Catalyst (28 page)

"My grandson," Chuck Nguyen replied. "He's the reason
you should not go back into the cave."

"Why?" Courtney interrupted but clamped her mouth
shut when Ken caught her eye.

"I'm sure there's a good reason for your concern,
Chuck." Renee sounded like a lawyer. "We would like to hear it,
please."

"One of our ancient legends states that when a member
of the tribe is killed in a tragedy, their spirit remains in the
area to guard their mortal remains. For reasons unknown, Samual's
life was lost in the accident and you were injured." The old eyes
turned to Courtney. "I believe you were hurt, too, my young
friend."

"Me?" Courtney shrugged. "Not really. I was knocked
out but otherwise, fine."

"And you, Lem?" The Native American's eyes shifted to
the man he was talking to.

"I survived intact," Lem said.

"We believe there is a reason behind all tragic
deaths," Chuck continued. "The Great Spirit took Samual that day
but spared all of you with a warning."

"My broken ankle," Renee replied.

"Exactly. You are an astute young woman, Renee. It is
our belief that if you return to the spot of the tragedy within
twelve full moons, the episode will be repeated. There have been
only eleven full moons since Samual's death." He stopped and waited
before continuing in a hushed voice. "You may not be so fortunate
the next time."

Courtney paled slightly. "You mean, there will be
another avalanche and we'll be in it?" she whispered.

"It may not take that form, Courtney but the signs
are there. Do not tempt fate. Come back after the next full moon
and all will be well."

Lem spoke for the first time. "We'll be back at work
then, I'm afraid."

"It is your decision," Chuck added. "I can only warn
you."

"What a load of old rubbish," Linda burst out in an
angry tone. "It's just superstition."

"Possibly, young lady." Chuck's eyes rested on the
youngest member of the party for the first time. "But someone of
your tender age should not be so cynical."

Linda's face went crimson, while Renee fixed her with
a serious gaze but said nothing.

"I'm sorry," Linda apologized. "I did not mean to
show disrespect."

"No offense taken." Chuck smiled at Linda. "My
concern is not for you or your young companion." He glanced at Ken.
"Or Lem for that matter. You three are not affected and may enter
the cave in perfect safety."

"Why me?" Lem asked. "I was in the avalanche."

"But were unhurt, Lem," continued Chuck. "The Great
Spirit chose to ignore you. Only Renee and Courtney were given the
warning. They are the only ones who should not trespass in the
cave, or even be in the vicinity." He stood and rested a hand on
Lem's shoulder and stepped towards the door. "I'll leave you to
discuss my warning. Thank you for the courtesy of listening to an
old man."

At the last moment the elderly Native American turned
and fixed his eyes on Linda. "I can see you had a great tragedy in
the past, Linda Wycherley," he said in little more than a gruff
whisper. "However, I can predict a successful future for you, my
young friend. You shall become a great leader in your chosen
career." He smiled and before he disappeared added, "Law isn't
it?"

"How did he know my last name and that I was thinking
of studying law?" Linda gasped and turned to Renee. "Did you tell
him?"

"No," Renee replied. "You heard everything I said to
Chuck."

****

CHAPTER
25

After Chuck left the break room, Lem glanced at his
companions, all of whom were silent.

"Don't worry too much about Chuck," he said. "It's an
old superstition."

"I don't agree," Renee replied. "There's more to it
than that."

"Oh come on, Renee. I agree with Linda. I've never
known you to be affected by silly beliefs before."

"I was thinking more about Chuck than what he said."
Her wide blue eyes stared into his.

"What do you mean?"

"The point is that he believes it."

"So?" It was Courtney who spoke.

"He came to warn us. He didn't have to come. There
was nothing in it for him personally."

"Okay, the old guy was being kind but why should that
make any difference?" Lem was annoyed.

"As a lawyer I meet people with all sorts of beliefs,
devout Catholics, Jews, clients who believe in faith healing and so
on. I have learned to respect their different faiths and opinions.
It's the same with Chuck. How do you think he would feel if we
ignore his advice? I have Native American clients. How do you think
they would react if they knew I ignored their beliefs and
protocol?"

