Haynes looked back at Kate. Most of them listen. Some of them don‘t. Young men and large amounts of money, Kate said, quoting Jim without attribution. It‘s a combustible combination. What I‘d like to know is where they‘re getting the four-wheelers to come into town.

So would we, Haynes said with feeling. She hesitated. We could restrict all employees to the mine.

Dan snorted, Jim smiled, and Kate sighed. Yeah, you could, but since everyone in town with anything to sell—she hooked a thumb over her shoulder in Auntie Balasha‘s direction—would kill us both if we did, probably a bad idea. Besides. They‘d come in anyway. They‘d find a way.

Haynes nodded. They‘re a long way from anywhere.

You could go to week and week, Kate said. If they were only going to be on shift for seven days, they might not be so antsy to go anywhere in their off time. Haynes shook her head. Not gonna happen. In fact, when we go into operation we‘ll be going to month and month.

Kate closed her eyes for a moment, and next to her she felt Jim let out a long sigh. She opened her eyes again to see Haynes regarding her with sympathy. Comes down to money, she said. Flying people in and out every week gets expensive. Changing shifts once a month makes more fiscal sense. Could have been worse. How much worse? Kate said.

Head office was making noises about eight-week shifts. Vern managed to talk them down from that. She shuddered.

Speaking of flying, Dan said, you‘ve pretty much taken over George Air. Haynes looked confused. Chugach Air Taxi Service, Kate said.

Haynes‘s brow cleared. Oh. Well. You won‘t let us build a road. She shrugged. Anyway. Our guys get desperate enough for a drink or new faces, they‘ll hike in if they have to.

Dan groaned. No, please, I don‘t need any more of that in my Park. He told her, naturally with advantage, the story of the hiker on his way to Bright Lake. You just let him go? Haynes said.

He‘s a grown man. It‘s public land. If he shoots something he shouldn‘t, or fishes something he shouldn‘t, or builds a cabin where he shouldn‘t, then I can do something. But just walking out on it? No law against that. Unfortunately. Jim finished his Coke and shifted into trooper mode. Ms. Haynes— Haynes smiled at Jim. Holly, please.

Okay, Holly, we‘ve got another problem.

What‘s that?

A resident found a pickup abandoned on the road in to his house. Subsequent investigation revealed that the truck was registered to someone we have reason to believe may have been employed at the Suulutaq Mine.

Haynes stiffened. Name?

Dewayne Gammons.

She frowned, thinking. The name is familiar.

Someone will be out to the mine tomorrow to ask around. That okay with you? Haynes inclined her head. Of course.

I appreciate your help.

Haynes took Jim‘s nod quite correctly, a clear dismissal, and stood up to make her farewells. Both men watched her all the way out the door, Dan with speculation, Jim with a pucker between his eyebrows.