Bridgetown's Eleventh Hour

by Shirley A. Roe

  She rushed to the phone, but when she lifted the receiver, she realized that there was a five hour time difference between Canada and Europe. She would call him in the morning. In her excitement, she accidently pushed the delete message button on the phone. When she remembered that it had been flashing, she tried to retrieve the message but it was deleted permanently. Oh well, whoever it was will call again.

  Sarah made herself a small salad. She looked for a bottle of water but there was none. She was still wearing her sandals when she settled into her favorite chair to watch the news.

  “A Boil Water Notice’ has been issued by the Ontario Health Advisory and the Bridgetown Water Treatment plant. All residents are advised to boil their water before drinking. Also bottled water is recommended for consumption as a precaution. Mr. Burton, mayor of Bridgetown, will give a full report next week. There is no need for alarm.” Sarah looked at her salad. She had just washed the vegetables in the tap water and was almost finished eating them and she just finished a large glass of water. Hopefully I won’t get sick, she thought to herself as she pushed the remaining food aside. The news report went on to announce that the hospital was still concerned over a mysterious flu like virus and were warning people to take precautions, like washing their hands. Sarah switched the television off. She didn’t want anything to put a damper on her great mood. She turned in early, tired from the excitement of Toronto and the past few days. During the night she awoke with terrible stomach pains. Without thinking, she drank a glass of water from the bathroom tap and went back to bed. She was up all night with stomach cramps.

  The next morning, Sarah was dehydrated from vomiting and a bout of diarrhea. Feeling dizzy, she went to the refrigerator for a bottle of water. Realizing there was none; she poured a tall glass of water from the tap, and drank it. Nauseous, her head spinning, she went back to bed.

  Jack called Larry and tried to move the meeting up to Friday morning, but Larry was in meetings all day. A sense of urgency drove him to the mayor’s office. Waiting in the outside office, he watched people coming and going. He thought he saw Mr. Carver from the water treatment plant, walking down the corridor, but by the time he stood up and looked down the hall, the man was out of sight. “Mr. Giovanni, the mayor will see you now.” The woman with the pinched face showed Jack to the door and then returned to her desk. Jack could not help but think that the woman did not have the right personality to be the mayor’s assistant.

  Mayor Burton was seated behind a large desk. His vest bulged over his stomach as the buttons strained to remain in the button holes. His tie was loose at his throat and his shirt was rumpled. He didn’t give the impression of a well dressed politician. “Mr. Giovanni, what can I do for you? I am sorry, but I only have a few minutes before my meeting.” He didn’t stand up, but simply pointed to the chair in front of the desk. Jack sat down and stared at the man in silence for a few moments. He was organizing his thoughts.

  “I am here on a grave matter, your honor.” The mayor glowered at him, wondering what this was about. He was not unfamiliar with Jack’s past protests and trouble making.

  “Did you say a grave matter, Mr. Giovanni?” He waited, thinking that he would get rid of Jack as quickly as possible.

  “I have some evidence that suggests our town’s water supply is contaminated and is causing serious illness in Bridgetown.” The mayor breathed a sigh of relief.

  “I am fully aware of this problem; in fact I am meeting with Mr. Carver in a few minutes. We have the matter in hand, Mr. Giovanni. Thank you for coming.” He stood up as if to dismiss Jack.

  “I am sure you and Mr. Carver will have your meeting but what I want you to do, is ask him what the test results showed. I do not believe that E-coli are the problem, Mayor Burton.”

  “I assure you Mr. Giovanni that Mr. Carver and I will get to the bottom of this, now if you will excuse me.” He pointed to the door and Jack moved toward it.

  “I think you should look at Martin and Schultz Chemical.” Mayor Burton gaped at him.

  “Mr. Giovanni, I am well aware of your position on chemical companies and I remember your protests against Martin and Schultz Chemical a few years ago. Please do not interfere in something that is none of your business. Your vendetta against Charles Martin has nothing to do with me.” He walked toward the door and held it open. Jack left in silence, but he was fuming.

