{"id":3404,"date":"2024-12-15T13:51:48","date_gmt":"2024-12-15T20:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/?page_id=3404"},"modified":"2024-12-15T14:07:31","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T21:07:31","slug":"yum-yum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/?page_id=3404","title":{"rendered":"YUM-YUM"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Episode 1 \u2013 The Dream Job<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t believe it will be all over after eight years of study, thought Tracy Freeman. I\u2019ll finally be getting my doctorate in veterinary medicine on Friday. I know Dad is unhappy that I am not going back to work for Dr. Mason after graduation, but Dr. Mason understands and knows it was not what I wanted to do.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, I should feel obligated to Dr. Mason for helping me satisfy my residency requirement, and his salary offer was generous. However, the opportunity to work at the Idaho Wolf Sanctuary is just too appealing to me to pass up. Wolves are such beautiful and majestic animals.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yes, I could have made $20K more each year working for Dr. Mason in Cheyenne than the sanctuary could afford to pay. But starting off at $75K a year with a new Jeep and a housing allowance is still pretty damn good.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides, Ketchum is so much more attractive place to live than Cheyenne. There are many more outdoorsy things to do there, such as hiking, biking, camping, and supposedly superb trout fishing. I am sure Dad will come around once he visits me and tries some of the local fishing spots.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy and her parents have lived in Wellington, Colorado, for the last ten years. Tracy lived at home while she completed her bachelor\u2019s in Biomedical Science at CSU and later while studying at the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine, where she will graduate on Friday. While Tracy was working on her doctorate and during the summers and occasionally on the weekends, she commuted to Cheyenne to work at Dr. Mason\u2019s veterinary clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy had just turned twenty-five years old, and it would be the first time she had lived away from home. But, for Tracy, that is the only misgiving she has. She can\u2019t wait to start her new job. It also helps that the co-director of the sanctuary, Eric Campbell, the person that recruited Tracy, was extremely handsome and, as she learned later, also single.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy\u2019s parents, Roger and Maria Freemen, are elementary school teachers. Roger teaches Mathematics and Maria Social Studies. Although they both loved their jobs, they discouraged Tracy from becoming a teacher as the salary they both made combined was less than a single person could easily make in many other professions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Tracy grew up loving animals, they were not surprised when she early on expressed a strong interest in becoming a veterinarian. However, they only wished that she had accepted the job with Dr. Mason as it was only about a half-hour commute, and she could have remained at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two days after graduation Tracy\u2019s parents drove her to Denver International Airport, where after tearful goodbyes, she took a flight to Ketchum\/Sun Valley Airport. Eric had told her he would meet her there when she arrived and drive her to the apartment they had rented for her use. He also told her he would take her to the local Jeep dealer in the morning, where she could pick out the new Jeep Wrangler she had been promised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After helping Tracy load the three large pieces of luggage she had brought, which her parents had paid extra to ship for her, into the back of his Jeep Gladiator pickup truck, they began the thirteen-mile drive from the airport into Ketchum. \u201cThank you for picking me up, Eric,\u201d Tracy offered. \u201cYou didn\u2019t have to do that. I could have taken a taxi or an Uber.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy pleasure Tracy. It is an easy drive, and I was looking forward to seeing you again and to begin bringing you up to speed on the sanctuary.\u201d He was also looking forward to seeing Tracy again as Eric thought she was gorgeous and had to admit he was a bit taken by her when he was at CSU trying to recruit her. He was delighted she had accepted their offer; as if nothing else, he thought, she would be nice to have around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI apologize for all the luggage. I couldn\u2019t decide what to take.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo problem at all, Tracy. I was sort of expecting that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou were?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wonder what he meant by that?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, since you told me this would be the first time you had been away from home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy was quiet for a while, looking around and thinking about his response before asking, \u201cSo, what will my duties be at the sanctuary? Where do you want me to start?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cActually, your duties initially will be pretty easy, Tracy. And mainly consist of helping us feed the wolves. We need to allow them time to get acquainted with your smell before you get in close direct contact with them. They initially will be nervous and dangerously unpredictable until they are comfortable having you around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow long do you think that will take, Eric?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProbably a few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd after that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey will behave just like typical big dogs and will no longer be a threat to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, I am really looking forward to that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric glanced at the dashboard clock and said, \u201cIt is only about 3:00pm, and if you don\u2019t mind, I would like to stop off at the sanctuary and have you meet my partner Michael and his wife, Lucille. It is only a few miles out of the way, and they are both anxious to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would like that very much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood. I will call and let them know we are on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several minutes later, Tracy asked, \u201cHow many people work at the sanctuary, Eric?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three other part-time workers besides Michael, his wife, and us. The part-timers are all students studying veterinary science at Idaho State University.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo other veterinarian?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnfortunately, no. You will be it. Our previous vet moved on to a higher paying position in Boise, and a friend of Michael, a retired vet in Sun Valley, has been temporarily filling in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou never said that I would be on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou never asked, Tracy. Would it have made a difference?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy thought about that a moment and said, \u201cNo, it wouldn\u2019t have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they exited the main road and started along the gravel half-mile-long access road leading to the sanctuary, Tracy was enthralled with the beauty of the scenery, enfolding around her as they drove. The view of the stately Aspen and pine trees scattered across the green rolling landscape reminded her of the gorgeous Albert Bierstadt paintings they had on display at the Cheyenne museum.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then there was the wonderful fresh smell of the grasses and trees that permeated the air. It made everything around her seem even more welcoming. Tracy took a long, deeply satisfying breath and was sure she would like it here.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they pulled up at the sanctuary, Michael and Lucille were waiting for them, and their apparent delight in greeting Tracy was infectious. Lucille gave Tracy a big welcoming hug, and with Lucille glaring at him, Michael resisted the strong impulse to do the same and warmly just shook Tracy\u2019s hand instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael was not adequately prepared to meet Tracy, as Eric had only said simply that she was attractive. Damn, he thought she was knockout with her long blond hair and that slender, gorgeously shaped body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucille noticed Michael\u2019s lingering appreciative stare and whispered so only he would hear her, \u201cDown, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucille could not help thinking, I hope she turns out to be a good vet and not just Eric\u2019s new pretty plaything. However, Eric said she was number two in her graduating class, so we shall see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet\u2019s show you around the offices and the clinic,\u201d said Micheal. \u201cWe will give you the grand tour of the rest of the sanctuary tomorrow. It\u2019s spread over almost three hundred acres.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s huge. Much larger than I had expected,\u201d said Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, it is,\u201d replied Eric. \u201cAnd fortunately, we have room to further expand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While they showed Tracy the administration building and then the nicely furnished attached clinic where she would work, Tracy asked, \u201cHow many wolves do you have here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt present, we have forty-six wolves,\u201d answered Michael.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd thirty-nine mixed breed wolf-dogs,\u201d interjected Lucille.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a lot to feed,\u201d replied Tracy. \u201cA lot of expense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, it is,\u201d said Michael. \u201cBut we are extremely fortunate there. We have an amazing wealthy benefactor who provides us most of the food we use for the wolves and generous donations toward our other operating expenses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is very lucky,\u201d said Tracy. \u201cWho is he or she?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSimon Ingram,\u201d answered Eric. \u201cI am sure you have heard of him; almost everyone has. He has been an Idaho state senator for almost twenty years and is now running to become our next governor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course, I know who he is,\u201d replied Tracy. \u201cHe seems on television to be a wonderful person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, he is,\u201d remarked Eric as they walked back to Eric\u2019s pickup truck. \u201cSimon really is. You will get plenty of chances to meet him. He has a place in Sun Valley, and he and his wife often pop over here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After leaving the sanctuary, Eric drove Tracy to the Northwood Park apartments in Ketchum. When they arrived, Eric parked the truck outside Unit D and handed Tracy a set of keys that he retrieved from a storage space in the driver\u2019s door. \u201cI hope you like the place, Tracy. It\u2019s easy walking distance from downtown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe got you a two-bedroom furnished apartment on the top floor so you can view the mountains from your balcony. The rent is paid for ninety days, and you can move elsewhere after that if you don\u2019t like it here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe outside looks wonderful, Eric. I really like the idea that it is convenient to downtown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood. Let me help you carry up your bags, and you can check out the inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They took the elevator up to the third floor and walked down the hallway to apartment 301, the corner unit. After depositing the suitcases inside, they looked all around the apartment. Tracy was impressed, especially after seeing the marvelous view she had from her balcony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like it, Eric. I really do,\u201d said Tracy. \u201cAll the furnishings are tasteful, and they look brand new.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think the furnishings are brand new as this unit was just completed a few months ago. I\u2019m so glad you are pleased, Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am, Eric. This is much nicer than I expected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcellent, then I will pick you up tomorrow at 9:00 AM to take you to my friend Leroy\u2019s dealership and see if we can find a Jeep you like. You will need one up here during the winters and rainy season, especially on the dirt roads in the sanctuary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be waiting. One more thing; is there a Walmart nearby?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLess than a quarter mile away. Do you want me to drive you there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, walking there and looking around a bit will be nice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay. Ketchum is a very safe place to walk. There is almost no crime around here except poaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This really is better than I imagined. Eric\u2019s friend Michael and his wife Lucille seem delightful, and this apartment is perfect. I need to take pictures of it and email them to my parents. They will be very impressed.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also need to take a picture of Eric and send it to them. He\u2019s so damn handsome he could easily get a job in commercials, especially maybe those for western clothing or boots.<\/em>
<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 2 \u2013 The Dream Job<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following morning Eric picked Tracy up and took her to his friend Leroy\u2019s Jeep\/Ram truck dealership. As he drove, Eric asked her, \u201cHow was your walk to Walmart?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was delightful. I just needed to pick up a few things, and everyone there was so friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid you find a place to eat dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, that big barbecue restaurant down the street from the apartments was perfect. They had the best pulled-pork sandwich I can remember having.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, now let\u2019s see if Leroy has a Jeep Wrangler you like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were three new Wranglers on the lot with various trim levels and options, and Tracy spent a lot of time checking each one out, trying to make the right decision. Tracy had just about reached a conclusion when she noticed a bright yellow, highly tricked-out Wrangler parked a bit further away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about that one over there?\u201d Tracy asked Leroy, pointing to the yellow Jeep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is a very low mileage last year\u2019s model. It is a higher-priced Rubicon series, and the original buyer added a lot of additional expensive off-road goodies to it before he was arrested. However, I can probably put you in it for the same price as the three new ones you were looking at.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy was he arrested?\u201d asked Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDrug dealing,\u201d replied Leroy. \u201cIt was his second offense, and the judge threw the book at him. When I sell it, the state gets all the money except for my commission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, you have the opportunity to sell it twice,\u201d stated Eric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYep, works good for me,\u201d replied Leroy. \u201cGo take a look.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After checking it out and taking a test drive, Tracy told Eric, \u201cI want it. I love it, and it still has that new car smell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, then let\u2019s go get it for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the paperwork was finally concluded, Eric told Tracy, \u201cFollow me to the sanctuary so I can finish showing you around. Then, I\u2019m sure Lucille will make us lunch. She usually does most days. She likes to cook, and her food is always good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They arrived at the sanctuary, and after parking their Jeeps, popping in, and briefly saying hello to Michael and Lucille, Eric said, \u201cLet\u2019s take a ride in my truck around the perimeter of the sanctuary. It is about three miles around on the outside. We\u2019ll leave the windows open so the wolves can pick up your scent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of the initial terrain was rough going, and as they began the slow drive, Tracy could not help but admire the sturdy fencing surrounding the sanctuary and said, \u201cIs the fence eight feet tall? It looks quite substantial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cActually, the fence is ten feet tall, but except for places that are solid rock, the first three feet are underground because wolves are excellent diggers. And that prevents them from digging out. So what you see are the top seven feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlso, do those new fenceposts look rusty to you, Tracy? That\u2019s because the posts are repurposed pipe stemming from an oil field. They are stronger than regular fenceposts. We get them cut to any length, and they don\u2019t end up in a scrap yard somewhere. Everybody wins!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is an excellent idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wish it had been mine, but it was Simon\u2019s. They come from some of his old wells, and his people cut and deliver them for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About a third of the way around, Eric stopped and pointed to some brush-covered hills inside the fence about a quarter of a mile away. \u201cDo you see those dark spots along the hillside? We made those artificial caves for the wolves out of surplus four feet diameter concrete pipes we buy from the county.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe bury the pipes and cover them up except for the front opening. Then we put about a foot or so of dirt on the bottom of the pipes to make them more cave-like. They make excellent dens for the wolves. Within a year, vegetation growth makes them almost indiscernible. Currently, there are fifteen on the property, but we plan to add six more this year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they drove, they saw several wolves inside the enclosure who perked up and gave them their full attention as they passed by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little further on, Eric again stopped and pointed to an area with a double fence about fifty yards apart. Those fences separate the wolves from the wolf-dog enclosure. The wolf-dogs only have about twenty acres for their use.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound like much compared to the wolves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s plenty, and they are lucky to have that. The state wanted to euthanize all of them. Simon got them to reconsider and allow us to take them based on our promise to spay all the females and neuter the males. That, of course, will be one of your jobs here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI understand. Do the wolf-dogs have dens like the wolves?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, they have more conventional dog houses since they won\u2019t be breeding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy was surprised that she could not detect any animal odor during the drive around the compound except for a slight smell of feces near the wolf-dog enclosure.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they returned to the administration area, Michael was outside admiring Tracy\u2019s Jeep. \u201cThat is some fine machine you got there, Tracy. It must have at least ten thousand dollars of extras on it.\u201d He looked over at Eric and said, \u201cI take it we got it for about the original amount we agreed on?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, it\u2019s a used vehicle that belonged to some guy that got thrown in jail for drug dealing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After admiring the Jeep, Michael looked back and said, \u201cHis loss, Tracy\u2019s gain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He turned back to Tracy and asked, \u201cSo, how was the tour, Tracy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe place is absolutely amazing. I can\u2019t wait until I can look around inside the enclosure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBe patient. It should only take a few weeks until the wolves accept your presence. You\u2019ll know when that is happening as they will get curious and come much closer,\u201d explained Eric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right. You will know when it\u2019s time. The wolves will tell you,\u201d stated Michael. \u201cOkay, now let\u2019s head inside. Lunch should be ready, and you will get a chance to meet our three part-timers. Fortunately, they all are here today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re already inside?\u201d asked Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, they are always hungry and seemingly afraid that they might miss out on a meal. \u201c replied Michael jokingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy responded, \u201cI think that is typical of most grad students. Never pass up free food.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they walked inside, Tracy was pleasantly surprised by the mouth-watering smell of freshly cooked lasagna wafting over her. Eric said Lucille was a good cook, and if the lasagna tasted as good as it smelled, he was right on target.