The Ghost of Lobo Peak
by
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It was early afternoon, and the sun was bright with the temperature in the fifties. There was little traffic and there were no bikers, which was unusual for this stretch of the highway. Even Lance, along with the others, was enjoying the varied views along the stream to their right. There was an occasional sound of a woodcutter's chain saw salvaging downed timber along the river. Suddenly they recognized the chop-chop of a helicopter filling the valley. Before they could visually track it, it was there directly over the Blazer. They all ducked their heads, fearing its skids would crush their vehicle. The rotor blades' down-wash whipped leaves and twigs over the highway. The noise and whirling blades were terrifying. It quickly passed and turned back. A black helicopter. No markings. Kyle slowed and pulled to the shoulder along the river, looking for protection under the line of trees. Lance shouted, "Down!" The girls hit the floor between the seats. The chattering of gun fire surrounded them as the helicopter made it's second flyby. Jean grabbed her video camera. Kyle ducked under the dash board as far as he could. Holly stayed between the seats as Lance hit the shoulder of the road and ran to the trailer. Again, chattering fire erupted from the aircraft on its third pass. Lance removed a twelve gauge, double barreled shotgun from its rack in the hallway. It had twenty-eight inch, modified barrels, and a black walnut stock. Holding the firearm in his hands, he felt its good balance--he was ready. On his way out of the trailer, he grabbed four slug, heavy-load shells. Lance dove to the ground, scrambled under the trailer and waited. As the craft started its bank to the left between the line of alders along the river and the slopes of Baca Canyon to the north, preparing to make the fourth pass, Lance was standing ready. He led the black ship like a big goose; it was 100 yards and closing. Lance took a deep breath, steadied the heavy gun, and dropped the hammers on both barrels. The double roar pounded his ears, and the recoil slammed him against the trailer. There was a "pa-POW" and the boom of an explosion. The sounds came as one to Lance's ears. The aircraft never came out of its bank. There was a terrific boom and a fireball of flame shot skyward as the helicopter crashed into the east slope of Baca Canyon, exploding with such force that it rocked the trailer and Blazer.
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About the Book
The turquoise and silver necklace, a bequest from Holly’s impish but manipulative grandfather, seems to emit a strange warmth as it rests in her palm. She has no way of knowing that it will guide her on a great adventure from her home in England to the harsh but beautiful mountains of New Mexico – and back in time to a courageous young Indian girl. Together with her American cousin, Lance, and two friends, Holly sets out on a perilous journey to trace the ancient origins of the necklace. It leads them to haunted Lobo Peak where a woman’s ghost wails down the canyons. What is the human tragedy that lies behind her agonizing cries? Deep within a mountain cave, Holly makes a discovery that changes her life forever. In spite of a rogue forester, a mysterious helicopter and attempted murder, the young people, now more than friends, with the help of an Indian attorney, uncover a dangerous plot which could damage the Pueblo culture and radically alter a government.
About the Author
The author spent his childhood and youth in fascinating Southwest Mississippi, where local tales of pirate treasure, Indians and European conquerors captured his imagination. A volunteer in World War II, the author served in Britain, the Philippines and Japan, before returning home to attend the University of Tennessee and later graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi. While in college he worked during the summers on his family’s farm, in the oil fields, and for an engineering company. The author had a long and varied career with a large paper company where he worked successively as clerk, machinist, job analyst, maintenance superintendent and, finally, as a forest engineer and superintendent of construction in the woodlands division of the company. He holds a U.S. patent on equipment to improve land clearing. Creative activities are an important part of the author’s life. In addition to writing, he also bakes bread, makes jewelry and fashions walking sticks. The author, with his wife and three children, has traveled extensively in the United States, Britain and Europe, both for pleasure and while conducting research for his books. Two more books will soon be ready for publication.