Chapter 36
"Sure, why not!" Claire exclaimed, throwing up her hands "If total shit show is the goal, let's make it spectacular!"
"Claire…."Dru warned
"Don't" She responded. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. She opened her eyes and found everyone staring at her. Turning to Joyce she said "If we can't have eyes in there, I want ears. We've come all this way for your cause and taken responsibility for your safety. At least give me that."
Joyce turned to Stubby "What do you think Stub?"
"How do you mean, ears?" He asked
"You've seen us talking to each other from a distance" Dru reminded "We have a device that Joyce could wear to let us hear what's going on, it would be hidden on her person. That way we can get in sooner if we're needed."
"I think that'll be alright, don't you Stubby?" Hasil added, hoping to ease Sally Ann's mind "It ain't much different than listening outside"
Stubby nodded "I reckon that'd be alright"
Claire turned and pointed at Ellis "Give me your ear piece"
Claire jumped to her feet when Big Foster screamed "You!" Unsure of who he was talking to, she moved toward the door and motioned Teddy to cover the other side.
An unfamiliar voice yelled "No!"and a shot rang out.
"We're going in!" Claire said, touching her mic, motioning to Teddy to follow her lead.
"We're moving the group to cover." Dru replied "I don't get an all clear from you in 3 minutes, we'll move to the rally spot"
"Copy" Claire said, crouching low and moving into the position. They had non-lethal arms loaded with rubber bullets. Raising her gun, she nodded to Teddy and went in. Teddy followed closely. She saw Hasil and Phil'up laying on the ground. Hasil was breathing heavily, clearly in pain and Phil'up wasn't moving. Big Foster had Joyce by the hair with a small gun to her head
"I got one bullet left in here" Big Foster shouted, backing up and dragging Joyce with him "Anybody follows me and I'll kill her!"
In her ear, Claire could hear Teddy give Dru a situation report. "Hasil is down, alive. Phil'up is down, not moving. Big Foster has a gun to Joyce's head – looks like a derringer."
"Let her go!" Claire said, moving forward and to the left
"You don't want to do this!" Teddy said, moving to the right
"It's done. I won't be put in chains up here nor in no lostie prison!" Big Foster yelled "You'll take me over her dead body and mine. Don't follow me, or you'll be carrying her body back down the hill."
"Phil'up is dead." Stubby said angrily, he and Foster were standing in front of G'win and Emelye who were kneeling next to Phil'up
"That ain't my fault" Big Foster replied "He didn't have to do that!"
"You'll pay for this" Foster said to his father "All of it"
Big Foster slowly backed out, dragging Joyce with him. "I already have son"
"Did you watch the video?" Lena asked
"I did." Taeson replied "That proves opportunity for both Meyers and Wilkes. As long as we can prove that One Planet and Meyers were behind poisoning Shay Mountain, we have motive."
"Mary Beth is really nervous" Kat advised "One Planet did call her Mom to see if she was in New Orleans"
"Can you keep her safe?" Taeson asked
"We have a security team with us, but I'd like you to consider protection for her once you get the indictment. Your West Virginia team have any luck?" Lena asked
"Luck does not play into my plan dearest. Skill and knowledge are my weapons of choice " Taeson replied "We should have and update within the hour."
"I just sent the Dropbox file link" Kat said "That's everything we have so far. I included what we sent earlier and I have it all categorized and cross referenced"
"I'll look through everything and call you back after I get the West Virginia report" Taeson promised "If we have everything we need I'll move for authorization to take this before a grand jury."
"How long will that take?" Kat asked "We could lose some key players if we don't move quickly"
"There's a Grand Jury in session in Louisville this week" Taeson responded "I hope to get on the docket within 24 hours of approval to move forward"
Lena took a deep breath "This is the home stretch, I have faith in you Tae"
Tae smiled "I just help shine light into the dark places – put your faith in justice"
Claire kept her weapon raised as she watched Big Foster drag Joyce into the trees. "Dru, hold your position. Joyce, don't let on that you can hear us. We're coming for you"
Teddy was kneeling next to Hasil examining his wound "Looks like one of the stitches is torn, but the rest held. No bleeding from the wound itself, but a bit from the torn stitches."