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three part-timers were seated at the large table in the kitchen, two women who looked to be in their twenties and a ruggedly handsome man with short dark brown hair who appeared to be much older, maybe in his early forties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric introduced Tracy to the women, Maggy and Alicia, and to the man Carl. He told them she was the new vet and to be nice to her. This was her first time away from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maggy, which she learned later was short for Magdeline, was a tall and slender brunette with short hair and bangs. Alicia was a short, stocky, dark-skinned African-American lady with close-cropped hair, a big smile, and gleaming white teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl, as Tracy surmised, was forty-three years old and had returned to school after retiring from twenty years of service in the Army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael, Eric, and Tracy joined the others at the table, and Lucille served each of them a sizeable helping of lasagna along with tossed salad and a slice of garlic toast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucille blurted out as she was about to sit down, \u201cI apologize, Tracy. I forgot to ask. I hope you are not a vegetarian?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I am not. The lasagna smells wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl broke the silence while they were eating by asking Tracy, \u201cTracy can you tell us a little about yourself? It\u2019s hard to believe this is your first time away from home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After finishing what was in her mouth, Tracy said, \u201cActually, I have traveled a bit on vacation while in graduate school, including to Europe and once to Asia, but this is my first time leaving on a more permanent basis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere did you go to school?\u201d asked Alicia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI did my undergraduate and graduate school at CSU in Fort Collins, where my parents live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That seemed to satisfy their curiosity for a while until Tracy asked, \u201cCarl can you tell me your story? You seem a little mature for a grad student.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMature, I like that,\u201d said Carl. \u201cit sure beats saying I am an old man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t mean that,\u201d stated Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s okay. I served twenty years in the Army before retiring and am probably almost twice your age.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI doubt that, but what did you do in the Army, if you don\u2019t mind my asking,\u201d said Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl replied, \u201cWhen I retired, I was the company commander of an Army K-9 unit. As a result, I learned to love dogs and other animals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Tracy finished her lunch, she told Lucille, \u201cThat was delicious, Lucille. I loved the lasagna.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Tracy: I appreciate the compliment. I enjoy cooking, and this gang sure likes to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After lunch, while Carl, Alicia, and Maggy went off to complete their chores, Tracy stayed and helped Lucille clean up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat now, Eric?\u201d Tracy asked when she went back outside after finishing helping Lucille. \u201cWhat do you want me to do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric looked at his watch and said, \u201cThe truck from Simon\u2019s meat packing company should be arriving very soon. They deliver us a ton every other week, right around this time, and today is delivery day. You can help me unload the truck and prepare the meat for the wolves.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much do the wolves eat?\u201d asked Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe feed each wolf about ten pounds of meat twice each week. That sort of mimics their feeding schedule in the wild. That is usually supplemented weekly with turkey necks a local farmer gives us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe meat that Simon provides is coarsely ground and comes to us in forty-pound plastic tubs. We remove it from the tubs and divide it into ten-pound loaves, which we freeze in our walk-in freezer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about the wolf-dogs? What do they eat?\u201d asked Tracy.\u201d Do we feed them the same thing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, we treat them like dogs. Each animal gets a pound of Kibble daily. They don\u2019t get any raw meat. That was one of the agreements we made with the state officials.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They only had to wait about ten minutes until a refrigerated truck drove up with the logo \u201cYum-Yum Meats\u201d painted on its sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2018Yum-Yum Meats\u2019 is Simon\u2019s meat packing company. It\u2019s located in Gibbonsville in the northeast part of the state. Simon owns that, plus a nearby cattle ranch, an oil exploration company, and several other smaller businesses scattered around the state. If that is not enough, he also runs a large homeless shelter in Boise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWow, he\u2019s into a lot of things,\u201d stated Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, he is, but he is also remarkably generous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the truck had backed up to the storage area and opened the rear doors, Eric said, \u201cIt\u2019s time to go to work, Tracy. I hope you don\u2019t mind physical labor as we have to unload the truck, make the loaves and get them into the freezer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t mind at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see if you feel the same way after we unload fifty containers and make two-hundred wolf meat loaves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Eric said, it was a lot of work, and they did not finish until almost 5:00 PM. They first had to unload the fifty tubs so the driver could return with them. Then they laboriously formed the meat into ten-pound loaves using non-stick stainless steel molds. After completing several loaves, they carried them on trays into the freezer and placed them on the shelves inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou did great, Tracy,\u201d Eric said afterward. \u201cI think you did as many loaves as I did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI seriously doubt that, Eric. Although I tried to keep up with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou did great. Are you ready for a beer or a glass of wine? It\u2019s sort of a tradition here at the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat sounds like a marvelous tradition. I would love a nice cold beer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat can be arranged. Any special preference in beers?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnything light if you have it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne Coors Silver Bullet coming up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 3 \u2013 Some Good and Some Bad<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next few weeks were enjoyable for Tracy as she finally spent most of her time utilizing her veterinary training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On several occasions, she worked closely with Dr. Marshall, the retired vet from Sun Valley. He gladly taught her all the ins and outs of working on wolves so she could take over. In addition, two new wolves arrived that had been trapped by ranchers, and three wolf-dogs were delivered from animal shelters. Those she treated on her own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new wolves had to be sedated and examined for injuries or health issues. When any of those were found, Tracy attended to them. Then after de-worming, the wolf was finally released from the hospital kennels into the main compound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The procedure for the wolf-dogs was similar, except they always had to be spayed or neutered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another one of her jobs was to help Carl deliver the bi-weekly meat loaves to the wolves. She would drive around as Carl threw out the frozen loaves they had stuffed into the back of her Jeep. Again, that helped the wolves become used to her presence in a non-threatening and positive manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other than at Happy Hour each day, Tracy did not see much of Eric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, as Eric and Michael had both said, the wolves started coming closer to the fence when Tracy was nearby. They seemed no longer leary of Tracy but becoming curious about her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noticing this change in the wolves\u2019 behavior, Tracy thought \u2013 I wonder what would happen if I slowly approached the ones by the fence. Will they retreat away from me or stay?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So Tracy slowly walked toward the chain link fence, stopping every few steps to see how the nearby wolves reacted. Regrettably, the wolves all moved further away from her when she got close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, they are starting to accept me.<\/em> So I\u2019ll just try this every day and see what happens. I\u2019m in no rush and will be patient.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next several days, Tracy repeated her slow approach to the wolves by the fence. The wolves continued to move away as she got ever closer, but more gradually each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At last, on the sixth day, Tracy successfully got to the fence without the wolves shying away. She waited quietly for several minutes to see what the wolves would do. Finally, one of the male wolves timidly approached the fence where Tracy was standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy stood motionless as the wolf noisily sniffed her from only a few inches away. Tracy then slowly moved her open hand closer to the wolf\u2019s nose until it was pressed against the fence, only about an inch away. And then it happened; she felt it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s his wet nose touching the palm of my hand. Oh my gosh, he just licked me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a few more licks, the wolf walked away, apparently satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t wait to tell everyone at Happy Hour. The wolves have accepted me, at least some of them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That evening when everyone arrived at the picnic tables for Happy Hour and sat down with their drinks, Tracy excitedly gushed out, \u201cI think the wolves have finally accepted me. One of them even licked my hand today through the fence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s wonderful news, Tracy,\u201d said Eric. \u201cI told you it would just take a little time for them to get used to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat should I do now, Eric? Could I just enter the compound and walk around?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat would probably be alright, but I would rather be a bit more cautious. Tomorrow is feeding day for the wolves, so how about you and I deliver food to the nearest dens by handcart? From the wolves\u2019 reaction to you, I can tell if it would be safe for you to be inside the compound alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need to thank me, Tracy. One of your jobs as our vet will be regularly driving or walking around inside the compound looking for any health issues or potential problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about the wolf-dogs?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re all unpredictable and can be pretty dangerous, so you must remain outside the fence when checking them out. If you need to go inside, Michael or I will go with you for protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWill you be armed tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, with a tranquilizer gun and pepper spray. And by the way, please don\u2019t wear any jewelry. Wolves like to steal shiny things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m really looking forward to tomorrow. Besides those first two days, this is the first time I will be alone with Eric. From how he looks at me, I know he is interested, so if he doesn\u2019t ask me out, I will ask him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 9:00 AM, Tracy met Eric by the walk-in freezer, where they loaded the handcart with twenty of the ten-pound meat loaves. The cart was made of metal and quite sturdy, with four fat bicycle-sized wheels so it could be pushed or pulled easily over the rough terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before they entered the wolf compound, Eric gave Tracy a can of pepper spray in a leather holster. He told her, \u201cFasten this on your belt or somewhere else on your clothing where it will be convenient to reach, Tracy. I doubt you will ever have a reason to use it, but you should always be prepared. It works good on bears, so it should be equally effective on wolves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have never had to use it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLucille used it once on an aggressive wolf-dog, and it was quite effective. However, none of us have had to use it on the wolves, but our insurance company insists that we all carry it whenever  we are inside the compound.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that other thing on your belt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an air horn. It hurts the wolves\u2019 ears and scares the crap out of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo tranquilizer gun?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI decided against it. Is that okay with you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure, if you think it won\u2019t be necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure it won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric opened the gate, and they pulled the cart inside. Then Eric went back and securely fastened the gate behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within only a short distance, several wolves from the nearest dens began to approach, curious about Tracy and knowing it was their feeding time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Eric had reassured her, Tracy was extremely nervous. These were large animals, most weighing well over one hundred pounds.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric noticed her apparent consternation and said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Tracy. None of them are showing any sign of aggression. Some will undoubtedly want to come up and inspect you closely, but remain calm and don\u2019t make sudden movements.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few wolves approached Tracy, circling her slowly while noisily sniffing her scent and then tentatively licking her hands afterward. Eric said, \u201cThese are the leaders, and they want to assure their pack you are not harmful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh shit. This is absolutely incredible. I\u2019m terrified and thrilled at the same time. I just wish someone was recording this. It is so unbelievable. I can\u2019t wait to tell my parents.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Eric watched vigilantly, he began removing loaves from the cart and scattering them on the nearby ground for the wolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After satisfying their curiosity, the wolves left Tracy, went over, and each took a loaf to eat. Only when the leaders had retrieved their loaves did the other wolves approach and get theirs. That was typical pack behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When all the nearby wolves had gotten their food and retreated back toward their caves, Eric and Tracy continued into the compound toward the next closest group of dens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, what do you think about that experience Tracy? You did very well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh my God, Eric. That was definitely the most exciting and terrifying thing I have ever experienced. I\u2019m still shaking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not the least bit surprised. Wolves are scary animals. But I am proud of you. You were a real trooper.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you; however, I was much more frightened than I thought I would be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not the least bit surprised. Lucille still won\u2019t enter the compound without Michael or me. That one wolf-dog attack really spooked her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They stopped at two more den sites, with the same role-playing by the wolves as before. By now, they had exhausted their loaves supply and returned to get more. As the other dens were further away, they used Eric\u2019s truck to deliver the loaves. However, Tracy got out of the Jeep at each stop so the wolves could come up and inspect her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they drove back, Tracy was delighted when Eric said, \u201cThere\u2019s a great French restaurant in Sun Valley; care to join me tonight for dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy hesitated a moment. Trying to not sound too eager, and replied, \u201cI would like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, I will pick you up at 7:00 PM. The restaurant is sort of fancy; it will give you a chance to dress up a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds like fun. I enjoy French food.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric arrived to pick up Tracy right on time. She was impressed by his stylish appearance, and he even smelled good. Other than when Eric had come to CSU to do his recruiting, this was the first time Tracy had seen him in anything other than jeans or noticeably using aftershave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tonight he was wearing pressed chinos, an open-collar blue pullover shirt, and a dark brown leather sport coat. And although the aftershave seemed very familiar, Tracy could not identify the brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric was equally impressed at how attractive Tracy looked. She wore high heels and a short, form-fitting floral printed summer dress that accentuated her slender enticing body. The only jewelry Tracy wore was a single strand of pearls she got for graduation and matching pearl studs in her ears. Tracy was also wearing perfume, but only a touch or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou look positively stunning, Tracy,\u201d said Eric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Eric. You\u2019re looking quite dapper yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, flattery will get you everywhere. Now let\u2019s head to the restaurant. I made us 7:30 reservations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The restaurant in Sun Valley was charming, intimate, and clearly expensive. None of the main courses listed were less than forty dollars. Tracy immensely enjoyed the wine and the delicious food, but mainly being with Eric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy knew it was much too soon, but afterward, when Eric suggested he come up to inspect the night view from her balcony and see how she had settled into the apartment, she did not argue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And maybe it was because she had drunk too much wine or just wanted him; when they began kissing and Eric started fondling her breast, Tracy only offered a token of resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After more passionate deep kissing and fondling, they ended up naked and intimately entangled in Tracy\u2019s bed. Although they had sex several times during the night, it was very disappointing for Tracy. It was not anything like the thrilling experience she had expected. She learned, unfortunately, that Eric was a terrible lover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All he seemed to care about was bringing himself to a quick climax and was utterly inconsiderate of Tracy\u2019s needs. When he was done, they were done, which left Tracy frustrated and sexually unsatisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy was not a virgin and had had four brief affairs in the past, including recently, an older professor at CSU. And although none of them would win an award as a Casanova, all of them, except the first, that bungling boy in High School, were more mindful of Tracy\u2019s sexual needs than Eric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was almost dawn, and Tracy had not slept at all. Instead, she lay there in bed, watching sadly as Eric slept peacefully beside her, obviously sexually fulfilled. Damn, I was so stupid to think that because Eric was so good-looking, he would also be great in bed. What a disappointment. He must have had sex with dozens of women, and by now, you would surely assume someone would have been brave enough to tell him he was a lousy lover.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know it may cost me my job, but this is the last time I will have sex with him. What the fuck is wrong with men like him? He just shoves it in and pounds away like I was some damn sex toy. And now, when he wakes up, I expect he\u2019ll want me to tell him how wonderful it was and how much I enjoyed it. What should I tell him? Do I dare tell him the truth?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, when it was getting light outside, Tracy had an idea and went into the kitchen to make coffee. No sooner had she poured herself a cup when Eric appeared standing in the doorway with a big lecherous grin on his face and said, \u201cGood morning, beautiful. I had a wonderful time last night. I hope you did too?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy was quiet for a moment before turning toward him and replying, \u201cYes, it was great, but I\u2019m sorry, I don\u2019t want to repeat it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric was stunned. This was clearly not the response he had expected, \u201cWhy not? \u2014 I don\u2019t understand?