by Gary Striker
“Ok, Jim, I’ll get her ready”.
“Hang on, Gary”, Jim requested, “You need to know that the word is already on the street. Try to avoid any questioning until we can figure out what we’re talking about ourselves”.
“Roger that, Jim! I’ll see you at the dock”, was Gary’s good bye.
Jim got off the phone with Cheyenne and Bob, both of whom had their instructions for the day. Bob was going to make contact with Jake and Elliot, the two investigators from Bangor. Bob was to inform them that Mike got lost. Cheyenne was in route to the Town Hall Office to meet Jim.
“Better check these messages before Cheyenne shows up”, Jim said to himself. “Holy shit, what’s this guy want”, was Jim’s question to himself after reviewing one of the phone recordings? He played it back.
“This message is for Jim Gagnon. My name is Steve Slattery. I’m a private investigator with Angel Holdings in Los Angeles. I am planning to be in Fort Kent late Sunday night. I would very much appreciate a meeting with you some time on Monday regarding the Marie Benavidas disappearance, if you can make yourself available…,” the message concluded with contact information.
Jim sat straight as Cheyenne entered the office. “Goddammit, this is all we need, Cheyenne,” was Jim’ greeting.
Cheyenne countered with a smirk, “Somebody got a blow torch turned up your butt this morning, ol’ buddy”?
Jim looked irritated, “Yeah, some P.I. from Los Angeles is headed here tonight. He wants to talk to me about the Benavidas disappearance. That ought to seal the deal for a stay at the Asylum.”
Cheyenne smiled, “Chet wants to see you when we get back from the lake”.
“Anything else” Jim asked with a dazed look? “We don’t have anything to discuss with the State Police, except that Mike’s lost, and he already knows that”.
Cheyenne’s smile got broader, “Border Patrol wants a word with you, too”!
Jim buried his head in his hands. “Let’s get out of here while the getting’s good. I’m not sure I wanna come back”?
Gary was busy getting the ‘Amphib’ Cessna 182 out of the water hanger and tied up to the adjacent dock. The 182 was equipped with floats for the summer and skis for the winter. That was the conversion routine that the Forest Service performed as a ritual twice a year. Gary was checking the high wing fuel tanks on a step ladder when Jim came to a stop beside the dock.
Cheyenne climbed out of Jim’s pickup truck with his usual greeting, “What’s going on, Sky King? What are ya’ planning to do with this thing? Going trolling”?
“That’s a real knee slapper, Cheyenne”, Gary returned, “Maybe we could drag your ass around as bait, huh”?
Jim jumped into the fracas, “Ok children, very funny! Now maybe we need to come up with a game plan before we get into the air, and before we all get locked up, what do you say”?
“I’ve got an idea”, Gary stated with confidence, “We have some serious stuff going on at Ben Lake. I believe that we can all agree that we don’t have a clue as to what’s out there or what it is capable of doing to us, on the ground or in the air”. Jim and Cheyenne listened intently. “I suggest that we initially fly a circular route around the Lake from a few miles out. We can survey the access trail and look for signs of any strange activity. This might be risky, but if we stay close to the trees, we could be harder to spot, sort of like staying under the radar. Jim, you have your camera”?
Jim pulled it out of his jacket pocket. “I backed up the movie files last night, but didn’t have a chance to look at them”, Jim answered.
Gary looked at Cheyenne as if ready to do battle. “Did you bring your Martian meat chopper”?
Cheyenne grinned and pulled out his KBar combat knife for the guys to see.
“Ok, she looks good, no squawks”, Gary said while checking the flight control hinges and surfaces for correct and free movement while inspecting for any visible signs of wear.
“It’s fairly calm this morning”, Gary observed. “Let’s get belted in. Jim, you’re in the back with the camera, so get in first. Cheyenne, you follow me in the right seat and hang onto the dock line”.
Nobody ever fooled around while the pilot in command was preparing for flight. This was always serious business, as today the three aviators seemed to work as one to accomplish the task at hand. Gary read from the passenger brief part of the checklist, and then the pre-start procedures.
