The Stranger (16 page)

“Seth Erickson?” one of the men said.

“Who’s asking,” Seth said.

“I’m Agent Dobson, this is Agent Stevens.” The man flashed a badge.

Seth examined the credentials. “Feds?”

“We need you to come with us,” Agent Dobson said.

“And if I don’t want to?”

“Then we’ll show you the warrant.”

My eyes shifted from the agent to Seth. The lines on his face were frozen into an unreadable expression. His yellow eyes fixed on the agent.

“Explain,” he said.

“I think it’d be best to sort this out elsewhere.” The agent landed a hand on Seth’s arm.

Seth’s stare settled on the other man’s hand. “Don’t. Touch. Me.”

The agent’s hand wilted from Seth’s arm.

By now, a little crowd had gathered around us, the crew tending to the helicopter, workers from the dock, security, and a few employees detoured from the parking lots. Judging the mood, I had a feeling that, if Seth gave the order, those agents would be kicked out of the premises and not kindly.

“Mr. Erickson,” Agent Stevens said. “We don’t want any trouble. Please come with us.”

Seth rumbled. “I’d like to see that warrant of yours first.”

“Officer?” the agent called on the patrolman.

The officer strolled over.

“Will?” Seth said. “What’s this about?”

“Something about a water pollution charge,” the trooper said, without much conviction.

“E&E, polluting the water?” Seth scoffed. “We’re the most environmentally responsible company in Alaska, but you know that.”

“Sorry, man.” The trooper shifted on his feet. “I’m not sure what’s going on here, some rubbish about state-Fed cooperation. I don’t like it, but I’ve got to do what I’m told.”

“Understood.” Seth took the warrant from the officer and read it.

“A spill at Star Lake has created a huge fish kill and an extensive dead zone,” Agent Stevens said. “We have evidence that suggests that your company is in violation of the Clean Water Act.”

“Let me get this straight,” Seth said. “There’s a fish kill on Star Lake and you think E&E’s lumber operation is responsible for it?”

“Apparently so.”

“I fish on that lake,” Seth said. “What evidence do you have?”

“That’s not something I’m authorized to discuss with you.”

“Who made this complaint?”

“I’m afraid I can’t share that with you either,” the agent said. “The complainant is under whistle-blower protection laws.”

A news van pulled up to the chain-link fence and raised its portable satellite. A car screeched to a stop behind it. The window whirled down to reveal a photographer with a high-power lens. Seth gave them a cursory look then scrutinized the agents before him.

“Let’s recap,” he said. “You can’t name my accuser and you have no evidence, and yet you’re willing to launch a criminal investigation on the whims of a whistle-blower’s complaint. You’ve also managed to leak the news to the media in a bid to broadcast this reality show for the whole of Alaska.”

The men stared at their feet.

“This is not about pollution,” Seth said. “This is about politics. Ally, call Jer. Have him call our attorneys. Summer? Get in the helicopter with Robert. He has instructions and will make sure that you’re safe and comfortable. One of the pilots will fly the two of you home.”

I started to speak. “But—”

“No buts,” Seth said. “Do as I say. Stay at my place. You’ll be safe there.”

Why was he thinking about me when he was the one in trouble?

I rose on my toes and, winding my hands around his arm, whispered in his ear. “To bad weather, a brave face.”

“I like that saying.” His fingertips traced the line of my jaw. “Now get in the helicopter. Make sure you use the door chain tonight. Robert will take care of the rest. You’ll be fine.”

Of course I’d be fine. On the other hand, he wasn’t going for a ride in the park.

“Promise me you’ll be home soon,” I said.

“I’ve got a good incentive to rush back.” He gave me a quick peck on the lips and turned me in the direction of the helicopter. “Go.”

“Ready?” Agent Stevens said.

“In a moment.” He turned to look at me. “Let me see you get in that helicopter. Go on.”

It took all I had to climb onto the helicopter. I flopped on the plush leather seat with a demoralized sigh. I put on the headset. Tears of frustration burned in my eyes, useless tears. Seth Erickson was a good man and this was a setup if I’d ever seen one. If only I could have a go at those arrogant agents.

Robert sat next to me and strapped on his seat belt. With a somber face, he nodded at Seth. A pilot rushed to the cockpit. As he went down his checklist, I met Seth’s gaze across the tarmac. I sensed his strength in the tilt of his chin and resolve in his body’s poise. He was neither afraid nor defeated. He was a warrior on the way to battle and he was going to kick some ass.

