There was a nod of agreement from Bidwell. “With the blankets we’ll be nice and toasty.”
“That’s nice of you guys. I’m sure they’ll appreciate the offer.” Connor wasn’t surprised. Their gesture was more than politeness. It was how real men acted.
“We wouldn’t consider anything else.” Kwapich nodded at Bril as he continued.
“By the way, this young man has been a real help. Getting things organized would have been much harder without him. He saved us a bunch of time and energy.”
Bril blushed slightly. “Just glad I could help out. From what I’ve seen, you had everything well in hand.”
“Not hardly. Anyway, you two finish talking while we get something to eat. It’s been a long day.” They moved toward the back with a tired stride.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Bril squatted beside Connor and the dog again, lowering his voice. “Things would be a real mess without those two.” He motioned in the direction of Kwapich and Bidwell. “They know what they’re doing. Good thing we didn’t end up with a couple of city slickers.”
Connor had been thinking the same thing. He nodded as Bril continued.
“We did a survey of the wreckage while you were sleeping. The battery was already disconnected from the electrical system and we plugged an oil line in the broken wing Sanders must have missed. The other lines and fuel tanks were okay. Most of the leaked fuel already seeped into the ground or was diluted by the rain. There’s not much chance of a fire, but the survivors were briefed on the hazard. No matches, lighters, or any open flame. No one here smokes.”
“You did good, Bril.”
“There wasn’t much left to do. Captain Sanders and our friends took charge after the crash.”
“I suspect they’re used to that sort of thing. They seem like the take-charge type. The situation would have been far worse without them.”
Bril glanced at the survivors gathered in the back. “Nice of them to offer their sleeping bags. The women will sleep comfortably. Hopefully, we don’t have to spend more than a night on the mountain.”
A wool Army blanket and a couple of thin airline blankets apiece would suffice for the men. Combined with their regular clothing and seat cushions for padding, they would be warm enough.
Connor collected his thoughts. “I sure would like to know if Thompson made the flight back okay and what the weather is going to do.”
“Funny you should mention it.” Bril pulled the survival radio from his vest. “While you were sleeping one of the Air Guard rescue C-130s contacted us. The pilot said they would stay on station until later tonight. Said he would call in three hours with an update. He should be contacting us at eight o’clock.”
They both checked their watches. The time was a quarter before the hour. Connor took the radio from Bril, confirming the battery was on so they didn’t miss the call.
He placed the radio against his hip, searching Bril’s expression for more information. For some reason, he was holding back on the status of the helicopter. Connor was concerned until he saw his mouth turn upward in a smile.
“What did the C-130 pilot say? Since you have a grin on your face, I assume Thompson and Steiner made it back safely?”
Bril’s smile widened. “Yes, sir, they sure did. From what the C-130 pilot said, their return was a big media event. Even the national networks picked up the story. About time the military got some positive coverage.”
“Yeah, sure is. Thompson, Steiner, and you deserve all the credit you can get. Shultz and Ferguson, too. Did they get picked up?”
“The second medevac got them out okay. The two survivors with Mister Shultz were dropped at the hospital. Both were doing fine. A maintenance team will probably be flown in to repair my helicopter tomorrow. And another crew to retrieve yours, weather permitting.”
Connor welcomed the news. He was never a fan of the media but, in this case, was grateful for their presence. The coverage would likely ensure the others didn’t receive any serious repercussions for violating Army regulations. On the other hand, he knew his own selfish actions would never be forgiven. He couldn’t care less. The important thing was saving lives. The rescue was a good way to end his career.
“Did they pass a weather forecast?”
“Yes, sir. We should be out of here by tomorrow.”
“I noticed the winds have slacked off. When exactly did they say the weather was going to clear?”
“According to the forecast, the clouds are expected to lift by late afternoon tomorrow. The Air Guard pilot said we could expect more snow tonight and light winds after midnight. Should be a partial clearing by late morning, with increased winds and broken high clouds in the afternoon. He also said two Air Guard helicopters and one of our medevac helicopters will be waiting on base for the weather to break.”
“Good. Looks like everyone will be home by tomorrow evening.” Connor imagined the families of the remaining survivors would be worried. Those who had families, anyway. “You have a wife, Bril? Kids?”
“No, sir. Not yet. Haven’t met the right girl to even start thinking about marriage or kids. You?”
“Only ex-wives.” He didn’t mention his son and daughter. “Make sure you find the right one and hang on to her. Spoil her and enjoy your life together. Time passes all too quickly.”
The comment seemed out of place. Bril thought Connor must have more than a few regrets. “Yes, sir. I will.”
He was about to inquire about kids when the two women approached. His and Connor’s attention shifted in their direction at the same time.
Bril noticed his eyes lock on Susan and immediately light up. She was a pretty woman, and he could see why Connor was attracted to her. The hair hanging out of place on her forehead and smudged cheeks didn’t diminish her good looks. She appeared tired but still carried a warm smile.
The other woman seemed less at ease. Her appearance and mannerisms were more formal from being in higher-end social circles. In spite of her background though, she was not snobbish and seemed generally concerned. If anything, she was trying to compensate for the previous behavior of her husband.