“Cheyenne, toss the line”, Gary ordered, as he set the aircraft free to float at will. This was always a time filled with the anticipation of engine start.
Gary continued, “…Master Switch On, Prop Full, Fuel Pump On, Mixture Full”, as he yelled out the window, “Prop Clear”! That final cautionary alert was intended for anyone within proximity to the aircraft. With that, the 230 horsepower Continental engine came to life. Gary finished the post-start checklist and the threesome donned their headsets for their own private communication net. “Everybody hear me”, Gary asked? Both passengers acknowledged and it appeared that the aircraft had come alive.
Gary did a fast taxi down the runway part of the lake looking for floating obstructions and then headed back into the wind facing the runway.
“Seatbelts, everybody”, Gary asked while running through the final pre-flight checklist”? A thumbs up from Jim and Cheyenne was all that preceded full power application as the aircraft took on an aggressive demeanor. Gary continued on the takeoff path down the lake continuing with the departure checklist from memory.
“V1, V2, Gauges Green”, indicating standard takeoff compliance speeds and condition of the aircraft. And with all the initial preparations behind them, the flying machine lifted gracefully into the air.
“Jim, get your camera ready”, Gary instructed as he trimmed the aircraft upon reaching one-thousand feet, “We’re looking good, gentlemen”.
The aircraft behaved flawlessly and continued on a northerly path away from Ben Lake. “I’m going to take her down to about four-hundred feet, guys”, Gary informed his passengers while maneuvering to a westerly inbound course to Ben Lake. “We’ll make our first circle coming in from the north side of the lake staying about two miles out. Does that sound ok to you, Jim”?
“Roger, Captain”, Jim responded with a light sense of humor, “I’ll have a good photo op out the left side window, Gary. Cheyenne, keep your eyes peeled.”
“We should be within eyesight of the lake in three minutes”, Gary added, “We’ll maintain the bank for one complete circle and then turn away. Cheyenne, if you so much as see a squirrel doing funny things, we need to know about it”!
Cheyenne lit up his big grin, and in Marine Corps fashion, acknowledged with, “Aye, Aye, Captain”!
Ben Lake came into view right on schedule.
“Something looks very strange at the lake”, Cheyenne noted. All eyes focused left side trying to see what Cheyenne saw.
“Keep your distance around the lake, Gary”, Jim ordered.
“Will do, Jim”, Gary acknowledged, and then observed. “Gentlemen, we are nearly at level flight”, Gary pointed out while directing attention to the Attitude Indicator on the front panel. “We have little wind to contend with and we should not be flying in this circle”.
All eyes looked at each other in confusion.
Jim asked, “Are you sure”? We’re straight and level, guys”, Gary affirmed, “We should be heading West toward the St. John’s River”.
“Then what are we doing going around the lake in a circle”, Cheyenne asked? He didn’t wait for an answer. “There’s a hole in the lake, do you see it”?
Jim kept his camera focused on the lake. “I’m not sure what I’m looking at”, Jim said, “Cheyenne, are you hallucinating”?
“Look close, at the center of the lake”, Cheyenne instructed.
“Gary interjected, “Gentlemen, I’m having trouble controlling the aircraft. We’re getting pulled closer to the lake and our engine manifold pressure is decreasing. We’re losing altitude
. Houston, we have a problem”!
Jim offered up his authoritative request, “Gary, get us out of here, now”!
“Yes, sir”, Gary took the order, “Right away, sir”!
Gary banked the aircraft hard right to the North, away from Ben Lake while adding full power.
“Either we have a problem with this aircraft, or there’s something very strange at the lake that’s affecting us. Look at the compass”, Gary pointed to the aircraft magnetic compass mounted to the center of the panel on the glare shield. “Magnetic north is pointing directly to the lake”.
