Fire Mountain

by Vickie McKeehan

  “I think I might’ve seen something last night that’s important.”

  Lando shushed the dogs. “You could’ve come to the office and reported it…later, like after eight.”

  “No. I don’t want anyone knowing I’m talking to you. It’s now or not at all. It’s about those murders—the woman, Talia, and Woodson.”

  Those words had Lando more awake. “Come on in. I’ll put on a pot of coffee. Did you drive over here?”

  “No. I walked down the alleyway, only came around to the front when I got close so no one would see me.”

  Lando recognized the panic had grown into real fear. “What’s got you this spooked?”

  “I took the dogs out last night in the rain, near ten-thirty, I reckon.” Those scared eyes latched onto Lando’s. “I saw two men loading up a freighter, not the big kind of carrier, but the kind you’d see on a river. They were messing around with twenty or so wooden crates with straw on top and some cardboard boxes.”

  “Back up a second. The freighter? You mean like a self-propelled barge that goes out to meet a larger vessel?”

  “Exactly. It always comes in at night. Always. It’s a very secretive operation. I once saw Woodson standing on the wharf, overseeing everything. That was about a month back.”

  “Did you recognize the men who were doing the heavy lifting?”

  “Not with the rain pouring down like it was.”

  “What about the night you saw Woodson watching?”

  “Not then, either. The men always wear black, like wetsuits and they always pull up to that same section of the pier that isn’t well lit. When I heard the buzz down at Thackery’s Pub Saturday night that Woodson was into some kind of smuggling operation, that’s when it hit me. It all fell into place. All those times I’d seen him hanging around the docks late at night from my own front window, he was up to no good.”

  “What’s the scuttlebutt down at the pub?”

  “Well, for one thing, there’s a rumor that Woodson was using his plane for transport to meet up with…a third party somewhere else. People are talking about him having a connection further south along the coast, places where he’d drop off a load. They say he was working with someone else to deliver goods to a ship waiting offshore. If that’s true, then the operation is still going on without him. Because I think that’s what I saw last night. But no one seems to know what Woodson was smuggling.”

  “That’s okay, I think I do. How often do these people pull up at our docks?”

  “Once a week. Maybe on rare occasions twice in a week.”

  “Okay. Next time you see this taking place, I want you to call me, no matter how late or what time of night it is. Got that?”

  “Sure.”

  “And Joe Don?”

  “What?”

  “Be careful. Don’t let them catch on that you’ve been spying on them. I know your house is right there, not fifty yards from the pier, but don’t let them see you pulling back that curtain and staring at them.”

  Joe Don leaned in and whispered, “I use my binoculars I got in the army.”

  “That’s fine, just don’t get caught. These people are serious about what they do. Not to mention, they’re dangerous. And please, don’t go getting drunk down at the pub and blabbing about this. Don’t tell anyone, not even your girlfriend.”

  “We broke up. Don’t worry about me talking about anything at the pub. I figure it’s best if I stay home at night and pop my own six-pack until this is over.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. How about that coffee now?”

  “No thanks. I think I’ll sneak back out the same way I came in. Too early for a bunch of career criminals to catch me, right?”

  “You’d think. How long do you suppose it’s been since you first saw Woodson show up at night to watch these guys load a boat?”

  “Years. Been years.”

  After Joe Don left, Lando paced the kitchen. If he’d been a smoker, he’d have gone through half a pack already fuming at the way he’d been played. Five years. They’d been operating in his own backyard unfettered, free to move around and do whatever they wanted.

  Gemma found him like that, irritated and angry. “Who was at the door?”

  He told her about Joe Don’s visit.

  She wasn’t sure she’d ever seen him so ticked off. “And you feel like it’s your fault?”

  “Who else should I blame? Who else should I point out is responsible? While I’ve been playing Rockstar—as Luke so often reminds me—I’ve allowed a smuggling ring to operate without fear of getting caught.”

