The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Walker, Texas Ranger". The characters belong to CBS Productions, Top Kick Productions, etc., but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)
"Lumberjack" Chapter 1
by Lorrie
"Calvin, drop the load at dock #7 and make sure Mr. Lyons signs for it himself." Calvin climbed into his logging truck and drove away.
Joshua Adams smiled smugly to himself as Calvin pulled out. He lit up a cigar and poured himself a glass of scotch. "Two hundred kilos packed into a hollow log. I'm a genius, a pure genius."
Calvin arrived at dock #7 and after having Mr. Lyons sign for the load, began unloading the truck. "Mr. Lyons, the #12 log is the special white oak you requested." Calvin smiled.
"Thank you." Mr. Lyons handed Calvin a small case. "Please let your boss know that I'll be in touch again soon." Calvin took the case, stepped into his rig and pulled away.
*****
Sydney and Gage sat in their car across from the docks with full surveillance equipment. Gage held a listening device connected to a tape recorder while Sydney recorded the transfer on video.
They quickly put away the equipment when Calvin pulled out. "Let's get this back to headquarters." Sydney said as Gage started to pull away.
"Do you think it's enough for Alex to get a warrant for us for Adams?" Gage asked.
"I hope so. This case has dragged out long enough. I'm anxious to get on with our honeymoon."
Gage smiled as he touched Sydney's cheek with his hand. "Me too, Mrs. Gage, me too."
*****
"Walker, where are Sydney and Gage this afternoon?" Trivette asked as he sat down at his desk with a cup of coffee.
"Out on surveillance. They should be back anytime now if the drop went through OK. Why?" Walker asked without looking up.
"Erica wants to have the newly weds over for dinner tomorrow night." Trivette stared at Walker. "When are you going to let them have off for the honeymoon anyway?"
"As soon as we wrap up this case." Walker smiled. He knew all too well how anxious the couple was to go on their honeymoon.
Gage and Sydney entered the office with their surveillance gear in hand. "OK Walker, here's what we were able to get." Sydney popped the tape into the VCR while Gage set up the tape player.
After viewing the video and listening to the tape, Walker sat on the edge of his des. "So Adams is using his logging company as a front, apparently packing the cocaine in hollow logs, then trucking them to the docks where the truck driver unloads and picks up the payoff." Walker crossed his arms. "The driver never mentioned Adams' name, did he?"
Gage shook his head. "No, he just called him the boss."
"It won't get us a warrant for Adams, but we can pick up the truck driver. Maybe he'll talk." Walker got up from the edge of his desk. "Trivette, can you trace the license plate and get an address on the driver?"
"Sure." Trivette wrote down the plate number and moved over to his computer.
Sydney nudged Gage and mouthed, "go on" with a smile.
"Uh, Walker." Gage stammered. "Syd and I were sort of wondering when we might be able to get away for a week for our honeymoon."
Walker put his hand on Gage's shoulder. "Just as soon as we get this case wrapped up, I promise."
Sydney lifted her eyebrows and smiled at her husband. Gage flashed his best mischievous smile back at her.
Trivette cleared his throat. "Guys, the rig was registered to Calvin Myers."
"Was?" Gage interrupted.
"It was involved in a fiery crash about an hour ago on Flat Creek Road. The driver didn't survive."
"What now?" Sydney asked.
Walker thought for a moment. "Gage, you and I are going undercover as lumberjacks. Trivette, you and Sydney will pose as truck driving partners. Can you get a rig and set the rest up?"
Trivette nodded. "I can handle that."
"Alright. Gage, go spend some time with your wife. I'll pick you up at your place around 6:00. OK?"
Gage nodded. "6:00 sounds good." He put his arm around Sydney as they started out the door.
"Gage, travel light." Walker called after him.
*****
Gage and Sydney entered their apartment. Gage quickly packed a small duffel bag and placed it by the door. "Come here you." He pulled Sydney close to him and began to kiss her gently and passionately.
"I wish you didn't have to go." Sydney started.
"I wish I didn't either, but as soon as I get back, hopefully this case will be wrapped up and you and I can get away for a week." He led her into the bedroom and slowly undressed her, kissing her body as he pulled away her clothes.
"How much time do we have before Walker gets here?" Sydney asked.
