James nodded his thanks also and wrote down Credit cards on his pad. “What else do we need to do?”
Mary came back to the table with a plate of bacon and the coffeepot. As she refilled cups, she said, “I think we need to talk to the rest of the kids and the adults on the trip. Someone may know something. I know you talked with a few last night, but one of the others might know something the others didn’t.”
Call kids, James wrote.
“I didn’t reach anyone at the Baldwins’,” Charles said. “Someone said Jed and the Baldwin kid were sitting together on the bus.”
“Yeah, they are pretty close,” said James. “Let’s bless the food.” He bowed his head. “Our Father, we give thanks for this, our food, and we beg your guidance in finding our children.”
CHAPTER 9
lizabeth sat up in her bunk and stretched. The coffee smelled good. She was amazed at how well she had slept, but their circumstances rushed back into her consciousness as wakefulness entered. They had decisions to make.
Jed awoke early and lay in his bunk thinking about what needed to be done. He felt responsible for Lizzie. It was because of him she was stranded. He also knew she was not accustomed to the sort of lifestyle they would have to live until rescue came. Rescue might be within a day or two, or it could be months. He must plan on months. Obviously, they would have to work together. Based on last night’s experience, he didn’t have a lot of hope for that to happen.
Because they were in the same small class in school, they spent a lot of time together; however, he didn’t know Lizzie all that well. Outside of class and an occasional ride home, they didn’t have much in common and didn’t hang out together. He was going to have to get to know Lizzie a lot better before this was all over.
He rose and started coffee, trying to be as quiet as possible so as to not awaken her. He knew she would need all the strength she could muster to get through this. He sat down at the table with a notepad and his cup of coffee and started jotting down what needed to be done: Inventory supplies, examine the 2-way radio to see if it can be fixed, devise a way of signaling anyone flying overhead . . . He paused as Lizzie called out and then opened her curtain.
“Coffee smells good.”
“How do you drink yours?”
“A little sugar, thanks.” Jed set a cup in front of Lizzie as she sat down at the table. “Look, I’m sorry for the way I acted last night. It’s not your fault I’m here. I’m scared, and I don’t know what I’m doing. Besides that, I miss Daddy.”
Jed looked at Lizzie thoughtfully for a moment. “It’s okay, Lizzie. I appreciate the apology, but I wasn’t at my best last night either. We’ll put that behind us and go from here. First order of business is breakfast. We have some pastries that Pete brought up. Will they do? I haven’t had time to see what options we have yet, and pastries won’t last long.”
“They will be fine,” Lizzie sighed.
“Then we have to figure out how we are going to get by until we are rescued.”
“Can’t we hike out of here? Maybe find someone fishing on the lake or something?” She sounded panicked.
“No. The lake is all on our property, so there won’t be anyone on it. We can’t hike out either. This part of Maine has less than one person per hundred square miles. Dad bought this land to be sure it was as remote as we could get it. Quebec is to our west and north, and New Brunswick is to our east. I’m not sure how far, but it is a ways. The nearest small town is over fifty miles away, and there are lakes, rivers, and a lot of marshes, plus some small mountains we would have to cross or go around. I know of two hunting camps, but the closest one is about thirty-five miles from here, and I’m not sure exactly where it is. No, whatever happens, we have to prepare for it.”
“Do you think anyone will ever find us?” Lizzie started to cry. “Oh, don’t worry about that! Someone will be up here; we just don’t know how soon. Remember, Dad doesn’t have a plane or a pilot anymore, and they won’t think of looking up here, I’m sure. I’m sure our dads have the police searching for us, but they will be looking down there. Dad can’t still have the managers’ fishing trip next week, and, except for the goose hunt in September, there is nothing else on the schedule for the year—other than if someone wanted to come up here on vacation—but then again, no plane. Someone will be up here sooner or later; we just have to plan on it being a while.”
“What will we do for food? I know Pete brought supplies, but not how much.”
