Werds made it down the trail as quickly as he could safely, which for him still meant much stumbling. At several places he stopped and tested his hand phone. No reception until there was. He called the Ranger Station and they connected him to the Authority that managed the Wilderness Trust. The Authority  transferred him to the Rescue Team. He told them of the hiker found. The person he talked to treated the report as yet another routine missing hiker, saying there were several in investigation and that they would add this to the list. Words repeated she is not missing and alive. He transmitted one of the photos he had of her.

Right after the photo transmission Werds heard some commotion over the phone, shouting in the background. And then an answer that they would be on the way. Werds started back up the trail. Soon he could hear aircraft. And men coming behind him. As he stumbled up along the trail the men caught up with him. They were the Rescue Team and asked him if he had called the report in. Several were Descendants. He told them yes and that he has left a scarf around the tree to mark the place. A Team Leader told Werds to go back down, that they did not need another person to rescue.

Werds answered he was not leaving his friend. The Team went on ahead, Werds increasing in distance following. The sound of aircraft got closer and passed over. Werds thought that the rescuers responded unusually quickly because they saw the photo he sent.

When Werds reached the site a larger hovercraft over the ravine was pulling a stretcher up by a cable. He could see the bright coat of the woman on the stretcher. Dance Master, covered with snow and dirt, was waiting on the trail forward of the site. Behind him was a large piece of wreckage on the ground wedged between several trees and the hill side next to the trail. The wreckage looked like some sort of smaller hovercraft. There were two forms wrapped with rescue blankets lying on the trail. Several rescuers stood between Werds and Dance Master and the wreckage and forms lying on the trail.

“Its getting late boys.” The Rescuers would say nothing beyond that. Except to shake their heads and wave their hands at Werds as he took photos. And so it was late afternoon. Dance Master and Werds turned back down the trail. They noted

that this far up was still County area and part of the Trust Frank and Sam patrolled. This might be theirs’s to resolve. It would be past dark when they reached their car. Werds said we need a drink at Rusti’s. Dance Master answered “just one?”

***

I did not notice her when I first walked into the Sheriff’s office.

Yet another time when Sheriff did not keep me waiting and smiled when I walked in. ‘Frank. Please sit down, How’s Sam,’ and so on. “Frank. We have a new colleague,” motioning to a young woman seated in a chair just off to the side. “Mollie, this is Frank. A ‘crack investigator’. Works with his dog.” She stood and smiled, a firm handshake. “Please sit down,” so we sat side by side in front of the Sheriff’ desk. “Where is the dog?” she asked. “Frank. Mollie is an investigative reporter, one of the Nation’s best. Investigates National Government matters. She will help us clear up a matter that happened on our land.”

Sheriff continued. ‘Two Government officials crashed a hovercraft up there in your high country.” Mine? “What we know, we think, is that they were flying from a conference in Spring Desert City down to Basin. Likely to make connections to fly back East. Got off course and ended up in your mountains where in the bad weather they crashed into a rock face and fell down into the large trees that held the craft for a while.” “That’s a long way to get off course” I offered. Sheriff answered “we found a large amount of Chewing Weed in the wreckage.” Mollie said “I got word that the craft went off course and up into the mountains so I went up on the off chance that I could find it.”

“And she did. Frank. Along with a few of your pals from Rusti’s.” “How did you know to go up there?” I asked Mollie. “I have people.” She answered. “That’s is what we investigative reporters have” she added. “Frank, you and Mollie should start with a visit over to your friend Ed. He has the remains. I just want a report that ties up all possible loose ends. So the County will be done with this matter. So don’t let me keep you.” Mollie and I get up. I tell her I will drive and we start out to the truck. She looks at me, then says “do I get to meet the dog now?”

Mollie and Sam hit it off right away and were fast friends by the time we get to the Coroner’s office. Sam waits in the truck. “Frank, can I get into trouble for feeding beer to a snake?” We hear as we walk in. “I’ll look that one up for you Ed.” As soon as he sees Mollie Ed stands up straight and tried to hold his stomach in. He quickly moves the quart beer bottle off his desk, places a cloth over the snake’s cage. Mollie is amused. There are two tables with remains covered. Ed looks at Mollie and asked “ready?” He never asks me. He pulls back the covers. A badly damaged body. “He is one of those Keepers judging from his uniform. Always a problem getting a name. Tests show that ‘loco weed’ they chew on.”

The uniform is hanging from a rack next to the table. Close by on another rack a quality business suit is hanging, torn and stained. Ed looks at Mollie again and pulls back the cover of the second table. The body in addition to the expected damages seems quite elderly. Then Ed turns serious and asked us to come sit over by his desk. He starts “name Bubba Snad, represents from the Region. Just one of the Snads from down there in National Government.” Then he is very serious with tears in his eyes. “By all the years of my life, my experience examining dead tissue, I have to conclude, and tell you, that this man has been dead for as much as seven years.”