Gage looked at the clock. "About an hour." Sydney pulled him towards the bed where they made passionate love. When each had been satisfied, Sydney laid her head on Gage's chest and they both fell asleep.
The doorbell rang causing Gage to jump out of bed. He quickly looked at the clock. "Oh man, that's Walker. Syd can you get the door, while I hop in the shower?" Sydney quickly pulled on her clothes and answered the door.
"Come on in Walker. Gage is in the shower, he'll be ready in a minute."
Walker felt a little embarrassed, knowing that he had interrupted an intimate moment. "Sydney, I'm sorry to take him away from you like this, but hopefully it'll only be for a day or two. Then we can wrap this whole mess up and you guys can leave."
Sydney smiled. "Thanks Walker." Gage came into the living room. "Hey Walker, are you ready to go?"
"Yeah. Sydney, you and Trivette be careful."
"We will. You two do the same." Walker headed down the sidewalk and towards the truck while Gage lingered behind, kissing his beautiful bride.
Sydney held him tightly. "Promise me that you'll be careful." She said softly in his ear.
"You know I will." He pulled away from her gently. "Syd, come on, we've been on undercover assignments dozens of times. What's wrong?"
"I don't know." She looked down at the ground. "I guess I've never had my husband leave on an undercover assignment before." She said slowly.
"Oh Syd." Gage hugged her tightly. "I'll be fine. Will you promise me that you'll be careful too?" She nodded.
"I love you." She said as she returned the hug.
"I love you too." Gage kissed her once again and left to meet Walker at the truck.
Once Gage was in the truck, Walker drove away. The two men sat in silence for the first ten miles of their drive, then Walker spoke. "Gage, it's never easy to leave them behind."
Gage glanced at Walker and smiled. "I don't understand why it seems so much harder now than it did when we were dating."
"She's a part of you now. Your wife. I go through the same thing each time I leave Alex and Angela. If you think its hard now, wait until the two of you have kids."
Gage stared at Walker for a moment. "I can't imagine leaving my child behind not know for sure if I'll be back." He stared out ahead of him, thinking of his parents and how he and Julie had been orphaned.
"Have you and Sydney talked about kids?" Walker asked.
Gage looked down. "A little. She knows how I feel about it. I love kids,
but . . ."
"But you're scared of the responsibility and afraid that you might not come home one night." Walker said knowingly.
Gage nodded his head. "Exactly."
"I feel that way sometimes too. It's hard to balance a family with our job." Walker turned onto Flat Creek Road.
"Well, Syd and I haven't even been married for a month yet. We have a while to think about kids."
"That's true." Walker nodded. "OK. The logging camp is just up ahead."
"So what's the story, are we just buddies jumping from town to town or what?"
"Let's tell them that we're half-brothers. You're Coleton Jessup and I'll be Mack Cooper."
Gage nodded in agreement as they pulled into the camp.
Walker and Gage both got out of the truck and approached a small group of loggers. "Who's the foreman here?" Walker asked.
"Who wants to know?" One of the men responded.
"I'm Mack Cooper, this is my brother Coleton Jessup. We're looking for work. Do you know if there's anything available?"
"You need to see Mr. Adams. He's in the trailer." One of the men pointed at a small trailer at the end of the gravel bed.
Walker knocked on the door as Gage stood behind him. "Mr. Adams?"
Joshua Adams came to the door. "Can I help you?"
Walker introduced himself and Gage. "We're looking for work."
"Have you had any experience in logging?" Adams asked.
"We worked with Johnson Transport a few months ago. We both know how to cut lumber, trim it and load it. We can even transport it if you provide us with a rig." Gage replied with a bit of an attitude.
"Well now, you boys seem pretty sure of yourselves, don't you?"
"My brother can be a little cocky sometimes. Mr. Adams, we really do need the work." Walker half pleaded.
"I can use you. You'll work with Anderson's crew. That's Anderson in the yellow shirt over there." Adams pointed in Anderson's direction.
"Thank you Mr. Adams." Walker said.
"Thanks." Gage mumbled.
*****
There were twelve men working under Anderson. They watched as Walker and Gage approached them. "What do we have here?" One of the men chided as he stared at Gage. "Pretty boy here doesn't look much like a lumberjack, does he?"
"Gee, I didn't realize all lumberjacks had to look like Paul Bunyon." Gage replied.
