Farmington pointed at the map with a pen engraved with the Boy Scouts of America insignia. “We had our council jamboree here four years ago. Back then, we hiked the Howard Eaton. But this time we plan our overnight hike on the Bighorn Pass. That’s our best option, of course, since we’re camped so near the trailhead.”
“The Bighorn’s a popular trail,” Corey said. He pointed to the map. “It goes from here all the way over to the western edge at Highway 191. But you should be aware that we did have an unfortunate accident yesterday. Here on the Fawn Pass trail. It runs across the Park north of the Bighorn.”
“What kind of accident?”
“A Grizzly mauling. The hiker was killed.”
Farmington dropped his jaw and jerked back his head. “Good golly!”
“Now it’s nothing really to worry about.”
“But we haven’t heard or read anything about it.”
“It’s one reason I wanted to meet with you,” Corey said, “and go over the—”
“An actual Grizzly mauling?”
“That’s why I wanted to review your plans. It was quite sad. A college student hiking with a local girl. She got away unhurt, for the most part.”
Farmington couldn’t stop shaking his head. He examined the map one more time. “The Fawn Pass trail doesn’t look that far away.”
“It’s pretty far north and west of the campground.”
“Do you consider it a safe distance?”
“I don’t see it as a threat at all,” Corey said. “But keep in mind, we’re in a national park. Animals take priority over people here. You do have all the info we provided on campground safety?”
“We know there’s always a threat of bears. We’ll follow park guidelines, of course. Hang our stored food in the trees and all that.”
Corey rose from the table. “By the way, wolves have been spotted in the area.”
“We’d love to see a wolf pack! Can you give me any tips?”
“There’re no packs where you’ll be hiking. But there may be a lone wolf here or there. We’ve had reports of one on the prowl.”
“A wolf on the prowl? Is that something we should be watching out for?”
“Standard precautions, Mr. Farmington. Give any wolves you spot a wide berth. Think of them in the same way you might a Grizzly.”
The scoutmaster looked puzzled. “But I’ve always heard that wolves stay far away from people.”
“I don’t want to frighten any of the Scouts. Use common sense. Anyway, I’m only talking here about a slim chance of encountering a wolf or a bear. But just to be extra cautious, we’re making flyovers in your area this weekend.”
Farmington smiled. “That’s terrific, Mr. Corey. It’s good to know the Park Service is keeping a watch out for us.”
“Just doing my job, Mr. Farmington. Just doing my job.”
While Montgomery drove toward headquarters, heavy traffic was already building: half of it pickup trucks with camper shells and RVs lashed with bicycles and folding chairs on the rear. They weaved from the middle of the road to the shoulder, hustling along at a top speed of maybe twenty-five. On their bumpers were license plates with pictures of bronco-riding cowboys or skiers and some with mottos proclaiming Greatest Snow on Earth.
After he arrived at headquarters there was a note on his desk from “G.M.” McFarland wanted to see him as soon as possible. Strange. He’d never been called into her office alone before. But everyone was walking around on eggshells. He had a gut feeling that he knew what it was all about.
When he tapped on her open door she invited him to sit.
“First let me say, Bantz, that Superintendent Gilmer and I are most appreciative of your hard work on the wolf problem.”
That’s a first. He’d never been thanked by anyone at her level or above for anything he’d ever done. He knew what was coming. It was obvious from her body language at the earlier meeting in her office that she was preparing a change in field strategy.
McFarland hesitated, as if trying to gather the right words. “I’m aware our meeting like this is a bit unusual, but I had a long discussion with the superintendent before leaving you the note.”
So this is how they tell you that you’ve been transferred to another assignment? Or to another national park? Little did she know that she was playing his song.
“I’ll confess that I was surprised by your note,” he said. “You know, I’ve put in a good eight years.”
Best to play dumb… play along with the script.
“Let me stop you right there, Bantz. As you’re well aware, we’re facing the biggest problem since the fires of ‘88. The fact that Operation Wolfstock has been corrupted by a killer hybrid wolf is nothing short of a disaster. All of this means those who fought bringing wolves back to Yellowstone were right, Bantz. That includes most of the US Congressmen in the tri-state area, not to mention the powerful lobbies from the cattle industry. In my opinion the Park Service didn’t have any idea what it was doing at the time. They were like infants wrestling with a tiger.”
She was talking too fast. Her words had the odor of bull crap. “To be honest with you, Miss McFarland, I’m not sure where you’re going with this.”
“I need your help.”
Say what? A red flag flashed in his head. Here she was coming late onto the Yellowstone scene, second-guessing everything that had been done and everyone responsible for it as if she was some kind of expert who would have made everything perfect if only the Park Service had had the wisdom at the time to bring her on board.
“Let me assure you of one thing, Miss McFarland, you can count on Jack Corey to take care of this.” He never thought those words would come out of his mouth, but her self-righteousness wrenched it out of him. But why was he defending Jack Corey of all people? Because in the heat of anger he wasn’t going to allow a damn bureaucrat who had never stepped foot in the field to get in the last word.
“You sound so certain about Jack.” She acted surprised.
“I’ve known him longer than anyone around. He has a track record of taking on assignments that no one else in the Park Service wanted to touch with a logger’s pike.”
She pushed her chair away from the desk and crossed her legs, as if to actually begin listening. “Do you mean assignments like the poacher the two of you found last week?”
“Well… that’s the most recent example.”
“Did you know the guy retained a lawyer? He’s filing charges. Corey’s action was totally out of line, Bantz.”
No shock that Corey had failed to let him know about that one. “The point is that Jack can get things done when he puts his mind to it. But maybe that’s another story. May I ask what you have planned for me?”
“I’ll be straight with you,” she answered. “I’ve been having doubts about Jack taking charge of this search from the beginning.”
“If you’re thinking I might take over for him, don’t count on it. I won’t work behind his back.”
“I’m not asking that. Jack’s had a lot of pressure on him lately. You’re aware of that?”
“Are you talking about his family situation?” he asked.
“Well, yes, among other things.”
“I think we’re getting into territory we should stay out of.”
“You’re absolutely right, Bantz.” She quickly stood and extended her hand. “Thanks for coming in. You have a lot of work ahead of you and I’m keeping you away from it.”