by John Ricks
“Yes, Mr. Mayor. I have a great interest in this school, as I have seven kids freezing in it now. My question is why? Why are you doing this, Dr. Anderson? You could buy up land, and dredge it, and put in a small pier anywhere along here at considerably less cost. Why are you willing to pay such a large amount of money to move the school a few hundred feet?”
With a smile, I addressed Mr. Marks. “You don’t believe in a free lunch, do you? Neither do I. In all truth, I need this town.” I paused for effect. “I need the help of everyone in this town. I cannot complete my projects without help, and I would rather have help from the people of this town than other possible considerations.” I paused again to let that settle in. “It just so happens that I have come to love some of the people here. Many have shown me kindness that I have never known before. I’m sorry … I get kind of emotional talking about this, so please forgive me if it shows. In my somewhat short life, I have been taught that if you treat everyone with kindness and honesty, then they will treat you likewise. If someone treats you with kindness and honesty, then you should do two things for that person: treat him the same, and do things that will make him want to continue to work with you. Can you understand that?”
“Yes. That’s a good way to do business and go through life, but that doesn’t answer my question.”
I thought for a minute. “Here’s your answer.” I raised my hand as he was about to say something else. “Please let me finish … When interacting with this town, my plan is to make sure that each interaction is mutually beneficial. I’ve already stated my reasons why I want to do this. Also, I do not base my reasoning on short-term financial considerations. Sure, it may cost me in the short term, but my primary consideration is what the long-term cost will be versus the long-term benefits. You should be aware that I base most of my decisions on actions and reactions. I look at what the reaction is likely to be and whether that reaction will help or hinder the achievement of my goals and the completion of my projects. I am not trying to manipulate you or the people of this town. If I were, I certainly would not be so candid about my plans. It’s true that I can afford to buy the land for a helicopter pad and have it fly in here two, four, six, or more times a day to pick up the supplies that I need, but that would disturb the tranquility of the town, which would not be beneficial at all. The reaction? Some people would be upset that I’m constantly flying a helicopter over their homes, so I won’t do it.
“I could easily afford to buy beachfront property and dredge a harbor so that a fairly large boat or a small ship could dock here. That would add a marina to the town, but it would ruin the fishing south of here and possibly harm the environment and sea life by changing the currents. The reaction? Captain Crain, a man I very much like and respect, would be very upset and so would a lot of others whose livelihood depends on the fishing industry. This would not be beneficial for the town either, so I won’t do it.
“I could build a road into my land and devise a way to get the equipment or visitors up and down the cliff, but this would not benefit me, as I want to keep the media as far away from my property as I can, and a road would help them to reach me. Or I could use the natural channel where the old pier is located. As it stands, the old pier is useless and dangerous to everyone because it’s falling apart. A new pier would have to be built in its place, and that would be beneficial to the town and to me. The reaction? The town gets rid of an eyesore and receives a new pier that is safe for everyone’s use, and I have a more convenient, environmentally friendly means of bringing in supplies, so everyone is happy.
“There’s a problem with that plan, though. The old pier is right next to the school. The trucks using the road to load or offload supplies and equipment would constantly interfere with the school’s activities, and that would not be beneficial. The reaction? The teacher could not teach, students could not concentrate on their lessons, and the parents of school-aged children would be unhappy because their children would not receive a proper education, so I cannot build a new pier unless the school is moved.
“You must admit that the present school building is in a serious state of disrepair. Moving it would be costly and, more likely than not, it would fall apart during the attempt to move it. So moving the school is not a viable option. Building a new school is an option. The town needs one, and I need the land that the old school is sitting on to build a new marina. Building a new school is mutually beneficial, as I get the pier I need, and the town gets a new school and a new pier.
“The cost in the short run is very high, but let’s look at the cost in the long run. When I add up the cost of using a helicopter for the next five years versus the cost and ease of using electric boats, I will realize a huge savings. First, I am presently borrowing a helicopter from the navy, but I will eventually need to buy my own. The transporting of equipment, personnel, visitors, materials for my projects, groceries and other supplies, and the changing of the watch for the SEAL team will naturally increase over the next few years. We’re talking about a large amount of coming and going between my home and the town and a cost in the tens of millions.
“Second, I would prefer to buy and use boats that run on electricity because they are cheaper and quieter to operate and because they won’t pollute the environment.
“Third, the goodwill of this town is very important to me. I want to help my friends, like little Annabelle Crain, so that they don’t have to try to learn in a freezing classroom. And generally, doing good deeds goes a long way to lowering long-term costs and building community trust. I need your support and protection.” I spread my arms wide to show that I meant all of them. “You’ve made me a part of this town. And this”—I gestured to the commander and her team—“is my family. I intend to keep that trust and love by sharing my God-given gifts with my family and with you … if you are kind enough to let me.”