“You look better.” Susan was the first to talk. “I take it the medication helped?”
“Sure did. I was out longer than I intended though.” Connor locked eyes with her for a moment, as if reading her thoughts. She returned his gaze for a moment before turning to introduce the other woman.
“This is Marla. Her husband Harold is the man asleep on the floor. He suffered a back injury in the crash. Your medic must have dispensed some wonder drug because he’s stirred only once since you arrived.”
“The medicine seemed effective on both of us.” Connor introduced himself to Marla and then glanced at Harold. “I never heard him get up or anyone else for that matter.”
“The pills dull the pain and make him groggy. The guys managed to walk him outside and back in without disturbing you.” Marla stared in her husband’s direction with an unconcerned expression. “He needed a bathroom break before another dose of medicine.”
“Is his condition serious?” Connor wondered if Steiner gave him the same pills.
“Your medic didn’t think the injury was more than a pinched nerve.”
The corners of Marla’s mouth curved into a brief smile, then vanished. Two packaged Army rations were offered to Bril and Connor. “We thought you might like something to eat.”
“Only one apiece,” Susan added. “They’ll have to last until we’re rescued, I’m afraid.”
Bril placed the ration under his arm while Connor set his on the floor by the pillow. The motion got the dog’s attention, and he sniffed the package curiously.
“Mine was lasagna. Very tasty for a packaged meal.” Marla seemed pleased with her assessment. “I saved the crackers and dessert until tomorrow.”
“They’re much better than they used to be.” Connor tried making small talk but wished he could be alone with Susan.
Susan coughed and handed
them each a bottle of water, letting her hand linger when Connor reached forward. “The water is being rationed until we can refill the bottles.”
They chatted for a few more minutes until Marla politely excused herself to check on her husband. Bril could tell Connor and Susan wanted to be alone and made a pretext to go outside. The dog followed him, tired of the interruptions.
“I see you found a new friend.” Susan pointed toward the door as the malamute left.
“I told you animals like me.”
She moved to his side of the aisle, and he moved the packaged ration so she could sit next to him.
“Would you like to share some crackers and cheese? They’re not bad.”
“Only if you share your water. I held off eating until you were awake. Thought you might like some company.” Her voice sounded appealing.
“I never turn down an offer from a beautiful woman.”
“Really?” She was teasing him now. “And do you receive many of those?”
Connor played along while opening the plastic package, trying to sound distraught. “Hardly ever. My shy, boyish personality usually works against me.”
She responded with light laughter. “I doubt it. You seem very capable of handling yourself around women.”
“Only the ones I’m interested in.” He smiled in slight embarrassment.
Susan was attracted to him. She saw through his cover of self-assuredness to a child-like vulnerability. At the same time, he possessed a subtle inner strength that was reassuring.
They changed the subject, discussing the weather until Marla finished. She checked Harold’s pulse and adjusted his blanket before standing. His condition was not what she expected. She forced a smile as she passed, leaving them in conversation.
“So what’s your story? You join the military out of patriotic duty, the thrill of adventure, or are you hiding from someone? I bet you have a girl in every port?”
Connor could see the humor in her eyes. He squeezed some processed cheese onto a cracker. She didn’t realize how pointed the one question was, except he was hiding from himself, not the law. Hiding inside a liquor bottle certainly hadn’t worked. A girl in every port was a stretch, but he did have three former wives. A girl in every port would have been easier.
He sensed the questions were more than a playful exchange of words. “Guilty on the first two. The third I can’t speak about. The facts are ultra top secret. The fourth, well it goes with being part of number three.”
Susan returned his subtle grin. “Ultra top secret? That does sound serious. So you’re sort of like James Bond, only older and more …”
“Dashing?” He feigned a serious expression.
“I was going to say injury prone.”
Connor laughed. “You’ve got me pegged.”
The more they talked, the more connected she felt. “Any family?” She asked in a friendly manner, curious about his personal life.
Her eyes sparkled. Trusting her was easy. Connor wanted to confide completely even though there was no point in doing so. A mixture of sadness and joy overcame him as he thought about the two laminated photos in his wallet, one each of his daughter and son. He hadn’t shown them to anyone for years. Now wasn’t the time, either. He couldn’t lose focus on what he needed to do.
“A couple kids. Boy and girl from the first marriage.” He didn’t offer any more information.
“First marriage?” Susan asked. She noticed earlier he wasn’t wearing a ring. A previous wife was no surprise. The military was hard on marriages.
“Yeah. I guess I was a glutton for punishment after the first and made some bad decisions. But I suppose they could say the same thing.”
He squeezed a dollop of cheese on another cracker before looking at her for a reaction. There was no judgment in her eyes, only interest.
“They? How many bad decisions did you make?” She pursued the question with casual amusement.
“Three. But I’ve learned from my mistakes, believe me. The last was almost a decade ago.”
Before she could inquire further, he asked his own. “And you? Any ex-husbands or broken hearts?”
