|
Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 25, 2021 18:28:49 GMT -6
Siobhan called ahead and had Alice make sure the guest house was ready. While Cal was unloading the turkeys and hams, Siobhan went inside at began preparing dinner.
"What did you do with the meat?" Siobhan asked.
"All sitting in the refrigerator thawing. Six days should be enough time for all of them to thaw, but I'll keep an eye on them."
"Okay. Well, go clean your pistol. No one comes to the dinner table with a dirty weapon." Siobhan said, grinning.
"Oh, such dark humor! I'll be in my study."
"Where's Ralph? He was supposed to be here by now!"
"I don't know. He was bringing up three girls through Moab. Said he was staying on the back roads. He could be just out of a cell reception area."
Let me know when he gets here."
"Sure thing, Boss."
Amy did the last touch-ups on the painting and stood back. She'd been working on it sporadically between artwork for the advertising agency. This painting was of schoolchildren in the classroom responding to a teacher. It had a Norman Rockwell quality to it, and brought warm feelings in her. Siobhan came in and looked at the finished painting.
"Amy, it is wonderful. The teachers are really going to appreciate it."
"Thank you Momma. When are Becky and Craig coming over?"
"They'll be here by 6:00."
"Good. That will give me time to stage the setting. "Why are they waiting until January to get married?
"They didn't want a wedding crammed in with all the other festivities, Honey."
Amy went into the Great Room and selected three pieces of firewood and laid them to the side. Siobhan helped Amy move the rustic barnwood settee closer to the fireplace and adjusted it as Amy place it within the camera's field of view.
At 5:40 Becky and Craig arrived. Amy had told Becky to dress in their favorite casual clothes. Amy studied the two and the colors were complementing but she decided to add a bit more flash.
"Momma. Can you get me one of your red silk scarves?"
While Siobhan was getting the scarf, Amy had Craig take his right boot off and positioned him at the end of the settee with his back in the corner, leg up on the settee, quarter-facing the fire. When Siobhan brought the scarf back, Amy loosely tied it around Becky's neck and had her sit between Craig's legs, leaning back against his chest. She placed their arms in a loving embrace and quickly added the wood to the fire. As the wood flamed up, Amy had Siobhan slowly dim the lights until she had the effect she wanted….the flames illuminating the two faces slightly more than the room's ambient light. Amy went over to the tripod and checked the field of view again.
"Okay, looked at the fire."
Amy took five pictures, moved the tripod and took five more.
"That's it!" Amy said. "Now you two can go back to looking like the hillbilly engaged couple just after knocking cow manure off your boots."
Craig jumped up and knuckled her head and Becky tickled her until Siobhan made them stop.
Earl and a female Deputy brought the girls out at 6:30. Siobhan and Cal greeted and brought them into the house.
"Earl, you two want to stay for dinner? It's just meatloaf and fixin' s."
Earl looked at Deputy Hays and grinned. "Sure Siobhan."
"Siobhan, Cal this is Imelda Garcia, Katie Jones, and Barbara Kemp."
"Welcome to our home Ladies. I hope you're hungry."
"Yes ma'am, thank you." Barbara said.
Becky led the girls to the restroom and showed them where they could wash up.
"Earl, do they have any clothes?"
"No, they had no bags with them."
"That's fine. We have some things we can pick from."
After dinner Siobhan and Becky too the girls back to a bedroom and got their measurements. Becky met Charlie in Supply and picket out three outfits with underwear, outerwear and shoes. Charlie also added three bathrobes and slippers.
Siobhan and Becky took the girls to the guest house to let them get cleaned up and changed into fresh clothing.
"What's the deal with these girl's case, Earl?"
"Well, the investigation is on-going. The girls have agreed to testify at This Ralph Haley's trial. The investigators are trying to get him to turn. There are more than him involved in this."
"Well, that can stay here as long as needed."
"I don't know how long that's going to take. The Kemp girl's family refused to take her back. She doesn't seem to broke up over that. The Jones girl's mother is a crack addict and seems as if she might have sold her daughter for drugs. We haven't been able to track down the Garcia girl's family. I think they might have been illegal."
"Well, we'll make them welcome and keep them safe."
Siobhan and Becky stayed with the girls until they had finished their baths and had dressed.
"Ladies, these clothes are just some that we keep here for harder times. We'll take your sizes and Becky can go in tomorrow and pick you up some more stylish clothes.
"Are we safe here?" Imelda asked.
"Safest place you could ever be!" Becky said.
"You girls can come to the house, relax and watch TV or stay here and stream a movie." Siobhan said.
Barb looked at the others. "I think I'll stay here and relax, maybe watch a movie."
"Becky, would you show Barb how to select a movie from the server and play it? There are soft drinks in the refrigerator and different types of snacks in the cupboard also. I'll come down and get you for breakfast in the morning."
Siobhan and Becky left the girls for the evening.
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 25, 2021 18:30:14 GMT -6
Siobhan left Cal to finish preparing breakfast while she went to get the three girls from the guest house. Cal had the kids seated and was dishing out pancakes when they came in.
