The Cumberland Plateau

by Mary K. Baxley

  Pastor Emery began with the standard address concerning the sanctity of marriage and the responsibilities of a husband to his wife and a wife to her husband. Each couple repeated their vows. Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth had made special arrangements with Pastor Emery to crown their vows with a special ending they had written together. At the indicated time, Elizabeth reverently picked up Fitzwilliam’s ring from the plate, and spoke her personal vows.

  “With this ring, I pledge to you, Fitzwilliam Alexander Darcy, one love, one life, and one lifetime. I will share each day and each night with you, following you wherever you go. With this ring, I take you as my husband, pledging myself to you always.” She placed the ring on his finger, her eyes never leaving his.

  When it was his turn, Fitzwilliam picked Elizabeth’s ring up, and began his promise. “With this ring, I pledge to you, Elizabeth Rose Bennett, to be your shelter and your light, to be a safe haven from life’s storms. I will share with you one love, one life, and one lifetime. I will be with you always, anywhere you are, and anywhere you go. With this ring, I take you as my wife, pledging myself to you always.” When Fitzwilliam slipped the ring on Elizabeth’s finger, the smile on his face said all that he felt. Completing the ceremony, Pastor Emery pronounced each couple man and wife.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  …she beckoned him with an outstretched hand…

  Since the women had planned a cookout for the day following the wedding, Joseph had thought this was the ideal time to call a family meeting. All the men were present, including his mother’s brothers.

  While Henry offered a drink or a cold beer to the men as they settled on the sofa and chairs, Joseph surveyed the room, reflecting on his father. Ronald Bennett had been a man of integrity, grounded in deeply-rooted principles of honesty and the importance of family. He had taught his sons that the quality of a man’s character is measured in how he treats his fellow man. A man lived by his word, but was judged by his walk. As Joseph reflected on his father’s teachings, he asked himself …what would my dad do, and how would he handle this situation?

  Joseph knew his father had been adamant about family coming together in times of trouble and had taught all of his children the value of close family ties. Therefore, the decision was easy. He would do whatever he could to help his Aunt Lydia and Uncle Randy, even though he knew Liddy was trouble with a capital T, and always had been. But first, the problem needed to be discussed because, before Liddy’s situation could be assessed, he would have to know all the available information. He turned and stared at his uncle.

  “Robert, I’d like to know everything you know about this sordid business with Jackie Lee, and then I want to know how it ties in with Liddy. I assume you still hear everything that happens downtown at the courthouse.”

  Robert stepped forward. “Yes, it’s the talk of the town. There isn’t a person around who isn’t talkin’ about it. The leaks I hear comin’ out of the DA’s office are that the Feds want Jackie Lee to give up his Colombian connection.”

  “Colombian connection. You mentioned that yesterday. Tell me more, and I want to know everything you know.” Joseph’s brow creased as his quizzical gaze settled on his uncle.

  Robert walked back and forth, glancing from those gathered on the sofa back to his nephew. “Well, there’s more, and plenty of it. Apparently, Jackie Lee was not only growin’ marijuana, but he had others throughout these mountains farmin’ crops, too. They were supplyin’ most of the Southeast. He also had a botanist in his employ whose job was to increase the THC levels through genetic manipulation. Jackie Lee personally managed the entire operation. It was a very well put together organization, producing millions in unreported revenue, but since Jackie Lee didn’t live too high on the hog, he didn’t stand out. So you see, he’s in trouble with the IRS as well as the DEA.”

  Joseph continued to walk the floor, twisting his academy ring in deep thought, digesting all that he heard. “I see.” He drew in a sharp breath. “Tell me more.”

  “Well, not only was he involved in the marijuana growin’ business, but he managed the cocaine connection for the southeastern United States and Midwest, possibly extending into Canada. Every so often, he met down in Miami with men from Colombia—men who work for the Cali Cartel.” Robert paused, as if gauging Joseph’s reaction.

  Joseph shook his head, and then signaled for his uncle to carry on.