  Jack went straight to the Water and Waste Management offices. He insisted on seeing the director. After waiting two hours, the director agreed to see him. Jack presented his evidence to the man, who seemed less interested than Mayor Burton.

  “I insist that you investigate Martin and Schultz Chemical. I have soil samples and water test results and I know they are polluting the water system of Bridgetown.”

  “Mr. Giovanni, we are not going to go after one of the town’s leading industries without positive proof. I thank you for delivering your test results, but I will ensure you that we are conducting our own investigation at several locations in the area. At present we have several sources that we are exploring, however we must be discrete and keep our findings confidential until we are sure.” He stood up and appeared to dismiss Jack. Jack felt that he was being ignored and his anger and frustrations were growing. Damn these government bureaucrats and their cover ups!

  “I am going to the press! I will not leave this alone! People are ill and dying and I have had enough!” He shouted at the director. Two large men appeared at the door.

  “Problem, sir?”

  “Please escort Mr. Giovanni to his car. Mr. Giovanni, I would highly suggest that you do nothing or you will find yourself under arrest for interfering with an investigation by the Canadian government. Good bye, Mr. Giovanni.” The two men escorted Jack to his car. Jack was furious. He sat in his car with his new cell phone poised for action. He would report his findings and make people sit up and take notice. He dialed Christine’s number, but got her machine. Not sure what to do next, he drove home. He stopped for a coffee to go. Mr. McIntyre was coming out of the café. “Hello Mr. McIntyre, how are you?”

  “Angry, that’s how I am! Those bloody politicians are going to blame the farmers for the E-coli scare. Why are we always the target?” He was furious.

  “I understand completely Mr. McIntyre, but don’t you worry, I am working on something that will prove that you and the other farms are not to blame. I just need another couple of days.” Mr. McIntyre put his hand on Jack’s shoulder.

  “Good luck Jack, I hope it works. By the way, the coffee prices went up.” He walked away, looking unconvinced. This made Jack feel more frustrated than ever. Poor bugger, somebody is always the scapegoat. Well not this time. Martin and Schultz Chemical are going to pay this time.

  “Prices gone up, Gerry?” The man behind the counter handed Jack the coffee.

  “Bottled water costs a lot of money and all the prices will have to reflect that. When the heck are they going to fix the problem?” Jack didn’t know what to say. He turned and walked out.

  Bernie found him sitting in the living room, with the drapes drawn. “What’s the matter, Jack?”

  Jack was stewing. He could not get the image of Charles Martin’s face out of his mind. Five years before, Jack and several others were protesting the chemical plant because of an air pollution problem. Martin had arranged for Jack to be humiliated and arrested in front of the others. The smug look on his face haunted Jack for years. Although Jack’s lawyer finally had him released, the five months behind bars was one of the worst times in his life. Another inmate had threatened him with a knife and given him a beating that had almost killed him. It was the cause of his kidney failure and as a result, he needed a transplant. The operation this year was the final result. Jack would not forget what Charles Martin had put him through.

  “I tried Bernie, I really tried. No one will listen. They are determined to blame the farms and the farms are probably the most environmentally friendly enterprises in this country. Now I don’t know what
to do.” He relayed the events of his day to Bernie. His friend was surprised at the defeatist tone to Jack’s words, it was very uncharacteristic. He went to the kitchen and returned with two beers. Jack tried to keep his personal feelings for Charles Martin out of it, but they were definitely influencing his judgment. Bernie knew Jack very well and had been with him five years ago. He could tell what Jack was thinking.

  “First drink this, we need to think. The last thing we need is you in prison again, Jack. You are the one that can get things done, we need you.”

  “I know Bernie, I called Larry at Environment Canada and he agreed to see me on Sunday instead of Monday. At least we’ve gained one day but the mayor and the waste management director dismissed everything I was telling them. There is a huge cover up underway, I just know it.”

  “He must have faith in you Jack, if he agreed to meet on the weekend. Do you think he can do something?” Bernie took a long gulp of his beer.