Kids!" Siobhan said, "This is Imelda, Barbara and Katie. They'll be our guests for a little while."
Siobhan had the girls take a seat and food was dished out. The kids were joking around and talking and devouring the pancakes, eggs and bacon. Katie ate and watched the family interactions. Tears came to her eyes and she excused herself to go into the Great Room. Siobhan immediately got up and followed her.
"Katie, what's wrong?"
Katie took the tissue Siobhan handed her and wiped her nose.
"Your family is beautiful. Just…just like I always dreamed of having."
Siobhan embraced the sobbing girl and rubbed her back.
"Honey, you are part of this family too, now. Let's get your face washed and you'll feel better."
After the kids were off to school and the girls had gone back to the guest house, Siobhan call Cal into the kitchen.
"We need to talk."
"Uh oh. What have I done now?" Cal asked.
"It's not what you've done, but what you're going to do."
"And that is…?"
"You are going to get with Earl and make sure CDHS and CPS don't get their fingers on those girls. If they have no families to go back to, get your lawyers to work up papers for guardianship. I want to make sure those girl's lives, from this time forward, are better than has been forced on them."
"Okay. Anything else?"
"Kiss me."
"Cal, Jeannie read the mail at the Intel Center. Seems as though this guy Haley works for a Jack Macon, a Denver businessman. Macon seems to have a big piece of the pie in funneling underage girls to the ski resorts."
"How much further did you dig into Macon's activities?"
"Oh, he has two accounts in the Caymans. One at Queensgate Bank and Trust Company Ltd. And one at Alhambra Bank & Trust Ltd., totaling 5.2 million. Quite a bit for someone in mid-level management of a farm implement company."
"Comb his financial history. If those are ill-gotten gains, I think those girls are owed a trust fund. And talk to Mitch. We may end up using him."
The day before Thanksgiving was a bustle of activity. Along with the Ranch women, ten neighbor families were also cooking and contributing. Cal was up early Thanksgiving morning with Siobhan, she roasting the turkeys and Cal smoking the turkeys and pheasants. He also added a couple of hams to his grill and added hickory chips to smoke them. After he had the hams on for an hour he began basting them with a glaze of maple syrup, mustard, brown sugar and soy sauce. Becky, Craig, Bill and Gabby came to help, taking a little pressure of Cal and Siobhan. Craig took over the basting of the hams and Becky was making Green Bean casserole and maple glazed carrots. Alice, Judy, Bill and Gabby used the Shelter kitchen to bake pies and make buffet pans of mashed potatoes. Bill was the official potato peeler.
Cal, Bill and Becky took the 3rd seat out of their vehicles to carry the food to the Community Center. Tables with tablecloths had been set up the day before by the men and boys. Jacque placed three 70 quart coolers with wine chilling in them near the iced tea dispensers.
Andy went out to the patio and lit the patio heaters when he arrived. When everything was ready, Reverend Lambry gave the blessing and the grazing began. Cal knew better than to eat too much this year. He'd gladly eat leftovers for later. As the families finished their meals, impromptu groups formed, discussing different topics. Many of the men headed for the patio, passing around a bottle of Darryl's 'elixir' to aid in the digestion of the fabulous meal and some to smoke cigars.
"Cal, how was your soybean crop this year?" Jeb asked.
Cal turned to Sylvio. "We got around 4300 bushels, didn't we?"
"Si Señor Cal. It was 4367 bushels."
"You sellin' 'em?"
"No, I'm turning it into animal feed and bio-diesel."
"That stuff burn all right?"
"Yeah, it works fine. We've been mixing it in with the regular diesel."
"I hope that Almanac is wrong. It's calling for heavy snow between now and Christmas."
"Hell Luke, it's about as accurate as the weather man. I'm ready for it though." Jeb said.
"Guys, if you run into trouble getting hay to your cattle, the S-70 will easily haul a large round bale and drop it where you want." Cal said.
"Well, I hope it don't come to that, but thank you."
While the men were talking, the women were putting together carry-out boxes. Once they had all the food divided up, the women sat down and sipped wine, coffee, or tea.
Becky and Craig sat with Imelda, Katie and Barb.
"Well, did you enjoy yourselves today?" Becky asked them.
"I've never been to anything like it." Imelda said. "All these people and all so friendly. It's like one big family."
"Well, I guess it is one big family. We treat each other more as family than just friends. Tomorrow, I'll show you around. We have a pool and a gym and we can pick fresh strawberries in the greenhouse, There's a lot of things here to see."
"I'd like that." Katie said.
Jeb caught Cal going inside and pulled him to the side.
"Cal, do you have any .357 ammo? There's none to be found in town. People are buying up all the ammo they can get."
"I'll get you a hundred rounds before you leave."
"I appreciate it Cal. I'll pay you the going rate."
"How are you fixed for rifle ammo?"
"I've got plenty for now. Almost 500 rounds."
