George thought of big city cops like other people thought of aliens.
“Not yet. We’ll handle this ourselves for now until we see what we’re up against. Keep it on the down low. If we need more assistance later on, I’ll ask the Park Service for back-up and establish an Incident Command System.” As Chief Ranger, he had the option of putting more men on to cover any emergency situation, setting up an ICS, if there was a dangerous problem in the park. “As of now, George,” he added dryly, “I’m making you Assistant Chief Ranger. Congratulations.”
“Thanks a lot.” George didn’t seem happy about the promotion. He knew what it meant. Henry was worried. Trouble was coming.
“But for now, let’s get off this lake before it gets dark.” Henry recalled what Cutler had been reported as saying: It only comes out at night. Big as two houses, a long neck, huge teeth and as strong as hell.
Henry’s hand automatically fell onto the butt of his holstered weapon, a .40 caliber semi-automatic SigSauer, for comfort. Most of his men, including George, carried the 9 mm Sig, but Henry preferred the .40 caliber because of the larger, heavier bullets it shot. If he had to bring something down he wanted to be sure it didn’t get up again.
“Anything you say, boss,” George agreed. He worked his way to the boat’s controls, plopped down into the captain’s chair, and steered them towards land. He wanted to get off the lake as badly as Henry did. The low-flying gulls and the fish jumping alongside the boat apparently weren’t the only things out on the water.
Wizard Island dwindled to a tiny lump on the horizon as they left it behind. Henry’s mind was tumbling in circles looking for answers. Someone, or something, had demolished a tour boat and perhaps murdered Sam Cutler. There hadn’t been a murder in the park since he’d arrived.
The Park Service wasn’t going to like this at all.
His sense of duty and excitement triumphant over the fear, and because Cutler said it only came out at night, he decided he’d return after dark to see if something uninvited really lurked in the lake. Unless he knew what the problem was, how would he know how to handle it?
***
After supper, Justin persuaded Henry into sharing the night’s adventure with him; and Henry was grateful for the company. In fact, he’d intended all along to take Justin with him. If some belligerent creature was in the water it’d be safer not to be alone, especially after seeing what had become of Sam Cutler’s boat.
Still, beneath it all, the notion some beast lurked in Crater Lake waiting to waylay and destroy the unwary was too ridiculous to take seriously. Going out on the water that night was Henry’s way of whistling in the dark. He couldn’t allow himself to be afraid of the unknown. A pragmatic man, he was merely tracking down whatever leads he could uncover because Sam Cutler was missing and had last been seen on the lake. No big deal. It was his job.
To keep Ann from worrying, he said they were going to do a little night fishing, which he often did in the warmer weather. He didn’t mention the Seabird’s fate. She’d find out sooner or later, and later would be better because he didn’t want it all over the newspaper yet.
He knew she suspected he was up to something, but being the good wife that she was, she didn’t question him further. Just gave him a hug and a kiss goodbye and told him to be careful.
***
Although Henry and Justin patrolled the lake most of the night, and the next two nights as well, they saw nothing unusual. Henry talked himself into believing there wasn’t anything strange in the water, and that Sam Cutler’s disappearance and boat wreck had another cause. He just had to discover what it was.
Time went by and nothing else happened. The lake, as the park, was eerily quiet.
***
Eventually, Henry confided to Ann the fate of Sam Cutler’s boat, calling it an accident. Cause unknown. Sam Cutler was
“Not yet. We’ll handle this ourselves for now until we see what we’re up against. Keep it on the down low. If we need more assistance later on, I’ll ask the Park Service for back-up and establish an Incident Command System.” As Chief Ranger, he had the option of putting more men on to cover any emergency situation, setting up an ICS, if there was a dangerous problem in the park. “As of now, George,” he added dryly, “I’m making you Assistant Chief Ranger. Congratulations.”
“Thanks a lot.” George didn’t seem happy about the promotion. He knew what it meant. Henry was worried. Trouble was coming.
“But for now, let’s get off this lake before it gets dark.” Henry recalled what Cutler had been reported as saying: It only comes out at night. Big as two houses, a long neck, huge teeth and as strong as hell.
Henry’s hand automatically fell onto the butt of his holstered weapon, a .40 caliber semi-automatic SigSauer, for comfort. Most of his men, including George, carried the 9 mm Sig, but Henry preferred the .40 caliber because of the larger, heavier bullets it shot. If he had to bring something down he wanted to be sure it didn’t get up again.
“Anything you say, boss,” George agreed. He worked his way to the boat’s controls, plopped down into the captain’s chair, and steered them towards land. He wanted to get off the lake as badly as Henry did. The low-flying gulls and the fish jumping alongside the boat apparently weren’t the only things out on the water.
Wizard Island dwindled to a tiny lump on the horizon as they left it behind. Henry’s mind was tumbling in circles looking for answers. Someone, or something, had demolished a tour boat and perhaps murdered Sam Cutler. There hadn’t been a murder in the park since he’d arrived.
The Park Service wasn’t going to like this at all.
His sense of duty and excitement triumphant over the fear, and because Cutler said it only came out at night, he decided he’d return after dark to see if something uninvited really lurked in the lake. Unless he knew what the problem was, how would he know how to handle it?
***
After supper, Justin persuaded Henry into sharing the night’s adventure with him; and Henry was grateful for the company. In fact, he’d intended all along to take Justin with him. If some belligerent creature was in the water it’d be safer not to be alone, especially after seeing what had become of Sam Cutler’s boat.
Still, beneath it all, the notion some beast lurked in Crater Lake waiting to waylay and destroy the unwary was too ridiculous to take seriously. Going out on the water that night was Henry’s way of whistling in the dark. He couldn’t allow himself to be afraid of the unknown. A pragmatic man, he was merely tracking down whatever leads he could uncover because Sam Cutler was missing and had last been seen on the lake. No big deal. It was his job.
To keep Ann from worrying, he said they were going to do a little night fishing, which he often did in the warmer weather. He didn’t mention the Seabird’s fate. She’d find out sooner or later, and later would be better because he didn’t want it all over the newspaper yet.
He knew she suspected he was up to something, but being the good wife that she was, she didn’t question him further. Just gave him a hug and a kiss goodbye and told him to be careful.
***
Although Henry and Justin patrolled the lake most of the night, and the next two nights as well, they saw nothing unusual. Henry talked himself into believing there wasn’t anything strange in the water, and that Sam Cutler’s disappearance and boat wreck had another cause. He just had to discover what it was.
Time went by and nothing else happened. The lake, as the park, was eerily quiet.
***
Eventually, Henry confided to Ann the fate of Sam Cutler’s boat, calling it an accident. Cause unknown. Sam Cutler was
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