  “Time will tell Bernie. Martin and Schultz Chemical will be the death of this town.” He drank his beer and went for another. The two sat for over an hour discussing the situation. More beer disappeared as the conversation grew heated. Suddenly, Jack jumped up and grabbed his jacket off the hook by the door. “I’ve got to go, Bernie.”

  “Where are you going, Jack? Wait for me, I’m coming with you. I have to go for a pee first.” Bernie ran to the bathroom, while Jack put on his boots. Bernie was worried that Jack would do something foolish. He hurried to do what he had to and the two jumped in the van.

  “Where are we going?” Bernie saw the determination on Jack’s face. He would support Jack no matter what, but he was hoping they both would not end up in jail.

  “To Martin and Schultz Chemical!”

  “I was afraid of that.” Bernie watched the stores and houses pass by the window as Jack raced out to the north end of town. Bernie kept his eyes peeled for police cars. They had both had several bottles of beer and he knew Jack shouldn’t be driving. Soon they pulled into the empty back parking lot of the chemical plant. Bernie felt a sense of relief that they had made it without incident.

  Jack jumped out and went to the back of the van. He grabbed a shovel and threw it to Bernie, whose long arm had no trouble catching it. Bernie, wondering what next, gave Jack a quizzical look. Jack grabbed another shovel and started for the trees. Soon he was digging a huge hole beside the second row of trees. Bernie joined him, unsure of exactly what they were doing.

  Suddenly, a loud voice shouted at them. Alvin Cooley came running across the parking lot, arms waving. “Stop! What do you think you’re doing?” Surprised anyone was there at this time but determined, they ignored him.

  “Stop it, or I’ll call the police!” Alvin huffed and puffed when he reached the area where Jack and Bernie were digging. He tried to yell but didn’t have enough air in his lungs. Dirt flew from the hole that was now several feet deep. Alvin had trouble speaking, his face was red and his heart pounded. Finally he shouted, “Stop, I say!”

  “Go away, old man! We have something to prove and we are going to dig until we prove it!” Jack shouted defiantly. There was no stopping Jack now, he was a man on a mission.

  Alvin took his cell phone from his pocket and dialed the local police. In gasps, he asked for help and the police sergeant told him he would send a cruiser. Alvin collapsed on the grass and waited, trying to catch his breath. He was frantic, it was all unraveling. Jack and Bernie continued to dig, ignoring him.

  The police car siren sounded in the distance. Bernie’s shovel hit something hard. “Jack, over here!” Alvin turned pale; his heart was pounding in his chest. He started to feel dizzy. This couldn’t be happening, after all these years. Damn Martin and his stupid trees!

  Jack stood beside Bernie listening to the shovel tapping on something hard. He looked at Bernie with great anticipation and started digging. At six foot five, Bernie’s shovel strokes were ambitious. Jack dug in, trying to match him stroke for stroke. His shovel also hit something hard. He exchanged a look with Bernie. They had definitely found something.

  The police car arrived. Alvin struggled to get to his feet, but he collapsed. His heart was racing and a sharp pain shot through his chest. He gasped for breath. Alvin clutched his chest, unable to speak. The officer ran to his side. Realizing that Alvin was having a heart attack, he called to his partner to get an ambulance. Jack and Bernie were ignored. They continued to dig until the top of a large metal drum appeared.

  Jack’s heart was pounding, at last he had the proof he needed. Excitedly, he took his digital camera from his pocket and took several pictures. “I’ve got him now, after five years I finally got Charles Martin!” He started to dig a few feet away, before he realized that Alvin Cooley was in trouble. When he saw the officer trying to revive him, he looked up at Bernie, who had stopped digging. Bernie was staring at Alvin in shock. They rushed to the old man’s side. “What happened?”