"Okay, I'll run to the house and get it.."
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Sept 25, 2021 19:23:48 GMT -6
Sounds like stuff is about to hit the fan! Keep it up!
|
|
|
Post by texican on Sept 25, 2021 20:06:15 GMT -6
"I think we'd better go with 12. There wasn't very much left last year, and you'd better smoke 3 this year."
"Who's going to cook all the others?"
"I'm cooking two, Mary, Sandy, Dawn, Becky, Maggie, Aggie, Merced, and Margarita are cooking the others. -------------------------------
Cal cooks - 3 The ladies cook - 10
Which makes 13 turkey's to be cooked.
Someone will be going back to the store.
Normal Thanksgiving, going back for more.
Texican....
|
|
|
Post by paulk on Sept 25, 2021 20:26:48 GMT -6
Oh! So good!
|
|
|
Post by sniper69 on Sept 25, 2021 20:27:31 GMT -6
"I think we'd better go with 12. There wasn't very much left last year, and you'd better smoke 3 this year." "Who's going to cook all the others?" "I'm cooking two, Mary, Sandy, Dawn, Becky, Maggie, Aggie, Merced, and Margarita are cooking the others. ------------------------------- Cal cooks - 3 The ladies cook - 10 Which makes 13 turkey's to be cooked. Someone will be going back to the store. Normal Thanksgiving, going back for more. Texican.... Maybe they already had one at the house.
|
|
|
Post by cavsgt on Sept 25, 2021 20:58:51 GMT -6
Very nice always worth the wait even if I don't like to wait.
Thank You Phill
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 26, 2021 4:17:58 GMT -6
"I think we'd better go with 12. There wasn't very much left last year, and you'd better smoke 3 this year." "Who's going to cook all the others?" "I'm cooking two, Mary, Sandy, Dawn, Becky, Maggie, Aggie, Merced, and Margarita are cooking the others. ------------------------------- Cal cooks - 3 The ladies cook - 10 Which makes 13 turkey's to be cooked. Someone will be going back to the store. Normal Thanksgiving, going back for more. Texican....
Merced and Margarita teamed together to do one turkey. Pavo is not one of Merced's specialties.
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Sept 26, 2021 7:47:37 GMT -6
Thanks for the updates. I think the story is getting hotter for some bad guys.
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 26, 2021 17:31:47 GMT -6
Cal came back later with four boxes of 148 grain JHP rounds in a black plastic shopping bag.
"What do I owe you Cal?"
"I checked prices on AmmoSeek and it's running seventy cents a round. How about we call it even if you will keep lookout down your way of any strange traffic, especially panel vans. Anything you have to report, call this number."
Cal handed him a card with a phone number on it.
"Don't approach the strangers, just report it."
"I'll do that Cal. Something going on?"
“Could be. We just can’t be too careful these days. A lot of people know about the ranches around here. Somebody might get an urge for a food or whatever they have a hankering to take without paying. The world is filled with idiots and one of them might get lucky and end up at your ranch. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Jeb went to put the ammo in his truck as Cal went back inside, going over to where Becky was sitting with the Imelda, Katie and Barb.
"Daddy, you didn't eat very much." Becky commented.
"And why were you paying attention to how much I ate?"
"Well, I just wanted to know when to send Craig to get a wheel barrow to haul you out of here."
Katie and Imelda giggled.
Cal gave a mock show of surprise.
"I NEVER eat that much!"
"Daddy, the girls want to go flying the STOLs tomorrow."
"I can't think of a better Black Friday event! Who'll fly the third plane?"
"Actually, there will be four planes. Amy want's to go to take pictures so Billy and Gabby will be flying also."
"What's the weather look like?"
"Severe clear!"
"Well, looks like we'll be flying. What time?"
"How about 10:00 at the airfield?"
"Sounds good. I'll bring the girls with me."
Cal walked over to where Sylvio and a few of the men were talking.
"Did you get enough to eat, Sylvio?"
"Oh si!. It was all very good. We were just planning our trip to the forest tomorrow."
The men had formed a small firewood business a few months back. They obtained permits to gather fallen trees in the Grand Mesa National Forest and would haul logs back to be processed into firewood. Cal had financed the purchase of a log cart with crane and a firewood processor. They would go get the logs and had an area set aside to process and stack the firewood. It made them pretty good money and the Forest Service appreciated the tree cleanup because it removed the tinder that facilitated wild fires. The neighbors appreciated the firewood also. The men had just about paid Cal back for the equipment and were in the process of obtaining another log trailer. Cal sighed. At least in their little part of the world, people looked for ways to make money instead of stealing or depending on government handouts to get by.
The pies were still out so Cal went and got a slice of sweet potato pie and topped it with a dollop of whipped cream. Brigid came over and sat in his lap to help eat it.
"BRIGID! What are you doing?" Siobhan said, coming over to them.
"Cal, you are the third person that little booger has 'helped' eat their pie."
Brigid looked up and grinned, her tongue out, licking the whipped cream from around the edges of her mouth.
