Later that afternoon, William showed up at the guard station.
Max had spent most of the afternoon digging out camping supplies for the trip and was outside re-folding a tent when William pulled into the driveway on his golf cart.
“Getting everything together?” William asked.
“Working on it,” Max said cheerfully. “I have to admit, I’m a little envious. I sort of wish I were going with you guys.”
William killed the golf cart and climbed out, clutching the VCR tapes in his hand.
“I just wanted to get these back to you,” William said. “I tried to view them, but needless to say my own VCR had other plans. You have to be a damned rocket scientist to figure the Godforsaken machine out.”
Max nodded and took the tapes from William.
“Let’s go inside for a moment,” William said.
They went in, got coffee and sat at the kitchen table.
“So how did it go this morning? I tried to call,” William added.
“I ran out of here like a chicken with its head cut off,” Max said. “I forgot it on the charger. But to answer your question, we didn’t find anything. There was no sign of any sort of container or fragments of any kind.
“Oh,” William said, scratching his chin. “Well, I guess that discounts that theory. You two sure were out there a long time this morning though.”
“Well, we did find one thing,” Max said. “We had a fox caught in one of the bear traps.”
“I though foxes were supposed to be smart,” William commented.
Max laughed and said, “That’s what we said this morning.”
His laughter fell short, though, as he considered this.
“I wonder,” William said quizzically.
“What’s that?” Max said.
“If the sound you heard last night, the sound of children,” William said. “I wonder if it were the fox mewling.”
“I never considered it,” Max admitted.
“I hear that foxes, especially young foxes, can sound like human children,” William said. “I’ve heard the same of nutria also. I actually heard nutria before once when I was duck hunting years ago with some friends in southern Alabama. Their cries were uncannily like those of human babies. One of the guys I was with made a big joke out of it, and went along with me when I said it sounded like children. He got a good laugh out of it as we searched the swamp for children, before he finally fessed up and told me what it was.”
“That’s weird,” Max said. “I guess it’s something to consider. So, what about tonight?”
“I’d leave it alone for the night,” William said. “What with the trip coming in two days, we have far too much to do, to be out chasing boogeymen.”
“But what about the cameras?” Max asked.
With a nonplussed expression on his face, William lit a cigar and said, “Oh dear me, that was the most important piece of news I had for you Max. I spoke to the manufacturing company this morning. Apparently, the anomalies we’re having aren’t anomalies at all. This particular model, the model we have here, have some sort of software glitch, whatever that means. Long story short, their technical support lines have been ringing off the hook with customers experiencing the same problems we have been.”
“Well, that’s certainly good news,” Max said. “It sure beats supernatural manifestation or the terrorist invasion of Piedmont.”
“Indeed,” William said. “They’ll be coming after the trip to replace them all at no charge.”
“Have you called Ryan to tell him?” Max asked.
“No,” William said. “Again, I’ve been so busy this morning preparing for the trip I hadn’t thought to. Plus, I didn’t want to disturb him too much, because he has his date tonight with Dr. Davenport. But he will be pleased to hear the news. I imagine I should call him. Or you can if you’d like.”
“Either way,” Max said.
“Good enough,” William said. “And by the Max, I think I would like you to tag along with us on the trip.”
“Really,” Max said.
“Yes,” William said. “Call me foolish of paranoid, but all of the pieces of last night’s mystery seem to be falling into place easily; almost too easily.”
Max’s flesh almost broke into goose bumps, as he’d just been thinking the very same thing; that it was all being resolved far too easily.
“What do you have in mind William?” Max asked.
“I’d like you to get your own vehicle,” William said. “Rent one if possible, something you don’t bring to work with you here.”
“I’ve got an old pick-up I only use for hunting,” Max said.
“Perfect,” said William.
“I’d like you to hang behind us, keep a very loose tail, but keep us in view until we get there,” William said. “You’ve got tents and supplies, would you be opposed to camping out near the cabin, just to watch us from afar.”
“No, I could do that,” Max said. “So are we still on alert?”
