The Hawk and The Chipmunk
Copyright© 2005 R. Michael Lowe aka The Scot
Chapter 17
A stunned Andy collapsed into a chair at the kitchen table. Brenda and Maria joined her, trying to patiently wait for Andy to regain control of her emotions and tell them what’s going on. After almost five minutes of complete silence Maria went to the refrigerator and brought back three cold beers. Almost by reflex Andy reached out and picked up the bottle. After taking several swallows she took a deep breath, and just seemed to melt back into the chair. Suddenly she sat up. Her eyes were no longer glazed over, but were clear and bright. Her face was full of concern, yet she exuded determination, and she said, “I think Jason just asked me to marry him.”
Maria asked, “What do you mean, ‘you think’?”
“He said ‘it was time for me and our granddaughters to plan a wedding.’“ Brenda and Maria both jumped up to hug the woman that they’d drawn so close to during the past few hours. They excitedly offered her their congratulations.
“Though we’ve a problem. There’s been a cave-in, and they’re presently trapped in the old mine.”
Brenda exclaimed, “Cave-in?” while she dropped back into her chair.
Maria was a little more coherent, and asked, “How can they be trapped and still call us?”
“It seems there are some hidden air-shafts. Jason climbed one of them until he could get a signal. They’ve air and water, but no food. Jason has a plan, but we’ve got a lot to do before morning.”
“Where do we start?” asked Maria.
“Do you know where Jason keeps his guns and explosives?”
“Yes.”
While reviewing the list Jason had dictated to her on the phone Andy instructed, “You need to run home and get six to eight handguns as well as ammunition for them. You also need to get twenty feet of Primer cord, a block of C-four, and ten timed detonators. Think you can do that?”
“Sure. Are we going to blast them out?
“I think Jason is just trying to cover the potential needs. There’s a metal grate in the air-shaft that’s got to be removed. I don’t know much more than that.”
“Can Brenda ride with me?”
“I need her to get her Aunt on the phone, but I don’t see any reason not to after that.”
Brenda picked up the phone and dialed her Aunt at Zed’s ranch. All she got was an answering machine. She left a basic message to her Aunt to call Maria’s apartment immediately. She then dialed her Aunt’s cell phone. It was answered, “Hello.”
“Aunt Beth, this is Brenda. Andy needs to talk to you.” She handed the phone to Andy and joined Maria, who was headed out the door.
“Hi, Mary Beth. I’m Andy, though my people often call me ‘White Dove.’ I’m Hawk’s nurse.”
“Andy, I remember you from yesterday. How can I help you?”
“Jason and Hawk are trapped in a mine that’s collapsed. There seems to be a pretty easy way out for them, but it’ll take all our help.”
Staggered at the news Mary Beth replied, “Andy, we’re at a cookout at Deke’s house. Give me that number, and we’ll call you back shortly. Are you sure they’re OK?”
“It was somewhat garbled, but I think so. At least, I hope so. At the end it sounded like Jason asked me to marry him.”
“That’s great news, and it’s also encouraging. I doubt he would’ve done that if he didn’t believe they’d get out of there alive.”
Andy thanked her for the encouragement and gave her the phone number for the apartment. Then she sat back with the remainder of her cold beer. She took several deep, cleansing breaths, and closed her eyes. Unfortunately, this didn’t help her relax, since every time she closed them, all she could see was Jason’s face. Suddenly, she threw her beer across the room and screamed, “Jason, why do you control my emotions like that.” At that point, her tears came, so did her sobs.
Mary Beth was still in a state of shock when she hung up from talking to Andy. Seeing the tears in her eyes Tracy, Deke’s wife, came over to comfort her, asking, “Mary Beth, are you all right?”
“I’m sorry, Tracy. I just learned someone very close to me is in danger.”
Suddenly Tracy became all business, saying, “Come with me and freshen up. Do you need me to get Zed?”
Between sobs Mary Beth said, “Actually, I need Zed, Deke, Julian, and Dennis.”
This request surprised Tracy. What could be the danger that required everyone in that group? Only one person she knew (besides those that were present), could cause this kind of reaction, and he was dead. She didn’t want to pry into her husband’s dealings, but this did cause her some concern. Later she’d give it more thought, but right now Mary Beth needed her to get those people together. Tracy led Mary Beth to the guest bathroom, and said, “Go in here and freshen up. I’ll quietly get everyone into Deke’s office, next door.”
“Thanks, Tracy. You’ve been most sensitive and understanding.”
Somewhat embarrassed by the compliment Tracy made a little shooing motion with her hand to encourage Mary Beth to enter the bathroom. When she had, Tracy returned outside and mingled. As she came to each of the men she whispered something in their ear. Shortly after she moved on that person discretely excused himself, heading for Deke’s office. Finally her husband was the only one remaining. She slipped up beside him, and whispered, “Honey, I’ll take over for you on the grill. Mary Beth needs you in the study.”
“Did she say what was wrong?”
“Just someone important to her was in danger, and she needed to see Zed, You, Dennis and Julian. She was sobbing, so I led her to the guest bathroom to freshen up. She’ll be joining everyone in the office.”
“Thanks, Sweetheart. You handled that very professionally.”