"Well, I'm sure she'll be 'regular' tomorrow." Cal said, grinning.
"That's what I'm afraid of."
Brigid jumped down and went over to Mary, who gave her a sip of water.
"Becky said you all were going flying in the morning."
"Yeah, the three girls want to go."
"They seem to be having a good time. At least they are smiling and seem less tense. Cal, did you talk to Earl?"
"Yes, I called him at home, and he agrees. They need as little stress as possible. He's not going to say anything to CPS or DHS unless they raise a squawk. Dale is working with a Family Practice lawyer in town to get the guardianship paperwork."
"They are so sweet and just need a chance." Siobhan said morosely.
"Yeah, we need to sit down and talk with them. It's going to be a poignant discussion.
Are you and the ladies going in for Black Friday shopping in the morning?"
"Heck no! Everyone is staying close by tomorrow. We're getting together here tomorrow and finishing the snow smocks you wanted and gossip.'
"I would think you all would have gone through all the gossip today."
Siobhan grinned. "Oh, we're saving the juicier bits for tomorrow."
Cal got up and went back outside. A group of men were gathered around Darryl, who was gesturing and undoubtedly telling tall tales.
"….and stuffed everything we had left around and under that old AMTRAC and set it off. There wasn't anything bigger than your fist left."
Cal grinned and shook his head. He looked around, it felt good to see all their friends and neighbors enjoying the day.
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 26, 2021 17:37:53 GMT -6
Cal towed the SuperSTOL out of the hangar and begin swiveling the wings forward and attaching them. As he was checking the fluids and surfaces, he explained to the girls what he was doing. Becky, Craig, Billy and Gabby arrived and started doing the same thing with their planes. Once they had their planes ready, they held a pow-wow to go over their route.
"Let's take it easy at first." Becky said. "We can fly down to Coates Creek schoolhouse, then down to Piñon Mesa, then over to Hay Press Campground in the National Forest then up to Gobbo Reservoir and land. If the girls are feeling up to it, we can head to Gateway and fly the canyons."
Becky led off first with Barb, then Billy and Imelda, Gabby and Katie, then Cal and Amy followed, all planes keeping a ¼ mile separation. The girls loved flying. When Becky neared Gobbo Reservoir, She called on the radio and announced she was landing. Each pilot slowed their planes and landed behind Becky. When they had the planes parked, everyone jumped out and put on their coats.
"How was that guys!?!" Becky asked
"It was beautiful!" Imelda said.
"I felt like a bird!" Katie replied.
"I want to learn how to fly." Barb said softly.
"Well, are you ready for some more?" Becky asked.
"YES!" Answered all three.
"Let's go fly some canyons then!"
"Becky, fly over to Straight Dance then up Wild Horse Canyon. You'll have less cross winds there. Then work your way back to the airfield." Cal said.
"Okay Daddy. Well, let's do it!"
"Where's Cal?"
"He out flying with his kids."
Gillum looked through the file. "You know they are just going to cover this up."
"I know. They've got the judges in place and can squash anything else through the media."
"Okay, let me talk to some people. We can put the fear of God into a bunch of them anyway. They'll be snapping around like a bunch of junkyard dogs but they won't have anything but suspicions."
Andy drove Gillum back up to the airfield and watched as he bosrded the plane as the engines were turning.
Cal saw the Lear taking off and heading northwest. "What was he doing here?" He wondered.
Once everyone was on the ground and the planes put away, Cal took Amy and the three excited girls back to the house for lunch. They didn't stop talking the whole way. Siobhan, anticipating their return, had soup and BLTs waiting for them.
"Did you have a good time?" Siobhan asked.
"It was wonderful! I've never been in a plane before." Imelda said.
"Okay, go get washed up and we can have some lunch." Siobhan said.
"Go ahead with lunch. I need to go down to the Facility." Cal said
Siobhan looked sharply at him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just need to talk to Andy. I'll grab something later."
Cal went down immediately to find Andy still in his office.
"Was Gillum here?"
"Yeah." Andy said, setting a thick file in front of Cal.
Cal opened the file and started reading. Finally he looked up at Andy.
"Does the Intel Center have all of this?"
"Not as much as we have."
"What did Gillum say?"
"He said to stand by. He needed to talk to some people."
"This could bring the left and their assets down on all of us." Cal said.
"Gillum thinks they need to have a little fear packed up their fourth point of contact."
"I can't believe Sharpe's wife is in on all this. And these are prominent people in the Denver area. Have you run checks on these other people?"
"Yes, all are 'esteemed' people in Denver, Boulder, Aspen, Breckenridge and Leadville."
"We're going to have to get nasty, and quick. Let Mitch read the file. Pick out twenty of the people who need a little fear thrown at them that might fold. Run full financials on them." Cal said.
"I'm afraid you're right. We're going to have to go asymmetrical.
Cal nodded and left.
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 26, 2021 17:43:50 GMT -6
After lunch, the girls were in the art room with Amy, She was drawing individual sketches of each girl standing beside one of the STOLs to commemorate their day. The girls were thrilled.
