thoughts.
âSheâs around here somewhere,â he said. âSheâs gotta be. Where could she possibly have gotten off to?â
âFarther today than she ever would have yesterday, no thanks to you.â
âWhich is why sheâs somewhere nearby, just out of sight,â Chuck countered. But Carmelita, proud though sheâd been of her solo trip to the bathroom, never would have awoken this morning and purposefully set off somewhere out of sight of camp. Doing so simply didnât fit her cautious nature. Might she inadvertently have wandered somewhere beyond their view? That, at least, was a possibility worth investigating.
âExpanding circles,â Chuck said, naming a basic archaeological work method. He pointed in the direction opposite the campsite of the woman from Albuquerque. âYou loop that way. Iâll swing the other. Weâll meet back here in a few minutes.â
Chuck went just far enough on his loop through the campground to catch sight of the Albuquerque womanâs campsite. It was empty, the tent and large black SUV gone. He returned from his unsuccessful search to find Janelle pounding on her brotherâs hatchback. Clarenceâs haggard face appeared in the carâs sloping rear window. He pulled on his pants, crawled out, and stood unsteadily, rubbing his eyes.
âHave you seen Carm?â Janelle demanded.
âWhat?â
âHaveâyouâseenâCarm? Since last night?â
âUm, sorry, Sis. No.â Clarence looked to Chuck for help. âWhatâs going on?â
âCarmâs wandered off somewhere,â Chuck told him.
Clarenceâs eyebrows lifted. âThatâs not like her.â
Janelle took hold of his shoulder. âWhich is why Iâm trying to get your attention.â
âYou checked your car?â Clarence asked.
She dropped her hand and nodded.
âWhatâs missing of her stuff?â Clarence asked her.
âWhat do you mean?â
âI mean, whatâd she take with her? Whatâs she wearing?â
Chuck looked at his assistant, impressed. Clarence had nailed the first two rules of site study.
The first: Donât just do something, stand there . That is, think things through. Ask questions. Get answers. Donât begin the initial survey of an archaeological site, much less digging, without a plan.
And the second: Begin at the very beginning, thatâs a very good place to start . Complete the full site assessment first, set up grid units based on the best sense of whatâs underfoot, then excavate each unit in turn, beginning with the one that holds the most promise and working outward from there.
Chuck led the way to the camper. The air inside was staleand musty. The lighting was dim, diffused by the camperâs canvas walls. Clothes, toys, and sleeping bags were strewn across the sleeping platforms, while sneakers, sandals, and boots were scattered on the floorâa compact version of the upheaval that had come to Chuckâs small house in Durango when Janelle and the girls arrived three weeks ago.
Chuck turned a half-circle, uncertain where to begin. Janelle stepped past him and kicked at the shoes on the floor.
âSheâs wearing her hiking boots,â she said. âThe new ones.â
She slid Rosie, still asleep in her bag, to the rear of the girlsâ sleeping platform and clawed through clothes, dolls, stuffed animals, electronic toys, and childrenâs books. She came up with the red shorts and blouse Carmelita had worn the day before. She lifted Carmelitaâs silky yellow pajamas from the jumble of clothing and toys and held them to her chest, her eyes closed.
âSheâs wearing her sweats, the ones she had on last night,â Janelle said, turning to Chuck and Clarence. âHer favorites.â
Clarence stepped to the edge of the girlsâ sleeping platform. âWith the stripes? The blue