Over the Edge by Gloria Skurzynski Page B

Dad. And Jack. But not me!”
    An expression of anger mixed with panic twisted Morgan’s face as he turned to the ranger. “Forget what she said. Ask Jack. He’ll tell you I didn’t do it. Go on,” Morgan demanded, “ask him!”
    â€œI’m only interested in facts,” Kenton answered. “Ashley, I promise I’ll look into the e-mail business. Morgan,” he said, pointing his finger at Morgan’s chest, “if I hear even a hint of retaliation against this girl, I will haul you in so fast—do you understand?”
    â€œI understand everything.”
    Abruptly, Ted looked over Morgan’s head to wave at a figure approaching them from behind. “Rex—over here!”
    Jack turned to see a rather small Native American man approaching them. Salt-and-pepper hair hung down his shoulders in thin braids, and his weathered skin broke into a thousand wrinkles when he smiled. His uniform seemed softer than the other rangers’, as if it were a comfortable skin that moved easily with him. His leather boots were scarred and the tips dusty. When he spoke, his voice sounded warm and even. “I hear things went well today. A life saved. A blessing.”
    â€œYes. But Dr. Landon believes she was pushed,” Ted added bluntly. He led the way to the spot where the rescue had taken place. “I took a cursory look, but nothing popped out. Can you give it a try? You kids stay here.”
    Rex made his way to the very edge of the rim and stared intently at the ground. Jack and Morgan hung back under a knot of trees, waiting for any clues to be sifted from the earth. Ashley went farther away and sat by herself, her back toward Jack, arms wrapped tightly around her legs, and her chin resting on top of her knees. The breeze ruffled her hair so that it moved like dark water.
    â€œShe’s pretty upset,” Jack stated.
    â€œI’m the one who should be mad,” Morgan declared hotly. “She said….”
    â€œI know what she said. I also know why she said it.”
    â€œYeah…well….” Shoving his fists into his pockets, Morgan went to where Ted had begun to tape off the area with bright yellow plastic ribbon printed with Crime Scene—Do Not Cross. Jack drifted toward it as well. He could hear Rex talking in his slow, even way.
    â€œThe ledge is rocky, and those here for the rescue stirred the earth. The edge reveals little.”
    Ted sighed. “Anything else?”
    â€œI found this juniper twig. It was at the point Dr. Landon fell.” Holding up a plastic bag with a small bit of green inside, Rex said, “Look close, and you can see this twig has been broken. The edge is sharp. The person you seek may have been waiting in a stand of trees.”
    â€œYou mean someone could have been hiding in there, so as not to be seen?”
    Rex nodded. “Or it could have come from one of the paramedics, or even Dr. Landon herself. To push a person over the edge can be a perfect crime.”
    â€œThanks for looking, Rex. I would have missed this twig, and it could be significant. We’ll send it to the lab to look for fiber evidence.”
    When Ted suddenly caught sight of Jack, he spoke to Rex quickly and then hurried over to the kids.
    â€œChange of plans. I’m pretty tied up here. Would you guys mind if Rex took you to the clinic?”
    â€œI just want to get there,” Jack answered.
    â€œBring your sister and your friend,” Rex said gently. “And follow me.”
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    The clinic smelled clean. Two green love seats and an assortment of chairs filled the tiny waiting room. A coffee table, stacked with worn N ATIONAL G EOGRAPHIC magazines, had been set squarely in the center. Small ferns sprayed from the corners in hammocks of braided macrame, like emerald waterfalls. Jack went directly to the receptionist, who looked up at him placidly. “May I help you?” she asked.
    â€œI’m Jack