Another of the men sized Gage up. "He's got a smart mouth on him too." He lunged at Gage and was met by his boot.
"Now look guys. I don't want any trouble. My brother and I are just here to work." As Gage gave his little speech, Walker stood behind him with a metal bar in his hand.
"OK kid, looks like you've proven yourself, for now." The men disbursed and Anderson approached Walker and Gage.
"Sorry about that. The boys are a little restless tonight. Why don't you two get a good nights rest and we'll get busy on the north section in the morning." Anderson showed Walker and Gage to their bunks.
*****
The following morning Sydney and Trivette tried out their new rig. Trivette found that he was able to maneuver it pretty well while Sydney found it a little difficult to reverse. "I'm fine as long as I'm going forward, but don't ask me to back this thing up." She laughed in spite of herself.
"What now?" She asked.
"We head over to Adams Logging and get hired on."
Sydney scampered up into the cab of the rig and she and Trivette headed towards Adams Logging.
Once there, Trivette climbed down and approached the dispatcher, with Sydney close behind. "Could you tell me if you're doing any hiring?" Trivette said with a slight slur.
"Possibly, let me check with my supervisor." The dispatcher replied. Trivette turned and winked at Sydney. The dispatcher reappeared at his post. "We are in need of a driver. Here's the applications, once you've completed them, we'll see what your capabilities are." He eyed Sydney.
Trivette and Sydney completed the forms and returned them to the dispatcher. "All right little lady, you're first." Sydney jumped into the cab with the dispatcher along side of her. "Are you sure you can drive this thing?" He asked.
"I can drive it, as long as I don't have to back it up into a tight space." Sydney replied with a long southern draw.
The dispatcher smiled. "You see that loading dock over there?" He pointed at a dock that looked maybe as wide as the rig.
"Yeah." Sydney replied.
"I need for you to drive down to that marker." He pointed at a marker about a mile away, then come back and back this rig into that dock, without hitting the sides and you and your partner have the job."
Trivette looked at Sydney with his eyes opened wide.
"All right. Here goes." Sydney slammed the rig into drive and began shifting gears as she picked up speed.
"Hey, slow it down, slow it down." The dispatcher yelled.
Sydney chomped on her chewing gum and changed gears again. "What's the matter, are ya scared?" She began gearing down as she approached the loading dock. She turned the rig around and using her mirrors, began to back up. Under her breath, she said a silent prayer. She gave the rig some gas and eased it into the tight spot. "There, how's that?"
The dispatcher smiled. "Perfect. You start today and your first pick up is this afternoon."
*****
Gage stretched as he opened his eyes. "Rise and shine." Walker said quietly.
"Man, it's too early to be up. What time is it anyway?"
"It's about 5:30." Walker was already dressed. Gage pulled on his shirt and gathered his gear. They could hear a heated conversation in the distance. Walker motioned for him to follow, quietly.
They peeked through the bushed and saw Anderson talking to Adams. "I don't like new people this late in the game." Anderson said.
"We need them. You have two players on your crew. These two are down on their luck and will be perfect for the job." Adams replied.
"How do you know?"
"I checked them out myself. Cooper is wanted in Arkansas on drug related charges and Jessup, man that kid's been into a little bit of everything. He just got out of Huntsville last month and hooked up with his brother."
Anderson nodded. "If you think they're OK. I'll talk to them tonight." Adams nodded and walked away. Gage and Walker quickly made their way back to the bunkhouse.
*****
After breakfast, Walker and Gage grabbed their gear and started off into the forest with the rest of the crew. They were put to work on a small section and began cutting the trees, Gage wielding the chainsaw and Walker guiding the logs. Soon they had cut down ten trees and were ready to limb them up and prepare them for the logging trucks.
"Jessup, Cooper, over here." Anderson called. "We need this one down." He pointed at a mid-sized dead white oak tree.
"It's dead." Walker replied.
Anderson nodded. "That's why it has to go. Also, make sure it doesn't crack when it comes down. We need it intact."
Walker shrugged his shoulders and he and Gage carefully began to cut the tree. Once it was down, Anderson began the task of hollowing out the pulp from the tree, preparing it for the cocaine packs.
Walker stood a few feet away and snapped pictures of Anderson with a small camera, which was concealed in his belt buckle.
Gage looked over at Walker and whispered; "Did you get it?" Walker nodded in response.