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re my boss, and it was a totally inappropriate thing for me to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be silly, Tracy. We are both adults and attracted to each other, and it is nobody else\u2019s business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt may seem silly to you, but not to me. This was a one-time thing, and I regret we did it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m really sorry you feel that way; I like you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the way it has to be. I\u2019m sorry too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric was quiet for a while, fruitlessly trying to come up with a winning argument, and then said dejectedly,\u201d Can I please have a cup of coffee before I leave?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 4 \u2013 The Homeless Shelter<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things at the sanctuary after that were a little stilted between Eric and Tracy. They worked together just fine, but it was evident to everyone, especially Lucille, that their mutual attraction had waned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wonder what happened between Eric and Tracy?\u201d Michael asked Lucille as they were getting ready for bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou noticed that too?\u201d asked Lucille.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course. It is obvious. Before, they could hardly keep their eyes off each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, clearly, something must have happened. I know Eric took Tracy out for dinner last Friday, and I assume that did not go over well for some reason.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wonder what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho knows, but I am sort of glad it did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy do you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey can concentrate more on their work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, things got busy for Tracy, and as Lucille had predicted, she could focus better on her work with the Eric infatuation behind her. Two more female wolf-dogs were delivered to the sanctuary the following days, and after sedating them, Tracy had to thoroughly check them out and spay them both. A male wolf was also brought in the next day that had been struck by a car. It was in bad shape and required many hours of surgery and follow-up care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, it seemed that horny upstart younger male wolves would challenge the current alpha males for dominance of their pack every few days. Unfortunately, this usually resulted in injuries requiring sedation and stitches for both animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to providing ongoing medical treatment for the animals, Tracy continued to assist in preparing the loaves at the bi-weekly meat delivery and feeding the wolves twice weekly. The only difference was that she now usually worked with Carl or, occasionally, Alicia rather than with Eric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, being busy did not stop Tracy from occasionally reminiscing about her big disappointment with Eric and wondering what would have happened if she had told him what was wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy\u2019s routine was interrupted when Simon Ingram and his wife Veronica came for a visit one beautiful sunny morning. When he emerged from his white Land Rover, Tracy recognized him immediately from all his television appearances. She thought he looked very handsome for an older man. Simon was tall, broad-shouldered, with a full head of long wavy silver hair, deep blue eyes, and an engaging smile. Tracy wasn\u2019t sure about his age but guessed he must be in his early sixties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy thought his wife Veronica was clearly much younger than Simon. She was attractive, had a nice figure, and had long, straight jet black hair. She was much shorter than Simon and probably in her thirties, but it was sometimes hard to tell the age of native American women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were dressed casually in Jeans, with Simon wearing a long sleeve tan western shirt and Veronica a white native American style blouse with a beaded vest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The minute Simon saw Tracy, he came over to introduce himself. \u201cYou must be Tracy? You\u2019re even more fetching than Eric said.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, sir, please. I\u2019m Simon Ingram; please call me Simon. And, this lady \u2014,\u2019 Veronica walks over to join them. \u201c\u2014 is my lovely wife, Veronica.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is a pleasure to meet both of you. I have heard so much about you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll good, I hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMore than good. Around here, they almost refer to you as Saint Simon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That bought a chuckle from Simon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, Tracy, how are things working out for you. I have heard only glowing reports.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcellent, Mr. \u2014 I\u2019m sorry, Simon. I absolutely love working with the wolves. They are such splendid and majestic animals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, they are. What about the wolf-dogs?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy hesitated for a while before replying, \u201cWe get along, at least I do with some of them. I take care of the others, but only when they\u2019re sedated. I think Michael phrased it best; they are dangerously unpredictable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy do you think they are that way?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy thought about that before answering, \u201cAfter working with the wolves, I know it can\u2019t be genetics. It most likely is a result of how they were raised or treated by their previous owners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon nodded and said, \u201cI\u2019m sure you are right, Tracy. That is why I am paying to take care of the wolf-dogs. To help them escape their previous harsh environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is very nice of you to do that, Simon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a real softy at heart,\u201d interjected Veronica. \u201cYou should see the big homeless shelter he created in Boise. It\u2019s fantastic, and with two hundred and fifty beds, other than California, it is probably the largest in the western states.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI never would have suspected something like that in Idaho,\u201d stated Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt also has an amazingly successful internship program for the men,\u201d continued Veronica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would like to come visit it,\u201d stated Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou should,\u201d said Simon. \u201cWe are always looking for volunteers on the weekends to help serve food.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI promise I\u2019ll take you up on that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease do, and \u2014 if you\u2019re serious \u2014 how about coming with me this Sunday?\u201d asked Simon. \u201cI will pick you up at your apartment at 8:30 AM and drive you there. It\u2019s about a two-and-one-half-hour drive, but I have to go there anyways Sunday to check up on a few things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds wonderful,\u201d replied Tracy. \u201cI will look forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood.\u201d And Tracy gave him her address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Sunday, Simon picked up Tracy at her apartment and drove to Boise. As they went, Simon asked, \u201cPlease tell me a little about yourself if you don\u2019t mind, Tracy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course not, but I can assure you it is not very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care about that. I am just interested in you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay then, I\u2019ve lived my entire life in Colorado, the last ten years in Wellington, a small town north of Fort Collins. I did my undergraduate and graduate schooling at Colorado State University and my summer internship with a veterinarian in Cheyenne. Both of my parents are elementary school teachers. My dad teaches mathematics, and my mother social studies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAny brothers or sisters?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I am an only child.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a few minutes, \u201cAnyone special in your life?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou mean a boyfriend or girlfriend?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, nobody special. I was always too busy with my studies to get too involved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a shame.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProbably, but I did manage to squeeze in a few short European trips with friends and one visit to Thailand with my parents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere did you go in Europe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSpain, Portugal, Germany, and France.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds like fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was. We mostly traveled around by bus or train and stayed at youth hostels. So we got to see a lot in a short time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI envy you. Growing up, I spent most of my free time working on my father\u2019s oil rigs. It paid well, but it wasn\u2019t much fun. However, the good thing is I already knew a lot about the business when I took over from my father after he died.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt seems you have come a long way since then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have Tracy, but I also have been damn lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI doubt if it was due to luck. \u2014 Do you think you will be our next governor?\u201d she blurted out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy campaign manager sure thinks so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be rooting for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you. I would also appreciate your vote. You should be eligible by then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou got it! Can you please tell me a little about the homeless shelter?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure; happy to. I started the shelter about five years ago. It was initially Veronica\u2019s idea. However, I expanded on her concept. The shelter now consists of three separate buildings. The kitchen, dining area, and men\u2019s shelter are the main building with one hundred and seventy-five beds. That\u2019s where you will be working today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe other two smaller buildings are the women\u2019s and family shelters. The women\u2019s shelter has fifty beds, and the family shelter has separate rooms for fifteen families of up to five persons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is quite impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Tracy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVeronica mentioned you had some sort of successful internship program. Can you tell me a bit about that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course. I started it three years ago, and it is only for men so far. If a man signs up for the program and commits to being alcohol and drug-free for six months, and we regularly test, I offer them internship training on my oil rigs. At the end of three months of training, they can either stay on with me working elsewhere on my rigs or find well-paying jobs at other oil fields.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat do the men do during the six-month waiting period?\u201d asked Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey mostly do supervised community service projects around Boise,\u201d replied Simon. \u201cIt\u2019s a win-win situation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWow, that indeed sounds like a wonderful program, Simon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you. I am very proud of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon truly is an amazingly thoughtful and generous person, thought Tracy. I am so glad I had this opportunity to get to know him personally. He is going to be a terrific governor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon introduced Tracy to the resident manager Ted when they arrived at the shelter. After showing Tracy around the facility, Ted helped her get set to assist in serving lunch to the residents and other disenfranchised persons stopping by for a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lunch being offered was chili with cornbread and lemonade. Tracy was pleased that it not only looked good, but when she ate some herself after she was finished serving, she found it also tasted quite good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seemed like Tracy had just finished cleaning up everything after lunch when it was already time to prepare to serve the fried chicken and mashed potatoes for the evening meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At last, the food service was finally over, and it was time to start cleaning up. Tracy was delighted to see Ted and Simon pitch in to help out. That significantly shortened the effort and time required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon said to Tracy when they had finished, \u201cI apologize, Tracy. I should have warned you that it would be a very long day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo need to apologize, Simon. It felt good to help out. And I promise you I will be doing it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood! We appreciate that a lot. Now, how about a pizza and beer before we drive back. There is a great place a few blocks from here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds wonderful. I\u2019m famished, and a beer sounds excellent right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During dinner and afterward, on the drive back, they engaged in various small talk about the homeless, the shelter, and Idaho politics. Tracy learned that Simon was a staunch Republican, like her family, but was surprised at how conservative Idaho was leaning. Much more than she or her family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 5 \u2013 Mystery Meat<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weeks went by for Tracy with no significant events other than Eric reluctantly agreeing to just be a friend. They even went so far as to sometimes have casual dinners together, but no more \u201cdates. And although Eric persisted in trying, Tracy\u2019s apartment was totally off-limits. On a few of those occasions, Tracy was tempted to tell Eric what the problem was but decided against it as the magical chemistry between them was gone for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Tracy had promised Simon, she also made it a point to drive down to Boise at least once each month to assist at the homeless shelter. She even talked Eric into going with her sometimes to help out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the sanctuary was formally not open for visitors, the nearby schools occasionally bused children to see the wolves. For their observation, benches had been installed on a large area covered with paving stones outside the fence near the administration building. Tracy liked children and enjoyed assisting Lucille as a tour guide whenever they visited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since she arrived, Tracy had been doing most of her grocery shopping at the local Walmart as it was convenient and had a large grocery department. That evening after work, she was there shopping for course ground hamburger meat and couldn\u2019t decide what to buy, the lean beef her mom always insisted on purchasing or the less expensive 80\/20 mixture with more fat content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a few moments of indecision, she decided to buy a pound of both. Then, when she got home, she would do a taste test and see which she preferred. I\u2019ll bet the fatty meat tastes better; as experts always say, well-marbled steaks have more flavor than lean ones.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later back in her apartment, after unloading her groceries, Tracy was ready to begin her cook-off. She made a patty with the meat from each container and put them on a plate. She then was going to season them both the same with just salt and pepper and cook them individually in separate oiled pans on the stove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While sprinkling the salt and pepper on the patties, she noticed neither looked like the meat she regularly made bi-weekly into loaves for the wolves. Instead, the color was slightly different, with no traces of yellow fat, and the meat was less stringy. I wonder why it\u2019s not the same?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, that\u2019s silly of me. I know the answer to that. The beef we buy at the store is from better cuts of meat, and what Simon provides is what he has left over at the packing plant.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Tracy had expected, and although she knew the leaner meat was probably healthier for her,  she enjoyed the flavor of the fattier meat better. She even thought that the patty had a more appetizing aroma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few days later, as she was driving around the compound with Carl passing out the meat loaves to the wolves, she casually mentioned what she had noticed about the appearance of the meat they were feeding them and her conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe he is also adding other meat proteins to the mix,\u201d said Carl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLike what?\u201d asked Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOther animals, like pork, chickens, fish, wild game. The wolves wouldn\u2019t care. They\u2019ll eat any animal protein.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, and I guess it doesn\u2019t make any difference to us either; it\u2019s free.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several minutes later, Carl said, \u201cMaybe he\u2019s even slaughtering wild horses and using them for some of the food. I\u2019ve heard they have done that elsewhere, and there are a lot of wild horses out there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s absurd,\u201d responded Tracy. \u201cSimon is one of the nicest men I have met. He would never stoop to anything as mean and outrageous as that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right. Simon really seems to be a very kind and caring person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, then let\u2019s drop it. Enough about the mystery meat. I\u2019m sorry I brought the subject up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they had finished and started driving back, Tracy asked, \u201cI hope you don\u2019t mind me asking, but are you married, Carl?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Tracy didn\u2019t respond, Carl added, \u201cMy wife and daughter were killed in an automobile accident about ten years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m so very sorry, Carl. That is horrible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c… Yeh, it sure was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few minutes later, Carl said, \u201cAs long as we are sharing, what\u2019s with you and Eric. The flame seems to have gone out on your budding romance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dI guess you could say that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou guys have a fight?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, we didn\u2019t have a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen what happened? Will you tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy was quiet for a while before finally answering, \u201cYes, …let\u2019s just say I became disillusioned and stopped believing in fairy tale love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWow, I\u2019ll bet there\u2019s one hell of a story there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is, but not one I plan to share.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As winter approached, Tracy started wondering what preparations they needed to make to ensure the wolves and wolf-dogs had a drinkable water supply when the temperature was below freezing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During Happy Hour, Tracy broached her concern and was amazed by Michael’s answer. It was something she surprisingly hadn\u2019t been taught.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He told her, \u201cTracy, in climates where water freezes in the winter, wolves consume little or no water. Except for thermoregulation (thermoregulation is a process that allows the body to maintain its core temperature)<\/em>, wolves can obtain all their water requirements from their prey, both from water in the tissues of the animals they eat and from water produced by the chemical oxidation of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe meat loaves we give the wolves provide almost all the water they need. You might occasionally see one of the wolves drink water or lick the snow or ice for moisture, but it is rare.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know that,\u201d replied Tracy. \u201cI don\u2019t remember that ever being mentioned in my science courses or at veterinary school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m surprised,\u201d said Eric. \u201cIt is quite common in much of the wildlife.