Page 4 of Wilderness Search (Eagle Mountain: Unsolved Mysteries #2)

“Well, yeah. I mean, he never went off like that before. I didn’t know what to think.”

“When you saw your brother last night, had he been drinking?” Jake asked.

Wade’s eyes widened. “No! Alcohol isn’t allowed here. Mr. Sprague would have thrown us out on our ears if he caught us with any beer or liquor.” He leaned forward. “Are you saying Trevor was drunk? That’s why he went off the road?”

“We’re waiting on a report from the coroner. Was your brother much of a drinker?”

“No. I mean, he might have a beer or two from time to time, but he didn’t make it a habit. And when I did see him last night, he was stone cold sober.”

“Tell us about last night,” Jake said. “What time did Trevor get here and what did you do?”

Wade sat up straighter. “He got here around six. He finished for the day at Mount Wilson Lodge, where he works full-time, then came up here. We have a bonfire on Saturday nights, by the lake. Trevor helped me get the fire ready. We moved a bunch of picnic tables down by the water and helped Veronica and Tatum—they’re other counselors—carry the food down from the mess hall.

We do hot dogs and chips and stuff on bonfire night, roast marshmallows, sing songs and stuff. ”

“Did Trevor often help out on bonfire nights?” Aaron asked.

“Oh yeah. All the time. Mr. Sprague pays him for that and other odd jobs—cleaning cabins, maintenance and stuff. Trevor was saving to buy a new dirt bike, so he picked up as much extra work as he could.” His lips trembled and he looked away.

Aaron and Jake waited, letting him compose himself. After a long moment, Jake asked, “Did Trevor seem normal to you—not upset about anything?”

“Nothing. He was joking with a couple of the maintenance staff who were helping with the picnic tables.”

“When was the last time you saw him?” Jake asked again. “What was he doing?”

Wade thought a minute. “We had all finished eating and Veronica was playing the guitar and leading the campers in a sing-along. Trevor tossed his paper plate in the trash, then said he was headed to the outhouse. He walked off and that’s the last time I saw him.”

“What time was that?” Jake asked.

“About seven thirty.”

“Where was the outhouse?”

He pointed behind them. “It’s past that first group of cabins. There are a couple of composting pit toilets.”

“Were you worried when he didn’t come back?” Aaron asked.

“One of the girls burned her hand on a flaming marshmallow and I had to take her up to the first aid room. Mrs. Mason checked her out and decided she didn’t need to go to the hospital.

We bandaged her up and I walked her back down here to her cabin mates.

I looked for Trevor, but when I didn’t see him, I figured he had got tired of waiting for me and gone home.

” He frowned. “But usually he stays to help put out the fire and move the picnic tables and stuff. I tried calling him to ask what was up, but he didn’t answer his phone.

I was annoyed, to tell you the truth.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“It doesn’t make sense that he would leave here and get drunk. That wasn’t like him at all.”

“Was Trevor in a relationship with anyone?” Jake asked. “Could he have gotten bad news from a romantic partner, maybe had an upsetting phone call?”

“He wasn’t dating anyone.”

“What about other family, or close friends?”

“Our parents are in California and last I heard, they’re fine. And Trevor didn’t really have any close friends. Just me.” His voice broke and he looked away again.

“I need to ask you a question that’s going to be hard to hear,” Jake said. “But do you think your brother would have taken his own life? Had he ever talked about suicide?”

“No!” Wade jumped up. “No way! Are you saying that’s what happened? Because it didn’t.”

“There weren’t any skid marks or any indication that the car swerved to avoid anything,” Jake said. “And the first responders who retrieved your brother’s body said there was a strong smell of alcohol.”

“No.” Wade shook his head. “Trevor wouldn’t do that. I know he wouldn’t.”

“Is everything all right here?” They turned to see Scott stalking toward them. He had a short stride, but covered ground quickly, arms swinging.

“Mr. Sprague, they’re saying Trevor killed himself,” Wade said. “You know him. He wouldn’t have done that.”

Scott put his hand on Wade’s shoulder. “Trevor was a good man, no doubt about it,” he said. “But we can never really know what another person is thinking, can we?”

“Scott, did you see Trevor when he was here yesterday evening?” Jake asked.

“I saw him working with the others to get the bonfire ready,” Scott said. “I may have said hello, but I didn’t speak to him.”

“Did you get an impression as to his mood?” Aaron asked. “Was there anything unusual about his demeanor?”

“No. But I was busy making sure the bonfire was organized. It takes a lot of preparation to make sure the campers have a good time, but are also safe.”

“Can I see my brother?” Wade asked.

“Someone will call you,” Jake said. “And Dwight Prentice says to get in touch with him about collecting your brother’s belongings.”

“I’ll help with any arrangements,” Scott said. He was still gripping Wade’s shoulder. “Why don’t you take a couple of days to pull yourself together and do whatever you need to do? And remember, we’re all here to help.”

Wade nodded. He stared at the ground, looking miserable.

Jake handed Wade a business card. “Call me if you think of anything we should know, or if you have any questions. I’m very sorry for your loss.”

Scott led Wade away and Aaron and Jake headed back to the parking lot.

“I know people never like to think their loved one committed suicide, but Wade seemed really shocked by the idea his brother might have taken his own life,” Aaron said.

“And driving into a canyon doesn’t seem like the easiest way to go. ”

“Still, it happens,” Jake said. “Maybe the autopsy will tell us something, or they’ll find some malfunction on the car when they haul it up.”

“Maybe so.”

“Not the best way to begin the week.” Jake nudged him. “Still, you met Willa. You should ask her out, though I hear she’s turned down everyone else who’s approached her.”

Hearing this didn’t make Aaron feel any better. Had he hurt her so badly she couldn’t bear to get involved with anyone else? Not that he had jumped back into the dating scene, either. He told himself it was because he’d been busy—with the move, and a new job.

But really, the thought of starting over, with someone who wasn’t Kat, made his chest hurt. Now that he knew she was here, the pain had started up again. No sense going out of his way to make it any worse.