Circles in the Sand Read online

  “What big city fellas might call a house of ill repute.”

  Looking around, “I’m surprised a town of this size has demand for such a trade.”

  “Well, there’s a lotta men living out in the country here…ranches, sheep camp, Army base and railroad depot across the river. She’s gota couple of regular girls, and during the summer a couple of college girls work there.”

  “Since you’re telling me this, I guess it’s not against the law around here.”

  “Well, yes it is. Just that most people, except the Christian crowd, and some of them too,” he jerked his thumb at the church, “don’t want the law enforced. I’m just bowing to the will of the power around here.

  “We just passed the Lutheran church. Next corner is McCunes general store, got everything from farm tools to groceries. Lilith McCune is the only trained nurse in town, no doctor. Opposite them is restaurant and behind it there’s a hotel of sorts. At least there’s some rooms to rent. Coming up on the right is the Bank, and opposite is the town hall and meeting place. Attached is my office and behind it the jail. Far corner right is a saloon, opposite we got a gas station. There’s a lot of houses scattered around the side streets.” Radecker pulled up in front of the restaurant. “How about I buy you a cup of coffee…or something to eat if you’re hungry.”

  “Thanks, Sheriff. I’m not hungry but coffee sounds fine. Give me a chance to talk to you some more.”

  “Good. I guess there’s an awful lot you want to know.”

  Inside, “Lorena come meet Sergeant Greybull. Then you can bring us some coffee.”

  “Pleased ta meetcha, Sir.” Did she curtsy? Are you staying around here?”

  Jeez, is she ever cute…and stacked! Smiling at the pretty teenage girl, Clint said, “I expect so. Coupla nights for sure. You got any vacant rooms in the hotel?” Hmmmm. Would I ever like to take you to a room.

  “Probably. I’ll check with Mom after I get your coffee.”

  Looking around, Clint could see where they sat was little more than a lunch counter with three tables. A dining room filled a larger space seen through a side door. He suspected elegant dining in West Layover was a dream. “I’ll need some form of transportation, Sheriff. Is there a car rental place here.”

  “Naw. Tell you what. Since you bringing some folks in here is good for the whole town, I’ll have my deputy, Tommy Kerns, take you around for a couple of days…long as we don’t have a serious crime wave.”

  “That’s right decent Sheriff. I can sure use your help.”

  Before they finished their coffee, Dorris Gilman came in and introduced herself. After the usual pleasantries, “I’ve got a room for you Sergeant. How long will you be staying?”

  “Only a couple of nights this time. Don’t know when my ride is coming back. I’ll be returning again with more people, but don’t know how many, or how soon they’ll get here.”

  Radecker said, “When you finish your coffee, Sarge. Let’s get over to my office. I wantcha to meet my deputy.”

  A young man in jeans, blue shirt and cowboy boots stood up as they came in.

  “Anything goin’ on Tommy?”

  On Kerns’ negative reply, Radecker introduced Clint. “He’s got to do a lot of lookin around…mainly on the old gunnery range. I’d like you to show him around up there, or any where near he has to go. Seems he’s gonna be settin’ up a bomb scoring site in the old range. You can use your official Jeep. It’s for the good of the town.”

  “Okay” Kerns said. He didn’t look too happy. “You want to run out there right now?”

  “If we can. Looks like there’s a lot of daylight left.”

  Kerns slapped on a large Stetson. “Come on, Sarge. I’ll give you a ride. Heading North along main from the gas station, Kerns said, “say, what kind of bombs you going to be dropping out there? Could be dangerous for folks and stock if they missed.”

  “They’ll only drop dud bombs with a small charge in them…kick up a little dust. That way we can see where they land. Shouldn’t bother folks much.”

  “Sheriff seems to think a bunch of soldiers coming in here will be good for the town. I wonder what the ranchers and sheep herder will think about that.”

  “We don’t have the new blue uniforms yet, so we might look like soldiers, but we’re really airmen now. What’s the problem for the ranchers?”

  “They’ve been grazing cattle and sheep on that tract. Won’t be happy about bombs dropping on them, even if they’s duds.”

