The Butterfly Ethic/7

7 

  

  

            The worst part of making a bad decision is that once it is made, one cannot back out of it. In this situation, two bad decisions were made. One was for Claudia to go with her friend to Idaho, the other was for Alv to pursue her into the northern wilderness at nearly midnight without taking anyone with him or telling anyone where he was going, but as Alv gazed upon the meandering river carving through the snow crested Buck Mountains, he knew there was no turning back. He had only been to these mountains once before, nearly a decade ago. Back then, he felt once was enough, but now he had to find Claudia somewhere in these canyons. 

            Six hours earlier, Alv got a distress call from Claudia saying that she was being held against her will in Fairiew, Wyoming, and that she was being taken up into the mountains where there'd be no cell phone reception. She didn’t say exactly what was going on, just that she went there with her friend, and where they were going: A place called Hardman's Hollow, in the Buck Mountains, near the eastern border of Idaho. 

 <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">          Alv sped off, taking his mother’s credit card without permission, and used it in Fairview to get some gas, and some firecrackers from a nearby convenience store. He imagined he looked suspicious there. Maybe he was just someone trying to get them when they were cheap he could use them at the fourth of July, or maybe he planned to use them much sooner. Before leaving the store, Alv asked the clerk if he knew where Hardman’s Hollow was. The clerk had no answers for Alv, only a receipt. Alv took it and threw it in the garbage. Nobody would know where he was going tonight. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 35.45pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">He drove his pickup truck westward along the road, following the creek leading into a world of everlasting darkness that Alv’s headlights did little to penetrate. Most of the snow from the main road was melted, and several patches of tall grass stuck out of the snow on the sides, awaiting the warmth of spring. Alv drove slowly, looking around him. He wanted to find the hollow, and nothing else. He found a road leading north, clenched in the jaws of the mountain. It made a few turns around the ridges, and then plunged straight into a very steep canyon, traveling steadily upward. There would be no cell phone reception there, but he couldn't be sure. Alv took a chance and went up this road. As he progressed, the canyon walls got steeper, and the road became snowier. Up ahead, there was a plateau, and a fork in the road, but his truck got stuck a few feet short of the fork. Alv stepped out and slammed the door in frustration. His angry breaths let out great clouds of fog. He was about to turn around and try a different route, but under his headlights, he saw some tire tracks taking the left road, and some footprints in the snow leading down the canyon. He followed the footprints for a while until the snow disappeared. He went back to his truck and found a car parked next to it with his headlights on. The driver of the car paced around Alv’s truck, investigating it. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “What are you doing?” Alv asked. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Is this your truck?” the man asked Alv. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Yes, what are you doing to it?” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “I was just checking.” He said. “What are you doing out here?” Alv walked closer to him and got a better look at him. He couldn’t tell for sure under his hood, but the man had to onlybe in his mid to late twenties. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “I was trying to get to Fairview.” Alv lied. “What are you doing here?” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “We’re looking for someone.” Alv lit up with curiosity. “Someone went missing in these mountains, so we’re looking for her. If you’re trying to get to Fairview, you took a wrong turn. Go back to the main road and turn left, then keep going straight. You’re not that far from it, really.” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">            “Well, I would’ve liked to know that before I got stuck in the snow.” Alv said. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “I could help you out if you want.” He said. He opened the door to his car and brought someone else out, an older man who[insert description here]. In the trunk of the car, they had a tow strap that they used to pull Alv’s truck out of the snow. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Thank you.” Alv said. “Can I do anything to repay you?” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “No, you can just go to Fairview.” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “So this lady you’re looking for, can I help you find her?” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “I don’t know, can you?” The older man asked. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “I’d like to help.” Alv said. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “All right.” The younger man said. “I’m Christopher, by the way. What’s your name.” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Alv.” He replied. “Alvin Wooley.” The last name was a fake, but if Claudia was the woman they were looking for, it was for safe measure. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “And I’m Alex.” The older man said. “Alexander Mason.” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Let’s go back to the cabin so I can fill you in on the details.” Alex said. The ride was about a minute long. They drove to a flat area dotted with trees, bushes, and a single knoll to the left of the road. To their right was a log cabin with a plume of smoke rising from the chimney. Matt opened the cabin door, and Alv saw a very nice sight for the end of his journey. There was a living room with ample heating, a nice fire in the fireplace, a bearskin rug, and some hunting trophies on the wooden wall. On the far end of the room was a TV that sat beneath a wooden stairwell that played a movie on mute, and a young, blond woman sat on the sofa holding a light green diamond with a blue streak running down it up to a cell phone. Alv would’ve found her quite beautiful if he didn’t know who she was: Maybelle Gardner, Claudia’s so called “friend” who brought her up to Idaho. She jumped up from the couch and told Alex that a woman named Hailey called for him on the land line. When she saw Alv, she immediately fell silent. She knew he was Claudia’s brother, his cover was blown. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Who is this?” She asked Alex. Alex walked toward her and put his hand over hers. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “He got lost in these mountains, and he offered to help find her. What did you say your name was?” he asked Alv. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Alvin.” Alv replied. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Alvin, that’s right.” Alex said. "Did Hailey call on your cell phone?" he asked Maybelle.

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “No, she called on the land line.” Maybelle said.

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “So you still didn’t get the phone working.” Alex muttered with a smile.

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Come on.” Maybelley said in frustration. She led Alex through the door atop the stairwell. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “So, what are you doing in Fairview?” Christopher asked to break the silence. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           ‘You first.” Alv said. “Who are you looking for?” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “May’s friend was lost up here.” Christopher replied. “Are you from Idaho?” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Utah, now where’s Claudia?” Alv asked. The sudden change in his tone intimidated Christopher. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Clau- Claudia? She left here.” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “Why?” Alv asked. The door to May’s room opened, and Christopher walked into the living room. “Where is Claudia?” Alv asked Christopher. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">

<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI', sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; ">           “She ran off.” Christopher said. “It’s nice of you to help us find her, Mr. Woolley. I should’ve known you were a polygamist.” <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; ">