Chapter 37

"He's gone" Lil Foster declared

"We're coming down there, y'all stay put" Hasil replied

Lil Foster moved to help Joyce with Claire, who was noticeably limping. "There has to be some way into the caves in here" she declared

"I thought he was saying he had a secret way out of the caves" Joyce commented "but maybe he meant in…..or both"

"There's miles of trails in there, and a lot of em don't cross" Lil Foster replied, helping Claire lower herself onto a boulder to rest her leg "I'm gonna step in around the other side and see if I can at least hear him."

"How you holding up Claire?" Dru asked

"I'm fine" she replied "It's a flesh wound"

"She's shot" Joyce replied "You need to send a vehicle out here for her. She can't walk all the way back."

"We have a vehicle" Teddy chimed in "We'll be able to get everybody back."

"Teddy check out her wound and give me a…." Dru started

"Nobody is checking anything out!" Claire declared, frustrated "I'm fine!"

"Wow, is she always this stubborn?" Joyce asked

"Claire raises Obstinate to an art form" Dru answered "This is nothing…"

"I'll show you an art form if you keep talking about me like I'm not here" Claire interrupted

Teddy pulled up in the vehicle as Lil Foster returned.

"I went about 50 feet into the caves and couldn't hear or see nothing" Lil Foster shared "Where's Hasil?"

"He's coming down on foot, he wanted to see if he could spot anything from the woods coming down" Teddy replied, grabbing his rucksack and heading toward Claire

"T, I'm fine…" Claire started

"You give me any shit and I'll dose you with enough Ativan to knock out a moose." Teddy replied firmly "Got it?"

Frustrated, all Claire could do was nod. She knew protocol, she just didn't like when it applied to her.

"Hey!" Hail yelled, approaching from on foot "Take a look here, behind this bush"

From his vantage point above the path, he saw a small pile of dirt….it looked as if it was pushed out by an object.

Lil Foster moved behind the bush and examined the ground. Standing, he looked at the large rock in front of him, then again at the ground. Placing his hands on the rock, he started to feel around – eventually coming across a hand hold. He pulled, and the rock slid forward – revealing an entrance to the caves. By now, Hasil had joined him.

"That must be how he got in!" Hasil declared, shining the his flashlight into the opening "He's got at least a half hour head start now"

Lil Foster was silent, contemplating the opening

"No cousin" Hasil said quietly "it ain't worth the risk…"

"I can't just let him walk away" Lil Foster said, anguished "not after all he's done! It's my duty….."

"Your duty is to be a father to your daughter and Bren'in to this clan" Hasil reminded "We need you fightin for our right to stay on this mountain, not chasing demons."

Joyce joined them, placing her hand on Lil Fosters shoulder "Hasil is right nephew, you're needed here. The mountain will take care of your Fa"

Lil Foster nodded and pushed the rock back in place, covering the opening. They turned and headed back toward the other.

Teddy was helping Claire into the vehicle as they arrived. He reported to Dru "We're unable to pursue Big Foster, 5 returning to base."

Answering on the first ring, Lena said "Tae! Tell me something good…"

"Lets not bring Queen Chaka Khan into this!" Taeson replied with a laugh "But I do have good-sad news."

Lena put him on speaker so Kat could hear the news, "Start with the good"

"Good news is we were able to obtain the original samples taken after the West Virginia incident, and they are on the way for expedited testing." Taeson shared "The sad part is all the evidence we've gathered indicates they were never properly tested."

"How can that be?" Kat asked "They actually published results saying testing was inconclusive!"

"Correct" Taeson confirmed "Inconclusive because the sample they tested was too small to generate conclusive results. That's the sad part. The entire investigation was conducted with no federal or state oversight by profiteers of the deal with One Planet. Dozens died, and thousands were ultimately displaced and nobody was held accountable."

Lena exhaled quietly "The evil that men do….….."