  “Yeah. I don’t know anything about the politics of this job, but I’m guessing they’ll have to move their stock elsewhere.”

  “Gonna be a fuss about that. Believe you’ll make some enemies.”

  “Huh? Too bad. They’ll have to get used to the idea. Since this is an old live-fire gunnery range, I’m surprised it was safe for stock before now. That reminds me, we’re supposed to get some drones in, fly off a circular pad out there. Gunners will be live-firing on them.”

  “Man, I don’t know…”

  “I can’t imagine anyone leaving their stock around here…with five-hundred pound bombs coming down, and machine guns shooting in the air at drones.”

  Silently, Kerns fought the rutted and holed road wondering if his Jeep was up to it. Finally he stopped. “We’ve come six miles. As far s ya’ want to go, ain’t it?”

  Greybull got out and studied the terrain: gently rolling scrub land interspersed with dry sandy desert land, pretty much the same as the rest of the site as far as he’d seen. “Big problem will be getting material up here. Well let’s head on back to town.”

  Neither said much until they reached Main Street. Clint examined his dusty uniform and Kern’s sweat-stained shirt. “Been a dry run, Cowboy, how about I buy you a beer to wash down some of this dust?”

  “Best notion I’ve heard all day.” He parked in front of the tavern. Inside, Tommy said, “Hey, Chet, meet Sergeant Greybull, he might be around here for a while.”

  Chet Shaffer held out his hand. “Glad ta meetcha, Sarge. Been a long time since we’ve seen any uniforms around here.”

  “You’ll probably see a few more.” Clint ordered two drafts and then explained his mission to the bar man.

  “That’s interesting. Oughta wake things up around here.”

  “Yeah. I just hope it ain’t too big a job. Had no idea till I got here, and Tommy drove me out there. Right now I feel kinda over whelmed. I hope the people who got this idea know what they’re doing.”

  “Surprised there aint a whole passel of officers out here scouting the situation.”

  “Claim they don’t have enough officers. All going to Korea. Suit me if they found one, or more, to take over this ball of wax.”

  “Yeah. On the other hand, won’t it be a great day for enlisted troops when you bring this off?”

  Somewhat elated by Shaffer’s positive attitude, Clint smiled for the first time today. “You’re right. If the Marines can have Sergeants flying Corsairs, why can’t an Air Force Master Sergeant do an Officer’s job?”

  “From my experience, can probably do it better. Have a beer on me.”

  “Some folks might not be too happy about you being here.” Kerns jerked his thumb at a man they could see through the front window just emerging from a carry-all.

  “Oh. Why not?’

  Kerns said, “I guess he’ll be happy to tell you himself.”

  “Howdy men, how they hangin’?” A stocky man in jeans, work shirt, wide-brimmed black western hat and cowboy boots, strode through the door and waved his hand to Kerns and Chet. He stopped and took in Clint’s uniform. “Well I’ll be darned if we don’t have a hero among us. We about to be invaded, Sergeant?”

  Irritated by the man’s tone, Clint stiffened but stayed cool. “Only by your friendly Air Force.”

&n
bsp; “Izzat so?” He stepped over to Clint and offered his hand. “I’m Fritz Deutsch, Sergeant. Welcome to West Layover. What brings you here?”

  Clint stood and shook his hand. Before he could answer, laughing, Kerns broke in, “He’s here to bomb your mangy cows, Fritz.”

  The rancher shot a spiked look at Kerns. “Since when are you a sergeant,…deputy?”

  Kerns shrugged and turned back to his beer. Clint sat back down and in a laconic voice explained his purpose to Deutsh.

  Pulling his arms akimbo, Deutsch shook his head. “No way you can drop bombs on that site. I’ve got steers ranging there, an ol’ Travato’s sheep camp is on the other corner.”

  “For the safety of your critters, I reckon you’ll want to move them, Mr. Deutsh.”

  “Oh yeah? I don’t want to move them. That’s the only land around here fit for grazing animals. The rest of the country, for miles in every direction is planted in wheat.”

  “Seems like you got a problem. I suspect you’re the kind of man who can solve his own problems.”

