White Dragon

by Regina A Hanel

  Halie squinted at Susan before she addressed Walter. "Are you kidding? Only my car?"

  "Yes, why? Were you hoping they slashed everyone elses?"

  "That's not what I meant," Halie said.

  "Then you should say what you mean."

  "Fine, I will. I was just outside, and the only person I saw around our cars was you."

  "That's because the bastards ran off after they saw me heading over there. What do you think, I slit your tire?"

  Walter waited, but Halie didn't respond.

  "Shit, if I were that mean or stupid, I'd have done it weeks ago. What is it with you anyway? You're lucky I saw them when I did or you might have four flats instead of one. I was going to offer to change that tire for you, but since you're being so accusative, you can take care of it yourself," he said. He stormed out the door and slammed it behind him.

  Susan eyed Halie with a recriminating glare.

  "What? He did this," Halie said with a scowl. "I know he did."

  "Personally, I don't like the guy either," Susan said, "but I don't know why you'd think he'd do something like that. He came forward and told you he called the police. Why would he call the police if he was guilty?"

  "Because he knew I saw him and he was trapped. Because ever since we got this space and he didn't, he's been against us."

  "I'll admit he's been an ass at times," Susan said, "but maybe he didn't see you and was trying to be a decent guy for a change."

  "Like he was being last weekend at the opening, bringing his buddy Nitro with him? What was he thinking? Who knows what else he's doing, or has already done. He may be trying to be a decent guy, but I doubt it. Sabotage appears more up his alley."

  AFTER SHOVING THE last chunk of toast in her mouth, Sam tucked her ironed gray shirt into her pleated dark green pants. She washed the toast down with one remaining swig from her coffee. She was hoping for some quiet time this Wednesday morning in her office. Time she wanted to use to straighten out accumulated paperwork. At twenty minutes to seven, Sam tied the last knot on her brown leather boots, grabbed her ranger hat, and headed for the door that led from the house into the garage. "I'm going, Honey," she yelled to Halie. She wasn't sure if Halie heard her, but that became the extent of their interactions in the past few days since the tire slashing. The slashing reaffirmed to Halie that whatever happened last month wasn't over. Although the love they held for each other remained deep, the rollercoaster ride they were on strained their relationship. Before she shut the door behind her, she said to Jake, "You be a good boy."

  As soon as Sam started up the Expedition and backed out of the garage, a call came in. "Four-two-zero, Teton Dispatch," Toby's voice crackled.

  "Teton Dispatch, four-two-zero, go ahead," Sam replied.

  "We got a call about two women spotted on Rendezvous Mountain's Eagle Ridge Trail and confirmation of a mountain lion in their vicinity."

  "Roger that. I'm on my way." Sam jumped from the driver's seat, and ran inside for Jake, who was still sitting by the door. "Got a job for you today after all," she said as Jake bolted to the vehicle, tail wagging. Sam scratched a quick note for Halie that she'd taken Jake, and left in a whirl.

  Sam had found Jake in Grand Teton National Park three years prior while she was on foot patrol on one of the hiking trails. He'd appeared scared, was nearly starved, and had been left tied to a tree several hundred feet from the main path. She'd taken him to the vet, and when he recovered, adopted him. He helped her through some rough times before she met Halie, and although Sam was the one who saved Jake, she'd always felt more like he was the one who'd saved her. He was a comfort to her now as well, and one of the few things in her life that was remaining steady. Jake could help her locate the hiker's more quickly, an asset she knew he was happy to have her take advantage of.

  FROM THE CORNER of her eye, Susan watched as Halie stood with a large framed painting in her hand in front of one of the angled display walls. A chime sounded when a woman walked through the door.

  "May I help you?" Susan asked.

  "I hope so. I heard this gallery was owned by Halie Walker," the woman said, her right hand tucked in her back pocket. "Is that correct?"

  "Sure is. And you are?"

  "Felice Lohan--a friend."

  Susan immediately recognized the name, and then was able to put the face with it. She remembered seeing her picture in the paper when news of the illegal trapping at the park made headlines after her arrest, and therefore she wasn't happy about seeing her in the gallery. Susan also never recalled Sam or Halie referring to her as "a friend". "So what can we do for you today, Ms. Lohan?" Susan asked. Now her tone was taut.

