Yellowstone Standoff. Scott Graham

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      Chuck nodded.

      “And that the pine beetle population has exploded in the park in recent years as temperatures have increased with climate change and global warming. The beetles have munched through thousands of acres of whitebark pines across the Central Yellowstone Plateau, killing millions of trees.”

      “So I understand.”

      “The Thorofare region is the highest and coldest forested part of the park. The pine beetles haven’t arrived there yet. As the beetles have wiped out the whitebark pine groves across the lower parts of the plateau, more and more grizzlies have shown up in the Thorofare to feed on the pine nuts still produced by the healthy trees there each autumn.”

      “Are you actually telling me you sited the research camp in the heart of the Thorofare region specifically because of its high grizzly population?”

      “Turret Cabin is not far, as the crow flies, from where the Territory Team was attacked in Lamar Valley, and of all the places hit by beetles so far, Lamar’s one of the worst.”

      “You’re thinking Notch might head for the Thorofare on account of the pine nuts?”

      “It’s as good a guess as any.”

      “But the nuts won’t ripen and fall from the trees until late August.”

      “The camp will be operational for ten weeks, through mid-September. Besides, the Thorofare region is a big draw for grizzlies throughout the summer, too. The open divides over the Absarokas provide easy passage for the elk herds scattered across the central plateau inside the park, and for the herds in the headwater drainages of the Snake River south of the park. This time of year, with fresh, new grass sprouting everywhere in the high country, and with elk calf births by the thousands, grizzlies are on the move over the divides big time, grazing on the grass and munching any calves they can sink their teeth into.”

      Chuck scrunched his face in bewilderment. “So you think this grizzly, Notch, might be a manhunter, and you’ve situated your research camp in the most likely place for the bear to show up?”

      “The best outcome of all would be a safe sighting of Notch through the presence of lots of folks in a part of the park generally uninhabited by humans but well trafficked by grizzlies, then tracking down the bear from there.”

      “Okay. Fine. I get it,” Chuck said. “But I still can’t figure out why you gave the all-clear for me to bring my wife and kids.”

      “Because of what I just said—the presence of lots of other people.”

      Chuck closed one eye, frowning. “There’s more going on here, isn’t there?”

      “How’s that?”

      “Jessie,” Chuck said, his voice gentle. “And your kids.”

      Lex sat back, his eyes suddenly hooded. “What are you—?”

      Chuck lifted a hand. “I’m sorry for your loss. You know how much I cared for her. I can only imagine how tough the last few months have been for you.”

      Lex settled forward with a heavy sigh. “Sometimes, it’s all I can do to pull on my uniform in the morning.”

      “Carson and Lucy, how are they doing?”

      “Oh, you know. They loved their mother as much as she loved them. And now, they miss her as much as I miss her. But they’ll get through it. We’ll get through it.”

      “It’ll be good for you, getting out of the office this week, won’t it?”

      “Just what the doctor ordered. Or, the psychiatrist.” Lex smiled wearily. “I’m twelve months from retirement. I don’t know what I’m going to do when they shove me out the door next year. Jessie had all these plans for us—Alaska, Europe, time with the kids. I couldn’t wait.” Tears welled in his eyes. “We had such a good life together.”

      Lex blinked. A single tear trickled partway down his cheek. He brushed it away with a brusque stroke of his hand. “When Carson and Lucy were your kids’ ages, Jessie and I got them out camping and hiking and backpacking every spare minute we had.” A wistful look stole across his face. “Those were the best years of my life.”

      Chuck spoke carefully. “Do you think part of why you okayed my bringing my family into the backcountry had anything to do with how much you miss those years?”

      Lex slowly nodded his head. “Maybe,” he admitted. “I can’t say it didn’t. But I stand by the fact that it’ll be fine for them to be out there.”

      “You’re sure?”

      “Yes. No question.” His eyes took on a faraway look. “There’s no place on Earth more beautiful than the Thorofare region. Gene Rouse, one of the many seasonal rangers who have spent lots of time at Turret, brought his wife and kids in with him every summer, and I’m telling you, his kids loved every minute of it. There’s no better place for a family to be together, Chuck. Years from now, when your girls are teenagers and they’re busy hating your guts for not letting them stay out all night, they’ll still be thanking you for taking them to the Thorofare.”

      Chuck pushed eggs around his plate with a fork, his appetite gone, his thoughts on the Territory Team video. As a loner with no close family connections, his life until two years ago had been free of complication. Ideas of risk vs. reward had played no role in the decisions he made to head into the backcountry.

      The arrival of Janelle and the girls in his life had required him to change his thinking. All spring, as he and Janelle had hiked with Carmelita and Rosie to build their stamina in preparation for their Thorofare visit, he’d privately battled concerns about taking his new family to a place thick with grizzlies even as he’d openly shared his excitement for the upcoming trip.

      “With the crowd we’ll have at the cabin,” said Lex, “there’s nothing to worry about.”

      Chuck exhaled until he sat slumped in his seat. “Right,” he said. “Nothing to worry about at all.”

       6

      She actually attacked him?” Janelle asked Chuck.

      “They had to pull her off the guy. He’s the lead researcher on the Wolf Initiative’s field team—Toby. Sarah’s the Grizzly Initiative’s backcountry team lead. She looks like she could be the lead singer in a punk rock band, though—mohawk, nose ring, the whole bit. Not exactly what I’d expect of a Yellowstone scientist, but quite a character, that much is obvious.”

      “Clarence is interested in her, anyway.”

      “That’s Clarence. As for her and Toby, they obviously hate each other. Chairs were flying all over the place, people scrambling for cover.”

      “Science nerds—who’d’ve ever thought?”

      “Hey. Watch who you’re calling nerds.”

      “Not you, my science prince. Never you.” She leaned from the passenger seat of the pickup and kissed him on the cheek. A smile played at the СКАЧАТЬ