  “You bet. And my solution is to stop you building that site.”

  “Should I take that as a threat.”

  “Naw. This ain’t between me and you. Your job is to build a bomb site. My job is to protect my rights. This is over our heads. I’ll let Congressman Hichaire sort out the Air Force. Don’t count on starting anything soon.” He turned to Chet. “You gonna let me die of thirst from all this chin-waggin’? The usual, Beam and branch.”

  Talk being over for the moment, Clint stood, shook hands all around, said, “I’m glad to meet you guys. I’ll see you around. Right now I’m gonna run along and see about some chow, and a bunk.”

  When Clint was out of sight, Deutsch said, “Well ain’t that something. You been with him most of the day, Kerns. What did you learn that we didn’t hear?”

  “Not a lot. He’s got a hell of a job in front of him…if he can bring it off.”

  Deutsch slapped his shot glass on the bar. “He ain’t bringing it off. I’ll see to that.”

  “Yeah,” Chet said. “What if that windbag Hichaire can’t stop the Air Force. What can you do then?”

  “I’ll think of something. There’s more than one way to shoot down an Air Force, Haw!” He shoved his beer glass across the bar and stalked out.

  Recovering his B-4 bag from the sheriff’s office, Clint decided to walk up to the hotel. Word from the sheriff must have got around about Clint’s mission. Out on the street Clint met several people who greeted him with a smile and hand shake. With each one Clint spent a few minutes getting to know them. When he reached McCune General Store, he sauntered in to look around. Ollie and Lilith McCune welcomed him to their town. Clint thanked them and said he expected to be a good customer. Right now he just wanted to look around to get an idea of what they had available.

  “If you don’t see what you need, we can get anything you want…anything…you want.” Lilith’s eyes glowed as her voice rose.

  “I’ll see you again. Right now I’ve got to find a sack for the night.”

  “If Gilman don’t have all the rooms you need. We could rent out a room or two at our place,” Ollie said. “Both kids away now, so we’re empty-nesting.”

  “I don’t know how many guys I’m going to have here yet, but I’ll keep your offer in mind.” He walked across the street to the Gilman Restaurant. There were no customers inside this early. The same pretty teenager was listening to a radio. “Howdy Miss Lorena. Think I can get a room and a shower before supper?”

  “Oh yes Sir. I’ll get Mom.”

  Mrs. Gilman took him through a room behind the dinning room to a counter next to inside stairs. Lorena followed along.

  She handed him a card to fill out. “You can call me Dorris, Sergeant, everyone does.” While she read over his information, Clint studied Dorris. Early thirties he guessed. Fairly attractive, nicely stacked, no make-up, he wondered if there was a Mr. Gilman. When she blushed, he realized she knew he was looking at her. He swung his head around to look at a poster.

  “The rooms on the first floor have showers in the toilet. Those upstairs have a basin, but share a shower and toilet at each end of the hall. Downstairs, three dollars a night. Upstairs two.”

  “A personal shower sounds good to me. Don’t have that in the barracks. Not important now, but do you have a weekly or monthly rate?”

  She handed him a large towel, wash cloth and a bar of soap. “We didn’t have. Not enough customers staying long. She handed him a key attached by a small chain to a wood pad. “Number one at the end.” She pointed to the door beside the stairs.

  Inside number one, Clint checked the place over. Clean enough. No phone. No bugs, bed, one chair, a small table. The metal sided-shower he reckoned was a recent improvement. It’s so narrow a man’ll have to stand in there twice to get wet.

  Dressed in casual civilian clothes, Clint entered the restaurant. He sat near the window. “What’s for supper, Miss Lorena?”

  Unasked, she brought him a glass of water. “We’re not expecting a lot of people, so its beef stew tonight. Coffee?”

  “Sure. Black. Stew sounds good to me.”

  When Lorena brought the coffee to him, she stood nearby and smiled at him. “My, you’re a good looking man in civilian clothes too.”

  “Huh? Why thank you, Miss Lorena. That’s a real complement coming from such a pretty young girl.” He swept his eyes away from her chest.

  Unnecessarily, she wiped off a nearby table. “You don’t have to call me Miss every time. Do you think my Mom is pretty?”

