For those of you actually following this. soo sorry been busy and just totally forgot to update. Here's the next 2 Chapters (Thanks Devin for reminding me to update)
Chapter 28
Just as Doug finished his cigar, Sue came out to ring the dinner bell. “This might be kinda loud sir.”
“Thanks for the warning” Doug chuckled.
She continues, “You might want to go on in and wash up before the stampede comes. The wash room is on the left before you get to the office.”
“Thank you. I think I’ll do that.” Just as the screen shut behind him, Sue, very loudly, rang the bell. What seemed like split seconds later, the house and washroom was a bustling, happening place, as the workers discussed the jollies of the day and told their crude jokes. Mark came in and said, “Alright fellas, enough! You know that talk is not allowed in the house, besides we have a guest.” Almost in unison they said, “ Sorry Sir,” and all was quiet.
As everyone was finally seated at the table, Mark introduced Doug to the crew. They all apologized for earlier. Then Mark stood to say the blessing as everyone took his cue to get quiet and bow their heads. He prayed a special blessing for Katie and Uncle Doug in helping her. He also gave thanks for the meal. As he finished, all the workers sat in still silence, looking at Doug. Finally Doug spoke. “What? Did I do something wrong?”
Mark laughed, “No Doug, ‘round here guests eat first so they are just waiting on you, but be warned, as soon as you start, watch out for your fingers.”
“Thanks for the warning,” he chuckled as he picked up the bowl of potatoes. As soon as he plopped a spoon full on his plate, hands started going everywhere and food was being passed faster than he could put it on his plate.
“Man, you weren’t kidding Mark. I think I almost lost my thumb there.”
Chuckling Mark said, “Yeah, these guys get pretty hungry. When it’s time to eat you better not get in the way.”
Doug quickly agreed. “I can see that. Don’t they talk while they eat?” he asked as everyone ate in silence.
Mark took a deep breath, “Usually dinner is one of the most fun times of the day, talking, joking, telling stories and such. But this evening, no one is really in the mood for all of that.” As he finished his sentence, he pointed to the empty chair beside him where Katie usually sat.
“Well, hopefully tomorrow’s dinner will be back to normal,” Doug announced.
“Do you really think so sir?” one of the ranch hands asked with a smile.
“Son, if I have anything to do with it, YES!” With that everyone started talking about having Katie back.
Finally, Mark spoke up, “Hang on fellas. Let’s not go off bare back, it’s not definite yet. There are still lots of work to be done. Doug and I still have to saddle up for the ride tomorrow.” With that the mood returned to somber again.
“Mark, you certainly know how to kill the mood,” Doug laughed.
“Uncle Doug,” answered Mark, “I just don’t want them to get their hopes up. You said yourself that it was an up hill battle.”
“That’s true Mark but I think I thought of a way to at least have bail set. So we need to discuss what the amount might be and how we can pay it.”
“Um, how much we talkin’ about here?” Mark asked worriedly. “We will discuss that in private,” Doug says as he gestured to the office.
Mark patted his stomach, “Well I am ready when you are.”
“Let’s get to it,” Doug replied as he refilled his tea glass. “Mighty fine meal Ms. Sue, best I ever had,” Doug politely smiled as he got up from the table.
“Thank ya sir, hope ya like breakfast,” she smiled.
Doug smiled, patted, his stomach, “We’ll see in the morning,” as he went into the office.
“Ok, Doug, how much we talkin here?” Mark asked as Doug walked in.
“ Is the only thing of value you have the ranch?” Doug asked.
“Well, there are a couple of horses and ranch equipment and vehicles.”
“Do you have papers on all of those handy?”
“Yes they are in the safe in K’s private office.”
“Bring them in. I’ll put them in with the ranch deed. That way we will have several different values that we can use for collateral for bail as needed.”
“Ok, I’ll be right back.” As Mark left, Doug pulled out his cell phone. Seeing that he got no signal, he yelled to Mark asking to use the phone for some long distance calls. Mark told him do what needed to be done. Doug made several phone calls. For the last one, he dialed the number from memory but carefully though about each number as he dialed. “Yes, this is Doug Montgomery, sorry to call so late ma’am but I need to speak to General Holder please. Thank you ma’am. … Gary, it’s Doug. Sorry calling you at home but I need a favor, like yesterday. I need to check a death incident report. … Yes I know, please it’s very important. It concerns Katie. …. Yes, it is about him, how did you know? …. They threatened you? Well, I never knew that to stop you before. … Um, I am not at my office. I am at Katie’s house. … Yes, I realize that would be risky for you to fax and even talking now. … Yes, I know where that is. … Yes, I can do that. … Ok, see you in an hour and thanks Gary.” He hung up just as Mark returned with all the papers.
“Here you go Uncle Doug. These are all I could find. I even put them in order of value, least being on top and goes up to several hundred thousand, excluding the ranch itself.”
“Thanks Mark, do you happen to have a recent appraisal of the ranch?”
“No, we were actually scheduled to have one next month for insurance.”
“Well, that’s ok. I’ll just take a copy of the finance book. We can use that as an estimate. Now I just need to copy of all of this. Do you have a copier?”
“Yes, there is an all-in-one in the corner behind you.”
“Great, does it fax, too?”
