Colder Than Ice

by MacPherson, Helen

  Allison looked at the nodes in her hands. “It’s far too risky. We can’t afford to lose another member of the team.”

  Dianne patted Allison’s shoulder. “He’s frustrated that’s all. Tell you what. You continue here and I’ll go and try to talk to him.”

  Allison watched Dianne head off in search of Rick and wasn’t surprised to see Sarah head her way.

  “What was all that about? Rick came into the camp spitting chips.”

  “He’s frustrated over how slow things are and wanted to start entering the hut through a skylight.” Allison looked at the markers already identifying some of the outline of the hut. “You’ve worked here before. Am I being unrealistic? Would it be safe to dig from the roof down?”

  “If this structure’s anything like the McKinley expedition hut then it’ll be pre-fabricated wooden walls, and pretty strong at that. But I’d caution against cutting into the superstructure. You should try to maintain its integrity. That way, when you eventually start to cut through the ice, there’s still some strength remaining in the hut. I guess your biggest task will be finding the actual entrance to the building.”

  Allison nodded. “This shouldn’t be too hard once we’ve got an outline to work with. If we can only find it before Rick loses his temper and decides to start without the entrance.”

  Sarah chuckled at Allison’s exasperation. “He’ll cool down once he sees sense.” She pointed to the wiring left behind by Dianne and Rick. “In the meantime, how’d you feel about another pair of hands to help you put those node thingies out?”

  Allison gratefully smiled. “Thanks. I had Ewan and Rob helping me yesterday, but I think they both expected immediate results. When things were slow to happen they found other jobs to fill their time.”

  Sarah picked up the netted bag of electronic nodes. “That’s not entirely fair. Michela’s directions were that once we’d established the camp, everyone was responsible for specific daily tasks. With the exception of the cooking and the slop detail, this leaves a fair amount of spare time. If you’re not getting the help you need, why don’t you speak with Michela?”

  Allison baulked at the idea. Although things between them had been pretty benign since the incident at Wills Station, they certainly weren’t on rosy terms. Sarah’s right. After all, she’s the team leader and this is part of her job. “I’ll do that tonight over dinner, but for the moment I think the two of us can manage.”

  THE FOLLOWING DAY, after a polite reading of the riot act by Michela, Allison had more than her fair share of workers. While Rick remained conspicuously absent, the rest of the team was helpful in setting out the Web and marking the building’s outline.

  By late morning the digital tablet in the mess hut displayed a roughly rectangular outline, about thirty-six feet long by twenty-four feet wide. Happy with the progress, Allison called a halt and the team went to the hut and lunch.

  ALLISON GRABBED A spoon and fork and sat down at the mess hut table. She picked up a dinner roll, broke it in two, and dipped it into her sauce.

  Dianne passed a plate of pasta to Rob as he filed through the food preparation area. “You know. I’d forgotten how much you can do with this dehydrated food.”

  Rob bent over and took in the aroma of a strong Neapolitan sauce, liberally spiced with chili and garlic. “This smells great. You sure you don’t want to cook next week as well? That’s my shift and I hate to say this, but make the most of it, because next week you may starve.”

  The group laughed.

  Sarah nudged Rob as he sat down beside her. “Fibber. I know you can cook. I’m looking forward to that Italian shepherd’s pie of yours. Lashings of mince, onion, garlic, and peas in a wonderful beefy sauce, topped with mashed potato and melted cheese.”

  “If that’s your version of ‘I can’t cook’ then I’d hate to see something you can do.” Ewan swallowed a mouthful of pasta and blissfully sighed. “Don’t get me wrong, Di. This is bloody marvelous.”

  Di grabbed her bowl and sat down on the last unoccupied chair at the table. “Thanks for your feedback. I thought it made a nice Christmas lunch. Of course, a glass of champagne would go down well too.”

  Allison looked at her watch and then shook her head. “What do you know. We’ve been so busy I lost count of the days. I thought it was tomorrow.”

