“We’ve been ordered to assist with a search and rescue in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a pair of missing skiers.”
“Can’t the locals handle it?” Ross asked with irritation. “It sounds like a routine search and rescue. We have our first day of training on the mountain today, and I think our time could be better spent there.”
“We don’t have a choice. A favor was called in above our heads, and you are both going,” Ben explained. “One of the missing skiers is the daughter of the Texas governor. He made it clear, if we wanted to keep receiving state funding, we were expected to send our best mountain rescuers there to find his daughter.”
Great, just what James didn’t want to deal with—a spoiled daughter of an entitled, power-lording politician. If this rescue didn’t go off without a hitch, not only would Canter and he be blamed and punished, the entire DCSRA would be in jeopardy. No pressure, or anything.
“You’ll be heading out on the helicopter after you collect your gear. You’ll start the search as soon as you get there. They’ve already been missing a couple of hours, so you know time is critical. They need to be found before the day’s end, or they’ll freeze to death when the temperatures drop when the sun goes down.”
James knew that if the search and rescue shifted to search and recovery, the governor would follow through on his threat. It was critical that they found the missing skiers before nightfall.
Three hours later, James and Ross arrived with their K9 partners at the Santa Fe ski resort, completely outfitted in their snow gear and rucksacks. James tightened the strap on his helmet, then checked to make sure Siku’s red rescue vest was secure around her body. “You ready for this, girl?” he asked as he removed the leash and gave her the cue to search.
Beside him, Ross did the same, releasing Ace to follow after Siku. They trailed behind as the canines scurried along the edge of the path, stopping every few feet to check a new area for clues as to the whereabouts of the missing hikers.
“Where do you think they ended up? The initial search area included the entire west ridge where supposedly they went skiing. When I looked at the map, I noticed there is a section of closed Black Diamond slopes on the east side of the resort. You don’t think they’d be stupid enough to try skiing there, do you?”
“They’re entitled trust fund babies, aren’t they?” James asked rhetorically. “I’m betting they did just that, thinking the rules don’t apply to them. We should go check that area out.” James clicked the button on his radio. “Command, we’re heading over to the Black Diamond slopes on the east ridge to check that area.”
“Negative, SR 7, that area is closed to guests.”
“Copy that, but from ten years of experience, I can guarantee you closed warnings don’t keep skiers from sneaking over to off-limit areas. We should check the area to be sure,” James stated adamantly.
There was a long pause before command responded. “Copy that, SR 7, you’re clear to search that area.”
They re-directed their K9 partners towards the east ridge of the ski resort and spent the next half hour searching the area. The longer it went, the more James was beginning to wonder if their hunch about the skiers was incorrect. Just as he was about to suggest they turn back, there was a faint noise carried on the wind. It almost sounded like a woman’s cry.
“Do you hear that?” James asked Ross. “I think I hear a woman calling out for help.”
“Are you sure?” Ross glanced around, doubt clearly written across his face. “I didn’t hear anything.”
The cry floated across the air a second time, a little louder than the time before. “Yes, I’m certain,” James attested.
From farther up the ridge, Siku and Ace started barking, pacing back and forth at the edge of a cliff. The quiet cries were now loud and two distinct voices could be heard. They were crying out, “Help, help. Please help us.”
James and Ross rushed up to their partners and looked over the side. Fifteen feet below, on the ledge of the cliff, were the two women who fitted the description of the missing skiers. They were both alert and waving their hands back and forth, a sign that the snow must have cushioned their fall. They were lucky they landed on the ledge, because it was another two hundred feet to the ravine below.
The woman with dark hair sticking out from under her ski cap was standing. The auburn-haired woman beside her was sitting down on the ground with a sour look on her face.
“Oh, thank goodness, an actual real person,” the brunette shouted in relief. “When we heard the barking, I thought we were starting to become delirious from being stuck down here all day.”
“My name is Master Sergeant James Franklin, and this is Officer Ross Canter,” James yelled down to the women as he gestured beside him. “We’re Disaster City Search and Rescue K9 handlers, and we’re here to help you. Can you tell me, are either of you injured?”
“We’re fine,” the one with dark locks shouted back. “We just—”
“Speak for yourself,” the auburn-haired woman snapped from beside the other woman. “I think I broke my arm when we got pushed over this cliff from the avalanche. I have a good mind to have Daddy sue this awful place for everything its worth.”
The auburn-haired woman was the governor’s daughter. Even if James hadn’t known it from the pictures they were given for identification, he would’ve known from her elitist attitude.
“Ashley, don’t be ungrateful. We’re lucky something worse didn’t happen,” her friend reminded the other woman. “Besides, the nice officers are here to help us.”
“This wasn’t our fault, Melanie. I wouldn’t have gotten hurt if the resort took better care of their slopes.”
James wanted to tell her if she hadn’t gone where she wasn’t supposed to, this wouldn’t have happened. Areas of mountains were off-limits for a reason—usually because they were unsafe, and this section of the mountain had been having regular snow slides according to the resort manager. Instead he simply pointed out the truth. “Think of it this way, you’re lucky to be alive. If the snow slide had been any bigger, you’d probably be dead at the bottom of the ravine right now.”
Ross gave James a dirty look before turning his attention back to the women and shouting down, “Ladies, we’re here to help you. Just sit tight and we’ll get you up.” Ross pressed his button on his radio and spoke. “Command, this is SR 7, we’ve found the missing skiers. They’re on a ledge of a cliff near the second Black Diamond slope. Please advise how to proceed with rescue.”
“Copy that, SR 7.” There was a brief pause, before the officer on the end continued. “SR 7, the snow in that area is prone to avalanches. Stand down and wait for assistance. We will be sending the helicopter to your location to assist with bucket rescue.”
James didn’t like sitting at the top of the cliff with his hands tied. He also knew, however, rescuing them with the bucket would be easier than trying to do it manually with harnesses.
“How are you two doing down there?” Ross called over the side. “The helicopter is en route and will be here shortly to help you guys out of here.”