by G S Binkley
Gage Ballant turned left at the fork in the cave following Lacy’s advice. “She’s sure to take the small tunnel.” Echoed in the writer’s head before Gage let out an ear-piercing echo herself. “Dani!”
When Dani heard the distant voice barely greet her as a whisper, it startled her causing her to lose her footing, sliding on the slippery rock floor. The dark haired girl scooted back swiftly wondering if Ralph had come back to the cave then catching the steep slope’s edge with her foot she fell into an unknown abyss. Dani spiraled down the small opening, dropping steadily until she came to rest in a small pool of icy water, tucked neatly in the small cove. Her fingers gripped the mossy rocks above her. Unable to get a decent hold, Dani was trapped.
The light flickered back and forth across the theater like chamber, searching every nook and cranny, Gage yelled again. “Dani!”
The freezing cold threatened to overcome the young girl, teeth rattling, fingers becoming numb and Dani couldn’t even feel her toes. Though now she did recognize Gage’s voice shouting for her. A weak attempt to call out died on her lips. The small waterfall in the cavern drowned Dani’s calls for help, already weakened from her sore throat.
Frustrated, Gage yelled again and again, searching for an opening that led further into the cave. The writer followed the beam of light from the flashlight as it traveled over the poster attached to the cave wall with the dark haired woman crouched down pointing a gun at some unseen assailant. In effect, she had discovered inside the chamber a shrine to Lacy Levine. Stepping closer, Gage heeded the welcome shriek of a whistle, blowing persistently at her. “Dani.” Gage gravitated to the shrill sound.
Dani blew harder and harder with all her might, hearing the familiar voice of the writer grow louder. Finally, she halted her summons when it was clear Gage was at the top of the small hole she’d fell into.
“Dani? Are you okay?”
Through chattering teeth, Gage heard. “Yessss.”
“How far down there, are you?”
“I don’t knowwwwwww.”
“Okay, listen up. Dani, I’ve got some rope. I’m gonna lower it down.” Gage inched closer over the steep slope, sliding over the mossy rock. Shooting both arms out to her sides, Gage stopped her descent. Breathing heavily, Gage tried to get a secure footing to no avail. One false move and the would be rescuer would need rescuing herself. She grabbed the rope coiled over her shoulder with her teeth, prying it loose which allowed it to slip down her arm. “Dani, do you remember how to tie the bowline knot? You remember, don’t you?”
A pause. “Yessss.” Shivering against the cold, she spit out slowly.
“Good. Now, here it comes.” Gage carefully worked the rope over her fingers attached to the rock wall, securing her position then lowered the rope about fifteen feet before it stopped its progression. “Got it?”
Dani tugged on it.
“Now, tie it around your waist and I’ll pull you up.”
Frozen fingers tried to manipulate the stiff rope. “I…I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. Dani, listen, you can do it. I know you can. Come on just tie the rope around you. Okay?” The rescuer asked weakly, feeling the hand of fear grip at her.
In complete darkness, Dani, against great resistance from the rigid rope, guided it into the knot Gage had shown her. Yanking on it as much as her strength allowed, Dani gave Gage the go ahead. “I got it.”
Gage finally secured a precarious foothold, freeing her hands. Dragging Dani up the small, dark cavity, Gage encouraged Dani to talk. She was well aware of the chill that must be swallowing up the young girl. “I’m fine really…..just cold.” Dani helped herself along using her legs, pushing herself upward.
When Dani reached Gage’s unstable position, she directed the young girl to crawl over her. “Climb up me.”
Slow, but methodically, Dani inched up the human wall over Gage to the top of the slope and with one final push landed safely on top. Finally reaching the top herself, Gage pulled the freezing girl in her strong arms, holding on for dear life. The writer kissed her forehead oblivious to Dani’s wet clothes, now soaking her own. “Come on. We’ve got to get you out of here.”
When Gage and Dani emerged into the light, Lacy engulfed her daughters in her arms. “Honey, are you okay?” Lacy’s took a moment to let her worried eyes roam over her daughter.
“Derek, come here.” Gage swept up her young charge when she saw the Sheriff approach. “Sheriff.”
Nodding, he tipped his hat. “I see ya found her. We’ve got Ralph at the station for questioning. He’s mad as hell….” Eyeing the kids. “Excuse me.”
“Sheriff.” Lacy cut him off sharply. “Can you take us to the hospital? She’s too cold.” The ice-cold skin she felt alarmed her.
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As the doctor checked out Dani, Gage related what she had found in the cave to the sheriff. He left assuring her that he would get to bottom of it.
A couple of hours later found Dani dry and completely warmed. The doctor gave her approval to release the patient with strict instructions. The sheriff reappeared just in time to give Gage, Lacy and her kids a ride back to the cabin. He took the time to reveal the results of his investigation after Dani filled in a few blanks.
“I’m glad you found the broach. You can still press charges if you like.” Sheriff Baylor informed her.
Gazing at her recovering daughter, Lacy shook her head. “No. I’d rather have nothing more to do with them.”