  Christmas greetings were shared around the group, with extra thanks to Dianne for her effort.

  Dianne graciously acknowledged their thanks. “So how did it go out there this morning?”

  Allison wiped the sauce that was dribbling down her chin. “Pretty good. Sarah’s been keeping an eye on the digital image this morning. We’re really beginning to see a shape.”

  “So, Alli, found any more internal walls lately?” Rob asked.

  Alli poked out her tongue at Rob. “Very funny. I thought I’d really found something this morning and it was only a dividing wall. I’d completely forgotten about those.”

  Rob chuckled. “They’re pretty good at holding up ceilings and the like.”

  “Enough. You’ve had your laugh for the day,” Allison said. “We still haven’t cracked the door yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we find it this afternoon.”

  Excitement rippled around the table at the realization of what the discovery of an entranceway would mean.

  Dianne sprinkled Parmesan over her pasta. “Then it won’t be long before we can get a look at what’s inside. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep an eye on both the digital tablet and the stove, but I really wanted to give this lunch my full attention.” Dianne nodded at Sarah. “Thanks for your help this morning. Once I’ve tidied up the mess I’ve made I’ll be ready to take over on the tablet if you like.”

  Sarah twirled another batch of angel hair pasta onto her spoon. “I’m actually enjoying watching the picture take shape. It’s a bit like a mystery really, all the pieces coming together. Whenever you’re ready though, let me know. Besides, leave the cleaning to the slops lady.” She pointed her fork at Michela.

  Michela tilted her head. “Is that right? I’ll have to remember that, Sarah, especially since tomorrow it’s your turn.”

  LATER THAT AFTERNOON Allison was interrupted from the site by a call from Sarah. With the wind blowing in the opposite direction, Allison couldn’t understand what she was saying. She waved back at Sarah and carefully walked through the wind to the hut.

  Sarah was hunched over the digital tablet, squinting at the screen. She leant back and ran her hand through her blonde locks. “I think I’ve been looking at this far too long.”

  Allison furrowed her brow. “I thought Di was going to replace you when she finished cooking. Where is she?”

  Sarah shrugged. “I don’t know. She said she’d something to do and that she’d be right back. I don’t know how long that’s been as I’ve been pretty preoccupied with the puzzle unfolding right here.” She pointed at the tablet.

  Allison tried to discern the full outline of the hut, but it was too large for the tablet’s screen. “Do you mind if I make a few adjustments?”

  Sarah stood. “Be my guest. I’ve been reluctant to fiddle with anything without you guys giving me a hand. I’d hate to think my fat fingers or voice commands resulted in losing the picture altogether.”

  Allison chuckled and sat down. “I don’t think there’s any chance of that. This thing saves on a regular basis.”

  “Yeah, but you don’t know my luck with information technology. Electronics and I haven’t always been compatible, and it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve managed to completely crash a program.”

  Allison tapped on the program’s options. “Not to worry. Let me refine the clarity of the picture and reduce it a bit to give us a better view.”

  The resulting image showed that the external dimensions of the building had slightly detracted from its rectangular shape. Toward one end was a small square structure, extending from the rest of the outline. Allison squinted at the screen. “Tablet, scroll down.” She looked at Sarah
. “I hope this isn’t another internal wall.” The mess door opened and a shivering Rob, Michela, and Ewan walked in.

  Ewan went to the stove. “See, Michela, it’s like I said. They’ve come in from the cold. I’m going to fix some hot chocolate. Does anyone want some?”

  Oblivious, Allison continued to stare at the screen. “I’ll be damned.”

  “You’ll be damned what?” Sarah asked, leaning over Allison’s shoulder.

  Allison pointed at the screen, a smile gracing her features. “I think we’ve finally found it. See that box-like structure on the end of the wall there? I think that’s a foyer, like the McKinley construction.” She turned to the group whose attention was now focused on the small screen. “I think we’ve found our entrance.”

  Spontaneous whoops and cheers erupted from the group.

