The Alex Cave Series. Books 1, 2, & 3.: Box set

by James M. Corkill

  Henry set the phone down and stood. “Your plane is refueled and waiting, Alex.”

  Alex stood. “Thanks. I need a favor before I leave.”

  Twenty minutes later, Alex carried a small brown cardboard box onto the jet for the ride back to Washington.

  *

  MOUNT VERNON:

  Alex looked through the side window of the Gulfstream as it taxied to the small air terminal. When the jet engines shut down, he opened the door and stepped out, noticing the helicopter and pilot were different this time. The blue letters on the white helicopter said Mystic, and the small pilot standing outside the air terminal was a tough looking young woman with short blond hair. He noticed her jaw busily chewing a piece of gum as he walked over to introduce himself. “I’m Alex Cave.”

  The woman turned her head, spit out the gum, and then reached out to shake his hand. “Betty Mason, but everybody calls me Bett.”

  The woman spoke as if on speed, and Alex grinned. “I need to see some people before we leave. Can you wait for me?”

  “Yeah, but ya better hurry. The Mystic is already underway.”

  “I will.”

  Alex’s car was where he left it. He climbed in and headed to Sparrow Valley.

  *

  CAVE RANCH:

  Kristy climbed onto the motorcycle and crossed her arms as she glared up at her brother in the porch swing. “You are not leaving this ranch, Derek Cave! Uncle Alex promised to see us today, and you are not leaving until he does.”

  Derek frowned and tried to look upset, but it was hard not to laugh at the dirt on her determined little face.

  They both turned to look at a car coming up the road, and watched a red mustang leaving a cloud of dust in its wake as it pulled into the driveway and stopped.

  Kristy smiled up at Derek. “Your girlfriend’s here.”

  Derek gave her a stern look. “She’s not my girlfriend, okay?”

  He thought Jessica Parker was a snob and tried to ignore her advances, but, for some reason, she was relentless. Maybe it was because he wasn’t interested in her like the jocks that vied for her attention.

  Jessica shut off the engine and climbed out of the mustang, then lightly shook her shoulder length brown hair as she smiled at Derek, hoping for a response. Since his first day at school, when he was in one of her classes, she found his bad boy appearance and attitude irresistible.

  Derek remained sitting on the porch swing. He thought Jessica was attractive in her slim blue jeans and tight fitting red tank top, but he could not stand her attitude. Her father was wealthy and she was attractive, so she always got what she wanted.

  Kristy climbed off the motorcycle and ran up to Jessica, smiling. “Can I sit in your car, Jessica?”

  Jessica had never been to the ranch before, but had seen Derek with his sister a few times, down the mountain in the mall. “What’s your name?”

  “I’m Kristy Cave. Derek’s my brother.”

  “No, you can’t sit in my car. Your clothes are filthy.”

  Kristy crossed her arms and stared up at her. “Is it because you’re a snob?”

  Jessica looked down, her mouth slightly open. “What? How dare you call me a snob! You don’t even know me!”

  Derek stood and looked at his sister. “That’s enough, Kristy,” he said nicely, before looking at Jessica. “What brings you out this way?”

  Jessica shook her hair as she regained her composure and smiled at Derek. “Everyone’s talking about the strange earthquakes. I know your uncle is a geologist, and everybody in town knows he’s here now. Everyone is wondering what he said about them.”

  Derek sat back down on the porch swing. “I’m sure he’ll tell everyone when he’s ready.”

  Jessica waited for Derek to say more, but he did not. Damn! She thought. I drove all the way out here hoping to have a conversation with him, and that’s all he had to say? She crossed her arms and gave him a stern look. “I bet you think I’m a snob, too.” When he grinned, it was all she could take. “Go to hell!” she snarled, then stomped back to the mustang and climbed in. She slammed the door closed and started the engine, then stomped on the gas pedal. The tires threw dirt into the air as the mustang raced down the driveway.

