Jace’s Jewel

by Dale Mayer

  “He was great. He was knowledgeable and very fair,” Peter said.

  “If Ken hadn’t died last year, we would still have him as a manager because he was also great. We were lucky to have had such competent and skilled men here,” Amber said, teary-eyed still.

  Jace nodded. “A lot of qualities go into making a leader. And, in this kind of work, you have to handle almost anything.”

  “In situations like this, we get everything thrown at us. We don’t know if we’ll chop down trees or if we need longer ropes,” Peter said. “We’re forever coming up with new scenarios to plan for.”

  Peter turned to Troy. “You had to get the truck from the parking lot, for the longer ropes, right?”

  Troy nodded.

  “The two trucks we had parked nearest the river had winches and lines, but they weren’t long enough. Troy was moving the bigger unit over while all we could do was watch as the bank flooded away. There was barely any place for us to stand, short of hanging onto the rope ourselves. And that is a recipe for disaster. You can hang onto a man’s weight easy enough on solid ground when the weather cooperates, but, once your feet start to slide or the man is pulled in by the current, then you’re pulled in too.”

  “Were Ronnie and Howard on the same line?” Logan asked.

  “No. That’s not how we operate if we can avoid it. In that instance, they went out on separate lines.”

  “There was some slack. When the trapped man was free of his truck, Ronnie hooked him onto his line, and we started to bring him in. I presumed Ronnie was secured to something else … or someone else at that point,” Amber said.

  Amy nodded. “Ronnie and Howard were working on the truck with a single male inside. I was working on getting the woman and the man out of the fourth vehicle in the river, and they had their dog too.”

  Jace listened, getting a good feel for what happened and when the call went out. He understood they could only recall so much because the action happened quickly.

  “At one point I looked around, and there appeared to be dozens of bystanders—media, police, and citizen volunteers,” Peter said. “It was chaos.”

  “Who was the last person to be rescued?”

  “That was the man from the vehicle Ronnie was working on,” Amber said.

  “And that’ll be the man’s head you were trying to identify in the video,” Troy said, pointing to the still shot on the wall before them.

  “What was holding Ronnie and Howard together? Or was the rescued man hooked to a new line?”

  “All three men should have had separate lines, but, if there was a problem, they could have hooked together or onto something else temporarily. The rope holding Ronnie was tattered when we pulled it in from the river. Like it had been cut by a sharp piece of metal from the vehicle. We assumed that’s how they ended up downriver. Alternatively they could have been swept away while they tried to change their security line.”

  “The rescued man was on his own line. I was there, holding him up. You guys pulled both of us out,” Troy said in triumph, as if happy he could finally remember.

  Amy in relief said, “That’s right. We dragged both of you out of that river, didn’t we?”

  “Damn good thing you did. That current was battering us against the vehicles hard.”

  “Okay, so now we have Ronnie and his cousin working at the vehicle. Who had their lines?”

  Peter said, “I did.”

  Everybody turned to look at him.

  “You had both lines?” Jace asked.

  Peter shook his head. “I had Ronnie’s. From the beginning we had his line secured to one of the trucks. When Howard went in, we secured him to the same truck too, but I was watching the lines, making sure they were free of debris and that I could yank them in fast. And to send messages.”

  At Jace’s questioning look, Peter explained further. “When men are caught up in something like that, the line is too far out to communicate with words, especially over the roar of the river current and the additional noise of the rainstorm. We use the ropes and pull on them in order to get their attention.”

  Both Logan and Jace nodded. Jace said, “We’ve both had similar situations in the military.”

  Peter nodded with relief. “We’re supposed to use all kinds of hand signals, but honestly it’s damn hard to do at times like that. With the switch in the trucks, we hooked up Ronnie’s and Howard’s lines to the new truck, and I moved down to help carry the kids to the ambulances waiting off to the side. But the weather was deadly. And we’ve done this many times, so there wasn’t any reason to think something had gone wrong. At least not right away.”

  “That’s another good point,” Logan said. “You said the storm was raging?”

  “The rain was coming down heavily.” Peter pointed to the video. “That looks gray, but, in truth, it was streaming water. Sometimes we could see, and sometimes there was no clarity at all.”

  Logan pulled his cell phone free of the USB connector to the camera that played the media video. “That makes sense.” He could feel the almost palpable release of tension in the room when he turned back to the others. “If you think of anything else”—he pulled out their cards and handed them out—“please call us and let us know.” When he came to Troy, he asked, “How many are in the unit now?”

  “There were fourteen. Now we’re down to ten. We’ve got fourteen new trainees up and coming.”

  “And how many of those new trainees were at that rescue?” Logan asked.

  Troy shook his head. “None. I don’t think they were called in. That would have been Ronnie and Howard’s decision.”

  “So, of those at the river that day, how many do I still have to speak to?”

  Everyone looked at each other.

  “I guess three. John, Bill, and Frank.”

  “We need their contact information. We must interview them, same as anybody else in here.”

  He stared at Troy for a long moment, then glanced around at the others.

  Amy said, “Give them the list, Troy. Let’s make sure we do right by the men we lost. As they would’ve done right by us.”