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several minutes later, Tracy put down her beer and asked, \u201cWhat about the wolf-dogs? They must drink water in the winter, as I know all the dogs we have owned did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, the wolf-dogs definitely need water as we only feed them dry dog food, which has negligible water content,\u201d replied Michael. \u201cThe water troughs in their kennels are heated to keep them from freezing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd in case you are wondering, Tracy, how we know all of this crap, Eric and I taught in the Zoology  Department at Idaho State University before opening the sanctuary four years ago. Simon helped us get the place started and obviously still does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As September ended, the leaves were beautifully changing colors, and the weather in Idaho began to change. While there were still many days of glorious sunshine, there were some chilly, gloomy days with heavy rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy was damn glad she had her new Jeep, as the muddy and slick trails in and around the sanctuary would have been virtually impassable in most other vehicles. One big area they had to pass through for the feedings had become an almost foot-deep quagmire.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucille approached Tracy one afternoon while she was working in the clinic and said, \u201cVeronica called and asked if you could take a look at Bailey, her dog. Their vet in Sun Valley is on vacation. She said the dog has stopped eating and is very lethargic, and Veronica is worried.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course. I would be happy to help. Tell Veronica to bring the dog right in. I\u2019ll wait here for her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Less than fifteen minutes later, Veronica arrived with her adorable three-year-old Wheaton Terrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHi, Veronica,\u201d Tracy said. \u201cLucille said Bailey is not eating and is lethargic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, he hasn\u2019t eaten anything since early yesterday and is always hungry. He also wouldn\u2019t get out of his bed this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHere, let me take a good look at him.\u201d And she picked up Bailey and laid him gently on the examination table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After several long minutes of careful examination, Tracy said, \u201cThe good news, Veronica is that I don\u2019t think anything major is wrong with Bailey. I just think he ate something he shouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat can you do? He\u2019s not going to die, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No, not at all. I will give Bailey a little mineral oil to cleanse his system and some Pepto-Bismol to soothe his stomach. I\u2019ll keep an eye on him here overnight, and by tomorrow he should be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you so very much, Tracy. I was so worried about him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t need to thank me. I\u2019m delighted to be able to help. And I know how you must feel about Bailey. That is why I became a veterinarian.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAgain, thank you. I\u2019ll be here around noon to pick Bailey up if that is okay with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat will be fine, Veronica.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Veronica arrived a little early, Tracy had already thoroughly checked Bailey out and fed him some breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBailey looks wonderful,\u201d said Veronica as Bailey ran over with his stub of a tail wagging furiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s good to go, Veronica. You might want to carefully check around the house to see what he might have gotten into.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll definitely do that. How much do I owe you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAbsolutely nothing. I suspect your husband is paying my salary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen, if I can\u2019t pay you, how about lunch? Do you have any plans today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, nothing important that can\u2019t wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, then why don\u2019t you follow me to my house so I can drop Bailey off, and I will take you to our club. It\u2019s nearby, and I know you will love it. The food is excellent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds terrific, but I\u2019m not dressed for anyplace fancy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re dressed just fine. Everyone dresses casually around here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, that is not true. Eric took me to a French restaurant where the people dressed up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2019 Le Chateu\u2019\u201d is a rare acception.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica\u2019s home was at the base of Dollar Mountain at Sun Valley Ski Resort. It had eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a library, an indoor pool, a sauna, and a heated six-car garage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After being shown around, Tracy said, \u201cYour place is truly amazing, Veronica. It\u2019s huge and by far the grandest house I have ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you like it. Simon spent months working with the architects and two years with the contractors building the place. I don\u2019t know how much he spent, but it was a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid he also do the interior design and decorations?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, that was my contribution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like it, Veronica. You have exquisite taste,\u201d remarked Tracy looking around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Tracy. I appreciate that. Now let\u2019s head over for lunch. The restaurant is only a short walk from here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actually, there were three different restaurants at the resort, and somehow Veronica had already made reservations as there was a table waiting for them at the restaurant overlooking the tennis courts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Tracy spent several minutes perusing the menu the waiter had handed them, she frustratingly looked up and said, \u201cI give up; everything looks good. What do you suggest, Veronica?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy favorite is the grilled shrimp salad with an Arnold Palmer to drink. So that\u2019s what I will be ordering.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds wonderful. I\u2019ll try the same.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll like it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica was right; Tracy found the salad to be delicious and the Arnold Palmer surprisingly refreshing. She knew what was in an Arnold Palmer, iced tea and lemonade, but had never tried one before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later, during lunch, Tracy stopped eating and said, \u201cI hope I am not being too nosy, but how long have you and Simon been married?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica put down her fork, looked up, and replied, \u201cI don\u2019t mind. We have been married for a little over seven years. ..I\u2019m Simon\u2019s second wife. …He was divorced when I met him and had two grown children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow did you meet?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy father introduced us. He is Simon\u2019s physician and skis with him occasionally.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s nice. You two seem very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe really are. Simon is a wonderful and loving person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, he also is very generous with the wolf sanctuary and the homeless shelter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cActually, they weren\u2019t his ideas. Eric and Michael sweet-talked him into sponsoring the wolf sanctuary, and the homeless shelter was my idea. I was shocked when he agreed to do it and even make it much larger than I had suggested.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter, does it. All that\u2019s important is that Simon did it and is still doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re so right, Tracy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy ate more of her salad and then asked, \u201cVeronica, did you work before you were married, and are you still working?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica stopped eating and replied, \u201cI am a PA, a Physician\u2019s Assistant. I used to work at the clinic in Sun Valley, but now I only go in when there is an emergency, and they need me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou and Simon are both very generous. You make a good pair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Tracy. That\u2019s very kind of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s with you and Eric. Lucille said you two were an item.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, we did date once, but it didn\u2019t work out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy, may I ask?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy took a bite of her salad and was quiet for a while before answering. \u201cLet\u2019s just say we had some serious compatibility issues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica took a drink and ate more of her salad before asking, \u201cNobody else in your life?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot now, but if you promise not to say anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI promise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am beginning to really like Carl. And I think he likes me. I know he is much older, but he is the sweetest person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let the age difference bother you. Go for it. Although Simon is almost thirty years older than me, it has worked out fine for us. He still is almost insatiable in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s maybe too much information,\u201d Tracy laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After they finished their lunch and before Tracy returned to the sanctuary, Veronica and she agreed to meet weekly for lunch together when convenient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 6 \u2013 New Romance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only did Tracy and Veronica start regularly having lunch together, but they also started shopping and doing other things together. They found they shared many of the same interests and enjoyed each other\u2019s company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Tracy insisted that she sometimes treated or at least paid her own way when they went out to lunch together. And although most of the stores where they went shopping were relatively upscale, Tracy still made some purchases. Since her apartment was prepaid, other than gas, food, and insurance, she barely had to spend her salary elsewhere. If nothing else, she decided she would be the best-dressed veterinarian in Idaho.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Tracy was out having lunch with Veronica, she learned that Simon spent most of his time at his office in Washington, DC, representing the state or in Boise, working on his gubernatorial election campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica said they also did a lot of entertaining of local cronies and politicians at their home, and Veronica freely admitted she did not like many of the people. They were far too radical and conservative for her taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica related to her, \u201cOn one occasion at dinner, they even seriously discussed the merits of installing gun towers at the Mexican border to impede illegal migration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid you tell Simon that the conversation upset you?\u201d asked Tracy, stunned by the revelation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I did later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat did he say? Did he apologize?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, he only said it takes a lot of money to run political campaigns; unfortunately, these were the people that controlled the purse strings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the home front, Tracy learned that Carl had an apartment not far from hers, and they occasionally began meeting at a nearby diner for breakfast before going to work. That eventually led to Carl finally asking Tracy to have dinner with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than make it more formal, they decided to go to that barbecue restaurant Tracy liked on Friday night. They were unaware that a band always played at the restaurant on Friday nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They met that evening at the restaurant, and both ordered the barbecue platter with Texas-style ribs, beans, and fries, Tracy a half order and Carl a full. They both thought their meals were delicious, especially when washed down with a shared pitcher of cold draft beer. Tracy and Carl also enjoyed the local band playing, and after they were done eating, they decided to stay on to listen to the music and finish their beer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The band began to play a song Tracy especially liked, and with a bit of persuasion, she dragged Carl out on the dance floor. Carl tried to dissuade her by saying he had not danced in a long time and was not a good dancer. However, Tracy found that was definitely not the case. Carl may have been a little rusty initially, but he was an excellent dancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That one dance became a second and after another pitcher of beer, a third and a fourth. By the time they finished their beer, it was getting late, and Carl told Tracy he would walk her back to her apartment to ensure she arrived safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy was about to tell Carl that her safety was not a big concern there in Ketchum, and as he knew, her apartment was close by, but she decided against it as she was very much enjoying his company. Even more, than she had anticipated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they slowly walked to her apartment Tracy wondered if Carl would suggest he come upstairs with her, and if he did, should she say yes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, or maybe, unfortunately, it never came to that as Carl was the perfect gentleman. When they reached Tracy\u2019s apartment, Carl walked her to the elevator, and after hesitating, he gently drew her closer to him, looked into her eyes, and said, \u201cYou know I\u2019m much too old for you, Tracy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy stared back at him and said warmly, \u201cI don\u2019t care about your age Carl; I really like you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl smiled reassuringly and said, \u201cI really like you too,\u201d as he pulled Tracy close to him and kissed her tenderly on the lips. When he began to release her, Tracy pulled him back to her and passionately returned his kiss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While officially, that was not a date, several actual dates followed that evening. And at last, Tracy invited Carl up to her apartment afterward. Nothing needed to be said between them as they went upstairs. They had been patient, but this was clearly something they both had been anxiously awaiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After they entered the apartment and closed the door, Carl gently gathered Tracy into his arms and pulled her firmly against him. She inhaled loudly in surprise when she felt the outline of his rapidly-growing erection pushing against her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl looked into her eyes and said apologetically, \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I have not been with a woman since my wife died.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is definitely something you don\u2019t need to apologize for,\u201d Tracy answered enthusiastically, which brought a big smile to Carl\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl, clearly relieved, whispered, \u201cGood,\u201c and kissed her ardently on her waiting lips. When he parted them with his tongue, Tracy immediately opened her mouth and eagerly met his tongue with hers with a low moan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much too soon for Tracy; this delicious deep kissing ended when Carl stepped back. Then, as Tracy nervously quivered in anticipation, Carl proceeded to carefully remove her dress. As he did so, he tenderly kissed her newly exposed flesh, starting with her neck and shoulders, and then Carl slowly and very gently moved down her body while he unhurriedly removed her undergarments, first her bra and then her panties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl stepped back when Tracy was totally naked, longingly admiring her body. Then looking into her eager eyes, nearly overcome with emotion, he said,  \u201cYou look absolutely gorgeous! I want you now so much it\u2019s becoming painful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He scooped her up in his arms, carried her into the bedroom, and laid her gently on the bed. By this time, Tracy was visibly shaking, her breathing was ragged, and her face was hot and flushed. Any qualms or doubts she might have had quickly become pure, overwhelming lust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl slowly removed his clothing as Tracy stared at him. She was mesmerized by the sight of his sculpted, well-muscled body. She realized he must work out all the time. His body was magnificent, and his penis was so swollen and stiff that it looked enormous. She thought, \u201cHe definitely wasn\u2019t exaggerating when he said he wants me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much later that evening, a very pleased and fatigued Carl and a very satisfied and sated Tracy finally took a break long enough to get up and enjoy a glass of wine. As they finished, Tracy contentedly smiled at Carl. \u201cThank you, Carl. You were absolutely amazing. I never imagined it could be this wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl took Tracy\u2019s hands in his and told her, \u201cThe last thing in the world you have to do is thank me. Instead, I should be thanking you! And, once I rest up a bit, we still have the rest of the night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next few months and into the winter, they shared many enjoyable nights together, either at Tracy\u2019s apartment or Carl\u2019s. They made no secret that they were together at work, and everyone seemed happy for them except obviously Eric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, one morning Eric approached Tracy when she was alone in the clinic and asked her point blank, \u201cWhy Carl and not me. I\u2019m baffled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019re my boss. That\u2019s why,\u201d answered Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBullshit! I don\u2019t believe you. What\u2019s the real reason you pushed back from me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy did not respond for a while as she considered what to say. Then, at last, she said, \u201cDo you really want to know, Eric? You\u2019re not going to like the answer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t give a damn. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy hesitated before finally saying, \u201dBecause you are a terrible lover, Eric.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m what? …I don\u2019t understand. We had sex four times that night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, we did, but the only person that enjoyed it was you. All you seemed to care about was pumping away and getting yourself off. You were clearly unaware or at least unconcerned of my needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric was stunned and embarrassed by this answer and finally blurted out, \u201cYou should have said something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy?\u2019 answered Tracy. \u201cYou\u2019re not a kid. By now, you should have been well aware that you have a big problem,\u201d and she turned and walked away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 7 \u2013 The Missing Man<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Tracy made that humiliating revelation, Eric began avoiding her whenever possible as he became embarrassed whenever she was nearby or when he thought she was looking at him. Although everyone at the sanctuary noticed his behavior, only Carl knew why, as Tracy had confided in him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This game they were seemingly playing lasted for several days until Michael cornered Eric alone outside the vehicle storage shed and asked, \u201cOkay, Eric, what the fuck is going on between you and Tracy. Every time she comes near, you turn away from her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Eric did not respond, Michael demanded, \u201cDamn it, Eric, what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Eric replied, \u201cIt\u2019s embarrassing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t give a rat\u2019s ass if it is embarrassing. I want to know. It\u2019s affecting both of your work, and I\u2019m tired of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric was quiet for a while before saying softly, \u201cShe told me I was a terrible and inconsiderate lover.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe told me I was lousy in bed, damn it,\u201d Eric blurted out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of commiserating with Eric, Michael started laughing, first just a snicker and then open and loud laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDamn it, Michael, it\u2019s not funny,\u201d Eric proclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After calming down, Michael said, \u201cOh, I think it is. I think it is absolutely hilarious. No wonder all those relationships you had never worked out. All they needed was one night with you to want to bail out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric was quiet for several seconds before asking, \u201cWhat should I do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, I am damn sure not going to let you fire Tracy because of this. She has worked out better than we expected and has a three-year contract with us. Also, Tracy has become a close friend of Veronica, Simon\u2019s wife. And I\u2019m certain Simon would never let you get rid of her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Eric said nothing, Michael continued, \u201cI think you need to do some serious studying on improving your bedroom technique and not just by watching porno movies. And, for God’s sake, quit acting like a child around Tracy or trying to get back into her pants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you going to tell Lucille?