Hasil was beginning to catch his breath "Help me up….." he asked
"Dude, you really should….." Teddy started
"Y'all need to get after Big Foster, and we can't have them news folks in here with Phil'up laid out." Hasil interrupted , grimacing as he stood "And I won't have Sally Ann see this neither. We need to get out to Dru so y'all can get moving"
"He's right, we need to move" Claire responded "Who is your best tracker"
"I am" Foster answered
"Will you help me track him?" Claire asked
Foster nodded "Stubby, you and Krake take care of Phil'up. G'win and Em, y'all go on out there with Hasil and stay with them folks till we come back"
Claire asked "Did you get all that Dru?"
"Got it" he replied "You sure you don't want Teddy to go with you?"
"Negative, we need a small party and someone familiar with the terrain." She responded "Get set up to track Joyce via the satellite, we're moving out. I'm giving Foster Teddy's side arm and ear piece"
Claire held out her hand and Teddy handed her his ear piece, gun, and 2 clips. Turning to Foster, she handed him the items "This is loaded with rubber bullets. They hurt like a bitch, but won't kill him. Let's move."
Big Foster kept a tight grip on Joyce's arm as he roughly led her through the woods. She could hear Claire and the team planning to follow, she wanted to do what she could to slow progress.
"Where are you taking me?" She asked
"You ain't got a choice, so it don't much matter now do it?" Big Foster replied, looking behind them
Joyce pulled her arm away "Can you take it easy? You're hurting me!"
"You ain't getting away from me, they'll let me be to protect you." He replied
"Exactly, and do you think they want damaged goods?" She responded, pleading "You're going to dislocate my shoulder, please Foster!"
Big Foster stopped and faced Joyce and she met his eyes unflinching.
"Why'd you tell them about the Red Wolf?" He asked "I know my name is ruined with this family, but Fa didn't deserve that."
"Fa used to say – No matter what another may do, the right thing don't change." She replied, seething "He wanted us to do what was right no matter what anybody else did! No matter the cost. And the cost was too high to keep that secret any longer."
"He was trying to protect me!" Big Foster shouted angrily. "He didn't mean….." he stopped and turned away, overcome with emotion
"I know, he loved you and he acted out of love" Joyce replied quietly "But the mountain has never failed us. There was a reason you needed to go. Fa hoped that you could prove her wrong…"
When Big Foster turned to look at her again, she recognized her brother behind his eyes "I tried so hard to prove her wrong that I proved her right….." he responded, exhaling "There is a fight within me every day and I'm losing the battle. I'm gonna leave now, alright…..I'll go and they can banish me"
"You think banishment is justice for all that you've done?" Joyce asked
"No Sister, I don't. I just killed a boy that's been like a son to me." Big Foster replied warily "But I won't be caged, so they'll have to make do with me burning for all eternity in hellfire. Let's go"
Joyce resisted and Big Foster said "I'll be….gentler, it'll be easier on both of us if I don't have to drag you. But I will if need be, understand?"
Joyce nodded. "I understand. Where are you taking me?"
"Shay Ridge." He replied
"Why Shay Ridge, that's a dead end." Joyce commented
"It is for most, that's what I'm counting on" Big Foster responded "Lets go"
Arnie sat contemplating the visit from Wade
"Why did he feel the need to notify me about Meyers?" He thought to himself "And he just happened to drop that tidbit about Haylie?"
He'd warned Meyers not to underestimate Wade, but he equated small towns with small minds. Arnie knew better - he believed a sober Wade Houghton could be a formidable adversary.
"He either believes One Planet is behind Haylie's death, Matt's death, or both." He mused "And he may even suspect me."
Arnie rose and poured himself a drink, continuing to work through the situation in his head. This whole thing has been messy. Meyers desperate and panicked planning – led to poisoning the mountain and then murdering Haylie to cover it up. Our success was built on local low key operations and staying off the federal radar. We should have never tried to force the Fed's hand to get help with the Farrell's. It was an invitation for disaster. Now they are on scene and we're the focus on a FEMA investigation. It would surprise Arnie if the tip they'd used to bring ATF wasn't under investigation as well. With the ACLU involved, things could get loud and go national quick.