Everyone held their breath as the Cessna struggled to climb and break the apparent attraction of Ben Lake. The tree tops nearly touched the aircraft. After several minutes at the full power setting, the aircraft systems gradually returned to normal, including the engine power setting as measured on the Manifold Pressure Gauge. Ben Lake disappeared behind them over the horizon. Gary broke the silence, “I’m going to have the Airframe Inspector give every inch of this aircraft the once-over”. They proceeded direct to Eagle Lake. “We need to get this thing down now”, Gary cautioned, “We have no idea what failed back there and I don’t want to find out now”! Gary went through the pre-landing checklist and lined up for a straight-in approach down the middle of the lake. “Keep your eyes open for any obstacles. I’m not going to attempt a fly-by with this bucket. If it falls apart, let’s do it at the dock”!
A text book landing was the order of the day as the aircraft did exactly what was asked of it without a problem. As it shifted weight to the floats, everyone took a deep breath as the dock came in to view.
“Look, there’s Bob”, Cheyenne announced.
Gary maneuvered the aircraft to the dock and shut down the engine. Bob was waiting with mooring line in hand.
“Gotcha”, Bob said as he secured the aft cleat.
Gary was busy shutting down systems and gathering the headsets along with the miscellaneous gear he had stowed aboard. Cheyenne and Jim joined Bob on the dock and finished securing the lines.
“You wouldn’t believe what’s going on. Ron has half the State of Maine Search and Rescue teams mobilized. He’s waiting for a couple teams to arrive at the Frenchville Airport. He wants to meet you over at the Strikers in about an hour”.
Gary closed the aircraft door and joined the guys on the dock. “Who wants to meet us”?
“Everybody”, Bob answered, “Search and Rescue, Border Patrol, State Police, the State Inspectors, and a slew of reporters. Oh yeah, almost forgot, that guy from L.A. should be in town tonight, and Elaine wants to talk to you ASAP. I told her you went out with Gary’s airplane to see if you could find Mike”.
“Oh for Christ’s sake”, Jim shrugged, “It’s not even ten o’clock. We just about got ourselves killed out by Ben Lake. If it wasn’t for Captain Midnight here, we’d be coyote breakfast”.
Gary grinned with flying gestures.
“What the hell happened”, Bob asked as he stood wide eyed with expectation?
“We don’t know, Bob”, Jim returned, “What we do know is that some kind of Star Trek tractor beam grabbed us and we were lucky to get away. It almost hauled us to our graves. The aircraft systems went crazy”.
Bob stood transfixed.
“There was something real crazy about the lake”, Cheyenne added, “It looked like the lake had a hole in the middle of it. Jim, you got the pictures, right”?
“Sure did. I took a quick look at some of the frames. It’s weird”!
Jim shifted gears and his dazed expression turned to concern. “Listen, guys, we can’t let anybody head back in there. It’s too dangerous. We don’t know what it is that we’re dealing with. We know less now than we did yesterday. Anybody that goes back there is going to get himself killed.”
“Yeah”, Gary questioned, “And just how do you plan to stop them? Are you going to tell them that we almost got sucked into the lake with a hole in it? They’ll have us all locked up before noon.”
“Let me call Ron, Jim offered. Let’s see if we can get them to meet us over at the elementary school in Soldier Pond.
Jim placed the call and got Ron to agree with the meeting place.
“All set, boys”, Jim said, “Ron’s going to get everybody over there for an emergency meeting. We need to stop at the office to pick up the digital projector. I’ve got pictures!
Gary and Cheyenne stayed behind to secure the aircraft in the water hanger and finish the incidentals, such as recording tach time and log book entries.
“I have no explanation as to how this aircraft behaved out there”, Gary questioned his own sanity, “It returned to normal as soon as we broke away from the tractor beam. Does that sound nuts”?
“No more than me getting into a knife fight with a Martian”, Cheyenne smiled.
“Listen Cheyenne, Gary requested, “We need to bring Mike’s Jacket and that piece of Martian hide you sliced off. I have what’s left of Mike’s rifle in the truck. Let’s get out of here”.
As is the way in the North Country, the beautiful morning sky turned quickly overcast and the wind picked up considerably. A light sleety snow began to sprinkle the turf, but the roads were just a bit too warm to hold the ice.