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, I can\u2019t wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took well into the winter before Eric overcame his embarrassment around Tracy. Also, by then, several books about sex education had mysteriously appeared in his locker at the sanctuary. To Eric\u2019s mortification, some were clearly written for pre-teens or early teenagers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy and Carl’s romance had become quite serious, and although it was not official, they had talked about getting married after Carl graduated from vet school. In addition, Tracy\u2019s parents were coming up for Thanksgiving to meet Carl, and Tracy and Carl planned to go to Tracy\u2019s parents’ home in Wellington for the Christmas holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it typically took longer for Tracy to drive to the homeless shelter because of the winter road conditions, she still volunteered there at least once every month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Sunday, while working there, Tracy witnessed a highly distraught woman pleading with Ted, the resident manager, for help locating her brother. She told him he had been in the internship program at the shelter and had begun calling or writing to her regularly. However, she said she had not heard anything from him since he went off for training on the oil rigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said she contacted the oil company that sponsored the program; unfortunately, they were not helpful. They told her her brother had successfully completed the three months of training and had accepted a better-paying job elsewhere. However, no one seemed to know which company he went to work for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She told Ted she had also contacted all the other nearby oil companies, but no one had heard of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ted asked her why she had come here to the shelter?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She told him that when she stopped hearing from him and could not locate him, she figured he must have relapsed after getting a large paycheck. She said she came here because she was desperate and hoped he might somehow show up back at the shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ted assured her that her brother had not returned. However, he promised her he would ask around and make sure her brother contacted her if he showed up. The woman thanked him and gave him a slip of paper with her brother\u2019s name and her contact information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later after the woman had left, Tracy was quite surprised to see Ted crumple up what she presumed was the slip of paper the woman had given him and throw it in a waste container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it was clearly none of her business, Tracy decided it seemed so out of character that she would tell Simon what she had witnessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a few weeks before Simon visited the sanctuary, and Tracy had the opportunity to speak with him privately. She told him what she had witnessed at the shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surprisingly, rather than seeming concerned, Simon became defensive. \u201cTracy, you must be mistaken. I know Ted very well, and he would never do something like that. We\u2019ve been close friends and business associates for over fifteen years..\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSimon, I\u2019m sorry, but I\u2019m almost positive the piece of paper I saw him throw away was the one the woman gave him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon thought about that for a while and then said brusquely, \u201cIf you\u2019re right, there must be a good explanation. Either the man was at the shelter and gave Ted strict instructions to not let his sister know he had relapsed, or Ted more likely had already copied the information on his phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure your right Simon. I didn\u2019t mean to upset you. I just thought you would want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, thank you,\u201d and he walked away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy was having lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant in Sun Valley with Veronica the following week and told her, \u201cVeronica, I owe you an apology as I might have upset Simon last week when he visited the sanctuary. It seems I may inadvertently have hit a nerve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d Veronica implored. \u201cHe never mentioned anything to me about that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I was working at the shelter a few weeks ago, there was a woman there asking Ted for help locating her brother. She said he had completed the internship program there and disappeared afterward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe woman gave Ted a piece of paper with her contact information; surprisingly, Ted threw it away after she left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it? That\u2019s what you told Simon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, and it seemed to upset him. He became very defensive about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica thought about it for a moment and said, \u201cI\u2019m sure it is because they are such good friends. Ted is part of Simon\u2019s close inner circle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right, Veronica. It\u2018s just that Simon\u2019s reaction seemed so unlike him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you want me to talk to Simon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease don\u2019t. I only thought you might want to know about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several minutes later, when they had finished lunch and were about to leave the restaurant, Veronica asked, \u201cWhen was it that you talked to Simon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn Thursday. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just remembered I heard Simon talking to Ted that evening, and he sounded quite angry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I caused any trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot at all, Tracy. It seems you may have done exactly the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanksgiving had come and gone, and despite Tracy\u2019s parents’ initial trepidation about Carl because of his age, he won them both over. At first, all they knew about Carl was what Tracy had told them, that he made her happy; he was retired from the Army and was a widower. However, they learned after meeting him that he was also intelligent, thoughtful, kind, and deeply committed to their daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While they were all out for dinner the first night after they arrived, Carl abruptly dropped to his knee by the table and, in front of her astonished parents, presented Tracy with a diamond engagement ring and asked her to marry him. Tracy was shocked as she had no idea Carl was planning to do this or had even bought a ring. After only a moment’s hesitation, Tracy regained her composure and blurted out, \u201cOf course, I\u2019ll marry you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following day was Thanksgiving, and Tracy and Maria, her mother, spent the day excitedly preparing dinner with all the fixings for the four of them. Maria insisted on cooking a much too big turkey and large portions of everything else, so Carl and Tracy would have plenty of leftovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time Tracy\u2019s parents left to return home to Wellington, they had spent hours with Tracy and Carl enthusiastically discussing details about the animal clinic Tracy and Carl planned to open after Carl graduated and they were married. Fortunately, this did not appear to be an idle fantasy as Carl informed them he had saved a large sum of money while still in the Army and was also receiving a nice retirement income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One big area of discussion was where to establish the clinic. Tracy\u2019s parents naturally wanted them to put it somewhere convenient to Wellington. They even suggested possibly buying out Dr. Mason in Cheyenne, as he must be getting close to retirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Carl and Tracy preferred Idaho, they saw two issues with opening a clinic there. The first problem was that everything in Idaho was too expensive; however, Tracy was sure Simon would help them if they asked, especially if she agreed to still assist at the sanctuary. However, the second issue they viewed as insurmountable, the state was much too radical and conservative in its political leaning for either of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Carl was born and raised in Nebraska, he suggested that maybe somewhere in the southwest part of the state might be a good alternative. It was close to Colorado, much less expensive than Idaho, and although conservative, not over the top like Idaho. So, Cheyenne and southwest Nebraska tentatively became their top two candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They decided that during Carl\u2019s college Spring break, they would tour that corner of Nebraska and see if any place hit their fancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 8 \u2013 Problems In Paradise<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That year, the winter weather throughout Idaho was harsher than expected, and although the main roads were well maintained, the access road to the sanctuary required frequent plowing. Fortunately, the sanctuary had its own pickup truck with a snow plow blade and a small Bombardier snowcat they used as transport within the compound and to deliver food to the wolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news was that the skiing was excellent at Sun Valley Resort with all the fresh powder. Although the lift ticket prices at the resort were exorbitant, Carl and Tracy got out several times, including twice for free as Simon and Veronica\u2019s guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a dreary, snowy evening in February, and Tracy was relaxing with Carl in her apartment after dinner. Carl had started spending the nights at Tracy\u2019s and riding to the sanctuary in her Jeep as it was suited better to driving in the snow than his car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That evening she was reading a novel Veronica had given her, and Carl was busily skimming the New York Times on his iPad. Abruptly Carl stopped reading, looked up, and asked Tracy, \u201dWhere is Simon\u2019s meat packing plant?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After thinking about it, Tracy put down her book and replied, \u201cI believe the sign on the Yum-Yum delivery truck said it was in Gibbonsville. Why do you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right near the Montana border, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought. Does the plant also have a slaughterhouse?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would assume it does, as supposedly it abuts Simon\u2019s cattle ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wonder how isolated from town it is?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy do you care about that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was reading a New York Times article about an upsurge in slaughtering horses for food for sale in Europe and Asia. Although they said most of it is done in Mexico, the Bureau of Land Management suspects there are a few illegal clandestine horse slaughterhouses here in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are a lot of wild horses in Montana, and as you said, it is close to Gibbonsville.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCome on, Carl. I can\u2019t picture Simon doing that. He\u2019s such a nice person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe not Simon, but what about his buddies. Veronica told you some of them are way over the top. Also, you told me you saw another side of Simon that didn\u2019t seem so nice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour right there, but I still don\u2019t see Simon doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course, I am not sure, but who cares?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe you should, as that could be what the meat is we have been feeding to the wolves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy would he possibly do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a heck of a lot cheaper.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThanks a bunch, Carl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause I love horses, and now, whenever I make the meat loaves for the wolves, that is all I will be thinking about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSorry, but the only way we would ever know for sure is to visit Yum-Yum.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy thought about that for a while and said, \u201cThat sounds crazy, but I suppose we could stop by in Spring on our trip to Nebraska. Either way, the place might be interesting to visit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While volunteering at the shelter, Tracy again had another disconcerting experience. It all began innocently one Sunday while she was with Ted in his office discussing menu changes Samuel, the elderly black man that ran the shelter\u2019s kitchen, had suggested. While they were talking, the phone on his desk rang, and Ted apologetically interrupted their conversation to take the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Ted was talking on the phone, Tracy noticed a stack of entry forms for the residency program on his desk. She didn\u2019t think Ted would mind, so she picked one up to read out of curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the form was straightforward, asking the applicant for their physical and personal information, their commitment to abstain from alcohol or drugs for six months, and their agreement to accept regular bi-weekly testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One item stated on the submission requirements list was strange to Tracy. Although she understood there would be restrictions based on age and physical condition, why did they require no close personal or family contacts? That seemed weird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Ted finished his phone call and hung up, Tracy said, \u201cI hope you don\u2019t mind me looking at one of your residency program entrance forms. I was interested.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mind at all. There are no secrets there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen can I ask you one question about it that intrigued me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure, Tracy. What\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy do you require them to have no close personal or family contacts?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ted thought about her question for a moment before answering, \u201cWe have a limited number of slots, and we wanted to give the opportunity only to men who desperately needed our help as they had no potential support system to fall back on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat seems overly harsh and restrictive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been working out fine so far.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy was about to mention the previous incident she witnessed where the woman was there searching for her brother. However, she decided it might be wise to refrain from doing that because of Simon\u2019s reaction, probably because the man lied about having no close contact.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Tracy thought the \u201cno close contact\u201d requirement was unnecessarily restrictive, she soon forgot about the matter<\/em>. However, that was until a few weeks later, when she was again volunteering at the shelter and had a very unsettling conversation with Samuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a break after the lunch service, they were discussing the menu changes he had suggested a few weeks earlier when somehow, the topic of the internship program came up, and Samuel told her, \u201cThere\u2019s something wrong with that program.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat do you think is wrong with it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, Miss Tracy, several friends entered the internship program over the last years, and when they done left the shelter, it was like they\u2019s all fell off the end of the Earth. Every damn one gone and disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll of them?\u201d Tracy asked incredulously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYep, all of them. You\u2019d think I would\u2019ve heard back from at least one of my friends, but nuttin at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As she drove back to Ketchum, Tracy could not help thinking about what Samuel had told her. Maybe he was right, and something possibly criminal was going on? And if he was right, then Ted\u2019s explanation about that requirement of having no contacts might be a pile of bullshit. That could explain why it would be such a sore point with Simon? Maybe all the men that entered the internship program were meant to disappear?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy tried to envisage possible supporting scenarios but finally came up with only one. As bizarre and crazy as it seemed, maybe the men completing the internship program were being shipped up north somewhere remote and forced into servitude on the oil rigs there? That would explain the insistence on having no close personal or family contacts.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I should have asked Ted how many men have gone through the internship program? Simon told me it had been going on for three years<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That evening while they were watching television together in Tracy\u2019s apartment, she turned to Carl and told him, \u201cI know you\u2019ll think I\u2019m crazy, but I believe something terrible is going on at the homeless shelter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl looked up and asked, \u201cWhat, sex, drugs?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo worse than that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorse than sex or drugs? Okay, I\u2019ll bite. What do you think is happening?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think they are kidnapping men that enter the oil rig internship program and forcing them to work in slavery at remote oil sites.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl turned off the television, stared at Tracy, and said, \u201cNow, that is crazy. Why in the world do you think that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI learned from Samuel, the head cook, that several of his friends that entered the internship program have disappeared. I also found out that one of the requirements to enter the program is that they must have no close personal or family contacts, and they\u2019re militant about that requirement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid you ask why?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI asked Ted, the shelter\u2019s resident manager, about the requirement, and I think his explanation was total bullshit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe told me they had only a limited number of slots available and wanted to allow the opportunity only to men with no potential support system to fall back on and therefore desperately needed their help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl thought about that for a while and said, \u201cThat does seem rather unusual but not sinister.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think so? Well, it does to me, especially with Samuel’s claim that his friends are missing.  And that Simon got angry because someone lied on his form, and his sister came looking for him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe disappeared?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, he did. And it seems more men have disappeared but have no one looking for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow many?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but Samuel said over one-half dozen of his friends have vanished, so maybe all the men who entered the internship program are gone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again Carl was quiet while thinking about that. Then, at last, he said, \u201cSuppose you are right, Tracy, …which, unfortunately, I have a hard time believing, and I am certain so will most others. What are you going to do about it? There is no one you can contact for assistance as all you have is speculation and absolutely no proof.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know. I just hope that we can think of some way to get some proof.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOr, more likely, prove you wrong.\u201d And Carl turned the television back on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl\u2019s right,<\/em> thought Tracy afterward as she tried fruitlessly to concentrate on the detective show Carl was watching. I don\u2019t know who I can talk to about this or even what questions to ask. And he\u2019s right; I don\u2019t have anything to go to the authorities with. They will just assume I am crazy. And it will be useless going to Eric or Michael as they apparently have no connection with the shelter and think the sun sets on Simon.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also can\u2019t go to Veronica and make such damnable accusations against her husband. All that would most likely accomplish is to make her angry and destroy our friendship.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Veronica did claim that many of Simon\u2019s associates were very radical. And she told me she was shocked that Simon agreed to build the shelter and even make it larger than she suggested. Maybe that was because he and his friends concluded that homeless men with no close connections could be used as a free labor pool?