  “Just…wait a minute. Stop the blame game. You couldn’t have known. These guys aren’t exactly amateurs. Didn’t we establish last night that Woodson or Olson had been at this for decades? And whoever he worked with has a substantial financial interest in the success of this outfit. I’m thinking a backer with loads of cash. They ended up killing to keep it hidden.”

  Lando wasn’t having it. “Sorry. You proved my point. A criminal enterprise set up shop right under my nose. I know you’re trying to make me feel better, but it’s not working. I let people down. A couple more months of this and this gang might’ve even taken over.”

  “You wouldn’t let that happen.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “This is our town, and the people in it are extended family. We’ll clean it up and make it a better place to live, to raise kids, to run a business. Stop beating yourself up. That won’t do anybody any good.”

  But he wasn’t listening. He was already planning his next step. “I’ll set up a joint undercover operation with Zeb. That way, we cover all the bases. We’ll watch the docks from south of town all the way up the coastline.”

  “Undercover? Everyone knows everyone here, Lando. What are you talking about?”

  “I want these people out of my jurisdiction. If I have to, I’ll call in the Feds for help.”

  As mayors went, Gemma’s first week in office had been a series of eye-opening events. Not only did she learn how hard it was to keep things on track, but she also discovered it was like herding sheep to get anything done. The town council was useless. Mostly. David Border, Natalie Henwick, and Tully Beacham seemed determined to push whatever available land there was in Coyote Wells into the hands of out of town developers. She was sure money had exchanged hands somewhere along the way, but she couldn’t prove it. Not yet anyway.

  For Gemma, that’s the last thing the city needed. Good thing a long line of her predecessors had insisted that the mayor hold veto power. Good people like Paloma had wielded it to keep out dodgy opportunists. But that didn’t mean developers hadn’t gotten wind of Fleet’s departure and sent their emissaries knocking on her door to test the waters. They made their wish list clear. They still wanted to turn the park on the cliff into luxury condos.

  She’d gotten a firsthand earful of how things worked from her grandmother. Paloma was no novice dealing with untrustworthy, cagey characters. “Those wheeler-dealers will promise anything to get that land. The good news it’s city-owned property and can’t be subdivided without putting it on the ballot, a step the council does not want to take.”

  “Why?” Gemma asked.

  “Because they want to get re-elected. Eighty percent of the town wants that spot to remain a park. Those three go out on a limb and voice how much they want it turned into apartments, they lose the support of the public for sure.”

  “Then why are they sending me emails that push me to meet with these developers?”

  “They’re a sneaky lot. Don’t turn your back on any of them for fear of feeling the knife go in.”

  “Ouch. I thought Natalie had learned her lesson with Marshall Montalvo.”

  “Oh, honey. Money turns heads. Always has. Greed is never satisfied. Don’t you know that?” Paloma stared at the heavy stones draped around Gemma’s neck. “You have those, your power stones. Don’t they show you who is lying and conniving and shouldn’t be trusted?”

  “Most of the time. If I
’m on my toes.”

  “Being mayor means you’re always on your toes. You can’t afford to let your guard down for a minute.”

  After Paloma left, doubts began to creep in. To do this job, Gemma decided she needed superpowers. Clutching at the stones around her neck—turquoise for protection, moonstone for truth, lapis for power—she realized it wasn’t enough.

  Four phone calls later—all of which were complaints about something—she yearned to be back at her chocolate shop.

  As if she’d conjured Lianne up, the woman burst into the room with enough energy to light up Dodger Stadium.

  “Are you aware your chocolate shop is a veritable source of constant information?”

  “Of course, it is. I truly miss it. Want to switch jobs?”

  “Um, no. I guess I’m partly to blame for sticking you in this place.”

  “Partly? Sticking me in the back is more like it. Fifty percent anyway. What’s brought you here? I hope you aren’t here to bitch about the zoning ordinances. Or the lack of parking along Water Street.”

