Evan Spotted Bright Clothing Below the Forest Overlook — Then Ranger Cole Saw Where the Fresh Footprints Led
Chapter 4 — What Happened That Morning
Aaron finally told them the truth.
When he arrived that morning, Leah was standing beside the railing with a flashlight.
She had discovered that two support bolts had been removed.
Not loosened.
Removed.
The wooden rail only looked secure.
A strong push could break it.
Leah believed someone had tampered with it intentionally.
“Why?” Michael asked.
Aaron looked uncomfortable.
“Because this wasn’t the first damaged structure.”
Over the previous month, three trail signs had been removed.
A locked service gate had been cut.
And one wildlife camera disappeared from a restricted part of the park.
Leah had been documenting everything.
She believed someone was entering the protected valley at night.
Aaron thought she was overreacting.
They argued.
During the argument, Leah leaned against the damaged railing.
It snapped.
She fell forward.
But Aaron grabbed her arm.
Her orange jacket tore away and dropped into the trees below.
Leah landed safely on the overlook platform.
“Then why did she run?” Cole asked.
Aaron’s face tightened.
“Because she thought I removed the bolts.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Why would she suspect you?”
Aaron looked toward his boots.
Then toward the tracks.
“Because she’d already found my footprints in the restricted valley.”
