"I'd rather do it, if you don't mind."
"Of course," the Chief said.
"Can I dial from here?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Sam reached for the receiver from the Chief's desk. She dialed the number. Rosalie answered. "Mrs. Parker?"
"Yes. Who's calling?"
"Mrs. Parker, its Ranger Tyler. Do you remember me?"
"Of course! How are you? It's so good to hear from you. Is something wrong? You sound upset."
"No, not exactly, but I need to ask you an important question. Would you tell me what your maiden name is?"
"Of course. It's Reingold. Why?"
Sam's eyes focused on the Chief. "You said you had two brothers, Mrs. Parker. Would you please tell me their names."
"William and David, why? Are they okay? Not that I care much about David as you know, but Willy's got a good heart, even though his priorities are out of order."
"They're both okay as far as I know. I can't tell you right now why I need this information, but I promise I'll call you in a couple of days to fill you in. Also, I'll want an update on how things are going with you and your husband. I'll be in touch."
Sam placed the phone on the receiver. "Her maiden name's Reingold. She's got two brothers, William and David. From the information the Sheriff's office uncovered it's likely she was right about David all along. I wouldn't be surprised if her creep husband knew what David had done to his wife too. Maybe her husband was in on it. I'm going back on patrol. I'll give Halie a call to let her know what's going on."
"I'll call the Sheriff."
"William Reingold's staying at Big Bison Lodge. Call me as soon as they arrest his brother," she said.
Sam stood five steps from the exit door of the maintenance building when she heard the Chief call her name. When she stopped, Jake also stopped and sat next to her.
"Hang on a minute," the Chief said. "Sam, I've got bad news. We just received a report of a downed aircraft on Pinebluff Mountain, somewhere below the western peak with unknown injuries. The aircraft's owned by Teton Aerial Adventures. It lifted off from Winding Way Heliport fifteen minutes ago. The flight pattern had them flying north along the eastern border of the park and then into Yellowstone. There are six people aboard. William Reingold, who was piloting, his two teenage sons, his brother David, his son, and," the Chief paused for a moment before continuing, "Halie Walker."
The words pierced Sam's heart like a dagger. Her stomach felt like it moved into her throat. "That can't be," she said, holding back the tears. "Are you sure?"
"That's what was logged in at the airport. I'm sorry, Sam, but it gets worse. We don't have any choppers available to help with a search and rescue. They've been deployed to help fight the fires out west and in Targhee. The Sheriff even tried getting one once he heard David Reingold was on board, but no luck. I don't think I need to mention this, but the weather's taking a turn for the worse."
"I know! I know!" The realization hit Sam that one of her greatest fears was coming true. She tried with desperation to calm herself and keep her thoughts clear. "I'm sorry. I better respond. Thanks for telling me in person." Sam ran from the building with Jake at her heels, toward the Expedition. As soon as she started the ignition, she hit the emergency lights, backed out of the parking space, and sped north toward Pinebluff Mountain. "Teton Dispatch, four-two-zero."
"Four-two-zero, go ahead."
"Four-two-zero responding to downed aircraft on Pinebluff Mountain." Sam pressed her foot further on the accelerator, passing cars that had pulled off the side of the road in front of her, leaving them behind in a blur.
Chapter Twenty-Five
HALIE AWOKE CONFUSED and disoriented, unsure where she was or what had happened. Her hip and shoulder hurt. She hung sideways, suspended above William Reingold, held in by her seatbelt. Her head pounded. She glanced out of the cracked windows of the helicopter. She couldn't see much except an ominously dark sky looming over them. What the--What happened? "Boys? David? Is everyone okay back there?"
David responded, "Yeah, but there's a problem."
"I can see that," Halie said.
"Not the obvious problem," he answered, as the boys pushed each other and argued. "Take it easy you guys, and sit still!" He said to Halie, "From what I can tell, we crashed on a ledge. Our front end's hanging over. The helicopter's been teetering since."
"Jesus! How long have I been out?"
"About half an hour."
"Any rescue helicopters go by yet?"