  “Nope. None of that. Elnora Kidman was in this morning ordering her usual cappuccino. Do you know how Fire Mountain got its name?”

  “Sure. Thousands of fireflies, dancing on the air in the summertime.”

  “What? No.” Lianne’s forehead furled into concerned lines. “Fireflies? Really?”

  “Yeah. It’s an old Native American legend.”

  “Ah. Well, according to Elnora the mountain was also known to be the home of a group of fairies, one in particular named Fenwitha.”

  “A fairytale, huh? I could certainly use one about now.”

  “There’s power in fairytales.”

  “There is? Okay. I can see the problem with the local lore. Fireflies versus fairies, moving about, flitting through the air. I suppose that’s close to the same thing. Maybe somewhere in the telling people got their wires crossed.”

  “I don’t know about that, but the story reminded me so much of how you found your stones that I closed the shop and ran over here to tell you about what Elnora discovered. Imagine for a minute that there are more power stones out there. What if this Fenwitha is meant to stand alongside Kamena, Aponivi, and Salisaw. What if these stones are meant to be together to increase your ability, more power to see things even clearer?”

  “Elnora said all that?”

  “That last part was all me. But Elnora seems to believe this one fairy possessed a strong psychic connection to the future. Fenwitha had a habit of gazing into the fire to see how things would turn out.”

  Gemma perked up. “A fire gazer, huh? This Fenwitha could see the future? That sounds more like a witch than a fairy.”

  “You’re not listening. You’re too caught up in this mayor stuff. Fenwitha had the ability to see into the future.”

  “Well, that’s new. And different. Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”

  “Look, I know you. You’re always trying to build on your power. Not a bad thing.” Lianne whipped out a piece of paper from her pocket. “Elnora drew me a map. She says this is where the power source is at its strongest. You’re looking for a three-pronged fork at the base of the mountain. About halfway up, there’s a trail that flattens out and leads to a stone circle.”

  Gemma studied the hand-drawn directions. “Get out. I’ve been there dozens of times when I was a kid. I never saw anything like this, not even anything that resembled a stone circle. Trust me. That area is not known for stone circles. Are you sure Elnora wasn’t pulling your leg?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. Elnora’s convinced this is where you’ll find Fenwitha’s carnelian stone. According to Elnora, Fenwitha was known for her fiery energy and her passion. The carnelian stone symbolizes that. The legend talks about Fenwitha building up fires to see into the future. She predicted that the seven tribes would see hardship and face extinction.”

  “You’re sure Elnora hadn’t been drinking? That she didn’t make all this up?”

  “No. Stop it! She was dead serious. Apparently, she told Ansel about your experiences with the other legends and the stones that initially gave you the ability to see the past. He did some research and came up with Fenwitha, the fire goddess, the ruler of Fire Mountain, who could foretell the future. Both agreed that Fenwitha reminded them of you.”

  “Me? But I can’t see the future. I’m not even sure I want to. Although…it does make me curious about this legend.”

  “What about the carnelian stone?” Lianne prompted. “That would be a lovely addition to the others you wear for power.”

  “If it exists. I just talked to Ansel and Elnora the other day. They didn’t mention any of this.”

  “According to Elnora, Ansel has been researching this for months. There’s a book about it at the library.”

  “I guess I could check it out before making the trip out there. I’d like to learn as much about this fairy as I could. I mean, I can’t go today. My appointments this afternoon are stacked back to back. Mostly land developers. And I have to find time to send out the invitations to Leia’s bachelorette party today. I’m cutting it close as it is. Aside from that, the area out there is still probably muddy and slick from all the rain.”

  “Tomorrow then? I’ll drive you out there myself.”

  “You don’t need to do that.”

  “I want to. And I’ll also help with the bachelorette party. We could just send out emails.”

  “I like that idea. This Sunday afternoon we’ll gather for food and drink at my house. Then on Wednesday before the big day, maybe schedule a spa date for just the three of us.”

