Mr. William Chase, Mr. Roger Pointe, Mrs. Erwin Canfield rounded out the officers of the company. All nice, smiling photos with pleasant bios. All affirming their commitment to responsible resourcing of natures’ gift: water. They looked so amiable and professional. Ashley studied them for a while and read as much as she could about the company. They had just opened two new bottling facilities in other parts of the country.
I bet there must be opposition to those as well, she thought.
What surprised her the most is how many similar companies there were in different places. Water bottling companies that were even bigger, all over the world. What a business this was. Her instincts told her she had to investigate.
“Sean, we have to go up and see where PWCS Company is bottling the water here,” she said.
“Do we really need to do that?” he asked.
“Absolutely. I’ve been thinking that it might hold the key to why Ben was murdered. If the parents are right and it’s more than a love triangle, then we have to see what’s going on behind the scenes with this theory that witnesses were murdered to cover up the corruption. It also may explain why Harley was kidnapped. Perhaps she knew too much, like Ben.”
“Do you think Grant was involved?” Sean asked.
“Most likely. Maybe he was paid off by the company. If he’s under suspicion for Ben’s murder, then he probably knows where Harley is. Or was…” Her voice trailed off.
“Ash…don’t hold out hope of finding Harley, okay? Everything’s gotten a lot more complicated.”
“I know,” she said softly. “But if I can at least take a look at the water bottling operations, maybe I’ll get some answers.”
“Okay, let’s call Miller in the morning and arrange it,” he said. “Time to get some sleep.”
Ashley started to drift off, but heard a noise outside. She got up and peered out into the darkness, then shut the window.
It was probably nothing, she thought. But no need to invite trouble.
***
Sleep was fitful at best. She awoke the next morning with a headache and a dire need for coffee. Not the weak stuff they had in the room. She needed a strong cup. While Sean was off getting them some, she called Detective Miller and filled him in on their desire to check out the bottling company. He gave her a number of a tour group to take them and told her to check back in with him when they returned to town.
“And please just look at the facilities, don’t go wandering off, okay? Lots of rugged terrain up there,” Miller said.
“Absolutely,” she said.
Ashley only wanted to see the water bottling operation, and had no intention of poking around elsewhere up there. But Detective Thompson must have filled Miller in on her past exploits and told him to keep a close eye on her at all times. She smiled to herself ruefully at her reputation preceding her all the way to Brewer.
Sean got back with the coffee, and Ashley drank it heartily.
The coffee is so good in this part of the world, she thought. Now we have to find a good breakfast.
They got dressed and headed out. They found a cute little diner with delicious food to keep them satiated for the better part of the day. Then they walked over to the town’s information center to meet up with their guide.
Chapter Eleven
Ashley and Sean met their guide, Justin, and a driver, Steve who were going to take them to the bottling plant.
“Nice to meet you,” Justin said as he shook their hands.
“And you,” Sean said.
Ashley smiled at them and they climbed in the back of the four-wheel-drive vehicle.
It was a gorgeous ride up into the mountains. The higher they climbed, the more majestic the scenery was. There were several streams of varying size on their climb. The water rushed through the bends and splashed over the rocks on its course. The winter had brought heavy snow and rainfall to the area, and the melting snows during spring had supplied the tributaries with an abundance of water. The day was clear and sunny, but there was still a chill in the morning air. Ashley could see there were still small patches of frozen snow up here, hidden in small crevices in the mountains. Good thing she had a warm sweater on. She hugged close to Sean for extra warmth. The air was so fresh, it was a treat just to breathe in and out.
“You can see just by looking around why so many people up here are opposed to this facility,” Justin said.
“Yeah, it’s certainly gorgeous up here,” Ashley replied.
“It’s some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen,” Sean said.
The driver chimed in. “A lot of people have been fighting this. But the big money will win. Pisses me off!”
Justin patted the driver on the shoulder. “Steve here is like a lot of the locals. They feel their voices aren’t being heard.”
“Let me guess, the water bottling company has promised more jobs and greater income for the area,” Ashley said. “I read all about it.”
“Yup, you got it,” Steve said.
Sean sighed. “It’s like they all have the same script.”
“Yeah, they do,” Ashley said dryly. “But they don’t always win.”
“Maybe not,” Justin replied. “But you have to look at the other side too. This company is following through on their promises so far. A lot of us are working because of them. People got to feed their families.” He got quiet.
Steve turned left into a small gate that said PWCS Company, and followed a little winding road up into a small turnaround, then parked the car. They got out and walked toward a group of tall trees. Hidden back into the woods, was a large building with machines all around it. The sounds coming from inside the building were deafening. They all had to raise their voices to talk.
“Why is it so loud?” Sean asked, his voice up several decibels.
“Pumping equipment,” Justin shouted. “The men working inside wear earplugs.”
Ashley shouted back. “And of course, no one in the town can hear all of this. But I’m sure it wreaks havoc on the animals who live in these woods.”
