I had called Frank to see when I could meet with him. He suggested meeting out at an old mine which was not far from town. We arrived first and waited for Frank to show up. While we waited a small plane flew overhead and made a couple passes. “They seem to be looking at us,” said Kat. “Perhaps wondering what we are doing out here,” I suggested.

There really was not much out here, no real buildings, just a few broken down shacks and the boarded up mine. But someone might still own the property. Then the plane came by much lower and the side door opened. “Take cover!”, I yelled. We all scrambled behind various items and someone shot at us with a machine gun! Sigurbjorn returned fire and hit the man shooting at us.

Kristina also shot, but at the plane and the engine began making odd noises and soon disappeared from view. Not long after Frank showed up so we told him what had happened. “I believe it,” he said, “I got this note at our house a little while ago, that is why I am late getting here. I was not sure what to do.” “Hmm, it says to leave your coded inheritance paper in an envelope at the hotel, addressed to Brenda,” I remarked, “or terrible things will happen to you.

Are you going to give in to this woman?” “No, not a chance,” he said, “I talked it over with my wife and we still want you to help us with this.” “Good, then give me the paper to keep and give Brenda a note telling her you cannot give her the paper because you have already given it to me,” I told him. He gladly gave me the paper which I handed to Kristina. She looked at it. “It does look genuine for the time period,” she said.

“We will watch the hotel desk to see who this Brenda woman is when she comes to collect the envelope,” I told Frank, “we will study the paper today and then get in touch with you about what to do next.” “That is fine with me,” he said, “I am actually more excited about this now more than before. It must be important or no one else would be interested in it.” “Do you know anyone by this name?”, I asked.

“No, neither does my wife,” he said, “she is a teacher at our local school and knows most people in Dawson.” “Okay, how about any strangers in town?”, I asked. “Well, this time of year there are always a lot of tourists coming to Dawson,” he said, “so there are always a lot of strangers around.” “Yes, I guess that would be true,” I said. So we all made our way back into town and Frank left his envelope at our hotel desk.

We took turns sitting in the lobby waiting for someone to pick it up. Meanwhile I tried phoning Baldwin but for some reason I could not get through. So I decided to try the old fashioned way with the land line phone in our room. But I was told that due to a recent storm the phone lines were down. Well, we are a long way from nowhere up here, have to expect these things I guess. Frank and Janice told us that is quite common up here.

At least I could phone them. Finally at about 8pm a woman drove up in a large black van with dark windows and got out along with another man who stayed by the van while she came inside and retrieved the envelope. Sigurbjorn was watching at the time and gave the alarm. Then she stood in front of the door as the woman was about to leave. “I am sorry Brenda, but you cannot leave just yet,” said Sigurbjorn.

“That is what you think,” said Brenda. Just then the man at the desk came out with a gun and the man outside came in with his gun out. “Too bad, but you still cannot leave,” said Sigubjorn. Then Kat and I showed up with our guns out. I told the other men to drop their guns, but they hesitated so Kat and Sigurbjorn kicked them out of their hands and then helped the men to lie down on the floor, groaning.

“Do not get involved in this Brenda,” I said, “it does not concern you. Now take your friends and leave. “Charles,” she said, “these people are in my way.” “Put down your guns,” he said. It was the hotel manager. But Kristina came up behind him and put her gun to his head. Kat then took his gun. I told them all to leave. “I will call the police,” said the manager.

“I do not believe you are the real manager,” I said. “It does not matter,” said Brenda, “the police work for me.” “I would not get them involved,” I said, then I showed her my badge, “I am a police officer myself. But I have more authority than yours.” I could tell she was furious, but they all left.

The next day Rock and his team arrived at the hotel. “My friend is staying here,” said Rock and he gave my name. “There is no one here by that name,” said the man at the desk. Rock grabbed him and pulled him out from behind the counter. “Wrong answer,” he said…

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.