Vanishing five

GLOBAL INVESTIGATIONS

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Once back to the campsite, they found a good place to park the trucks. It was easy to find a spot near the middle of camp to set a smaller container of water. This way anyone could get fresh water when needed without walking to the truck.

Sky began to scurry around looking for something to eat and it wasn’t long before Bobie joined her. They finally made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and drank warm beer. It was not the best but it filled their stomachs and the chaser of beer actually was not bad.

Bobie sat, leaned back on a camp chair and said, “Was quite an excursion into PS, too bad Bern had to spoil it.”

Sky drank the last drop of her beer and said, “We had just begun. A lot to explore about that place. But we both knew they were coming. Just had no idea it would have happened like that.”

Bobie leaned forward this time, placing her hands on the small table and asked, “Tell me all the years you have worked for or with Bernie Herbella, the two of you--”

“Stop right there. No we did not. And if you have to know it is not because the man didn’t try.”

“Thought so.”

Sky tipped her head to the side, gave Bobie a scowl and said, “What do you mean, ‘thought so’?”

“Just it would be hard working and being around someone that looks that good and never . . . Never feel things in some way.”

“I guarantee you it was and is all one sided and not mine. Of course you must know I like Bern, we are good friends. I care about him as he does me, perhaps not in the same way but still the tie is there.”

Bobie never said anything just made a hmm sound then said, “I’m going to turn in, back aches, and I have to admit I am tired.”

Sky stood and said, “Bobie . . .”

Bobie stood on the tip of her toes, and placed a soft kiss on Sky’s lips saying, “Night.”   She turned and walked away.

Sky called out, “Be in soon.” She watched the way Bobie was walking and could tell she probably pulled something in the water transfer. “Damn you Bern, why couldn’t you just stay away a little longer.”

After making sure everything had been put up and concealed in case of any animals that might come snooping, she headed toward the tent. Each step was like walking on quicksand. Not only was Bobie tired, her body was telling her it was also. She walked into the tent taking a deep breath, hoping that Bobie was still awake, but the woman was on her right side, snoring.

Sky removed her foot wear, and slowly eased onto the sleeping bag, she wanted to reach over and cuddle Bobie but the woman was fast asleep and she didn’t want to wake her. Before she knew it, she too was soon in dreamland.

When the men returned to camp the next morning, the sun had not been up for long. It was obvious the women were not out and about. After parking the jeeps, Bern sent Ken and Steve to check on the dig and make sure it had not been disturbed. Then he turned to Jim Dillon and said, “Your turn boy.”

Jim looked at him and asked, “My ‘turn’ for what?”

He pointed to the women’s tent and said, “Get them up. Doesn’t seem like anything has been readied for the day.”

Jim swallowed and said, “Not me sir. I will not barge into their private tent, ’sides what has to be readied. Looks to me like the trucks are parked and in a good spot. I see that Ken and Steve are getting water from a container that was not there before. I respect you, but I will not get them up.”

Bern was slack jawed as he stared at the young man and finally said, “You are probably right, we have other things to do.” He walked in the direction of Ken and Steve who were drinking water and chatting. As he neared, he said, “Hope you enjoyed the accommodations last night boys, it was Skylar Richmond’s doing so might be nice to thank her. Jim and I will be up to the dig in a few minutes.”

They looked around and finally Steve asked, “Where are they?”

Bern shrugged, “Trucks are here. At this moment, it is not important. Getting to the dig is.”

They gathered a few things and left. Bern was heading up to his tent when Jim said, “Hope you are not mad at me.”

He turned and smiled at the young man saying, “No, takes a lot of . . . How about we just get what is needed and go mark of the area again?”

Jim smiled and said, “Sounds like a good idea.”

When Bobie finally rolled over and opened her eyes she shut them as quickly and groaned. Sky didn’t move but uttered, “We need to get up.”

Didn’t take Bobie long to move closer to sky and snuggle up to her back and whisper, “We need to stay put. My body feels like it has been beat with wet rags.”

Sky turned and gazed into the woman’s blue green eyes and said, “I could lay like this forever as long as you are with me. Sweetheart, where did you get the ‘wet rags’ and ‘beat’ from?”