*****
Later that afternoon, Sydney and Trivette were given their pick up instructions. "It's on Flat Creek Road." Trivette said as he read the papers.
"Isn't that where that other driver was killed?" Sydney asked. Trivette nodded as he hopped into the driver's seat.
They got about half way up the mountain and were stopped by the fire department. "What's the problem?" Trivette asked.
"There's a forest fire about two miles ahead of here. We're evacuating the entire mountain." The fireman responded.
Trivette looked at Sydney, then put the truck in reverse and turned it around. "There's a rest stop about 1/2 a mile back. We'll wait there."
*****
Anderson gathered his crew. "We've been advised that a forest fire is about two miles down the mountain and moving fast. We need to evacuate. Gather your gear and load into the truck." He instructed.
"Cooper, Jessup, I need you to help me with something." Walker and Gage met Anderson and Adams by the hollow tree. "We need to get this one loaded."
Gage looked at Anderson quizzically. "Why, that tree is worthless. It's dead."
"It may be dead, but it's hardly worthless. I have over one thousand kilos of cocaine in there and it needs to get down this mountain before the fire reaches it. Understand?"
Gage and Walker nodded. "We'll need to load at least ten logs to balance the rig." Walker responded.
"I know, so get busy. We'll meet you at the bottom." Adams replied.
"What's stopping us from leaving?" Gage asked.
"Him." Adams pointed to Anderson who was holding a rifle on them. "Now get busy."
They quickly moved the rig by the logs and began winching them onto the back of the truck. Soon, all ten were loaded. "Anderson, how do you know which one has the cocaine in it?" Gage asked.
"It's the only one marked, white oak."
They all three jumped into the cab of the truck and began to pull out when Anderson noticed that several packets of cocaine had been left behind. "Wait, you two out of the truck." They all three walked back into the woods.
Walker noticed the smoke beginning to fill the forest. The tops of some of the trees were beginning to burn. "Anderson, the fire's jumped the line, we need to go now!" Walker ran towards Anderson. Gage looked up in time to see a tree beginning to fall, he ran towards Walker and barely pushed him out of the way before the large tree landed with a thud.
Walker, stunned by the sudden activity turned to see where Gage was. He spotted his motionless body underneath the tree. Anderson made a run for the rig and slammed it into gear and pulled out before Walker could catch him.
Walker ran back to Gage, who still lay motionless under the tree. "Gage! Gage!" Walker yelled. He bent down and put his hand to Gage's throat, searching for a pulse. "Thank God." He said aloud as he felt a slight pulse. He then started breaking away branches, trying to see how much weight was on Gage's chest and legs.
Suddenly, Gage started to moan. "Walker." He said hoarsely.
"I'm right here Gage."
Gage opened his eyes and winced in pain as he tried to breath. "I think my ribs are broken and my left leg."
"Hang on buddy. I'm going to get you out of here." Walker ran back into the camp and found a small chainsaw. He cranked it and began to cut away the limbs of the tree until they were in chunks small enough for him to move.
Gage began to cough as the smoke grew thicker. "Walker, we've got to get out of here."
"I know." He coughed and wiped his watery eyes as he moved the last of the tree away from Gage. "Can you put your arm around me?"
"I think so." Gage lifted his arm and put it around Walker's neck. Walker then pulled him into a standing position.
"OK. Lean on me. I know you must in a lot of pain, but we've got to get out of here and I can't carry you."
"I'm OK. Let's go." Gage responded. They began a very slow descent down the mountain, hoping they were moving away from the fire.
"Gage, I see a cabin up ahead. Let's try to make it there. If we're lucky there'll be a radio and we can get some help up here." Gage forced himself to stay conscious until they reached the cabin.
Walker helped him into a nearby chair and looked around. There was no radio, but there was a first aid kit. Walker cleaned the cuts and scratches on Gage's face and arms, then bandaged his ribs as best as he could. "Gage, I'm afraid to try to set your leg. It looks like a pretty bad break and probably needs to be surgically set." Gage nodded.
"Why did you do that anyway?"
"Do what?" Gage asked.
"Push me out of the way of the tree?"
"Do you remember the talk we had on the way up here?" Gage asked. "Angela needs her dad." Gage winced in pain again as his breathing became very labored.
"You need to rest now. I'll keep a watch out for the fire and if it gets any closer, we'll move. If not, we stay put until someone finds us."