"That's a silly argument," Lem retorted.

"Renee is right." Stephanie was still in the room and
spoke. "If you ignore Chuck and go into the cave, he will say
nothing, nor will other members of his family." She stopped and
glanced at Lem. "He will be offended, though. Native Americans are
a proud people who are widely discriminated against."

"And I am not prepared to be like that," Renee added
in a determined voice. "I am not going in that cave today."

"Okay," Lem broke into a smile and reached out to
touch Renee's arm but she pulled away.

"I mean it, Lem," she said in a stern voice. "I am
not prepared to hurt an old man's pride because of yours."

Lem sighed and looked back at the ranger. "If I went
in the cave, would Chuck be offended?"

Stephanie shook her head. "No. Only Renee and
Courtney are involved."

"What do you think, Courtney?" Lem asked.

"I support Renee," she said. "Old Chuck lost his
grandson in the cave-in. The least we can do is respect his
wishes."

"He's a strange old guy," Linda added. "When he
looked at me I felt he could see inside and read my mind." She
shuddered. "I don't know how he knew so much about me."

"A good guess," Ken added. "After all, he would know
Renee is a lawyer, so chances are you would be interested,
too."

"Okay then," Lem said. "I still want to go in the
cave. Who's coming with me?"

"I will," Ken said and glanced at Courtney. "You
don't mind?"

"Of course not." The girl smiled and looked pleased
to be asked. "But I'm part of Chuck's premonition, so I'll stay
with Renee."

"And you, Linda?" Lem asked.

"I'd love to go in the cave," she said in a doubtful
voice.

"Then go," Renee said. "Courtney and I will be fine.
We can go back to the campground or do a forest hike and come back
in three or four hours to pick you up."

With the agreement reached, the group went into the
parking lot where Chuck was waiting with two younger men from his
tribe. Renee walked up with her hand held out.

"Courtney and I are not going in the cave," she said
as she shook the old man's hand and held his intense gaze. "We
respect your wishes and thank you for coming here today."

Chuck's lips turned ever so slightly into a trace of
a smile. "I can see why you're a respected and successful lawyer,
Renee Bonnett. It takes courage to respect those who are different
than you. When I am in your city, I shall respect your customs.
Thank you." He turned to the man standing a step behind her. "Don't
be angry with her, Lem. She is a jewel that you can be proud
of."

"I am," Lem replied and reached for Renee again.

This time she did not pull away but tucked her head
under his chin. His arms went around her waist and he held her
close.

****

Stephanie led Lem, Ken and Linda into the Misty
Depths Catacombs. Courtney turned to Renee.

"I have an idea," she said. "There's a new road to
where the explosion was on the eastern side. Why don't we drive
there? Stephanie told me the view is awesome. A whole section of
the mountainside collapsed on itself and took the forest and
everything with it."

Renee frowned but let Courtney lead her inside to
examine the wall map. The red line zigzagged up and around the
mountain to another parking lot. She read the words written
beneath.
Gravel road. Four-wheel drive vehicles only
.
Closed in winter. Top mile is one way with passing bay
. She
glanced up. "I don't know."

Courtney measured the line against the scale. "It's
only a bit over three miles."

"Yeah, straight up," Renee retorted.

"Come on. It's a beautiful day with no wind and not a
cloud in sight." She walked to the counter where a young guy was
only too keen to chat.

"The road is gravel but in good condition," he said
in answer to her query. "The top section is narrow but you can see
well ahead. The view today will be fantastic and there's a forest
trail that circles the crater. It's about an hour's walk. If you're
going there, go now. During the afternoon it gets crowded." He
grinned at Courtney and handed her a glossy pamphlet of the
area.

"Well," Courtney said enthusiastically to her friend.
"We can take the walk and still be back in time to meet the
others."

"Okay," Renee relented. "But I drive."

Courtney screwed up her nose but it was obvious that
she didn't really mind. She ran out to the Wrangler and
disconnected the soft top. Renee made no comment but was relieved
to see that there were two roll bars and roof frame joining the
windshield.