“I read a pamphlet in the town newspaper that says studies have shown that many of the species who always lived here have migrated. Plus, this is supposedly disrupting the fish hatcheries. And not just because of the noise,” Sean said.
“Because of all of this,” Ashley said, gesturing to the fractured surroundings. “Of everything here.”
Justin nodded. “You’ll read lots of stuff while you’re here. From PWCS and Citizens Activists. All the pros and cons of this operation.”
“What’s PWCS stand for?” Ashley yelled.
“Pure Water, Clear Skies,” Justin said.
Ashley and Sean both looked at each other and laughed. How sadly ironic. Inside these pristine forests, there was an anathema at work. Made by humans and their hubris and greed. An operation that did damage to the environment, regardless of the statements the corporation had made to the people living in this area. When and if PWCS finally did leave, there would be devastation in their wake. The forests torn up, the streams polluted, the buildings left to rot and crumble in the woods, the animal population dwindled, and the jobs gone. But they would have made their profit, which after all, was what this was really about.
“Let’s head this way and I’ll show you one of the streams where a pumping machine is,” Justin said.
The driver walked back to the car and tilted his head back on the seat to rest.
***
Ashley and Sean followed Justin in silence. This was a lot to take in. It was one thing to hear about it from far away, it was another thing to see it up close. And of course, PWCS Company did not want to make its presence known in a big way; only answering to the obligatory board meetings and town hearings that were required to justify its presence. The company obviously did not want public relations done on a big scale so that they wouldn’t bring attention to what they were doing up here.
Better for them, Ashley thought.
Ashley’s mind raced
as they walked on. How many people were really involved in this? Had people in town been paid off to assist with votes to pass the referendum to allow this to be built? Who stood to lose the most if possible dirty dealings were uncovered and exposed? If there was corruption, it would probably be hard to prove. And if there were some folks getting fat wallets to keep their mouths shut, then they wouldn’t talk. In addition, if anybody dared to be a whistleblower, that would cause havoc. And considering how much money was at stake, that person would be in great danger.
Ashley’s boots crunched on the twigs and fallen bark on the forest floor. Looking up, she noticed how lush and beautiful the canopy of trees was over her head. But oddly, she did not hear the song of birds anywhere. She stopped for a moment to listen. What she heard was only the wind in the tops of the trees and the sound of the pumps of the bottling facility. And getting closer, she could hear the sound of the rushing stream as it crashed down the slopes. But no birds.
Were they drowned out from all this noise? Or have they taken off to nest elsewhere?
“It’s right up here,” Justin said. He pointed straight ahead.
Ashley and Sean could see another mass of metal pipes and pumps ahead of them, with water splashing in the background. Then they saw glistening sheets of spray as the machinery captured the water to bottle it.
They stopped in silence to look. What should have been the pristine sight of nature’s display of pure, clean water tumbling down a hillside, instead there was a grotesque jumble of tubes and pipes and machines designed to capture all of it.
“All this to take what lawfully already belongs here by nature, and is rightfully owned by the public, then bottle it, and resell it back to everyone at a huge markup,” Ashley said.
Ashley and Sean just stood there and took in the scene. Justin was very quiet.
The water kept rushing down and spilling over the rocks as if there was no end to it. If you looked only downstream, it was as if the reverie here would last forever. But the pumps up close belied that as they did their job. The sloshing and sucking noise as they jerked up and down was an ugly sound.
“Time to go,” Ashley abruptly said.
Sean looked at her quizzically. Why did she want to go now?
“I’ve seen enough,” she said.
“I have some other spots to take you to,” Justin said.
“No thanks, this is enough, “Ashley said.
Justin shrugged his shoulders. “Okay, let’s go.”
He’d seen all kinds of people. Many wanted to go up the mountain to get a look at things. Some stayed longer than others, but no one stayed for a very long time. Even the reporters.
Ashley read Justin’s mind. “Bet no one stays up here for too long,” she said.
“Nope,” he answered. He stared up the hill for a moment. “Let’s go.”
Sean whispered near her ear. “Ash, why do you want to head out now? Thought you’d want to see more.”
“I would have,” she whispered back. “But we can’t. There was someone watching us from behind the trees.” She gripped his arm. “Don’t turn around and look back!”
They picked up the pace behind Justin. As soon as they got back to their vehicle, they all got in wordlessly.
***
The driver started to head down the hill. No one talked. Ashley kept carefully glancing out the side and back of the vehicle. Sean followed her lead but tried not to be too obvious as he looked behind him.
They hadn’t gone very far when the driver Steve suddenly veered to the left and nearly collided with a boulder. He jerked the wheel sharply and ran into the ditch by the side of the road. The ground up here was soft and muddy from all the previous rains. They were stuck. Ashley darted her head around frantically. Where was the man she had spotted in the woods?
“What the—?” Steve said. He almost sounded lackadaisical.