“Let’s just say we’re being cautious,” William said. “Very well, with that, I bid you a good afternoon. What do you have on tap for the rest of the day?”
“Well, we’re short on a few supplies,” Max said. “Is your check list complete? If so call me and tell me what you need me to pick up. I’ll probably drive into town in a bit to that sporting goods store before they close.”
“I’ll ring you in ten minutes with my list,’ William said, rising, and walking back outside.
——– ———— ————— ————
Max didn’t go directly to the sporting goods store. Instead, he stopped at his house, left his work cell phone in his work vehicle and climbed into his old pickup truck. Once he was on the road, he pulled an index card from his pocket and used his personal cell phone to call the camera manufacturer.
After getting an automated operator, he eventually found himself speaking with a human. He explained his situation, a fabricated one and the technician finally said, “You’re about the millionth person that has called. This model camera apparently does have some issues.”
“You mean with the cameras blacking out,” Max said, exaggerating his hillbilly drawl.
“Yes sir,” the tech replied. “If you’d like to hang on the line, I’ll get your information so we can come out to replace them.”
“I’ll get back with you,” Max said and hung up the phone.
Next he dialed Ryan.
“Hello,” Ryan answered.
“Hey Ryan, it’s me, Max,” Max said.
“That’s a surprise,” Ryan said. “I just got off the phone with William a second ago. He said you were off to the sporting goods store.”
“I am,” Max said. “But I was just curious to know if he told you the news.”
“You mean about the cameras?” Ryan asked.
“Yeah,” Max said.
“Yes, he told me,” Ryan said.
“What did you think?” Max asked.
“I thought it was kind of convenient,” Ryan admitted. “He didn’t come right out and tell me either. He acted like he’d forgotten to mention it.”
“Yeah, he did the same exact thing with me,” Max replied.
“Man,” Ryan said after a long pause. “What the fuck?”
“I’m thinking the same thing,” Max said. “What the fuck is going on?”
“I guess we could call the manufacturer and ask them ourselves,” Ryan said. “I’d hate doing that, going behind William’s back and all.”
“Been there, done that Ryan,” Max said. “The story checks out. Those cameras are fucked up.”
“Oh,” Ryan said.
“Did he tell you about me following you guys on the trip?” Max asked.
“Come again?” Ryan said.
Max repeated himself, explaining some of the details and Ryan was silent for a while.
“No,” Ryan said. “He didn’t say a word of it.”
“I’m sure he has his reasons, but seeing as how he’s had you working with me, I kind of figured he’d let you in on it,” Max said.
“Well, for whatever reasons, he hasn’t,” Ryan said. “Maybe it’s because he saw my reaction the other day when he mentioned the boys being possible targets.”
“Could be,” Max said. “I hadn’t thought of that. It’d be a good reason though. What I find odd is that he’s suddenly in trip mode today. It’s like he’s eager to get out of here. He wants me following behind, but why? Why is that Ryan? If he really didn’t think there was still some sort of threat, he wouldn’t have asked me to tail you guys.”
“Jesus Christ,” Ryan finally muttered.
“What?” Max asked.
“Don’t you get it?” Ryan asked. “Can’t you see? He’s got you following behind. He has me on board. He’s springing a fucking trap for somebody Max.”
“And the kids are the fucking bait,” Max said. “What the hell are we supposed to do?”
“Are you on a secure line now?” Ryan asked.
“Yes,” Max said.
“Good,” Ryan muttered. “I don’t know what we should do Max. We don’t really have any sort of proof. It’s not like we can have him arrested.”
“And we definitely can’t let him know anything about this conversation, or the tire tracks out in the woods,” Max said.
“No,” Ryan said. “I guess, until we think of something, we just go along with it.”
“I don’t like it,” Max said.
“Nor do I, but I really don’t see much else we can do,” Ryan said. “You going to go park tonight, watch that trail entrance?”
“I planned to, but I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind back-up,” Max said.
“I’ll hit you on this phone when my date’s over tonight,” Ryan said.
