The Glacier Gallows by Stephen Legault Page B

what’s in our national interest!”
    â€œIf that’s the case, Minister, push back. Show some backbone. Don’t let China dictate our domestic energy policy.”
    â€œThis is what I mean,” the minister said, standing. He looked at Turcotte. “This is what I mean. You can’t have a conversation with these people. It’s always about someone else taking control of our energy future. It’s garbage.” He turned back to Brian. “I have caucus, Mr. Marriott.”
    â€œMinister . . .” Brian stood up. “Did you meet with Senator Lester Thompson from High Country Energy two months ago?” Canning looked at Turcotte, then back at Brian. “Did you meet with the former chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, who is now chairman of HCE , right before he visited China?”
    The minister smiled. “I have caucus.” He stepped past Brian and went to the door. “Mr. Turcotte, the prime minister doesn’t like his Cabinet to be late when they face the backbenches.”
    Rick Turcotte stood and with a gesture ushered Brian Marriott out of the office. Brian was left standing in the hall as the two men walked away.
    â€œYOU KNOW THAT someone from the Chinese Embassy was at the minister’s announcement last week,” said Jessica Winters over the phone.
    â€œHow deeply does the Chinese government have its hooks into the tar sands?”
    Winters sighed. “In one eighteen-month period, Chinese national companies invested fifteen billion in existing projects. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. A Chinese petrochemical company is poised to make investments that could double or triple that. They are buying significant interests in half a dozen Canadian companies.”
    â€œI would say an investment of that magnitude buys you a seat at the decision-making table, don’t you think?”
    â€œIt’s not out of the question. It’s certainly an influence on Canada’s export direction away from the United States and toward Asia. There are two barriers, however: first, the pipeline that is supposed to ship the oil to China is held up in hearings, and second, we’re burning tons of natural gas to refine the bitumen that comes out of the ground.”
    â€œThat’s why this whole push to reclassify nuclear as an alternative energy worries me,” said Brian. “The government has made a commitment—reluctantly—to power tar-sands development in part with alternatives. Now it looks like nuclear will be that power source.”
    â€œIt’s not an alternative to anything,” agreed Winters. “What’s your next move?”
    â€œI need to connect the dots.”

SIXTEEN
    PORCUPINE HILLS, ALBERTA. JULY 15.
    WALTER DROVE HOME AND TOOK the day off work. He, Cole, and Nancy ate breakfast at the long kitchen table. Cole drank coffee and poked at his eggs and potatoes. His mother brought him more food. “Mom, I’m not really very hungry,” he protested.
    â€œYou need to eat, Cole.”
    He took a bite of eggs and put his fork down. Nancy put her hand on his. “Are you catching flack at work?” Cole asked Walter. “You don’t have to do this.”
    â€œYes, I do.”
    â€œI don’t want you to get fired.”
    â€œI’ve got fifteen years with the Park Service. You’re my brother. I haven’t always been there for you. I’ll be there for you today.”
    Cole put his coffee down, squeezed Nancy’s hand, and stood up. “Let’s go. I’d rather be early than late.” Cole hugged his mother at the door. With the back of his knuckles, he gently brushed away her tears before she silently turned and went back into the house.
    They took Walter’s Ford and drove the winding road out of the dell of the Blackwater Ranch. The morning was bright; in July, the meadows and hay fields still held a freshness that perfumed the