  Kristy walked up the porch steps and sat beside her brother. “I bet you’d like to drive that car of hers. Her dad’s rich, you know. If you hook up with her, he might buy you a new car, too.”

  Derek smiled and lightly shook his head, thinking how much he loved his brazen little sister. “You talk too much.”

  They both heard another car coming up the driveway and Kristy jumped off the porch swing. “I told you he would keep his promise.”

  She waited until Alex stopped in front of the porch, then leapt over the steps and ran to the car door and yanked it open. “I knew you’d come back.”

  Alex climbed out of the car and grabbed the small cardboard box from the passenger seat before he closed the door. Kristy grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the porch, where he held the box out to Derek.

  Derek opened the box, and then looked up at his uncle. “This is a satellite phone, Alex.”

  “That’s right. It even has GPS capability. I’m going on a boat ride when I leave here, and it’s important that you can reach me. I have that number on my satellite phone, so I’ll know it’s you calling. My number is speed dial one, and Wesley’s is two.”

  *

  Robert heard another car door close, and wondered who was here, then he heard Alex talking. He pushed himself out of the recliner, walked through the kitchen, and stopped to look through the screen door to listen to the conversation.

  *

  Kristy sat next to Derek on the porch swing. “Why are you leaving so soon, Uncle Alex? You just got here.”

  “I’m meeting some people and we’re going to the North Pole. A kind of treasure hunt.”

  Derek stood from the swing. “When will you be back?”

  “I’m not sure, Derek. I have a helicopter pilot waiting for me, so I’d better go.”

  Derek gave Alex a short hug. “I’ll take care of Kristy and Robert, so don’t worry about us,” he said softly, so Kristy would not hear him.

  “I know you will. Thanks.”

  Kristy stood from the swing, and Alex bent down to hug her. “Listen to your brother and do what he says, okay?”

  “Why? Is something going to happen?”

  Alex stood and understood what Derek meant about Kristy getting information. She was very perceptive. “Right now, he’s smarter than you, but that will change in a year or two.” He looked at Derek. “I’d better get going or I’ll miss my boat ride.” He walked back to the car, climbed in, and waved out the window as he drove away.

  *

  Robert stayed behind the screen door while he watched the car disappear down the road and then returned to his recliner to watch the updated National News reports.

  “Our weather specialist explained that the increased expansion of the polar ice cap has changed the climatic conditions across the northwestern United States and Canada. So far, officials do not know the reason for the increase in size and speculate on what effect this will have on the planet. Some of our unofficial contacts think this change could be a benefit, by reducing the temperature of the atmosphere. Our affiliate station in Oklahoma reports that the colder winds, now circulating from the north, will increase the chance of tornados sweeping up the central plains of North America. Another earthquake shook the Pacific Northwest yesterday. After the recent disastrous seismic activity, they fear Seattle will be next if these earthquakes continue.

  * * *

  Chapter 17

  NEVADA:

  “Please stop pacing, Doctor Heinz.”

  Henry stood still in front of the desk and stared at Lewis Norton. “When the Director of National Security asks a favor, you do not say no.”

  “I am not the one saying no. I was not asked to supervise the recovery operation in the Pacific Ocean.”

 
“I did not say no, exactly. The only reason Director Donner asked me, is because I have the necessary security clearance, but I need your help with that device in the ocean. You must come with me.”

  “You are a competent scientist. You will have twenty-four hour communication capability. I will assist you from here.”

  “But I will not know any of those people when I get to that ship. I have always been in charge here, because I have worked with these people since they were hired. Now, I will be starting over again. I am your friend and I am asking for a favor.”

  “Doctor Heinz.” A slight grin formed on Norton’s lips. “Henry, my friend. You have my full endorsement. You will do very well in your new position.”

  Henry realized he had never seen Louis smile. That meant a lot to him and he smiled back. “Thank you. I will do the best I can. I must call Director Donner to make the arrangements for my trip to Washington State.”