As soon as they left the car lot, stones from the
gravel crunched the underside of the jeep. It was steep. Renee
grinned at a sign that stated
Sound Your Horn
as she drove
through a tunnel cut under a fir-covered peak and headed around a
tight corner. Now, unexpectedly, the road ran downhill in a long
zigzag and disappeared into the firs. They drove around yet another
corner where the view from the road showed nothing except the sky
and the valley below.

"Look," screamed Courtney as she held one of the
crash bars and half stood, restrained by her seat belt. "I can see
the ranger building and cave entrance. My God, it's hundreds of
feet below."

Renee didn't look. She had her eyes glued on the
road. It was now one way and there was no sign of any passing bay.
Four heavy tread tires gripped the dusty gravel and the vehicle
growled forward in low gear.

****

The loud roar of a diesel engine working to capacity
hit their ears and another vehicle, followed by a bellowing cloud
of dust, screamed around the corner above.

"Renee," Courtney screamed. "Stop!"

But Renee had already applied the brakes and pulled
to the right wooden safety rail.

Thundering down at them was a massive pick-up truck,
all gigantic wheels, high-suspension and bull bars. The screech of
brakes out-blasted the engine roar and Renee had a glimpse of a
startled face and white hands wrestling with a steering wheel.

The pick-up swayed towards the cliff side on it's
right, the driver over-corrected and the vehicle was upon them.
There was no room. An outside bar clipped the stationary jeep,
steel grated against steel and the smaller vehicle was slammed
against the rail. The pick-up's outside wheels mounted the side of
the jeep, jolted it and slid off. The truck lurched away but
returned a microsecond later to collide into the rear of the jeep.
The momentum pushed them through the barrier in a shower of
splinting wood.

The scream of a roaring motor and smell of burning
rubber filled Renee's senses. She knew they were falling but could
see only a blur. Pain shot through her body. Everything happened so
quickly she could not comprehend the other sensations fed into her
mind. All she could see could see was blue sky. The road, safety
rail and pick-up were gone.

They were dropping. The sky disappeared and was
replaced by a smudge of dark green as fir trees raced towards them.
Renee's stomach reacted as the jeep hit the ground twenty feet
below the road, bounced and slammed down again in a jaw-splitting
thump.

Courtney's high-pitched scream hit her ears.

They hit the ground again but all Renee could see was
an air bag an inch in front of her eyes. Her gasping breath could
not find enough air. Without warning, the jeep slewed sideways and
toppled. There was another tremendous jolt and the sky appeared
again.

Oh shit. It was beneath them. This sensation was
worse than the cave avalanche.

Renee didn't realize until later but the jeep rolled
right over. The roll bars worked perfectly and saved their lives.
With the wheels beneath it again, the sturdy vehicle bounced and
skidded to a halt against the trunk of a gigantic fir tree. Beyond
was a vertical drop into the valley hundreds of feet below.

She opened her eyes and struggled for breath. There
was nothing but twisted steel around her. She attempted to move but
pain, familiar pain, shot up her right leg. Though she couldn't see
it, she knew her ankle was broken again.

She glanced to the right and saw a mop of blonde hair
pressed against an air bag.

"Courtney!" she screamed but there was no reply.

****

Linda gazed at the ghostly white walls reflected in
her helmet light. Apart from them, all she could see was
Stephanie's silhouette in front. Behind were Lem and Ken. She
wasn't scared but it was not the place she would want to be
alone.

"How's it going back there?" Stephanie's voice had
that hollow echo as it bounced off the walls.

"We're still here." Lem's voice bounced back.

"The cave gets low and narrow for a while but then
opens out," Stephanie warned.

Low...my God. Linda was not expecting anything so
tiny. She was the smallest there but found little space to
maneuver. How could Lem cope? She crawled forward on hands and
knees until her flashlight beam showed space above and a slight
breeze tickled her cheek.

"You can stand now." Stephanie's reassuring voice
echoed.

Linda scrambled to her feet and turned to see Lem's
face as a shadow behind his bright flashlight. He was lying on his
stomach with only his head and shoulders visible. He shifted and
his eyes became visible.