Gary maneuvered the truck up and around the winding roads to Cheyenne’s house in Fort Kent, then back to the Soldier Pond Elementary School with the Martian souvenir in hand. Both were lost in thought as the school came into view. Both were contemplating the physical state of their best friend, Mike, as well as Elaine’s state of mind. The sleet changed to snow and increased in intensity as they pulled into the parking lot.
“Where are we going to park”, Gary questioned, “the lot’s full”?
“There’s a spot next to Jim’s truck at the end of the row”, Cheyenne offered, “I never saw this many people here for a town meeting, ever! Do you know any of these folks”?
Gary looked bedazzled. “Not many. What I don’t understand is why they are all here. We’ve had missing person’s cases before. That Benavidas lady didn’t generate this much interest. I don’t get it”?
Inside the cafeteria, volunteers were busy setting up chairs. The public address system was being readied with the familiar message, ‘testing, testing’. Jim waved the guys over toward the stage. The artifacts from the day before were placed on the table next to the microphone stand. Ron joined the party and looked puzzled while staring at the remains on the table. Jim powered up the digital projector.
“Are you planning to auction this stuff off”, Ron asked sarcastically, “You won’t bring much for this junk”.
“What say we get this meeting started”, Jim announced as he adjusted the microphone stand, “Everybody take a seat, please”.
The crowd quickly silenced and settled in for the meeting. Jim addressed the crowd and got their attention.
“First, let me thank everyone for coming to this emergency meeting. We’re here for one purpose, and that is to find Mike Nadeau”.
An anxious reporter interrupted, “What about the Martians? Did you catch one?”
The crowd responded with enthusiasm and demanded answers, no matter how ridiculous the question.
Jim took the mic in hand. “Ladies and gentleman, we have a serious situation and Mike’s wife, Elaine, demands your respect and attention”. The crowd silenced as Jim pointed to Elaine. “Thank you. Let me show you what we have and what we know about Mike’s disappearance. We have a lot of questions without answers, but over and above that, Mike’s safety is our utmost concern”.
The crowd listened intently to Jim’s discourse, which included Mike’s disappearance after making a latrine stop. Jim did not embellish the scene that he had witnessed less than twenty-four hours earlier. Jim showed some photo frames of the area where Mike got lost, but not the Full Monty that they witnessed.
“We have some of Mike’s possessions here in front of us. As you can see, I’m sorry to say that there’s not much left of his jacket or rifle”.
; Elaine broke down and was helped out of the cafeteria by friends. Others questioned what kind of animal Mike may have encountered.
“No animal is going to saw the barrel off of this rifle”, Jim stated as he held the gun barrel high overhead. “We don’t know what happened, but we do know that there is something back at the lake that is unpredictably dangerous. It is for this reason that we called this meeting. We don’t want to place anyone else in danger until we figure this out. So please, be calm and aware that your life may be in danger.
“But what about Mike”, Ron questioned? The crowd protested, “Yeah, what about Mike”, another asked?
Jim raised the microphone. “Everybody, please, be calm. We all have an urgent need to know where Mike is. Ron, lets discuss our plan of attack after the meeting.” Ron nodded. “Folks, we will keep you informed. The State Police and the Border Patrol are involved. Combined with Ron, we have the best search and recovery team in the business. Right now we have to coordinate with the authorities present in this room. Mike’s life is at stake here, so please help him by dismissing yourself in a calm and orderly manner. We will answer your questions as we know more, I promise”!
The crowd dismissed quietly and with puzzled eyes. Nobody brought up the Martian thing. The authorities agreed that an organized plan of attack was necessary to find Mike and keep themselves from getting killed, by whatever it was lurking in the woods. The remains of the rifle and jacket needed no help in getting the proper attention. Jim offered the Wallagrass Town Hall as a command post for the duration. Nobody asked about the unknown piece of hide attached to Mike’s jacket, which was tagged as evidence by the Maine State Police along with the rifle barrel.
Cheyenne winked at Jim for inducing a state of sensible calm without references to strange creatures from another world.