Bobie looked as if she was trying to recall but finally said, “Dun-no just came to me, why?”

Sky ran her right hand along Bobie’s arm and replied, “Just curious. I sure hope no one has ever touched you with a wet rag like that.”

“Nope. Just thought it would hurt that’s all.”

“And it would a lot. I would do all in my power to take care of anyone that dares touch you. Guess we should get up. See what is going on out there. I am sure by now the guys are back. A little surprised no one has come around banging pots and pans.”

Bobie was enjoying the sensations of their bodies close and hugged the woman tighter as she said, “Can’t we just take a day off.”

Sky grinned, “And spend it in bed? Or--”

“Anyplace with you is heaven Skylar Richmond.”

Sky kissed her with lips that were tender, caressing and finally said, “For me, too. Anywhere with you but we do have a job to do. Not sure this is even about a dig any longer.”

Bobie rolled away, took a few minutes then sat and said, “All right, let’s get this show on the road. Bout time things started looking up instead of down.”

Sky sat and stared at her, arched her right eyebrow seeming perplexed and asked, “‘Down’?”

“Yes, “We dig it up and it goes back down.”

Smiling, Sky stood and replied, “You are right, ’cause we do have to dig it up again. Something is surely balmy around here besides the weather.”

Bobie was on her feet and rummaging through her duffel bag. Took a few minutes before she brought out a pair of tan shorts and a light blue tee with a picture of the sun in the middle. “Guess I’ll wear these. How about you?”

Sky was holding up a pair of cut off jeans and a white tee that had a heart on the front it was small but anyone could see it was a heart. “These. Don’t think we will be doing much digging, there are strong men for that.”

Bobie smiled and nodded. “Yes, those shorts will look great on you. But--”

Sky tossed her head as lustrous red hair flew about in abandonment then settled on her shoulders. “I’ll fix it.”

Bobie walked over and held the shorts then looked at Sky, her eyes traveling lengthy legs before saying, “I won’t be the only one looking.”

“But you will be the only one I care to see looking. Could say the same about you, you know. Shorts on you, would take eyes to your beautiful legs, legs that a certain person would love to look at. And my Love, a man is not a man unless he looks.”

Bobie wrinkled up her nose and said, “All right, let’s be fair about this, if it was just you and I, shorts or nothing. But with four guys around, best to cover up.”

“I agree.” Sky went back to a pair of tan cargo pants and a loose fitting tee, pulled her hair back into a ponytail adding, “You have a pair of cargo’s put them on.”

When the women stepped from the tent, they looked refreshed and ready for another day. Both dressed in cargos wearing tees. Bobie had her blond hair in one thick braid and was holding a baseball cap which she slipped on her head and Sky was wearing a cap that had the words, Taken on the front above the bill.

They didn’t see any men but did spy the jeeps so they knew they had returned. Finding their belts and strapping them on, making sure they had canteens filled with water and certain tools they headed up the crest to see if the men were having any success.

When they neared the top, both were shocked to see there was no sign of the men. Sky looked back down and said, “They did get back, logically they would come up here. But there is no one here.”

Bobie walked to the area where the dig was and said, “Maybe the same thing has happened to them that happened to you.”

Sky pursed her lips and walked to where Bobie was standing. “There is no other explanation. Something is really wiggy out here and it is not Steve’s hair.”

Cocking her head to the right, Bobie looked at her in amazement and asked, “‘Steve’, ‘hair’, are you saying his hair is not real?”

“Probably is real, just didn’t look that way to me.”

Bobie poked at the sand with her boot and said, “He doesn’t like us.”

“Not that he knows us and he doesn’t. He is only one of many in this world that see things in one view. His happens to be, a man is the only one that can make a woman happy.”

“Probably be a good thing to steer way around him. Regardless whether Bern has hired the man or not. Something just does not set well where he is concerned. At this moment I am concerned about Bern and the others.”

Bobie looked forlorn as she said, “What do we do? Go into town and get the sheriff?”

“For what?” There is no proof the men just vanished. Since they were in town yesterday and at the Inn last night, they were seen. But now they are gone. As creepy as that town is, the sheriff would probably lock us up for doing them in.”