There was a standing ovation. I shrank back as if I were being attacked. They rose to their feet so quickly that it startled me. The commander was immediately at my side, calming me down. I don’t know why I was so jumpy. I just was. I returned to the stand, and the mayor quieted everyone down again. I finished by saying, “Mr. Marks, I appreciate your question. I would have asked the same thing. I hope my answer was good enough.”
“I’m not sure I believe it, but it sure sounds good, Dr. Anderson.”
“Thank you, sir.” I looked out over the audience and asked, “Any more questions?”
Someone in the back yelled, “Let’s vote.”
There was a large amount of laughter and affirmations to that statement, so the mayor got up and raised his hand for quiet. “Before we take a vote, are there any more questions?”
Total silence. Then a hand went up at the right front. Devin didn’t seem to see the old woman, so I pointed to her. “Mr. Miles, there’s a woman right there with her hand up.”
Devin looked where I was pointing but still didn’t see her. She smiled and looked up at me. Her hand was still up. I said, “Devin, she’s sitting right by that small table, and there’s a young lady with her—you can’t miss them.” The people in the area where I was pointing stepped back.
The commander came up and asked, “Freddy, what does this woman look like?”
“Can’t you see her? She’s right there! Mayor Miles!”
Mayor Miles asked, “Describe her Freddy.”
“She’s short, I think. It’s hard to tell because she’s sitting down. She’s sitting very straight and has long hair in a braid down to about the middle of her back. She’s wearing a heavy blue cotton dress with old-fashioned petticoats and a pinafore. It looks like she’s been working in the kitchen, because she has flour on her hands and clothes. So does the girl. The girl has a light-green flowered dress with some embroidered lace around the collar. She is also wearing petticoats. She’s taller than the older woman and has long blonde hair that hangs down below her waist. She’s the spitting image of Carroll Cra
in. She’s very lovely.”
There was a little fear and some real wonder in the emotions of the congregation.
The media asked people in the back what was going on.
Devin Miles said, “Ask her what her name is, and repeat what she says … because we can’t see or hear her.”
I looked up at the commander, and I must have looked shocked as the commander started to rub my back, and she normally only does that to calm me. I looked at the woman and asked, “Please, ma’am, may I ask who you are, and do you have a question?”
In a small voice, she mumbled something that the sweet young girl repeated in a higher-pitched voice. “Yes, young man, I do. It’s more like a request.” The girl added, “This is Annabelle Crain, and I am her granddaughter, Pamela Crain.”
When I repeated this out loud, the congregation stayed dead silent, but their fear increased to a point that made it hard to breathe. “Go ahead, miss,” I said.
The woman stood up on weak knees and muttered something else, and the young girl repeated it. “Dr. Anderson, you have come to this town and have done favor after favor.”
I bowed in thanks as I repeated her words.
“You fixed the poisoning of our waters at no cost to the town. That is something that cannot be repaid in their lifetime. You have helped their economy so that they can safely say that all of them can enjoy a good Christmas for the first time in many years. Now you have come up with this excuse—and that’s what it is, an excuse—to help them some more by building their children a good school. You are a kind and sweet child.”
I repeated everything she said, and by this time, I was blushing deeply. I said, “Thank you, miss.”
“My grandmother and I wish to ask another favor of you.”
“Go ahead.”
“Please, Dr. Anderson, for Christmas we would like a proper burial—in hallowed ground so that we can finally rest.”
I must have turned white as a sheet because the commander took my right arm, and the mayor took my left. I never took my eyes off the women. Devin whispered to me, “This is the great-great-great-grandmother of Captain Crain. She has been haunting this town as long as people can remember. Find out where their bodies are.”
I asked, “Mrs. Crain, can you show me where your bodies are so that we can fulfill your wish?”
She raised her hand as if to motion me to follow and started to slowly walk outside. I moved down to her side. I could feel her touch, but it was not solid so I could not help her along. We talked about many things regarding the Crain family, and I noticed that Devin was taking notes on everything I repeated. As we walked, she told me about her father, who was also slightly telepathic. The reason that they had moved out here was to be away from everyone else. She told me that there had been a rockslide while she was out with her granddaughter and that they had been trapped in it. Everyone looked and looked, but they were never found.
As we walked into the woods, she related how others started moving into the area and how her husband had started the town with his own bare hands. She talked about how he’d go fishing and sell dried fish to other towns inland, and that was how he made a living as the first fisherman in the area. She smiled a tiny, tired smile when she told me how Mr. Crain didn’t even like the taste of fish. I listened and related her words. She talked about Mayor Miles’s great-great-grandfather and that he was a deckhand who was as clumsy as they come. “More into trouble than out, but his wife and I were the best of friends. She’s proud of her great-grandchildren, especially Devin; you tell him that.”
