This wasn’t how I intended our conversation to go. I had pictured that I would be unyielding and strong when I confronted him, not a blubbering, tearful mess.
“I know you have questions,” Pops continued, rhythmically patting my arm. “You have to understand that I didn’t have a choice. If there was any other way I would have taken it.”
Something shifted internally. I sniffed, wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, and reached for the box of tissues on his bedside table. I pulled my hand away from his and blew my nose. “Gam says we always have a choice.”
Pops chuckled. It must have hurt, because he swallowed and blinked. “There’s my spunky girl.”
“I’m not a girl anymore. I’ve had to grow up a lot since you’ve been gone.” I firmed my gaze. For the first time in my life I met my father as an adult.
His eyes were glassy. “I see that, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
“You’re going to have to do better than that.” I knew that the nurse had warned me about his stamina, but there was no turning back now. He owed me an explanation.
“Yes.” He cleared his throat and winced. I got the sense that despite his pain he was equally determined. Reaching for the remote he positioned the bed higher and took a sip of water from a straw. “Let me start from the beginning.”
I folded my arms across my chest.
“It wasn’t long into my research of the Meth Madness piece that I realized the depth of the cover-up. I almost ditched the story. Never had I considered that in my career, but I did for you and your mother.” He paused and forced another sip of water down. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve regretted that decision. If I had stopped after that first story ran we wouldn’t be here now, but I couldn’t let it go. There were too many lives at stake. I’ve wrestled with that choice. The greater good versus our family. I knew the risks I was taking, and I did it anyway.”
An alarm sounded on one of the machines he was connected to. I glanced at the heart monitor, which showed a steady, pulsing heart rate. “It’s nothing,” Pops said, clicking a button on his IV. “I suspected Congressman Riley’s involvement pretty early on, but Sheriff Daniels threw me for a loop.”
“Did you know that Gam dated him briefly?”
Pops nodded. “He has a stellar poker face. In all my years in the field I’ve learned to read my sources well, but I was fooled by him too. I thought he was an ally, but once I realized my mistake it was too late. He knew that I was onto him and he was going to kill me. I had to beat him to the punch.”
“How did you figure it out?”
“The DEA came calling after the O let me go. They had been following my work and knew that I already had contacts and sources in the field. They had been watching Sheriff Daniels for some time but didn’t have any hard evidence linking him to drug trade. At that point there was nothing tying him to Riley either. All they had was an unreliable source—a street kid with a meth addiction who dabbled in dealing. He identified Daniels as one of his suppliers.”
“PDJ,” I inserted, flashing back to discovering Pops’ note about meeting one of his sources.
He smiled. “That’s my smart, Maggie. Yes. PDJ. We were so close. The DEA asked me to convince him to testify. He was a good kid. He got messed up in meth, but he wanted out and he was willing to identify Daniels in court.”
“But then Sheriff Daniels killed him,” I interrupted.
Pops’ shoulders sagged. “We were so close,” he repeated. “One more day and I would have had him in protective custody.”
“You can’t blame yourself. You didn’t know.”
He blinked back a tear. “Oh, we knew. It was a calculated risk. The DEA had him set up a meeting with Riley and Daniels. They sent in one of their guys who’d been deep undercover. He couldn’t wear a wire because he had to maintain his cover as a dealer, and they knew it would be too dangerous if he was found out. I guess we’ll never know what happened unless one of them confesses. Maybe the kid got spooked, but the meeting went south after PDJ, as you know him—his name was Patrick—made the introduction he ran. Such a mistake. Daniels or Riley shot and killed our agent. We never should have put Patrick in that situation. He claimed that he had been clean for weeks, but who knows. The plan changed that night. The DEA masterminded my death and planned to pick up Patrick and put him in protective custody.”
“But they killed Patrick before the DEA got to him?”
Pops nodded.
“And this entire time you’ve been undercover working with the DEA?”
He tried to sip his water but choked and spilled it down the front of his hospital gown.
I jumped to my feet and grabbed a handful of paper towels from the sink. “Are you okay?” I dabbed his chest.
He closed his eyes and breathed through his nose. I wondered if I should call for the nurse, but after a minute he opened his eyes and nodded. “I’m fine.”
“Maybe I should let you sleep. We can continue this later.” I tossed the damp paper towels in the garbage and returned to my spot at the foot of his bed. I already felt better. Hearing Pops’ side of the story made me empathetic toward why he had done what he had done and slightly unsettled by how close I’d been to a killer for the past few years.
Pops shook his head. “No, I know you must have more questions.”
“They can wait.” I hesitated. I wanted to ask him about Greg, but I could tell that his energy was fading.
He must have sensed my conflict, because he reached for my hand again. This time I gladly accepted his gesture and squeezed his hand back. “I felt terrible knowing what you and your mother would have to go through, but it was too dangerous to tell you. There’s not a day that I haven’t thought about you.”
His gentle words brought a new round of tears. I tasted salt on the back of my throat and brushed moisture from my eyes. “What about Greg. You sent him the letter, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I trusted Greg, but I didn’t want to put him in any danger. I knew that you have the heart of a reporter and would try to piece together the clues. I wanted someone looking out for you.”