Tracy gave him a smile that would have lighted half of Phoenix. She thought to herself, I’m not sure what’s going on, but for Deke that was a major compliment. He suddenly seems to be more relaxed, yet more full of purpose. I really think his leaving public life and joining this law firm has been a very good thing in his life. In addition, I think Mary Beth’s presence has also helped. Fortunately, I no longer feel that tension of being compared to her. Maybe, after all these years, he’s accepting me as me, and not just a substitute for Mary Beth.
With that she took over the cooking. What was special was she was feeling a warm glow that had nothing to do with the grill, or the ‘Seven and Seven’ she was slowly nursing.
When Deke joined the others Mary Beth had just sat down in his chair. He closed the door and leaned against it. His mind questioned, I wonder what’s going on? Of course, with this group gathered like this, it’s sure to do with John. No! John is dead. I’ve got to get that fixed in my mind! One slip could have grave repercussions! Therefore, this meeting has to have something to do with Hawk. Hawk, Hawk! I’ve got to get that name fixed in my mind.
His thoughts were interrupted by Mary Beth saying the words ‘cave-in’ and ‘trapped.’ He wanted to kick himself for getting lost in his own thoughts, but he’d soon find out if he missed anything.
In the meantime Mary Beth had turned on the speakerphone and dialed the number to Maria’s apartment. It was answered, “Hello.”
“Andy, this is Mary Beth. I’m on a speakerphone in Deke’s home office with everyone you asked for. Now, will you please give us the details?”
“To bring everyone up to date, this morning Jason and Hawk went to the site on the Navajo Reservation where Maria had been staying. My understanding is there’s some garbage that had to be taken care of.”
Mary Beth smiled at the girl’s wise way of discussing the elimination of a body over an unsecured telephone line. “I’m following you, Andy. Now what about the cave-in?”
Andy continued, “I don’t know all the details, but there was a cave or an old mine near their destination. While they were inside some of the old timbers gave way, trapping them. They’ve fresh air and good water, but no food. They’ve given me an approximate GPS position, and a list of things to bring. I don’t understand the purpose of them all, but I’m sure Jason has a reason for everything.”
Julian responded, “Andy, this is Julian. I know Jason well. If he asked for it, it was at least potentially important. Give us the list, and we’ll get started. Do we need to go tonight?
“No. Jason will be expecting us there at ten in the morning. I’ll have to give you more specifics in person. My suggestion is we meet here, at Maria’s Apartment, at five-thirty in the morning. We can eat breakfast and leave by six-thirty.”
Mary Beth looked around the room and saw everyone nodding approval. She said, “That’s not a problem. Now, let’s go over the list.”
“Jason said we needed to get some handheld two-way radios. He wants enough for everyone that’s going, plus several extras. He also wants at least fifty feet of chain, like you’d use to pull an engine from a car, along with a big hook and fasteners. Does that make sense so far?”
Zed answered, “I’ve got what he’s asking for at the ranch.”
“Good. He also wants two hundred feet of half inch to three quarters inch rope, at least one set of block and tackle, a hand truck or dolly, a GPS, a portable winch, and finally, a one ton or heavier truck with a trailer.”
Zed replied, “Most of that makes sense. Do you know why he wants such a heavy duty truck?”
“No. We lost signal just as he finished. I’ve tried to call him back, but to no avail.”
Zed said, “Then we must assume he has something heavy to bring out of the mine. Other than the rope and the radios, which we can pick up on the way to the ranch, I’ve everything else. I also have a heavy duty ATV, with a winch and a trailer. I’ll put it in my utility trailer, and pull the utility trailer with my Dually.”
Note: ATV = All Terrain Vehicle; Dually = a pickup truck with four wheels on the rear axle - 2 on each side, thus ‘Dual’ wheels.
Andy laughed, and said, “Zed, I hope the others understood that, because I sure didn’t. I don’t know sometimes about you men and your toys.”
A grinning Zed responded, “But at times like this you’re glad we have those toys.”
Andy laughed again, and said, “You’ve got that right. Call if you’ve questions, and we’ll see you in the morning. We’ll fix breakfast, as well as bringing food and water for the trip.”
Mary Beth answered, “Then we’ll see you at five thirty. Make sure you’ve plenty of coffee for this gang. Except for Zed, we’re not used to getting up at that time of the morning.”
“Thanks, everyone! I’ll make sure we’ve plenty of coffee.”
When the call was terminated, the group talked among themselves for a few minutes, and then rejoined the rest of the guests in the backyard. Tracy, with some help of some of the other wives, had finished preparing the food.
Everyone sat down to eat and enjoy themselves. It was a little more subdued than normal, but Tracy was the only one who noticed. Shortly after everyone had finished eating Tracy cornered Mary Beth, and asked what’s going on. “Tracy, I think part of it was just a week ago, tonight, John was killed. Also, Deke and Dennis have been investigating a situation in California at the request of a client, and that’s turning into a real mess. Finally, we’ve got a couple of friends who’ve gotten themselves in a real bind. That’s what the earlier call was about. Tomorrow several of us are going to the reservation to try to help them with their problem.”
“Is there something I can do to help, and why the reservation.”
“They’re Apaches. To protect themselves and their family they must vacate where they are as soon as possible tomorrow. From what I gather they’ve a good bit to move. As for helping, I’ll call you if I see any way you can help.”
Smiling to try to keep down the negative connotation, Tracy asked, “Aren’t you all getting too old for something like this?”
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