Survival Family

by Stephen Brandon

  We have satellite and aerial photos of mining operations on the south side of the mountain you bought.

  Then Brenda said, he must mean the underground mansion you're building for me.

  I looked at her and said, that was supposed to be a surprise.

  Her answer was, It would have been if you'd told the boys where to dump the rock they dug out. I told them to pile it up and then you'd use it for leveling out the campgrounds and probably on the hiking trails to prevent erosion.

  Out of the corner of my eye I could see the sheriff smiling and the bureaucrat looking more and move flustered. Finally I turned and told him, I have a copy of the campground and park plans here, if you want to see them I'm sure the sheriff can get the airport bar to let us have a couple of tables to spread them out on. I've been on that damn plane for hours and need a drink.

  The bureaucrat was muttering as he left. The sheriff had his hand over his mouth, but I could tell he was busting a gut to keep from laughing.

  I commented to Brenda, we need a ride into town to a good restaurant. That airplane food wasn't worth looking at, much less eating. Sheriff, are you busy, we could use a ride.

  He looked surprised and then said, it's almost time for me to get off and I haven't eaten since breakfast.

  No problem I said, I'll buy you a steak.

  In his cruiser he told me that the federal boys were all up in arms because I bought property next to one of their pain in the ass targets. They'd been after old man Wright for decades and his lawyers just kept blocking them on every turn.

  Trying to look serious I said, if you mean Matthew, we have some of the same lawyers. Oh, and by the way, I am going to have to get the town to rebuild the bridge on the south end because I'll be getting some really heavy loads coming up that road. The town bridge is the only one below load standards on that highway. I just hope that we can do it quickly with no state or federal interference. If you could arrange a meeting with the right people I can get a crew on it within the month.

  Looking at me he said, I checked on you and now I know how you made your money. You didn't screw around, you just bulldozed your way through every obstacle. What are you going to be covering up with your campground. I really don't want to know, but I need to know if it's legal.

  It's legal I assured him.

  We pulled up in front of a small restaurant and went in. He introduced us to his daughter Deborah, the owner. Bragging he told Brenda that his daughter was the finest cook in the state. After the steaks were history I told Brenda to get her a supply of steaks from Alaska.

  The next morning I was called before the city council. They first said that the bridge was a historic landmark. I then told them that if the property on both sides of the old bridge could be purchased, I would foot the cost of building a new bridge beside it and then they could really make it a historical site with proper paperwork and use it as a tourist attraction. After all my engineer told me that the original bridge had just been strengthened and overbuilt. When my bridge passed their and state standards I would donate it to the town for two years relief of taxes. The sheriff knew my phone number and he could call me when they made a decision.

  Stopping in the hall I listened at the partially closed door as one council member ranted about me being a young upstart that wouldn't stay around more than a year.

  Then the sheriff's voice calmly told them who I was and what I was worth. I think the clincher was when he told them that old man Wright and I were friends and he'd seen the plans I had for the mountain. I was going to build a tourist attraction and that meant more money coming into the town.

  I caught the only taxi in town down to The Best Little Restaurant. I commented to the driver that within a few years he might have to expand his company because if I got what I was planning there would be quite a few tourist. Once inside Deborah recognized me and I simply asked her if Brenda had talked to her about stocking some bear, moose, and antelope steaks. When she nodded I then told her to let Brenda know when the first shipment came in because she excelled in cooking those type steaks. In the meantime I'd have to suffer with mere beef unless she had something better. With a smile she said grab a seat. Fifty minutes later I complemented her on the venison steak and had her call me the town taxi. Instead she pulled a mike from behind the cash register and said Dad, he's finished eating and needs a ride.

  Be there in 10, give him a beer or coffee, out.

  About 10 minutes later the sheriff pulled up and said hop in. On the way back to my hotel he told me that they'd approved me building the bridge provided I bought the land on the far side of the ravine and paved a road from it to hook up with the old highway. They would handle the town side because they wanted to expand the business district and reroute the highway.

  At the hotel I called Jesse and asked him if he could use his contacts to get me a heavy duty bridge built. He asked me where I was and said he'd be there in the morning. Then I called Dale and told him of my plan. He laughed and said, well ten or twenty million for a new road isn't to much. I'll send someone to inquire about property near the old bridge with instructions to buy. If you can get the city council to threaten eminent domain that will help a little, but I don't want to have to use that. I'm sure you'd rather have a happy seller, if you know what I mean. I agreed and would mention it to the sheriff.

  That evening I sketched out a six lane bridge with granite sides and a pull over park going toward the old bridge. I knew that a granite bridge would never be approved.

  The next morning I was told at breakfast that there were two rough looking guys in the hotel lobby asking for me. The waitress looked shocked when I pulled my 45 from under my jacket, checked it, and then told her to tell them I was in the breakfast room. I then moved around the table so I was facing the door. I heard her tell the cook to call the sheriff as she took her time meandering out to the lobby. I've never seen a waitress that wanted a tip move so slow. As the two guys walked through the window I saw the sheriff's cruiser and another police car pull up.