Finishing his drink, Arnie pulled out his phone. He needed to update Don on the latest development. But first things first – he needed to protect himself and his family.
"Wes" he said when his brother answered "I think we need to secure the server"
"What the hell?! What's going on Arnie?" Wes asked, shocked
"Just a hunch, it may be nothing" he replied "Look Wes- there is no margin for error, move it yourself, and trust no one. If my hunch turns out to be correct – that server is the only currency we have to buy our freedom."
Wade scrolled through the email on Matt Meyers phone. The only account on the phone was his Kentucky Department of Emergency Management email. Going all the way back to his hire date as Emergency Manager, there were no emails from anyone at One Planet. None in the sent items either.
Next he moved into the Notes. There was one folder labeled OP, which Wade assumed meant One Planet. Opening the folder, he found numbers and letters strung together.
412DF8A
419HG2P
420AW9P
421LTG11A
Wade assumed the 8A/2P/9P/11A were times. The first 3 numbers could be dates? Then Initials? That would mean April 12 he met with Don Foushee at 8AM. Wade opened the calendar and went to April 12th. 8AM to 9AM was blocked with a notation of Private Appointment. He checked corresponding dates for all the Notes and found the same – blocked time on the calendar with Private Appointment noted.
This was interesting, but Wade wasn't sure how useful it would be. It was also an illegal search at this point, so he couldn't really share.
Lord, he was tired of waiting for this to case to break. He missed the kids and he wanted to get on with his life. He'd been living in a self medicated funk for a long time after Andy Rae went missing, he had a lot to make up for. Thank God for Breece and Ledda stepping up to take care of Caleb. He was determined to be there for Caleb and for Ledda and the girls. He was done letting people down. Most people didn't get a second chance, he wasn't gonna waste his.
Wade found himself dialing Dana's number, wanting to hear her voice.
"Two calls in a row?" Dana answered with a smile in her voice "Be careful Wade, I might start to think you like me…"
"You are kinda growing on me" Wade answered, unable to hide the warmth in his voice "I just wanted to see how your packing and everything was going?"
"Its going good" she replied "I'll actually be heading up day after tomorrow."
"I'm glad, real glad." He replied, struggling to say more
"That all you called for?" Dana teased, hearing the hesitation in his voice.
"I…um….I wanted…." Wade stop, trying to calm the butterflies in his stomach "I just want you to know I'm real…..you know…I'm just looking forward to getting to know you better. I do like you Dana"
"I like you too Wade" Dana said softly "I'm glad I get a second chance with you."
"Second chance?" Wade asked, surprised that they were both feeling the same way
"You probably don't know this, but I had a huge crush on you in middle school." Dana shared "When I saw you knock Jake Phelps off his high horse in 8th grade, I knew there was something special about you."
"Really?" Wade asked "I remember that jackass Jake. But I don't recall….."
"I transferred to St. Pius for high school" Dana reminded "So we didn't see each other much after that. Life kept on and here we are now"
"Yep, here we are" Wade said breathed quietly "I was thinking about second chances myself, feeling grateful, that's why I called you. I do feel like I been given a second chance. When things settle down, we oughta talk about…..why I needed one. You should know some things if we're gonna do this right."
"Alright" Dana agreed "And that goes both ways, we both need to lay our cards on the table to do this right."
"Alright" Wade agreed
"I'm glad you called Wade." Dana said seriously
"Me too Dana" he responded "I better get back to work. See you soon."
"See you soon Wade" she replied
Wade sat at his desk, his hand over his mouth – hiding a grin. He was trying to put a name to what he was feeling now…..it was unfamiliar…..but he was pretty sure …..he was feeling hopeful.
"Where is Shay Ridge?" Dru asked
Hasil had recovered from Big Foster's assault, but Sally Ann was watching him like a hawk. He was huddled over a map with Dru and Ellis as they tracked Joyce's movement.
"Here" he said, pointing to the location on the map "Cause he had to go west to get out without running into you folks, he's gonna have to double back to get there."
"You hearing this Claire?" Dru asked
"I copy" Claire responded, her voice coming quietly through a small radio "We're gonna keep tracking them, in case he changes direction or leaves her behind."