I am stunned by this news. Mollie seems unfazed. I thank Ed and we leave. I suggest we go over to Rusti’s for a drink and maybe see the two guys who found her. She agrees. We get to Rusti’s and I introduce her to Rusti and we go over to a booth. Sam sits over next to her. We order beers and when they come I look at her and ask “what is all this about?”

***

 It was a good evening at Rusti’s. Mollie met most of the Regulars. Rusti asked about Jared. Dance Master and Werds both came by for a short hello and chat. They asked about Jared. I heard several people, not regulars, mention Descendant. So she’s a Descendant? I can’t always tell. No matter to me anyway. I don’t try to. No difference that I have ever been able to see. I don’t care about that sort of stuff. I looked around for Lonestar but did not see him that evening.

***

As for the question I asked her. Not time for much of an answer then because of all the people coming over to our booth. Only that it is something she is working on as an investigative reporter. I already knew that. She did not have much gathered together yet. Sure she didn’t.

***

Werds walked on air as he walked out of the bookstore. Since the last visit two copies of his book sold. Neither had been returned yet. He supposed the clerks would tell him when that happened, but he would not ask. Now he was thinking about the next lecture he would give as a part-time Literature instructor at Cottonbaugh College. The influences and comparison of Region music lyrics and ancient religious poetry. Thinking of this as he walked out the door he almost bumped into the hooded figure blocking his path. Next to him (it?) was another.

Werds tried to walk around them. They both moved to block his path. “We hear you like to take pictures.” Or the like, was what one of the hoods said. Werds is not good with quick answers. So he thought what Jimmie might say here. Werds then answered “Sure. Would you like copies?” The hoods took a quick look at each other. “You do not give copies to anyone. You do not show pictures to anyone. You destroy all photos you took up there in the mountains. We know who you are and where you live.” They sounded like they were reciting a rehearsed script. “Which mountains?” Werds answered.

Werds is not a fighter, nor is he an athlete. Our Werds is not a violent man. However, he was brought up in Cottonbaugh. Fighting there is part of elementary education. And work in the potato sheds, chopping cotton, loading bales of hay, and the like brings physical strength that does not entirely go away no matter the years. While he said ‘which mountains’  he had his arm stretched out like he was open to friendship, wanted to hug them both. But he remembered ‘we know where you live.’ While they looked at each other trying to come up with an answer Werds quickly banged their heads together.

The two backed up stumbling holding the adjacent sides of their heads, elbow to elbow mirrored. Werds felt a numbing shock on his right shoulder. He turned and a third hood stood behind him holding a electrified rod. Werds swung around quickly and hit at the third hood with his good arm. He made contact enough to knock his back. Then the other two came at Werds. He grabbed one by his check. As he hollered Werds swung at the others. The hood with the rod come at him so Werds forces his other numb hand under the hood’s legs and throws him at the rod.

 Cars are starting to stop. People are coming out of nearby shops yelling. The hoods look at each other and run away yelling back ‘remember what we said.’ They did not expect a fight from a large genial man. Werds still standing is panting trying to catch his breath. One hand on a knee, the other hanging limp. Feeling is starting to come back to that arm and that side of his body. Cuts and bruises, nothing broken.

***

Lonestar stops by where Werds is seated at Rusti’s writing lines in his notebook and pats him on the back and says “good work.” Then goes over to the booth where Frank and Sam are seated. A little while after Mollie walks by and touches Werds on the arm saying “sorry” before she joins the group over at the booth.

***

After the attack on Werds Mollie decided to tell him and the others involved what she was investigating and what she knows about the crash in the mountains and the wider mystery connected to it. Frank told Werds and when Dance Master came in to Rusti’s a little later, they all gathered around the small stage between the booths across from the bar. Rusty set up a chair for Mollie. Several other regulars were interested, Hardrock and Buck. And Our Minder walked in shortly after Dance Master. He hadn’t been in for a while. He says at the bar. Lonestar takes Sam out for a walk.

Mollie starts by saying ‘you remember my father Jared. He performed on this same stage.’ What she said that evening was pretty much as follows:

‘Jared told Mollie that during his time working under Nation’s Security Advisor Jared heard rumors, some from other Descendants, but not just them, other junior, and not so junior, staff, that some of the long time high placed government officials, elected mostly, were actually dead. Small wonder that they never retired. Jared thought of writing a song about it, but wondered if the average person would believe it. He did what he otherwise does well, listening to what is said. The thought was that this was widely known, but not talked about. Sometimes one staff would get drunk and go into a tirade that he or she had to be an assistant to a ‘bleeping’ dead guy.’

‘When staff, maybe on their off hours over beers, mentioned this they might be called in the next day for a talk with their superiors. These talks usually had Keepers, holding electric rods, standing about the room, some behind where the staffer sits. The boss behind the desk would “counsel” him or her about the danger to National Security of “vicious” gossip about the health or condition of high ranking public servants who, after all, dedicated their lives to Public Service. So there was always the fear if you said anything about this to anyone in your off hours you might be talking to an informant.’