It was only after the rotors began to spin and I lifted a hand in good-bye that Seth waved back at me, got into the black sedan and left with the agents. My stomach plunged with a sudden sense of loss. I’d been around him for only a short time and yet, in his absence, I felt incomplete. Worst part? I was afraid for him. The lump in my throat was about to choke me. I had a bad feeling about this one.

Chapter Twelve

The helicopter roared. The landing skids separated from the asphalt. I took in the black sedan, accelerating through the main gates, the media gathered by the fence, the little crowd surrounding Ally, and Jeremy, who came rushing out of the building.

“Stop!” I shouted into the headset. “Down, let me out of here, now!”

The startled pilot hovered only a few feet from the ground. He looked back at me, confused. I unclipped my seat belt, ripped off the headset, slid the door open, and hopped out of the helicopter. I landed on all fours, crept away from the whirlwind, and ran to Ally and Jeremy.

“What the hell?” Jer said, when I reached them.

“Summer?” Ally hugged me. “What did you just do?”

“I can’t go,” I rasped. “I just can’t.”

Behind me, the helicopter landed again. A flustered Robert caught up with me as the roar of the engines quit.

“Master Seth wouldn’t approve of you jumping out of a moving helicopter,” he said in a resounding English accent. “I’m sure of it, miss.”

I looked to Ally and Jer. “Does he always talk like that?”

“Yes,” they said in unison.

“Summer, that was crazy,” Ally said. “You could’ve gotten hurt!”

“Never jump out of a helicopter.” A glint of utter astonishment lit Jer’s gaze. “It’s not safe.”

“I know that!”

“Then why the hell did you do it?”

“Because!” I didn’t know quite how to explain it. “I’m not leaving. Period.”

“Seth said you had to go,” Ally noted.

“You must follow Master Seth’s directions,” Robert said.

“He’s right,” Jer agreed. “Around here, things work best when we do what Seth says.”

“If the lot of you want to follow Seth’s almighty commands, then do so,” I said. “As for me, I’m here to stay. Did you call the attorneys?”

“They’re on their way,” Jer said.

“Miss Silva,” Robert said. “We must leave.”

“You go,” I said. “If you don’t mind, make sure the groceries get put away. I’m staying and we could all waste a lot of time talking about it, so let’s not.”

“Master Seth put you under my care.”

“And I’m relieving you of the burden.”

“Master Jeremy?” Robert said. “I must return to the house. Mistress Astrid is bound to find out about this unfortunate occurrence. When she does, she’ll require my assistance.”

“Boy, those Feds don’t know what’s coming,” Jer muttered under his breath. “Grandma will have them roasted alive. Go ahead, Robert, go back to the house. Tell her what happened.”

“And let vengeance rain upon them,” Robert added scornfully. “What about Miss Silva?”

“I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“But Master Seth will be angry with me, with all of us!” Robert said.

“Hopefully he’ll take it up with the proper party.”

Jer’s gaze, along with Robert’s and Ally’s, fell squarely on me.

* * *

Jer paced Seth’s office, a grand space illuminated by tall art-deco windows and furnished with dark mahogany pieces. He talked on one phone and texted and emailed on the other. I sat on the couch next to Ally, who was also working her cell, calling every contact on her list. I felt useless. Beyond the glass windows, the sun began to set over the mountains. Seth had been gone for hours and we knew nothing.

“The attorneys are still at it,” Jer said when he hung up the phone. “They haven’t been allowed to meet with Seth yet.”

“Surely Seth asked for a lawyer right away,” Ally said. “How can they keep him isolated all this time?”

“They’re going to milk this for all it’s worth.” Jer’s mouth twisted in anger. “They’re probably waiting to disclose his location so that the courts are closed and he has to spend the night in jail.”

Seth in jail? My mouth soured and my stomach squeezed.

“A night in jail will add to the scandal,” Ally said somberly.

Jer agreed. “Seth’s going to be majorly pissed.”

“Who’s doing this and why?” I asked.

“The who is easy.” Ally scoffed. “Alex, of course.”

“But proving that is an entirely different matter.” Jer raked his fingers through his hair, a gesture that reminded me of Seth.

“I don’t understand,” I said. “Alex has a vested interest in E&E. Why would he want to hurt his own family?”

“Remember how I told you he wanted to sell off parts of the company?” Jer said. “Well, he wants the lumber division sold for a hefty profit, which probably explains why he fixated on the lumber mill at Star Lake. A public scandal like this will help him convince the board that the mill needs to be sold and that as the CEO, Seth has neglected his job and needs to be fired.”