END Chapter 1
"Lumberjack" Chapter 1
by Lorrie
"Calvin, drop the load at dock #7 and make sure Mr. Lyons signs for it himself." Calvin climbed into his logging truck and drove away.
Joshua Adams smiled smugly to himself as Calvin pulled out. He lit up a cigar and poured himself a glass of scotch. "Two hundred kilos packed into a hollow log. I'm a genius, a pure genius."
Calvin arrived at dock #7 and after having Mr. Lyons sign for the load, began unloading the truck. "Mr. Lyons, the #12 log is the special white oak you requested." Calvin smiled.
"Thank you." Mr. Lyons handed Calvin a small case. "Please let your boss know that I'll be in touch again soon." Calvin took the case, stepped into his rig and pulled away.
*****
Sydney and Gage sat in their car across from the docks with full surveillance equipment. Gage held a listening device connected to a tape recorder while Sydney recorded the transfer on video.
They quickly put away the equipment when Calvin pulled out. "Let's get this back to headquarters." Sydney said as Gage started to pull away.
"Do you think it's enough for Alex to get a warrant for us for Adams?" Gage asked.
"I hope so. This case has dragged out long enough. I'm anxious to get on with our honeymoon."
Gage smiled as he touched Sydney's cheek with his hand. "Me too, Mrs. Gage, me too."
*****
"Walker, where are Sydney and Gage this afternoon?" Trivette asked as he sat down at his desk with a cup of coffee.
"Out on surveillance. They should be back anytime now if the drop went through OK. Why?" Walker asked without looking up.
"Erica wants to have the newly weds over for dinner tomorrow night." Trivette stared at Walker. "When are you going to let them have off for the honeymoon anyway?"
"As soon as we wrap up this case." Walker smiled. He knew all too well how anxious the couple was to go on their honeymoon.
Gage and Sydney entered the office with their surveillance gear in hand. "OK Walker, here's what we were able to get." Sydney popped the tape into the VCR while Gage set up the tape player.
After viewing the video and listening to the tape, Walker sat on the edge of his des. "So Adams is using his logging company as a front, apparently packing the cocaine in hollow logs, then trucking them to the docks where the truck driver unloads and picks up the payoff." Walker crossed his arms. "The driver never mentioned Adams' name, did he?"
Gage shook his head. "No, he just called him the boss."
"It won't get us a warrant for Adams, but we can pick up the truck driver. Maybe he'll talk." Walker got up from the edge of his desk. "Trivette, can you trace the license plate and get an address on the driver?"
"Sure." Trivette wrote down the plate number and moved over to his computer.
Sydney nudged Gage and mouthed, "go on" with a smile.
"Uh, Walker." Gage stammered. "Syd and I were sort of wondering when we might be able to get away for a week for our honeymoon."
Walker put his hand on Gage's shoulder. "Just as soon as we get this case wrapped up, I promise."
Sydney lifted her eyebrows and smiled at her husband. Gage flashed his best mischievous smile back at her.
Trivette cleared his throat. "Guys, the rig was registered to Calvin Myers."
"Was?" Gage interrupted.
"It was involved in a fiery crash about an hour ago on Flat Creek Road. The driver didn't survive."
"What now?" Sydney asked.
Walker thought for a moment. "Gage, you and I are going undercover as lumberjacks. Trivette, you and Sydney will pose as truck driving partners. Can you get a rig and set the rest up?"
Trivette nodded. "I can handle that."
"Alright. Gage, go spend some time with your wife. I'll pick you up at your place around 6:00. OK?"
Gage nodded. "6:00 sounds good." He put his arm around Sydney as they started out the door.
"Gage, travel light." Walker called after him.
*****
Gage and Sydney entered their apartment. Gage quickly packed a small duffel bag and placed it by the door. "Come here you." He pulled Sydney close to him and began to kiss her gently and passionately.
"I wish you didn't have to go." Sydney started.
"I wish I didn't either, but as soon as I get back, hopefully this case will be wrapped up and you and I can get away for a week." He led her into the bedroom and slowly undressed her, kissing her body as he pulled away her clothes.
"How much time do we have before Walker gets here?" Sydney asked.
Gage looked at the clock. "About an hour." Sydney pulled him towards the bed where they made passionate love. When each had been satisfied, Sydney laid her head on Gage's chest and they both fell asleep.
