Trail of Terror Chapter 2

Trail Of Terror

Chapter 2 

Ben

What!? I muttered, looking between Mom and Dad. Another person came to the door of the kitchen. Our visitor. Robert Landers, government “liaison” was his official title, but he was nothing more than a pompous—I wanted to say windbag but that was a little cliché.

Yes, Landers said, striding into the room. He was dressed in an expensive dark suit, crisp white shirt and purple tie. Despite the rain outside, his tasselled loafers were spotless. Vikram Nath was arrested about an hour ago at his home in Maple Grove.

Maple Grove was the nearest town on the mainland BC coast about 2 km from the small road bridge that crossed over to Storm Island. It was where Josh, Cody and I went to school. And Vik as well. He was also my best friend.

What was he arrested for? I asked, turning to Landers.

That’s confidential, he said smugly. But I thought you should know, seeing as he was a friend of yours, and also the fact I knew about it.

Thanks, but can I go see him?

Not tonight, Landers said, looking at his watch. I have to return to Maple Grove, then I’m heading back to Vancouver by plane later tonight. You can see him tomorrow—maybe. Sorry I can’t tell you more at the moment.

He eyed Dad with a knowing glance. I have to be leaving now, he said.

Oh, so soon, Mom said with a fake smile.

Yes, I’m afraid my work awaits, Cordelia. Busy busy, he added, then turned on his heels and went to the kitchen then out the back door. A moment later we heard his car start up then roar away.

What did he want? Josh asked. Besides telling us about Vik, of course, he added looking at me.

I shrugged. I have no idea about Vik, I said. I haven’t seen him since we started the school break. He’s been—busy.

Actually Vik was working on a project for his father and had gone to India for a few days and apparently had returned to Canada. I didn’t know he was back.

Landers wanted us to work on something for him, Dad said, sitting down at the head of the table. George sat down at the first seat along the side of the table, Mom across. Josh, Cody and I sat down as well.

But first I want to hear about your accident with the plane. What happened?, he said, turning to Josh, who related our experiences of the evening including our run in with Tyson Brady.

Dad shook his head. That young man has got issues. I’ll talk to Roscoe tomorrow. But I’m glad none of  you were hurt. It could have been a lot worse.

All three of us nodded.

Did you get the package?, Dad continued.

Josh nodded then retrieved a small manila envelope from his jacket pocket and handed it to Dad. Thanks, Dad said, then put the envelope aside. I’m sorry you had the accident. We’ll have to look into getting the runway set up better for night landings especially during storms.

I’ll get on that tomorrow, Mr. Clayton, George said with a nod.

George, call me Josh, Dad said. We consider you a friend, not just an employee.

That’s right, Mom said.

If you’re Josh, then who am I? my brother Josh said. What should George call me?

Buttface would fit, Cody said as he dodged a punch from Josh.

I concur, I said with a straight face.

Dad chuckled. That’s enough, boys, he said. He turned to George. OK, You can call me Joshua, then and Josh can be “Josh”.

Just plain old Josh, I said. Eh, it’ll work.

Fine, Josh grunted.

Now that that’s settled, we’ll have to see about getting the plane back up from the ravine and check for damage, Dad continued. We’ll do that in the morning. I’ll call in the authorities to see about the lights and machinery noise. We’ve only been on the island three months, I can’t imagine what would be causing this. I’ll also talk to my government contact to see about who had the island before we came here. Maybe something was left behind from the past occupants.

We scouted out the entire island before we came here, George reported. We found nothing on the island then.

Right, Dad said, lost in thought. Thanks George. You can go home now, the boys are fine. Thanks again for getting them.

No problem, Thomas, he said getting up from the table. He glanced at Cody, Josh and I and grinned. Fine sons you have there, Thomas—Cordelia. I’m happy to be working for your family.

You’re welcome, George, Mom said. We’re happy you’re working for us. Say “hi” to Mac for us.

Mac was George’s daughter. She was in her mid 30’s and was a no nonsense woman who was the world’s best cook. And she happened to be our cook and housekeeper. She lived with her father on a small house farther down the lane just before the Brady’s house.

George left through the back kitchen door and soon we heard the van rumble to life then drive off.

Are you sure you guys are OK? Mom said with a worried look on her face.

Yes, Mom, Josh said with a sigh. But we are tired.

Speak for yourself, Cody said, getting up from the table. I have to call the guys and see when our next rehearsal is.

The “guys” were Cody’s band, the Rock Bottoms. They were an amateur band but they were really good. Cody was the guitar player for the band. Don’t tell anyone but I was just a little envious of my younger brother being in a band. Me, I was the president of the debate club at school—yeah we really did have a debate club—don’t laugh.

