Joy Takes Flight (8 page)

Kate returned to the plane. She'd call Jack, then put the plane to bed for the night. She climbed inside the cockpit and turned on the radio. “This is Pacemaker 221. Come in, Anchorage. Over.”

“Pacemaker 221, this is Anchorage. You still in Valdez? Over.”

“I am. Paul needs to stay for a few days.”

“I need you back here.”

Kate looked toward the cabin. She hadn't counted on leaving right away. Caleb was still so ill. “What do you have?”

“A prisoner transfer from Kotzebue to Anchorage.”

“Are there any other planes available?”

“No. You're it.”

“Okay. When do you need me?”

“Kotzebue is expecting a ride to show up this week. You have about four days.”

Kate could make it up there in three, maybe less if the good weather held, and stay only one night before heading back. “Okay. I'll head out first thing tomorrow.”

“I'll notify the trooper who will be traveling back with you.”

Kate worried about leaving the boy. “Jack, there's a boy here who's gravely ill. He might need a ride to the hospital. Will there be a pilot available?”

“Alan should be back late tomorrow and after that we should be covered. Over.”

“Okay. I'll tell Paul. Over and out.”

When Kate told Paul that she'd be transporting a prisoner, she was not prepared for his reaction. He excused himself and Kate from the Bakers and steered Kate outside.

As soon as the door shut, he said, “I don't want you going.”

“Paul, it's not the first time I've transferred a prisoner.” Kate stepped off the porch. “I've never had a problem. A state trooper always travels with a prisoner. You have nothing to worry about.”

Paul squared his jaw. “No. I won't allow it.”

Paul had never forbidden Kate to take a flight. She was stunned. “Not allow? It's part of my job.”

“There's no reason for you to take that kind of a risk. You don't know what this man has done or what he's capable of.”

“We don't even know if it's a man.”

Paul blew out a puff of air. “How many women prisoners have you seen recently?”

Kate ground her teeth. “That's not the point.”

Paul shook his head and turned his back to her.

“If the prisoner has been accused of a violent crime, I'll strap on my revolver.”

Paul turned and looked at her. “Do you think that firing a gun inside a plane is safe?”

“No. But if I had to, I would. You know I keep a revolver with me. I have ever since I had trouble with those three hunters—remember? One of them opened the door during a flight and nearly fell out.”

Paul stared at her stubbornly.

“You've never given a hoot about me carrying a gun. Why now?”

“It's not the gun.”

Kate took a deep breath. This was ridiculous. Keeping her voice quiet and steady, she said, “I'm going. First thing in the morning.”

Paul didn't respond right away. He walked toward the lake and stared at Kate's plane. Finally he turned and asked, “Have you been practicing with that gun?”

Kate hated to admit that she'd barely looked at it in months. “No.” She kept her eyes locked on his.

“All right, then . . . if you insist on behaving foolishly, you and I are going to spend time on target practice.”

———

Still half angry with each other, Kate and Paul trudged into the forest. Paul cleared snow off a downed tree and set up five bottles as targets. He paced off about thirty feet. “Have you even fired that gun before?”

“Mike showed me once, a long time ago.” She felt foolish. What good was a gun if she didn't know how to use it?

“Do you have bullets?”

Kate took a box out of her coat pocket and loaded six into the long-barreled Colt single-shot. She snapped the cylinder shut. “I know how to load and fire it, but my aim is pretty awful.”

The tension between them eased.

“We'll work on that. Square off your stance, like this.” Paul faced the target and stood with his feet apart and parallel with his left foot back slightly. “You'll have to pull the hammer down each time you want to shoot—this is a single-shot revolver.”

Kate nodded.

“Use the sight here on the top of the barrel, hold it with both hands to keep it steady, and lock your arms. Then sight it in the target, take a breath and hold it, then squeeze the trigger.”

Kate grasped the revolver in both hands and took her stance. She felt nervous. She didn't like guns much. She held the revolver out in front of her. Using the sight, she aimed at the first bottle on the log.

“Pull back the hammer.”

Kate did as he said, feeling her cheeks heat up. She'd nearly forgotten to cock it. She pulled the trigger and fired. The kick sent her hands up in front of her and made them tingle. The bottles remained standing. She blew out an exasperated breath.

“Try again.”

Determined to hit her target, she held out the gun in front of her, pulled back the hammer, and with her hands steady, she squeezed the trigger. Again the bottles remained untouched. They seemed to stare at her, taunting. She dropped her arms. “I'm worthless with a gun.”

“You've got four more shots in there. Don't give up. It's important, Kate.”