  *

  MOUNT BAKER STATE PARK:

  Jamie Parker was glad the day was ending. Her daily routine included stopping at each campground in the morning, and again on the way back to the ranger station before going home. At each campground, she was confronted by people wanting answers and she was getting tired of repeating herself.

  She drove into Marmot Campground, where she had met the woman with the two children. Out of curiosity, she wondered if the woman was with a man. She did not think the woman would have been that scared if there was a man in her camp, and she decided to make sure she was okay.

  She parked in front of the woman’s campsite, next to an old green pickup, and climbed out, but there was no one at the table or in the blue nylon tent. Suddenly, she heard a splash of water and the laughing of a high-pitched voice, but there were no ponds or streams near the campground. She followed the sound a short distance into the woods and saw the woman sitting next to a ten-foot oval shaped pool of water, and her young boy and girl standing in the shallow pond.

  “It sounds like everyone is having fun,” Jamie said to get their attention.

  The woman stood and smiled. “I know. I didn’t notice the pond when we arrived.”

  Jamie followed the stream with her eyes until she found the source; a small gap below the base of a large boulder.

  The woman looked at her children. “Time to get out of the water, kids. We need to fix dinner.” The kids jumped out and she turned and smiled at the ranger. “The brochure didn’t say anything about a hot spring.”

  Jamie gave her a half smile and a nod. “Enjoy your evening, ma’am.”

  Jamie walked over to the boulder, knelt down to feel the water rippling out from the base, and frowned when it felt very warm. This is not good, she thought.

  She stood, went back to the SUV, and took a slow drive through the rest of the campsites, but did not see any other water. She drove out of the campground and returned to the ranger station near the entrance to the park.

  The building was deserted. She looked at her watch and realized her supervisor, Larry Cobb, and the longtime Park Assistant Ranger, Frank Olson, had gone home for the night. She would have to tell Larry about the water in the morning.

  She locked the SUV, climbed into a brand new black Mustang, and began her drive home, to her father’s house in Sparrow Valley.

  She could not stop thinking about the new hot spring. She was not a geologist, but thought it was a bad sign that one day they had seismic activity, and the next day a hot spring suddenly appeared in the park. Something was happening since the earthquake, and she decided to tell her friend Wesley about the hot spring when she got home.

  *

  MOUNT VERNON AIRPORT:

  Bett did her pre-flight check and warmed up the engine while Alex returned the rental car, and when he climbed into the co-pilot seat, she took off immediately. “I radioed the Mystic to stop so they won’t get outta my range.”

  Alex noticed she was busily chewing again. “The other helicopter didn’t have any problem.”

  “This here’s my baby, and she’s good, but she ain’t got the range. The Mystic, with her twin turbine engines and water jet pumps, can cruise at fifty-eight knots and was already sixty-miles from shore when Mike called.”

  Alex nodded. Are you usually on the Mystic?”

  “I’m usually onboard, doing short distance reconnaissance or ship to shore transport. Once I’m back on board, I can refuel, but we still need to get there on a tank of gas. They didn’t need me for two weeks, so I’ve been visiting friends up in Canada. Mike called this morning and asked me back to work. Said I was supposed to pick up a professor. You ain’t what I expected.”

  Alex could not quite pinpoint her accent. Somewhere from the southwest, he thought. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, but it was important.”

  “Not a problem. This time of day the fish are biting, and I’ll bet Joshua and Okana have lines in the water by now.”

  They flew past the Islands and the air flowing into the helicopter was starting to smell better. “How long have you been with the crew?”

  “I came aboard the Mystic just after she passed her sea trials, six months ago, and got to know everybody soon as they was hired.”

  Alex turned and looked back between the front seats, into the rear section of the helicopter, where an open area separated the rear seat from the cockpit. Attachment points in the floor indicated another seat could be installed if needed, for a total capacity of six people, including the pilot. As he turned to look forward again, he noticed Bett was still rapidly chewing away. At least she isn’t popping the gum as she chews, he thought.