"Shay Ridge has a bunch of caves and caverns." Hasil said "There's tales of a path through there to the other side of the mountain, far as I know it's just a tale. But lots of kin folk have gotten lost in there, takes them days to make a way out. Some haven't made it out."
"If he takes her in there, we won't be able to track her." Dru said
"Lets out flank him" Claire replied "Send Teddy out to find a perch to slow them down if need be. Rain rubber bullets down on his ass if he tries to take her in there"
"We can get there before they do" Hasil said, pointing out a path on the map. "It's a straight shot from here."
"Who is we?" Sally Ann asked before Dru could respond
"Sally Ann….." Hasil started
"Don't Sally Ann me, who is we?" She demanded "You seriously can't think it's a good idea for you to go?"
"Me and whoever Dru wants to send." Hasil replied "We ain't got much time if we're gonna get there before he does. We can't let him take her in there."
Dru backed away from the discussion and sent Ellis to relieve Teddy so he could prepare to depart with Hasil.
Hasil closed the distance between them and took Sally Ann's hand "If he takes her in there, we might never find her."
"You know I don't want that" Sally Ann replied "but isn't there someone else, anybody else on this damn mountain that can take him there?"
"We gotta leave now, we ain't got time to fetch Stubby or Runt." Hasil replied, exasperated "It's me or Millie…"
Dru chimed in "They'll be at a distance from Big Foster. Teddy will find a perch and set up with a rifle. They'll be at least 300 yards away"
Sally Ann narrowed her eyes and looked at Dru, who threw up his hands and backed away. She turned her attention back to Hasil who met her eyes patiently.
Still looking at Hasil, she asked Dru "Can you give him one of those vests you guys were wearing?"
Dru nodded "Yeah, sure. I'll grab one."
"You're just guiding Teddy there, right?" Sally Ann asked
"Just guiding, that's it. I'll be careful, promise" Hasil responded, pulling her in for a hug.
"You'd better" she said quietly "Your family needs you."
"How close are we Dru?" Claire asked
"Looks to be about an 1/8th of a mile" Dru answered
"Joyce, can you try to slow your progress and we'll double time it?" Claire said
"Teddy, you guys in place?" Dru asked
"Affirmative." Teddy replied "Setting up now. These rubber bullets can ricochet pretty hard, I don't know if "raining" them down is a good idea"
Claire, sounding as if she is running "I didn't mean that literally jackass. Are they in sight?"
"Hasil is on look out while I set my perch" he replied
"Got em" Hasil exclaimed, watching through binoculars "Joyce just set down like she hurt her foot"
"Ahhhh!" Joyce exclaimed, trying to slow the progress "My ankle!"
Sitting down, she rubbed her ankle
"Get on up now, we're almost there." Big Foster said
"Its twisted" She said, rubbing her ankle "Just give me a minute…..I'll be alright. You want some water?"
Pulling the water bottle out of her sling backpack, she took a long drink and offered it to Foster
"Why didn't you tell me you had water?!" He asked
"You didn't ask." Joyce replied "Do you want some or not?"
Taking the bottle, he took a long drink. Eyeing the backpack, he asked "What else you got in there?"
"Couple apples, cheese sticks, a map…." She started "Hey! Give that back!"
Big Foster snatched the bag from her and started to rummage through it. "You ain't gonna need all this, they'll find you in a few hours." He said, putting the water bottle back in the bag and throwing it over his shoulder
"You're gonna leave me out here with no food or water?" Joyce asked
"You grew up here, same as me – you can't get to food and water, that ain't my fault" he replied "C'mon now, we need to move."
"And you grew up here, same as me – so why do you have to steal my food and water?" Joyce demanded, still rubbing her ankle
"Cause ain't nothing but blackness in them caves" Big Foster explained "This'll hold me till I get to the other side."
"Other side?" Joyce responded "Foster those caves are dead ends, what are you talking about?"
"Not if you know what you're doing" he replied "and I know what I'm doing. Now come on, on your feet."
"Foster….."She started
"Sister, I will drag you if need be" he said menacingly
Joyce stood gingerly and made a show of testing putting weight on her ankle. Slowly, she started to limp forward with Big Foster close behind.
"They're on the move" Hasil advised Teddy
"Hear that Claire?" Teddy asked "Where are you guys?