"I don't imagine you were able to obtain all of this without a warrant?" Kat asked

"We did obtain sealed warrants, but we rolled up like only the DOJ can – in intimidating numbers, with brutal efficiency, while being exceedingly polite." Taeson responded "Process of elimination will eventually lead to our investigation and One Planet"

"Shit!" Lena exclaimed "So what about Josh and Mary Beth?"

"The DA and Sheriff behind the cover up are into a few dirty deals, so right now they're guessing. They won't know what we took until we turn over the chain of custody inventory." Taeson shared "We can delay that at least 48 hours. I can get Mary Beth into protective custody before that"

"And Josh?" Lena asked

"I'll arrange surveillance, but the State doesn't have any reason to believe we are on to them yet or that Josh is on the team." He replied "We pull him to soon and we risk tipping our hand."

"So what's next?" Kat asked

"I'm on the first flight tomorrow to Louisville, we're on the grand jury docket Friday. Hopefully we can get sealed warrants" he expressed "That will give us the weekend to coordinate so we can pick everyone up simultaneously."

"What about the server in Austin?" Lena responded

"We're still working to tie that to anyone at One Planet" Taeson replied "Whoever set up that shell knows how to make the law work for them."

"This will be good news to pass along when we update the team on the mountain" Kat commented

"Have they agreed allow the ACLU represent them and work with us?" Taeson asked

"They were headed to meet with the head of the clan when we last talked." Lena replied "We are supposed to touch base in about an hour."

"Okay, why don't we plan on talking again after 6pm?" Taeson asked "I'll have my flight set and you'll hopefully have good news from the mountain."

"Will do" Lena replied "And Tae…thank you, seriously. You have no idea what this means."

"It means we're doing our jobs." He replied solemnly "DEPARTMENT….. OF… JUSTICE!

Wes Wilkes smiled "Thank you ma'am, y'all have a blessed day"

Dressed down in jeans, a T-shirt, and ball cap – he proceeded to the storage unit. He'd specifically requested something in the back and since he paid 2 years of fee's in cash, plus a little extra to overlook the fact that he "misplaced" his ID, Miss Fannie was more than willing to accommodate.

Pulling around in old pick up he and Arnie had bought years ago in anticipation of having to move the server one day, Wes still thought his brother was a bit paranoid. 10 layers of red tape on the storage facilities – separate ones, under different corporation - that housed the server and this old truck Ford F-250 with a lift gate and shell. But he trusted nobody like he trusted his brother. Arnie had taken care of Wes since he was 6 as they bounced around the system, kept him safe and out of trouble, put him through college and grad school, and was Godfather to his 3 boys.

This server was another way to protect him. Arnie knew it was a possibility that they would one day be snared in a federal investigation. He'd told Wes the main target would be on Foushee and the key to their survival would be making the target on Don's back bigger. They wouldn't be able to beat them, so they would join them with enough evidence to negotiate their own freedom.

As Wes settled into the storage facility, he began work on upgrading the encryption on the server. For the plan to work, the server needed to be hack proof.

Big Foster figured he had been running for at least 45 minutes. He leaned on a wall at one of the few points of light in the caves, struggling to catch his breath. He strained to hear any traces of pursuit over his heavy breathing, but could detect none.

Settling into the shadows, he opened the bag he'd taken from Joyce and pulled out the water bottle. He needed to make sure he was thinking clear, he hadn't been through here in 10 years or more. Taking a long drink, he rubbed his knees and leaned his head back. Damn! Getting old is hell! Out loud, he asked himself "How did I get here? Running from my own kin, Farrell blood on my hands?"

"That bloods on my hands" a voice replied

Startled, Big Foster opened his eyes to see someone comes out of the shadows "Who's there?!"

Foster Farrell V seemed to emerge from the walls. Moving into the light he replied "Hello Son"

"Fa?" Big Foster responded "How? I ain't sleep, my knees hurt too damn much for this to be a dream."

Foster V laughed, and his son instantly knew he wasn't dreaming. When his Fa laughed, he'd always been able to feel the air change. That same feeling rushed over him and he staggered to his feet.

