A letterboxing mystery

Reflecting back, Leslie thought it must have been kismet, as she patiently waited in her car within the small parking lot at the trailhead on the central part of the Cape.

It had been 5 years since John, her husband of only 4 years, had died. One day, something finally clicked and she heard a voice in her head say “Enough grieving, girl. Jump back into that pool of life again!”

It was easy to acknowledge that voice in her head, but much more difficult to actually take the first step. Could she get back into the dating game? The bar scene just wasn’t Leslie’s style and frankly scared the life out of her. The idea was all too threatening and it reminded her of some vast meat market! There was one less intimidating method that several of the young women in her office were trying with much success – internet matching on the "Be A Couple" dating website. The office crew told Leslie that it was so very easy – register on the site and answer a comprehensive profile that guaranteed to bring her “the man of her dreams.” Sure – like that would happen!

Late one Saturday night, another in a string of long lonely nights, Leslie made her way to her computer and actually began to get excited as she thoughtfully completed her “Personality Profile.” After painstakingly reviewing and analyzing each response, she took that Herculean step into the beginning of her new life by hitting the “Submit” button, which automatically sent her profile out into the “waters” looking for matches; like some fat, wiggling worm on a cyberhook. The instructions told Leslie that matching profiles should begin wending their way to her inbox in a matter of hours. These would not be direct contacts by like-minded and compatible men, but the results of an all-too-accurate computer culling program that made BeACouple.com the envy of every other online dating service.

Sure to their promise, the profiles began arriving at warp speed, as Leslie’s incoming mail alert began to flash. Excitedly, she began to read each one; deleting those in which she had no interest. Then, there it was - a profile that stood out from the rest, like a wayward car alarm at 3:00 am. It belonged to Jim S., and he was all she had hoped for in a man – sensitive, well-read, worldly, adventurous, romantic and he, too, lived right here on the Cape. Could it be possible? One other exciting commonality that they shared – Jim was obsessive about letterboxing which mirrored her feelings towards this burgeoning hobby. The dating gods had spoken – she had a true match!

Now, as her thoughts moved to the present, Leslie wondered where Jim was as she gazed out the window of her car, which was parked at the trailhead. Glancing at her watch, she determined he was already 15 minutes late, which was so unlike him. Drifting away again she thought how the past 6 months had been a whirlwind of lunches, intimate dinners and even a few romantic weekends away together. Leslie hadn’t felt this alive since she was dating her husband, John, back in the day! And to think she almost didn’t take her co-workers advice on that dating website!

After waiting 30 minutes, Leslie thought to dial Jim’s cell phone, and, as usual when you needed service – there was none! Well, she thought, I’ll wait 5 more minutes; then I’m heading out for the box. While not a deserted location, this area lay in the shadows of the old prison and was well-used by hunters, hikers, mountain bikers and those on horseback. Leslie loved this area, with its erratic rises and falls and the wonderful glimpses of nature that she always found whenever she hiked here. She walked here even before letterboxing, and now she had a newfound reason to return – a new letterbox appeared on the “What’s New” list on the LBNA website late yesterday afternoon and Jim suggested that they try and find it today. Hurriedly they made their plans via phone last night for today’s hunt. Leslie was so pleased that Jim shared her passion for letterboxing.

The day was much too nice to spend in the car waiting for Jim another second! As soon as the 5 minutes passed, Leslie locked up her car; clues and backpack in hand. He can just join me on the trail, she thought. He must have run off the clues as well and once he sees my empty car, he’ll know I’ve headed out, she reasoned. Entering the trail and passing by several bird houses occupied by their chirping occupants, Leslie took a right at the Y intersection along the Red Pine Trail. She always felt at peace here. It was like coming home as she walked along the trail; eyeing the trees for birds and the trail for wildlife. The smell of pine was so prevalent in the air today due to the warm breezes that carried their scent like an expensive perfume.

She really did miss Jim with her, though. Letterboxing just wasn’t the same without him. While she had boxed before they had met, this hobby took on a new and special appeal when they were on the trail together. They talked about every subject while letterboxing in nature’s canopy and this quality time spent together had brought them much closer. Bringing her thoughts to the task at hand, Leslie spotted the map sign mentioned in the clues and turned left. The woods seemed to be alive with sounds of nature. Even though she was surrounded by beauty of every kind, Leslie was getting increasingly worried about Jim.

Back to the task at hand, Leslie read the clues. “. . . From the map sign on the trail, take a left and go 155 steps to a large triple-trunked oak with a mossy base.” As she sighted and headed toward that tree, Leslie heard someone quickly coming up behind her. She turned to smile at Jim and was going to tease him about his coming after she had found the box but was halfway around when she was dealt a terrible blow to her head. The next instant, Leslie was fully prone, lying on the ground next to the mossy oak. The intruder seemed to vanish almost as quickly as they had appeared. She was out here by herself and was truly frightened. As the dark curtains of unconsciousness began closing in around her, Leslie left behind a clue to the identity of her attacker. If you happen to get to the spot where she was attacked, we hope you find and identify the culprit from the clue Leslie left behind.

Was this attacker someone she knew or a total stranger . . . .

you decide.