  “You tell me.” The officer looked at Jack. “This man needs help.” Realizing the officer was out of his depth Bernie quickly took over and administered artificial respiration. He pushed on Alvin’s chest and counted out loud. Soon the ambulance arrived and the paramedics took over. Alvin Cooley was breathing, but barely. The paramedics gave him oxygen and loaded him onto a stretcher. Once he was stable, one of the paramedics thanked Bernie. “You probably saved his life, thanks. We will take him to the hospital now.” Jack and Bernie watched the ambulance pull away before turning back to the policemen. Jack spoke directly to them.

  “Can you two, please come over here and look at what we have found?” The two officers approached the hole curiously and peered in.

  “Looks like a barrel. What does this have to do with us?” The officers looked at the two men covered in dirt. Jack and Bernie looked at each other.

  “Nothing, we just needed another witness. Thank you officers; you saved a man’s life.” Confused the policemen went back to their car. They assumed Alvin called because he was having a heart attack and did not question Jack and Bernie any further. After the car pulled away, Jack and Bernie filled in the hole that they had dug and left the plant.

  “Now we know what is killing those trees. There are probably toxic chemicals leaking out of that dumpsite and into the ground and probably the water.” Jack drove with purpose, he felt elated. “This is it, Bernie. Now I can prove the dump site exists. Bloody chemical plant, I knew it was them. Sarah and her green campaign is just a joke now, Bernie. I told her. I told everyone, but they wouldn’t listen.” He was rambling and excited.

  Bernie glared out the window silently. “Bernie, what’s the matter? Why so quiet? We’ve got them Bernie, we got Martin and Schultz!” Jack was filled with exuberance and satisfaction.

  “Jack, Mr. Cooley just had a heart attack! I think we should go to the hospital and see how he is.” The comment brought Jack out of his reverie and dropped him like a stone, firmly back to reality. He took a deep breath, Bernie was right.

  “Jesus, Bernie, you’re right. I’m sorry, I just got carried away.” Jack turned left toward the hospital, feeling very badly that he had dismissed a man’s life so cavalierly. “Let’s go and see how he is.” Jack was truly full of remorse. No matter how he felt, Alvin Cooley’s life was more important than his campaign against Martin & Schultz. It could wait.

  After several minutes, they learned that Alvin Cooley was in intensive care, but was expected to live. Jack and Bernie drove home relieved, and Jack was once again focusing on his goal to expose Martin and Schultz Chemical.

  “Tomorrow, I will go and see Charles Martin, and he will either agree to go public and have that dumpsite removed as safely as possible, or I go public and expose him for what he is, a polluter and a liar and quite possibly a murderer, if we can prove that those barrels are the source of the contamination and the contamination was the cause of deaths at the hospital. I’ll wipe that smug look off his face!” Bernie looked worried.

  As soon as he got home, Jack phoned Susan
. “Hi Sue, how are things in Arizona?”

  “Arizona is going as expected, lots of road blocks with the government, but we are moving forward. I am going back to Alberta on Friday; there is more trouble with the oil sands, Jack.” Susan sounded tired. He told her about his discovery. She responded but not as enthusiastically as he expected.

  “Are you getting enough sleep sweetheart, you sound exhausted?”

  “I am not worried about sleep right now Jack. The plans for a trans-boundary pipeline carrying oil from Canada to the U.S Gulf Coast will threaten the wetlands of the tundra swans, snow geese and countless numbers of ducks.”

  “Not to mention, the pipeline will lead to more tar sands mining and drilling in the boreal forest,” Jack added. “Between my problem here and yours there, I think we have a very busy month ahead of us. When am I going to see you?”

  “I don’t know Jack, but this pipeline will transverse two thousand miles and threaten the clean drinking water of more than two million residents. What are we going to do, Jack? We have to try and stop this blatant disregard for people’s safety. We’ll see each other when we can. Now you have the ammunition that you need and hopefully you can get that dumpsite cleaned up. Once I get things organized in Alberta, I have to come back to Arizona for at least two weeks. Perhaps you’ll have your problem in Bridgetown sorted by then and we can get together. I miss you Jack, and I could use your help out here.” Susan wished Jack was with her. Together they could accomplish so much.