Janice was on the front porch pacing back and forth. Her arms were crossed as if hugging an unknown thing. He caught her off guard saying, “Hey Pine Queen, you miss me?”
“Are you okay Kemosabe? If I’d heard the third shot, I’d be worried but it looks like we are all going to be fine,” as she ran down the steps to give him a big hug.
“How’s Bloom,” he asked while holding on tight. Even now, he thought, she smelled like a pine forest. He buried his face in her hair and took a big sniff then letting the air out with a sigh.
“His was shot in the leg just below the knee. It looks bad. The ambulance is meeting a med-vac helicopter near his campground. A doctor is there and will determine whether or not he needs a special hospital. I’d guess he will need some real magic to make his leg like it was originally.”
They both went inside to warm up. The snow had stopped and the sun was coming out. Janice told him Johnny was out looking for sign and the rest of the law enforcement people, after finding out they were US Marshals and to offer what assistance they asked for, left for other duties.
David saw the glass on the floor by the window. He looked at Janice, cocked his head, then he heard her say, “After you left and Bloom yelled he was still alive, I crawled over to the window to peek out. I guess I got lucky cause I’m still here. I think there were two shooters instead on just one.”
“Yes, no doubt about it. This really pisses me off that they got off two shots and they are running around free as a bird. And worse yet, one of us wounded and they are still alive.”
“We need to set a trap for them Kemosabe.” Both their heads turned as Johnny came through the back door. He had a stern angry look on his face. Janice thought he looked more embarrassed than angry, but then who can read an Indian.
Johnny told them he’d found where they’d spent the night as two down sleeping bags were found. He was fairly sure one was a woman as her footprints were much smaller that the man’s size eleven he guessed. “I’ll go back up with a garbage bag for the bags. You’ll want them for evidence I suppose. Also there were no shell casings, but that doesn’t surprise me. As all appears well here for the time being, I’m going down the mountain and find out what our people didn’t see.”
Chapter IX
There were two meeting taking place at the same time in different states. One was in Chicago, Illinois with Dr. Jones, Jake and Alex, with Carol taking notes. The other one was in Houston, Texas again with the five principals of Allied Power around the conference table.
In Chicago Dr. Jones began the discussion. “Well men, what do have to say after reading and hearing the full report from Montana? You first Alex because you are the youngest,” he said with a grin.
“Okay, you win. First let me bring you up to date on Bloom. The doctors say he’s out of commission for a long while. It appears they will splice the leg bone together with a steel part. They say a year or more to heal properly. What’s my take on the assassination attempt? We’re probably lucky nobody was killed. I’m not sure anyone can cover all possibilities of intended murder. We put this behind us and plan for the future. I’d say we set them up. Make those bastards come to us instead of them to us.”
“That’s what David says,” said Jake. “With the failed attempt, Houston must be nervous as hell.”
“We need someone to replace Bloom guys. Any suggestions,” asked AJ. “Also, the desert might be a better place to lay a trap for the hit team. What do think?”
“In answer to your first question AJ, about whom to replace Bloom. What about this Johnny guy? He has military experience in Afghanistan. He attended Montana State for three years until he dropped out. He’s single but raises German shepherds. The question is a resounding yes, the desert is the better place than the mountains.
“Carol would you send an email to David and Janice telling them what we discussed please,” said Dr Jones.
*~~~~*
In Houston, Texas. “That’s two, and please forgive my language, my wife would kill me if she heard me say, fuck ups gentlemen. In any game three strikes and you’re out. We’re not here today to discuss what went wrong, but how to keep this billion dollar company afloat. I don’t have to tell you we have commitments to Bonneville Power that will depend on our windmills in Montana and Arizona to meet our signed contracts. We fail to produce; we are down the slippery tube gentlemen.”
“I agree completely,” said the second man. “but what do we do now that national news has the story of an assassination attempt on three US Marshalls in Montana that is widely being speculated is connected to Allied Power?”
All eyes turned towards number one. He’d been sitting with his hands intertwined over his ample stomach listening intensely. He knew full well it would come down to him making some suggestion or a direction to follow. He took a deep breath and said, “They know we are beginning talks with the Navaho and Hopi tribes. Those Indian lover Marshalls are sure to follow it down to Arizona. I suggest we watch those Marshalls and when the opportunity arises, somewhere out in the lonely desert, accidents do happen. I’m assured,” as he looked at the black man, “our two new employees are as good as they come. Let’s see how it develops. I want regular reports. BPA has asked me to come to Portland and give them a fresh forecast of power production for next year.”
*~~~~*
Three people sat around the wood stove in the log cabin with hangdogs look on their faces. Janice said, “I sure hope Bloom is going to come out of this as good as new. Every time I look at the door I see his big smile and like this morning, when he brought in that new toaster, he was like a big kid at Christmas.”
David said, “Johnny, we need your help again. I know you think you let us down, but that is simply not the case. We’ve been ordered down to Arizona to make sure all agreements are above board with the wind company and the Navaho, Hopi tribes. We’d like to hire your services for awhile. We know you have dogs to raise, but our boss says they would be happy to pay for their care for the duration.”
