by Linda Mackay
One medicine many refused to accept was the power of the mind. And with that my great-grandfather did his best to save our people. As the years progressed the non-believers judged those who professed to see and hear on a higher plain be put in mental institutions. Those who believed were ridiculed into silence for fear of retribution. Gramps and I chose to live away from so-called normal society. My mother wanted to prove her value by using her visions for the same government that accused our family of being mentally incompetent. For her efforts, she ended up dead.
“Jorie!” Todd poked my forehead.
“I’m trying to figure out how to accomplish this,” I hedged.
“You’re overthinking it.” Todd pointed at the map. “We have the credentials to be in the park working and also have the right to be on the southeast arm of the lake. Therefore this time of year, and with the road out, our best access is Pelican Valley to Lake Butte and the Thorofare trail. As fun as it sounds, there is no reason to sneak in under cover of darkness.”
“There’s also no reason to use Mac and Liz as some top secret cover story,” Amanda said. “We can’t hide our vehicles, so let our USGS permits do the talking in plain sight.”
They were right. “We don’t owe any ranger an explanation other than we still have work to do.”
“True dat!” Todd and Amanda said together.
“If they question the arrival of Mac and Liz?” I asked.
“We act like they work for us,” Todd said.
“I’ll let Mac know the three of us are leaving first thing in the morning.” He was not going to be happy.
Chapter 6
Chris LeDoux was singing Bareback Jack on the truck stereo and we were doing our best to stay on key with him. It was a tradition that every drive to Yellowstone began with LeDoux for good luck.
“Let’s LeDoux this trip.” Todd sang as the song changed on the CD.
“Damn straight!” Amanda stomped her feet on the floorboard and drummed her hands on the dash.
“I didn’t think Mac looked too ticked off we were leaving without him,” Todd said.
“After he threw his temper tantrum, he saw the merit in going in at separate times.” I said looking both ways before turning right.
“It wasn’t much of a tantrum,” Amanda said.
“Not by the pink girl standards anyway.” Todd said through pouty lips.
“Why don’t you like pink?”
“It’s so typically girlie. Be different and prefer chartreuse or mahogany,” Todd said.
“I don’t know. Why don’t you do something normal instead of so out there?” Amanda elbowed him in the ribs.
“I’m never out there. I’m an individual who conforms sometimes and doesn’t others. I just don’t believe following the rules all the time is healthy.”
“Well I think being an individual is over-rated.” Amanda pulled her hair into a ponytail tying it with a pink ribbon.
It was too early for this crap. “I think you’re both drowning out Chris and that pisses me off. Now shut-up and sing.” They did. This take-charge attitude Mac pulls might actually work for me with the discord duo.
Once Chris finished singing Paint Me Back Home In Wyoming, Amanda turned the volume down. “What are the animals saying about us returning?”
“There is no disharmony with our return,” I said.
“We’ll set up a circle with our medicine sticks and burn some sage on a campfire tonight. You can call in all who want to speak,” Todd said.
“Good idea.” Their unquestioning acceptance helps me put up with their squabbling like twins whose personalities are so different they can’t get along, yet their genetics make them inseparable. Amanda believed in my gifts without question. She said if her Italian and Swedish genes could blend then anything is possible. Todd studied the spiritual beliefs of the Athabascans while attending the University of Alaska. From his first day on the job he took on the roll of guardian of my power. He was from a magical family even though none of them knew it. They called it coincidence. Gramps and I knew better.
“I think the warm day is teasing us before it sends in the cold,” Amanda said.
“I hope it teases us for days, I’m not looking forward to freezing in a tent.” Todd rolled the window down and stuck his head out like a dog.
“At least Jorie supplies us with the best four-season tents available,” Amanda said.
“Now if we could just get her to bring a battery powered blender we could make fruity drinks with lots of vodka.” Coughing and gagging Todd sat back in the seat and rolled up the window.