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wonder if the men in the internship program complete the promised three-month training on Simon\u2019s company oil rigs before disappearing? More likely, they are hijacked immediately after leaving the shelter and get the necessary training wherever they are sent.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, I need to find out if Simon or his friends are drilling for oil at remote locations? I\u2019ll ask Veronica; she might know. And then, if I learn they are, what the hell do I do? Most likely, there is no practical way to visit the sites or even get permission<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again Tracy tried to focus back on the television show until she had a thought. If I knew where to look, I wonder if images from commercial satellites would provide enough detail to tell if the sites look more like work camps or gulags? Or, if they won\u2019t work, maybe Carl knows someone in the military who could help us access the government satellite images.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several minutes later, Carl suddenly turned off the television, looked at Tracy, and, interrupting her reverie, said, \u201cThere is another crazy but much more likely possibility you didn\u2019t consider.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d as she turned toward him in rapt attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre any of Simon\u2019s close circle of friends in the military?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVeronica mentioned one was a big shot General, but I\u2019m not sure what branch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou need to find out for me and, if possible, where he is assigned. Also, see if Veronica knows if any of Simon\u2019s friends work for DARPA.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs that important, Carl?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt might be if you are right about the men all disappearing, especially since they would all need to be physically fit to become oil workers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy is that important?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think the military might be experimenting on the men to make them into the perfect soldiers. There were articles I read while I was still in the service about China using bioengineering and various implants to try and increase the drive, stamina, and performance of soldiers. So maybe we are doing the same thing using the homeless men as guinea pigs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you really think that is possible?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs horrible as it would be, I wouldn\u2019t rule it out. Our government and military establishment have repeatedly proven they are capable of doing almost anything. And I am certain they would do whatever it takes to stay ahead of China.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat can we do to find out if they are?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFirst, try and get that information on Simon\u2019s friends. That could tell us a lot, especially if we learn DARPA is involved. They\u2019re responsible for developing new weaponry, which could well include creating enhanced soldiers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI sure wish there was another way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI do too, Tracy. But I don\u2019t know any other way to get the information we need and tie it back to Simon and the homeless shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 9 \u2013 Super Soldiers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because Tracy was deeply troubled about what she suspected was occurring at the homeless shelter, she found working there uncomfortable and now rarely volunteered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She still enjoyed her job at the sanctuary, that is, except when making the meat loaves for the wolves. Tracy always wore surgical gloves when forming the loaves; however, wearing those did not ease her trepidation of expecting to come across horse hair in the meat at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It wasn\u2019t until the end of the week that Tracy had the opportunity to meet Veronica for lunch. Unfortunately, Veronica had gotten highly involved in a local charity affair that consumed an inordinate amount of her free time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTell me about this charity you are so involved in, Veronica,\u201d Tracy asked as they sat down at the newly opened Thai restaurant Veronica wanted to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a Native American-sponsored program to raise money to help rebuild community centers on two of the reservations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow\u2019s it going so far?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA little slower than we have hoped, but I have started approaching some of Simon\u2019s associates, and so far, they have been quite generous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good to hear. I wish you the best of luck. Also, count me in for $100. I would like to help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Tracy. That is extremely generous of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re more than welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After they had finished ordering their lunches, Tracy reluctantly began to seek information from Veronica. She started by asserting,  \u201cIt must have been difficult for you to approach Simon\u2019s friends for money. You said some of them were a bit over the top.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cActually, that made it easier for me as I was not overly concerned about bothering them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can understand that. You mentioned the big shot General, but are the rest mostly politicians?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA few are, some are oil men, and the rest are predominantly business executives involved in the defense industry, that is, except for Ted and the General.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat branch of the service is the General in? Do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure. I have seen him a few times wearing his uniform. He\u2019s a Marine three-star, and I believe he works in the Pentagon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWow, he is a big shot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, he is, but he is also the asshole who started all that talk about building gun towers on the Mexican border.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you know if any of the men work with DARPA?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica thought about that a moment and replied, \u201cI\u2019m not sure, Tracy, but I wouldn\u2019t be surprised. Why all the questions?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy was prepared for this response and answered, \u201cIt\u2019s just that Carl and I were talking about China\u2019s experiments in creating super soldiers with more strength and stamina, and we were wondering if the United States was doing any of that. We didn\u2019t know who to ask, and I thought possibly Simon or his friends might know something about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy the sudden interest in super soldiers?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCarl was looking at an article on the Internet about China\u2019s research. And when he told me, I remembered reading about experiments they ran on Mice, where feeding them a lot of vitamin A greatly improved their ability to see in the dark. So I\u2019d imagine we must have tried that on humans by now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right. In fact, I heard the men discussing that subject a while back. However, if I remember correctly, they were talking about using gene editing to improve night vision so soldiers wouldn\u2019t have to wear those cumbersome goggles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later as they were finishing up their lunch, Tracy asked, \u201cDo you know if they have actually tried that gene editing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure, but you got me thinking. There was one other related topic some of Simon\u2019s colleagues discussed during a dinner at our house last year that piqued my curiosity because of my medical training.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat was that, Veronica?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey were discussing the use of artificial red blood cells.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy artificial red blood cells. Is it to help treat combat injuries when there is a lack of real blood?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI guess it could be used for that, but what they talked about was its ability to greatly increase stamina as the artificial cells could carry much more oxygen than real blood cells. Based on their tests on animals, they believed a man could safely run at full speed for over one-half hour or stay submerged for at least an hour with no breathing equipment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s amazing. Did they say if it had been tested on humans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot specifically, but they changed the subject when they realized I was paying attention to their conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWow. I can\u2019t wait to tell Carl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica asked as they were leaving the restaurant, \u201cDo you still want me to ask Simon if any of his friends are associated with DARPA?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s unnecessary. You have already given me more than enough information. And best of luck with the charity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Tracy, and please give my best to Carl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWill do. And the same from me to Simon,\u201d Tracy said as she walked away, feeling terribly guilty for using her friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later while they were driving home after work, Tracy told Carl, \u201cI think you may be right about them using the homeless men to develop physically enhanced soldiers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy? Did you talk with Veronica?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, we had lunch today, and I asked her what you wanted to know. It was very uncomfortable grilling Veronica like that and then lying to her about why I was doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry to have put you in that situation, but what else could we have done?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, but I did feel terrible doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, what did you learn?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 And then, Tracy related what she had learned from Veronica during lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl was quiet for a while as he digested the information Tracy told him. Then, at last, he said, \u201cIt sure sounds like our government could be working on creating enhanced soldiers, but if they are, we still don\u2019t know whether they\u2019re using volunteers or the homeless men for their test subjects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, we don\u2019t. Any ideas on how to find out?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have an idea of how to start.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is that article on the Internet about China\u2019s ongoing efforts. I plan to send a copy to some of my old Army buddies still on active duty and ask them point blank, are we also doing things like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf someone responds positively, I\u2019ll at least know who to talk to about our concern.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl emailed over a dozen Army officers with whom he served or was acquainted. He was careful to clearly state that his inquiry was only for satisfying his personal curiosity and not for gathering military intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next several days, Carl received several responses, most saying, \u201cI have no idea.\u201d But, then, there were a few saying, \u201cI have no idea, but we probably are,\u201d and only one from Stan Langstrom, a Colonel at Fort Benning, who had been a close friend of Carl\u2019s when they served together earlier in their careers saying emphatically, \u201cYes, we are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFinally, I got a live one,\u201d Carl blurted out to Tracy as he read his emails before dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSomeone confirmed that we are trying to create super soldiers?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYep. An old buddy of mine, Stan Langstrom, a Colonel at Fort Benning, says we are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re doing the research there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI assume so, but I\u2019ll have to ask him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI take it you will also ask him who they use for test subjects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course, however, I think it is best to contact Stan by phone and explain why I am interested rather than impersonally by email. Since we have not been in touch for a while, I don\u2019t have his cellphone number. So I will reply to his email and ask him for it telling him I need to speak with him and that it\u2019s important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds good to me. However, make sure you also ask Stan when it would be a good time to call him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWill do,\u201d Carl composed and sent off the email reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After dinner, Carl again checked his emails, and there was already a response from Stan listing his cellphone number and suggesting Carl call him at home this weekend on Saturday around 9:00am EST. He also said I can\u2019t wait to hear what you have been up to and why this particular interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 7:00am on Saturday, 9:00am in Georgia, Carl called Stan on the speakerphone, so Tracy could listen in. Stan answered on the second ring and said, \u201cI take it this is you, Carl?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, it sure is. How are you doing, Stan, or should I say, Colonel? Congratulations on your promotion, It\u2019s been a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, and I\u2019m doing excellent. The last I heard, you were planning to attend veterinary school after retirement. Did you follow thru on that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I did. I\u2019m enrolled at Idaho State University and interning at a wolf sanctuary in Ketchum, Idaho.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood for you, Carl. I guess the K9 Corps had quite an effect on you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I got very fond of those dogs. But before we go further, Stan, I have you on speakerphone so my fiance Tracy can listen in. I hope you don\u2019t mind?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour fiance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, Tracy is the veterinarian here at the sanctuary. We plan to marry after my graduation and open an animal clinic together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s wonderful news, Carl. Congratulations to both of you. And, of course, I don\u2019t mind Tracy listening in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Stan. So how are you, Betty, and your two girls getting along?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They continued to make small talk. Carl learned that Stan and his family were doing well, and he was now an infantry regimental commander. Stan also told him he planned to stay in the army for at least five more years until he had completed his thirty and was hoping by then to have his first star.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After some more mundane conversation, Stan asked, \u201cOkay, enough about you and me. Why your interest in our Super Soldier program?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs that what they are calling it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, it is. Now explain why you care?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl then went into the details leading up to his contacting Stan and his and Tracy\u2019s concern about who were the test subjects for the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, you think we might be running experiments using involuntarily recruited homeless men?\u201d asked Stan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCarl, that is absolutely absurd. That would be as bad as the Nazis, and although I\u2019ll admit we have done some reprehensible things, we would never stoop that low.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI apologize, Stan. It is just that we don\u2019t have a lot of explanations for what happened to the missing homeless men.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, you can rest assured, Carl, that the military is not involved. And, for your information, our test subjects for the Super Soldier program are all paid volunteers. I know that for a fact, as several of them came from my regiment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Stan. At least we can put that crazy idea to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re more than welcome. And again, congratulations on your engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Stan,\u201d said Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwo more things before I hang up,\u201d said Stan. \u201cWhat I told you is confidential, and I expect you both to keep it that way. And please let me know what you finally learned happened to those homeless men. You made me curious, and now you owe me one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWill do both. I promise,\u201d said Carl. \u201cGive my best to Betty,\u201d and he ended the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo much for that idea,\u201d said Tracy.\u201d It looks like we are back to my original theory.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, it sure does unless we have another brainstorm. Carl responded dejectedly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 10 \u2013 Prisoners?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later that afternoon, while having  a Ramen noodle dish for lunch, Carl asked, \u201cAre you going to ask Veronica if any of Simon\u2019s buddies have remote oil wells?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Tracy replied, putting down her fork, \u201cI\u2019m not going to abuse our friendship that way again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo then, how do you plan to find out?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have an idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI suspect Simon\u2019s oil men friends are big donors to his gubernatorial campaign, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As he ate, Carl thought about it momentarily and then replied, \u201cYes, I suppose they would be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd if I am not mistaken, that would be public records?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, it should be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood. Then I will go online and find out which oil companies are Simon\u2019s donors and then search their public records. Those should probably say where they are drilling or exploring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd, if they do have remote facilities?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy continued eating the noodles on her plate, saying, \u201cWe\u2019ll just have to locate the sites on publicly available satellite photos and see if they look more like a work camp or gulag.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat could be a lot of work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know, but I want to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay, just suppose you find a suspicious place, like maybe having guard towers. What then, Tracy?\u201d Carl asked as he stopped eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI suppose we will have to get higher-resolution satellite images of the place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd how are you going to do that?\u201d Carl asked, resuming eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe your military friends can help us?\u201d Tracy said as she finished her noodles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know about that, but we can cross that bridge when we get there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After lunch, Carl went into the living room to read while Tracy brought out her laptop, sat at the table, and started searching Idaho State records on the Internet. Eventually, Tracy was able to locate the financial records for the gubernatorial race. As she suspected, three oil companies were big donors to Simon\u2019s campaign. She recognized one as being Simon\u2019s own company and the other two as most likely those of his friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy then went to the website of each of the companies and laboriously searched through the material available online, looking for information on where they operated. She learned that Simon\u2019s company seemingly only operated in Idaho, as did one other company. However, the third company, Simon\u2019s largest donor, had an oil field well above the Arctic Circle in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After more hours of searching news articles and financial reports, Tracy narrowed its location to the Northern Territories on Banks Island northeast of the settlement, Sachs Harbor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy had been on the computer for over four hours when Carl stopped reading and asked, \u201cDid you find anything useful?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I think I did. One of Simon\u2019s friends is drilling for oil on an island way up in the Northern Territories. It is very remote, and the native population of the island is only about one hundred people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt must be a small island.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, it isn\u2019t. It is about two hundred and forty miles long and one hundred and eighty miles wide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is big, Tracy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, they say it\u2019s the world\u2019s twenty-fourth  largest island and Canada\u2019s fifth largest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow are you going to locate the oil field?