by David Wood
A loud crack like a cue ball striking a billiard rang out in the quiet morning somewhere above him. Maddock stole a glance over his shoulder, nearly tumbling face first in the process.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
A beach ball-sized boulder was tumbling down the crevasse right on his tail. It thundered down the hill, eating up the space between them at a rapid clip.
He assessed the situation in an instant. There was no way he could arrest his slide enough to climb out of the way. And there was no chance of the boulder missing him in this narrow space. He would have to make a run for it.
Letting out a “Hooyah!” he launched himself down the hill, the crevice boxing him in like a bobsled in its track. He felt weightless as he half ran, half plummeted down the hill. Each step felt like flying.
As steep as this incline is, even if I can remain on my feet until I hit the bottom, I’ll probably land flat on my face, he thought.
Behind him the sound of the pursuing boulder grew louder. It was gaining on him. Up ahead, the steep incline gradually sloped outward and the walls of the crevice grew shorter. If he could only make it a little farther.
Thud! Crack!
He wasn’t going to outrun it. It was time to try something stupid. He focused on the sound as it grew louder.
Three... two... one...
He sprang into the air, arms and legs wind-milling as he flew. The boulder passed beneath him, but not before it clipped his heel. He came down awkwardly, his ankle twisted beneath him, and he stumbled forward. He managed to tuck his shoulder and roll.
Again and again the hard stone battered his body, scoured his flesh, as he rolled forward. He tumbled to a halt and opened one eye.
Another boulder was bearing down on him.
Every muscle screaming in protest, he lurched to his feet and, calling upon resources he didn’t know he still had at his disposal, he leapt out of the crevice. He came down on his injured ankle, which gave way, sending him sliding down the hill. The dry, crumbling earth made for a soft descent, but the California barrel cactus that arrested his fall more than made up for it.
Maddock gritted his teeth and let out a grunt of pain as what felt like a thousand pinpricks burned into his thighs and backside. But there was no time to worry about that right now.
He flipped over onto his stomach, scooted back behind the cactus, and scanned the slopes above him. One boulder he could accept as an accident, even if it looked like it had been hand-selected for a game of human tenpins. But a second boulder? He shook his head. Someone had tried to kill him.
He watched the slope for a full five minutes before he was satisfied that his would-be assailant had fled. Once he was back on his feet, he took a moment to assess the damage.
Twisted ankle, chipped tooth, busted nose and lip, more abrasions than he could count, a possible broken rib, and one ruined Captain America t-shirt.
“Dammit. When Bones finds out I fell down the hill and got an ass full of cactus.” Visions of Bones gleefully firing off texts to the rest of the crew. “What the hell? I’d do the same to him.”
With a sinking feeling of resignation, he limped back to the ranch. He’d hoped to make a quiet entrance, but it was not to be. Gambles was sitting on the front porch with Riv and Dakota. The three of them were alarmed by his appearance but he assured them it wasn’t as bad as it looked. They reluctantly took his word for it, as well as his assurance that he’d merely taken a spill while climbing. That hurdle cleared, he slipped inside, only to find Grizzly and Bones sipping coffee at the bar that ran between the living room and kitchen.
“What the hell happened to you?” Bones asked.
Maddock motioned for his friend to keep his voice down, stole a glance out at the porch.
“I don’t want to cause an alarm, but somebody just tried to kill me.” He recounted the tale as quickly and superficially as he could. Fortunately, Bones didn’t press for details beyond what Maddock told him.
“You’re right. There’s no way that second boulder could have been dislodged accidentally.”
“You think it was Shipman?” Grizzly asked.
“As usual, I have no evidence against him but he’s our only suspect.”
“Maybe it was one of those dudes who took a shot at us the other day,” Bones said. “Maybe they were poking around here and recognized you.”
Maddock made a non-committal bob of his head. “I really think it was Shipman. He saw me poking around near the iron door and decided to play a little human ten pins.”
“Do we call the police?” Grizzly asked with a touch of reluctance.
“Let’s do some scouting around first and see what we can find out. If there’s no proof Shipman, or anyone else, did it, what’s the point? But I do think we should make sure the ranch is safe before we take Gambles or anyone else out into the hills.”
Maddock wanted to be part of the group that went out scouting for the assailant but was forced to admit he was in no condition to hike or climb. In the end, it was agreed that Bones and Riv would take on the task.
A few minutes later, Lilith and Rockwell arrived. They had heard about the dungeon room and wanted permission to pay it a visit. When they heard about the attack on Maddock, Rockwell offered to help with the scouting and Riv gladly accepted.
While the trio prepared to leave, Maddock made the long, slow trek up to the second floor where the guest bedrooms were located. He showered and dressed, then texted Bones to come up for a quick word.
“I’ve got kind of an embarrassing problem,” he said when the door opened and his friend’s puzzled face peeked inside.
“I know,” Bones said. “You wear those tight shorts and you don’t have much business going up front. In fairness, my sister says you have a nice butt.”
“Says or said?” Maddock had been engaged to Angel Bonebrake, but she had broken it off.