We came to a small canyon with berry bushes covering most of the area. It was very much impassable by human standards. She pointed. “We’re right up there, near the middle, right in the V of the gorge. We we’re picking berries when the rocks came down. I think there was a bear up there, and he accidentally shifted some rocks. Tell my children that it was a quick death.” She turned toward me and patted me on the hand. I could barely feel it.
The young girl said, “Forgive Becky; she’s young.”
I said, “I already did.”
She smiled and pointed to my heart. “You’re young too. It will mend.”
I started to cry, and suddenly, they were gone. I looked at Devin and asked, “Do you know this place?”
“Yes.”
“No chance of being unable to find it if we leave tonight and come back in the daylight?”
“No chance.”
“Then let’s go back to the courthouse.”
We walked back in silence. The captain’s wife, Mrs. Crain, was right there with us. I don’t know when she showed up, but I’ll bet it wasn’t long after leaving the town proper.
In the courthouse, I sat down and waited for silence. There was a lot of talk, but none of it was “he’s nuts” or “cuckoo” or anything like that. Several people were in the back, explaining everything to the media. Everyone was concerned only with exhuming the remains and burying them in a proper resting place. Things were yelled back and forth. “That’s a big area, and it could take months, and the rain and snow could stop us long before we get started.”
“Yeah, it’s a big project, but it’s got to be done!” yelled someone else.
“We need to put everything aside and start right now if we expect to have even a small chance of getting it done by Christmas,” said another.
Devin had been filling in Mrs. Crain on exactly what had happened and what they found out. She stood up, and it quickly became very quiet. Mrs. Crain said, “My entire family will be out there tomorrow. The inn is closed until I can fulfill my husband’s ancestors’ request. I’ll take all the help I can get. We’ll need it.”
I put my hand on her shoulder and stopped her. “I’ll be going back home tonight.” Before she could ask why, I put my hand in hers. “I’ll be back with flyers, scanners, and other equipment I have that can locate and remove Annabelle’s and Pamela’s bodies from that place. The SEALs and I will do this with help from the good Dr. Jenson. She’ll need to identify their bones.” I looked at the doctor, and she nodded her head. “They will not want to be mixed up. You can come or send others as you wish, but it will be dangerous, given the way the rocks are up there, so don’t bring any little ones. Someone needs to stay behind and prepare proper resting places for them, select caskets, and plan a memorial service. The recovery effort will not take long. Commander, what’s the weather report for the next two days?”
“We’re not looking at snow until Saturday.”
“Good. That gives us two days to get them out and one day for the ceremonies. Mrs. Crain, when is the captain due back?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“Good. He’ll be able to preside over the ceremonies. I think he needs to be here. You radio him, and let him know. Commander, we have work to do. I want to be back here first thing tomorrow. Let’s go.”
I started to leave, but Mrs. Crain took me in her arms and hugged me, saying, “Thank you.”
She was crying, and I hugged her back. “That’s what friends are for, Mrs. Crain.” She kissed my forehead and let me go.
When we were in the helicopter, I looked at the commander and said, “Now, that was scary.”
She smiled and said, “Yes, it was.” She thought for a second, and then, with an abrupt change of subject, said, “Freddy, the project you’re working on is God’s project, isn’t it?”
I looked at her and said very seriously, “Let’s not go there. I don’t need the president thinking I’m nuts.”
“This is off the books, Freddy. I need to know. I have my reasons.”
I looked at her quizzically and asked, “May I read them?”
She whispered, “Yes.”
I reached up and touched her head, letting her know that the world was coming to an end and that I was trying to stop it. I did not let her know why or how. In exchange, she let me
know why this knowledge was important to her. When I let go, I put my arms around her and stayed that way until we were home. She’s Christian, and her love for God and Jesus are very strong, and now she knows why I’m so driven.
All she said was, “You’re not alone, Freddy. I—no, we—will help you. We won’t let the human race die. You have my word on that.”
Yellows asked, “Have you reported this pending disaster?”
Everything started to go black, but I fought it and kept a way to see.
Blue answered, “Yes, Truth Taker. However, we believe that the creature has already taken care of the problem. That is why we could not detect the issue.”
“Yes, this is possible. Did you note he can see into the ethereal?”
A wicked look crossed Blue’s face. “Yes, he would be able to see our sovereigns if we allowed him his abilities.”
“Yes, he would. Do not report this to anyone, especially Gray.”
“As you wish, Truth Taker.”
Yellows turned to Green. “Please continue.”
Chapter 7
Digging Up the Dead
The next day we took off with all the equipment we would need aboard two new-style flyers. It was hard, trying to fly around on a skid with just six disks for control, so I made two large boat-style flyers like I’d seen in cartoons. The controls were easy, but I tried to make them look a little less “juvenile” this time. Every SEAL except two were with us. Katie was one of the two who stayed behind. Being telepathic, she didn’t want to meet our friendly ghosts.
We reached town at about a quarter after seven in the morning and picked up the mayor. He showed us exactly where the canyon was and watched with interest while we used our scanning equipment.