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m working on. I found a company called Skywatch where you can buy satellite imagery from various companies with varying resolutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs it expensive?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s $2.50 per square kilometer for low resolution, $12 for medium resolution, and $20 for the highest resolution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd, how big is this island?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAbout seventy thousand square kilometers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh crap Tracy,\u201d Carl blurted out after a moment\u2019s deliberation. \u201cThat\u2019s almost two hundred thousand dollars to search even at the lowest resolution and almost one and one half million dollars at the high resolution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t have to search the entire island. I know it is somewhere northeast of the settlement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven if you narrow it down to twenty-five percent of the island, Tracy, you\u2019re still talking about around fifty thousand dollars for the initial search.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Tracy replied dejectedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After thinking about it for a while, Carl said, \u201cI\u2019ll bet the company has to register the location of all their wells with the Canadian government. So you should check their website.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreat idea, Carl,\u201d Tracy immediately located and began scrutinizing the Canadian Government website Canada.ca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After about fifteen minutes more of frenzied searching, Tracy blurted, \u201cI found it. Actually, I found them as there are three wells there with their map coordinates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSee, all it took was a little more time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, but it will still be expensive as Skywatch has a minimum charge of $2700.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy shut her laptop and got up from the table to begin preparing dinner. Several minutes later, Carl walked into where she was working and said, \u201cWhat about using Google Earth? It\u2019s free, and I\u2019m sure the resolution should be good enough. I played around with it a few years ago, looking at houses where I used to live.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy stopped what she was doing, happily came over to Carl, kissed him, and said, \u201cThank you, Carl, you\u2019re wonderful. I can\u2019t wait to try it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow about waiting until after dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as they had finished cleaning up after dinner, Tracy started her Google Earth search. Again, Carl was right; the resolution seemed more than adequate. Within five minutes, Tracy had located the oil exploration site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCarl, come over here. I found the site.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoes it look like a prison camp?\u201d Carl asked as he walked up behind Tracy to look at her computer screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, not really. There is not much else there besides those three oil drilling rigs, the group of storage tanks, those four Quonset huts, and the runway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeh, I don\u2019t see any guard towers or fencing around the property.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe they don\u2019t need fencing. The men could have some other form of physical restraints, and it\u2019s a long way away from the settlement to try and hike out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy and Carl continued to stare at the screen as Tracy zoomed in on various areas and with different viewpoints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt looks like, at most, maybe fifty people are working there,\u201d said Carl. \u201cAnd it doesn\u2019t look to me as if anyone is restrained. …I also don\u2019t see anyone carrying what looks like a weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a few more minutes, Tracy said, \u201cI don\u2019t see anything incriminating either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, are you done with this crazy idea of yours that the homeless men our prisoners there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy thought about that for a while and said, \u201cNo, not at all. The men could still be prisoners. All they needed to do when they brought the men in on the plane was to fly around and show them how fruitless an escape would be and then maybe tell them if they don\u2019t work, they don\u2019t get fed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou really are a cynic, Tracy. I guess then we will never know for certain as I damn sure have no intention of flying all the way up there to talk to the men or take a closer look.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t expect you to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen what do you propose we do, Tracy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy again was quiet for a while and said, \u201cI know it might be useless, and I am sure they will think I\u2019m crazy, but I am going to contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and tell them what I suspect is happening there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou sure you want to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay, then do it, Tracy. The worst that can happen is that you might get laughed at.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It only took a few minutes on the Internet for Tracy to find the webpage of the Northwest Territories Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They had a contact form for submission on their page, and Tracy carefully filled it in, fully realizing that, as Carl had said, she was about to become the laughingstock of their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When she was finished, she proofread what she had written several times before finally clicking on the send box. She then shut down her laptop and came over and sat down on the couch by Carl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI did it,\u201d she said. \u201cThey only allowed two hundred words in their submission box. I wish I could have said more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat should have been more than enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right, Carl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much later, as they were watching television and came to a commercial, Tracy said, \u201cI wonder how long it will take before they get back to me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou mean before or after they stop laughing?\u201d Carl said playfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDamn it, Carl. That\u2019s not funny anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Tracy. I apologize, and I will behave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, unless you want to be cut off for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease, anything but that!\u201d Carl said sarcastically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About ten days later, Tracy received a formal email response from the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) stating only that a planned inspection tour of Sachs Harbour was scheduled for the end of the month. While on Banks Island, they would visit the oil field to ensure there were no issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Tracy showed Carl the email, he said, \u201cThat was nice of them to agree to follow up for you like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I actually was expecting some sort of a more skeptical response.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeh,  so was I. I have to give the RCMP a lot of credit for being so professional. Hopefully, we can put this all to bed in a month.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat would be nice, Carl. But, truthfully, I would like to be proven wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five weeks later, Tracy received another email from the RCMP thanking her for her concern and stating that the oil exploration site employees assured them they were not being held there against their free will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt seems I was wrong,\u201d Tracy told Carl after reading the email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cApparently so. Any other ideas, Tracy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfraid not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI still think something bad is happening to those homeless men,\u201d Tracy stated glumly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 11 \u2013 Trip Planning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, Tracy and Carl had proved that the missing homeless men were not being used as guinea pigs for Army experiments nor as slave workers at remote northern oil fields. And the only other idea they had come up with was their possibly being kidnapped and used as organ donors, but they dismissed it as being too bizarre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next few months went along for them without further mental anguish, mainly because Tracy stopped volunteering at the shelter as she no longer felt comfortable working there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their main preoccupation now in their free time was planning their spring trip to Nebraska. They decided to camp out at Yellowstone for five days on their way there and swing north on their way back to visit Yum-Yum Meats. It was quite a bit out of their way, but Carl was still eager to prove his theory to Tracy that they were slaughtering horses for food there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl planned for them to check out a few cities along I80 in southwest Nebraska: Kimball, Sidney, Chappell, and Big Springs. He thought any of those four might be a good place for them to consider opening a clinic. Although he learned from the Internet that Kimball and Sidney already had animal clinics, apparently, Chappell and Big Springs did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Tracy mentioned her and Carl\u2019s plans to Lucille, she said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you and Carl borrow our Minnie-Winnie Motorhome for the trip? We rarely use it, and it will save you a lot of effort and expense in making reservations and will be perfect for your stay in Yellowstone[1].\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat would be absolutely wonderful, Lucille. Are you sure Michael will be okay with that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am sure he will be delighted to help you out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, but if Michael has any trepidation, please let Michael know that Carl told me he owned a camper while stationed in Germany and traveled all over Europe in it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, I will tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl was away taking classes in Boise that day, and Tracy did not have a chance to tell him the good news until dinner. Although she initially thought Carl would be thrilled about being able to use the camper, she later began to have some qualms?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since many of the trips in the camper in Europe must have been with his deceased wife and child, she was afraid this might evoke some painful memories for Carl. She hoped the accident that took his wife\u2019s and daughter\u2019s lives wasn\u2019t on one of those camping trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Carl arrived at her apartment and had poured himself a  beer, Tracy said, \u201cLucille told me we could use their Winnebego camper for our trip. I hope you like that idea?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is wonderful, …but why would you think I might not like the idea?\u201d Carl asked quizzingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought maybe \u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, I get it. You thought that maybe it would bring back some unpleasant memories for me about my wife\u2019s and daughter\u2019s death.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease, don\u2019t be, Tracy. The accident that took their lives had absolutely nothing to do with a camper. It happened in a taxi while they were in Chicago, visiting her parents. I wasn\u2019t even there. So yes, taking our trip in a Winnebago should be great fun. I will look forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad. Maybe we should also buy a pair of inexpensive bikes to take with us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreat idea to bring bicycles. We should check first with Michael and Lucille. Maybe they have some we can also borrow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood; I will ask Lucille tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd, tell her I insist on paying them something to use their camper.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will, but I doubt they will accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, if they won\u2019t take money from us, then we need to find something they can use that we can buy them instead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI agree. Now, how about firing up the grill. I have some lamb chops that need your expertise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After finishing their delicious dinner of grilled lamb chops with sweet potato fries and cleaning up, Carl got out his laptop and went to Recreation.gov to search for a campsite in Yellowstone. There was not a lot left available, but Carl was finally able to reserve a large enough pull thru site at Madison Campground for the five nights they wanted to stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following day Carl was working at the Sanctuary and approached Michael to thank him for offering his camper for their use. \u201cMichael, we really appreciate your doing this for us. I hope Lucille didn\u2019t have to talk you into it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, not at all. We only used it once last year, and it will be nice to see someone getting to enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you. I promise to take good care of it. And, you got to let us pay you something for its use.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not about to take either of your money. I know you will take good care of it. Lucille and I are just glad to be able to help you out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere must be something we can do to repay you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, now that I think about it. …Make sure you fill it up, get an oil change, and a good wash and wax before you return it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be happy to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood. Lucille said you\u2019ve owned campers before?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I had one for about five years while stationed in Germany, so I know a little about them. However, you\u2019ll have to check me out on your rig since they are all different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll definitely do that. How long will you two be gone, and when are you planning on leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s okay with you and Eric, we would like to leave on the fifteenth of May after my semester ends and be gone for two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnless something major comes up, that sounds fine to me. I\u2019ll check with Eric and make sure he is okay with it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you. I appreciate that. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne more thing Carl. Do you want to borrow our bicycles? There\u2019s a rack on the back of the camper, and we sure enjoyed biking around Yellowstone when we were there last summer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, of course, Michael. That would be wonderful. We were going to ask you if we could do that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood! Then it\u2019s all settled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 12 \u2013 Nebraska<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing for their trip in May was a lot of fun for Tracy and Carl. They spent a weekend in Boise shopping at REI, Cabela\u2019s, and the Sierra Trading Company to outfit themselves properly. Carl even wanted to buy an inflatable kayak, but Tracy talked him out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, nothing major came up at the sanctuary, causing them to delay or postpone their trip. Eric arranged for Dr. Marshall, the retired vet from Sun Valley, to be on call for the two weeks while Tracy was gone. So, early in the morning on May 15th, with the Minnie-Winnie packed with all their gear, they started out for Yellowstone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The distance from Ketchum to the Madison Campground in Yellowstone was only a little over three hundred miles, and they pulled into the campsite in the late afternoon with plenty of time left to set up and have dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl clearly loved camping and was right in his element. He insisted on starting a fire in the firepit to cook their steaks and corn on the cob. He also refused to let Tracy do anything other than make some coleslaw and fetch the beers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They thoroughly enjoyed their stay in Yellowstone and were glad they brought the bikes, as parking at all the popular tourist venues was always full. It was also good exercise as they found they were biking well over twenty-five miles each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too soon, it seemed the five days were over, and they packed up for the trip to Nebraska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first town they planned to visit was Kimball, Nebraska. They learned from an Internet search that it had a population of 2258, and an animal hospital was already there. They doubted it would be a good candidate, but since it was along their way, they decided to look it over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google Maps said it was about 550 miles away and would take about ten hours to drive there from where they were camped. They knew they could make it in one day of hard driving but decided to stop at Curt Gowdy State Park near Cheyenne for the night instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following day, they pulled into Kimball at a little past noon. They stopped at a Mobile gas station and talked to the clerk at the station after filling the camper. She told them that about a mile north on Hwy 31 was Stahla\u2019s, a very nice RV Park that should have plenty of vacancies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since it was still early, they decided to visit the animal hospital first. They agreed it would be best to be forthwith with the people there about their intentions of opening a clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They drove west out of US30 to the Prairie Animal Hospital. Fortunately, the female veterinarian Dr. Miriam Shaw who ran it, was there at that time and was willing to talk with them. After introducing themselves, they learned she was also a graduate of Colorado State University and had started the hospital ten years ago with her partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Shaw was very forthcoming when they told her why they were there, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Tracy,\u201d she said. \u201c Kimball is a lovely town, and the people are wonderful, but unfortunately, Kimball is too small to justify opening another animal clinic. There\u2019s just not enough business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy replied, \u201cThank you, Miriam. That is what we thought, but we wanted to make certain. We also plan to check out Sidney, Chappell, and Big Springs. Any suggestions?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think Sidney might be a good fit for you. Although there is also an existing animal hospital, the town is three times the size of Kimball. I also believe Chappell and Big Springs are much too small for you to make a living there. You can look at them; however, I believe you would be just wasting your time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you for being so candid, Miriam,\u201d said Carl. \u201cWe greatly appreciate you taking the time to talk with us and helping us out. You saved us a lot of effort,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood luck, and I am always happy to help out a fellow CSU graduate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy and Carl spent the night at Stahla\u2019s RV Park, and after dumping and refilling the water tank on the camper, they started off to Sidney, Nebraska, which Google Maps said was only 145 miles away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Carl was driving, Tracy was on her cell phone searching the Internet for information about Sidney. After a while, Carl asked, \u201cWhat have you learned?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracy answered, \u201cI like it. The population is about 6700, and it is the headquarters of Cabela\u2019s Sporting Goods. There seems to be a lot to see and do nearby, and a nice bike path goes around the city. Also, the medical facilities seem decent there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds good. Let\u2019s plan on looking around a few days there, as it doesn\u2019t sound like there is any reason to continue to Chappell or Big Springs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI agree. Those two towns are much too small. Even if we could make a living there, they are so small we would probably be bored to tears there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl nodded his head affirmingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few minutes later, Tracy continued, \u201cAlso, one more plus for Sidney is that it seems affordable. They say the cost of living is low as the housing costs are only 60% of the national average.