Page 11 of His Lucky Paige

“You were easy to replace Paige,” he retorted snidely telling her he was still holding a huge grudge for her leaving him as well as the team.

“Is that why your budget’s been reduced by almost ten percent each year since, and the requests for help have also gone down?” she countered pulling the maps from his grasp. “I don’t need your permission to request my drill or to have Moose and Rabbit operate it on their days off.”

“Your drill?” he laughed. “Show me the ownership paperwork.”

“It’s in the cab,” she stated crossing her arms in annoyance. “Check until you’re blue in the face Wayne and then get off my property.”

“She’s gotten quite territorial in her advancing years,” Wayne threw over his shoulder at the others who remained silent during the exchange.

“Advancing years?” Tom said stepping between them. “You heard her buddy you’re not welcome or needed.”

“How sweet you’ve found a new lap dog,” Wayne laughed. “Obviously you haven’t let him in your bed yet or he’d know it’s not worth the efforts.”

Paige’s mouth dropped open in shock at not only his words but also the massive dog pile that suddenly appeared near her feet. It was the perfect reason for her to let out the laughter that was masking the panic gripping her stomach and she was doubled over when Tom and Gary hauled him upwards with murder in their eyes.

“If you know what’s good for you,” she said wiping the stray tears from the corner of her eyes, “you’d get out of here and never show your face again. See I grew up with most of these guys and they’re naturally protective, add on the fact that all of my family is down in that mine along with their brothers, sons, uncles, and friends and you’re looking at an accident no one saw Wayne.”

“Threatening a government employee Paige?” he asked.

“A slime ball is more appropriate,” she said with a smirk as Tom and Gary’s holds tightened on him. “We haven’t asked for government intervention, it’s being handled within house so get out before I ask Travis to throw you in jail for trespassing.”

“I’m not going to stand by and let you kill these people Paige,” he stated.

“Tom, Gary, make sure he’s delivered outside the gate and if he makes his way back in have Travis arrest him,” she said turning away. “As for the rest of you, if you want to help we’d welcome the added hands, but if you’re inclined to side with Wayne I’d suggest following him out.”

She walked over to the tent set up as their base and turned on the small TV checking the weather forecast for the next day and the reports of the accident.

“What are they saying?” Jesse asked coming in behind her along with the rest of her old team.

“The bare minimum we’ve given them,” she answered sending them genuine smiles. “Everyone down there’s accounted for, I’m in contact with them and they know the plan. Right now we’re just waiting for the drill to reach the right depth.”

“How are you?” Hillary inquired coming over and putting her arm around her shoulder pulling her to her side.

“Considering my father, my brother, my godfather, the man who was…is like an uncle to me and a load of guys who treat me like a little sister are stuck down there and I have this gut feeling that this wasn’t an accident…pretty good,” she answered.

“What do you mean you don’t think it was an accident?” Craig said lowering his voice.

“You all wouldn’t have seen the extent of the damage coming in on the road,” she stated checking the area for Gus. She opened her laptop and pulled up the photos she’d taken from the air and then those she’d taken from the Jeep. “Tell me this was a natural or accidental break through…”

“This was the cave-in?” Jesse asked.

“There’s no way this came from a single rupture or seal break. This was successive. I know these guys, know how they shore up their tunnels. No even that methane pocket at Hudson caused this much damage and that was massive,” she said. “We’ve seen enough accidents to know when it’s not.”

“You think someone deliberately caused this?” Hillary questioned.

“I also think I know who did it but I don’t have my access anymore…if you want to help, find out everything you can on Gus Stanton. He’s the regional safety manager for the mining industry.”

“And he rubs you the wrong way?” Craig asked.

“Yeah he does, I know I can get them out of there as long as there aren’t any more problems but if that wasn’t the extent of the sabotage I don’t know if anything will help,” Paige said. “This is personal for me. I’m not going to let some jackass kill the only family I have.”

“They weren’t your only family Paige,” Jesse reminded her. “We were your family for the longest time too.”

“I know, and I’m sorry I left the way I did…on top of the last few accident sites I was dealing with some personal stuff too, it just…”

“Got to be too much?” Hillary suggested. “I took a six month break after the Meredith incident so I get it. Let me see what I can pull up on the guy.”

“Thanks,” she said feeling more confident with her team watching her back.

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