Page 18 of Saving Veronica
“What’s this?” Eric asked, as he lifted the black case.
Finn grinned and said, “My wife.” And after setting the repacked pack on the floor, he placed it on the desk and opened it. Everyone leaned in, and the sheriff and former general gave a long, low whistle.
“You were a sniperanda medic?” the General asked.
“Yep. This is Betsy.” He lovingly ran his hand over the barrel of his sniper rifle. Then he paused and looked at the sheriff. “If there’s a mountain lion up there, I can take Betsy with me, right?”
“Yes, but don’t kill it unless you have to. And, for god’s sake, don’t shoot every mountain lion you see. If something happens you do kill one, we’ll have to bring the carcass back for Grady to do what he does to make sure there’s no rabies.”
“Oh, good lord,” Maggie said from the doorway, and gripped the jamb. Before anyone could reach her, she took a deep breath, and held up her hand. “I’m okay.” She squared her shoulders and came forward, holding out a sealed plastic bag with a black t-shirt inside. “I found this in her hamper in the bathroom.”
“Thank you Maggie,” Finn said, and put it beside his pack, glad he’d shut the gun case before Maggie could see it. “Okay, any questions?” When none were voiced, Finn nodded and said, “Go back to your places and prepare. When you’re ready, Patterson, call Johnson. Wait ten minutes, and start up your trail. Johnson, call the General, wait eight minutes, and start up. General, call me, wait six minutes, and start. I’ll wait four minutes before I start up.”
They all nodded and headed out. But before they took three steps, Hector called out, “General!”
“Yes?”
“What do you think of Ace for Finn here?”
Gerald Pennyworth stepped back and studied Finn, then grinned. “Perfect. I’ll send Angelo over with him and the mounts along with two others.”
“Sounds good,” Hector said, and watched as they left.
“Who’s Ace?” Finn frowned.
“A horse,” Hector laughed. “Come with me, we’ve got time to give you a fifteen-minute horse-riding lesson.”
“Okay, but first, where’s the bathroom? I’d like to change out of these jeans, and into my camo.”
“Follow me.” Hector led him down the hall and showed him the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later, Finn stepped back in the office and snapped pictures of the map with his phone, he gathered his stuff and went out to the barn.
An hour later, they paused to watch a truck and trailer pull in. Three men jumped out of the truck and hurried around to open the trailer. Five horses were led out and Hector met them.
“Finn, this is Angelo, he’s the foreman for the general, and also my younger brother.” Finn shook his hand and the other introductions were made. “And this is Ace.” Hector held the reins of a huge black horse. Finn didn’t know why, but he walked to the horse’s head and stood there, until the horse lifted his and looked directly at Finn.
“I’m a newbie for horse riding, Ace. I’m counting on you to help me up there.” He pointed to the mountain behind him, and smiled when the horse looked up. “It’s going to be you, me and Major.” He pointed to his dog. It surprised Finn when they studied each other and touched noses.
Finn watched as the others checked the saddles and Hector talked him through how to check his. “What do I do with Ace when I find Ronnie?”
“Just drop his reins.” Hector demonstrated. “All the horses are rein trained. They’ll stick around until someone picks them up, or if something happens and they have to get away.”
“Okay.” Finn nodded and went over to his pack, and withdrew Major’s vest. They looked up when someone else pulled in, and saw that it was the vet. He hurried over and handed over something that Finn thought were saddlebags. He was right when Hector put them on the horse.
“Two saline bags wrapped in hand warmers and towels. Scissors, tape, gauze, more hand warmers, and towels. I packed anything I thought you’d need.”
“How much do I owe you for this?” Finn frowned when he looked it at all the stuff.
“Nothing. Oh, and I got this in the mail last week. I left it in its packaging. Don’t know if it’ll help or not, but worth a try.”
“What is it?”
“Believe it or not, it’s a foldable backboard.” He showed Finn and he read the instructions and saw the pictures showing a dog.
“Worth a try,” Finn said and put it on the horse. He went to put Major’s vest on him, but a loud ringing rent the air. Everyone froze and looked at Finn. He withdrew the phone and answered.
“Larson.” He looked at everyone and nodded. “Thanks General.” He hung up and looked at his watch. “Major,” he said firmly and held out the vest. After his dog was dressed, he pulled the plastic bag Maggie had given him.
“Major, come.” He squatted on his haunches and opened the bag. “Ronnie, smell Ronnie.” He let the dog sniff the shirt and after he mounted he looked at his watch, and saw everyone else was ready. He locked eyes with the sheriff and he said, “I’ll be calling you either way.” They had decided that the sheriff would stay there and wait for their call, and be available if anyone else in the county needed him. Since there was no cell service in the meadow, it was easier for the man to stay behind.
