"You two must be the homicide guys from San Francisco. You look like you don't belong out here."
The mildly annoyed undertone in Moraga County Sheriff Ross Trombley's voice wasn't lost on both detectives, as they shared a knowing glance, before entering the small office area just outside the neat town nestled against the Las Trampas mountain range.
"Our dreaded and feared reputation precedes us again…", Steve whispered mockingly, causing Mike to smile faintly as he stepped toward the stocky middle-aged man in the beige uniform, who was pouring himself a fresh cup of coffee.
"That would be us. I am Lieutenant Michael Stone with San Francisco PD. I spoke to you on the phone yesterday. This is my partner, Inspector Stephen Keller."
Instead of shaking hands, the Sheriff took a long sip of coffee, while staring at the unwelcome guests in unmasked aggravation and impatience.
"Well, it's nice at least somebody wants to do something about these hordes of druggies and hippies flooding our area, even if you had to come all the way from San Francisco."
Keeping up his professional facade, Mike smiled cordially, before pointing at a large map of the area behind the coffee machine.
"Would you mind showing us the best way to get to the…the ehm campsite, Sheriff?"
"Sure, hold on. Stone you said is the name?", upon Mike's eager nodding, the man walked over to the small entrance area and reached for a couple pieces of paper, then headed back and shoved them into Steve's hands, "You guys had some people from the department call us up asking for you already. Here Kid, you can do the reading while I show your partner the ropes."
Stifling a sarcastic comment when Mike threw him a warning glance, Steve grabbed the notes hesitantly and began to read through the poor handwriting, making out enough to let him know that the green Skylark had been found in the Bay near the San Francisco Yacht Harbor by one of Scott Sorrensen's officers, and that a crew was on their way to pull it out of the water before sending it to the lab.
Another call from Tanner revealed that a man matching their suspect's description had been spotted in the vicinity the previous night.
At least thus far, Mike's hunch had been right on. Now the question was, who was the second stranger helping out their killer?
"…you're gonna want to follow that creek till you hit a clearing about eight miles in. From then on, you're going to head due east again. The road gets pretty bad in the area so drive careful, you're not exactly in the best car for your adventure. You'll see an old sign for the Kaiser Campground, so just stay on the road. It's about fifteen miles in. I haven't been out lately; you might have some trees blocking you after that wicked storm last week. If you actually do make it to the campground, it's a large clearing with a few old benches sitting around. A small creek runs through parts of it."
Coming in partway through the conversation, Steve watched his partner intently stare at the map, one finger following the directions Trombley gave them with the same arrogant and condescending tone he probably used when pulling people over for speeding.
"Say, have you heard of a man they refer to as the apothecary? Mid-fifties, long gray hair?"
From a few feet away, Steve saw the Sheriff's brown eyes widen slightly, brows knit, his glance drifting over to his desk. Noting the typical signs of lying, the young Inspector kept his gaze low, pretending to read off the notes, while keeping an eye on the other man.
Across from him, Mike seemed to be doing the same, his body language carefully guarded as he continued to stare at the map, his head cocked slightly in Trombley's direction.
"I haven't heard of him, but it could be just one of those freaks flocking in for these…these gatherings. I've seen a bunch of kids, but who knows what kind of creeps hide in those vans and RV's as they roll through town?"
"Mhm. I guess that's possible.", Mike answered dismissively and glanced back up at his partner, their wordless exchange subtle enough that the Sheriff never noticed it. Instead, he took another sip of coffee before pointing his chin to the daunting mountains outside his office window.
"So, you guys want to head out there right now, I take it? I'd hurry…the weather forecast isn't the greatest. In case nobody in the city has told you guys before, make sure you've got plenty of gas, water, food, first aid supplies and blankets. We're thinly staffed out here, if you get stuck in the middle of nowhereland, it may take us a couple days to come and get you."
"We'll be sure to take that into consideration, Sheriff.", Mike said in an even tone, the cordial smile returning as he stepped away from the map, ready to usher his partner out the door of the unfriendly law enforcement officer, when they heard him clear his throat.
"Hey Kid?...Nice boots, by the way."
Steve was about to thank the man through gritted teeth, when a broad smile formed on Trombley's lips.
"They won't do you any good out in the park, but they sure look nice."