Amanda laughed. “Never talk while window-surfing or you’ll eat a bug.”
“Even without a blender, we can still make snow sloshies,” I said.
“Last time we made those we were all hung over from the powdered Gatorade and sugar we added.” Amanda scrunched her face.
“I think the vodka had something to do with it too,” Todd said. “Maybe we should stick to coffee with whiskey in it.”
“That sugar mix did get us sloshed.” I laughed loud and snorted, which set the others off till we were laughing just for the sake of laughter. There’d been so little to laugh about recently that it felt good to exercise my giggle muscles.
We turned left at Moran and entered Grand Teton National Park. We waved at the ranger as we passed through the entrance gate. Even though I was driving a different truck without my USGS and park stickers the ranger knew us. This late in the season very few tourists were in either park. Most of the license plates were locals from Wyoming or Montana enjoying the parks without the plethora of tourists that clog the roads in summer.
The Tetons rose ahead of us like a line of sentinels for the valley residents below. We rode in silence enjoying the views until we reached the pullout at the north end of Jackson Lake. “I still can’t get over the difference.” I said getting out to stretch my legs.
When the large earthquake shook the Teton Fault in July it caused the Tetons to rise and the valley on the opposite side of the fault to sink. Locals could easily see the changes, but even after a few months the ground was healing and beginning to hide the clear indicators of her changes to visitors.
“She’s still protesting,” Todd said. “I felt movement again last night.”
“I slept through that one, but I felt the three thuds she dropped last week. It felt like my bed dropped and hit the ground hard,” Amanda said.
“Gramps said Nuk rolled off the bed a couple weeks ago,” I said. “Let’s get back on the road.”
We piled back in the truck after a two-minute discussion about who was riding in the middle seat. I wasn’t turning over the keys so I let them fight it out while I opened a container of raspberry tea. The earth not settling was troubling. And I knew Dad was worried too. He’d hugged me before we left and said to be extra careful. The research he was conducting, before the explosion was set off in Mary Bay, showed abnormal high ground temperatures. Next, humans blow-up the bay creating a ripple effect of power through the connected underground eco-system. It was like a giant game of Jenga. You pull enough pieces and eventually the entire structure collapses. Except this wasn’t a game. Scientists had questioned for decades the veracity of the Hot Spots around the world being able to affect not only the magma and faults around them, but each other. When Japan shakes, the seismometers in Yellowstone also move according to how the pathways were connected.
It’s not uncommon for an earthquake to occur and two days later a tsunami hit another part of the world, while a volcano ten thousand miles from the quake spews lava. This planet is inter-connected. Now we are facing the possibility humans could set off a bomb in an active Hot Spot and affect the entire world.
I’m beginning to believe our research findings, if they prove what I suspect, should never become public. You don’t hand over the keys to destroy the world on a silver platter to terrorists.
Todd and Amanda ate pretzels and M&Ms the rest of the way to the South Entrance of Yellow
stone. It kept their mouths occupied and the truck quiet. I hadn’t turned the music back on since I enjoy listening to nature as I drive. There were a few more cars at this entrance as we drove around the gate and waved at the ranger. She looked exhausted and ready for the season to end. I knew she lived in Texas and would return there for the winter. See, I do know a few things besides the depth and location of vents in Lake Yellowstone, and the hydrothermal activity within the ring-fracture zones across the caldera rim. Although, the reason I know she lives outside Dallas is because she issued my employee park permit and Todd asked her about her accent.
We made good time considering we were pulling a trailer with six horses. From the south entrance to Grant Village it’s a stressful climb up the narrow road with non-existent shoulders in many places. Your reward, is an easy scenic drive from the West Thumb geyser basin with her steam rising like multiple fingers to the sky, and along the expansive Lake Yellowstone shoreline where the blue water reaches for miles to the distant southern mountains. We turned right at Fishing Bridge where I’d planned to leave the truck and trailer. I parked and ran for the outhouse. Luck was on our side when the person exiting the outhouse was my friend, Ed Owens.