“I hear ya.” Baylor agreed. “Anyways, apparently Ralph has been following Ned and his friend, Buddy. That was their secret hiding place in the cave. Sally’s been worried about Ned, thinking he was doing drugs, drinking. You know, what most teenagers get into. Had Ralph checking on them. He admitted to following them to the cave, waited for them to leave then followed them again.”
“I saw him when I got to the cave.” Dani offered.
“Yeah, apparently, at least, he claims he never knew you were there.”
“He was spying on my children earlier in the day, sheriff.” Lacy stretched the facts a little.
“Yep, he admitted to being out there, but says he was just making sure Ned wasn’t following you like some ‘love sick puppy dog’. No offense, ma’am, but he don’t like you much. Ralph that is.” The sheriff said, scooting his hat up to scratch his thinning dark head. “I’ll go back to the cave and collect your things and any evidence in case you change your mind.”
“I won’t.” She said adamantly. “And I don’t want any of it. Keep it, throw it away. I don’t care.”
The sheriff stopped the car near the cabin. “Here we are.” Twisting in his seat to Lacy and her children in the backseat, he assured them. “They won’t be bothering ya no more.”
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Gage and Derek sat out on the porch of the cabin allowing Lacy some time with her daughter. “Hey, kiddo. Come here.”
Derek kept trying to climb up on the rail. “I Debin.” He declared to Gage. A little more rambunctious than usual, the small child pulled himself up the rail, reaching out with his short little leg for the swing.
The writer grabbed for him as he slipped from the rail causing them both to land on the swing. The swing twisted and turned wildly under the unexpected load, releasing an unseen wasp’s nest from its home at the swing’s ceiling anchor.
“Gage.” Lacy opened the screen door. “Dani would like to talk to you before she goes to sleep.”
“Oh? Okay.” Sitting Derek down, Gage walked past the actress.
Lacy watched Gage make her way across the living room, losing sight of her as she turned the hallway corner. Long moments passed as Lacy allowed a welcome relief flood over her knowing the horrible day’s events had come to a happy conclusion.
Gage entered the bedroom after a short knock at the door. “Hey, you wanted to see me?”
“Come on in.” A happy, but very tired explorer beckoned.
Gage eased down on the side of the
twin bed.
Dani slipped her small hand over the writer’s clasped hands, resting on her lap. “You saved me.” She stated simply.
“I may have helped a little. Blowing that whistle was a good idea. And you’re the one that tied the rope around you.”
Dani brightened a bit in her sleepy state. “I did, didn’t I?” Mulling it over thoughtfully, she continued. “Guess I’m not one of those helpless females.”
“No. No, you certainly are not.” Gage confirmed.
While still standing in the cabin’s doorway that feeling of contentment Lacy reveled in sunk rapidly upon seeing her son fall to the porch floor with a yelp, desperately gasping for a breath. “Derek!” Lacy screamed. Derek continued to wheeze and his mother noticed his arm swelling around a red spot.
Scrambling out onto the porch, Gage stopped short at the sight of Lacy holding her lifeless son. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. He just dropped down and….he’s having a hard time breathing.” The mother loosened his clothes all the while kissing his face checking for fever and offering comfort.
Scanning the area quickly, Gage honed in on the source of the problem. Wrapped in a sheet Dani hurried through the door as Gage ran back inside, pushing Dani in along with her then rushing to the medicine cabinet.
“Gage!” Lacy yelled.
Running back outside, Gage stooped down next to mother and child, extracting a long tube from its cartoon.
“What are you doing?” The frightened mother asked.
“Look up there.” Gage nodded toward the porch ceiling. “Dani, get inside now.” She yelled at the young girl who peeked back outside, taking a wary step through the door.
Gage popped the cap off then jabbed the syringe into the small boy’s thigh. “There. He’ll be okay now.” She assured the mother. “But we need to take him to the hospital so they can check him out.”
“Hospital? But…” The mention of hospital did nothing to relieve her fears.
“Just a precaution and we’ll need to get another prescription. Apparently, this little guy is allergic to wasps.” Scooping him up, pulling Lacy up along with them, Gage led mother and child to the safety of the cabin. “Lacy, listen, Derek will be fine. Trust me. My friend, Mark, is allergic to wasps, too. He keeps a spare dose of EpiPen here at the cabin.”
Warmed by the trusting green eyes before her, Lacy nodded. “Dani, go get your clothes and bring them out here.” Lacy held on tightly to her son who seemed to be making a slow recovery.
Gage scoured through one of the cabinets in the kitchen. Having found what she was searching for, headed out the screen door. “I’ll be right back. That’s the last time you little buggers have your way with my family.” With diligent determination, Gage exterminated every last one of the wasps before she reentered the cabin, victorious. Any celebration would have to wait. Derek needed tending to.
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As night fell and two trips to the hospital later, Gage found herself surrounded by the people she loved the most in the world. Dani lay next to her mother while Derek staked out a place between her and Gage. All happy and content, sleep claimed them.
Chapter Twenty
The kids lounged in bed with Gage most of the morning after the hectic day before. Lacy only left the safe and warm haven to answer the ringing telephone.
“Hello.” Lacy sat down on the couch, wrapping her robe around her against the chill of the morning.