Johnny said, “I’ll let you know in the morning, if that’s alright with you. I’m still kicking my butt having not thought of them parachuting in. We had people at the airports, but not sure what happened. When I was in Afghanistan I met a Navaho guy on patrol. We spent a week together. We both left the military at the same time. He did send me an email saying to visit him someday. He’s now with the tribal police.”
“I think I can speak for Janice when I say we would sure hope you will come with us. You can have Blooms motor home and of course bring BT with you.”
“Yes, we want you to come,” said Janice. She saw him blush and sit up a bit straighter. He stood up, looked at both and said good night.
David couldn’t believe it when he woke up the next morning as it was after seven am. Janice side of the bed was empty. He faintly heard someone in the kitchen talking. He wasn't curious enough to jump out of a warm bed to see or hear what was being said. Yesterday's exercise produced some tired muscles that went from his heel to his neck. A hot shower will cure that he thought.
Opening the bathroom door the heat hit him and a smile broke out on his face. Next he found a full tank of hot water so he stayed until it ran out. The only thing lacking was her smooth soft voice and her hands doing special things to his body. He was thinking about that as he shaved with cold water not really caring, but trying to hurry to see his Pine Queen.
David found Janice and Johnny at the small kitchen table drinking coffee. He gave her a kiss on the top of the head, smelling the fresh scent of pine. He found a mug and poured some barely drinkable coffee into it. He thought, after we get to Arizona we will have good coffee and homemade strawberry jam, he vowed.
Janice said excitedly, "Johnny will go with us Kemosabe."
"Now that's the best news I've heard all day," he replied with a big smile and a raise of the mug towards Johnny. "Seriously, are you sure you can up and take off Johnny?"
"Yeah, no problem David. My two close cousins will tak
e care of the dogs. There is the upside of being an Indian and that's because we have such an extended family there's always someone around who can take over if called upon. Besides my Navaho friend told me there's a Hopi medicine man I should see before he takes an extended rest. I have one request, if I may be so bold, I've a girlfriend and do you think I could take her with us?"
"Of course you can. I'm sure Janice would like some female company once in awhile. Now, if I might ask, so we don't make any mistakes intruding into your culture, is there anything special we should know about your lady friend," David asked.
To Janice Johnny looked bewildered and a bit embarrassed. Janice wanted to tell him that yes, it was a pointed question, but if they were going to be together 24/7 then it was a logical question to answer. And apparently Johnny came to the same conclusion.
He said, "Kay Floats on Air, is my age, thirty one. She is a college grad from Montana State with an MBA degree. She has her own business using the computer. I guess mostly she advises small business people who get in trouble one way or another. She wants to go with me. We plan on getting married in a year or so after I finish my on-line degree. Kay received her name from Old Eddie after he saw her walking across his meadow during one spring day when we went up to visit him. He told me that it looked like she was floating across the top of the grass. That night we held a naming ceremony for her."
"Why that's beautiful and simply romantic Johnny. I can't wait to meet her," Janice said.
David said, “I’m starving. We still have lots of bacon left over and eggs. How about we raise our cholesterol level a little. While I’m cooking Johnny, maybe you could tell us about where we are going. I know very little about Arizona. What I do know is that its high desert we are going to. Could you compare Arizona with Afghanistan?”
“Afghistan has more mountains that are sharper. Both are open and visibility is good. Unlike the Rockies, which are forested and very high, the desert mountains are kind of deceiving. Also the depth perception is even more of a deception. What looks a short ways off is miles away. The nights are cold and the days are warm this time of year.”
“David,” Janice asked, “where will stay when we get there?”
Bacon frying, smoke filling the room, he said, “Pine queen, that’s a really good question.”
Janice said, “I think, Kemosabe, you need to turn the heat down before you cremate the bacon.”
Johnny laughed for the first time that either Janice or David heard. It was a pleasant laugh and with the laugh came the ice breaking between two cultures.
Chapter X
While the bacon burned in Montana, Alex was cooking ham and cheese omelets for both Jake and AJ, and of course Carol. The talk around the kitchen was about Allied in general and the hired killers specifically.
Jake was saying, “How do we protect our people in Arizona? At this point the Justice Department says Allied has not committed any crime or crimes that are provable. If we could link Allied with the contract killers, then we could open the door to inspect everything about Allied and its directors. What we really need is an arrow to the heart to kill the beast.”
“That guy Hyster that works for them must have a lot of information that we could use. Maybe we could turn him and make him our agent on location,” AJ said.
Alex slid two omelets onto two plates and said, “Maybe it’s about time to have David twist his arm?”
Jake cut into his omelet and said, while he watched it steam and cool off, “Damn fine idea Alex. They could take him out into the desert and offer him a deal that would be hard to turn down.”
AJ spread some strawberry jam liberally on his toast and said, “The background info Carol gave me suggests he’s in hock up to his ears. Also he is married with two kids in college. And, if you get my meaning, he likes girls. What was the techs name that came with Carol to look at Dr. Zees security camera? He would be perfect for a short movie of Hyster heisting someone’s skirt.”