"Fa, its really you?" Big Foster asked

"It's me boy" Foster V answered "I come to make my sorries"

Big Foster inhaled deeply, unsure if he could speak. His Fa was standing not 300 feet from him. "Am I dead?" He asked

"No boy, these old Caves…. there's Farrell magic in the walls." Foster V explained "it's a sanctuary of sorts, for old souls. You recall the last time you was here?"

"I do" Big Foster answered solemnly "I had a feeling like you was near, but….."

"Was me guided you to the other side" his Fa answered "You was real put out by your Ma not giving you The Oak, and you was thinking of leaving. Broke my heart when you turned back"

Big Foster's heart sank "Why would you say that Fa?"

"I think you know why Son" Foster V replied "When I saved you from the Red Wolf, I didn't have much time to think. But in the years after, all I did was think….and hope. This was not my hope for you nor our clan"

"I did the best I could…"Big Foster started

Foster V shook his head "No! You did what you damn well pleased with no mind to any other soul in this clan! At every turn you took the wrong path. Selfish, vulgar, cruel….a path not befittin' the Bren'in!"

"If that's what you think of me, what'd you save me for?!" Big Foster shouted

"When I saved you, that's not who you was!" Foster V growled "You was a boy…..pig headed and strong willed, but I saw good in you. I had hope….but the mountain knew better. When I left this earth you lost your way. She knew what'd happen and sent the Red Wolf for you…..to save your soul."

"Why're you here old man?" Big Foster asked wearily "If I could take back any of it.…."

"But you can't, the damage can't be undone." Foster V interrupted "I'm here to tell you I love you, and I'm here to guide you to the other side."

Wade looked down at his phone, it was Kim from the lab. "Hey Kim, got something for me?"

"Hi Wade." Kim replied "Preliminary results on the tire rim show traces of ANFO."

"ANFO?" Wade answered "Well damn, can't say I was expecting that…"

"Like I said, its preliminary" she responded "When we get a full report, you can turn it over to ATF to see if it can be traced."

"Traced?"Wade asked

"Yeah, they can tell if it's commercial grade or military grade." Kim advised "They also have some capability to identify manufacturers"

"Thanks Kim, how quick can you get those final results over to me?" Wade asked

"I would say by noon tomorrow at the latest." She replied

Wade took a deep breath as they hung up, contemplating his next move. He knew enough about mining to know that ANFO was a commonly used explosive. The only mining outfit around here was One Planet.

Call Judge Harris, see if he would issue a warrant? Not likely without ATF test results, and who knows how long that'd take. That explosive couldn't have been on a timer, that'd have been too risky. Someone had to have detonated it, and at just the right time for him to go over an embankment.

Picking up the phone, he dialed Judd Fults. "Hey, its Wade. The Lab found mine explosive on the tire rim, I think somebody was tailing Meyers out of town and detonated it. Check the traffic CAM we spotted him on and see if you can ID his tail. I'm gonna go see Wilkes again"

Sally Ann sat at one of the picnic tables in the barn, an eye toward the path Dru told her the team would take to return. She'd heard Hasil's voice and knew he was alright, but she needed to see and touch him. Since he'd been shot, she had a nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach every time they were apart. She hoped it would subside once all this trouble was settled, feeling like this any time he was away would be hard way to live.

A voice from behind her asked "Mind if I sit?"

Turning, Sally Ann met G'win's eyes and nodded. "Sure…I'm just waiting…..you know….."

G'win smiled "Yeah, I know. I've waited myself a few times. Least we know they're on the way and unharmed"

"I guess that helps….." she replied

They sat in silence for a few moments before G'win spoke "I'm sorry….."

Confused, Sally Ann turned and asked "What for?"

"When Hasil came to see me and told me you was carrying, I told him you couldn't stay" G'win answered "That you wasn't kin…..that was wrong of me. Part of me knew it then, but seeing y'all together…..it can't be denied that you're his kin…..and his kin is our kin"

"We really didn't know what we were then…..or who we were" Sally Ann sighed "So much has changed since that day."