The doorbell rang causing Gage to jump out of bed. He quickly looked at the clock. "Oh man, that's Walker. Syd can you get the door, while I hop in the shower?" Sydney quickly pulled on her clothes and answered the door.
"Come on in Walker. Gage is in the shower, he'll be ready in a minute."
Walker felt a little embarrassed, knowing that he had interrupted an intimate moment. "Sydney, I'm sorry to take him away from you like this, but hopefully it'll only be for a day or two. Then we can wrap this whole mess up and you guys can leave."
Sydney smiled. "Thanks Walker." Gage came into the living room. "Hey Walker, are you ready to go?"
"Yeah. Sydney, you and Trivette be careful."
"We will. You two do the same." Walker headed down the sidewalk and towards the truck while Gage lingered behind, kissing his beautiful bride.
Sydney held him tightly. "Promise me that you'll be careful." She said softly in his ear.
"You know I will." He pulled away from her gently. "Syd, come on, we've been on undercover assignments dozens of times. What's wrong?"
"I don't know." She looked down at the ground. "I guess I've never had my husband leave on an undercover assignment before." She said slowly.
"Oh Syd." Gage hugged her tightly. "I'll be fine. Will you promise me that you'll be careful too?" She nodded.
"I love you." She said as she returned the hug.
"I love you too." Gage kissed her once again and left to meet Walker at the truck.
Once Gage was in the truck, Walker drove away. The two men sat in silence for the first ten miles of their drive, then Walker spoke. "Gage, it's never easy to leave them behind."
Gage glanced at Walker and smiled. "I don't understand why it seems so much harder now than it did when we were dating."
"She's a part of you now. Your wife. I go through the same thing each time I leave Alex and Angela. If you think its hard now, wait until the two of you have kids."
Gage stared at Walker for a moment. "I can't imagine leaving my child behind not know for sure if I'll be back." He stared out ahead of him, thinking of his parents and how he and Julie had been orphaned.
"Have you and Sydney talked about kids?" Walker asked.
Gage looked down. "A little. She knows how I feel about it. I love kids,
but . . ."
"But you're scared of the responsibility and afraid that you might not come home one night." Walker said knowingly.
Gage nodded his head. "Exactly."
"I feel that way sometimes too. It's hard to balance a family with our job." Walker turned onto Flat Creek Road.
"Well, Syd and I haven't even been married for a month yet. We have a while to think about kids."
"That's true." Walker nodded. "OK. The logging camp is just up ahead."
"So what's the story, are we just buddies jumping from town to town or what?"
"Let's tell them that we're half-brothers. You're Coleton Jessup and I'll be Mack Cooper."
Gage nodded in agreement as they pulled into the camp.
Walker and Gage both got out of the truck and approached a small group of loggers. "Who's the foreman here?" Walker asked.
"Who wants to know?" One of the men responded.
"I'm Mack Cooper, this is my brother Coleton Jessup. We're looking for work. Do you know if there's anything available?"
"You need to see Mr. Adams. He's in the trailer." One of the men pointed at a small trailer at the end of the gravel bed.
Walker knocked on the door as Gage stood behind him. "Mr. Adams?"
Joshua Adams came to the door. "Can I help you?"
Walker introduced himself and Gage. "We're looking for work."
"Have you had any experience in logging?" Adams asked.
"We worked with Johnson Transport a few months ago. We both know how to cut lumber, trim it and load it. We can even transport it if you provide us with a rig." Gage replied with a bit of an attitude.
"Well now, you boys seem pretty sure of yourselves, don't you?"
"My brother can be a little cocky sometimes. Mr. Adams, we really do need the work." Walker half pleaded.
"I can use you. You'll work with Anderson's crew. That's Anderson in the yellow shirt over there." Adams pointed in Anderson's direction.
"Thank you Mr. Adams." Walker said.
"Thanks." Gage mumbled.
*****
There were twelve men working under Anderson. They watched as Walker and Gage approached them. "What do we have here?" One of the men chided as he stared at Gage. "Pretty boy here doesn't look much like a lumberjack, does he?"
"Gee, I didn't realize all lumberjacks had to look like Paul Bunyon." Gage replied.
Another of the men sized Gage up. "He's got a smart mouth on him too." He lunged at Gage and was met by his boot.