“Okay.” She clasped the revolver, and again held it out, making sure to keep her arms straight and tight. Sighting in the bottle, she gently pulled back on the trigger and fired. Her eyes opened wide in surprise when the bottle she'd been aiming at splintered, launching pieces of glass in all directions. “I got it! I got it!”

“Good job.” Paul gave her back a friendly slap. “Okay, now finish off the rest of them. You'll have to reload. You only have three bullets left and four bottles.”

“I'll need a whole lot more than three bullets.” She gave him a wry smile.

She and Paul spent another thirty minutes practicing. By the time they finished, Kate felt almost proficient. It made her feel slightly more secure.

Before daylight, the following morning, Kate packed up and readied her plane for takeoff. Paul was busy with Caleb. He hadn't improved at all since the previous day, but he was no worse. When Kate was ready to leave, she wasn't sure she ought to go. What if the boy took a turn for the worse?

She made a stop in his room and told him she'd be back within a week and that she expected him to be feeling much better by then. He promised he'd try.

Paul followed her out to the plane.

With a glance at the cabin, Kate said, “Caleb's not looking good. Are you sure he won't need to go to the hospital?”

“He's holding his own. I doubt he'll get any worse. You take care of yourself. Don't get careless, Kate.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I'll be fine.”

Paul's expression remained stern. “Even though there's a trooper with you, you've got to stay on your toes.”

Kate smiled and kissed him. “Don't worry about me—you have a boy in there to think about.” She gazed at clouds scuttling across a hazy sky. The first light of day touched them with pink. “Hope the weather holds out. I won't be gone long. With the longer days I'll be able to get in more flying hours.”

Paul pulled her close. “I wish you weren't going.”

Kate stepped back. “I know. I'll be careful. And I'll pray for you and poor Caleb. I hope he gets better soon.”

“Rheumatic fever hangs on. Caleb will be sick for a long while.” He glanced at the cabin. “I wish they'd agreed to hospitalization. I'll stay as long as he's in danger. By the time you get back we ought to know how he's going to fare.”

“Okay.” Kate stepped forward and hugged Paul again, realizing this would be the longest they'd be separated since they'd been married. “I'll miss you.”

“I'll miss you too. Please be cautious.”

“I will.”

“And use your gun if you have to.”

“You worry too much.” She dropped one more kiss on his lips and then climbed into the plane.

Paul watched her taxi down the airstrip. Kate waved to him and lifted off, forcing her mind away from thoughts of how far she'd be from Paul, and instead turned her mind to Kotzebue.

Transporting prisoners always made her nervous. Most were jailed on petty charges, but some were violent and dangerous. Which would it be this time?

T
he sun glowed from the midst of a deep blue sky as Kate watched the small village of Candle slip by below. “We're nearly there, Angel.” She gave the dog a pat. Kotzebue wasn't far now.

The trip had gone smoothly. The weather had held, there'd been no mechanical problems, and long April days had provided Kate with plenty of flying time. She'd reach Kotzebue long before dark, which meant there'd be time for a visit with the Turchiks. The following morning she'd be on her way back to Paul. She smiled, thinking of him and feeling the warmth of his embrace before she'd left him. She ran a finger over her lips, remembering his passionate kiss.

This trip would be better if he was with her. She'd rather be on a medical run than carrying a prisoner to Anchorage. She felt a stir of apprehension. Her only instructions were to show up at the jail. She wouldn't know what kind of crime had been committed or who she was transporting until she got to Kotzebue. And she guessed that Paul's fears had stirred some of her own.

Finally she spotted Kotzebue resting on a small peninsula along the edge of Kotzebue Sound. She felt as if she were home. The Turchiks were like family. Happiness bubbled up inside of her.

She hadn't always felt that way. She remembered her first visit to the region, which had seemed inhospitable and foreign. She'd nearly lost her way in the winter darkness and had even questioned why she'd foolishly taken on the challenge of flying the bush. Over time, the people and the territory had changed her. She'd come to see the splendor of the vast wilderness even when frigid temperatures kept it locked away from the world. The Arctic possessed a beauty unlike any other.

Kate set the Bellanca down on the airstrip south of the village. Nena stepped out of a cabin that squatted alongside the landing field. Bundled in a heavy parka, she shuffled toward the plane, her mukluks scuffing up a small ice cloud around her feet.

Angel woofed at Nena, leapt from the plane, and then she was off, her nose to the ground. Kate stepped out. Even though she knew to expect it, the cold hit her hard. She sucked in frigid air and coughed, then smiled as Nena approached. “I don't know if I'll ever adjust to the weather up here,” she joked, pulling her friend into a tight hug. “Oh, it's good to see you.”