"Coming up" Dru said "You might want to slow down Claire, you're getting close enough they'll be able to hear you"
"Copy that" Claire said, turning to Lil Fosters she asked "Where is a good place to get a look from cover?"
"This way" Lil Foster replied, pointing to a stand of trees
As they settled in the stand of trees, Claire removed her binoculars and scanned below. "I've got eyes on them, they're starting to move." Turning to Lil Foster she asked "Is there somewhere we can get the drop on them?"
"They'll need to pass between Spirit Rock and them trees yonder get to the caves" he replied "Hasil and Teddy ought to be looking right down that path"
"We are" Hasil replied "If they come out of there, we'll be able to see em"
"There are a couple of blind spots in there, are you sure there isn't another way out?" Teddy asked
"Only way I know to get into the caves is right in front of us, if that's where he's going – he's gotta come out the end" Hasil replied
"He's right" Lil Foster agreed "That's the only way in."
"What's the play Claire?" Dru asked
Claire surveyed the landscape, thinking of the best way to proceed. "We need to separate him from Joyce and drive him down that path to Teddy. We'll both move up, but stay about 200 yards apart. When I give the signal, Lil Foster comes out of the trees and yells and starts toward them. Joyce, the minute Big is distracted you bolt just as fast as you can toward the trees. I'll be coming toward you. Big Foster will have to choose between chasing Joyce and running for the caves. He's got no reason to think we've out flanked him, so he'll likely cut and run up the path."
"Sounds like a good plan." Dru replied
"We're gonna get into position."Claire responded "Joyce, if you heard the plan and you're ready – run your fingers through your hair"
Looking through the binoculars, Claire saw Joyce run her fingers through her hair. "Okay, she's onboard. Let's get in position, we go on my signal"
"Fa! Stop!" Lil Foster yelled, coming out of the trees and running toward Big Foster and Joyce. Big Foster stopped and turned around, and Joyce bolted toward the trees. Big Foster hesitated and looked toward Joyce and Claire running toward each other, and Lil Foster running towards him.
Big Foster turned and started to move toward Joyce as she ran towards Claire.
"Keep coming, move, move!" Claire yelled at Joyce as she ran toward her. She raised her weapon and fired a warning shot at Big Foster.
Big Foster raised his derringer and fired a shot towards his fleeing sister.
"Get down!" Claire yell and tackled Joyce as she saw him raise the weapon. They landed behind a bush, and Claire raised up on one knee to check on Big Fosters position. She saw him sprinting toward Spirit Rock and Lil Foster closing the distance.
"Dru – I have Joyce and Lil Foster is in pursuit of his father. Teddy – they're coming your way." She reported "Joyce you stay put, I'm gonna help…"
"You need to stay put…"Joyce started
"You'll be safe here, I'll be right ….." Claire started
"Claire! You're bleeding!" Joyce exclaimed "look at your leg!"
"Claire?" Dru asked "You hit?"
Claire looked down at her leg and saw the blood, and as her mind registered that she was hit – she started to feel the pain. "Shit!" She growled, sitting down abruptly and examining the wound "Yeah, I'm hit – it's just a graze."
Hearing this in his ear piece, Lil Foster slowed down and started to turn around as Big Foster passed the entrance at Spirit Rock "I'm on my way back."
"No!" Claire exclaimed "It's just a scratch, stay on him!"
"You sure?" Lil Foster asked, hesitating
"Yes! Go, go!" Claire yelled
Turning, Lil Foster picked up the pace – he hoped to catch up with his Fa, but made it clear to the other side without seeing him.
As he came out, he asked "Did he go into the caves?"
"He didn't come out Foster" Hasil replied "I can see both the end of the path and the cave's – and he ain't come out or gone in."
"I would've passed him if he was still in there!" Lil Foster exclaimed
"Maybe he's hiding." Hasil said "Claire, can y'all see over there, he come back out?"
"Negative" Claire responded as Joyce tended to her wound "I've been watching since Lil Foster went in, nobodies come out."
Lil Foster turned and trotted back through, looking for any hiding places. He came out of the other side alone and bewildered.
"He ain't in there" he declared, spotting Joyce and a limping Claire making their way down to his location "he's gone"