  One guy was wearing a stetson and cowboy boots, and the other guy was wearing a leather vest that showed off the tattoos on his chest and arms. After glancing around they headed straight toward my table and said quite loudly a friend of Jesse sent us. He said you needed some experts and we were the closet.

  I told the waitress to bring them breakfast.

  Both immediately said they'd eaten, but coffee would be fine. Then the one with the stetson pulled out a sheaf of papers and started unfolding one. On it was an order for them to survey and start the preparation work for a 200 ton rated bridge. Flipping the page over I asked for a pen. With his pen I quickly sketched out my idea from last night and then labeled it showing the old bridge as a reference point. Then I said, I'd love to build a stone bridge that would last as long as the pyramids, but the authorities would never approve it. A stone facing and stone pull off will have to do to meet modern architectural standards.

  Then the sheriff stepped around beside me and said, “Morning boys, I need to see some identification and know if you have any weapons on you.”

  The guy with the tattoos pulled out his wallet and handed the sheriff three cards. Then he reached down into his boots and pulled a gun from one and a wicked looking sheath knife from the other. He then commented, “Bill left his guns in his truck since he's the trusting sort and has killed more men with his hands than his guns.”

  Bill then pulled his wallet and handed over several cards.

  The sheriff then dropped two cards in front of me and said, I never heard of the Overview Private Investigation Corporation. Have you.

  With a smile I pulled my wallet and handed the sheriff my ID from Overview along with my carry permit and PI license.

  Shaking his head the sheriff then said, calling in false alarms is again the law, who's going to pay the fine.

  “Sheriff, we didn't call, but I guess we made someone nervousness, so would breakfast for you and the deputy
handle the inconvenience?”

  With a smile and a growl he replied, “No, but a steak dinner about 6 PM would make up for it. Make sure your boys know where The Best Little Restaurant in Montana is. I'll see you there.

  I was showing them the old bridge when stetson's cell phone rang. Turning he said we'll have eight more for dinner, boss. I'll get the purchasing agent to put bids in on both sides, but I think this side will prove the best. Bedrock appears closer to the surface along this side of the old fault line. Then he turned and started punching in numbers and when he got an answer he told someone on the other end that he needed an updated topographical map, geological survey of the area, and sounding equipment. Then he told them that could just fly it in, he wanted it tomorrow afternoon at the latest. Now lets get back to town and see if their courthouse has the land maps I need for this area.

  We were sitting in the restaurant when Brenda walked in and froze. Then she walked over and threw her belt around Mr. Tattoo's neck and said, I told you never to come to this side of the country again, didn't I.

  With one hand he reached up and pulled the belt til he had room to speak and then said, “Brenda, I'm on a job, quit screwing around and have a seat. You can beat on the rest of the crew when they get here.”

  She came around and sat in my lap and nodded to Deborah and said, “You can put the shotgun up sis, these assholes are friends of a sort. They love their meat so I hope you have a good supplier. They will eat you out of house and home and their crews will eat leather boots if they can't get a steak. I'll call Tom and have him airship a few hundred pounds of moose and bear tonight.

  “Tex, how many of the boys will be in town and for how long?”

  The guy with the tattoos commented, “About two dozen for six months to get the bridge built and then probably another six months to finish off the campgrounds and trails. They'll need some land to set up their campers on.”

  Deborah, I'm going to order you another commercial freezer, figure out where you can put it and you might start looking for another local waitress unless some of the boys bring their wives and girlfriends. You might tell your dad that if he wants, I'll arrange some volunteers to ride with him and take over the night shift.”

  “Tell me what!” roared the sheriff. “Scott, have someone tell that convoy headed this way that we only have a 10 slot campground.”

  “Brenda, can you lead half of them out to the mountain and then arrange their transportation back here for supper?” Then I pulled my cell and called Matthew and told him that I had a crew about an hour out, could he tell Brenda the best place to put them because they were traveled in motor homes and pickups with trailers.” Then I handed her the phone.

  She listened for a few seconds and then said, “He'll be here with two of his boys in a bit. He said if we could divide them up out near the old bridge his boy would guide them in.”

  Looking at the sheriff cowboy said, “I hate to have to ask you to do this, but you know the capabilities of the campground in town. If you will take me out to the bridge you can help me get the ones that will fit separated, or tell me the size of the campground and I'll have them sort themselves out. I think you might like meeting some of the boys anyway.”

  The Deborah piped up, “Dad, do you want moose or Alaskan bear steak tomorrow for dinner?

  All I head was mumbling as he and cowboy left. Brenda yelled, “Cowboy keep the women from mobbing him tonight, he hasn't eaten yet and is probably weak from hunger.”

  The sheriff stopped dead in his tracks and turned around saying, “What do you mean weak from hunger?”

  Brenda gave him a smile and said, “Some of the crew are women that chew up guys the size of cowboy and then fold them until they'll fit in their jeans. You are warned, the crew doesn't mingle amongst themselves, they like fresh meat, but only the guys are civilized. They will know three seconds after meeting you that you aren't spoken for, that means you are fair game.”