Nena stepped back. “The weather—it is a nice day today.” She grinned, her almond-shaped eyes nearly disappearing in her dark, weathered skin. She studied Kate. “I think being married is good for you. You look prettier than ever.”

“You think so? I am happy. I love Paul and I love being married.” Kate patted her arms, trying to dispel some of the cold. “You look wonderful. You're glowing.”

“I am?” Nena smiled, her cheeks rounding. “It is the baby.”

“A baby? You're having a baby?”

Nena nodded.

“How wonderful!”

Nena rested a hand on her abdomen. “It should be here by the end of summer.” She grinned. “And you? You will also have a baby soon?”

Kate was taken aback by the question, but she should have expected it. Nena always spoke her mind. “Not yet. When God wills it.” The conversation she had with her mother came charging back. Kate wanted a child, but didn't know what she'd do about her work if she had a baby.

Kate turned to the plane. “I'd better get this bird taken care of. I can't wait to see the children.”

“They are excited to see you too.”

Working together, the two women drained the oil, tied off the plane, and draped and secured a tarp over the engine. Then with their arms linked, they headed toward town. A cold breeze blew in from the frozen bay, creating glittering ice fog.

Kate pulled her hood closer around her face. “It's freezing.”

Nena laughed. “Yes. But soon it will be spring.”

“It can't be soon enough for me.” Kate put her head down to keep out the cold and kept walking.

When they stepped into the Turchiks' combination home and general store, the children swamped Kate with greetings and hugs. Kate knelt and gathered them into her arms.

She looked at Peter, the oldest. “You are growing so fast. You're nearly a man.”

A flush rose in the nine-year-old's cheeks. “My father said I can go with him next winter when he hunts for seal and walrus.” He threw his shoulders back.

Kate picked up little Mary, who was nearly five. “And how about you? You're not a baby anymore. Do you want to go hunting too?”

Mary smiled and dimples appeared in both cheeks. “No. I do not hunt.”

“Really?” Kate looked at Nena.

“It's not the custom for women to hunt.”

“I want to go hunting,” Nick piped up. He looked at his mother as if hoping for affirmation.

“One day. Now you are not old enough.” Nick's smile turned into a pout, but Nena ignored it. She took off her parka and hung it on a hook made of walrus tusk.

The children engulfed Angel with hugs and kisses. They loved animals and especially Angel.

Kate could already see the bulge of Nena's growing child. An unexpected longing for one of her own welled up inside of her. How long would she have to wait? She hung her coat beside Nena's.

“I have tea. Would you like some?”

“That sounds good.” Kate followed Nena into the kitchen and sat at a rustic table made of driftwood.

Nena filled two cups. “There is a celebration tonight. The men killed two walrus so it was decided we have a good reason for fun. That's where Joe is. He would have met the plane, but there is a fire to build and to keep burning so the meat will cook.” She set a cup of tea on the table in front of Kate. “I made fish pie for the feast. You'll come?”

Kate took a sip of the strong tea. She knew to refuse the invitation would be seen as a snub. Her body longed for sleep, but she wasn't about to reject her friends or pass up an opportunity to experience a native celebration. Not to mention she'd never eaten roasted walrus. “I wouldn't miss it,” she said, taking another drink. The tea felt warm in her empty stomach. “First I have to talk to the trooper. He has a prisoner to transport.”

“I can take you.” Nena drank down her tea, then called to Peter. He appeared from a back room. “You watch the children,” she said. “We will be back soon.” She and Kate pulled on their parkas and then headed down the street, toward a makeshift jail.

“Do you know what the prisoner did?”

“Yes. That George Ujarak—he is a very bad man.”

“What did he do?”

“He said he came to hunt, but when he got to Arthur's house, he took his money and then he shot him. Poor Arthur. He never did nothing bad to no one. He was a good man.”

So much for not being dangerous.
“I'm sorry to hear that.” Kate took in a deep breath and the cold air burned her lungs. “At least he's been caught and will pay for his crime.”

“It would be better if he paid for it in Kotzebue,” Nena said with more vehemence than Kate usually heard from her. “But there's no place for a trial here.” She stopped and looked at Kate. “You be careful with George. Do not trust him.”

“I'll be careful. But there's nothing to worry about.” Kate wondered why, if she believed that, her stomach was doing flips. “The trooper will make sure he's secure. All I have to do is fly the plane.”

Nena nodded, but it looked like she was holding back something. Finally she said, “I will pray for you.” She stopped in front of a building that was only slightly larger than an outhouse. “This is it.”

Kate made arrangements with trooper Ted Jacobs to meet at sunrise the following morning, then she and Nena returned home. Nena got the children into their boots and coats and then they all headed for the celebration.