‘So it was not so much that people can’t know there are dead people holding high office. It is just that no one is supposed to say anything about it. That is the irony. Most everybody in the Nation’s Capitol who were alert and could think knew this! There was a lot of underground humor how so and so looked well when I saw him today, and the like. Or that she has a new make-up artist. The last three quit after one session. At the same time there grew a small close circle that were determined to get this out to the general public. Those were the people in contact with Mollie.’

‘Now she has the photos from the wreck in the mountains (Werd’s photos) and the Coroner’s report. And so can publisher findings. She sent her report to major and smaller publications. A few have agreed to publish it.’

***

After Mollie finished talking Lonestar came back in. Sam ran across the floor past Frank to Mollie. Lonestar was stopped as he walked by Our Minder. No one had ever seen Minder talk to anyone before. Not while sober anyway, and then he just talks.

***

Frank and Rusti, and several others, tell Mollie that she should stay out of sight when the report becomes public. Or maybe even from now on. Go stay with Jared maybe, and don’t go out alone. What chance do you think Mollie is going to heed this advice?

***

It is a beautiful day for a hike in the Black Mountains. The first publications are scheduled to come out within days.

There had been several days of rain. It was the perfect day to run, hike, and enjoy the crisp fresh air, the deer, wild dogs, snakes (well maybe not enjoy), and the possible lion, (especially not). The trail is more a wide road than a trail, dirt with stones large and small. Some people go on horseback, others on bicycles. On one side is the sloping mountain. On the other a sheer drop off into a deep gully up to hundreds of feet down as the trail ascends. Since the bottom is thick with small trees and large brush it is likely no one has ever been down into it before. On purpose anyway.

Mollie expects more people on the trail, but she starts early and most other people don’t. There is a horseman up ahead moving at a slightly faster pace. After an hour or so she is high up on the road. Two hikers come up at a slow trot behind her. They are wearing hoods. She can’t see their faces and they say nothing as they pass her. Strange because most people are friendly on the trail. They go on ahead then slow down and seem to be going about the same pace. They are on a part of the trail now that forms a long semi-circle curved into the mountain side making this section not visible from the trail below or above.

As Mollie gets closer to the far edge of the long curve she looks back and sees two more hooded figures closing behind her. She looks up and sees that the two up ahead have stopped. They are looking back at her. The mountain side of the trail is steep straight up and gully edge is a straight drop off down. Mollie slows down. The two above slowly walk back towards her. The two behind her are close now. All are carrying electric rods. They slowly walk and form a semi-circle between her and the mountain side. She hears “You were warned. Now you will be gone.”

The hoods slowly move towards her. Mollie thinks ‘if I backup that is what they want. Me towards the edge. Only one outcome to that.’ So she doesn’t move as they get closer. They don’t care because they have the electric rods. She quickly runs towards the hood on her right while reaching down to her ankle and pulling out her combat knife. As she charges she thrusts with her knife, then spins around left to her right. She hopes to get to the end of the curved section. Maybe there are other hikers beyond that. The one hood grabs his bleeding arm.

The other hoods quickly run to cut her off. Now she is backed up to the mountain’s edge. The hoods still have her surrounded but now can’t get too close because she has the combat knife. So the hoods look at each other and start picking up larger stones that are on the road. They gather them until each has a supply cradled in one arm, most stones look to have sharp edges or points. Mollie thinks the only thing she can do now is attack again and maybe take one hood with her over the edge.

 A noise comes from around the bend. Thundering hooves and dust on the road. There is an terrifying battle cry. A horseman knocks several of the hoods aside. A strong arm grabs Mollie around her waist and she leaves the ground. She is up next to the rider. “Get on” she hears and she brings her leg over the back of the horse behind the rider. She holds on and they gallop back down the road. Some large stones fly by their heads  A strong voice says “Mollie, I know Jared. I’m a friend.” It is Lonestar.

***

Though some publications backed out from publishing Mollie’s report enough did so that the story gets out around the Nation, and beyond. At first there are official denials. After several weeks over which the story does not go away a National Government spokesman admits that a ‘grief stricken over zealous staff tried to keep one representative who “passed” alive to keep his high level of service to his constituents and county. Unfortunately “those who” would pull down the country blew up and exaggerated one isolated incident.’ Public response is skeptical and the story still has some life. Soon after there are a number of “retirements” of long time high officials announced in Nation’s Capital.

***

 Mollie goes down to Basin to stay with Jared. Several top nationwide, some worldwide, media companies want to bring her on as an investigative reporter.

In his notebook Werds writes that the dead in power means things stay like they are. Not doing any more than those ruins we see up in the mountains along the trail.

END