  Troy waited a moment, gave a clipped nod, and turned to walk into the office.

  Amy snorted. “We could sure use Ronnie as our leader now. We’re all lost without him.”

  “In normal circumstances, if you had lost only one man, who would’ve been the next leader and manager of this unit?” Logan asked.

  The response was instant. “Howard would’ve been the next in line as manager. No way would anybody else have been.”

  “They were both that good?”

  Everyone nodded.

  “They were damn great,” Peter said.

  The others nodded once again.

  “Now that Ronnie and Howard are gone, who’s next in line?” Jace asked.

  “John,” multiple people said in unison.

  “How does management change here?” Logan asked.

  The volunteers all looked at each other and shrugged. “Unfortunately here lately it’s been through death.”

  Jace winced. “That’s a hard way to get promoted.”

  “It sure is.”

  Then Troy returned with a piece of paper. He held it out and said, “Here is the information on the three men.” He’d marked them with an asterisk. “Bill and Frank are likely to be at the center any time. John, well, I don’t know what’s happening with him.”

  Jace smiled. “I appreciate that, thank you. Remember, everyone. If you find or think of anything important, give us a shout. Other than that, thank you very much. You’ve been very helpful.”

  He turned and walked away. He knew the volunteers were of the opinion that the two men had died in a freak accident. It was terrible, but there was nothing anyone could do. But Jace also knew that the volunteers hadn’t seen what he and Logan had seen. Of course the other video had been a hands-only shot of the third guy. He hadn’t seen it at first either on the second video as the angle was confusing. Only
a corner was showing, but the third man had a helmet on, and that meant he was one of the rescuers. And that brought them to another discussion. He turned and looked back. Everyone was standing around, talking. He knew he’d upset them by asking questions.

  Jace called out, “Excuse me.” He took several steps toward them. Weariness settled on their faces again. “What happened to the equipment the men wore when they were pulled out of the river?”

  Troy frowned. “I brought the safety harnesses back in the truck. The ropes were cut at the end, so I had to recut and rebind the end so we could reuse them.”

  “Okay, that makes sense.” Jace again glanced one more time at every face, gauging their reactions. “And their helmets? Did you get those back too?”

  Troy frowned and looked at the others. They all looked at each other and shrugged. He shook his head. “No. I didn’t get either of those back,” he said. “Maybe the police still have them. Maybe the river ate them. For all I know, maybe the family kept them as a memento of a fallen soldier.”

  “I like that.” Jace lifted a hand in goodbye and walked away.

  Logan looked at him when he reached the truck. “What was that all about?”

  “I might have a very good idea of how those men died and by whose hand. What I don’t know is why. And I can’t prove any of it,” he said simply.

  Logan whistled. “If you think you know that much, you’re way ahead of the game.” He opened the driver’s door and hopped in.

  Jace walked around to the far side and got in the passenger seat. As he was about to resume their conversation, Logan’s phone rang.

  He pulled it out and took a look at the ID. “What’s up, Ice?” He paused only a moment. “We’re heading to the hotel right now. We’ve finished interviewing all but the last three volunteers and watching the two videos from one of the media outlets.” He listened again. “Why?”

  Logan listened while Jace watched. He couldn’t hear the other end of the conversation, but Logan checked his watch.

  “We still need several hours here, possibly a day or so. How many men do you need on this job?” He glanced at Jace. “One of us can return while the other stays, but we only have one set of wheels.”

  Jace’s eyebrows rose.

  “Sure, we can do that. I don’t think Jace would mind staying an extra night.”

  Inside Jace smiled. If he was staying an extra night, he hoped to ask out a certain lady for dinner.

  When Logan hung up the phone, he faced Jace. “Another job has come in. It’s a top priority. Stone and Merk, likely Rhodes, are going too.”

  “Where and when?”

  “I have to head to Houston. Ice will call us back when she has a flight booked for me.” Logan turned on the engine and started to drive away. “Are you okay staying in Austin alone?”

  Jace nodded. “I am.”

  Logan grinned. “You’re probably delighted because I highly doubt you’ll be alone tonight.”

  Jace smiled. “Oh, as much as I’d like to think that I could work that fast, I don’t think it’ll happen. However, dinner is certainly possible.”

  “Remember that Levi expects the job to get done too.”

  Jace nodded. “I don’t have a problem with that.”

  Logan’s phone rang again before he got a chance to pull out to the main road. Grabbing the GPS, Jace punched in the address for the small airfield as Logan repeated it to him, so they could get there as fast as possible. Luckily they appeared to be nearby.

  As Logan tossed the phone down beside him, he said, “Typical Ice. When things need to happen, she makes them happen now.”

  “We’ll be at the airport in fifteen minutes.”

  “I need to make it in ten as that damn flight will leave in twenty.”

  The drive passed in a blur. Neither man spoke as Logan wove through the traffic. Thankfully rush hour was long gone, but the day was turning to dusk, making it hard to see. The GPS cranked out instructions, which he followed.

