Megs’ eyes narrowed. “Has Belcourt been telling you stories?”
Uh-oh.
But Naomi covered well. “He said you’re a climbing legend.”
“That’s all he said?” Megs patted Chaska’s cheek, a knowing smile on her tanned face. “She’s quick on her feet. Finish your tour, Belcourt, and let’s get this debriefing underway.”
Chaska showed Naomi around the bays, opening Rescue One so that she could see the gear and the medical supplies. “This is the vehicle they brought out on your call. We keep both trucks loaded and operational at all times.”
“Do you ever have both out at the same time?”
“More often than you’d think.”
“If you don’t get paid for rescues, where does all this gear come from?”
“We’re a nonprofit. We get a lot of support from the climbing community, along with some corporate sponsorships and local and state grants. Let’s head to the operations room.” He opened the door for her—and found himself stuck holding it for everyone else.
“That’s mighty gentlemanly of you, Belcourt.” Hawke clapped him on the shoulder as he passed.
Chaska gave Naomi a quick tour of the ops room, with its radio set-up. The other Team members saw her, their gazes following her. Those who didn’t know her were quickly and quietly filled in by those who did. It wasn’t often that someone they rescued came for a visit.
Naomi didn’t seem to notice the attention, her gaze fixed on the big floor-to-ceiling 3D topo map of the area. “Where was I?”
Sasha bounced across the room, blond ponytail swinging, her face all smiles and sunshine, and pointed to a place on the map. “You were found right here. I’m Sasha.”
“Were you there?”
“Yep, but I wouldn’t expect you to remember any of us.”
Megs’ voice carried over the conversation, bringing it to an end. “Now that you’re all reacquainted, let’s cut the chatter and get started.”
Her words brought snickers. Team members had no need to get reacquainted. They probably spent more time with each other than they did with their families.
Megs started roll call. “Mitch Ahearn. Chaska Belcourt. Harrison Conrad … is still in Nepal.”
“How’s he doing? Have you heard from him?” someone asked.
A troubled expression came over Megs’ face. “No word.”
Naomi looked over at Chaska, curious.
He leaned down, spoke quietly. “Harrison Conrad is our lead alpinist. He was climbing Everest for the second time in May when his two climbing buddies, prominent climbers, were killed. Conrad survived. No one had heard from him since he left base camp.”
“That must have been terrifying.”
“Sasha Dillon. Eric Hawke. Dave Hatfield. Creed Herrera. Jesse Moretti. Malachi O’Brien … is working in the ER tonight.”
“He took care of me,” Naomi whispered.
“Isaac Rogers ... is on the john. Need help in there?”
Rogers’ shouted expletives made everyone laugh.
Megs finished roll call and set her clipboard aside. “This is a debriefing for last night’s rescue. We had a climber stuck on Cenotaph Spire and got him down pretty quickly. It was all routine, all textbook. I asked all primary members to be here tonight because of what happenedafterthe rescue. Anyone care to confess?”
“We got sassy,” Nicole said.
“I’m the one who started it,” Chaska said. “I take responsibility.”