Placing a finger under her chin as if in deep thought Bobie replied, “You are right, and the last things we need is to be in a jail cell in that town or any for that matter.”

Sky muttered, “I could take it, as long as you were with me but if you were not I would go out of my head from worry.”

Bobie reached out, grasped her right hand, and held it saying, “Let’s go back down. Come back later and maybe they will be here. If not we are in for a heap of trouble.”

“I know.” Sky nodded and said, “Since we are already up here, might as well scout around a bit. Then go back down, work on a few things. Who knows while we are looking around, they just might reappear.”

Bobie agreed as the two did their best to walk the mapped out area from one end to the other. They also looked down the slopes into what appeared to be a vast land of multicolored smaller rises as well as valleys.

After an hour of walking, bending, looking for any sign of the others, they sat looking tired and disappointed. Sky removed her canteen and took a drink before saying, “Well, I am parched, and all we did was wear our bodies down. Guess it is time to stop for the day and go back to camp, hope the men do come back, and then we can all go from there.”

Bobie followed suit, removing her canteen and taking a long slow drink. When she finished she took another then said, “I’m with you.”

“Then let’s get back to camp. I have a few ideas.”

Bobie stood and asked, “What kind of ideas?”

“Well, as far as I am concerned this site is jinxed. We need to find out what is happening before one of us or all of us disappear and that is it. There may be some great finds here but not worth losing a life or lives over. I suggest we go back to town, and rent a couple of horses, a pack mule and all the necessities that go with this.”

Bobie’s eyes widened as she asked, “‘Horses’? Are you sure?”

Nodding, Sky replied, “Yes. You looked at the area below this and it looks inviting, many places to explore and many things to find. Might even find out just who or what is causing this shifting.”

Bobie looked skeptical but said, “You know I love horses but from that town, maybe even they are . . .”

“Diablo?” Sky looked at Bobie and winked.

“Well no not exactly but from what we have seen of the people and the town, not sure their horses would be like most.”

Sky listened intently then said, “Never knew a horse you couldn’t ride or for that matter tame. So if there is some form of Diablo in them, won’t be long before we have them eating out of our hands.”

“Careful what you wish for Richmond, cause they just may be doing all they can to eat our hands.”

Sky shook her head and started to walk away. When Bobie caught up to the woman, she was still shaking her head and Bobie reached out grasping her right arm saying, “Goin’ to make yourself sick with all that head shaking. Come on Sky, admit it, their horses could be wiggy.”

Sky chuckled and replied, “Can just see that. Who ever knew of a horse with a toupee?”

“All right make fun but I am trying to be serious.”

Finally, Sky stopped laughing and said, “I adore you. I take everything you say to heart. And just want you to know that I am making light of this just in case you are on target. Come on Parker, you are not going to let a little old horse throw you a curve are you?”

Bobie grinned and replied, “Well maybe not a curve but throw me possibly.”

Sky patted her hand and said, “Will take a while to get into town, find a stable that has horses for rent with all the trimmings as well as a 3 or four horse trailer. Then we need to get certain supplies.”

Bobie nodded. “Agreed. But not too sure those people will even rent to us.”

Sky heaved a sigh and replied, “Then if they don’t, I’ll call Barbara at Global and have our personal horses sent to us as well as a pack horse.”

Bobie watched the woman start off once more and shook her head at Sky’s words thinking, how nice it was to just call someone and have three horses delivered as if they were pizza, one call gets it all. Things have sure changed a lot since she left Springfield and her job as deputy.

They never said another word the rest of the way to camp. However, when they reached the campsite, Bobie said, “Been thinking.”

“Uh-oh what did I do now”, Sky asked.

“Just amazes me how easily it is for you to just call up someone and get what you want.”

“Been at this a long time, it wasn’t that easy climbing the ladder, making a place for me in this field. But I did. As hard as I have worked, and all I have been put though, it is one of the benefits that I appreciate.    If it bothers you. . .”

“Doesn’t bother me, just seems so unreal at times. I would love to see Dynamite again but not sure this climate and terrain is suitable.”