“Both, but that’s not important. What’s your problem?”
“I’m in what you might call a sticky situation. I slid into a cactus and I can’t reach a few of the spines.”
Bones stared blankly at him. “You realize this is going to involve tweezers and up close and personal inspection?”
“I’m already having second thoughts. Forget it.”
“No, it’s all right. I’ve got you covered, man.” Bones turned and shouted down to the people gathered in the living room. “Yo, Spenser! Maddock needs your help with something!”
Maddock blinked. “What the hell did you just do?”
Bones grinned. “I’ve always got your back, but never your backside.”
Chapter 19
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It was well past noon when Bones and Grizzly led a group that included Gambles, Rockwell, Lilith, and Dakota out to the dungeon room. The search of the ranch had proved fruitless. Bones had located the spot where Maddock was attacked, but the area had been so heavily trod by racers and crew that tracking anyone was impossible. On the plus side, he was satisfied that the culprit had bugged out. Still, he and a few others were now armed.
“How much further?” Dakota asked.
“We’re getting there,” Bones said, too busy keeping his eyes peeled for danger to really listen to the young man. Dakota had joined them as a substitute for his sister, who had begged off for unspecified reasons. Not that anyone doubted what she was up to. Bones grinned at the thought.
“What are you smiling about?” Grizzly asked.
“I just love it when a plan comes together.”
Grizzly’s brow knitted, but before he could respond, a voice called out from behind them.
Everyone was on high alert, and the newcomer’s sudden appearance took them by surprise. Only Bones and Rockwell didn’t jump like startled house cats.
“Who is that?” Lilith asked, squinting her eyes against the bright midday sun.
“It’s that police officer,” Bones said. Even at a distance, the red boots were hard to miss. “What’s her name? Franzen.
”
They waited while the officer caught up, which she did quickly, and was barely breathing heavy when she reached their group.
“Sorry to slow you down,” she said. “I needed to speak with you. It’s important.”
“Maddock’s back at the ranch,” Dakota said. “He’s the one who got attacked.”
Franzen’s eyebrows shot up. “Attacked?”
Bones took up the explanation, describing the incident as if it could have been intentional or an accident. “I looked for footprints, but no joy.”
To his relief, Franzen considered for a few seconds, then nodded. “I’ll check in with Maddock on the way out, see if there’s anything he wants us to do.” Then she turned to Grizzly. “I understand you are headed to the so-called dungeon room. I want to see it, and the caverns beyond.”
“Do you have a warrant?” Dakota chimed in.
Grizzly waved him to silence. “You’re welcome to come along,” he said to Franzen.
Franzen cocked her head. “Come along? I don’t want anybody in there with me. I’m securing this area until further notice.”
“For that, you will need a warrant,” Grizzly said. “I’m happy to work with you, but I won’t be bullied.” He folded his arms and met her with a challenging stare.
Bones was impressed, but he also sensed trouble coming — the kind that could only interfere with each party’s aims.
“I don’t see any reason we can’t accommodate each other,” Bones said. “It’s not an easy climb, so it could take a while for everyone to make the last climb up the boulder pile. How about Officer Franzen and I go up first and she gives the place the once-over while everyone else takes their time climbing up safely.”
“I can live with that,” Franzen began, “on the condition that, if I find something, no one goes in until I can obtain a warrant and get a team out here.”
Grizzly’s doubtful expression melted into something like resignation. “All right, that’s fair enough. If you find something, you have my word I’ll shut this place down while you go through proper channels.”
“Deal. And you can call me Janet or Turtle.”
Bones didn’t know how Janet had gotten her nickname, but it had nothing to do with being slow. She was an able hiker and skilled climber, who navigated the rock face almost as quickly as he.
“If my arms and legs were as long as yours, I’d have reached the top first,” she panted as Bones offered a hand and hauled her up and over the ledge.
“You sound like Maddock. Always an excuse for his shortcomings.”
“Not an excuse, a reason.” Franzen dusted herself off then stood and looked around. “Show me the way to this cave.”
“First we’ll have to do some crawling. Just follow me.”
Bones didn’t remember the exact path he’d taken to get to the iron door. There had been a few twists and turns involved, and he’d left the cave by another route. Still, he was confident he could find the way with ease.
Which is why, fifteen minutes later he let out a stream of curses when he ran into another dead end.
“Are you messing with me, Bonebrake?” Janet asked from behind him. “Take me on a wild goose chase while the others sneak away? I swear if you’re playing me for a fool...”
“I’m not!” Bones snapped. “I don’t freaking know what’s going on. We should have gotten through already.”
“I’ve got half a mind to arrest you.”
“I’m telling you something weird is going on here.”
“I’m taking the lead,” Janet said. “It’s your turn to breathe my trail dust for a while.” Soon it was her turn to swear as she inadvertently guided them out of the boulder pile and onto the ledge, where the rest of their group was waiting for them.
“Back already?” Grizzly asked. “That didn’t take long.”
“I can’t find it,” Bones said. “Every passageway I’ve tried has been blocked off.”
“I still think I’m being played, here,” Janet said.