“But how did Alex manage to manipulate the system?” I said. “Those agents showed up with a freaking warrant for God’s sake.”

“Alex is a political animal,” Ally said. “He’s worked hard to make friends in high places. He has the connections.”

“It doesn’t even matter to him if the charges against Seth stick or not,” Jer pointed out shrewdly. “It’s a mudslinging campaign. Alex’s goal is to undermine Seth’s ability to run E&E. Seth is negotiating a huge contract with the governor, and Alex will do anything to stop him. And unless Seth can prove his complete innocence, this episode, no matter how it turns out, will hurt his reputation.”

I shook my head. These people needed a lesson in family 101.

The door opened and one of Seth’s administrative assistants walked in. “We’re on the news.” He grabbed the remote and turned on the flat-screen TV on the far wall.

We were on the news all right. The anchorwoman reported E&E’s alleged involvement with the spill at Star Lake while the images of all of us, huddled around the helicopter, played on the screen. A wobbly camera shot focused on Seth as he talked to the agents. I caught a glimpse of me as the camera panned out. Outrage distorted my face.

The phone vibrated in my hand. It was Hector again. I didn’t care what was happening at work. I couldn’t spare the time. If Hector wanted to fire me, then let him. The only number I wanted to see on my screen was Seth’s.

“The courthouse just closed.” Jer grimaced, reading a text from Seth’s attorneys. “They managed to get a copy of the criminal complaint right before it did.”

“What evidence do they have?” Ally demanded.

“The complaint is very weak.” Jer perused the document. “It’s all based on the whistle-blower’s statement. Water quality tests show only small traces of the pollutants prohibited by the EPA and, due to public health concerns, the health department ordered the dead fish burned before they could be tested for evidence.”

Ally huffed. “No self-respecting Alaskan judge will accept a complaint without evidence.”

“Unless he’s bought and paid for,” Jer noted.

“But isn’t the lack of evidence good news for Seth?” I asked.

“Yes and no,” Jer said. “It weakens the complaint, but not knowing what pollutants were used to kill the fish also weakens Seth’s ability to prove his innocence. And I know my brother. I guarantee that he’s going to want to clear his name.”

“What will he need to prove that he’s innocent?” I asked

“Conclusive water tests would’ve been nice,” Jer said. “But the fish kill is over a week old. The poison is probably diluted by now. Fish would’ve been even better. Traces in the flesh would’ve given us an idea of what pollutants were used and for how long. If we knew that, we’d have some serious leads.”

We waited for news all night. Jer and Ally stretched out on Seth’s couches and got a couple of hours of sleep. Unwilling to risk a sleepwalking episode, I survived on coffee and paced up and down the building’s long corridors. Many of E&E’s employees kept vigil with us. In talking to them, I discovered that they liked and admired Seth immensely.

Early in the morning, Jer found me in one of the conference rooms, contemplating the huge topographical map of Alaska that occupied the center of the room. Something had been bothering me all night, and now the idea began to coalesce in my mind.

“News?” I said, as soon as he stepped into the room.

“None yet.” He knuckled his eyes and yawned. “It’s too early.”

“Jer,” I said. “Where’s Star Lake?”

“Right here.” Jer traced the star-shaped edges of a large blue puddle on the map.

“Where’s Seth’s house?” I asked.

“Here.” Jer pointed.

I noticed that, as the crow’s flies, Star Lake wasn’t that far from Seth’s house. I frowned. Could it be?

“Is Anya Golov’s homestead on Star Lake?”

“Yes,” he said. “Why do you ask?”

His phone rang before I could answer. Memories of my visit with Anya flashed before my eyes.
He’s got the boys at the mill riled up
, she’d warned Seth about Alex.
He’s promised them all sorts of goodies if they stick with him
.

I wondered if Seth remembered. Was this an inside job? Was the mysterious whistle-blower one of the mill employees, working for Alex? And one other thought. Whatever had happened at the lake, it had happened a week ago, maybe longer. Anya. All that fish.
More fish than she could ever use
, Seth had noted.

Maybe there was a way to prove Seth’s innocence after all.

Jer hung up. His somber expression spoke for itself. “We’re going to court today.”

“
You
are going to court,” I said. “
I
need to be somewhere else.”