"Hasil's been changed since the day he met you" G'win commented

"What do you mean?" Sally Ann asked

"We used to have a saying round here – "At the drop of a Hasil", cause he was quick to everything" G'win explained with a smile "quick tongued, quick on his feet, quick study, but mostly quick to temper and quick to fight! He always had a wild energy, but its different now…..he has direction and purpose "

"That sounds like Hasil" Sally Ann agreed, returning her smile "It's been hard on him, being away when all this was going on. He loves y'all and this mountain…"

"He does" G'win acknowledges "but he loves you and your child more, and that's how it should be."

Sally Ann nodded "We should be his priority, but family is family. It used to scare me to think how connected he felt to y'all, I didn't think I could compete with that. That night he came back up, I saw how worried he was, then all of a sudden I was worried – I realized I didn't need to compete with anything. I just needed let myself be part of its because it's part of him."

G'win reached out and clasped Sally Ann's hand "Welcome to the family Cousin"

The Elders and the ACLU team gathered after the prayer circle for Phil'up. The burial would be in the morning, prayer circle allows the clan to honor his spirit and pray for protection and peace.

The mood was somber as Foster VIII addressed those gathered in the barn. "Friends and Cousins, our clan has lived on this mountain for over 200 years. We've protected our blood and our land, we've lived free and honest taking only what we need from below. But times have changed, the world is getting smaller. This is a threat we don't know how to fight and the coal company used on our ignorance of the low landers laws to lay claim to the mountain. Joy Farrell and Hasil Farrell have brought folks to us who can help us protect this mountain for our clan and all future generations. We'll put our faith in the Lord and take this as a blessing." Turning to Dru, he continued "Joy and Stubby will stand for me as Legate Bren'ins, we thank you kindly for your generosity"

Moving forward to shake hands, Dru responded "You won't regret this, you have my word."

"What happens now?" G'win asked

"We head back down the mountain tomorrow" Joyce replied "Our people down below tell me that we go before the grand jury on Friday. We'll file for an injunction to stop any further action by One Planet after the grand jury hands down its indictments. Over the weekend the news team here will put together a story and start sharing your story the as arrests start happening"

"Once that happens, things will get crazy for awhile." Ellis warned "Every news organization in the country will want to talk to anyone in the clan willing to get on camera."

"If it's one thing my kin can do, it's keep our mouths shut" Hasil shared "If any of them make it up here, they won't get to friendly of a welcome"

"We can't be rough with any of them" Joyce advised "We'll have to talk through how to handle any press that manages to make it up here. And the Bren'in is still a fugitive, so he needs to be kept off camera and nobody can talk about him"

"We'll get a solid plan on how to work through those issues over the weekend." Claire assured "We want to be ready for any contingency. We'll leave a couple of the satellite phones and small generators with you so we can stay in communication"

"This isn't going to be easy" Joyce said "But we can do this, our family and our mountain will be safe"

"Thank you Aintin" Foster the VIII replied, relief and hope showing through in his smile "Tomorrow's a new day family, tomorrow we take the fight to the coal company. GED GED YAH!"

The family members present felt his hope and echoed "GED GED YAH!"

"We there yet?" Foster the VI asked his father

"Just round this next bend" his Fa answered "The others are there waiting"

"Others?" He asked "What others?"

"You Ma and your Morai for starters" Foster V responded "They'd like a word with you"

"You dragging me through these caves so they can nag me from beyond?!" Foster VI replied, exasperated

"You don't believe you're deserving?" Foster V asked

Foster VI sighed "I didn't say that, just surprised is all. I woulda thought neither one of em wanted to see me again."

"Despite your best efforts" his Fa replied "They love you too son"

They navigated the narrow passage in silence until they could see a light ahead. They emerged in a cavern, flooded with natural light from above. As Foster VI eyes adjusted to the light, he looked noticed people emerging from the shadows. He stood in shocked silence as his loved ones made themselves seen.

"Ma…Morai…Asa…Elon…" he was at a loss for words, all people he loved greatly and caused tremendous pain. Turning to his Fa, he asked "What is this Fa?"

"What must be done Son" Foster V answered "The ones who love you most are calling you to circle"