  Allison disentangled herself from Rob’s bear hug and turned to the next in line, who happened to be Michela. Momentarily sobered by the awkwardness between herself and Michela, she searched for words to hide her reluctance to hug her. “Now this is a Christmas present. Where’re Di and Rick? They need to see this. I’ll go and check my hut and see if Rick’s there.” She stopped on her way to the door and turned around. “Maybe it’s time we did break out that first bottle of champagne. I’ll go and get Rick. Save a glass for us.”

  Outside, Allison paused as she braced herself against the chilly wind. Pulling her beanie firmly down over her ears, she went to her hut.

  She opened the door and could only stare. The wind that had chilled her outside paled into insignificance to the chill that assailed her senses. Dianne’s semi-naked form was entwined in Rick’s legs and arms.

  “What the bloody hell do you think you two are doing?” Allison bellowed.

  Dianne quickly reached for her clothes, which were strewn about the cabin.

  Rick maintained his position on his back, head resting on his folded hands, in a pose of superiority. “What does it look like?”

  Allison’s eyes blazed. “You bastard! You bloody bastard. After all these years and you leave me for bloody blimbo.”

  Dianne struggled to pull on a boot while at the same time maintain some dignity. “I beg your pardon. I may be a lot of things but I’m no blimbo, and yes, I do know what that means.”

  Allison wheeled—the full force of her anger focused on Dianne. “Lady, you may be a lot of things but you’re going to be something on the end of my fist if you don’t get the hell out of here!” She grabbed Dianne by her jeans, opened the door, and threw her into the snow.

  Allison slammed the door and paced the floor, attempting to rein in her temper. “How could you? Of all the people to leave me for, how could you pick such an airhead?”

  Rick casually reached for the flannel shirt at the end of his bed. “See, that’s your problem. You only see things your way. She’s not like that at all. In fact she’s pretty intelligent.”

  “How long has this been going on then? A week? A month perhaps? How long have you and that bitch been rutting?”

  Rick smugly smiled as he buttoned his shirt. “About nine months and as for rutting, well, that might be what you call it, but I’ve got another name for it.”

  Allison did the mental calculations. “You prick! You two have been at this for ages. The morning I was late for work and you were supposed to have come over the evening before. I bet you were with her, weren’t you? And let’s not forget all those team meetings you had to have at all hours while we were planning this dig. Of course, then there’s the ‘it’ll be okay, I’ll walk Di home and then join the others’ excuse you gave in Hobart. I bet you never joined the others at all, did you? To think for the whole bloody miserable sea journey down here I washed and looked after you while you puked your guts up. And for what? So you could run off with some bitch. Christ, after all I’ve done for you!”

  Rick stood, his dark eyes aflame as he towered over her. “Bullshit! You’ve been colder than ice for a long time now. Shit, you’ve been so preoccupied in this damn dig that everything else has taken a back seat, including me. At least with Di I don’t get the cold shoulder every time I try to show a little affection.”

  “If your idea of showing a little affection is shaking my shoulder after a hard day’s work and asking me if I’m awake, then you’ve got it wrong. Why her? Shit, there was a time when you couldn’t stand her.” Allison searched her mind for a possible reason and then bitterly smiled. “Of course, how stupid of me. What better way to cement your position at the Museum than getting into bed with the patron’s daughter? You lousy, politically minded, scum sucking low life bastard. You can have her. And if it’s any consolation, with a prick the size of yours, it’s a wonder she gets any satisfaction out of you!”

  Rick raised his hand and Allison lifted her arm, to shield herself from the inevitable blow. Almost simultaneously the door slammed open and Michela strode in.

  “Rick!” Michela shouted.

  Rick sucked in a breath and lowered his hand. Michela quickly stepped between them and faced Rick.

  “I don’t know the full story of what’s going on here. But if I see you raise your hand to a member of my team, male or female, I’ll have Sarah sedate you for the rest of the dig or at least until we can get you off the site.”