Susan swallowed before answering. “Just one. I’m widowed. My husband died years ago. He left me four wonderful kids and a bunch of happy memories.”
Connor could see the emotional attachment. He was instantly jealous and felt foolish. “I’m sorry. Your kids all grown?”
Her face lit up with pride. “They’re out of the house and on their own. My two oldest boys and daughter are married. Six beautiful grandchildren between them. My youngest boy is in the Air Force, stationed in Germany.”
“I envy you, all those grandkids running around. Must be fun spoiling them?”
“Of course, spoiling grandbabies is revenge for all the anguish our kids put us through.”
They shared a laugh. “I don’t see them nearly as much as I’d like. Two of the kids live in Anchorage, so I can’t visit as often.”
Before he could respond, an unfamiliar voice sounded through the handheld radio. “Lonesome Dove, this is Air Guard rescue. Do you copy, over?”
“Lonesome Dove?” Connor directed the comment at Susan. “He obviously doesn’t know who I’m spending my time with.”
She touched his arm playfully. “Sounds like he has a sense of humor.”
“Air Guard Rescue, good to hear you’re still in the area. Sorry you had to miss happy hour at the officer’s club.”
The pilot took the comment in stride. “Not a problem. We’ll make up for the absence tomorrow. By the way, you guys are buying.”
Connor smirked good-naturedly. “It would help if we could get off this mountain first.”
“Roger that. The weather just might cooperate. I don’t want to get your hopes up too much, but the weather guru revised the forecast. Looks like you all might be home a couple hours sooner, maybe by early afternoon.”
Bril returned from outside, having expected the call, and listened in. The other survivors either didn’t hear the radio or were reluctant to divert attention from their own conversation. Their faces showed little emotion.
“We’ll be waiting. Any chance of a hot breakfast being dropped off in the morning?”
The Air Guard pilot laughed over the radio. “I’ll see what we can do. How you holding up down there?”
“We’re comfortable.” Connor glanced at Bril and Susan who smiled through tired expressions.
“Okay, Lonesome Dove. Stay warm. The temperature at your elevation is forecast in the twenties tonight. We’ll remain on station monitoring this frequency for the next few hours. Get some rest. Another aircraft will make contact at eight in the morning. They should have a better perspective on the weather by then.”
“We appreciate the concern down here. Thanks for the update, Air Guard.”
The C-130 pilot ended the call and Connor shut off the power switch to preserve the battery. Setting the radio aside, he flexed his neck and back, relaxing the tight muscles.
“It’s snowing outside. The rain turned to snow while you were sleeping.” Bril made the statement with little emotion. Even his youthful stamina showed signs of fatigue. “We’re still in the clouds. Visibility is only about twenty feet, so don’t stray far if you have to go outside.”
Connor wondered why the dog wasn’t with him. “What happened to your companion, Bril?”
“Muck? He’s with the other dog. They were with me for a while, but the older one has an injured leg and doesn’t walk very far. She seemed content to stay with her owner. He’s one of the deceased in the cargo compartment.”
“The dog’s probably traumatized, too. You better pick a sleeping spot and get situated for the night, Bril.”
“I will, sir. Let me tell the others what the Air Guard pilot said. With the overcast, the sky will be dark soon. I’ve got some chem lights in my survival vest. I’ll hang one by the forward door for the night. Then I’m ready to call it quits.”
Bril was gone for a few minutes b
efore returning with a heavy blanket, which he set on the floor along with a few of the seat cushions for padding. He hung one of the amber, plastic chemical lights near the door and then unfurled the blankets. Curling up inside, he yawned and turned his head toward the wall.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Connor and Susan talked with lowered voices into the evening. He was a good listener, keeping most of his past to himself as she condensed her life into short clips of interest. The content was not as important as being near her. For the first time in a long time, he felt a void in his life being filled.
Eventually, she questioned his past. Not out of suspicion, but curiosity, for she was as interested in him as he was in her.
“You haven’t mentioned much about your life, Gil. I bet you’ve had an interesting career. And after three marriages, only two children? Any grandkids?”
Once she asked the question, he opened up more than intended. At first he glossed over his youth and the painful memories of Vietnam, but when he talked about his children the emotional scars became obvious. Explaining the circumstances of his infant daughter’s death was the hardest. The loss of his son added even more regret.
Susan could only imagine the terrible weight of guilt and sorrow he carried. The emotions were far deeper than most people understood and something no parent should ever have to endure.
Talking about his past weakened Connor, but at the same time he felt less encumbered by emotional baggage. Carrying out his plan would be harder now. Meeting Susan made his choice more complicated. His feelings for her were genuine, but he knew a relationship was only wishful thinking. His cancer had paved a different path, leaving him no choice in the matter. Soon, he would see his kids again. That was all he cared about.
They talked awhile longer before gathering some items for the night. One by one, the others did the same, bored with small talk and no longer resisting the temptation of sleep. Each of them made a short trip outside before arranging cushions on either side of the aisle. One by one, they settled in for the night, the women in warm sleeping bags and the men wrapped in a layer of blankets.
The Last Flight Page 35