Cal came back and found Siobhan in the reading room.
"I think it's time to talk to the girls about our course of action."
"You make it sound so military-ish." Siobhan said.
"Whatever."
Siobhan brought them into the reading room. They sat with anxious expressions on their faces.
Girls, Sheriff Gilmore still hasn't heard from your families. If we don't do something soon, Child Protective Services and the Department of Human Services might come and take you away to be placed in foster care until you reach legal age. Is this something you'd like to do?"
"No! Why can't we stay here?" The girls answered, almost in unison.
"Well, Siobhan and I feel the same way. What we propose is we take legal guardianship of you three and you could stay here with us, and finish your schooling."
The three girls looked at one another and nodded.
"Yes, that is what we want." Barbara said.
"Okay, then. We'll start the paperwork. I see no reason this won't be allowed. Anyway, this criminal court case could last months, even years. You need to have a stabilized environment.
'I finally feel free and safe here." Katie said. "Please don't let them take me away."
"We will do everything we can. I don't want you worrying yourself about it. As for now, welcome to our family." Siobhan said.
The girls jumped up and hugged the two adults.
Joshua's knee was more accurate than the Almanac and the weatherman. Odell and Ben loaded the snow stake driver on the Unimog and began placing stakes on the roads Monday morning. Everyone saw what they were doing and began getting equipment ready and checking to make sure they had eggs and milk, plus making sure the coke bins were full. Tuesday evening, it started snowing with the winds picking up and the flakes falling faster. The final checks on all the furnaces were done and everyone hunkered down in their warm homes.
With the addition of a couple of extra bunk beds, Imelda, Katie and Barbara were all moved into the main house. They melded right in with the family. Siobhan seldom did dishes and some of the cleaning anymore. The girls were quick to step in without being asked.
Siobhan leaned back on the couch. "I could get used to this."
Cal occasionally checked the front porch and shoveled snow off before it could build up too much. He did it one more time before going to bed and the wind still hadn't decreased. He set his mental alarm to 0400 to check the situation again.
When Cal got up Wednesday morning, he stoked the fire and turned on the blower fan on the heat-a-lator and checked the front porch, the snow had drifted in front of the door again so he shoveled it away. The wind was blowing the snow around so much he couldn't tell if flakes were still falling or not. When he came back in, he took off his mukluks and put them in the tray by the door, then went into the kitchen and filled the coffee pot and turned it on. Picking up the remote, he turned the TV on to the weather channel to see what the damage was going to be. They were looking for a possible 48 inches of accumulation in their area. Whatever.
Cal put on a CD of the Eagles greatest hits and listened to it until Siobhan got up at 0600.
"How long have you been up?"
"Since 0400. I wanted to make sure the snow didn't block the front door."
"M-m-m-m coffee."
Siobhan poured a cup of coffee and pulled a roll of dough wrapped in plastic wrap out of the refrigerator. She cut off four slices and put them on a tray. Turning the oven, she sat down at the breakfast bar.
"I made cinnamon rolls last night. I'll cook the rest when the kids get up."
She turned on the TV to a Grand Junction station for the local news.
"This is going to be bad." Siobhan said.
"It's all relative." Cal answered.
When the kids finally started filtering in, Siobhan put the risen cinnamon rolls into the oven and baked them. The smell soon had everyone anxious to taste the treats. Cal made them eat some sausage and eggs before the rolls were cooked. They all enjoyed the gooey treat and ended up with icing all over their faces, making everyone laugh. Cal watched Barb, Katie and Imelda as they joked along with everyone else.
By afternoon, the snow stopped and the winds slightly abated. Cal made a radio call and told everyone that snow removal would begin at 0900 in the morning.
The next morning at 0900 the procession of vehicles marched out of the Maintenance Bay and proceeded removing the snow accumulation from the roads and drives. It was late afternoon before the job as completed. The roads had been cleared from the Circle B to Shire Hill and accesses to the county road. They also cleared the county road in front of the General Store down to the Circle B and up to Dale's. Space was cleared around the hay feeders for the cattle and the paddocks were cleared for the horses at HTR and Shire Hill.
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Sept 26, 2021 18:11:28 GMT -6
You make the characters so real! More please!
|
|
|
Post by steamroller on Sept 26, 2021 18:52:53 GMT -6
Great story, thank you.
|
|
|
Post by cavsgt on Sept 26, 2021 20:11:52 GMT -6
Super story and you make it look so easy to write great stories. Thank You for all of your hard work and long hours.
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Sept 26, 2021 21:36:57 GMT -6
Thanks for the update
|
|
|
Post by paulk on Sept 26, 2021 22:17:57 GMT -6
Just keeps getting better and better. I love the way you mix the good and the bad. Life is not all of either.
