Shelterwood

Four days later, Valerie visits Curtis Enhoe’s charming house, which has a litter of black-and-white border collie puppies in the front yard. Her visit is unannounced, and she feels a little awkward. Still, she doesn’t feel like she has many options left as her search for Braden continues to turn up nothing.

Curtis hasn’t heard anything from Braden or his grandmother. He spoke with the grandmother’s neighbor, who expressed concern about her sudden absence. He describes Braden and Sydney’s mother, Jade, as someone who took up “drugs and lowlife boyfriends and left Budgie with two grandkids to raise” (127). Budgie had been involved in local politics but lost the election after Jade’s lifestyle changed.

Valerie is impressed by Curtis’s insights, thoughtfulness, and kindness. As they are speaking about Braden and the community in general, she wonders what his past was like. Curtis tries to convince Valerie to adopt a puppy. She is tempted but resists. A call on Valerie’s radio interrupts their conversation. Dispatch informs Valerie that a dead body has been found in the park and asks her to handle the scene. Roy and Edwin—the new, young ranger and the seasonal summer employee—will both meet her there with supplies. Curtis joins Valerie as she heads out; he has been investigating a missing motorist for the tribal police, and he worries that this might be the driver has been looking for.