  "Is she in?"

  At first Susan didn't respond, uncertain whether or not she should be truthful, but then she knew if Felice walked much farther, she'd see Halie anyway. Susan inclined her head in Halie's direction, then spun around and walked behind the counter. "What time did Jeff's mom say she'd pick you up?" Susan whispered to her son Brian.

  "She should be here any minute, why? Don't like having me around?" Brian asked.

  "Don't be ridiculous. You know that's not true. It's just that I'm being paid to work, and it's a little difficult when you're here, that's all. I like spending time with you. I wish I had more of it, but unfortunately I don't."

  "Yeah, well, so do I." Then in a more quiet tone, with brows furrowed, he asked, "Hey, Mom, who is that woman anyway?"

  "Felice Lohan. She's a local. She used to work as a park ranger in Grand Teton with Halie's partner Sam, but she was caught in an illegal fur trading operation in the park. She captured some animals on the endangered species list. Some type of ferret, I think. She spent nearly a year in jail."

  "Probably black-footed ferrets. We learned about those in biology last year."

  "Sounds about right. Why'd you ask?"

  "She looks familiar. Do you think the police are still searching for the person who took Sam's horse last month?"

  "I'm sure they are, especially since Sam's in law enforcement, even if she does work for the park. Plus, she knows the sheriff quite well. Why?"

  Brian didn't answer right away. "I might've seen her at Charlie's Ranch that morning when Sam's horse was taken."

  Susan's eyes widened. "What? Are you sure?"

  "I don't know, but I think so." In the next breath he said, "Oh, I gotta go. Jeff's here." He leaned toward his mom, kissed her on the cheek, and bolted out the door.

  "Okay, be careful. We'll talk more about this later," she said, but her son was already out the door. Susan couldn't wait to tell Halie what Brian revealed. She wished she could hear Felice's conversation with her boss, but they weren't close enough. She'd have to wait.

  "HALIE," FELICE SAID as she rounded the corner. "So it is true. Congratulations on your new place."

  Halie tried concealing her unease. "Hi, Felice. Thanks. This is a surprise, what are you doing here?"

  "It's good to see you too."

  "I'm sorry," Halie said. She set June's framed painting on the floor, and leaned it against the wall. "I didn't mean for that to come across the way it did. How are you?"

  "All things considered I'm doing okay." Felice glanced around the gallery. "You seem to be doing well. I'm guessing you're living here now in Jackson Hole. You and Sam are still together?"

  "Yeah, we are. I couldn't be happier." Halie's answer was only partly true, recent acts against them made her heavy-hearted, but she wasn't about to go into it with Felice. "Sam had told me about your son. I'm sorry. How's he doing?"

  "Thanks for asking. His cancer's in remission."

  "That's great," Halie said. "Sam will be glad to hear that."

  Felice didn't respond. Halie sensed Felice still harbored bad feelings about the arrest, as she suspected she might. Filling an awkward void, she added, "So what brings you here?"

  "I'm not completely sure, to be honest. I was in the area, so I thought I'd say hello."

  "You were in the area?"

  "Wel
l, I landed a job teaching at Ryerson Central College, at their Jackson campus starting next month. I've got three classes this semester, Bio I, Range Ecosystems and Plants, and Natural History of Regional Ecosystems. I'm teaching a class for the summer semester too, and one of my students told me about this place."

  "I'm glad for you," Halie said. She meant it too, yet her feelings regarding Felice remained mixed. She was uncertain how to interpret her visit. While trying to decipher Felice's true intent, Halie heard the faint revving of a Harley engine, its unmistakable sound reminding her of some fun times on her bike in Boston. She revealed in the reminder. An unknown piece of her still missed the thrill of the ride.

  "Yeah. This year is the first time they offered those classes in their Jackson campus, so that's going to work out great for me. It's been tough, you know, after what happened and all, finding a job--holding on to friends."

  "I'm sure it was."

  "This job is a real blessing. Because of it, I'll probably be seeing you around more, now that we work so close to each other. Maybe we could get together--"

  At once the gallery door opened and a woman yelled, "Halie Walker? Where are you, gal?"