"Haven't heard or seen any, but I managed to dial in a 9-1-1 before we crashed. I don't know if I was on long enough for them to track our location. The cell got jarred from my hand."
William opened his eyes and grunted.
Halie spoke to him, her neck stiff. "Try to be still. We've crashed. Any sudden movement might send us over the edge."
Eyes glazed, William slowly lifted his head. "What? How did--how are the kids?"
"They're fine."
"And David?"
"I'm okay, Willy. A scratch or two and a nasty headache, that's all."
William closed his eyes for a short moment before reopening them. He reached for his knee, but as he did, he hollered out in pain. He recoiled, clenching his teeth. He slid his hand over his face. Blood covered his palm.
"It's not as bad as it looks. I see a small gash above your ear, that's all," Halie reassured him. She tugged at her seatbelt, trying to lessen its strangling hold, then focused her thoughts away from a numbing terror settling in. This was the first time she'd feared for her life and those around her. Even though she remained relatively still while formulating a plan to get them out alive, the wind whistled past, rocking the broken bird.
David snapped. "This is crazy! We're all going to die if we don't do something! We can't just sit here!"
"Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about!" William said, his voice strained. "We'll be fine. We need to stay calm until help arrives. We don't have any other choice. I can't move. My leg's stuck."
"Help? What help? You don't get it, do you? No one's coming for us. They don't even know where we are. We've been sitting here for almost an hour and nothing--nothing except that blasted wind. If we sit here any longer, we're sure as hell gonna be blown off this damn mountain!"
"Calm down goddamn it! Get a hold of yourself! I said we'll be fine, and we will. You're driving everyone crazy."
"Maybe so, but I'm not stupid. I may not own a multi-billion dollar oil company, but I sure as heck know we can't keep sitting here. Come on, Kevin, we're getting out of here. You boys can come or stay, it's your choice, but if I were you, I'd come with us."
"Hold it! If you move, you'll shift the weight to the front and we could all go over," William pleaded.
"At this point, I don't care. It's better than waiting around until Mother Nature decides to do it for us. We're outta here. Come on, son." David yanked Kevin toward him by the elbow, ignoring his brother.
"What about my leg?"
"What about it? I can't very well climb over there and help you, now can I?"
"I'll try," Halie offered, afraid to move but more worried about what would happen if she didn't. "If we're all going to have a chance of getting out of here, you'll have to stay put in the back. I'll see if I can get him free." Halie attempted to undo her seat belt, bracing her left arm near the top of William's seat and repositioning herself so she wouldn't crush him should she free herself, but as soon as she moved, the helicopter creaked and swayed in refusal.
"Stop!" David said. "It's no good! You can't help him. Kevin and I are getting out of here."
Halie took a slow, deep breath of desperation. "You can't go."
"Try and stop me." With brute force David pushed open the side door of the helicopter and lifted himself on top. He sat with his legs dangling in the opening. "Come on, Kevin, give me your hand."
With hands and body shaking, Kevin reached for his dad. David pulled him out and lowered him to the ground. The helico
pter rocked.
William said, "Move as far to the rear as you can, kids, until Uncle David pulls you out." He looked at Halie. "The kids should go next, then you. It's too risky staying here. I know I don't have a chance anyway."
"No way. I agree the kids should go, but I'm staying with you. Even if I managed to get this damn harness undone, any attempt to get out'll likely send this thing over the edge." Halie's heart pounded fast, her breaths short. Was panic setting in? "You kids heard your dad. Move slowly into the back seat, one at a time, and let your uncle pull you out."
"Dad? What should we do? We don't want to leave you," Nate pleaded, his body trembling.
"Do as Ms. Walker says. I love you both very much. We'll be fine. You boys go ahead." Then he yelled to his brother, "David? Stay where you are! Nate and Trevor are coming out!"
The boys moved one by one to the back of the helicopter and were pulled out by David and safely lowered to the ground. The helicopter continued creaking and swaying.
