The next morning, Michael was up and out. He grabbed breakfast at the diner, letting Amber know he was going to try the spots she had recommended. He and Kitt went first to the spot Kitt suggested as being the best to view the Summers's land.

Michael pulled his rock-climbing equipment from the trunk and got it set up. "All right, Kitt, up I go."

"This most certainly is not 'all right', Michael."

Michael laughed. "Keep an eye on things down here."

Michael began his ascent. He was careful and methodical as he made his way up. Kitt watched, both fascinated by his technique and impressed by his skill. Kitt still, however, wasn't comfortable with the idea, merely resigned. And, if Kitt were willing to admit it to himself, concerned about Michael being up on the rock face alone. He was very relieved when Michael made to the top safely.

"Still there, pal?"

"I did not want to disturb your concentration."

"Much appreciated." Michael pulled out his binoculars and scanned the area. "Well, now. Isn't that interesting?"

"I cannot answer that question, Michael."

"Those guys from the diner last night? The ones who are camping on state land? They are clearly working a mine, maybe a mile from here. Using plenty of heavy equipment, too."

"Then there is mining on the Summers's land."

"Now the question is whether it is coerced or not. Ooh, there's a visitor."

Kitt was alarmed. "Where you are?"

"No, a truck is driving up to the mine site. Looks like Eddie's truck. Wish I was closer. I can't really tell what's going on from here."

"We know that someone is mining on the Summers's land and that Eddie Summers is aware of that mining. We also know that there is no court approval for that activity."

"But we don't know if it's outright illegal. Maybe the Summers need the money for their niece and can't wait for court approval. Or even know they need to get it. Maybe Kylie is the one who is sick. Or even Eddie. And there's a possibility that they are being coerced. If someone is holding their niece as leverage."

"It still bothers you that you saw no sign of a child's presence."

"Yeah. And it would explain why Kylie and Eddie were so bothered when I showed up the other day. And why Eddie wanted to know when everything would be over."

"Any of the scenarios you have posed would fit the known facts."

"Which means we need more facts." Michael paused, then said, "What's going on now?"

"My sensors do not work through so much solid rock, Michael."

"Eddie's truck is driving away from the mine, headed towards this area." Michael mulled it over, knowing Kitt wouldn't like his plan. "I'm going to climb down on this side and see if I can find out what he's up to."

"Michael, I –"

"Can't come over, so you'll have to go around. There's an access road a few miles back towards town. It leads to the state park. You should be able to cut across there and meet me."

"Michael, do you think that's wise?"

"We need to know what's going on. And this is our best chance. Now get going. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll meet up with me."

Kitt knew he hadn't gotten an answer. And that it was pointless to argue with Michael. That was the first entry in his "All Things Michael" database. So he did as instructed. Meanwhile, Michael made his way down on the other side of the cliff face. Eddie drove to a point off to Michael's right, which put him closer to state land.

Michael made his way along the base of the cliff, keeping to the brush and trees. Michael didn't think Eddie had seen him. But he still moved carefully, using all his Special Forces training to avoid being noticed. He heard voices, and stealthily moved up. Just ahead, he saw Kylie and Eddie walking towards Eddie's truck. He wondered what they were doing out here.

Something didn't seem quite right, but Michael couldn't put his finger on it. He watched the Summers for a moment. And then he realized that wasn't Eddie's truck they were walking towards. It was the wrong color, and it had Andringa Mining's logo on the side. Just as the thought struck him, so, too, did a branch being held by the truck's driver.

When Michael came to, he had been dragged closer to the truck. Kylie, Eddie, and the man were some distance away. The man still had the tree branch he had used to cold cock Michael in his hand. Kylie had Michael's wallet and had clearly gone through it as she was handing something to the man. None of them realized Michael was conscious yet.

"I've heard about this Foundation," said the man as he looked at the business card Kylie had given him. "It's a new organization, only a couple of months old. Goes around investigating things the police can't or won't."

"Do you think he works for them?" asked Eddie.

"Business card just reads 'Foundation for Law and Government' and gives a number. Maybe he just went to one of their presentations. Maybe he works for them. Maybe he tipped them off about what we're up to. Maybe he hasn't. Or at least, hasn't yet."

"What are we going to do?" asked Kylie, clearly more worried than Eddie was.

"Give me a minute to think this over."

Just then, a girl approached from the far side of the group. She was very quiet, almost skittish. Michael assumed it was Nicole, the Summers's ward. And that she had come from Eddie's truck.

"What are you doing here? We told you to wait in the truck!" Kylie sounded angry as she spotted the girl.

Eddie turned and snarled at her, "You know what happens to girls who don't do as they're told."

Eddie grabbed the girl by her wrist and threw her to the ground. To Michael's horror, he pulled off his belt and began beating her. Michael struggled to get up, but he was still dizzy from being knocked unconscious earlier. The man from Andringa Mining saw him, came over, and hit him across the back of the head with the tree branch again.

"You know, we may be able to kill two birds with one stone," said Eddie, as Michael lost consciousness again.