"And?"
"Andnada."
"Do you want me to drop the poaching research?" Kerney asked.
Carol took a minute to think it through.
"No, you can follow up, as long as it doesn't cut into your other duties. Charlie won't like it. He's been handling all the Luna District cases, as well as his own, for the past two years. But it's my call to make, and I'd just as soon put your experience in law enforcement to good use. Remember, you're a ranger, not a chief of detectives in a police department anymore."
"I know that," Kerney replied dutifully. He wished he could avoid the never-ending sermons that came with being a rookie newcomer.
Carol's expression softened, and she laughed.
"I'm lecturing, aren't I? Sorry about that."
"It was more informative than what I learned from Charlie," Kerney allowed, grinning at her.
"Tell me about him."
Carol's smile was half a grimace.
"He's a golden boy. Can't seem to do anything wrong, as far as Sam Aldrich, our acting regional forester, is concerned.
Charlie transferred here about two years ago. He's single and not very social. Keeps pretty much to himself. There's not much to tell."
She wiped the piqued expression off her face.
"Like him or not, he does a good job. He's a Young Turk on a fast track. There's nothing wrong with that, I suppose. Are you ready to do something different for a while?"
"What do you have in mind?"
"We're finishing up a new campground at the foot ofMangas Mountain. It's nothing fancy. Parking for vehicles. A well and water line. Some picnic tables.
An outdoor toilet. New hiking trails. I can use you there for a couple of days."
"No problem," Kerney answered with a smile.
"Any special instructions?"
"Amador Ortiz will put you to work. Keep the area closed until the job is finished. I don't want anyone camping there until it's ready to open." "You got it, boss," Kerney said, getting to his feet.
"Take a horse and trailer with you," Carol added.
"When we open the campground it will be on your patrol route. Get to know the lay of the land."
They parted in the foyer, at the counter where generations of children had presented notes from parents to the school secretary. Carol's office, once the principal's domain, sat at the far end of the building with a clear view of the hallway leading to the classrooms.
Kerney drove a mile down the road to the housing and district maintenance compound, where Carol and her husband and family lived, along with several other senior staff. Tucked away under some full growth pine trees, the area contained living quarters, horse barns, tack rooms, repair shops, a heavy machinery lot, a garage, and storage buildings.
The Luna Valley dipped away to the south, a shallow, wide depression of grassland ringed by deeply forested mountains. The spire of the Mormon church, prominent in the little settlement, caught the morning sun like a beacon. The highway cut through the valley, past a small cluster of vacant commercial buildings that once served the settlement and occasional tourists driving the scenic route to and from Arizona.
Kerney walked to the corral and inspected the small herd of horses. He took his time before settling on a white-stockinged chestnut stallion with strong legs that stood sixteen hands high. It was a powerful looking animal with a prominent chest and solid legs that promised good balance. Kerney smiled as he hitched the trailer to the truck and led the horse out of the corral. It was going to be a good couple of days.
Anything was an improvement over patrolling campgrounds filled with temporary refugees from urban America.
Edgar Cox sat at the table sipping his morning coffee and looking at the row of Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates carefully arranged on a long open shelf above the double kitchen windows. He didn't have to count them; there were forty. One for each year of their marriage. Margaret had bought the first plate as a Christmas gift to herself when they were newlyweds. After that, he made sure she got another plate each holiday season. It always pleased and delighted her. Edgar wondered if he'd get to give Margaret any more. It didn't look promising. He heard the hinge of the back door squeak, looked over, and smiled as Karen came into the kitchen.
"Hi, Daddy. You got home late," Karen said.
"You know how your mother is when she gets to visiting," Edgar replied, a smile easing across his face.
"Are Elizabeth and Cody up?"
"Just barely. They helped me with the unpacking.
I think the chaos is under control."
Karen walked to the counter, got a cup and saucer from the cupboard, and poured some coffee. Barefoot, in shorts and a loose undershirt with no bra, she was only just dressed. Edgar was used to it. At the age of three, Karen had started taking off her clothes and running around buck naked. His daughter hadn't really changed much over the years, especially when she was at home. The funny thing about it was that Karen was absolutely stunning when she got dressed up, which wasn't often enough to Edgar's way of thinking.
He waited for her to join him before speaking again.
"Are you going to enroll the children in school?"
The question made Karen sigh.
"We've talked about this before. Daddy, and the answer is still no.
I'll tutor them at home for now. You know how I feel about public schools."
"You've got a teaching certificate and a law degree," Edgar countered.
"That's not bad for a country girl who went to public schools."
"I want Elizabeth and Cody to learn how to think, how to love ideas and books. Then they can go to school. Besides, my job with the district attorney's office is only half-time. The kids will get lots of attention from me."
"What does Stan think about it?"
Karen made a sour face at the mention of her ex husband's name.
"It's not his decision to make."
"He's still their father."
"He couldn't care less. In fact, I think he's delighted to have us out of Albuquerque and far enough away to be conveniently forgotten."
"That's a pretty harsh judgment."
Karen laughed.
"No, it's an honest one. The harsh judgment came from the court when I was awarded sole custody."
"You didn't tell us that."
"There was no need to drag you or Mother into the messy particulars of my divorce."
The look on Karen's face made it clear that further discussion was closed.
"You start work on Monday?" Edgar asked.
She smiled.
"Bright and early. I can't wait."
Her father smiled back at her. His gray hair was thick and curly, cut short and combed with a severe part, and his eyes were as blue as her own. Edgar Cox was a big, lean man with a strong chin, a deeply lined face, and an easy grin. He reached over and patted her hand.
"I know you'll do a damn fine job."
She smiled at the compliment.
"Thanks. What's on your schedule for the day?"
"I'm going to put out fresh salt licks, patch a hole in a water tank, and round up a cow I spotted that looks like it has a touch of foot rot."
"You need to slow down. Daddy."
"Why should I? I only turn seventy-five this year, and God willing, I got another good ten or fifteen years left in these old bones."
"Well, I think you need some more help. Two hired hands aren't enough."
Edgar laughed at the suggestion.
"Find me somebody who knows just a little bit about ranching, is willing to work in bad weather, and doesn't expect to get paid more than he's worth, and I'll consider it."
"Sell the place." Karen's smile was devilish.
"We've had this discussion before. The ranch stays in the family.