"Now look guys. I don't want any trouble. My brother and I are just here to work." As Gage gave his little speech, Walker stood behind him with a metal bar in his hand.
"OK kid, looks like you've proven yourself, for now." The men disbursed and Anderson approached Walker and Gage.
"Sorry about that. The boys are a little restless tonight. Why don't you two get a good nights rest and we'll get busy on the north section in the morning." Anderson showed Walker and Gage to their bunks.
*****
The following morning Sydney and Trivette tried out their new rig. Trivette found that he was able to maneuver it pretty well while Sydney found it a little difficult to reverse. "I'm fine as long as I'm going forward, but don't ask me to back this thing up." She laughed in spite of herself.
"What now?" She asked.
"We head over to Adams Logging and get hired on."
Sydney scampered up into the cab of the rig and she and Trivette headed towards Adams Logging.
Once there, Trivette climbed down and approached the dispatcher, with Sydney close behind. "Could you tell me if you're doing any hiring?" Trivette said with a slight slur.
"Possibly, let me check with my supervisor." The dispatcher replied. Trivette turned and winked at Sydney. The dispatcher reappeared at his post. "We are in need of a driver. Here's the applications, once you've completed them, we'll see what your capabilities are." He eyed Sydney.
Trivette and Sydney completed the forms and returned them to the dispatcher. "All right little lady, you're first." Sydney jumped into the cab with the dispatcher along side of her. "Are you sure you can drive this thing?" He asked.
"I can drive it, as long as I don't have to back it up into a tight space." Sydney replied with a long southern draw.
The dispatcher smiled. "You see that loading dock over there?" He pointed at a dock that looked maybe as wide as the rig.
"Yeah." Sydney replied.
"I need for you to drive down to that marker." He pointed at a marker about a mile away, then come back and back this rig into that dock, without hitting the sides and you and your partner have the job."
Trivette looked at Sydney with his eyes opened wide.
"All right. Here goes." Sydney slammed the rig into drive and began shifting gears as she picked up speed.
"Hey, slow it down, slow it down." The dispatcher yelled.
Sydney chomped on her chewing gum and changed gears again. "What's the matter, are ya scared?" She began gearing down as she approached the loading dock. She turned the rig around and using her mirrors, began to back up. Under her breath, she said a silent prayer. She gave the rig some gas and eased it into the tight spot. "There, how's that?"
The dispatcher smiled. "Perfect. You start today and your first pick up is this afternoon."
*****
Gage stretched as he opened his eyes. "Rise and shine." Walker said quietly.
"Man, it's too early to be up. What time is it anyway?"
"It's about 5:30." Walker was already dressed. Gage pulled on his shirt and gathered his gear. They could hear a heated conversation in the distance. Walker motioned for him to follow, quietly.
They peeked through the bushed and saw Anderson talking to Adams. "I don't like new people this late in the game." Anderson said.
"We need them. You have two players on your crew. These two are down on their luck and will be perfect for the job." Adams replied.
"How do you know?"
"I checked them out myself. Cooper is wanted in Arkansas on drug related charges and Jessup, man that kid's been into a little bit of everything. He just got out of Huntsville last month and hooked up with his brother."
Anderson nodded. "If you think they're OK. I'll talk to them tonight." Adams nodded and walked away. Gage and Walker quickly made their way back to the bunkhouse.
*****
After breakfast, Walker and Gage grabbed their gear and started off into the forest with the rest of the crew. They were put to work on a small section and began cutting the trees, Gage wielding the chainsaw and Walker guiding the logs. Soon they had cut down ten trees and were ready to limb them up and prepare them for the logging trucks.
"Jessup, Cooper, over here." Anderson called. "We need this one down." He pointed at a mid-sized dead white oak tree.
"It's dead." Walker replied.
Anderson nodded. "That's why it has to go. Also, make sure it doesn't crack when it comes down. We need it intact."
Walker shrugged his shoulders and he and Gage carefully began to cut the tree. Once it was down, Anderson began the task of hollowing out the pulp from the tree, preparing it for the cocaine packs.
Walker stood a few feet away and snapped pictures of Anderson with a small camera, which was concealed in his belt buckle.
Gage looked over at Walker and whispered; "Did you get it?" Walker nodded in response.
*****
Later that afternoon, Sydney and Trivette were given their pick up instructions. "It's on Flat Creek Road." Trivette said as he read the papers.
