Michael got Nicole settled in, which took some time. Devon and Bonnie had already left with the Home Office, to avoid drawing attention. Ainsworth had stayed to talk with his son-in-law and fill out the necessary paperwork, which also took some time. Since he had arrived in the Home Office, Michael offered to give him a ride back to the police station. After all, both men were done about the same time.

"As long as it won't make things awkward. My dropping you off, I mean."

"Right now, Nicole is listed as missing, not abducted. And the Summers rarely come into town."

"It still bothers me not to have all the pieces."

"You said Eddie Summers and the miner talked about it being another couple of weeks, right? Michael nodded. "Then we have a day or two to follow up on the loose ends. I want to get those two on all the charges, not just child abuse."

"At least Nicole is safely out of their hands."

"And since my grandkids already had a giant sleepover planned, the crowd of kids should hide her presence. If maybe be a little overwhelming for her."

"Might actually be easier all around," observed Michael. "A group of kids can entertain themselves quite well. Freeing your daughter up to focus on Nicole."

"True. But it is only a temporary measure."

"I can have Devon check the will again, in case the Brinleys named a secondary guardian for Nicole."

"If you wouldn't mind, Michael. The poor girl's been through so much, it would be nice to get her settled properly."

"Like Devon said, the Foundation has the resources to ensure Nicole gets the support she needs. One way or the other, we'll help her through this."

"Thanks."

Michael dropped Ainsworth off, then headed for the diner.

"Michael, are you sure this is wise?"

"I haven't eaten since breakfast. I'm starving."

"And Amber is working." Another entry from Kitt's "All Things Michael" database: He enjoyed the company of beautiful women.

"That, too. Keep your eyes peeled, pal."

"Of course."

Michael went into the diner. It was well after the dinner crowd, so there were only a couple of customers. Amber spotted him coming in and came over to the booth.

"Did you enjoy your day of rock climbing?"

"Yes, I did. Thanks again for the recommendations."

"You want your usual?"

Michael laughed. "This is only my third meal here."

"I know: dinner last night and breakfast this morning. But you strike me as a burger guy, not a salad guy."

"Well, that explains it."

"Explains what?"

"Last night, you told me that the Summers were standoffish. But Eddie Summers ordered his usual. You have a good memory."

"Basic requirement for a diner waitress. Though it helps that Eddie has been dropping by more often lately. Maybe after two years, he's warming up to the place."

"He's not a fan of rock climbing?"

Amber snorted. "Eddie is a city boy. We're not exciting enough for him. His definition of a good life doesn't involve scenic countryside. And his definition of high living has nothing to do with mountains."

Michael ordered the same meal he had had the previous night. He ate his meal, chatting with Amber throughout. They both enjoyed the conversation . . . and the company. She had gone in back to get another table's order. Michael was staring out the window just in time for a man walking down the street to pass by a streetlamp. Michael recognized him as the man who had met up with the Summers that morning. And had hit him with a tree branch – twice.

Michael whispered into his commlink. "Kitt, see the guy in the denim jacket? Watch him for me." He waited for Amber to come back out, and then called over to her, "Well, time for me to go. Have a great night."

"You, too, Michael.

Michael left enough on the table to cover the bill and a generous tip. He went outside, but the man was nowhere in sight as he got into the Trans-Am.

"The man got into a pickup truck with the logo of Andringa Mining. He is currently heading out of town."

"Follow him. I want to see where he is going."

"May I ask why?"

"That the man the Summers were meeting in secret earlier today."

"I see."

They drove out of town. Michael stayed far enough back that the man wouldn't see the headlights. That was still close enough for Kitt to track him, even on the windy, mountainous roads.

"Did you get a good look at his face?"

"Yes, Michael, I did. I was even able to get a name to go with the face." Kitt had learned his lesson from yesterday evening and figured out what information Michael was likely to need without having been asked.

"Kitt, you're amazing."

"His name is Malcolm Wick, a manager with Andringa Mining." Kitt paused, then added, "He appears to have gone into the state park. On a road that leads to the miners' camp."

"Go to stealth mode. Let's see how close we can get to them."

Michael and Kitt were able to get close enough to the camp to see Wick get out of his truck and be greeted by the men there. Clearly, they knew him. The man who had spoken with Eddie Summers the previous night went off with Wick. And the man who had harassed Amber watched them. Unfortunately, they were on the opposite side of the camp from where Michael and Kitt were watching. Between the distance and the noise from the camp, Kitt wasn't able to hear their conversation. So Michael drove off.

"Very interesting."

"From your tone of voice, you believe you have more of the puzzle pieces than you did when we dropped off Sheriff Ainsworth before dinner."

"Oh, yes, indeed." Michael ticked the points off on his fingers. "Kylie and Eddie Summers are working together with Wick. He's with Andringa Mining, as are the miners in that camp. Wick has to know the mine is illegal. So does the guy that spoke with Eddie last night. But likely the rest of the miners don't, since both men have spoken with the Summers in secret. Likely no one else in Andringa Mining knows about either the mine or that it's illegal."

"Shall we go back to the hotel now, Michael?"

"Back to the hotel. Tomorrow will be a very busy day."