Large hunks of meat hung on spits over a fire. Fat dripped and sizzled, flaring in the flames. Men and women had gathered in groups and were talking about hunting and fishing. The women spoke about weaving and children. Some of the villagers stood around a large skin blanket they gripped in their hands. They tossed a girl high into the air. Laughing, she reached her arms out and kicked her legs as she flew. When she came back down, she put her hands at her sides. The villagers tossed the girl back into the air. Kate laughed and cheered along with everyone else as the youngster flew higher and higher.

After feasting on rich walrus meat, breads, soups, and other delicious and not-so-delicious foods, the people gathered and sat before a group of men playing drums made from seal skins stretched tightly across large hoops. Men and women danced, stomping their feet and moving their bodies to the rhythm of the drums. The merriment carried Kate to a place where she nearly felt like one of the natives.

When the music stopped, three of the men told stories of ancient days and of hunting adventures. Children and adults alike listened, enraptured by the tales. Kate knew it was a privilege to be included.

Later that night when she climbed into bed, she was happy and content and barely gave the next day's flight a thought before falling to sleep.

The following morning, Kate was up early and at the airfield before daybreak. She wanted to get this flight over and return to Paul.

By the time Trooper Jacobs and the prisoner George Ujarak arrived, Kate had the plane ready to go. Right off, she noticed the difference in stature between the two men. Ted was short and stocky and much smaller than George. The difference made her uneasy.

“Morning,” Ted said. “Looks like you're ready to go.”

“I figured we ought to get an early start if we want to make Anchorage in two days.” She glanced at the sky. “As long as the weather holds out, it shouldn't be a problem.” She glanced at George, whose nearly black eyes were filled with contempt and his lips were tightly compressed. Fear spiked through her. She turned to Ted. “Let's load up and get out of here.”

George's hands were shackled, but he had no difficulty climbing aboard the plane. Kate wished his feet were shackled as well. Maybe Ted would do that once he had the prisoner seated. George stopped at the door and looked down at Kate. His lips slid into a salacious grin and he flipped long black hair off his face. Kate felt a chill go through her. Nena was right—George was evil.

Ted poked George with a billy club. “Get in there.”

The two men disappeared inside the plane, and Kate turned to Nena. “I hope next time I can stay longer.” She gave her friend a hug.

“Maybe by then the summer will be here. We can pick berries.”

“I ought to be back before summer. Paul's scheduled for a trip and I intend to be his pilot.” She grinned.

Nena nodded. “Good.” She glanced at the plane. “You be careful. I don't like that man, George.”

“Me neither, but Trooper Jacobs seems competent.”

Nena stepped back as Kate climbed aboard. With a wave she closed the door and latched it, then moved to the front of the plane and slid into her seat. She glanced over her shoulder at the trooper. “Ought to be a good flight.”

He looked out the window. “I'll be glad to get back to Anchorage. Kotzebue's too cold for me.” He chuckled, then glanced at George, who was staring out the window.

“Are you going to shackle his feet?” Kate asked.

“No. He's not going anywhere.” He rested his hand on a holster at his side.

Kate nodded, but she didn't feel safe. She considered insisting on securing George's feet, but decided the trooper knew what he was doing and kept her thoughts to herself. Kate taxied onto the airstrip, facing into a gentle, steady wind, and then headed down the rustic runway. The plane shuddered and bumped across the ice and snow as it picked up speed. Once in the air, Kate made a wide turn flying over the ice pack and then headed south. With a glance over her shoulder at her unsavory passenger, she felt an urgency to get him out of her plane. She'd be relieved to reach Anchorage. Angel sat on the front seat, using Kate's pack as a headrest. Kate's revolver was in the pack. She'd meant to put on her holster but had forgotten in her hurry to get into the air. Still, she was glad that Paul had made her do some target practice.

“You make this trip often?” the trooper asked.

“Pretty regularly. There are always people and supplies to transport. Plus the doctor comes up to care for the villagers. Summer travel is busier and a lot easier. I'll be glad when the ice melts.”

George had his arms clasped across his chest and he pressed his forehead against the window. He stared without blinking. Kate headed inland, where she'd negotiate the Mulato Hills and then follow the coast to Unalakleet. She ought to make McGrath before nightfall.

The sun was at its highest and filled the cockpit by the time Kate flew over Unalakleet. The warmth had lulled her passengers into sleep. She was feeling sleepy as well. When she reached to turn off the heat, sounds of a struggle came from behind her. Alarm shot through her and she turned to look. George was strangling the trooper with the chain that attached his handcuffs. Ted fought to get his fingers between the chain and his throat, but George pulled tighter, holding him against his broad chest. Ted reached for his gun.