Poverty Hill
Copyright© 2026 by Asa Strong
Chapter 31
We were up early the next mornin’. Over breakfast, we decided that I’d leave Lisa here to break camp and get everythin’ ready to go. I’d make the trip up to the scientists’ camp to retrieve them.
It would’a been nice if’n we could’a used the snowmobiles, but the terrain were too rugged and steep from where we were at up to the scientist’s camp.
The scientist crew were ready when I arrived—about nine in the mornin’. I used their satellite phone to call the sheriff’s office and let them know what were goin’ on. Dave just about had a heart attack when I tol him about bein’ attacked. By eleven, we were back at the clearin’ where Lisa were.
After talkin’ it over with the head science guy, it were decided that Lisa and a few of the students would take the snowmobiles and make a dash for the corral, where the truck were at. They could make it in about four hours time. The rest of us would foller on horseback.
Lisa and three of the students took off on the snowmobiles. They would take the bulk of the equipment, supplies and the extra pack horse packs. That would make a much lighter load for the horses and mules that were left. It would also make it easier for the rest of us to make our way down through the deep snow. The rest of us mounted up and set off for the corral.
With enough horses to change off breakin’ a trail through the snow, we made good time. We were back at the corral on the second afternoon. When we got to the corral, there were a gaggle of State Police, CBI, FBI, the Judge, and the Sheriff a waitin’ on us. Lisa were there too, and almost broke my neck when she hugged me.
The next week or so were absolutely crazy. Lisa and I had to tell our story over and over to every Tom, Dick, and Harry with a badge. Then the news people got wind of what happened, and Hahn’s Peak and Poverty Hill were flooded with news people for a few days. Once, Grandma had to run off a bunch of reporters, a wavin’ her shotgun at ‘em.
After a couple of weeks, the roar died down to an occasional whimper. Lisa and I had spent most of the time at home, out a sight of the news people. Hell, we couldn’t even go to Lucy’s. The damn place were a crawlin’ with reporters.
Lisa, Angel, Grandma and I were sittin’ havin’ breakfast one mornin’ when the phone rang. Grandma got up to answer it and after a few seconds said, “Amos, it’s the judge; he wants to talk to you.”
“Yea judge, what’s up?”
I heard the judge’s voice, over the phone.
“Amos, could you come into Steamboat today. I’d like to talk with you about a few things?”
I answered in the affirmative and hung up the phone.
“What’s the judge want?” Lisa asked.
“Damn if I know, he just said he wanted to talk to me about somethin’.”
I didn’t say anythin’, but if the judge wanted to jaw with me, it usually ended up with me doin’ somethin’ I didn’t want to do.
Lisa nodded her head and then said, “Well, I’m going back to work today; I have the noon to ten shift.”
I nodded my head, and didn’t say anythin’. No one had mentioned me goin’ back on the road and I weren’t gonna bring it up.
I finally got my ass movin’ and got dressed. It were about eleven when I left the house. Lisa were a puttin’ on her sheriff’s outfit when I left her in the bedroom.
When I got to the courthouse, it were just about noon. When I walked in the front door, the guard called me over and said that the judge was at the Sheriff’s office and asked if I’d meet him there.
I nodded my head, turned around, and walked over to the Sheriff’s office.
I found the judge, Steve and, of all people, Colonel Bridger in Dave’s office.
Right away, I knew that there were somethin’ awful fishy a goin’ on. Dave weren’t there, and as soon as I came in the door, Steve got up and closed the door.
“You wanted to talk at me, judge?” I said, takin’ a seat.
The judge had a pensive look on his face, and I had the feelin’ he were a walkin’ on eggs—afraid of what he were about to say.
“Amos, there’s been a new organization created in the FBI. Colonel Bridger has retired from the Army, and is going to be in charge of it.”
I didn’t say a word. Already, I didn’t like the sound of this shit and were waitin’ for the other shoe to drop.
The judge looked at me, and then at the Colonel.
The Colonel looked at me and then said, “Amos, I’m taking over a new office within the FBI. It will be in charge of covert investigations into possible terrorist activity.”
He didn’t say anthin’ more, so I asked, “OK, now just how ‘en the hell is that gonna affect me?”
He looked at the judge, then at Steve and then back at me.
“Amos, I’d like for you and Lisa to be a part of this operation. You have the training and experience and would make a good agent.”
I were pissed! No, that weren’t enough; I were mad-dog angry! I had more ‘en my share of this kind of shit in the Army. I didn’t want no part of what they were offerin’ me no how no way.
I were about to blow up. Somehow, I got my temper under control, and said to the Colonel, “I don’t want no part of this shit. Look, I spent twenty years runnin’ around the jungles in South America gettin’ shot at. And, Lisa and I have just spent some rather excitin’ times bein’ shot at on Hahn’s Peak. You’ve also put my family in danger more than once. I don’t need no more of that kind of excitement.”
The Colonel didn’t say anythin’, but the judge put his two cents into the conversation.
“Amos, stop and think a minute. You sitting around playing cowboy is a waste of your talent and ability. Please consider the Colonel’s offer.”
Now my dander were really up.
“Judge, what I do with my so-called talent and ability ain’t no concern of yours. It seems to me, you been pushin’ me into places I don’t want to go for some time. Well, it’s gonna stop. It’s gonna stop right now.”
I then stood up and walked to the door. I stopped and looked back at all three of them.
“You know, y’all ain’t got no idear how I feel about any of this. Hell, I don’t think any of yah give a shit anyway.”
I paused and then looked at the judge.
“Yah know judge, you tol me once you made a promise to look out fer me to my father. Well, I don’t need no lookin’ after. Besides, it seems to me that your kind of lookin’ after a fella could get ‘em killed!”
I turned and walked out the door.
I weren’t seein’ straight all that well when I left the sheriff’s office. But, I did manage to find me a bar that were open.