“I know. I started looking a little bit at what we have. You know more about cooking than I do. Maybe you could check out what we have? I’m not worried about having enough to eat. I’ve been hunting up here since I was little, and I’ve set snares, too, for small game and furs. Plus, there are plenty of fish in the lake, and it hardly gets fished, so it isn’t hard to catch fish.”
“Okay, but what about wolves and other wild animals?”
“There aren’t any wolves in Maine anymore. Conservationists and animal rights people have been talking about trying to reintroduce them, but they haven’t yet. There are coyotes, but coyotes usually won’t bother you. There are some cougars and bobcats, but they are more scared of you than you are of them. They hardly ever bother humans. You might hear one at night, but it isn’t anything to worry about.
“Black bears are a different matter. They normally don’t bother you unless they have a cub or you corner them. The best thing to do if you see one is just to walk away quietly, and don’t run. They can run faster than you can, and they also climb trees, so you can’t get away from them that way. I’ve seen bears up here, but I’ve never had a problem with one.
“I always carry a rifle with me when I’m out in the woods, just in case, but in all the years I’ve come up here I’ve never needed it other than for game. Just stay with me if you go into the woods until you are comfortable on your own.” Jed paused and then said, “For now, let’s focus on seeing what we have and figure out how to make it stretch.”
“I know one thing that will be a problem!”
“Oh? What?”
“Clothes! I don’t have much I can wear here! Most of the time in Europe was fairly dressy. I only have one pair of jeans, and my other stuff won’t hold up long.”
“There are a few things in the cold weather gear we can maybe make work for you temporarily. If I can get a couple of deer, I can make buckskin and some clothes from it. It won’t be fancy, and I’m not doing any Indian quill work or anything like that, but they will be clothes.”
CHAPTER 10
Charles Sitton picked up the phone and called the Baldwin home. “Hello, Sam. Charles Sitton here. Say, I’m sorry to be calling so early on Saturday morning, but I tried to get Teddy last night, and I didn’t get an answer. Is he available this morning? . . . Thanks, I’ll be happy to wait.”
Charles sat and stared at the phone for an excruciating five minutes while the Romsons watched.
“Hi, Teddy. So sorry to wake you, but I need a little help. Did Jed say anything to you about going anywhere when you got back?”
“No, sir. He was in a hurry to get home. I think we all were. I know he had to take Lizzie home, but that is on his way anyhow.”
“Okay, thanks.” Charles struggled with what he had to say next, and his voice broke. “Neither he nor Elizabeth arrived at home.”
“Oh, no! I’m sorry! What can I do to help?”
“Right now, nothing. We are just contacting you guys that were on the trip with them to see if you know of anything that might help us find them. If you think of anything at all, even if it isn’t something you think important, please give me a call, or call the Romsons if I’m not at home.”
“Will do, sir. I’m really sorry! I’ll talk with you later.”
Charles hung up the phone, shook his head, and picked up the directory.
“Charles, why don’t we split the numbers,” asked James, “and I’ll make some calls on the office line here? Maybe we can save some time and frustration.”
&n
bsp; “Okay, good idea.”
Charles turned to Mary. “Mary, could I trouble you for another cup of coffee?” Mary filled his cup and then topped off her own and her husband’s while they divided the list of names. James picked up his cup and list and walked into the office as Charles grabbed the kitchen phone and called the Alexanders. “Hi, Sandy, Charles Sitton here. I hate to call you at home so early on Saturday, but I need some help. Neither Jed nor Elizabeth got home last night. Did you hear either of them, or one of the other kids, say anything about going somewhere else?”
“Oh, no! That’s terrible! No, I didn’t hear anything. Everyone seemed to be anxious to get home right away. Did you call the police?”
“Yes, I called them last night, but since they both are eighteen, the police can’t do anything unless there is foul play. As far as the law goes, there isn’t anything they can do.”
