Michael McGarrity - Tularosa

"Probably," Kerney agreed.

"Were the cameras stolen from the darkroom?"

"Yes."

"Are your prints intact?" Sara asked.

"As far as I can tell, yes. Should I search to see if anything else was taken?"

"I don't think you need to do that," Sara answered.

"Did Sammy leave anything else with you for safekeeping?" Kerney asked.

Erma withdrew her attention from Sara and looked at Kerney.

"The theft is connected with Sammy somehow, isn't it?"

"We don't know that," Sara said.

Erma's back stiffened, and she raised her chin.

"Kevin?" she demanded.

"It might be. Aunt Erma."

"Now I am upset."

Kerney took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I want you to call someone to come and stay with you for a while," he said.

"That isn't necessary."

"Then how about a cup of tea?" he suggested. Erma brightened.

"That is necessary."

Over tea, Erma learned what she could about Sammy's disappearance from

Kerney while Sara carefully wrapped the watercolors in clear plastic sleeves. When Erma expressed the hope that Sammy would be found alive and well, Kerney's attempt at reassurance felt forced. It only made her more worried about the boy.

"He has such a rare talent," she said wistfully. At the front door, Kerney promised Erma he would come back for a long visit.

"See that you do," Erma replied, reaching up to give him a motherly hug.

"In fact," she said to Sara, "I want both of you to come back for a nice dinner so you can tell me exactly what this is all about."

"Sounds like bribery to me," Sara said. "I accept."

"It's a date," Kerney said.

Walking to the truck, Sara looked back at Erma. "What an exquisite lady she is. I hope I have that much class when I'm her age."

"I don't think you have a thing to worry about," Kerney said. Sara didn't break her stride.

"Do you think Andy has a deputy he can spare? I'd like your Aunt Erma to have some protection for a few days."

"That's a good idea," Kerney allowed, "but you'll have to ask very nicely. He's still smarting from that tongue-lashing you gave him."

Sara frowned.

"I forgot about that."

Andy Baca studied the five watercolors that were spread out on his desk.

"I don't know anything about art, but I know what I like. These are good," Andy said. "The question is, will they help you find Sammy?"

"Maybe," Kerney answered. The picture of the ram on the cliff held his attention. Sammy had put three petroglyphs at the base of the cliff that didn't belong there: an Apache devil dancer, a rider on horseback, and a stylized sheep with a heart line. The arrangement of the petroglyphs matched perfectly with the rock art at Indian Wells, a place Kerney knew well. Kerney tapped the picture of the ram on the cliff.

"I've seen this cliff. I just can't pin it down. See the petroglyphs? They don't belong there."

"You're sure?" Sara asked. Kerney nodded.

"The grouping is perfect. That's Indian Wells. Sammy's been there. So have I."

"Where is it?" Andy asked.

"North of Rhodes Pass, in the San Andres."

"That's a start," Andy suggested.

"Not much of one," Kerney countered.

"It's a hell of a long way from the test facility." He returned his gaze to the watercolor.

"Was Big Mesa covered by the search teams?" he asked, looking at Sara.

"No, they stopped at the 7-Bar-K Ranch," Sara replied. "Is Big Mesa where you think the cliff is?"

"It's possible. The land form in the picture fits the area."

"You could spend a month in those mountains and find nothing," Andy speculated.

"I know it," Kerney replied. He waved his hand over the watercolors. "Alonzo Tony said Sammy took him to Big Mesa or Sheep Mesa-he wasn't sure which-and from the looks of it, I'd guess Big Mesa."

"Where do we start?" Sara asked.

"We go where Sammy has been," Kerney proposed. "I've got a fairly good idea of three or four locations."

"Can you get us into that area undetected?" Sara asked.

"You're kidding," Kerney said. "You want to sneak onto the base?"

"That's the idea," she replied.

"Why?" Andy asked.

"I have my reasons."

"Is the Fergurson burglary one of them?" Andy prodded.

"You bet it is," Sara shot back. "Let's leave it at that, okay?"

"I'd rather not," Andy retorted. "Bulldozing me isn't going to get you an answer." Andy waved off the argument and grinned.

"Bulldozing? I'm just testing the waters."

"For?" Sara shot back.

"Your reaction. Is somebody nipping at your heels?"

"I don't know," Sara answered flatly, and turned her gaze to Kerney.

"Well? Will you do it?"

"It may amount to nothing more than a wild goose chase," Kerney replied.

"Yes or no?" Sara demanded.

"Yes."

"Good." She gathered up the paintings from Andy's desk.

"When can you be ready?"

"At first light."

"Where do we meet?"

"Engle," Kerney replied. "Be there at four in the morning. Bring the portfolio with you, wear your riding gear, and pack a change of clothes." She gave him a curt nod and turned back to Andy.

"Can I get a ride home from one of your deputies?"

"Absolutely." He walked to his desk, made a short telephone call, and hung up. "It will be just a few minutes."

"Thanks. I'd like Erma Fergurson to have some protection for the next few days. Can that be arranged?"

"I'll put somebody on it."

"That about covers it for now," Sara said, extending her hand to Andy. "Thanks again, Andy."

Andy covered her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Anytime, Captain." After Sara left, Andy and Kerney sat silently. Kerney seemed lost in thought.

"It looks like you get to go back to your old stomping grounds," Andy finally said.

"I never thought I would." Kerney shook his head. Andy skipped over it.

"Do you think Sara is holding something back?"

"She's got a fire lit under her," Kerney commented.

"That's for sure."

"Do you trust her?"

"I do."

"So do I," Andy agreed with a grin.

"She's a piece of work, isn't she?" Kerney nodded and grinned back.

"We need to get you outfitted," Andy remarked, walking to the office door.

"How long do you plan to be gone?"

"Twenty-four hours. We'll leave from the Rocking J Ranch on the Jomada. Dale Jennings's place. Do you know it?"

"Tell me how to get there and I'll be waiting when you get back." He let Kerney pass in front of him and closed the door.

"You could both get your asses in a sling. You know that, don't you?"

"That's a reassuring thought," Kerney replied. *** Sara rang the bell to the communications center security door. It was after normal working hours, and the headquarters staff was gone for the day. She pushed hard on the buzzer until the door opened.

"PFC Tony?" she asked, her open badge case at eye level for the soldier to see.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Do you know who I am?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Did you speak to Captain Meehan last night?" Sara had the facts at hand: the surveillance team shadowing Kerney had duly noted the event.

"I've been ordered not to answer any questions," Tony said haltingly.

Sara snapped at the young soldier. "If you don't tell me what I want to know, I'll make sure every damn day you spend in the Army is very unpleasant. Do you understand that, soldier?"

"Yes, ma'am." Tony looked very unhappy.

"Well?" Sara demanded. Tony licked his lips.

"I spoke to the captain."

"Did you tell him that Sammy Yazzi owned a camera?" Sara demanded. Tony nodded.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Did you mention the jeep trip you took with Sammy to Big Mesa?"

"No, ma'am. He didn't ask me about that. Am I in trouble. Captain?"

Sara's smile was tight-lipped. "Not if you cooperate. What else did you tell him?"