  Deborah looked shocked and then asked, “They won't hurt Dad will they?”

  With another smile Brenda replied, “If he looks very tired and has a big smile on his face tomorrow, you'll know he's been tagged. I'm skinny and weak compared to most of the girls on the crew. They fight like men and love men with power and authority. Your dad will have his choice and now I have to mark Scott to keep them off him.” Then she bit down on my neck until I thought the teeth marks would be permanent. When she let go she said, “Tell them who marked you or else.”

  Within the week the soundings were completed, surveys completed, the draftsman had the preliminary plans drawn up and was on his way to the state capitol with a van full of paperwork to get them approved.

  At the end of the month we had finalized plans, state approval since this was a state highway, and the crew took the weekend off. The first supplies wouldn't be in for a two weeks, but the excavation equipment was on hand. Boring into the bedrock on the far side wasn't that hard according to the crew. When the trucks of steel, and concrete started arriving the biggest problem was the fact that only half a load of rock could be transported over the old bridge at a time. Two days later Matthew's boys were grinning like school kids as they rigged up a conveyor belt system over the gorge and started moving rock from my mountain over.

  All the state inspectors did were get underfoot and make check marks on their paperwork. When I cornered their supervisor all he said is they're doing everything beyond specifications. This is only supposed to be a 200 rated bridge over a fault line, but I wouldn't be surprised if my grandchildren can still drive over it in a hundred years. California will probably fall into the ocean before this bridge falls down.

  Then I asked him if all the bridges between here and the interstate would hold up to several hundred tractor trailer loads over the next year.

  When he asked why, I told him I was planning to build a campground, amusement park, and animal refuge on my mountain. I'd have heavy equipment moving in and then out. He walked back to his truck and pulled out his computer and after punching on the keyboard for a minute he looked at me and said, I've got a weak bridge, 23 miles back. It won't hold up. It was supposed to be replaced last year, but budget cuts moved the replacement time out five years. Estimates of loads over 60 thou will weaken it further. Between you and me, your crew knows more about building than mine do, could I get them to look at that bridge and see what we can do to preserve it?

  Sure thing I answered, tell me which one and I'll have them give you a report. In fact I'll have them check all the bridges if you'll give them authorization. That way no one will hassle them.

  Two weeks later I got a call from the sounding crew and their supervisor told me to get the state bridge guy down to the bridge he had a question about. It needed to be closed down to all truck traffic now. When I talked to him at the site and my crews supervisor showed him the problems that showed up on the screen he turned pale. I didn't understand how they could tell by sound waves and reflections that the bridge was cracking every time a truck crossed it. He got on his phone and started making calls.

  ~ ~ ~

  Chapter 11

  The basic parts of Camp Mountain were completed the next summer. I managed to have someone taunt two members of a survivors series to try our weekend camp. After signing a liability release, getting photographed at the welcome station they were escorted through the gate to the safety station where all the safety procedures were explained and equipment was issued. The course started with a 78 foot free climb up the cliff with a safety line. From there a two mile hike around the side of the mountain to the backside where they would set up a wilderness camp using what they carried. The next morning they would construct a rope footbridge across a 20 foot ravine and a mile up the mountain trail set up camp for the night. The last morning was a camera safari back to the top of the cliff where they would rappel down. At the bottom in the welcome stations the certificates and T shirts would be given awarded. The designer and two of my Indian guides took the f
irst group of six in on Friday morning.

  Dale said he never had so much fun writing up a liability release. Basically it stated that you were a crazy pain loving survivalist that wanted to be abused and worked to a point just short of death, for three days. Safety equipment was provided, but accidents happen, and the nearest medical facility was 43 minutes away once the guides got you back to the starting point. The customer was to expect and accept, scratches, cuts, sprains, contusions, possible broken bones, with the possibility of meeting their creator through their death. Failure at any point to follow the guide's instructions or utilize common sense released Camp Mountain from all liability. In fact you are advised to not sign, run, don't walk to your car, and depart now. This is the first instruction from the sky guide. Sections of Camp Mountain are under photographic surveillance for safety and advertising purposes.

  The ten foot chain link fence that surrounded of the parking lot was posted with signs warning people not to feed the bears. The section below the cliff had additional signs saying trespassing, violators will be eaten by the hungry bears.

  The next morning one was brought back with a wrenched knee an Sunday morning one of the survivors rappelled down the cliff on his own and walked into the safety station. I heard from my crew that when he walked in he told one of them there was no way he was going to put up with any more bullshit. His failure certificate was printed up stating that he only survived two days on Camp Mountain. When they handed it to him he threw it down and stomped on it saying that he didn't need no piece of paper saying he couldn't hack it. Then my safety crew explained that the only way out was using the certificate, because the gate release was a photo activated lock. He then picked it up stomped over to the gate and held it open below his face like the sign indicated. When the gate opened he left and threw the certificate in the nearest trash barrel.