“I didn’t see your truck. What are you doing in this neck of the woods?” I asked.
“Truck’s across the road. And it looks like I’ll be spending the winter at Lake.” Ed didn’t look happy about it.
“Why the move?” I still didn’t see his truck.
“Evidently, some government big wig thinks a geologist should be here all winter.”
“Since you’re both a geologist and a ranger you get the job.”
“That’s what they tell me. You still working?” Ed asked.
“I thought we were through and then discovered we’d lost a part to the ROV and in the process some valuable information.”
“You get to work overtime to recreate it,” Ed said. “Whatcha stop here for. Aren’t you going in at Pelican?”
“I am, but all season we were told to access through the East Entrance and not disturb the work at the bay. But it’s too late to take a horse trailer in that way, so I thought we’d leave the trailer here and ride the rest of the way.” I was getting way too good at weaving lies. I was also glad Todd and Amanda were with the horses as I didn’t think I could look them in the eye.
“Screw ‘em!” Ed said. “Follow me.”
“I need to use the facility first.” I ran in and quickly closed the door. There was something off and I was getting nervous.
Ed waited for me and then we walked across the street and behind the general store. Ed’s truck was parked there. “See that dent.” He pointed to the driver door.
I shook my head yes.
“One of Bull Johnson’s crew kicked it in.”
“What?” Now I was positive something was off. “Why?”
“Don’t know. Never seen him before. I drove out to the work area to let Bull know his winter-geologist-in-residence was here. Before I could get out of my truck this asshole stormed over, kicked in the door, and told me to get the hell out. Bull came running and told the guy to leave me alone. I talked to Bull for a few minutes and now here I am.”
“You going back home?” I asked.
“Not a chance. Things just got interesting. I told Bull I was going back to Lake to get settled in my cabin. He’s planning to come by tonight and tell me my duties for the winter.”
“But first, you thought you’d do a little snooping?” I was catching on.
“Yes ma’am. I didn’t get an apology, or one word that ass would pay to fix my truck. Decided, I’d look around their cabins before heading out. Scuttlebutt all summer has been there’s something weird going on at the bay. Now I’m being forced to spend my winter in this god-forsaken frozen hell or lose my job, so after that welcome I think it’s time to do a little research of my own.”
Bull Johnson’s crew found something. And I’d bet a year’s salary I knew what. I didn’t want Ed getting in over his head and ending up dead like others did in July. “Be careful, Ed. I agree there’s something off up there. Keep your feelings close. Don’t even tell Bull.”
“I won’t, Jorie. At least I have a heads up this job isn’t what they say. Now, since I’m officially a ranger up here, I’ll escort you and your crew to the gate at Pelican and give you a special parking permit.”
“Thanks Ed, but I hired extra crew to ride in with my ROV, and they’ll be arriving in a couple days with my truck. Do you think we should put that many vehicles at Pelican and upset Bull?”
“Bull won’t be arguing with me. Trust me,” Ed smiled. “I know your truck has the proper stickers, but while I’m issuing a special use sticker for the truck you’re driving now, I’m also going to issue one for yours. Those yahoos don’t own this park, and I’ll be damn sure they know those vehicles have been approved as of today!”
“Thanks, Ed.”
I walked back to Frank’s truck feeling guilty for lying to Ed. Todd and Amanda were still talking to the horses and hadn’t missed me. “Load up. We’re going to Pelican.”
“What?”
“Why?”
“Those were my words exactly,” I said.
Chapter 7
The fire crackled and popped, casting shadows across the campsite. The mosquitos had disappeared with the season change allowing us to sip our decaf coffee in peace. I was drained after listening to the animals. All were going about their usual business preparing for the approaching winter, undisturbed by the humans at the bay.