  Dieter still bothered him and he needed information. “So where did Mister Tanner find all these people?”

  “Dieter and the skinny kid were already onboard when Mike hired Josh and me. Don’t know a lot about them, except they came from Sweden, or Switzerland, or something.” She smiled and looked at Alex. “Mike got a two for one when he found out I could fly a helicopter. Hell, me and Josh have been together since high school. Old man Harrison came aboard a week later in Seattle, and then, two months ago, Okana and Lisa came aboard together. They seem all right. That Okana’s a hunk. You ain’t bad yourself, professor. The next day, Rita showed up, and man did she take a liking to Okana! Mike’s a city-raised good old boy. Don’t care about money. Last year, he spent thirty million for some kind of research with seaweed. Supposed to kill cancer or something.”

  Alex looked out the front window. He was beginning to like Bett. He had liked Joshua, too. That’s an interesting combination, he thought. In the distance, he could see the outline of the Mystic, glistening in the evening sun on the horizon. He scanned the waters around her, and she was alone on the vast Pacific Ocean.

  Fifteen minutes later, Alex could see a crowd standing outside the bridge, awaiting his arrival as Bett set the helicopter down lightly on the stern and shut down the engines. He climbed out and walked around to get his bag from storage while the others came on down from the bridge deck. Bett nearly knocked him to the ground as she ran past him, jumped into Joshua’s waiting arms, and gave him a passionate kiss.

  Bartram climbed up the side of the helicopter and folded the blades back along the tail, while Harrison pushed a U-shaped type of pallet lift under the helicopter. Bartram jumped down, and together, they jacked the helicopter up an inch above the deck, pulled it forward, then set it back down and attached the tie down straps.

  Lisa was not sure what to do. She desperately wanted to throw her arms around Alex’s neck and squeeze him tightly, and it took all her willpower to resist.

  *

  Dieter stared down at Cave through the rear window from the bridge and crossed his arms. Dealing with Okana later will be hard enough, he thought. Now that Cave will be onboard on this trip, things can get ugly when the time comes. He turned to look at Harrison as the man walked into the bridge. “Bring up the hoist and get underway.”

  *

  Alex followed Okana down the steps to the lower level, and then along a ha
llway in the center of the ship. Several doors on both sides were labeled with numbers and Okana showed him the two co-bathrooms with showers. Walking back the way they came, Okana stopped to open the last cabin door on the right, near the bottom of the stairs. “This is yours, Alex.”

  Alex could hear the soft whine of the turbine engines increase and felt the Mystic gaining speed. He stared at Okana, his eyebrows forming an unasked question.

  “I know it’s a little noisy, Alex, but it’s the only one left.”

  Alex was immensely grateful that he was not alone on this quest. Okana was the only person he trusted right now and he knew Okana would have his back if something went wrong.

  He stepped into the cabin. The light coming through the three-foot-wide window directly ahead glistened on the varnished light wood paneling. On his left was a small four drawer oak dresser with a mirror, next to a tall matching double door closet. A tan, short nap carpet covered the five-foot space from the dresser to the bed on the right, with sheets, pillows, and blankets stacked on one end of the mattress.

  Alex tossed his bag onto the bed and closed the door. “We need to talk.”

  They climbed to the next deck, turning left past the low wall at the top of the stairs separating the lounge from the companionway.

  No one was in the lounge, Alex took a closer look around while Okana went to the refrigerator. Joshua had explained that his desk in the corner was set up with a wireless keypad and a small monitor, and he was connected to the entire ship. When the Mystic was built, Mike spared no expense for the state of the art electronic control system.

  The large open room had windows on the right side, starting at the kitchen near the stern, and along the dining and recreation area on the far side of the shuffleboard table. The entertainment center was mounted on the forward wall, separating Mike’s office and living quarters in the bow.

  Alex turned when Okana walked up and handed him a cool brown bottle. He looked at the label before he opened the cap, then took a small sip. “Mike has good taste.”

  “Hey, I brought the beer.”