Sky reached out placed her hands on Bobie’s shoulders, stared into her eyes and said, “I know you love Dynamite and you don’t want to see the horse get hurt. I will tell you one thing and you all ready know this. Horses become adapt, they do this better than we do. There is nothing out there that would harm Dynamite but at the same time, I do understand where you are coming from. I hope you know I would never put either horse into harms way.”

“I do. Forget what I said. I am thinking with my heart and not with my senses. This area is so off the beaten path, the people are so not friendly and I keep getting a weird vibe. I’m totally all right with Dy an Blazie coming out; just hope that if this happens they will take very good care of them.”

“Perhaps we had best find out if we can rent the horses and supplies in PS if we can, there will be no need for our horses. If we can’t rent then I will just have Barbara look around and send us three of the best and our horses can stay home where they are safe.”

Bobie thought that was a great idea as the two women looked back toward the path they had just returned from, each hoping the men would soon appear. However, Sky did write a note to Bern telling him what had happened and what they were doing. Not to worry they would be back before nightfall.

The trip seemed longer than before, so many strange things had occurred, the two women spent the time mulling over the situation and trying to come up with a plausible explanation. However they both seemed to fall upon the same word, strange and it sent shivers up and down their spines.

Bobie tried to relax, but kept finding herself leaning forward in the seat, staring out at the open desert with its mounds and strange rock formations each looking as if some giant hand had dropped them there by accident. “Some days I ask myself why we ended up here when we could have gone to Africa.”

Sky smiled, glanced toward the pert blond and replied, “You think this is strange? Let me tell you, some places in Africa would give you chill bumps too.”

Sighing, Bobie leaned back against the seat allowing her head to rest for a second before saying, “Guess no matter where we go there will always be some sort of challenge. Not sure, I really go for this unknown bit though. At least most places a person knows what they might be dealing with.”

“And my dear, so far we do know this is not the usual dig we are on.”

“Yeah but just what is going on? That is the bigger picture.”

Doing her best to miss a large rut in the road and missing most of it, she finally pulled the jeep to a stop and turned off the ignition. With both hands on the steering wheel, she gazed around at the deserted area. “We should be nearing town soon. Are you sure you are ok with this?”

Bobie nodded and replied, “What else are we going to do--her face reddened as she continued, well that for sure but I for one want to know what is going on around here.”

Sky’s emeral green eyes twinkled as an affective smile walked across her lips. “I adore, ‘well that’ always but like you, I would also like to know what is going on. I am a bit hesitant because I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“With you by my side, nothing will happen to me. You watch my back and I watch yours.”

Sky feigned a smile, reached over and touched Bobie’s left hand and said, “Of course I will watch your back, I have no doubt you would me also. But there is always this gray area where anything can happen. So just let me be concerned, it is my nature.”

“Bobie squeezed Sky’s hand and held it replying, “It will be all right. I am a big girl, I know what I am doing and as you know, I also am a bit stubborn like you. I worry about you and nothing will erase this feeling so guess we had best decide it will be all for one and one for all.”

Leaning back against the seat, Sky pursed her lips seeming to be in deep thought before saying, “I think we are one Musketeer short, but I do agree it is them or us.”

Bobie edged her way closer to Sky never releasing her hand, she gazed into emerald greens sighed and proffered, “Who needs three when we can do a grand job. Come on Sky, you just said ‘them or us’, do you know something I don’t?”

Shaking her head she started the engine and pressed the gas petal saying, “No, but best we stay alert.”

When they entered the town limits of Puerto Springs, Sky noticed a frail looking man standing and looking around like he was trying to make up his mind about something, so she called out, “Pardon me, but can you tell me where the best place to rent horses is?”

He jumped and replied, “That all you got to do, scare a person out of seven years of life? Whatcha yelling about anyway?”

It was obvious he hadn’t heard a word she said, even if she had called out. Opening the door, she stepped out onto the packed dirt, stepped toward him and said, “Sorry about calling out. I was hoping you could point us to the nearest stable.”

He ran a hand through the few strands of white hair that still set on top of his head and looked like he was figuring out a difficult puzzle before squinting toward the vehicle and the blond that waved toward him. “I see you brought your friend.”

