“All the kids picked up their labeled daypacks in the dining hall this morning that Mrs. S had filled with snack bags, but they were left unattended numerous times after that.”
“She’s okay, though, right?” he asked, appalled.
“Yeah. Crash called a few minutes ago. Bailey came out of it without any residual effects, but when I talked to her parents who just arrived, they were furious. Bailey won’t be coming back to camp.” Her face grew even darker. “They told me I’ll be hearing from their attorney.”
Cisco couldn’t believe this was happening. Of all the…
Damn. This couldn’t have been an accident. He’d seen the allergy protocols Hilly had put in place. Cisco’s gut roiled. Bailey being targeted sounded like either revenge from someone she’d pissed off, or sabotage by one of Hilly’s nemeses. Someone either hated Bailey with a passion, or wanted to put Hilly out of business.
Since his attention had been mostly on Hilly while he was at camp, it escaped him who besides Carter might have it out for Bailey, but as for Hilly’s enemies? He could think of a few people who’d relish the camp being shut down.
“This isn’t your fault, Hilly. We need to do an investigation and find out how this happened.”
Mrs. S was wringing her hands. “I swear I double and triple checked the gorp that I packed this morning, Cisco. I specifically used brands that were labeled safe for allergies, which includes dairy, soy, gluten, and nuts being out of the mix.” She held out the ingredients list to him that she’d cut from the package.
Cisco took it, and looked it over carefully.
Ellen was right. There was nothing remotely suspect in the snack she’d provided. His brows came together.
How, then, did—?
“Now look at this,” Hilly interrupted his thoughts.
She turned to her doorstep, stooped, and pulled two paper bags out of her backpack before walking toward him, holding the pair where he could inspect them. “This one is Bailey’s.” She shook the one in her left hand. “And this one,” she thrust the other forward another few inches, “is an example of every other bag we provided.”
“Damn.” Cisco didn’t have to handle them to see that one had grease spots on it while the other had none. Realization hit. “Someone spiked her snack.”
Hilly looked grim, before tossing the bags back to her pack. “It certainly looks like it.”
“Have you talked to your campers and staff, yet?”
Hilly shook her head. “We thought we’d wait for you. That maybe it would make a bigger impression on them if you spoke as a police officer; let them know this could have ended in a much worse scenario. That if someone thought to do this as a joke, it could have ended up killing Bailey, and with them being charged with manslaughter.”
Cisco agreed.
“Where are the kids, now?”
“We confined everyone to quarters until it was time for your demonstration. Not that that will be happening today. Crash is still sorting things out at the hospital; attempting to placate Bailey’s parents, so I doubt he’ll be back for a few more hours.”
Cisco moved closer to Hilly, took her face gently between his palms, and looked down into her troubled visage. “We’ll get this sorted out, Hilly. I promise. I’m not letting you lose this camp. I’m going to help turn over every stone until we find out who’s behind this.”
“Ditto,” Buffy stated, moving in to hug Hilly from behind.
“Count me in, too.” Mrs. S joined the trio, throwing her arms around them all as best she could.
Adeline nodded and added her body to the clinch.
The five stood like that for a few heartbeats, before Cisco eased his way out of the hug and broke things up. “Okay. No more lamenting. We have things to do,” he told them, resolutely. “Hilly, go call all the campers and counselors into the pavilion.”
Hilly nodded, squaring her shoulders.
He dropped a quick kiss on her tight lips. “Nothing will stop me from finding out how this happened.”
Cisco strode off.
To say he was pissed, was an understatement. He was absolutely furious on Hilly’s behalf. Clearly, this was an act of defiance from someone who’d made it a point to know the ins and outs of camp, and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.
His phone rang in his pocket. He picked it up and saw it was Mason.
“Yeah, LT?” he answered.
“I hear you’re having some problems at camp.”
Leave it to Mase to cut right to the chase.
Cisco gave a wry snort. “You talked to your mother?” It was the only way his SWAT boss could have heard the news.
“I did. And she’s really upset. Which I can’t stand. I’m just calling to make sure you’re trying to get to the bottom of things, and will make this right.”
“I am,” Cisco told him. “I’m about to read the entire camp the riot act to see if I can shake anything loose.”
Mason grunted. “I think your problem more likely stems from someone not on site. I’m in the mindset of it being Langford Cottins, Marty Smittfield, or that drunk nurse Hilly canned.”
Wow. The boss was well informed. But with the man’s mother on staff, he probably got a phone call and an earful every night.
“It most likely is,” Cisco agreed. “But I’m not ruling anyone out at this point.” Cisco would go over every possibility, thoroughly.
Mason continued. “Good. If you need help or back-up, let me know. Your posse is already champing at the bit to come out and help with the investigation.”