They all quickly got out of the car. Justin walked around to the front to see the damage.
“Let’s all push the car out of the ditch!” Sean said.
“No use,” Justin said. “The front wheels are stuck in there good. I’ll call someone.”
Ashley stared at the driver. Why had he drifted to the left? Had he been texting on his phone up front, or just not paying attention?
Justin got on his cell and called someone from the company. Ashley could barely make out what the person on the other end of the line was saying. Justin explained their predicament. As soon as he finished the call, she looked at him intensely.
“Well?” Ashley asked.
“They can’t get someone up here for at least an hour, maybe more. We’ll just have to wait it out,” Justin said.
“What? Why not?” Ashley said. “This is an emergency!”
“Doesn’t make sense,” Sean said. “A big company like PWCS should be able to rescue anyone who’s up here right away.”
Justin looked irritable. “In case you didn’t notice, we are quite a way out of town.”
“Have they left you stranded up here with people before?” Ashley said.
“A few times,” Steve interjected. “Two months ago we were stuck up here half the day. I’m going to sit in the car and wait.”
Justin shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry folks.”
Ashley glanced at Sean. He looked worried. Ashley felt a twinge in her stomach. She knew the rescue truck would have to get up here soon before it got dark. It would be terrible to be stranded on the mountain at night. Especially with not knowing who was in the trees that she had seen.
She sighed and opened the door to the vehicle. “Sean, let’s sit inside and wait.”
Just as she said that, she noticed a figure dart behind some trees.
“Look!” she said.
“What? I don’t see anything,” Sean said.
“That man up there!” Ashley said.
Justin glanced up and then he laughed. “There are always people roaming around here. Mostly hikers that stumble across the place. No need to worry.”
Ashley peered up at the hill, then glanced back at Sean. He was sitting still, looking up in the direction she had pointed.
“Still don’t see anything, Ash,” he said.
“I saw someone,” Ashley insisted.
Justin grunted. “Could also be some teenagers hanging around up here drinking so their parents don’t catch them doing it at home.”
Ashley glared at him. If he wasn’t going to take her seriously, at least he could not say anything. Steve sat and stared out the window.
What an idiot for running into the ditch, she thought.
“Could you please call for help again?” she said.
“Okay ma’am, whatever you say,” Justin replied.
Justin called his company and was put on hold.
Eventually, a voice came on the line. “PWCS, how may we help you?”
“We’re still stranded up here on the hill at Pumping Station #2. Is someone on the way?” Justin said.
“Let me check,” came the reply.
It seemed Justin was on hold forever.
The dispatcher came back on the line. “All the trucks are out on work duty. Someone should be heading your way in about thirty minutes.”
“Half an hour before they even take off? And then the time to get all the way up here and pull us out of the mud? It will be dark by then,” Ashley said.
“Sorry,” Justin said. “But you heard them. I suggest we just hunker down. They’ll be here as soon as they can.” He lay back against the seat and pulled a cap over his eyes.
Steve lifted his head and peered up the hill. Then he turned around and gave Ashley and Sean a long look. Sean noticed the man’s eye was twitching.
Ashley was furious. This was ridiculous. She got out of the truck and started to pace.
“Careful Ash,” Sean said through the window. “We can’t afford to be too far away when help gets here.”
“I know,” Ashley said. As she paced, she kept looking up the mountain. Where had th
at man gone? She thought she saw a movement again and peered intensely in that direction for a moment. Nothing.
She noticed the shadows deepening in the woods and the light fading over the mountains as the sun moved west. The sound of the pumping machines continued their steady droning, and the forest was enveloping inside itself for the coming night. The workers had been leaving the pump house facilities for well over an hour. The road and turnaround lot in front of the warehouse was empty of any vehicles. They were most likely the only people left up here now.
She glanced casually at the car trying not to show any fear. Justin still was leaning back on the seat, but Steve had his head cocked in her direction. Although his cap was pulled down, one eye was steadfastly fixed on her. Sean sat upright in the back seat and slowly put his phone up to the window and pointed to it. Ashley understood and shut the sound off on her phone. She had hoped that he had as well. Ashley turned her back to the car. Then she texted him.
There’s no rescue truck coming, she wrote.
I know, he answered.
What do we do? It’s going to be dark soon, she wrote.
Run! No arguing. Get help, he typed.
Chapter Twelve
Ashley typed back okay, then calmly walked up to the driver’s-side and tapped on the window. Steve jabbed Justin in the side. He sat up with a surprised look on his face.
“Sorry to bother you, but can I use the bathroom facilities up there?”
“Place is locked up,” Justin said.
“Then do you at least have any paper? I can’t wait any more,” she said.
Steve gave a quick glance to Justin, who quickly nodded, then reached under his seat and handed her a paper roll.
“Good thing we’re prepared,” Justin said.
“Good thing you’re a man in these kind of situations. Easier for you,” she said.
Ashley Crane Cozy Mystery Boxed Set Page 67