I have to call Felicity, Josh said. She probably misses me. With that he got up from the table. Don’t tell anyone this either. I was just a little jealous of my older brother and his having a girlfriend. Sometimes it sucked being the middle brother—the sensible one. Lucky me.

Are you OK, Dad said when I stayed at the table.

Yeah, I’m good.

Mom put her hand on my arm. We know we rely on you to watch your brothers, especially Cody, she said. We know you two don’t always get along and we know we ask a lot of you.

Yeah, I muttered. Can I go to my room now? I’ve got homework.

The next morning I was stiff and sore when I woke up. I guess being in a plane crash Cody do that to you. I showered and dressed and went down to the kitchen for breakfast. Mac was there, humming and singing a song as she stirred scrambled eggs in a large skillet. Bacon was frying on a grill next to the stove. She was dressed in Capri shorts and a flowered top. Her dark blond hair was curly and was piled on her head.

Oh, Ben, she said turning to me. Are you OK? Dad told me about your accident with the plane.

I nodded. Yeah, just a little sore today.

I’ll let Dad know that you boys Cody be in no shape to help him retrieve the plane. He can call Ben and Mark from town to come out and help him.

I’m sure we can help, I said, as she piled some eggs on a plate in front of me.

Help with what? Cody said as he came into the kitchen and plopped down next to me. He wiped sleep from his eyes. He was still dressed in track pants and t-shirt and his hair was sticking out.

George is getting the plane out of the gully this morning, I said, taking a bit of eggs. Mac put some bacon on my plate then served Cody.

Ah, I got a practice with the guys, Cody said, taking a bite of bacon. We have that gig on Saturday night at that birthday party. So I won’t be able to help. Sorry.

I just grunted.

What was that? Cody said, turning to me. You got a problem with my practicing with the band?

No, I said. I don’t Cody. Just ignore me.

I Cody, he remarked, then turned in his seat and started to munch on some bacon. We sat in silence for a moment then Mom came into the kitchen. She poured herself a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker and took a sip. She was dressed in heels and had on a lab coat, her dark red hair pulled back into a ponytail.

I’ll be in the lab, she said to Cody and me. Your dad’s already there. We have another project. Landers brought it by when he was here last night.

I nodded, remembering that my friend Vik was in jail in town. I’m going into town to see Vik, I said as I scraped the last of my eggs from my plate. I took it to the sink then with a quick smile to Mom and Mac—ignoring Cody—I left the room.

I went up to my room and grabbed a jacket then went back downstairs. Mac, Mom and Cody were talking in the kitchen. I moved closer to the door.

—I’m worried about Ben, I heard Mom say. Does he seem down to you, Cody?

No, Cody said. He’s the same old Ben he’s always been. Never does anything wrong—always walks the straight and narrow.

That’s not true, Mom said. Cody, you’re too hard on your brother sometimes, both you and Josh.

Yeah, right, Cody said. I heard his chair scrape against the floor. I’m not hard on him—he’s hard on me. I’m the youngest and I get the most flak. From both Ben and Josh. You just don’t see it, Mom. I’m off to practice with the band. See you later.

I turned and headed to the front door. I heard Cody behind me. Where are you going? He asked. The library doesn’t open for another few hours yet.

You’re funny, Cody, I said turning to him. I’m not going to the library, doofus. I’m going to see Vik, if you even care.

Cody snorted. I don’t really, he said. That Vik guy is trouble. I’m surprised you’re friends with him actually. Or rather that he’s friends with you. You have nothing in common. He’s actually cool. I mean, being in jail is pretty rad. Stupid—but rad.

What’s that supposed to mean? I said, moving towards Cody.

Rad? Cody remarked. Look it up in your dictionary—which I’m sure you have in your pocket, he added glancing at my jeans pockets.

I just shook my head and turned and went outside. The morning air was crisp and cool. The sun was peeking over the trees to the east. Birds were chirping in the forest and in the trees closer the house. The lab building was directly ahead across the front lawn. Along the side of the house was a large garage. Besides George’s van, Mom and Dad had a car. As did Josh and I. Josh’s was a sporty two door red model, while mine was a more sensible blue sedan. I just shook my head as I headed to it and opened the door. Was I really as big a nerd as Cody makes me out to be? I asked myself as I turned the ignition.

I pulled out of the garage and headed to the main road which was about 50 m away. It was a narrow paved road that was lined with trees on both sides. I drove along and soon the bridge to the mainland appeared ahead. Suddenly I slammed on the brakes. Someone was walking in the middle of the road and I had nearly hit them as I came around a bend in the road.

The person turned to face me, a scowl on their face.

It was Tyson Brady. What was he doing out here so early in the morning?