“But why did this take so long? If you knew that Sheriff Daniels and Congressman Riley were involved years ago, why not arrest them then?”
Pops cleared his throat. “These things take time, Maggie. Lots of time. Months and years. The DEA had to have definitive proof, and after losing Patrick and their undercover agent they had to establish new sources in the field. You can’t just plop a new agent into the situation. You have to build trust and relationships, which takes time.”
I thought of all the time that we had missed. My college graduation. My first day at Northwest Extreme. My first byline. My first cover story. Pops has missed the beginning of my adult life. I’d been angry and bitter, but now I realized the cost and toll on him. He had given up everything he loved for the greater good. He was the man that I knew. He was the man I had held on a pedestal. He was more. He was a hero.
As he sipped another drink of water I saw his eyes start to flutter. We had covered enough for today. I watched his lids droop and his head fall into the pillow. At that moment Mother entered the room. She stopped in mid-stride when she spotted Pops asleep. I held my finger to my lips as she tiptoed in and scooted next to me.
Wrapping her arm around my shoulder she whispered, “How is he?”
“He’s good,” I whispered back. “Really good.”
The Universe works in magical ways. Yes, I had temporarily lost a father, but I had gained a deeper understanding of myself. Without his guidance and steady presence I had had to pave my own way. Sure, I’d made my fair share of mistakes, but I had grown and stretched and learned. I was ready for whatever was next. It was time for me to step out and claim my place in the world. Whether I would land in Bend or some far-off corner of the globe remained to be seen, but for the moment I was completely content in the knowledge that new and wonderful adventures lay ahead.
Please turn the page for
&nbs
p; Meg’s Adventure Tips!
Rule One—Illumination. Let there be light! Gam believes in the power of illumination when it comes to her work in healing. Illumination has a practical purpose as well. Before embarking on any underground adventure, especially in lava tubes like the ones that Meg explored, it’s critical to have proper lighting. Experts recommend bringing a minimum of two sources of light when venturing into any cave system. Flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps are all appropriate options, but don’t rely on your smartphone like Meg. Battery-powered lights are required in many cave systems due to their delicate environments that can be thrown out of balance with the use of kerosene or gas. Make sure that your light source is reliable for at least an hour and pack extra batteries just in case. You don’t want to be left in the dark while deep underground.
Rule Two—Layer Up. Even during the blazing days of summer, the temperature below the surface quickly plummets as you descend into the cave. When preparing for a caving adventure it’s best to dress in layers. Long pants, a T-shirt, sweatshirt or jacket, and hiking boots are best. There may be sections of the cave that are accessible only by crawling, so be sure to wear sturdy long pants to protect your legs and knees. If you’re like Meg and tend to run cold, consider tucking a pair of gloves and a hat into your backpack. The Lava River Cave is a steady forty-two degrees (as are most underground caverns), and after an hour or more of exploring the frigid environment your extremities will thank you for keeping them toasty. Hand and toe warmers can be placed in your boots or coat pockets. Just be prepared for a major temperature adjustment as you reemerge from the abyss. At the height of the summer, temperatures can swing from the low forties underground to one hundred degrees or higher once you return to the surface. Layering will allow you to peel off your jacket and sweatshirt as you climb back out into the sun.
Rule Three—Get Out the Map. Some caves (like the Lava River Cave) are closed systems, meaning that you travel out and back in one long chute. Other caving systems have networks of off-chutes and trails that lead in many directions. Before traversing any new cave be sure to bring along a map. Even in a closed system a map is a good guide to let you know how far you’ve traveled, any landmarks along the route, and how long it will take you to get back. This can be extremely helpful when exploring with younger children or adventurers who may not have the stamina to make it the entire way. If you’re looking for a more heart-thumping experience, consider signing up for a guided caving tour. Experienced guides who know every twist and turn of the caving system will lead you through a variety of tunnels and vast caverns. Some tours offer repelling and even scuba diving excursions. Leave the navigating to the experts as you slither through tiny crevasses and test your reaction to narrow enclosed tunnels and tiny passageways. For the record, Meg is a solid no when it comes to claustrophobic tubes and tight spaces.
Meg’s In Cave Danger Scenic Tour
Go deep underground with Meg as she explores Oregon’s high desert country and finally uncovers what happened to Pops.
Stop One—Lava River Cave, Bend, Oregon
The Lava River Cave in Bend, Oregon, is the perfect introduction to caving. If this is your first time venturing underground this mile-long lava tube is for you. Unlike in Meg’s fictional adventure it’s impossible to get lost in the caverness tunnel. There are no off-chutes or tight, narrow passageways. It’s a straight shot from the cave’s entrance to its end. You’ll need proper lighting and warm clothes, but otherwise the ancient lava flow is quite accessible after navigating its initial stairs. After descending along the stairwell you’ll traverse across boardwalks, rocks, and eventually the cave’s sandy floor. Points of interest include the Echo Chamber, a massive archway where you can stop and listen to your voice reverberating off the walls; the Two Tube Tunnel, where you can view the cave’s upper channel briefly; and the Sand Garden, a fenced-off section of carved and spired sand. Reaching the cave’s end requires crawling through the sand on your hands and knees. The awe-inspiring experience takes about ninety minutes to two hours. The U.S. Forest Service manages the cave, which is open from May 1 through September 30. Day passes or forest passes are required, and lanterns are available for rent.