* * *

Ally’s Cessna Skyhawk glided onto Star Lake with the elegance of a ballerina easing onto the stage. She flew her small plane in the same forceful way in which she drove, which made it a terrifying experience for the backseat driver in me. I might have sweated a few quarts of fear along the way, but at least we had arrived.

There was an unusual amount of air traffic over Star Lake, mostly news planes and helicopters getting ready to contribute to Seth Erickson’s spectacular slander. We dodged quite a few of them on our way to shore. We were in a hurry. The forecast called for snow, the radar showed the storm approaching and Seth’s hearing was on the schedule for early afternoon. We needed to get back before then. As soon as we taxied to shore, Anya met us at the dock, with her rifle on hand, of course. This time, she didn’t shoot. Best news? She was wearing her hearing aid.

“It’s a busy day around here,” she said as Ally and I tied down the plane. “The lake’s had more visitors in one day than the rest of the year put together.”

Anya didn’t leave her homestead very often. She didn’t have TV or cell reception. She hadn’t heard about Seth. I told her the whole story as we walked back to the cabin. She listened, nodding every once in a while. By the time I got to the end of the story, we were in her living room.

“I warned Seth,” she said. “I told him to watch out.”

“I don’t think he believed Alex would stoop this low,” Ally said.

“Anya,” I said, holding my breath. “Did you keep any of the fish from the kill?”

She clucked and gave me one of her looks. “Good thing I watch out for my boys.” She kicked an old rug aside and lifted the trapdoor below it. “Follow me.”

“Where are we going?” I said. “Can you help?”

“Not an ounce of patience,” Anya muttered, climbing down the steep ladder. “Not even a gram. But at least you’ve got a half a brain, which is more I can say about most people. I’m not so decrepit yet as to be careless. I knew something was—well—fishy at Star Lake.” The light of a match ignited an oil lamp and illuminated the chilly cellar. “What do you girls see?”

“Winter provisions?” Ally said. “Canned goods?”

My gaze fell on the neatly organized, labeled, and dated jars on the shelves. “I see a whole lot of pickled fish.” And hope, for Seth. Unless... “Anya, when you pickle things, do you erase all traces of other chemicals present?”

“Mostly? Yes. But...” Anya’s face split into a mischievous grin.

“But what?”

“The problem with preconceptions is that it leads to some awful misjudgments,” Anya said. “You think of me as an old, decrepit wild woman.”

I shook my head. “No, no, I—”

“Apologies accepted.” She stepped on a little stool, picked out a jar from the top shelf, and cradled it against her bosom. “You think your sister is running around with the equivalent of an Alaskan hillbilly. But you’re wrong. Nikolai is a good boy and I was a chemist once. I did ‘pickle’ these fish from the kill, but I pickled them in my special formula...my chemist formula.”

I gasped. “You are a chemist?”

“You preserved the dead fish?” Ally said.

“Things don’t move very quickly out here, so when I saw the fish kill and those crews burning the carcasses in a hurry, I said, ‘Anya, something’s wrong yonder.’ So I preserved some of the fish, just in case the fish kill ever needed to be scientifically explained.”

I clapped, jumping up and down, and so did Ally.

“Thank you God,” I said. “And thank you, Anya!”

She handed me the jar and pulled out a cell from her shirt’s front pocket. “The boys gave me one of these for my birthday. We’ve got no reception out here, but I do love to take pictures.”

It was mind-boggling, but standing in a cellar that was probably a hundred years older than I was, illuminated by the antique miner’s lamp, Anya pulled up her pictures and displayed them for us. Two men stood by the lake, face covered by their hoods, rolling oil drums down the shore.

“I don’t know for sure,” she said. “But I reckon that the whistle-blower and the perpetrators of the fish kill could be one and the same.”

I hugged the old woman until she couldn’t breathe.

“You’ll have to come with us,” Ally said, “to court, to give your testimony.”

“I don’t like the city,” Anya said, “but for Seth, I’ll go.”

It didn’t take her long to dress for the trip. She came out of her room wearing a beaver trapper hat, a neon-orange jacket, beaded fur gloves, and curly lamb mukluk boots.

“What are you staring at?” She grabbed her Kate Spade handbag from the mantel and hooked it over her shoulder. “I always get cold in courthouses.”

Right.

We hurried down to the lake and boarded the plane. Ally turned the ignition. Nothing happened. There was zero noise and the propeller didn’t spin.

“What the hell?” Ally tapped on the instrument panel. “Don’t you dare give me trouble, not now!”