Page 40 of Waylaid in Whittier

“Not near, but in,” Elvira said. “The store, the post office, most businesses and facilities are under the same roof, similar to the more well-known Begich building.”

“I have to see this,” Millie said.

After Elvira locked up, the group caravanned out of the RV camping area and headed back toward town. Luck was on their side when Millie noticed vehicle traffic proceeding through the tunnel.

She and Sharky were sandwiched in between Elvira’s junker and Brody’s rental. They slowed, almost clearing the yield sign, when the traffic came to a sudden halt.

“Now what?” Millie groaned. “Please tell me there isn’t an accident.”

“I’ll check it out.” Sharky hopped off the scooter and jogged toward the entrance. He approached a couple who had exited their vehicle and began waving his arms.

He motioned to Millie, nodded his head, and ran back. “We have a big problem.”

“What sort of big problem?”

“Caboose the moose.”

Chapter 15

Millie blinked rapidly. “Caboose the moose?”

“The same moose we saw on our way through earlier. He’s blocking traffic.”

“Doing what?”

Sharky shrugged. “Resting.”

“Can’t someone get him out?”

“You mean like banging pots and pans to drive him away?” he teased.

“What if Caboose decides he’s never going to move?”

“I spoke to a couple of locals. Apparently, he’s done this before. He’ll move when the train shows up. He likes to follow it. Hence his name.”

“How long is this going to take?”

“I have no idea. Until the train comes along.”

Brody tapped his horn and stuck his head out the window. “What’s the hold up?”

Millie and Sharky jogged over. “Caboose the moose is blocking the tunnel. The locals said he won’t move until the train comes through.”

“When is the train coming?” Annette asked.

“Let me check with Elvira.” Millie ran to Elvira’s truck. “Caboose, the moose is in the tunnel. What time does the train come through?”

“Figures. It seems he’s in the tunnel more than he’s out of it,” Elvira sighed. “The train rolls through every half an hour on the hour. It should be soon.”

“What if he decides he’s not moving for the train, forcing it to stop?” Millie asked.

“I don’t know. Caboose is a stubborn fella. He can’t be bribed by food or scared by noises. In other words, we’re stuck until he’s ready to leave.” Elvira snatched her cell phone from the center console. “I might as well call the court clerk and let her know Caboose is holding up tunnel traffic.”

Millie rubbed her forehead. “Only in Alaska.”

“You know it. Hang on.” Elvira made the call, explaining to the person who answered she was stuck on the other side of the tunnel. “Thanks. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

While she talked, Millie noticed Sharky rummaging around in his backpack. He removed a package and began walking toward the tunnel entrance. “I wonder what Sharky is doing.”

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