  Robert nodded. “The cocaine was being brought into the United States usin’ low flyin’ planes with night drops east of Knoxville. Packages of cocaine would be parachuted to predetermined locations identified with GPS. At times, a man with kilos of cocaine strapped to his body would parachute into the selected location and then meet with others at an agreed-upon rendezvous point where it was collected and transported to Coldwater Hollow. From there, it was distributed across the Southeast and Midwest.”

  “How strong is their case? Are the Feds going to cut him a deal?” Joseph asked.

  “From what I’ve heard, it’s rock solid. They caught one of his minions a while back who confessed to everything, namin’ names and givin’ locations. That’s how they caught Jackie Lee. As to cutting him a deal, of course they will. They want to break the back of the Cali Cartel. What they want from Jackie, as I said before, is the name of his Colombian contact, which I know he won’t give up.” He stopped and reflected. “He’d be a fool if he did. They’ll kill him, and they may anyway.”

  “Thank you, Robert,” Joseph said. “Now, how does Liddy fit into this equation?” He turned to his uncle seated on the sofa. “Randy, why don’t you inform us as to how things stand in that regard.”

  Robert nodded and took a seat next to Randy who nervously crossed his legs as he studied the room. “I think all of you know it’s pretty serious. We have Liddy stayin’ in Nashville with my sister. I thought it best to remove her from both the situation and, of course, from Jackie Lee.” Randy paused for a sip of whiskey. “Apparently Liddy has been drivin’ across state lines, using her car to deliver packages for Jackie Lee, but she swears she had no idea what was in those packages. They were delivered to sweet little ole ladies whom Liddy believed to be relatives. After all, he called them aunt so and so.”

  “So she had no idea those packages contained marijuana?” Robert asked, narrowing his eyes.

  “That’s what she says, and I believe her. Hell, she’s scared to death. So much so that I think we have about convinced her that marryin’ Jackie Lee would be a grave mistake.” Randy said, getting up to pace the room, worry lines etched across his face.

  “What does Jackie Lee say about it?” Uncle Henry asked.

  “Humph!” Randy turned to face the others. “That lying son-of-a-bitch is sayin’ Liddy was his accomplice all along. Oh, he admitted to me privately that Liddy didn’t know a thing about it, but it’s my word against his, and since I’m her father, I’m afraid the DEA believes him over me,” Randy retorted. “He’s doin’ this because Liddy’s balkin’ at gettin’ married.”

  Johnny Barnett spoke up. “That’s not good…not good at all, Randy. You need to get yourself one of them there high dollar lawyers from out in L.A. or someplace like that. I don’t know what you’re gonna to do, but you’d better do somethin’, and do it quick before they formally charge her.”

  “I agree with Johnny. You need to get a lawyer and get one soon. I don’t know what you’re gonna to do either,” Henry Simpson said.

  “I’ll tell you what he’s gonna to do.” Robert suddenly interrupted. “I have a call in to my Navy buddy, Sam Armstrong, in Baltimore, Maryland. He’s one of the best defense attorneys in the country.” Robert got up and again walked over to the window and gazed out.

  Henry took a swallow of beer. “I’ve heard the talk down at the pool hall. The county D.A. has been boasting how the Nunley case has dropped in his lap just in time for the summer primary.”

  Sam Henry Barnett shook his fist in disgust. “Abernathy! I see why that ole cuss thinks he has a case now. He thinks h
e’s gonna be this state’s next governor.”

  “Well, Abernathy will never get my vote, even if it wasn’t for this whole sorry mess with Liddy,” scoffed Johnny.

  “Let’s get back to the subject at hand here,” Randy said, pouring another whiskey before returning to his seat. “Robert, what do you know about him, this Armstrong fellow, I mean, and why do you think he can help?”

  Leaning against the window jamb, seemingly lost in thought, Robert turned to face the others. “I’ll tell you what I know about him. He was a JAG and one of the best men I’ve ever known. They call him the ‘junkyard dog,’ and for good reason. He doesn’t let up until he has what he’s after. He’s been known to rip the prosecution’s case apart. When he’s makin’ a cross-examination, he meticulously dismantles the prosecution’s witness piece by piece, and his specialty is pickin’ apart law enforcement. Sam rarely loses.”