“I’m so sorry! Please let us know what you find out, will you?”
“Sure thing. Thanks.” Again, he hung up the phone with fear swelling in his chest.
CHAPTER 11
Jed and Lizzie spent the morning inventorying their supplies and looking through the cold weather gear left at the cabin. There was a fair supply of canned goods and pancake mixes, flour, sugar, pasta, and assorted other supplies. They figured there was enough there to last them for two to three months if they were careful. What was lacking was meat, although there were a few pounds of bacon and three dozen eggs. Those would have to be used soon since they were perishable. Jed reminded Lizzie not to worry about meat; he would set snares. There were plenty of fish to be caught, and, although it wasn’t hunting season, he didn’t think it would be wrong to do a little hunting.
Though Jed was careful not to say anything negative to Lizzie, he was certain no one would be up there looking for them anytime soon. Because Romson Industries did not allow anyone other than employees or close business associates to hunt or fish on the property, there would be no one coming to use the lodge. Since Pete and the plane were gone, the company would not have a plane for traveling to the lodge either. Jed was sure the insurance would replace the plane eventually, but since no one knew Pete had crashed, there would be a time lapse before anything could be done. At a minimum of half a million dollars to replace the plane, he knew his dad would not be going out to buy one anytime soon. The loss of Jed and Lizzie would also dampen the desire of either of their fathers to visit the property for hunting or fishing: he had to plan for a long stay.
CHAPTER 12
James Romson walked from his home office with slumped shoulders.
“Did you get anything, Charles?”
“Not a thing. Neither Jed nor Lizzie said anything to anyone. They just got in the Bronco and disappeared.”
The three worried parents sat around the table and talked about what could be done. It appeared the police could be of no help. They couldn’t even put out a “BOLO,” or “Be on the Lookout,” for the Bronco since the truck was in Jed’s name. The parents seemed to be at an impasse. Articles in newspapers? Posters on light poles? Nothing seemed to fit what was needed.
The phone rang. Mary answered and handed the receiver to Charles. “It’s for you. I think it’s Teddy Baldwin.”
“Hi, Mr. Sitton. It’s Teddy. I don’t know if this is important or not, but I just remembered there was a car broken down on the ‘No Parking’ side of the street by the school. I saw Jed stop and talk with the guy, and then the guy got in the Bronco with them. I didn’t see who he was, but Jed seemed to know him.”
“Thanks, Teddy! That is exactly what I was talking about! Let me know if you think of anything else.”
“I think we have something!” Charles exclaimed. “Teddy saw Jed pick someone up by the school drive. Let’s run over and see if we can find out whose car it is.” The three parents jumped up from the table and started for the door. “Let’s take mine,” said Charles. “It’s in the drive.” They piled in the car, and Charles backed quickly out of the driveway. It was a tense fifteen minutes with each of the parents lost in their own thoughts. At last, the school came into sight, but when they got to the traffic light and looked left down the street, they saw no car. Their hopes were immediately dashed. Charles felt tears welling up in his eyes again at the disappointment. He had been so hopeful for an answer, but . . .
“Drive us to the police station,” James ordered. “Let me talk with the chief. We go back a long ways together. He may have some ideas.”
Charles made a U-turn when the light changed and drove back toward downtown. As they pulled up in front of the police department, Mary asked if he had any tissues; Charles pulled a small packet from the glove box and handed them to her. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose before getting out of the car. Together, they walked into the lobby and to the desk officer.
“How may I help you?” asked the officer.
“We would like to speak with Chief Washington for a moment,” said James.
“May I ask what you need? I may be able to help you.”
“Actually, we need advice concerning a situation, but, no offense, I don’t believe you can help. Chief Washington is an old friend of mine, and I trust his counsel. I know it is an imposition, but the situation needs to be addressed right away.”
“Okay, sir. May I have your name, and I’ll see if he is available. He may be in the staff meeting.”