"Isn't that where that other driver was killed?" Sydney asked. Trivette nodded as he hopped into the driver's seat.
They got about half way up the mountain and were stopped by the fire department. "What's the problem?" Trivette asked.
"There's a forest fire about two miles ahead of here. We're evacuating the entire mountain." The fireman responded.
Trivette looked at Sydney, then put the truck in reverse and turned it around. "There's a rest stop about 1/2 a mile back. We'll wait there."
*****
Anderson gathered his crew. "We've been advised that a forest fire is about two miles down the mountain and moving fast. We need to evacuate. Gather your gear and load into the truck." He instructed.
"Cooper, Jessup, I need you to help me with something." Walker and Gage met Anderson and Adams by the hollow tree. "We need to get this one loaded."
Gage looked at Anderson quizzically. "Why, that tree is worthless. It's dead."
"It may be dead, but it's hardly worthless. I have over one thousand kilos of cocaine in there and it needs to get down this mountain before the fire reaches it. Understand?"
Gage and Walker nodded. "We'll need to load at least ten logs to balance the rig." Walker responded.
"I know, so get busy. We'll meet you at the bottom." Adams replied.
"What's stopping us from leaving?" Gage asked.
"Him." Adams pointed to Anderson who was holding a rifle on them. "Now get busy."
They quickly moved the rig by the logs and began winching them onto the back of the truck. Soon, all ten were loaded. "Anderson, how do you know which one has the cocaine in it?" Gage asked.
"It's the only one marked, white oak."
They all three jumped into the cab of the truck and began to pull out when Anderson noticed that several packets of cocaine had been left behind. "Wait, you two out of the truck." They all three walked back into the woods.
Walker noticed the smoke beginning to fill the forest. The tops of some of the trees were beginning to burn. "Anderson, the fire's jumped the line, we need to go now!" Walker ran towards Anderson. Gage looked up in time to see a tree beginning to fall, he ran towards Walker and barely pushed him out of the way before the large tree landed with a thud.
Walker, stunned by the sudden activity turned to see where Gage was. He spotted his motionless body underneath the tree. Anderson made a run for the rig and slammed it into gear and pulled out before Walker could catch him.
Walker ran back to Gage, who still lay motionless under the tree. "Gage! Gage!" Walker yelled. He bent down and put his hand to Gage's throat, searching for a pulse. "Thank God." He said aloud as he felt a slight pulse. He then started breaking away branches, trying to see how much weight was on Gage's chest and legs.
Suddenly, Gage started to moan. "Walker." He said hoarsely.
"I'm right here Gage."
Gage opened his eyes and winced in pain as he tried to breath. "I think my ribs are broken and my left leg."
"Hang on buddy. I'm going to get you out of here." Walker ran back into the camp and found a small chainsaw. He cranked it and began to cut away the limbs of the tree until they were in chunks small enough for him to move.
Gage began to cough as the smoke grew thicker. "Walker, we've got to get out of here."
"I know." He coughed and wiped his watery eyes as he moved the last of the tree away from Gage. "Can you put your arm around me?"
"I think so." Gage lifted his arm and put it around Walker's neck. Walker then pulled him into a standing position.
"OK. Lean on me. I know you must in a lot of pain, but we've got to get out of here and I can't carry you."
"I'm OK. Let's go." Gage responded. They began a very slow descent down the mountain, hoping they were moving away from the fire.
"Gage, I see a cabin up ahead. Let's try to make it there. If we're lucky there'll be a radio and we can get some help up here." Gage forced himself to stay conscious until they reached the cabin.
Walker helped him into a nearby chair and looked around. There was no radio, but there was a first aid kit. Walker cleaned the cuts and scratches on Gage's face and arms, then bandaged his ribs as best as he could. "Gage, I'm afraid to try to set your leg. It looks like a pretty bad break and probably needs to be surgically set." Gage nodded.
"Why did you do that anyway?"
"Do what?" Gage asked.
"Push me out of the way of the tree?"
"Do you remember the talk we had on the way up here?" Gage asked. "Angela needs her dad." Gage winced in pain again as his breathing became very labored.
"You need to rest now. I'll keep a watch out for the fire and if it gets any closer, we'll move. If not, we stay put until someone finds us."
END Chapter 1