Free Bleeding Green by Anne James Page B

“Boss, you okay?”
    He turned toward the intercom with a jerk, “Something’s not right.”
    “You can say that again! Get yourself out there and start lookin’ for her.” Janice had heard the radio calls. “What do you need—God to send you an invitation?”
    Boyd sauntered down the hall toward Janice’s office. An ironic smile lifted one side of his mouth. This woman got by with murder the way she treated him. He loved it. If it wasn’t for his assistant administrator’s guidance, the park’s ship would have sunk three years ago when he became captain! She was the ballast.
    He leaned against the doorframe, directing a stare at her. “Past time for a smoke?”
    Janice gave a harrumph reminiscent of Maxine, the grumpy old lady cartoon character. Clipped-out cartoons of Maxine were tapped to her computer, giving the unwary person fair warning of the type of woman they were tangling with. “You got that right! Can you answer the phone while I go outside?”
    Boyd opened the office door with a flourish.
    As Janice brushed by him, she said, “Either you get the troops out there and find Laurel or I will!” She stabbed her finger at him, “I feel it too.”
    His voice raised in defense. “Hang on. Hang on. I’ll send Bill out to have a look around.”
    Janice snorted as she settled her petite self on the concrete bench that was her own smoking area. “Do you see her car?” She stabbed her cigarette in the direction of Laurel’s Toyota Truck. “That girl leaves every afternoon at four sharp! She’s still accustomed to rushing home so that the caretaker that took care of her mother can leave. Laurel hasn’t lost that habit.” She tapped her delicate gold wristwatch. “In case you haven’t noticed, it’s 4:30.” The Newport wobbled dangerously in the corner of her mouth.
    A cloud of dust followed the E Z-Go as Bill roared down the sandy road toward the administrative offices. He braked to a stop by the front steps.
    Janice smiled as she eyed the young man. Good God, he was easy on the eyes! If she was thirty years younger …
    Bill looked up at Boyd standing on the porch. “What’s up?” He could smell the tension in the air.
    Boyd cleared his throat. “I know you are very busy at this time of day, but I need for you to do something.”
    “You got it! What is it?”
    “See if you spot Laurel’s truck anywhere in the park.”
    Bill didn’t need to be told twice. A sober look crossed his face as he nodded. “I’m on it.” He held up the radio. “I’ll give you a heads up as soon as I see her!”
    He backed up the four-wheeler and zoomed away.
    Janice exhaled a long stream of smoke. “You get going, Boyd. I don’t like this.”
    He was already going down the steps at a fast pace. Boyd gave her a half-wave as he almost jogged to his truck.
     

     
    Violent shivers shook her body. If the tape wasn’t on her mouth, she knew her teeth would be chattering like crazy. Was she dying? Laurel could feel her blood seeping onto the cold concrete. Breathing was not an issue anymore. Did she even need air? Dear God, she hurt.
    Fuzzy and lightheaded, she couldn’t figure out what was real life. She wanted to plead with her brother, Andrew. Beseech him to understand. The next image slid to her children. So young and sweet. They were on the beach in South Carolina. Her mother smiled at her. Brodie reached out both arms to her. She was so cold.
    The changing scenes and complex patterns swirled like a circus gone mad. These kaleidoscope images swirled into nothing. Darkness knocked her out.
     

     
    After tearing around the various locations of the main day-use part of the park, Bill zoomed into the campground. He circled all three loops looking for Laurel’s truck. Nothing. He started to exit the campground then braked. He turned the four-wheeler around and headed for the volunteer host campsite.
    He spotted, Rick, the volunteer host, on the high side loop sweeping his outdoor carpet under the pullout