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 27, 2021 18:56:26 GMT -6
The preparations for the Christmas party were already under way. Presents were being gathered in "Santa's Storage Room" in the shelter and lists were made and assignments were handed out. The men didn't go untouched in the preparations either. The wives gave their husbands their marching orders and girlfriends gave their "significant others" things to do also. There seemed to be no one leader controlling things. In reality, the women coordinated with each other and everything went along seamlessly.
Barb, Imelda and Katie were slightly apprehensive because they weren't sure how they fit in the scheme of things but Siobhan quickly set them straight and they joyously helped with the preparations.
Cal and Joshua went and got the twelve foot tree that was requested and the teenagers were given the task of decorating it.
Christmas Eve day, the setup of the Community Center was done. Everyone was excited, especially Katie, Barb and Imelda. It had been a long time, if ever that they'd participated in a celebration like this. The finger foods were ready and the Church was decorated for the service. Katie stood there and looked around, tears forming. Siobhan walked up to her and gave her a hug.
"Cal and I are going to do everything we can to make sure your future Christmases are just like this."
Cal was getting everyone loaded in the Suburban that evening to go to the Church when he got a text.
"Meet there on 27th."
When the church service was over, everyone went to the Community Center for the party. Again, about a dozen families from the out-lying ranches were attending and helped set up everything. Cal, Cathleen, Lilly, Aileen, Sean and Aedan had been delegated to provide music. Cal was out of music playing for a while because most of it was harp and string music. Kathy had the school chorus singing and Joshua read "A Visit from St. Nicholas", which brought in Dan, with his belly stuffed with pillows and his cheeks glowing from Darryl's "Christmas Cheer." The kids were excited as the gifts were handed out, especially the three new additions to the Coleman household. They were so surprised to get anything, they went back to their table and just looked at their gifts. Becky went over to their table and asked, "Aren't you going to unwrap your presents?"
Barbara looked up at Becky, with tears in her eyes.
"I never want to leave here," and started sobbing. That caused Katie and Imelda to start crying also.
Becky keeled down next to Barbara's chair. "Momma and Daddy will fight to keep you here. Don't worry, this is a time to be happy and have fun."
The girls then began opening their gifts.
When all the gifts had been handed out, Cal went to the piano and began playing Christmas Carols. Siobhan got up and enticed people to sing along. The party went on until the kids began to yawn and the food was mostly eaten. After wishing each other a Merry Christmas, people left to go to their homes.
Christmas morning, Cal and Siobhan were up very early to get the rest of the presents under the tree. Cal made coffee and sat the makings of hot cocoa out for the children when they got up. The fire in the fireplace was blazing and the early light of dawn was just showing through the windows. Cal and Siobhan sat on the sofa and gazed into the fire, drinking their coffee.
"Do you think the girls will be surprised?" Siobhan asked.
"Surprised? I hope not. We did promise them. Pleased? I hope so."
An hour later, they heard stirring and talking from the bedrooms. Soon, little heads were peeping from the hallway and then there was a rush of bodies into the Great Room.
"Can we open our presents now?"
Siobhan laughed. "Yes, go ahead."
All the Coleman kids made a scramble to the Christmas tree and knelt, rummaging through the packages and handing gifts out. Katie, Barb and Imelda stood by the couch, watching the children. Call looked over his shoulder and saw them.
"You three get down there too! I think Santa left a few things for you too."
The three grinning girls got down with the children and found their gifts too. They soon found all their presents and began opening them. Barbara found her surprise first. There were papers inside her present….court papers signed by Judge Watson stating she was now a ward of Cal and Siobhan Coleman. The other two girls soon found their papers also. All three jumped up, squealing and hugged Cal and Siobhan.
Gillum arrived in a King Air at 10:00. Cal took him down to the Facility and Andy joined them in the SCIF.
"These people have to be taught a lesson. I know you have certain people on your payroll that can handle this. Hell, most of you could, but we need this to be low-vis."
Cal looked at Andy. "It'll be taken care of." Cal said.
"All right. If you need any special equipment, let me know." Gillum said.
With nothing else left to be said, Cal took Gillum back to the airfield and he left. Cal returned to the Facility.
"Get Mitch in for a meeting tomorrow at 0900. We have some coordination to do. Have the intel packet updated for us to review."
Andy had three identical intel packets ready for the meeting. When Cal and Mitch got there, they all went into the SCIF and went over the packets.
"So, what do you need?"
"I want this guy to disappear. He is the main man in the abductions and killings. I want the other people on the list to be implicated, but in a round-about way…something to make law enforcement take a hard look at and make them hurt. We need some type of link from Sharpe to them. We're going to need a time line of when any actions take place so we can 'close' their bank accounts for them. What do you need from me?"
Mitch looked over the list.
"Nothing. I need to call in a couple or three guys, but I'll let you know and get you a timetable. Give me three days to set up surveillance. It will probably take two or three weeks to make things happen."
"Okay, just keep us abreast of what's going on."
"This is going to go brutal, you know." Mitch said.
"Brutal is what these people deserve."
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 27, 2021 19:00:24 GMT -6
"Thank goodness you put that new furnace in." Dawn said. "I would have hated going through all that snow to stoke the furnace."
