Firewatch Ch 19

The living space is rustic and minimalist, but not quite Spartan. There’s no TV, and Wilde sees no devices in plain view. There’s probably no Wi-Fi. The lack of electronics would normally be a red flag, but maybe not in this context. She looks hard while Cheryl’s back is turned, but sees nothing immediately alarming.

Wilde relaxes and slips her hands into her pockets. “I thought these towers were always really far from towns and stuff. Really in the middle of nowhere. We’re what, two miles outside town? Three?”

“I don’t know. I’m just filling in.”

“Just to be clear, who are you? Who do you work for, Ms. Willard?”

“You can call me Cheryl. I work for the Burns City Fire Department, and I am in this tower as a favor because it was vacant and we got a whole lot of weather coming.”

“I guess this must be a frustrating time to have this job.”

“You’re telling me. It’s worse in Europe. I could never do this for real.” Cheryl waves a hand. “I’m already losing my mind, and I haven’t even been here that long. Here.” She brings Wilde a steaming mug. “Black, right?”

“How’d you guess?”

“Could you be any gayer?”

Wilde grins. “Maybe if I really put my mind to it. Is that a problem for you?”

“No. No, not at all. In fact, I’m on a journey of self-discovery. I had an experience at a convention, and I’m figuring things out. You understand.”

“What kind of convention?”

“A nerd convention. I was in college. But seriously. What’s the FBI want out here?”

“Missing people, mostly. But first, do you know this woman?” Wilde pulls up a photo of Aria Durano.

“She’s pretty. Never seen her before.” Cheryl folds her arms and blows on her coffee. “What did she do?”

“Not sure. Maybe some occult rituals. Cattle mutilation.”

Cheryl almost spits out her coffee. “Oh, that’s it? OK. Jesus. Are you even a real FBI agent?”

“I regret to inform you that I am. Did you check out my cool windbreaker? Did you look at the back?” Wilde shows her.

“Looks legit. You want to sit?”

Alice perches on the sofa. Cheryl sits beside her and leans back with a sigh.

Alice keeps her tone neutral. “Seriously. I understand these fire lookout positions are in high demand. Some people see the solitude as a downside, and some people think it’s a selling point. I thought it was very competitive. And you just stumbled into it?”

“I go where I’m told. I’ve never applied for something like this, but I think it’s normally someone with the Forestry Service.”

“I think so too. What do you know about this area?”

“A little. My family camped here when I was little. I don’t know anything about Barney.”

“Would it surprise you to learn that people disappear around here at a higher rate than would be considered typical elsewhere?”

Cheryl frowns. “I guess. But hiking can be dangerous. Never hike alone. And there’s all these mines and mine shafts in these woods.” She gestures with her coffee cup. “If people are missing, that’s where I’d look.”

“Mines, huh? You got any maps up here?”