Sky looked back and smiled toward Bobie then to the man. “Yes, she is also my colleague.”

“That what you folks are calling it these days. Well about the stable . . .” He bent over chuckling.

“What is so funny? Surely you have a stable, seem to have everything else.”

He grinned and replied, “Lady, people don’t go wily Nelly off on horseback rides in this town. Got vehicles to do the work, saves on the butt if you know what I mean.”

By this time Bobie had exited the vehicle and made her way toward the man and a very bewildered looking Sky. “What gives? Where are the horses?”

Sky turned to her and raised both eyebrows, and grumbled, “Man thinks it is funny we are looking for horses. Let’s go, surely someone in this town can give us directions to a stable.”

He guffawed again and said, “Like I said, no stables. Want a horse, go catch one.”

This time Bobie’s eyebrows shot up as she said, “Been there done that and it is no fun. Never could catch a horse out there and even if a person did, they would be wild. Come on Sky we’ll look around a bit and if there are no horses, as you said, give Barbara a call and have three flown out.”

“Sooner get them here than have to wait for them to be flown in. Nothing seems to go right anymore. If there is anyone knows where we can rent a horse or two it might be Lottie.”

The man watched them drive toward the main part of town; shook his head in disbelief and gazed up as if he was looking for rain.

Didn’t take long to park near Lottie’s Diner. Sky leaned back on the seat then said, “Want to go in with me?”

Shaking her head, Bobie replied, “I’ll wait. Won’t take long to find out. This place gives me the creeps, at least this way no one will mess with the jeep.”

“No one would be that brazen in the daylight but you are right, this won’t take long.”

Bobie watched Sky saunter into the diner, and wondered what in the world they had gotten themselves into. Seemed Sky had just left when she was back to the jeep smiling. As she opened the door and stepped in, she said, “Got two horses.”

Glancing around, Bobie asked, “Where are they?”

Chuckling, Sky replied, “Well not here but Lottie rented two she has stabled.”

Bobie’s eyes widened as she said, “So they do have a stable?”

“Not really, a friend of hers, boards the horses for her.”

“Do you think this is safe? I mean, she seems all right but that man, he sends out different vibes.”

“We’ll check them out, if you like, won’t hurt to take a look around on horseback.”

“Lead on, you know I will follow you anyplace.”

Sky leaned forward and brushed a kiss on Bobie’s cheek. “And I you.”

When they saw Jim Granger’s house and the four horses corralled not far from it, Sky turned onto the dirt road and drove up to the house. The two women left the jeep and walked toward the front door. After several knocks an elderly man opened the door and gazed at them with bloodshot eyes. “What the blazes you two want? I keep to myself out here so I don’t get no visitors, and yet, there you are.”

Sky replied, “Skylar Richmond and this is my friend Bobie Parker, we have come to borrow a horse trailer and two horses.”

He stepped back eyeing them as if they might be going to do harm. “No horses for rent and no horse trailer, so go away with you.”

Sky reached into her pocket to retrieve the note Lottie had written only to be met by the barrel of a .22 rifle aimed at her chest. “We are not here to cause any problems. Please read the note it is from Lottie.”

He looked at the piece of paper in the woman’s hand and said, “Don’t go make any funny movements.”   He took the note and read it quickly then set the rifle down and said, “Come on, you can take your pick, Lottie says you are all right.”

They followed the man to the corral. He walked with a limp but didn’t let it hinder him. Once they were near the corral, he pointed to the horses and said, “Ropes is there, lasso the ones you want, bring them over to the barn and you can saddle up. Sorry no trailer, the one that is here is broke needs to be fixed but you can still ride out from here. Lots of area if that is what you are wanting the horses for.”

Bobie gave Sky a quick glance then said, “Well, let’s get our horses and take that ride.”

Following the blond into the corral they quickly took the ropes off pegs as Sky asked, “Which one do you want?”

Smiling, Bobie winked and replied, “The first one I catch.”

Sky laughed and watched the woman step into the center of the corral as a black, white, roan and palomino ran circles around her. The man was resting his arms on one of the logs that made the corral watching with glee on his face. “You really think you can just walk up to those horses and lasso them?”

