CHAPTER 21
WHITE WOLF
Two short miles away in the Goth cabin, Johnny paced in frustration. “I have to go after her.”
“But they would know that,” objected Ann. “That’s probably one of the reasons they took her, to draw you out. I don’t think they’ll hurt her; she’s too valuable alive. As a captive she can be used against us.”
“Perhaps, but I can’t take that chance.”
“I’ll go with you, Johnny,” said Dooley. “You and me together can do it. I'm all better now. We can get her back safe.” Dooley was sitting on the sofa while the two cats, Moocher and Fluffy, lay draped over his lap and shoulders, purring contentedly as he scratched them. All animals seemed to be drawn to Dooley.
“Thanks Dooley,” replied Johnny, smiling. “But you’re needed here, all of you are, to stop Fenster’s loggers in the morning. Not to mention Dark.”
“No hope for a court injunction?” asked Ann.
“No,” said Mary. “Fenster has seen to that. He owns the local court. Appeals to higher courts will take time that we don’t have.”
“Which means it will come to rifles,” said Black Knife. “But I have some bad news in that department.”
“Now what?” asked Johnny.
“Most of our rifle ammunition is from the Tribal Police office. We’ve just found out that almost all of it is cleverly disguised blanks. We only have about five good rounds per rifle. Another Small Bear trick, it looks like.”
“I wish that Chief George was here,” said Two Bears, shaking his head.
“Poor George,” said Summer Buck. “He must have been held prisoner in his own office, forced to sign a suicide note, and then murdered. I should have known it was some such thing when he wouldn’t see me. Well, we can’t afford to lose any more good men. I’m hoping that five bullets per rifle are far more than will be needed. But how do we avoid more bloodshed?”
Johnny walked to a kitchen cupboard, opened it, and retrieved two five-pound bags of sugar. The Tribe had indeed stocked the cabin well when they moved Elizabeth in. He handed them to Ned. “There are dozens of logging machines parked outside our gates. Put some of this in each gas tank tonight. It will slow them up in the morning. In the meantime I’ll look for Elizabeth.”
Johnny anxiously said his goodbyes and started on his quest for Elizabeth. Two Bears walked with him for a brief distance into the forest and gave him some final advice. “It is time for you to remember the ways of the forest and your heritage,” said the big shaman. “Time to be White Wolf again. You will need all your powers and skills. I sense that Elizabeth lives, but is in greatest danger.”
Johnny nodded then ran off through the forest. He would get her back; he had too. Nothing mattered more.
****
Secrets of Goth Mountain Page 47
