by Larry Hunt
Chapter Forty-Four
EIGHT AND ONE HALF HOURS EARLIER
The clock on the wall of the launch facility indicated the time was 2:30. Thirty minutes until the scheduled launch of Pegasus’s third voyage to Texas. “Is everyone all present or accounted for?” Captain Scarburg announced to the group standing around Pegasus. “If you’re not here hold up your hand,” he said trying to break the tension in the room. They were all about at their wits end, and he wanted to get them into a more relaxed mood. “Come on, pick-up those spirits... this is not a wake, it is an adventure. We’re going after some very historical information, information and data never before uncovered on the John F. Kennedy Assassination. We are all going to make history. In fact, we may, in fact, become a part of history. Besides, I am going to find Forrest and Olive Marie and get those two birds home, safe and sound. Now, let me see some smiles...” Looking around the room, “Good that’s better.”
“Does everyone have all his gear assembled? You do? Good... I see you all have changed into your ‘60s duds. What about the cash? Did you all get some good old, and I mean old, greenbacks to use in Dallas? All right, then I think all that is left is loading my equipment, saying my goodbyes and let you guys know I’ll see you all in Dallas, if not earlier, surely at the cow pasture when we leave to come back, and I want to assure the rest of you staying – we will be coming back.”
The Captain started to ascend the steps to Pegasus. Taking his first step onto the bottom rung of the loading platform, someone tugged on his arm. Turning, he was staring into the crying eyes of his wife Baba. “You old rascal, you’re getting too old for this sort of thing, but I know you have to go after Forrest and Olive Marie. I’m just going to tell you two things... find those kids and get yourself back home!! I love you!!”
“That’s three, but I love you too... don’t worry we’re all going to come back – safe and sound. I’m going to walk up these steps, and before you know it, Pegasus will return. The guys will depart and in a couple of minutes, we will all return. Please don’t cry, we’ll be back before your tears dry.” Stepping up on the steps he turned one last time, bent over and kissed her, “I love you,” and ascended the steps and shut the hatch.
Little did Baba realize the Captain was putting on a confident face? He was worried, really worried. The odds of him coming back or finding Forrest and Olive Marie was about fifty-fifty – Las Vegas would not like those odds, neither did Captain Scarburg.
The time was 2:57 p.m., Friday, December 7, 2012.