“You do that,” Max said.
—— ——– ——– ——–
Ryan’s date with Victoria Davenport was wonderful beyond all exception. Ryan’s only regret was that it seemed to end before it even began.
They started out the evening with dinner at a small Italian restaurant. Dinner started out a little tense, but after some good-natured ribbing, Ryan finally confessed to having pre-date jitters.
“At our age?” Victoria asked.
“Yes,” he said.
“Me too,” she confessed. “I just wanted to make sure nothing else was wrong. Did you speak to William today?”
“Earlier,” he admitted.
“He was in rare form,’ she said. “But behind it all, he acted like something was troubling him, kind of like you are now.”
“I’m just nervous,” Ryan said. “It’s seldom that I get to dine with a beautiful woman. I’m just trying not to act like a dufus, as the boys are so fond of calling me.”
They caught a movie next, a light hearted date type of movie that didn’t seem to have much plot, but which was good for a couple laughs.
And before he knew it, he was at Victoria’s front door step telling her goodnight.
“Well Mr. Hendrickson, I had a very wonderful time last night,” she said.
“As did I,” he replied.
“I know we have an early day tomorrow, but I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t invite you in,” she said, holding his hands in hers.
“You know, you don’t have to,” he said.
“I know, but I want to,” she said. “I don’t think one drink, even some warm coco or hot tea would hurt us.”
With that they both began to lean forward, accidentally bonking their heads together lightly, making Victoria burst into a fit of laughter. Ryan looked startled too, but then joined her, laughing, really feeling it inside.
It felt good.
“Good God Ryan,” she said, still laughing. “We’re like a couple of spastics.”
“I hope you have a padded room in there somewhere, if not we’re both liable to hurt ourselves,” he added.
They both laughed at this, but not as hard and not as long. She was beautiful under the glow of the gas lamp mounted on her front door step. Slowly, but purposefully he grabbed her again, pulling her to him. This time they didn’t bonk heads. This time they kissed deeply.
“Your shaking,” she whispered to him as their lips parted.
“I’m cold,” he said. “You’re shaking too.”
“I’m cold too,” she said, unlocking and opening her door. “And I really, really, desperately need to be warmed up.”
She said this in total seriousness, with a hungry expression falling over her.
“Me too,” Ryan said, stepping inside, closing the door behind him and pulling her to him once again.
——– ——— ——– ——–
Ryan didn’t call Max until around three in the morning.
“I take it the date went well,” Max said, chuckling as he answered.
“Well a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell,” Ryan said. “But as a grown man I am not ashamed to say I think I’m in love Max.”
“Congratulations,” Max said. “Or as some folks around campus might say, it’s about fucking time.”
Ryan laughed and then apologized for not getting back to him sooner.
“No explanation needed,” Max said. “Besides, I’ve been here since around ten, and haven’t seen squat. Can’t help but feel like it’s by design.”
“Really,” Ryan said.
“Yep, like someone knew I was going to be out here tonight,” Max said. “I wonder if he saw us.”
“Maybe,” Ryan said. “You know, tonight Victoria said William acted like something was troubling him.”
“Guilty fucking conscious if you ask me,” Max said. “Just saying.”
“Maybe,” Ryan said.
“Well, who knows,” Max said. “It’s ass cold out here though and I’m getting ready to pack it in.”
“Can you hang tight for another half hour,” Ryan asked. “I’m on my way out there now. I’m going to park at that little store, about a quarter mile from you, and then walk the rest of the way. Maybe if William knows your back…”
“I see where you’re going,” Max said. “I think it might end up being a waste of time though, but sure, what the hell.”
About twenty minutes later Ryan called Max again.
“Go ahead and pull out,” Ryan said. “I’m in a ditch, your headlights shouldn’t hit me.”
“Call me if you see anything,” Max said.
About a minute later Max drove off and Ryan got into position.
He watched and waited.
Just before dawn, Ryan vacated his position and walked back to his car. Nothing had happened.