“This is the spot,” Bones said. “I just can’t figure it out.” He took several steps back and stood staring at the boulder pile.
And then it hit him. When he’d been here before, the boulder pile had been pyramidal in shape. But now, it was more of a flattened-out dome, as if the inside had collapsed.
“Holy freaking crap.”
“What is it?” Grizzly asked.
“Do you smell something?”
Grizzly inhaled deeply, but Janet already had an answer.
“An acrid, scorched smell,” she said. “I’m surprised you didn’t smell it earlier.
It’s stronger in the passageways.”
“I did smell it, but I thought it was connected to the race. There’s smoke and explosions involved with some of the challenges. I should have known better. I was so focused on trying to find our way through that I didn’t see the obvious.”
“Unbelievable,” Grizzly said, catching on immediately.
“But surely someone would have heard,” Rockwell said.
“It would depend on what time it happened,” Grizzly said. “There were a few hours yesterday when everyone was off-site doing one thing or another.”
“Wait, are you saying somebody blasted it?” Dakota said.
“That’s what it looks like to me,” Bones said. “They collapsed the boulder pile on top of it. It would take years to clear it all away.”
“That literally blows,” the young man said. “Now we’ll never find out what’s in the caverns.”
Bones was surprised and impressed that Spenser hadn’t told her brother about the exit they had discovered after being locked in the cave. From their downcast expressions, neither Lilith nor Rockwell had heard the full story, either.
“I didn’t think to mention it before since everyone was focused on the attack on Maddock,” Rockwell said. “But I dropped by the ranch yesterday. Must have been while you were all out. Anyway, I saw Shipman up in the hills.”
“Big surprise,” Grizzly said. “I don’t suppose he was carrying explosives, was he?”
“He was wearing a backpack.”
Grizzly heaved a tired sigh. “I vote we head back to the ranch. I could use a drink.”
Bones turned to his friend and smiled. “You read my mind.”
Chapter 20
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Maddock and Bones spent the afternoon drinking beer and speculating about Shipman and apparent destruction of the dungeon cave. Although the situation had grown dangerous, neither man was deterred. Not only were they eager to solve the mystery, and maybe find some treasure, they felt an obligation to their friends, old and new, to stick around and see things through. No way were they leaving while Grizzly and his team might be in danger.
It was now apparent that the network of underground passageways held the key
to unlocking the mystery of the UFO ranch. Thankfully, that proved to be the main topic of conversation. His tumble down the hill, which Spenser had likened to Indiana Jones’ legendary race with a giant boulder, was largely forgotten.
“We’ll have to go back in,” Grizzly said. “There’s no other choice.”
“That presents a problem,” Spenser said. “We can get back inside the caverns easily enough. Well, not easily, but we can do it. But that place is a literal maze, and that’s not even taking into consideration the fact that it’s pitch black in there. And it’s dangerous.”
“The challenge is what makes it fun.” Bones turned to Maddock. “When do you think you’ll be back on your feet?”
“I’ll be good to go tomorrow.” Spenser rolled her eyes and Bones smirked. “I’m not saying I’ll be a hundred percent, but I’ll be up and moving.” Privately he thought he’d be lucky to be at fifty percent. Every inch of his body felt like it had been beaten with a sledgehammer. His ankle still pained him, though it supported his weight.
“As frustrating as it is, the fact that someone wanted to hide that door so badly that they blas
ted it shut will be a great selling point for the show,” Grizzly said.
“Someone? You mean Shipman?” Spenser asked.
No one replied. They still had no hard evidence against the man, but neither did they feel obligated to voice his presumption of innocence whenever the name came up.
“How do you plan on getting back into the passageways?” Rockwell asked.
“Are you going to try and dig through?”
“Something like that,” Grizzly said.
As the day wore on, their numbers shrank. Lilith had work to do and caught a ride with Gambles. Riv had errands to run. Maddock did not miss the knowing glance she shot at Grizzly when she told him. Dakota also said his goodbyes. He claimed he had appointments in Los Angeles at the end of the week and said he needed to get home and prepare for them.
“The only business he has to attend to is buying a clean pair of jockeys,”
Spenser said. “He is frightened to death. Thinks one of us is going to get killed.”
“You’re not worried?” Maddock asked.
She shrugged. “Are you planning on letting something happen to me?”
“When did that become my responsibility?” Maddock said, laughing.
“Ever since I spent a quarter of an hour plucking tiny, almost invisible needles, out of your butt.”
Bones put down his beer. “Fifteen minutes? That was a ten-minute job at most.
What were you doing the rest of the time?” He propped his elbow on the table, cupped his chin, and pretended to think. “What could Maddock do twice, and very badly, in five minutes?”
Rockwell headed home around sundown. Maddock found him a friendly enough sort, but there was something about the man that made him not quite fit in. He drank a beer but didn’t seem to enjoy it. He listened to their conversations but didn’t really participate, except to ask the occasional question. Maddock wasn’t the only one who held this opinion.
“You know what that guy reminds me of?” Grizzly asked after Rockwell had driven away. “An anthropologist trying to immerse himself into a new culture.”