“Lacy, it’s David.” A serious tone emitted from the receiver.
“I’m surprised to hear from you, David.”
“I bet you are.” The tone changed to one of sarcasm.
“What does that mean?”
“Let me get straight to the point.” An evil laugh erupted. “Ha, ha, straight to the point. That’s a good one.” David laughed at his own joke.
“You’ve lost me.”
“That’s what you keep saying. Listen, bab…. Lacy, your agent called and…..” The way David left his words hanging; Lacy thought she was supposed to fill in the blank.
“And?”
“And he says something funny is going on up there between you and that writer. Get the picture.” Again, David laughed at his own joke. “No, I guess you haven’t seen it yet.”
Well aware of what David was eluding to now, Lacy cut straight to the chase. “Let’s get to it, David. Why did you call and just what’s on your evil mind?”
“Oh, now that was nasty.” David, feeling a surge of courage, continued. “Listen, babe, if you want I’ll toss the divorce papers in the trash and take ya back. But things are gonna to have to be my way.”
“And since when has that changed?”
“Since you quit the show for one. You act like your career doesn’t mean a thing anymore. Your career was ridin’ high with that one and kaput…” He snapped his fingers. “Just like that you end it.”
“I will not go back to….. blindly taking your advice about my career and how to act and how much time I should have with my children.”
“Our children.” He corrected her. “And if you still want the divorce then I get custody of the kids.”
“I want the divorce?” Lacy was livid. “You had the papers drawn up. It came as a total surprise to me, but, you know what, David, I do want a divorce. And, no, the kids stay with me.”
“You don’t really want me to bring up the sorted affair you’re carrying on with that writer, do you? No, it will be my way or you’ll take a quick detour off a highway to nowhere. Nobody in Hollywood will hire you. Got it?”
Sucking in a deep breath, Lacy willed herself to remain calm. “David, you didn’t even want Derek, remember?”
“Fine. I’ll just take Dani.” His voice dropping to a mumble. “Who knows if the kid is really mine anyway?”
“You son of a bitch. You would separate them, wouldn’t you? And I’m sorry to say this, but Derek is yours. I don’t know why you keep suggesting differently.” Lacy yelled. Pulling herself in check as not to wake the kids, she regained her composure. “I’m calling my lawyer as soon as I get off the phone. You want a battle you’ll get one. I’m sure having your little girlfriend won’t bode well for you.”
“Ha. Having a mistress is done everyday here. But, when you pull your lover out of the closet so to speak…..” David couldn’t help it, he laughed again. I am just too funny. “That career of yours that was flying high is gonna fall so fast you won’t know what hit you. Then you’ll be begging for me to take you back.” David slapped the telephone down before she could reply.
The rest of the day was spent in relative silence. Lacy refused to talk about what soured her mood and her children were recovering from the traumatic events of the day before. Dani was particularly leery of mentioning the cave, not wanting to get in trouble from her mother.
Lacy tried several times to reach her agent to find out why he would have called David, informing her soon to be ex-husband about the anonymous call. She left several messages.
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After a long day of silence and having tucked the kids safely into bed for the night, Lacy revealed the contents of her call from David to Gage. Helpless to find out she was the source of Lacy’s problems, Gage prayed the Calvary would arrive and it did in the form of a phone call.
“Mark, hi.” Gage breathed a sigh of relief. “Do you have anything for me?”
“I do.” Her ever-faithful friend informed her.
Lacy watched from across the room as Gage spent the next twenty minutes talking with Mark Calico, her business partner. The few spurts of laughter and sincere thanks Gage offered her friend did not sit well with the actress. Even though Lacy was concerned about the potentially dangerous relationship blooming between them and how it would affect her life, her career and especially her children’s lives, she couldn’t help, but feel a persistent surge of jealousy rip through her body at how easily Gage conversed with Mark.
When Gage finally hung up, she turne
d to Lacy, offering a big smile. “Great news.”
The expression on Lacy’s face was nothing short of lackadaisical.
“Okay, I’ll let you be the judge of that.” Gage stated. “My friend, Mark….” She read a definite frown on Lacy’s face at the mention of her producing partner. “Let me back up. I called Mark a few days ago after David showed up with the divorce papers and asked him to check out a few things. Seems Ron Griffen was Mark’s roommate at college.”
This bit of news piqued Lacy’s interest somewhat.
“He talked with Griffen and found out some interesting things. Like the word around the studio is that Hayston Rawlings is pregnant.” Gage waited for this news to sink in.
“Go on.” It didn’t seem to faze Lacy.
“It seems David had pitched an idea to Griffen about a spin-off of your old show for Hayston. Griffen was interested but wanted to see how the movie Hayston would be starring in faired first.”
“He actually told Mark that?” Lacy quizzed. “David and Griffen have always been tight.”
“Yeah, but it seems David got greedy and didn’t want to wait to see what happened with the movie so he went around behind Griffen’s back and pitched the spin-off to another studio.” Gage pursed her lips before continuing. “Maybe he wanted to get involved in producing now. Well, needless to say…”
“Griffen was pissed.” Lacy finished.
“Exactly. There’s something else that has to do with David’s partner…”