  Joseph perked up at this intelligence. “How did you meet him? You weren’t in the JAG.”

  Robert pushed away from the window frame and strolled over to where Henry stood. “No, but we went to the Citadel together. He was brilliant, and instrumental in pulling me through my freshman year, and then later in law school we were inseparable. ” Robert grabbed a beer and popped the top. “When I came into some trouble in Baghdad back in ‘91, he was there for me. It cost me my naval career, but at least I was acquitted.” Robert took a sip of beer and glanced off to the side.

  “I remember that now. I was nine years old. You were in command of a SEAL squad during Desert Storm when one of your petty officers mistook a group of Shiites for insurgents and fired on them. You weren’t even there, and yet they charged you with the offense.” Joseph narrowed his gaze and clenched his jaw. He understood only too well the consequences of having someone in his command make a mistake.

  “Yes, that’s what happened,” Robert said. “We were court-martialed, and had it been any other JAG representin’ me and Luttrell, we would’ve both been convicted. He’d have been sent to prison, and I would’ve had to resign in disgrace. But as it was, Ervin was discharged, and I was asked to resign. Anyway, Sam will call me on Monday.”

  “That’s the man you need, Randy.” Henry voiced his opinion. “I think you ought to hire him straightaway.”

  Sam Henry and Johnny affirmed Henry’s opinion.

  “Robert, how are Lydia and I going to afford Armstrong? He won’t be cheap. All of our money is wrapped up in that house your sister had to have, and I can’t afford to mortgage it. My income is not sufficient to make the payments,” Randy asked hesitantly, his voice filled with apprehension.

  “You’re not to be concerned about that. I’ll pay the cost.” Joseph said, returning to the group from the fireplace where he had been listening. “Robert and I are making arrangements this week.”

  “Joseph!” Randy looked up sharply. “I appreciate your help, but you must know I cannot repay you.”

  “I know, and it doesn’t matter. As long as I’m able, I intend to help my family, so don’t worry about it.”

  Randy stood and approached his nephew. “Joseph, you are a man like your father. You don’t have to do this, but I want you to know how much I greatly appreciate it.” Randy offered his hand.

  Joseph surveyed the room for any other comments or questions. When none were forthcoming, he said, “Well, it looks like we have about beaten this horse to death. I think we should adjourn until further notice. Robert will act in my absence when I return to my duty station. Lizzy and Jane have power of attorney to settle the bills.”

  As everyone exited the door, Joseph and Robert lingered. “Robert, is this really as serious as it seems? I mean, this is Liddy’s first offence. She is barely twenty-one and five months pregnant. Surely the D.A. will take that into consideration.”

  Robert put his hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “She will most likely receive indictments on both federal and state charges, so it is serious. Serious in that Jackie Lee claims she worked for him, though there is no payment record. Randy forgot to mention that, but I’ve talked with my contacts in Abernathy’s office. Consequently I know a little more than Randy has disclosed. Also, the U.S. Attorney’s office will try and cut a deal with Liddy. The Feds need her to testify against Jackie Lee to nail the prosecution’s case shut. Liddy’s balkin’ on that. That’s why she needs a damn good criminal lawyer. Liddy may or may not have realized what she was doin’, though I doubt it. The Feds suspect she knows a lot more than she’s tellin’, and frankly, so do I. I’m not buyin’ Randy’s assertion that she’s an innocent bystander. Liddy knew, or at least suspected, what was in those packages.”

  As they walked through the door and into the foyer, Robert clapped his nephew on the back. “Joseph, you and I will meet together in my office tomorrow, but I don’t want you to become distracted by all of this. You’re at war. You need to keep that as your primary focus. I know only too well what you face, so don’t let the home front cloud your thoughts. We’ll handle this situation. Is that not right?” Robert asked, glancing around at the others.

  All nodded, mumbling their agreements. A few moments later, Daniel came to inform them lunch was ready.

  ~*~

  After lunch, Joseph decided to saddle a horse and ride out over the farm since it had been almost three years since he had last been home. As he was going to the barn, he noticed Georgiana Darcy playing with the hound puppies. He watched her for several minutes until she noticed him. She gave him such a large and friendly smile that he could not resist walking over to where she stood.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Darcy. You’re looking very nice.”