"How long did the hopper last before you had to fill it?" Cal asked.
"Oh, it lasted three days, and I had the thermostat set at 80 degrees."
"That's good to know." How is the tropical greenhouse working out?"
"I've got two more banana trees forming bunches. I'm trying to stagger the plants so we have continuous bunches, but it's going to take a while."
The door opened and Becky came in, leading Barb, Katie and Imelda.
"Dawn, this is Imelda, Barbara and Katie. I brought them down to look around."
Dawn smiled. "Hi girls! Feel free to look around all you want."
Cal and Dawn watched Becky lead them away, gesturing and explaining things to them.
"Are those the girls…?"
"Yeah." Cal sighed.
"Those people should die the worst possible way!"
"We'll. see…"
Cliff, Manuel and Andrés were loading the manure spreader with the ToolCat. Manuel was leaning on a shovel watching Cliff dump the last bucket.
"Why do you get to use the ToolCat and I am given a shovel?" Manuel grumbled.
"Because you, my friend, are Señor Manuel Labor, King of all the horse turd shovelers of the realm." Cliff said, grinning.
"Gringo, you are not funny. Keep your day job."
Laughing, they watched Andrés haul the load to the fields to be spread out.
Cliff got the water hose and washed down the bucket on the ToolCat.
"So, Sophia is bring you dinner tonight?"
Cliff looked suspiciously at Manuel.
"Hey, it is no big secret around the families. Sophia has been all jittery the last couple of days to come up with the perfect menu for you. I think she must like you very much."
Cliff looked at the grinning Manuel. "Well, I like her very much too. Manuel, what do you think Sylvio would say if I has for her hand in marriage?"
"I think Tio Sylvio would be proud to have you as a Yerno. He thinks very highly of you. Plus, it gives him one less mouth to feed. It would be a fine match, you and Sophia. Did I tell you she eats like a horse too…….?"
Manuel took off running out of the barn when Cliff grabbed the pitchfork and headed at him.
"Mitch has surveillance going." Andy said.
"Well, it's down to waiting until he's ready." Cal responded.
"Shouldn't be long. He said two or three weeks."
"Take that as a minimum. Mitch doesn't move on anything like this until all the 'T's are crossed and the 'I's dotted. Do you know who he has working with him?"
"No, it could be any number." Andy answered.
"Well, if he needs anything, give it too him. No questions asked."
Cal went by the Sheriff's Department to see Earl while he was in town to pick up some things from Home Depot.
"What's up Cal?" Earl said, coming from behind his desk.
"Oh, I just stopped by to see if there was anything on the girl's parents."
"Let me get Martin in here. He's been working on that."
Earl called Martin and had him come in.
Detective Martin, please tell Cal what you've found out about The Garcia, Kemp and Jones girls' parents.
"Well, there is no sign of the Garcia parents. Immigration records show that her father was deported for drug trafficking and it looks like the mother went back to Mexico with him. The Jones mother died of an overdose about four months ago. The Kemp girls parents are living in squalor and don't want her coming back. The cop I talked to in McFarland said just about anywhere would be better for the girl then living with them."
"Earl, would it be okay if my lawyer came by and got a copy of this report. I want to legally make sure those girls have a family."
"Of course Cal. Bill, I'll defer him to you when he comes in. Let's see something good is done for these girls."
"Thanks Ear, Bill. Well, I've got some bolts to pick up. I'll see you all later."
"Emancipation? Are you sure?"
"That's what Hartman said. That would be the easiest way to keep Barb out of the system. Imelda and Katie are pretty much slam dunks. Also, we need to get Kathy to test them and get them on track in a program at the school."
"I'll talk to her in the morning and get that set up." Siobhan said.
"I think we need to talk to the girls tonight after dinner." Cal said.
Katie, Imelda and Barb were helping Siobhan finish cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. Cal came in and sat down at the breakfast bar and watched them. When they were finished wiping everything down, Cal called them over to the bar and had them sit down.
"Girls, I have talked to the Family Practice lawyer, Mr. Hartman, and he's come up with some ideas that will solidify your positions here. First, Barbara, we need to petition the court for your emancipation."
"What does that mean? Barbara asked.
"Emancipation is a legal way for children to become adults before they are 18. Once a child is emancipated, his or her parents do not have custody or control of him or her anymore."
"But where would I live? I don't have any skills except…"
"You would still live here. Mainly, it is a way to keep you from having you to go back to your parents."
"Why can't you just adopt her…. and us?" Katie asked.
Cal was stunned. He looked at Siobhan as she nodded.
"Well, is that something you would like?"
"YES!" All three girls practically shouted.
"Well, I'm not a lawyer, but I think it will be easier to adopt you if you are already emancipated first, than having to get your parents to allow us to adopt you. Let me talk to Mr. Hartman and see what legal loopholes we have to go through. One thing I know is the Department of Human Services will send someone out to interview you and see where you sleep, how well the house is kept…. things that effect your living environment."
