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“What can I do for you?” he asked.
    â€œI have a report that a contraband desert plant was found under your truck last night,” Grish said. “What can you tell me about it?”
    Townsend fired an angry look at Frank and Joe. “I knew it!” he shouted. “Didn’t I tell you, Diane? They’re a pair of liars! And I’m going to make sure they regret it.” Townsend threw his truck into gear and sped away, showering Grish with gravel and dust.
    Grish turned his face away from the truck to avoid getting flying gravel in his eyes. The pickup disappeared from view, leaving dust in its wake. “Now, there,” he said, “is an attitude problem.”

5 On the Trail
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    â€œMan, oh, man,” Joe said, looking at the cloud of dust that was all that was left of Townsend’s fleeing truck. “That guy sure is acting awfully guilty.”
    â€œHe must have something to hide,” Frank added.
    Fenton nodded. “Why would he be so testy about that cactus?” he said. “Today he was even worse than he was last night.”
    â€œDon’t mind him,” Grish said. “He’s under a lot of pressure. The university is threatening to cut off his research funding if he doesn’t come up with something soon. His daughter told me he’s spent years on this project. And if the university cuts off his funding, he’ll be out of a job.”
    â€œSo he’s feeling a lot of pressure about money,” Frank stated. “Do you suppose he could be working with Kidwell? Have you ever seen them together?”
    Grish shook his head. “I haven’t seen them consorting, but that doesn’t mean anything. This is a big park, and by now they both know their way around it. There are a thousand places they could get together without being seen.”
    â€œAnd then there’s Raymond Perez,” Joe said.
    â€œPerez?” Grish asked. “The artist?”
    â€œHe knows about the thefts, and we caught him eavesdropping near our campsite,” Frank explained.
    â€œAnd then there are those desert creatures that only come out at night,” Joe said, “to talk on their CBs.”
    â€œWhat’s this about CBs?” Grish said, his eyebrows going up.
    Frank and Joe told him about the hike they’d taken in the middle of the night and about hearing an engine and something like sentry instructions on the CB.
    â€œI know Perez,” Grish said. “He’s been staying here for a while. He’s always into something, like a little kid.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully for a moment. “But CBs? These guys must be more sophisticated than I thought,” he said. “If they’re using radios, it will be even harder to catch them in the act.”
    â€œYou’ll need some good solid detective work,” Joe said.
    Grish looked at him keenly and then smiled. “I know you’d like to work on the case, Joe,” he said, “and now I’m thinking, with this new informationabout the CB radio, maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea. You two could be my eyes and ears. You’ve already turned up, what, two more suspects in your first day? That’s pretty quick work. If I let you get involved, though, you have to make me a promise.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Joe said.
    â€œThat you’ll keep me informed of everything you discover. That way I’ll feel that I’m still in charge and following the rules. Is it a deal?”
    â€œDeal,” Joe said.
    â€œIt’s a deal,” Frank said. “You’re the boss.”
    Grish turned to Fenton. “How about you, old buddy?” he asked.
    â€œYou’ve got my word,” Fenton said. “But this trip is a vacation for me, and I plan on relaxing. Frank and Joe can do all the legwork, and I’ll supervise.”
    â€œNo, I’ll supervise,” Grish said with a laugh. “You can visit