These were the eerie sounds of strained metal Halie knew she would not soon forget. She closed her eyes. Please get us out of here alive. Pebbles and small stones dislodged from underneath them, free-falling until they hit the rocks below. The helicopter was sliding.
David pulled his legs out the side door. He tucked them up under his chest and sprang off the helicopter a split second before it slid away from beneath him, over the edge.
SAM DROVE THE Expedition on the hiking trail until she reached the base of the mountain. Being able to drive the distance between the main road and the mountain's base saved her over an hour of precious time she would have wasted on foot. She parked on a rocky surface to prevent the hot undercarriage from touching dry underbrush. She was facing enough trouble; she didn't need more. Then she called dispatch, informing them of her location. She jumped out of the Expedition, let Jake out, and as she rounded the truck, unbuttoned her shirt and stripped off her bulletproof vest. She tossed it in the vehicle and quickly put her shirt back on, haphazardly tucking it in her pants. She threw on rain gear in anticipation of the arriving storm, grabbed her search and rescue gear, and started-off up the mountain, Jake in the lead.
Sam was well aware that time was of the essence. They'd have to find Halie and the others before nightfall--before the cold set in. Summer nights were never much above freezing and often dropped below freezing. If I hadn't gone to work today, none of this would have happened. Halie probably would've never gotten on that helicopter. God please let her be safe.
Jake tracked up the mountain with blistering speed, every so often turning around and facing Sam. Sam had a rough idea where the helicopter may have crashed, based on the information the Chief had relayed to her, and thus far, Jake was confirming her notion. She trusted his instincts, but still prayed for luck and for the spirits to guide them.
The higher they climbed, the stronger the scent of pine intertwined with the smoke from Targhee. The pine needles lessened her traction. Twice she stumbled, but kept from falling. Heart pounding, she fought to stay focused on Jake and the path ahead, blocking out irrational surges of fear. She was successful at first, but the increasing wind and darkening sky added to the gnawing knowledge that the storm was on its way and growing in intensity. Thunder rumbled in the distance. The air carried an electrical charge. Sam's pulse and breathing quickened. She trudged forward.
Visions of Tina, eyes frozen open, flashed before her. Lightheadedness overtook her and sweat exuded from every pore. Her hands shook. Her mind instructed her legs to move forward, but the connection between thought and action broke. She couldn't move. Chest constricted and her breathing tight, Sam's legs wobbled beneath her. She reached to a tree trunk for support, then recoiled as if having seen a flash of lightning that wasn't there.
Jake ran to Sam. He sat in front of her, tilted his head and whined. Then he barked, jumped on her chest, and licked her face.
Sam barely had the strength to hold him. "Hang on a minute, Jake!" she said, pushing him off her, gasping for air. She slid off her backpack and leaned against the tree behind her, tears of frustration flowing down her cheeks. She lowered herself to the ground. Jake nuzzled her side and licked her face. Guilty for having yelled at him, she petted him while focusing on slowing her breathing. She knew she had to continue on. The problem was figuring out how. Conscious that every minute wasting away was precious made finding a solution that much more difficult. She reached for her backpack and grabbed a water bottle, taking a deep sip. Jake rested his jaw on her shoulder and whined into her ear.
"I know, buddy, I'm trying. Here, have some water." Sam cupped her hand. Jake drank from her shaking palm, his tongue tickling her skin. Then a thought hit her--she'd call Sally Kornwall. Of course! Why hadn't she thought of that before? A flicker of hope restored, she grabbed her cell phone and dialed the first four numbers to Dr. Kornwall's office, stopping when the message indicator beeped. Great, now what? She retrieved the message.
"Hi, Sam, it's me. I got your message, and yes, yes, yes, I forgive you. In fact, I can't wait to see you. I miss you so much, you don't even know. I just finished lunch. Ran into your friend Willy. We had an interesting conversation. I'll tell you about it later. I'm going for a helicopter ride over Grand Teton and Yellowstone with him and his sons. Please don't be mad. I love you. I'll be back by four o'clock. I promise. I won't keep you waiting. We can talk then."