  Halie wasn't sure what to think. Out of the frying pan and into the fire? How much was she expected to take before losing it? She hoped Susan would have already released her from the awkward position she found herself in with Felice, and would have called her over to answer a fake phone call or something equally believable, but no such luck. Now she had potentially another fire to extinguish. "Excuse me, Felice, I think I'd better get that."

  Halie walked out from behind the display wall, eyes squinting at the five-foot-seven, hundred-sixty-pound leather clad biker, trying to place the surprisingly gentle and familiar face. Moments later, as the face registered in her memory banks, she yelled, "Ronni!"

  "There you are, you little scoundrel," Ronni said. She ran to Halie and picked her up by the waist. She spun her around as though she weighed nothing. "It's so good to see you!"

  "I can't believe it," Halie said once her feet hit the floor. "My heart be still. It's so good to see you too, you crazy nut. How long's it been?"

  "Too long--way too long."

  "You're right. We should never have lost touch. My God, you're so grown up," Halie said. She stepped back a foot or two and got a better view.

  "Heck, so are you," Ronni said. Her line of sight scanned up and down Halie's slender frame. "You're even more of a knockout now than you were then."

  In the background Halie heard Susan say, "What is it today, a full moon?"

  Ronni Summers grew up with Halie in Massachusetts. They were best friends from kindergarten through middle school, before Ronni's parents moved to Kentucky. The pair wrote each other often during their first year apart, and sent each other pictures, but as time progressed, the letters dwindled until they stopped altogether. Halie couldn't remember who had stopped writing first, and now that she saw Ronni again, it didn't matter. All that mattered was her best friend was standing before her in the flesh at a time when she needed the support.

  While the two old friends got re-acquainted, Felice repositioned herself within a few feet of Halie and cleared her throat.

  Halie completely forgot Felice was in the room. She shifted sideways, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Felice. Felice, this is Ronni, an old friend of mine. Ronni, this is Felice Lohan. Felice is an acquaintance who stopped by to say hello and congratulate me on the gallery."

  Felice extended her hand. "Nice to meet you," she said, her tone flat.

  "Same here," Ronni said with equal hesitation. "Speaking of which...congratulations from me too. I love the name. Nature's Vision. Clever."

  "Thank you."

  "You're welcome. But then you always were the smarter of the two of us."

  "Oh, I wouldn't say that. You did okay in class, but you always did better working with your hands. Remember what you made in wood shop?"

  "I should get going," Felice said. "I enjoyed seeing you again Halie. I'll stop by some other time when you're less busy."

  "Okay, yes, it was good seeing you Felice," Halie managed. Before Felice walked out the door, and feeling a twinge of guilt for cutting their conversation short, Halie added, "and good luck with your classes."

  Felice raised her hand level with her shoulder and produced a weak wave before exiting.

  Once Felice was gone, Halie returned her attention to Ronni. "You don't know how glad I am to see you right now, and now that you're here, how much I realize I've missed you."

  "I felt the same way as soon as I laid eyes on you again. It almost felt like we've never been apart and yet at the same time I sensed that tug on my heart that told me I had missed you a great deal." After a brief silence, Ronni said, "By the way, what was this woman Felice's story? I mean I'm sorry I wasn't overly nice to her, but I didn't get the impression you wanted her around. Are you in trouble? If you are, say the word and I'll take care of her."

  Halie smiled. She wasn't sure if Felice was trouble or not, but she was happy she'd left. "Take care of her? Like you did when we were kids and someone was picking on me?"

  "Yeah, that's right," Ronni said.

  "Thanks," Halie said. She brushed Ronni's arm gently, "but I think I'm okay. A rather long story revolves around Felice. I think she may be a little lost right now and looking for a friend, but I'm not sure I'm ready or want to be that friend."

  "Well, if she gives you any trouble, you let me know, okay?"

  "I will. We have so much to catch up on. Do you live around here now?" Halie's heart hoped to hear that her friend lived close, at least close enough to visit once in a while. She didn't want to lose touch again.

  "No, I'm still in Kentucky, though it's only me and my dad right now. My parents divorced. Mom's back in Massachusetts."

