"Well," said Jake, "the tractor rollover problem is still there. It is real. There are lots of old tractors out there and some not so old without ROPS. The engineers, people like Bob England have to keep trying."
"I understand," said Stanton, "that there are programs in some states that offer rebates on ROPS if you get them for a tractor you already have. It's called 'ROPS4U.'"
"Well, I hope all those things work," said Bert. "I'd hate to think of another incident like Bobby's."
Jake looked at Pete Cadotte sitting on the deck. "But what about you, Lieutenant Colonel Cadotte, U. S. Army, retired?"
The others grinned at Cadotte sitting up on the deck as if to chorus: Yeah, what about you?
"Well, I, too, am where I want to be." He gestured towards the Islands. My pension isn't a lot, but I get along, and I'm working."
"Doing what?" asked Jake.
"Protecting my people from the white man, what do you think?" He grinned.
"What!?" Bert growled.
"I'm working at the new casino on Hermit Island. It's owned by the Chequamegon Band. I'm looking over the contracts and the books. Having a little trouble with the management company. I'm afraid the Las Vegas mentality may try to take advantage of us poor Indians."
"Why do I think you won't let that happen," said Charles.
"He won't. That's for sure," said Bert with an approving look.
"So you're here for a while, then?" asked Jake.
"Yep, I'm home. And here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future," Pete nodded.
"Well, Resolution needs another crew . . . to keep these two reprobates in line." Jake grinned and nodded towards Bert and Charles. "How about it? You're welcome to join us in floating around these islands, when your employment permits."
"Waste time fooling around like this?" He held out both arms and pointed around in a circle at the deep blue water and lush green of the islands. "I'd have to think about that for a while. . . . Okay," he said.
"Well, let's get ready, then," said Jake to all the crew. "Ready on the sheets!"
Jake brought Resolution to weather off the north side of Stockton Island and headed west toward the sun.
THE ULTIMATE RESOLUTION
Dave Sullivan is a retired Minnesota State District Court Judge. After practicing law for thirty years in Duluth, Minnesota, he was appointed to the District Court Bench and was chambered in Duluth for ten years until his retirement in 2006. Dave and his wife, Kath, live in Madeira Beach, Florida and Bayfield County, Wisconsin.
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COMING SOON TO EBOOKS AT SMASHWORKS BY DAVE SULLIVAN:
A Courthouse Christmas: Short stories including: The Night Before Christmas in the Courthouse; The Christmas Jury and A Christmas Carol [Subject to Cross-Examination] (previously published in print)
The Case Against Digger Moss (previously published in print)
Island Treasure, The Apostle Islands Secret of the Anishinabe
Murderer on Ice ( a novella)
Courage (a short story)
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The Ultimate Resolution Page 34