"We'll keep the house clean! We'll do anything to stay!." Katie shouted.
"Okay, calm down. Just do what you've been doing and when they come, answer their questions truthfully. Now, another thing. You three need to get back in school. Siobhan is going to talk to the Principal at the school tomorrow to get you three tested to see at what point your education level is and get you in a program. This will be important that the DHS people see that you are getting your education."
All three girls smiled and nodded.
"Can we hug you?" Katie asked.
Siobhan and Cal got off their stools and the girls wrapped them in a group hug. Siobhan looked at Cal and blinked back the tears.
"Can we call you Momma and Daddy now?" Katie asked, her voice muffled by Siobhan's breast.
|
|
|
Post by bluefox2 on Sept 27, 2021 19:49:01 GMT -6
Always suspected Cal and Mitch had a side gig going cleaning up scum.
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Sept 27, 2021 20:20:34 GMT -6
"I got a message from Mitch. He'll take the principal at 2030 Wednesday."
"Okay, have Jeannie to fix his Cayman accounts at that time. What about the others?"
"He wants a little time with the principal. He'll let us know when to start the financial transactions on the others."
They left the SCIF and went back into Andy's office.
"When's your next class?" Cal asked.
"I don't have anything going until the 2nd of February, if the weather holds."
"Could be iffy. You'd better check with Joshua's knee."
Andy laughed. "I want to get the snipers out when it snows the next time and let them use the smocks you had the women make."
"Good idea. That's some realistic training."
Cal looked at his watch and jumped up.
"I've got to get going. I'm taking Siobhan and the girls to meet with the lawyer this morning. Anything pop up, text me."
"Okay Barbara, if you'll sign here and here, I can submit these to the Family Court and get a court date. Katie and Imelda, your paperwork is complete and we should get a court date any time now."
"Thanks Harry. Do you need anything else from us?" Cal asked.
"No Cal, that's it. I'll call when we've got dates."
"Okay girls, let's go get some lunch."
It was 2030 and Jeannie began typing on her keyboard. Jeanie had a crib sheet laid out next to her keyboard of the routings she wanted to handle the money through. She first set aside three million dollars for the girls in different accounts and used the crib sheet to route the rest through all the accounts on the sheet until eventually it would end up in an account in Switzerland. It would be lost to tracking in the fog of the ethernets and wideband networks the transactions were pushed through.
When she finished typing, she took a deep breath and picked up the crib sheet. Taking the document to the shredder she ran it through, then took the shredded paper over to the flash burner and tossed the shreds in. Closing the door, she pressed the red button and the shreds were ashes in 30 seconds.
"Done." Jeannie told Andy.
"Thanks."
News papers and stations began reporting Thursday about the disappearance of Dean Sparks, a prominent businessman in the Denver area. He was supposed to have left on a business trip to an equipment manufacturer in Wisconsin, but never boarded the plane. Then eerie reports of crossbow bolts found in people's front doors. Each had a finger or a toe zip-tied to the shaft. State and local police investigators were baffled until the DNA of the appendages were found to be that of the missing businessman. Investigations were expanded to find the connection between the people and Mr. Sharpe.
Jeannie had taken the list of the twenty people and adjusted their bank accounts by half as each received the calling card.
On Saturday, Mitch showed back up. Andy called Cal and the three met in the SCIF.
"Well, that was gruesome." Andy said.
"I told you it was going to get brutal." Replied Mitch.
"What did you do with the remains?"
"What's left of him is mixed in with coal ash at the Martin-Drake Power Plant."
The investigations rooted out a lot of bad people and underage prostitution and human trafficking in the state took a nose-dive for a great while.
Harry was able to get both the emancipation and the adoption hearings before Judge Watson on the same morning. First, was the emancipation petition.
The judge took the paperwork from the clerk and looked it over. He took a few minutes to read through some of the sheets,
"Miss Kemp, after looking through the paperwork and seeing your sponsor here with you. I will grant you your emancipation."
"The Judge signed a couple of sheets and handed the paperwork back to the clerk.
"Next case."
When the judge saw the names on the adoption petition he looked up.
"Well, I guess you all can keep your seats. Let's see…Katie, would you like to be adopted by the Colemans?"
Katie stood up. "Yes sir."
"And you, Imelda. Do you wish to be adopted by the Colemans?"
Imelda stood up. "Yes sir."
"The Judge read through a couple of things and signed both sets of paperwork."
"Girls, welcome to the Coleman family."
Katie squealed and ran around the judge's desk and hugged him. The judge broke out in a big grin.
|
|
|
Post by paulk on Sept 27, 2021 20:40:27 GMT -6
Thank you sooo much!
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Sept 27, 2021 21:44:38 GMT -6
Thanks for the great update
|
|
|
Post by cavsgt on Sept 28, 2021 10:22:18 GMT -6
Thank You
|
|
|
Post by paulk on Sept 28, 2021 11:57:24 GMT -6
Refresh, Refresh!!
|
|