  She turned to Allison, who had recovered herself and now wore an equally belligerent expression. “At this point I think it would be best if you went to the mess hut. And, Rick, once you’re fully dressed, you’re to join us. This needs to be resolved before this dig can go any further.” She lightly grasped Allison’s arm and maneuvered her out of the apple.

  MICHELA OPENED THE mess hut door and breathed a sigh of relief that only Dianne was there. Dianne looked at Allison’s angered features and sank further into her chair. In order to avoid any possible bloodshed, Michela motioned Allison to the other side of the room.

  Bloody hell. I mustn’t forget that in my report—be wary of the ability of infidelity to potentially drive a wedge through a team. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let this occur with this group. These three are going to have to work out some degree of resolution or I’ll personally drug the damned lot of them. She rubbed her eyes and traced a path through her auburn locks with her fingers. Rick finally strolled in.

  Michela motioned him to a seat a workable distance from Allison and Dianne. “Thank you for joining us. We’re all adults here and I’m not about to take sides on who’s wrong and who’s right. But let me make this clear. We’re currently on a dig and the remaining four of us are relying on direction from you three. So, this is how it’s going to be. You three can resolve your immediate differences and learn to live with the change in personal circumstances, or we’ll strike camp and return to Wills Station. I’m not about to have four innocent people waiting around, freezing their butts off while you three sulk your way through the remaining time here. So, what’s it going to be?”

  Rick pointed at Allison. “If you think for one moment I’m going to sleep in the same cabin as the ice queen then you’ve got another thing coming.”

  Michela swallowed a laugh at Rick’s description of Allison. Ice queen she might be, but she has a mean right hook. “I don’t know that you two have any choice. We returned the spare apple with the BOB. What we now have is all there is, and this hut isn’t equipped for you to be sleeping in it.”

  Rick folded his arms as he leant back in his chair. “The answer’s pretty simple. Why can’t Allison change places with Di and Di can move in with me.”

  Allison shook her head. “There’s got to be another solution than that. Why can’t I set up a sleeping bag in the sno-trak, or pitch one of the tents?”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t allow you to do either. The sno-trak has no heating unless the engine’s running and that’ll burn fuel. As for the tent, the reason why we slept four in them in the first place was to increase the body heat inside the tent. With only you, you’d freeze in no time.”

  “Oh, for God’s sake. What’s your problem
, Alli?” Rick asked. “It’s not as if you’d be sharing a hut with Sarah or anything.”

  Michela held up her hand. “Let’s get one thing straight. If you’ve an issue with Sarah, then you take it up with her. In person.” That is, if you’re brave enough. “Allison, I’m sorry, but there may be only one option open to you. Any other changes will mean disrupting the rest of the group and I think the three of you have caused enough of that already.”

  Allison suddenly stood, causing some of the table’s contents to fall to the floor. “Alright. I’ll change bed spaces, but by God, Dianne, you better be out of that damned hut before I get there or I’ll start turfing your gear into the snow.” She turned to Rick. “As for you, I hope you go to the bloody toilet one night and it’s so cold you get frostbite and your old feller drops off.”

  “Allison.” Michela barely muffled her laugh. “I don’t expect you to like each other, but are you going to work together or not?” The three mumbled that they would. “Okay. Let’s get this move over and done with and get back to why we’re here in the first place.”

  While the change to sleeping arrangements got under way, Michela gave Sarah, Rob, and Ewan the abridged version of events. She reassured them, that for the sake of the dig, professionalism among the three archaeologists would be maintained.

  Michela noted tea that evening was a silent affair and the crew retired relatively early to their respective huts. Reluctant to face Allison where she was now living, she took her time in completing her last slops round. Finally, having no good reason to avoid the issue, she headed for their apple.

  She found a sullen Allison making an entry in her diary. I don’t want to open old wounds, but I really do need to clear the air or it’s going to be an uncomfortable time over the following weeks. Michela sat on her bed.