“Tell him James Romson is here to see him. I think he will break the meeting for me, and I promise not to waste his time.”
The officer picked up the phone and dialed a number from memory. “Hello, Diane, is the boss in? I have a Mr. Romson here who needs to see him. He says it’s important.”
There was a pause before the desk officer said, “Okay, thanks. I’ll tell them.” He looked up at James. “His secretary asked you to hold for about five minutes for the boss to put an end to the meeting, and he said he will be right down. Why don’t you have a seat?”
James led Mary and Charles over to what looked like old church pews, and they sat. The chief came bustling through the door behind the desk not two minutes after they sat. The officer stood, surprised, and then looked with interest at the Romsons. He had expected the chief to have them go to his office. These must be very special people.
“James! Mary! What can I do for you today?” He walked around the counter and hugged Mary before shaking James’s hand.
“Jeff, sorry to interrupt your meeting, but we need your help.”
“Not a problem! I hate getting bogged down in them anyway, and I liked having an excuse to leave.”
“I’d like you to meet Charles Sitton, another old friend of mine, and head of maintenance for Romson Industries.”
The chief shook Charles’s hand. “Pleased to meet you, Charles, but I really don’t think this is a social call. What can I do for you?”
“Could we take it to your office or someplace else private?”
“Certainly. Come with me.”
James turned to the desk officer. “Thank you very much for your help, sir. We appreciate it.” He then turned to the chief. “My compliments on this officer. He was very courteous and helpful.”
The chief nodded at the officer and grinned. “Good. I like to hear that. Jack’s been on light duty since getting hurt in a fight with a guy he arrested. Maybe we can keep him here since he’s doing such a good job.” He laughed at the look of horror on the young officer’s face and waved for them to follow him behind the counter, through the door, and to his office. “Diane, if the mayor calls while we are busy, please tell him I will call him back. We are not to be disturbed unless the president calls.”
Diane laughed and nodded her head.
He closed the door behind them. “What’s going on?”
James said, “We need some advice, Jeff. I know there is nothing you can do officially, but Jed and Elizabeth—Charles’s daughter—didn’t get home last night from their senior trip. Charles called here last evening and was told there was nothing you could do si
nce they are both over eighteen, and there was no sign of foul play.” The chief nodded in agreement.
“The sergeant Charles spoke with said it isn’t uncommon for kids to just take off and then show up later.”
The chief nodded again. “Um-hmm. We can file a missing person’s report after they’ve been gone twenty-four hours, but if we find them, all we can do is tell them you’re concerned and ask them to contact you. Then we can let you know we have spoken with them, and they are safe.”
James nodded. “Well, this morning we contacted all of the people on the trip to see if either Jed or Elizabeth said anything to anyone about going somewhere else, but they hadn’t. A while later, one of the young men called back and said he saw Jed stop at the end of the school drive and talk with a man with a broken-down car. He then got into the truck with them. We just went by the school, but there was no car. Would there, by any chance, be any record of a car parked on the wrong side of the street? We thought maybe we could find out who they talked with.”
The chief reached for the phone. “Diane, would you pull all incident reports for yesterday from . . . hold one.” He looked at James. “What time did they return?”
“I’m not sure. Probably about eight or eight-thirty. They were supposed to return before school started.”
The chief nodded and then spoke into the phone again. “Try from seven-thirty until noon. See if there was anything about a car parked on the wrong side of Higgins between Sixty-third and Sixty-fifth. Let me know what you find. Thanks.” He set the phone back in the cradle.
“Let’s give her a few minutes to check the incident reports. Can I offer you a cup of coffee while we wait?”
“Thanks, Jeff; coffee would be great,” said James. “We’ve been up all night.”
The chief swiveled his chair and poured four cups of coffee from the pot on his credenza. “I learned when I took this job to have my own coffee in here. Nobody around here knows how to make good coffee, it seems.”
Stranded at Romson's Lodge Page 3