“I love the smell of sage burning on a campfire.” Todd sucked in a huge sniff of the aroma emanating from the flames.
“I think it smells weird,” Amanda scrunched her nose up.
Todd shook his finger at her. “Stop that. You’ll get wrinkles and end up looking like a pug.”
“I love them. They are so cute,” Amanda said.
“Pug wrinkles are not cute on your face.” Todd brushed the dirt off his pants. “What’s first on tomorrow’s agenda, Dr. Clark?”
“We’ll hike to the top of the hill and glass what’s going on at the bay.” The steam coming off the top of my coffee mug felt good against my chilled face.
“I don’t understand someone kicking Ed’s truck,” Amanda said.
“Even weirder he had no idea who it was.”
Todd was thinking about the same thing I was. There’s a relatively small group of USGS researchers working in both parks. Names may be forgotten, but rarely faces. For one of those faces too not only be unrecognizable, but also violent is certainly worth worrying about. “I want to see if we recognize everybody on the work sight. I’m suspicious there is someone hanging around who is part of the cover-up.”
“That’s what I think,” Todd said.
“Oh no! I came on this excursion because there wasn’t any danger. Now you think another killer is here.” Amanda jumped up and ran to our tent. When she returned her slingshot was in one hand and .44 Smith and Wesson in the other.
“Put that away. We’re not going to shoot anyone,” I said.
“I’m with Amanda on this. If someone is here guarding the bay then I think it’s time to start packing heat,” Todd said. “Commandos at the ready!”
“Let’s see what tomorrow brings.” I finished my coffee and rinsed the mug. The fire was burning to embers as we enjoyed its final offering of warmth. Amanda was sitting with her gun in her lap, and I was getting a headache. “I think guard duty is unnecessary. No one knows we’re here. Bull’s team is all snug in their beds back at Fishing Bridge, so how about we tone down the James Bond routine.”
“I bet Mac would have a different opinion,” Amanda said.
“Mac isn’t here. So, until then let’s act like geologists,” I said.
“That’s so boring.” Todd shoveled dirt over the campfire to extinguish it. “Headlamps on, and off to bed everyone.”
I shuffled to the tent I shared with Amanda. Entering it I heard Todd tell her to s
leep at the ready. Mac wasn’t even here and my team had gone Rambo on me. I zipped into my sleeping bag and rolled toward the outside of the tent. I silently asked the animals to keep watch. Just in case.
“Give me a turn.” Amanda demanded leaning against the boulder and looking at the bay below.
“Not my fault you didn’t bring binoculars,” Todd said.
“I didn’t think we all needed to.”
“That’s what you get for thinking.”
“Jorie, make him share.”
Trying to ignore them hadn’t worked. I handed my binos to Amanda and retreated to the shade of a pine tree.
“I recognize everyone except the guy in the parka,” Amanda said.
“Bet that’s the dude who kicked Ed’s truck,” Todd said.
“Look at his feet,” I said. It always came down to footwear. He was wearing boots, but they were inappropriate for the weather and water at the bay.
“Bet he drove to Bozeman and bought them,” Todd said.
“That salesperson sold this amateur up the river without a lure,” I said.
“Did you notice he’s wearing two pairs of white socks?” Amanda joined in the analysis of his gear.
“Major rookie mistake,” Todd said.
Instead of purchasing heavy-duty, knee-high, waterproof insulated boots that are serviceable instead of fashion worthy; he’d bought a pair of hiking boots. Boots that were completely wrong for the water and work at the bay. “Anyone wanna bet someone on Bull’s crew steered him wrong?”
“Probably also told him two pair of cheap cotton socks was a great idea,” Amanda said.
“As Mac would say, I believe we can conclude this guy is a plant.” Todd’s imitation of Mac was on the mark.
We could see that Bull’s crew was ignoring the dude like the football team ignores the chess club. Opening my daypack I pulled out a granola bar. “I wonder how much he knows?”