Sadly, Rod is probably spot-on… The specific gravity and density of Mark’s Pre-frontal cortex* suggests that it will be at least a week’s worth of strips before he might link Rusty’s disappearance to Messrs. Bassy and Catfish…  But with the spotted salamanders on high alert, someone (maybe even Trail) will link the restlessness of this bellwether species to a great unhinging of the natural order of things… and suggest to him that his young charge is being taken against his will…

* This brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision making and moderating social behavior. The basic activity of this brain region is considered to be orchestration of thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefrontal_cortex

Here it is in color!!  “That’s PINK Spotted Salamander to you, Fella!”