  Involuntarily, Clint’s eyebrows raised and fell. Holy cow. “Ah, why yes. Your Mom is the most attractive woman I’ve seen around here.”

  “I don’t see any rings. Are you married?”

  A third degree? Am I being set up? Caution, Sergeant. “Well not now. I was, and I’ve got a girl friend back in Grand Eclipse.”

  “Hunh. I’ll see if your stew is ready.”

  After she returned with a generous sized bowl of stew and some biscuits, the girl hung around again. No one else had entered the restaurant yet. “There’s a lot of guys after my Mom.”

  “What does your Daddy say about that?”

  “Mom’s a widow. Dad was killed in the war.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure both you and your Mom miss him.”

  “Sure. But that was a long time ago.”

  Thankfully for Clint, two young men came in to order, and broke up Lorena’s further interrogation. He met her at the counter to pay her, and then left. Mom’s pretty all right. A widow. I wonder how hard up she is for a little casual romance. But Miriam is enough problems without me getting involved with another woman. Maybe I ought to check out the Boar Pen… sometime…but not tonight.

  After he left the restaurant Lorena went back to her mother. “Did you know that good-looking Sergeant Greybull isn’t married.”

  Dorris set aside her paperwork and looked at her daughter. “No, I didn’t know that. It’s not any of my business. Anyway, how do you know?”

  Lorena fidgeted around the counter. “I asked him straight out.”

  Dorris slapped her pencil down. “Lorena, why do you do things like that? You might embarrass people.”

  “He wasn’t embarrassed. Besides he likes you.”

  “Oh come on. He’s only been here a day…and only seen me twice.”

  Lorena could see her mother trying to hide a smile. “I could tell from the way he looked at you…when you looked over his card.”

  “That’s nonsense. Don’t you have something better to do in the diner?”

  Lorena’s smile withered. “He was married though, and does have a girl friend back in Grand Eclipse.”

  “See. There’s no use you getting all excited about my
marriage prospects.”

  Back at the sheriff’s office, Radecker was working on a report. Clint said, “I don’t see a pay phone anywhere around here, Sheriff. Did I miss it?”

  “No. There ain’t one. You need to call your headquarters, or a girl friend?”

  “Not calling any girls. Got enough problems. Need to call Air Division Headquarters at Grand Eclipse in the morning. See when my ride comes back, and what else might be going on.”

  “For official business, you can use my phone. I reckon we can afford that.”

  “Great. If you got a minute, I could use some more information.”

  “Why shore. Sit down. What’s on your mind?”

  Clint settled in behind Kern’s desk. “Over in the saloon, I met a Fritz Deutsch. Seems like he and I might be at cross purposes. Anything you can tell me about him?”

  “Well, yeah. Fritz is, what you could say, is the biggest frog in the pond around here. Got a big spread north of here. Mainly a wheat farmer, but got a lot of steers up there in the old gunnery range. I guess that’s where you two might knock heads. Got a lot of power around here. Several people work for him, and he swings some weight with politicians. He’s tough and he can be mean. If he were a problem for me, I’d watch my back. Apart from that, he’s good citizen. Donates money to the needy. Goes to church, and sponsors our town softball team.”

  “Kind of a complex gent.”

  “Yeah, you could say that.”

  “Any family.”

  “His mother and a ‘simple’ son live with him. Maybelle his wife, left him and hasn’t come back. There’s a girl he’s after. A strange situation. She’s the ward, or adopted daughter of Olivia Gomez. Olivia owns the Boar Pen. Rumor has it, to a select group of men, she auctioned off Olivia-Marie-Elena’s virginity when she was eighteen. Supposedly, Fritz won, for three thousand dollars. Even though his wife is gone, she won’t marry him. He is so burned up he’s threatened to castrate any other man who gets into her pants.”

  “Wow! So what does she do now?”

  “Mainly she goes to college in Missoula. Part time she’s a hooker for Olivia. Fee is one-hundred dollars. Between that and Fritz’s threat, I don’t believe she’s getting rich off her pussy. Three thousand was for her college tuition.”