Sunday, July 15, 1984
“You’ve been cleared.” Dan felt his shoulders slump in relief as Ted spoke the words. He hadn’t even been aware of how tense he had been ever since Ted had asked him to come to the office after breakfast. “Sheriff Ryland called, and wanted me to tell you that he appreciated your cooperation, and that he no longer considers you a suspect.” Ted clapped Dan on the shoulder. “Not that I had any doubts.”
“Thanks.” Dan smiled at Ted, and asked, “Has there been any change in Vince?”
Ted sobered. “Not yet. They may need to do surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“It isn’t.” Ted frowned, his forehead wrinkling. “Vince’s mother is flying in from Idaho. Bill went to pick her up.”
“That would be a tough job.”
“Bill volunteered,” Ted said. “He and Vince have been friends since, well, forever, I think. Bill felt that he and Mrs. Vulturo could be a comfort to one another.”
“I guess.” Dan chewed his lower lip. “Ted? Would it be okay if I went into town for a while? I’d...well, I’d like to go to church. I already checked with Jim, and he’s cool with it.”
Ted nodded, his eyes kind. “Go ahead. I’ll send Topher over to help Jim. Light a candle for Vince, okay?”
“Yeah.” Dan nodded. “I will. Thanks.”
Ted’s hand landed on Dan’s shoulder. “Remember, Dan. You counselors need to take care of yourselves, in order to take care of the campers. You make sure Jim knows that, too.”
Dan nodded again, and headed for the car. If he left right away, he could make the eleven o’clock service.
Dan arrived back at camp just after two in the afternoon. With him he brought a six-pack of Mountain Dew, two jumbo sized bags of Doritos, eight Hershey bars, and two newspapers.
Kneeling on the floor, he stashed the contraband treats in the darkest part of his closet, telling the boys, “Party tonight, after camp fire.”
“Why?” Mark asked, his eyes dark with suspicion.
“Because,” Dan said, “I’m feeling picked on, and I want to just chill with my buddies and eat junk food. Do you have a problem with that?”
Mark was silent for a long moment. Finally, he nodded, a rare smile appearing on his face. “No. No problem. That’ll be cool. Just us, right?”
“Cabin 3. Sticking together. Now go get ready to ride.”
As the boys filed out, Jim looked over Dan’s supplies. “What are we drinking tonight, Cowboy Dan?”
“The really good stuff, Ranger Jim,” Dan said with a grin. Reaching into his grocery sack, he pulled out two sixteen-ounce bottles of Dr. Pepper. “I picked up a couple of newspapers, too. Do you remember the road block we hit on our way here?”
“Bank robbery, right?”
“Yeah.” Dan frowned. “I saw the headline while I was checking out, so I bought the paper. Then I bought the local paper, too. Did you know that they think the same robber or robbers hit three other banks, just in the last three weeks? Two of them on the same day. Friday, to be exact.”
“That’s impressive,” Jim replied, “but what does it have to do with, well, anything?”
“I don’t know.” Dan frowned again, frustration etched across his face. “I just can’t shake the thought that it’s important. Do me a favor and read the articles. Maybe you’ll see something I’m missing.”
“Sure. But I can’t figure why bank robberies would be important.” Jim cocked his head and grinned. “So, what did you do in town that made you feel the need to bring junk back?” He sniffed. “I smell guilt. And chocolate.”
Indeed, Dan looked a bit guilty. ”I might have stopped for ice cream, after church.”
Jim narrowed his green eyes. “The good stuff?”
“Caravelli’s.” Dan leaned back against the wall. “Double scoop of Rocky Road in one of those waffle cones.” He sighed deeply, a very contented sound.
“Tell me you didn’t get sprinkles.”
“Nope. No sprinkles,” Dan opened his eyes, and grinned. “I was looking for comfort, not a coma. Besides, I figured it counted as my lunch.”
Jim laughed. “Well, I guess it would have been hard to drag back ice cream for everyone. We’ll do fine with sugar, caffeine and chips.”
“Hey, I wouldn’t forget my buddies, would I?”
“Nope. Not you, Cowboy.” Jim held out a hand to pull Dan from his place on the floor. “Throw the papers on my bed. I’ll read them during F.O.B.”
“Thanks.” Dan turned back to his closet. “Let me change, and I’ll meet you at the stable.”
“I’ll saddle Gremlin for you.” Jim said, heading for the door.
“Thanks, Jim.”
“Cabin 3 boys stick together, right?” Jim asked. “Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.”
“And I’ve got yours.” Dan heard the door shut behind Jim, as he reached for his boots.
Turning his left boot upside down, he let the small brass key fall into the palm of his hand. He stared at it for a moment, as it lay heavy on his hand. “I wish I knew why you’re important,” he muttered to the key. Rising, he tucked it into his front pocket. “I wish I knew.”