Stop Two—Old Mill District, Bend, Oregon
Bend’s Old Mill District is a thriving shopping, entertainment, and dining center in the heart of the city. The centerpiece of the area is the historic mill stacks that were carefully preserved and pay homage to the city’s logging roots. The Deschutes River runs adjacent to the shopping district, offering visitors a front-row view of stand-up paddleboarders, kayakers, and rafters bobbing along the calm, flowing section of the river in boats and inflatable rafts and on colorful boards. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider floating the river yourself, or simply grab a coffee and stroll along the river trail. If you have time to spare, pick up lunch to-go at one of the Old Mill District’s many restaurants and wander over to the sweeping riverfront grassy area for a picnic. The Mill District hosts a plethora of events throughout the year from carriage rides and Santa land in the winter months to beer walks and a constant rotation summer concerts under the stars at the Les Schwab Amphitheater.
Stop Three—Crux Fermentation Project, Bend, Oregon
Meg and Matt meet at Crux Fermentation Project for a noontime pint and a hearty lunch. The tasting room is slightly off the beaten path—you’ll have to follow signs that read NO OUTLET and PRIVATE ROAD through an industrial section of Bend, but once you arrive at Crux you’ll never want to leave. With more than twenty original microbrews on a tap; a Northwest-inspired menu of salads, cured meats, and artisan cheeses; plus outdoor food carts, you’re sure to find something to please any palate. During the summer find a seat outside and take in the stunning view of the Cascade Mountains, challenge your pals to a game of corn hole, or get a behind-the-scenes look into the brewing process with a brewery tour. Meg sampled one of Crux’s experimental IPAs—the French Connection, a hoppy imperial beer with a tropical finish. Ask them about their seasonal specials and score a deal during their version of happy hour—known as Sundowner Hour—with discounted drinks and eats from a half hour before sunset until a half hour after the sun sinks on the horizon.
Stop Four—Lava Lands Visitor Center
Any trip to Central Oregon requires at stop at the Lava Lands Visitor Center. You’ll feel as if you’re stepping back in time or onto another planet as you enter the otherworldly Lava Lands. Once used to train astronauts destined for the moon, the barren landscape provides a close-up look into the Pacific Northwest’s volatile geological past. Start your visit at the interpretive center, where you’ll find interactive exhibits, videos, a 3D topographical map of the region, and a gift shop. By the time you leave you’ll feel like a volcanologist and be ready to explore the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, which encompasses more than 56,000 acres of ancient lava flows. The visitor center is operated and maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. From May through September the center runs shuttles to the summit of Lava Butte. It’s a great way to see the butte without having to drive yourself or hoof it like Meg. Day passes are required. Be sure to check the U.S. Forest Service for hours of operation as the visitor center closes from the fall through early spring. Visit http://www.fs.fed.us/formoreinformation.
Stop Five—Lava Butte
Lava Butte is a true cinder cone volcano with a nearly perfect crater on top—the kind of volcano made famous by elementary school science projects involving baking soda and vinegar eruptions. Unlike its towering neighbors in the Cascade Mountain Range, Lava Butte sits at just over five thousand feet. One unique aspect is that it’s accessible on foot or by car. The view from the summit offers a peek into the 150-foot crater, miles of black lava flows, and a glimpse of the snowy Cascades in the distance. There is a small parking lot and fire lookout at the top. If you opt to drive you must get a pass with a slotted time at the Visitors Center. Once you take the scenic route to the top you’ll have time to snap pictures, chat with a forest ranger
, and even walk around the circumference of the crater. There are also a variety of trails that start from the Visitors Center if you’re feeling up for a hike through the red-and-black lava fields and up the 600-foot prominence to the summit. Pick up a trail guide at the Visitors Center and take off for a quick jaunt along Trail of the Molten Lava or a longer hike along Black Rock Trail.
Cut down among the flowers . . .
Britta Johnston might be a late bloomer, but after leaving her deadbeat husband and dead-end job, she’s finally pursuing her artistic passion at her aunt Elin’s floral boutique, Blooma, in Portland, Oregon. It’s on the banks of the Willamette, in a quaint district of cobblestone paths and cherry trees.The wine bar featuring Pacific Northwest vintages is a tasty bonus, offering another kind of bouquet to enjoy. But things aren’t as peaceful as they look.
For one thing, someone’s been leaving dead roses around—and a sleazy real estate developer who wants the waterfront property has put a big-money offer on the table. Then, after a contentious meeting of local business owners, he’s found on the floor of the shop, with Elin’s garden shears planted in his chest. And before the police decide to pin the crime on her beloved aunt, Britta will have to find out who arranged this murder . . .
Please turn the page for an exciting sneak peek of
NATURAL THORN KILLER
the first book in a new mysteries series coming soon from Kate Dyer-Seeley!
In Cave Danger Page 24