“Yes, but out here it can be slow especially during the day but at night it might be ok. Do you need to fax something?”
“No just wanted to know for future reference. Oh by the way, I have to leave in about fifteen minutes but will be back in about two hours. Is that ok?”
“Sure Doug. Come and go as you need. If you need it, the fax number is there on the desk. Also, your room is at the top of the stairs, third door on the right. You have a private bath. I’ll be in the master suite at the end of the hall if you need anything. Feel free to use this office and if you need a snack or drink you know where the kitchen is. Ms. Sue keeps coffee on 24/7. Just help yourself.”
“Thanks, Mark. I’ll be fine I think. See you in the morning. What time is breakfast?”
“The crew eats bout 6 but I can tell Sue to have yours ready whenever.”
“No, 6 is good. I’ll need an early start. See you then.”
“Night Doug. Thanks for you help.” Doug didn’t hear Mark. He was already making copies and thinking about his upcoming meeting. He finished his copies just in time to pour a cup of coffee before he left. As he walked out on the porch, the peacefulness of the night tranquilized him momentarily. Then he remembered Katie sitting in jail and hurried to his car.
Chapter 29
“Mr. Montgomery?” the waiter at the all night café asked.
“Yes, but how’d you…”
Interrupting him, “Sorry sir, but a gentlemen asked me to give this to you.” The waiter handed him a folded piece of paper.
“Thank you,” Doug said as he opens it and reads:
Doug,
I know this report is important but giving it to you is very risky so you must do as I say. Order a cup of coffee to go. When the waiter brings the bill, he will give you a key. It is to a car parked out front. Leave your coat on the rack by the door and take the navy one that is hanging there. Get into the car. Drive two blocks east on Ross Street to the bus depot. Park the car and get into the off duty cab with the same number as your locker number at the YMCA. Tell him, Airport Gate 47. He will give you further instructions.
G.H.
Doug was worried about what was going on. He ordered his coffee, got the key and followed the instructions exactly. The cab driver drove around in what seemed like endless circles. He then pulled into a dark alley. Doug became frightened for his life. He reached for his cell phone, only to find he had left it in his coat at the café. He panicked. With wild possibilities running through his head, the cab driver spoke up, “Sir you are to get out and go to that red door and knock twice.” Doug slowly opened the car door and slid out of the cab. Before he stood up, he looked around to see if someone or something was out there. The driver spoke up, “Sir, you need to go quickly. He won’t wait long.” Doug stood and hurried to the door. He knocked twice and waited for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, the door creaked open. As he stepped inside, he looked into the face of the waiter that had given him the note at the café. The waiter smiled and gestured for Doug to come in. He led Doug to a door that said private and knocked twice. The door cracked and then opened fully. On the other side stood General Holder. “Thanks Jimmy, come on in Doug.” He gestured for Doug to come in and sit down as shut the door. “Doug, sorry to do this but I wanted to make sure you weren’t followed.”
“Gary, what on earth is going on?”
“It’s crazy Doug. I hope you are ready for all of this. Look, we don’t have much time. Here is the report.” He handed Doug a flash drive. “It’s safer if you take this and load it up on your computer. That way you won’t have the papers walking out of here. Put this in your shoe now and don’t remove it til you get back to the house. Also if you need something else don’t call my home, my office, or my cell. On that same drive, is a phone number. Open the file-marked phone. Memorize the number. Do not write it down or put it in your cell. Then close the file. It will automatically destroy itself, so make sure you have it memorized before you close it. Do not call me again from Katie’s phone or your cell. Call me using this.” He handed Doug a dinosaur looking cell phone. “I know it looks primitive but its secure and you will get a signal where no other cell phone can, like out at the ranch.
“Secure? My goodness, Gary. What’s going on?”
“Doug, you will soon find out. This is all a big mess. There are other files on that drive
to help. Do not save them on your computer. Only print them out if absolutely necessary. Once they have been printed, the file will be destroyed so make sure it is a last resort or to present them in court. If anyone, even if the judge asks, do not mention my name. Just say the military or an anonymous source. Keep that drive hidden in your shoe at all times unless you are using it. Do not leave it at the house, in your brief case or your pocket. If it is discovered, Katie will never make it out of prison. Better yet here.” The general removed his shoes. “What size are you?”
“I wear a 10, why?”
“Perfect” said the general. “Give me your shoes.” Doug took off his shoes and handed them to Gary. Gary puts them on and held his own shoes and showed Doug how to put the flash drive in a secret compartment. “Wear these,” he said handing them to Doug. “Always wear these! At night put them on the floor right beside you. The drive is safe. Metal detector or x-ray will not pick it up. After the trial, destroy both the shoes and the flash drive. Do you have all of that?”
“I think so but why?”
The general interrupted, “All of that will come. You just have to trust me, old friend. Now, go back out to the front of the café, get your original coat and car and go back to the ranch. Don’t stop on the way. Make sure to do just as I have said. It means Katie’s conviction or not guilty.”
“I will. Thank you Gary, old friend.” As the two friends hugged goodbye, the general spoke, “Call if you need me.” With that he opens the door and gestured for Doug to leave. Doug walked back through the café, grabbed his coat, got in his car and drove back to the ranch. With General Holder’s instructions running through his mind, he worried for his safety and about what all might be happening.
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