Sam sat, tears streaming along her face. She pressed the save key, not knowing if those words would be the last ones she would hear Halie speak. She breathed deep, her heart rate normalizing. From the message, Sam supposed Halie didn't know David Reingold would be joining them. She wished she could have told Halie to be careful, that David was more dangerous than either of them had thought. She rummaged through her backpack for the binoculars. She forced herself to her feet. Placing the lens in front of her eyes, she scanned the mountainside. She panned back and forth until a metallic object caught her eye. She strained to make out the image. Part of the helicopter blade? Maybe, but where's the helicopter then? She tucked the binoculars away and swung the pack over her shoulder. "We're close now, boy. I'd say another hour, tops. Let's go."
Jake sprung around with his tail wagging, barked once, and ran off into the woods.
Chapter Twenty-Six
WHEN THE DUST settled for the second time, a voice whispered to Halie. "Are you okay? Say something, please."
The voice Halie heard didn't register at first. She touched her arm to make sure she wasn't dreaming or already dead. "I'm okay, except I think I may have broken a rib. How about you?"
"I don't think I'm much worse off than before. Not sure what part of me hurts most," William replied, his face drawn and tired.
Halie stretched her tight and knotted back, but as soon as she moved, excruciating pain shot across her midsection and chest. She clenched her teeth to stop from screaming, inhaling a few shallow breaths. When the pain subsided she said, "What about your leg?"
"It's still jammed under the controls. What I don't understand is why no one's come for us. Maybe they won't. Maybe they'll never find us here."
Halie wasn't giving in as easily, but then she wasn't hurt as bad as her counterpart either. "Don't think like that. Sam's on duty. I'm sure she's on her way. She'll find us, I know she will. I'd bet my life on it."
"You may have to."
Halie pursed her lips. "Plus you're forgetting your brother and the kids are safe. They'll get help if no one comes by then."
"I hope you're right. I'm sorry about all this. If I hadn't invited you, you'd probably be in your hotel room right now getting ready for a nice dinner out or something, safe and sound."
"And dry," Halie said, the rain making it in with ease through the shattered windows and openings of the mangled aircraft.
"Yeah, and dry."
"It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself. If I weren't stuck here with you, I'd be somewhere else getting into trouble. Still think I'm missing something, not being with men?"
<
br /> William managed a chuckle, followed by an "Oooh, ouch!" His eyes were smiling at Halie even as he tried shifting his weight for some type of relief. "How can you joke at a time like this?"
"What else is there to do? It could be worse. We could be hanging upside down like a couple of bats."
"Funny. How about you use this unforeseen opportunity and lay on the guilt trip about my company's lack of adequate environmental protection skills. Besides, it'll give us something constructive to do."
Halie smiled for the first time since the crash. "Sure, although I must say you're quite the glutton for punishment."
"We'll see about that."
SAM UPDATED DISPATCH regarding her location and was told to call the Chief in his office. She called him from her cell, turning her back to the wind and sheltering Jake.
"Chief Thundercloud," he answered.
"Chief, it's Sam. What's going on?"
"Two things. I got through to Idaho Falls Mountain Rescue. They've got a helicopter under repair. They think they'll have it fixed within the hour. They said they'd fly it here as soon as it's running, as long as the winds taper off by then."
"Great. And what are the chances of that happening?"
"Good as any."
"You said two things, what's the second?" Sam held her hand over the cell phone. "Jake!" she yelled, then added, "Jake just ran off. I better go. I'll call you later."
Sam slid the phone in her pocket and quickened the pace. Jake was still not in her sights. Then she heard his barking. She ran toward the sound full speed. Strong wind gusts blew past with such strength she grabbed hold of a small tree trunk to maintain her footing. Tired and straining to see through the pelting rain, she ran until she caught up to him. Jake stopped barking and went to Sam's side. Ahead, Sam saw David Reingold and three teenage boys, but no Halie. Her heart twisted in pain. Panting, she leaned over and placed her hands on her knees as the sound of the rain pounding on her raincoat grew louder and louder. Horrific visions flashed before her.
Love Another Day Page 18