Carol came in and sat at the end of the counter. She said, “Sorry I’m late. I was talking to Vince Strom the tech guy who did the video search of Dr. Zee’s system.”
“Well now, if that’s not fortuitous, I don’t know what is,” said Alex.
“Carol,” said AJ would you call back Vince Strom and ask him to lunch today, if he’s available?”
“Oh, he’s available Dr Jones. He and I were to have lunch today together. He’ll be here at noon to see me.”
*~~~~*
“David I hate leaving that cabin with such a mess we made. I didn’t even clean up the broken glass. Sue will think we are slobs. I hope she will forgive us.”
“No worry Pine Queen,” as they drove down the mountain in their new SUV, “I left five one hundred dollar bills under your pillow.”
“My, aren’t you the clever one. We must think alike as I left the same amount under your pillow Kemosabe.”
Both just smiled and continued on their way to Arizona. It would be a week or so before Johnny and Kay met them in Flagstaff. Even though someone was trying to kill them, Janice thought that traveling to Arizona would and should be enjoyable for the newly weds.
*~~~~*
What weren’t so enjoyable were the two contract killers sitting in a motel lamenting the fact they failed miserably. Dennis had just closed his cell from Huston. He said to Ann, “We get another chance. We’re going to Arizona. Our target will be in Flagstaff and then over to Navaho land. I’m told to take our time and get it right. I’m also told to take them out in the desert and not a populated place. Damn, I hate to use the word, if, but if that damn dog hadn’t been there we could have wrapped the job up and been back to life on the Black Sea.
Ann said, “I saw the bitch in the window, but I pulled the trigger a fraction too early. I’d say they were damn lucky. You take care of that guy and I want to kick this cunts ass. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get it on and don’t forget to apply a little pain.”
Chapter XI
David and Janice took an extra couple of days and toured the Grand Canyon area. Both were amazed at the size of the geological phenomena. At one sightseeing spot, Janice felt the vertigo pulling her down in the chasm. She stuck her arm out and David held on tight realizing it was time to go.
In Flagstaff the historic Hotel Monte Vista was, presumably warm and comfortable. It was built in 1927 and throughout the years had many important guests. Many western movies were filmed in and around the area, consequently, for the luxury and downtown Flagstaff location, it became the hotel of choice.
David and Janice took a corner suite of pure heaven: warm carpeted floors, nice spacious rooms with tables and chairs made out of heavy oak, instead of spindly cheap hardwood of the usual motel furniture. Janice felt at home here.
Neither one felt they were in any danger. David thought the next time would be out in the remote desert somewhere. However this time he would choose the location and hope the shooters fell into the trap.
Janice lay on the bed while David looked out the window at the goings on the street. He said, “I’m not sure I like it here as our nemesis might take a shot at us. I was thinking maybe there’s an isolated place outside of town where we can feel safer. What do you think?”
“Let’s check it out, but first I need a shower and some loving before dinner. You know this place doesn’t have a restaurant. We’ll have to go out. Yes, let’s find someplace quieter. I really like it when BT is outside watching for the bad guys.”
*~~~~*
In a motel, not so far away, Clyde Hyster sat nursing a highball in the motel’s bar. He sat at a small round table behind the bar stools. He arrived earlier that afternoon completely worn out physically and mentally. Physically because he was so far out of shape and he had to lug his own bags to his room and mentally ragged out because of his boss reaming him a new, you know what. He gave a quiet thanks to the drinking gods for saving his job. His boss said, while shaking a finger in hi s face, “You screw up one more time and they’ll
never find your body in the desert. Do you hear me?” Those and other less than complementary words echoed in his head as he lit a cancer stick. Jesus, he thought, I really must shape up. I’ll finish this drink and go to bed early. It’s time to turn over a new leaf. He’d just finished draining his glass when she walked in. The glass was still at his lips when she sat down at the bar. He slowly lowered the glass and stared at her reflection in the mirror from behind her. Then he looked at her backside as it rested lightly on the bar stool. If God had made a perfect butt, he was now looking at it.
The bartender came around the bar to ask him if he wanted a refill, he nodded a yes and sat back to admire the scenery. He noted she was dressed rather simply with a brown skirt and a snow white sweater. In the dim light it was hard to tell but it appeared she had blonde hair that was thick and shinny. It hung down to her shoulders and when he looked in the back mirror, he saw short bangs and red lipstick.
Hyster was about to throw caution to the wind and turn over that new leaf tomorrow when he remembered he really needed to do his job. However, after the drink arrived, he stood up and saw his reflection in the back mirror. Those that knew him would tell you he was not a bad looking guy, but was indeed vain when it came to women. His wife realized a long time ago he was unfaithful, but he made good money.
Hyster was never one to pass up a chance to get lucky. He tugged at his kaki pants, sucked in his slightly protruding stomach and moved to the empty stool to her right. After sitting down, he looked at her in the back mirror, put on his most charming smile and said, “My name is Clyde. I know it’s a common line, but may I buy you a drink? I’d like someone to talk to, but if you’d rather be alone, I’ll move off.”
Rocky Trail Page 6