  She blushed. “Thank you, Mr. Bennett, but please call me Georgiana or Georgie, as I’m sometimes called.”

  “Georgiana it will be, then,” he said with a smile. “I like the sound of your name. Call me Joseph. Do you often play with hounds?” he cheerfully asked. …She is quite pretty with her long blonde hair.

  “No, not often, but my family has always kept hounds at Pemberley. I have grown fond of them over the years. Hounds are quite pretty and playful when they are puppies.” She smiled. “I see you also keep horses. We have several horses at Pemberley as well.”

  “Do you ride, then?”

  “Yes, I do, quite well, actually. But it has been some time since I’ve had the opportunity. I’ve been busy in the last few years.”

  …Hmm…better and better, Joseph thought.

  “Well, I’m about to saddle one of the stallions. Would you like to join me?”

  “I would like that very much, thank you.”

  “Then I’ll saddle Lizzy’s Appaloosa mare for you. Her name is Apple. She’s not too spirited or too tame.”

  He saddled two horses and brought the Appaloosa mare to Georgiana, who assured him that she could jump. After mounting their horses, they left the barnyard in a full run, jumping fences as they went, riding out into the open fields of the farm.

  Joseph showed Georgiana the various fields, the woods where he had played as a child, and finally, coming to the cove, they dismounted.

  “Here, let me take her reins. I’ll tie the horses to this low-hanging branch. They can forage, and we can rest on that rock,” he said, pointing to the rock on the rising hill.

  “This feels strangely familiar. It reminds me of a place we have at Pemberley.” Her lips gently curled. “It’s my brothers’ favorite place. The only difference is that we don’t have a cabin in our cove.” She laughed.

  Removing the clip that held her hair, she tossed her head, shaking her long blonde tresses loose.

  “Really? You have a place similar to this?” He smiled. “And here I thought I would be showing a London girl something unusual. Are you familiar with the countryside, then?”

  “Oh yes! Pemberley is my family’s country estate. We have several thousand acres of land with cattle and sheep and horses. There are deep woods as well as open fields. Don’t you remember, I told you we kept horses and hounds?”

  “Ah,
that you did. I guess it didn’t fully register.” He grinned.

  “Pay attention, Joseph. I might say something extraordinary, and you wouldn’t want to miss it.” The sound of her gay laughter rang through the air. “Now tell me why you have a cabin here in the woods. Did your family build it for a getaway or for when you go shooting? My father has a hunting lodge. It was the original manor house of Pemberley.”

  “Really?” he said, amused by her gleeful air. “What a strange coincidence. Our cabin is similar, though I don’t use it for a hunting lodge. It is the original home place of the first Bennett family who settled this land in 1803. We have kept it in its original state to preserve our family history.”

  “Fascinating! Tell me about it. I love to hear family histories. I have a few of my own.”

  He smiled warmly and chuckled while resisting the incredible urge to put his arm around her. “I’ll tell you if you promise to share yours as well.”

  “It’s a promise—so tell.”

  Joseph began the long tale from beginning to end, telling her about the scandal, the discovery of the Cumberland Gap, the Westward Expansion, the settling of the land, the War Between the States, and on and on until the present day. He held her interest through the entire story, and when he finished, she told her own family history. He felt very relaxed and at ease in her company. How long had it been since he had been with a girl? He had to wonder. It had not been since he was at Annapolis, and then that had been infrequent. Her smile and animated hand gestures reminded him of his sisters. She had Lizzy’s liveliness when she spoke, but Jane’s quiet, soft features when she listened, and Kat’s forthrightness with Mary Beth’s gentle smile. However, there was nothing sisterly about the feelings she invoked in him.

  That presented a whole new problem. It was a good thing she would be returning to town soon, because he knew if he spent very much time in her presence, it would make it all the harder when he had to leave for Camp Pendleton in a few weeks. As much as he’d like to get to know her better, he knew it was in their mutual best interests that he not do so, especially considering the uncertainty of his future.