  "I'm sorry."

  "That's okay, it was a long time ago."

  "You're here on vacation then?" Halie's expression revealed her disappointment. She would have loved to have her best friend back in her life.

  "Yeah, but now that I saw you, I was thinking about hanging around for a little while."

  "That would be fantastic."

  "I came with my biker group. I left them at the watering hole down the street. Ray's I think the place is called. I didn't want all of them parking in front of the gallery. It has an upscale appeal--I didn't want us scaring away any potential customers."

  "Good thinking on your part, though having you parked out front wouldn't have bothered me at all. It's so great seeing you. I can't believe you're actually here. I have so much to tell you and I want to hear about what's been happening with you."

  WHEN SAM ARRIVED on scene, the sun was beginning to rise. She called dispatch to let them know she'd arrived. The parking lot was empty but for one vehicle. She stepped from the Expedition, placed her hat on her head, and let Jake out. She hoisted her EMS bag and marched up the trail.

  Sam moved at a brisk pace, with Jake in the lead. Her body warmed posthaste in the cool, morning air. A few trees showed hints of changing color in shades of reds and yellows. Sam was extra cautious, a result of the mountain lion sighting, since they are rarely seen. Mountain lions are reclusive, solitary animals by nature that normally avoid humans unless startled, provoked, or starving.

  Half way up the trail, a blood-curdling scream ripped through the silence. Sam ran full speed toward the sound. She now heard another voice, a woman yelling, "I won't let you go! I promise I won't let you go!"

  At the edge of the woods, blood covered the branches and leaves of surrounding brush, and small plants lay yanked out, roots visible. As Sam approached, she saw the body of a woman being dragged away from the trail, the jaws of a mountain lion dug firm into her neck near her collarbone. A few more inches, and the animal's teeth would have punctured her jugular, causing her to bleed out. Another woman dragged behind as well, barely clinging to the captured woman's legs. Seconds later, the woman lost her grip and screamed, "No!"

  Sam reached
for her .45 caliber Sig-Sauer and removed it from its holster. She aimed, but got no clear shot at the mountain lion. Sam yelled as loud as she could and flailed her arms in the air to scare him off, but the animal held fast to its prey.

  "Help us, please! Please, help us! I couldn't stop him. He won't let her go! Please! Hurry!" the woman who'd lost her grip yelled to Sam. She was left lying on her stomach.

  Jake barked over and over, then lunged at the lion and bit hard into his side before swiftly backing away. The lion let loose of its victim and swiped its claws in Jake's direction. The lion stood growling and defiant, blood covering its jaws.

  Sam didn't hesitate. A shot rang out, then another. The bullets found the heart and lungs of their intended target as the lion slumped dead to the ground.

  The second woman ran to her partner's side and fell to her knees. "Oh my God, it's okay now, you're safe Baby, you're safe." The woman's voice shook in concert with her trembling body. "You're going to be okay. You're going to be okay."

  Sam moved toward the bleeding woman and zipped open her bag. "My name's Ranger Tyler," she said, holding back the nauseous feeling overcoming her as she saw not only the gashes in the victim's neck, but also her scalp partly torn away from her skull from above the eye. "I'm going to take care of you."

  The woman let out a grunt.

  Sam slipped on latex gloves, folded back the layers of torn skin, applied dressing, and quickly wrapped the wounds. Then she reached for her shoulder mic and called for medical backup and a helicopter before attending to the lesser lacerations on the woman's face and hands.

  While they waited for help to arrive, Sam managed to calm the victim's partner down enough to get some basic information from her such as her name and the name of her partner, and what they were doing in the woods at that early, dangerous hour. The woman's name was Melanie Gibbs. Her partner, who the lion grabbed, was named Hillary Coleman. Melanie told Sam she kept having this feeling they were being followed. She'd heard rustling in the brush, but every time she'd stop to check what was there, she saw and heard nothing. When Hillary bent down and grabbed the untied laces on her hiking boots, the mountain lion struck. When he pulled her away, she dove after her partner and managed to grab hold of her leg, but she couldn't stop him from taking her. He was too strong. After that, Melanie couldn't say much more.