  They raced into the parking lot, and Ice called again. Logan grabbed his phone. “We just arrived.” He slammed the truck door, tossed the keys to Jace. “I’m gone. See if you can lock down this investigation before I get back.” He gave Jace a big grin and a wave, and then he bolted.

  Jace hopped from the truck and walked around to the driver’s side. He watched as Logan jogged across the tarmac to a small plane off to the side. The propellers were already turning. Somebody stood at the top of the stairs to lead him in. Logan yelled and waved. Jace snorted as he watched Logan disappear inside the plane. The stairs were lifted, and within seconds the plane took off.

  He had to admit Logan was right. When Ice wanted something done, dammit, she got it done.

  With the keys in hand he sat inside the truck, pulled out his phone, and dialed Emily’s number. When she answered, he said, “Logan had to leave. I’m staying in Austin for the night, maybe two, depending on how quickly I get this wrapped up. I’d like to take you out to dinner. If you’re interested.”

  Chapter 9

  Emily stepped from her car, her phone to her ear. “I just got home. I went out to the cemetery in an effort to find some peace for the two men I’ve lost.”

  “In that case, how about a bottle of red wine and some Italian food?” Jace asked.

  She chuckled. “You mean, because Curry House was one choice, so we have to have the other?”

  “I’m good with pizza on a riverbank somewhere with a bottle of wine. But I’m not sure I want to be anywhere that reminds me of the case. It might be nice to take a few minutes away from reality.”

  “Well, if you bring the wine, I could make dinner.”

  “Done,” he said instantly. “I hate being in a hotel room by myself.”

  She laughed. “I need a little time to shower and start something for dinner.”

  “Tell me when you want me there.”

  She smiled at the gentleness in his voice. “It’s almost like you prefer this over a restaurant,” she teased.

  “I do. Home-cooked food? I’d take that any day.”

  She laughed. “What if I’m a terrible cook?”

  “I doubt it, but that would be okay too because you’re a beautiful woman, so, if I get to sit across the table and just smile at you, I’m fine.”

  At that she laughed out loud. “None of that flattery, please. If you pick up a bottle of wine, I’ll see you at my place in, say, forty minutes?”

  “You got it.”

  She hung up, a silly grin on her face. She walked through the underground parking lot and took the elevator to the fourth floor. Inside her apartment, she had a shower and got changed.

  Her mind buzzed about what she could possibly cook. He’d been planning to take her out for Italian, and she had passed. The question was, what did she have to cook? In the fridge she found spinach, pesto that was a couple days old, and some chicken. She put on a pot of water for the pasta and started the sauce. She cut the chicken into small pieces. When the pasta was almost done, the chicken was sautéing in a creamy pesto sauce.

  He still hadn’t arrived, so she got to work on a salad. As she cleaned up, her doorbell rang. She turned the heat down on the sauce and realized the pasta needed another moment. She headed to the front door, calling out, “Coming.”

  She opened the door and smiled when he handed her pink roses. “Oh, wow. These are beautiful,” she said with a bright smile. “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you the last time anybody brought me flowers.”

  “Good. I was afraid every man did this for you.”

  She snorted. “Some have, but the best customs have gone by the wayside.” She smiled back at him, adding, “Bringing fresh flowers will never get old for me. Come on in, and make yourself at home. Dinner is almost ready.”

  He took off his jacket and draped it on the back of a chair. She brought out a vase, trimmed the stems of the roses, and put them in, adding water, spreading them out slightly.

  “It smells delicious,” he commented. �
��And I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d prefer a home-cooked meal over a restaurant any day.”

  “I like restaurants just fine. They give me a break from cooking. I live alone, so it’s nice to have somebody to cook for. Cooking for yourself isn’t the same.”

  “Well, anytime you want to cook a meal for me, you got it.”

  “Even if I cook a meal, Houston is a little far for you to come for dinner.”

  He gave her a long, slow, smoky smile.

  She blinked, and sudden heat flared through her. “Now that smile is lethal,” she complained when she could find her voice. “Tone it down.”

  “Why? Anytime you call, offering me dinner, I’ll make the drive,” he said seriously.

  She gave him a startled look, saw the truth in his gaze, and blushed. “Well, that’s nice to hear. But, if you come that far, you should stay for a couple days.”

  That smile dawned again.

  She shook her head. And took a deep breath. “Wow.”

  “A couple days, like a weekend?”

  And instantly she saw how this could possibly work. “I don’t know that long-distance relationships turn out very well.”

  “I travel a lot anyway,” he said. “Not everybody is happy with that.”

  “It wouldn’t scare me off. I often work late. And, if I don’t have something else to do, I have a tendency to work on weekends too.”

  “Well, having company would stop that.”

  “True enough. You live at the compound, don’t you?”

  He nodded. “It’s a beautiful place, as you saw when you were there. Besides, if I came here for a weekend, no reason you can’t visit me the next weekend.”

  “How about we step back a little and see how our evening goes?” she said drily. “I’m not exactly ready to jump into weekends at each other’s places.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll hold out hope for when you say yes.”

  She rolled her eyes at him and quickly served his plate.

  He stood with a bottle of wine in his hand. “Do you have a corkscrew?”