me.
“Thad, this isn’t the time. I don’t know why you are here, but we got this handled.”
“It doesn’t matter why. I’m here now and I’m going to check on her. So get the fuck out of my way.” I don’t look at River. I keep my eyes on Scout, who is watching me. I see the pain roll across her face every time they shift her around.
“No. She doesn’t need or want you.” River’s words are harsh, but I finally look at her. I lean down into her space.
“I don’t care what she wants. I just told her crying daughter I would help her, so get the fuck out of my way.” My voice is harsher and I’m about to pick her up and move her.
