Free Bear Bait (9781101611548) by Pamela Beason Page A

to identify problems there and recommend solutions? So I can develop a plan that truly protects the wildlife and the resources?”
    Hoyle hesitated a second as if suspecting a trap, then finally conceded, “Yes.” He leaned forward. “But don’t ever, ever let any guest accompany you when you’re on duty.”
    Sam tried to look humble. “Got it.” She prayed that Greg Jordan would stay mum about Chase’s visit.
    “Don’t let your publicity stunts interfere with your work here.”
    Sam’s mouth opened in protest. She shut it before something spilled out that she’d regret. She couldn’t wait to get back to the woods.
    “Now.” Hoyle smiled, but the warmth didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’re all taking turns sitting with Lisa Glass at the hospital. I’ve put you down for one to five today. Okay?”
    Sam peeked at her watch. Five after twelve. It would take her a good forty minutes to drive to the hospital, and she hadn’t even had lunch. Damn, damn, damn. She could hardly say no after she’d just been chewed out, and the assistant super knew it. “Glad to,” she chirped.
    “Thanks. You never know when she might come around, and we wouldn’t want her to be alone.”
    “I’d better hit the road then.” The folding chair squeaked when Sam stood up. Crap! Four long hours staring at an unconscious girl in a hospital room. If Lisa woke up, what could she say to her? What kind of comfort could she be to a perfect stranger?
    She’d already spent too much of her life huddled beside an inert body, inhaling the miasma of chemicals and disease, with only the beeping and whistling and clicking of cardiac monitor and respirator for company. Had hermother appreciated the company? Had she even known Sam was there? But at least she’d had some relationship, however strained, with her mother. She’d never even met Lisa.
    Joe was leaning against her truck in the parking lot. “Sorry, Sam.”
    She shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. If it hadn’t been the fire, it would have been something else. Hoyle’s never liked me for some reason.”
    “You don’t grovel sufficiently.”
    “Compared to what? Or whom?”
    “He wanted his nephew to get your contract.”
    “Why didn’t he?”
    “Forestry degree, not wildlife biology. Besides, you’re a name.” He grinned.
    “Hardly.” She was only well known with the staff of Heritage National Monument in Utah. “Well, maybe within the park service…”
    “How did your talk with Lili go?” His deep brown eyes searched hers. “Did she say anything I should know about? She never talks to me or Laura anymore. I don’t even know who her friends are these days.”
    Sam thought back. Seemed like weeks since she’d talked to Joe’s thirteen-year-old daughter. She dragged her mind past Chase and Lisa and fires and explosions back to the evening with Lili at the fire tower. “Lili mentioned some girls. Deborah was one, I think.”
    “I know Deborah. Lili’s always wanting something Deborah has. Shoes, bracelets, a smart phone, for heaven’s sake.” Joe snorted. “Only problem is that the Rosemonts own the bank, while the rest of us have to actually work for a living. Did she mention any boys?”
    “Some boy—Robbie?” She frowned, trying to remember.
    “Rodney? There’s a Rodney who’s her assistant soccer coach.”
    “That doesn’t sound quite right, but it was somethingclose to that. Shallow but interesting, she said. But it didn’t sound to me like she really had the hots for him.”
    Taking in the dismay on her friend’s face, she said, “You know what I mean. Oh, and she mentioned that she thinks a lot of her science teacher—Martinson?”
    Joe appeared surprised. “I’m glad to know Lili likes one of her teachers. She had a hard time after we moved here from Flagstaff. She was embarrassed that she had to go to summer school to move on to eighth grade this year.”
    “She said summer school was okay. And she said Martinson was fine, if