Sky nodded toward the man then went back to watching Bobie who had picked out the Palomino and after two throws had it roped and was hanging onto her end of the rope as the horse tugged to get away the woman dug in her heels and held tight. “Good job there Parker, show the horse who’s boss.”

Bobie did not give an inch as she took a side glance toward Sky and called back, “Never get one of these if you don’t do something besides stand there Richmond.”

Sky had her eye on the white gelding, it had been around several times, stomping and snorting but it was the magnificent build of the horse that caught her eye. It was obvious it was ride-able, just how was going to be determined. She reached into her pocket and withdrew a handful of grain then stepped into the White’s path. It was either going to try and run her over or stop, hopefully it would stop and it did.
The horse seemed confused as the tall woman held out her hand. Stiff legged it approached cautiously. The smell of grain, took over as it began to partake of the grain. Didn’t take long for Sky to ease the rope loop over the horses head with the other hand and before the horse knew what was happening she fixed a makeshift halter and swung onto the animals back.

The man stepped away from the fence and called out, “I’ll be!”

Bobie just finished a makeshift halter on the horse she caught when she heard the man’s words and turned to see Sky sit the horse. At that time the white went up on its back legs and looked like it was going to shoot to the moon. Her horse moved back and forth as she led it to a far corner of the corral and watched the magnificent white horse and the flaming red head do battle. The hard bucks, the twists, the jolts were enough to send most people flying but Sky seemed to be glued to the animal. “Ride um cowgirl!” She called out and waved.

The man just stared in astonishment. He had never seen anyone but Lottie’s niece ride the animal, many had tried but no one else had succeeded. Yet this stranger seemed to be doing just that. When the horse and rider finally settled into a canter, he called out, “That is some riding, and no one is going to believe that you actually stayed on White Flurry!”

Sky rode the horse up to the corral fence reined it in and said to the man, “Good name.” She dismounted adding, “Open the gate, time to saddle up.”

Bobie followed not far behind. She walked along side Sky, allowing the palomino to walk by her. “That was some rodeo back there, how’d you stay on?”

Sky murmured, “Sheer determination. How about you, is your horse going to do the same when you get on it?”

“Nope. Wasn’t fond of being caught but he’s all right now.”

“If you say so. After that go round not sure I am going to be in much shape for a lot of riding today.”

“That’s all right; we can take a small ride then come back tomorrow or whenever.”

Once in the barn, they took little time bridling and saddling the horses. When finished and outside once more, Sky turned to the man and said, “We’ll leave the jeep here, be back in about an hour or less.”

He nodded and watched them mount the horses and leave the area. Still trying to figure out how a city woman calmed Flurry like she did.

Once out of the man’s eyesight, Sky pointed to a knoll not far from where they were and said, “Let’s check out the area on the other side of that.”

Bobie nodded replying, “Don’t have a lot of time best get moving.”

The ride was fast and it didn’t take long to reach the knoll. Once there they rode to the top and stared at the multicolored terrain with its peaks, crevices and flatland. “That is beautiful, makes a person wonder just how the land was painted like that.”

Sky’s horse kept shifting back and forth as she dismounted and said, “Let’s give the horses a break. Drink some water and decide what is going to be next.”

Grinning, Bobie placed a booted foot in the right stirrup and swung off the palomino. She patted the animal and stroked its neck before saying, “You don’t have to pretend, that romp back there did more than break the horse.”

Sky took a drink from her canteen and replied, “You’re right, I am so sore at this moment all I want is a good hot soak.”

“Not alone I hope.” Bobie was running her right hand over the White’s muzzle and giggling as the horse lightly nibbled at her hand with its lips. “That tickles.”

Sky enjoyed watching Bobie, the woman loved horses, and it was obvious she missed Dynamite. “No not alone with you. Not sure how amorous I would be though.”

“That’s fine, as long as I am with you, I am happy and even if you may not be too amorous, I would do all I could to ease your aches.”

Sky stepped toward the woman reached out and touched her hand saying, “You would do more than ease my aches and you know it. All you have to do is touch me and I am on fire.”

“Then we had better get done what needs to be at this time and back to much more desirable things.”
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