  “I could use a day at the spa. You should be aware though that Enid and Birdie are making their infamous dandelion wine again and expect to serve it at the book club meeting this Wednesday night.”

  “Thanks for the warning. I’ll make a point to drop by Wind River and pick up a supply of white wine.”

  “And hurt their feelings?”

  “Have you tasted that stuff? It’s toxic.”

  “Fair point. But Enid swears she’s experimented and managed to come up with a better tasting recipe.”

  “We’ll see about that. Will you really go with me to look for this carnelian stone?”

  “Since I’m the one who brought the theory to you, yeah. Besides, since they found a body out there, I don’t think you should go alone.”

  “Okay, then I’ll clear everything off my plate for tomorrow morning. Maybe we could take the horses. It’s been ages since I’ve taken Gypsy out for a ride.”

  “Luke and I make a point to go riding every other weekend. When we’re out there on the trail, spending time with Jocko and Rudy, those are the times we can truly be ourselves.”

  “I envy that,” Gemma admitted. “I wish Lando and I got to do that more often.” She leaned across the desk, lowered her voice. “And maybe we don’t mention this little trip to Lando. He’s dealing with enough stuff right now without knowing I’m tinkering with another local legend.”

  “Sure. But those legends included Kamena, Aponovi and Salisaw, the source of your power. If this stone circle exists, then maybe Fenwitha has been waiting for you all this time.”

  Lando rapped on the door. “Am I interrupting anything major?”

  Gemma nervously got to her feet. “No, no, not at all. What’s up?”

  “I’ve spent the morning hunting down that barge Joe Don saw. It’s not anywhere in the harbor. I’m taking Tully’s boat out to scour up and down the coastline.”

  Flattered that he’d bother to update her with the latest on the investigation, she suddenly thought of something. “It’s probably stored away in a boathouse. Look for a storage facility big enough to hold that size barge.”

  Lando glanced at Lianne and then back at his wife in wonder. “That’s a great idea. The only place around here big enough is the shipyard.”

  “Darby Berwick salvages a lot of old maritime vessels, doesn’t he?” Gemma offered. “I’ve heard him brag a
bout all the boats he’s restored. But you’d need a warrant to search his place, and right now, there’s no probable cause for one.”

  “Not yet. But now that I know where I need to station the guys to keep it under surveillance, it’s just a matter of time. Thanks. Mayor Bonner.”

  “No problem. Any time. Chief Bonner.”

  The minute he’d gone, Lianne dropped into a chair. “You guys are too cute together. He brings you a problem and you solve it.”

  Gemma laughed so hard that she felt a pang in her side. “Oh, Lianne, if you believe that fairytale, you’re more gullible than I am.”

  With two glorious days off behind her, Leia felt like she had a new lease on life. The autumn air seemed fresher, sweeter, and less chilly than it had on Friday. She’d let the past fester until it had almost ruined her outlook on marrying Zeb. It unnerved her, maybe even scared her just a bit at the way she’d panicked about something so trivial. At least it seemed that way now. Why hadn’t she told Tiffany to stuff it at the wedding? The minute her old school chum had threatened blackmail, why hadn’t she punched her in the face or at least stood up for herself?

  Leia brooded about it until she finally decided to talk it over with Luke. She had to wait in his office until he’d finished with all his patients. When he opened the door, instead of taking a seat behind his desk, he plopped down beside her in the empty chair. “Ginny Sue told me you were here, but I didn’t really believe it. How’d you sneak away from the restaurant on a Monday?”

  “It wasn’t easy. Mom’s in a mood. Can’t say I blame her after working all weekend without me there.”

  “Why don’t you two hire another cook? I’ve seen the books. I know you guys could afford it. Is it because Mom’s a bit of a control freak?”

  “You know it is. I didn’t really come here to talk about Mom, though.” Once she started talking, she couldn’t seem to stop. After ten minutes of blathering on without stopping, she finally took a breath. “Why would I let Tiffany push me around like I did? It’s not like me.”