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcellent. It might work out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet\u2019s keep our fingers crossed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHave you found us a place to stay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, the Cabela\u2019s RV Park right off of I80 should work well for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you call them and make reservations for us while it is still early.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay, for how many nights?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet\u2019s say three for now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later after checking in at Cabela\u2019s RV Park and getting set up at their campsite, Carl took down the bicycles from the rack and said, \u201cLet\u2019s take a ride into town to look around and get a bite to eat somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA great idea. Maybe we can find a nice burger joint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While riding out of the campground, they stopped at the office and asked for advice on where to eat. They suggested the Rock Sports Bar and Grill, which was on their way downtown and less than three miles away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was an excellent suggestion, as the burgers were outstanding, and so was the draft beer. It was an auspicious start. After leaving the Bar and Grill, they continued riding further into town, wandering aimlessly throughout the downtown district to see what was there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The downtown area was much larger than expected and had at least a half dozen additional restaurants. There was also a nice-sized Safeway, and they later learned there was also a Walmart Supercenter near their RV park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they were about to return to the RV park, they passed by the Sydney Veterinary Hospital. It was still early, so they decided to stop there and hopefully talk with the veterinarian listed on the entrance sign Dr. Kenneth Cook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hospital was an attractive, well-maintained single-story brick building with a parking lot in front. They entered the main entrance and were greeted by the veterinarian\u2019s assistant, seated behind a wooden counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow can I help you?\u201d asked the woman cheerfully, whose nameplate said she was Evelyn Granger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl introduced himself and Tracy and asked, \u201cIs Dr. Cook in? We would like to speak with him for a few minutes if he is available.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet me go and check. Dr.Cook should be about done back in the clinic.\u201d Evelyn got up and walked down the hallway into the rear of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evelyn returned and said, \u201cHe is almost done with the procedure he is doing and should be free in about ten minutes. Is that okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat will be perfect,\u201d said Carl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several minutes later, Dr. Cook walked in from the hallway and said, \u201cSorry I kept you waiting; Evelyn said you were veterinarians and wanted to speak with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Cook was a pleasant-looking rotund man in a white lab coat with long silver hair who looked to be in his late sixties or early seventies. Tracy thought he would have made a good Santa Klaus if he had a matching beard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, if you have a few minutes, Dr. Cook,\u201d said Carl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease call me just Kenneth, everyone does, and let\u2019s go back to my office. It\u2019s more comfortable there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After sitting down in the chairs opposite his desk and introducing themselves, for the next several minutes, Carl and Tracy explained why they were there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Cook listened quietly and, when they had finished, asked, \u201cWhen will you be graduating, Carl?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwo years from now, Kenneth,\u201d replied Carl. \u201cTracy\u2019s three-year contract with the Wolf Sanctuary will also be completed around the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Cook was quiet for a moment, smiled, and said, \u201cYour timing is perfect. I promised my wife I would retire at age seventy, so we could travel while we were still able, and I will turn seventy that June. So, …would you two be interested in buying me out?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Tracy and Carl were momentarily shocked by his surprising suggestion, Tracy quickly responded excitedly, \u201cAs long as we can agree on a fair price, that would be marvelous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWould that also include your customers?\u201d asked Carl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen yes, I agree with Tracy, we are very interested,\u201d said Carl re-assuredly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcellent. Let me discuss it with my wife tonight and come up with a price for you. I have a lot scheduled for tomorrow, so come back around 4:00 PM if that\u2019s okay with you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat would be excellent,\u201d replied Carl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood! Then before you go, let me give you a quick tour so you can see what all is included.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That quick tour turned out to be over an hour as Dr. Cook enthusiastically showed them around, encouraging them to inspect everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After leaving the building, Tracy said to Carl, \u201cI am very impressed. Everything is up to date, and the X-ray equipment looks almost new. How much do you think he will ask?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would guess around a million dollars,\u201d Carl replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan we afford that much?\u201d Tracy asked worriedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have to take out a loan, but that shouldn\u2019t be a problem. I have over three hundred thousand dollars in savings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWow, you never told me that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou never asked,\u201d Carl replied as they got on their bicycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you think Kenneth will want a deposit?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course. I will offer him twenty-five thousand. That should be enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they passed the bar and grill where they had lunch, Carl stopped and said, \u201cLet\u2019s go in and have a beer or drinks to celebrate. I also think they had ribs on their menu.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a late breakfast, Tracy and Carl spent the next few hours leisurely riding the bike path that meandered around the town, stopping to inspect various sites and buildings several times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl was hungry, so they stopped at the Chinese restaurant downtown before returning to the camper to clean up for their meeting with Dr. Cook. Unfortunately, as they should have expected, they found Sydney was not the best place for Chinese food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they returned to the Veterinary Hospital at 4:00 PM for their meeting, Dr. Cook was waiting for them in the lobby along with a tall, slender man about his same age, who he introduced as David Murrey, his golf partner and, more importantly, his attorney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four of them went back to Dr. Cook\u2019s office, and after sitting down, Dr. Cook started by saying, \u201cMy wife and I talked at great length last night. I had what I thought was a fair price in mind; however, my wife was so excited about me actually retiring, she talked me into reducing it somewhat to make it more attractive.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like your wife, Kenneth,\u201d said Carl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou should. If you are willing to commit today, my price is $750,000, which I believe is quite reasonable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl and Tracy looked at each other, and then trying not to display his profound eagerness, Carl said, \u201cYou have a deal, Kenneth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood. My wife will be ecstatic,\u201d said Dr. Cook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David said, \u201cIf that\u2019s the case, Carl, if you are willing to leave a small deposit, I\u2019ll start on the paperwork.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow about twenty-five thousand? Would that be enough?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David glanced at Dr. Cook for reassurance and replied, \u201cThat would be perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They then agreed to meet at the same time tomorrow to sign the papers and take Carl\u2019s deposit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later, as Tracy and Carl rode back from the office to the campground, Tracy said, \u201cI\u2019m delighted. Based on what you told me, I was afraid the price would be much higher.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI did too. I was sure Dr. Cook would ask for at least one million. Thankfully things are definitely less expensive here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, what do we do now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know it is premature, but let\u2019s get one of those real estate brochures we saw in the campground office and ride around and look at some homes tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat should be fun, Carl. It will give us an idea of what type of housing is available.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my idea. We\u2019ll take off the following morning for Gibbonsville.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou still want to visit Yum-Yum to see if they are killing wild horses for food?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, if you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf it will make you happy, I\u2019m fine with that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow far is it, Carl?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA little over eight hundred miles. I\u2019d like to spend a few nights at Grand Teton National Park; it\u2019s on the way. That\u2019s about a five-hundred-mile drive from here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like that idea. Since we didn\u2019t have to visit Chappell or Big Springs, we have a few extra days available.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Episode 13 \u2013 Yum-Yum Meats<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, they were able to obtain a reservation at Grand Teton National Park. When they first tried that evening, they had no luck, but one at Colter Bay Campground opened a few hours later due to a cancellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the morning, after dumping and refilling their water tank Tracy and Carl left Sydney for Grand Teton. They were in an excellent mood, as the future couldn\u2019t have seemed brighter. The animal hospital in Sydney would be perfect for them, and they very much liked some of the areas and homes they saw nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were tempted to contact the realtors on two of the listings so they could view the inside of the houses but realized they were way too premature for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grand Teton National Park was spectacularly beautiful, and they thoroughly enjoyed their stay except for the first night, with the ever-present swarms of mosquitoes after dark. Their presence made sitting outside in the evening impossible, and their loud, incessant buzzing made it difficult to fall asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that first night experience, they rode their bikes into the nearby town of Colter Bay Village, stocked up on insect repellant, and bought earplugs. That did not alleviate the problem, but it at least made it tolerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, they were parked near the campground office, and unlike most other sites, they had good wifi coverage, which was helpful while they were stuck inside their camper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl used Google Earth to locate Yum-Yum Meat and learned there were two fenced separate building sites. One had a single large building adjacent to a sizeable animal holding pen and a few smaller outbuildings. About a hundred yards away, the second had only two smaller connected structures, one about twice as big as the other. Surprisingly, there was no nearby holding pen at that facility, only a parking lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl and Tracy decided to stay at the park one more night and leave the following morning. Their navigation program said it would be about a six-hour drive from Grand Teton, so if they left early in the morning, they should arrive there around 2:00 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even after dumping and refilling their water tank, they still left the park shortly before 8:00 AM. Fortunately, the roads were almost empty, and they made good time getting to Yum-Yum Meat and pulled into the parking lot outside the gate of the larger site before 1:30 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They exited the camper and walked over to the elderly man in the guard shack, who was staring intently at them. Then, apparently surprised to see tourists there, he came out and asked, \u201cExcuse me, folks, …are you lost?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, we are not,\u201d replied Carl. \u201cWe were hoping to do a plant tour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell then, I\u2019m sorry, you are out of luck. We don\u2019t do any plant tours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d asked Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…I assume for liability reasons,\u201d replied the guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019re close friends of the owner, Simon Ingram,\u201d stated Tracy. \u201cCan you please contact the plant manager and see if he could make an exception for us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guard hesitated for a bit, then returned to the guard shack and made a phone call. After a short conversation, the guard returned and said, \u201cPlease wait here. Mr. Parker said he would be out shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d said Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While they waited, Carl leaned over to Tracy and said quietly, \u201cThat worked, but we\u2019re really not close friends of Simon\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, we at least are acquainted, and I am a close friend of his wife\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few minutes later, a heavy-set middle-aged man wearing jeans, an open-collar white shirt, and cowboy boots came out of the main building, walked up to them, and said, \u201cI\u2019m Grant Parker, the Plant Supervisor. I hear you are good friends of Simon\u2019s and want a tour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, we are, and we would like to look around. Neither of us has ever visited a meat packing plant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grant looked them over carefully for a moment, obviously trying to make a decision, and asked, \u201cHow do you two know Simon? I thought I knew most of his close friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe both work at the Wolf Sanctuary and know him from there,\u201d answered Tracy. \u201cI also know him from helping out at the homeless shelter, and his wife Veronica is my best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, Grant hesitated and then shrugged his shoulders, saying, \u201cSure, why not,\u201d as he turned. \u201cFollow me. I\u2019ll show you around personally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They started the tour outside at the feeding lot and holding pens where a few hundred heads of cattle awaited processing. They then went inside, thankfully hurrying past the chutes where the animals were systematically euthanized and into the much larger meat processing area. Finally, the tour ended, where the packaged meat was eventually loaded into refrigerated trucks for delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl and Tracy were surprised at how neat and clean everything was, and Carl told Grant as they walked back outside, \u201cYou ought to do tours here. The whole place is remarkedly clean. Not at all what I expected\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you for the compliment, but truthfully very few people even get out this way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey should,\u201d remarked Carl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs there anything else I can do for you,\u201d asked Grant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, can you tell us what you do at the other facility over there?\u201d Carl said, pointing to the other fenced facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s where we do the animal feed. It\u2019s a separately run unit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy\u2019s that?\u201d asked Carl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t need to be under the thumb of the health inspectors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere doesn\u2019t seem to be anyone over there,\u201d said Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t process much animal food,\u201d said Grant. \u201cThat plant only runs about one shift a week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan we tour it?\u201d asked Carl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSorry, no. It\u2019s poorly maintained, and there are too many safety hazards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll sign a waiver,\u201d said Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSorry guys, the answer is still no. It\u2019s off limits.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After they had returned to the camper and started driving away, Tracy said, \u201cWhat do you think, Carl?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think they are processing horse meat at the other facility; that\u2019s why it is separate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen where are the horses? You said there were no pens outside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think they must keep them inside one of those buildings where they are out of sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, what are you going to do, Carl?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to go back to that RV park we passed coming in and get us a place to stay for the night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m coming back later tonight and doing a little scouting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about that tall fence with barbed wire around the place. How are you going to get thru it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to go over it. I\u2019ll park the camper alongside the fence and go on top of it to climb over the fence. It shouldn\u2019t be too hard to climb back that way. It\u2019s only about seven feet tall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m going with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSomeone has to act as a lookout.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt could be dangerous, Tracy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSurely there not going to shoot us over this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProbably not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, then I am coming with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They waited until 2:00 AM before driving back to Yum-Yum. When they came within sight of it, Carl turned off the headlights, and they cautiously drove toward the darkened animal feed facility, finally parking in the rear of the buildings alongside the fence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a roof access ladder mounted on the back of the camper, and climbing on top was easy. Carl took the tarp he had carried up and draped it over the exposed barbed wire strands for protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After carefully lowering Tracy to the ground inside the fence, Carl jumped down from the roof, tucking into a body roll to lessen the impact as he had been taught during jump school in the Army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They waited silently for a few minutes by the fence, hoping they had not been detected. But, other than some sounds of wildlife, the only noise was the refrigeration equipment running at the facility. Thankfully no one seemed to be around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl hoped they could find an easy way to get inside, as all he had with him was the camper\u2019s tire iron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The closest building was the smaller one. There was a large roll-up door on the side big enough for delivery trucks, but unfortunately, it was solidly secured from the inside of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl could discern no other means of egress to the building as there were no other doors. And the only windows were narrow ones high up on the walls near the eaves. There were no lights visible inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat do you think,\u201d asked Tracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl said, \u201cI\u2019ll bet this is where they keep the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t smell any odor of horses,\u201d stated Tracy sniffing the air. \u201cAre you sure about this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I really am now. The supervisor\u2019s statement about keeping this facility separate from the other one because of health inspectors sounded like pure bullshit. They might want to keep them separate, but why by over one hundred yards. The only possible explanation is that they want to keep what\u2019s happening here secret.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen why can\u2019t we smell the horses?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl was quiet for a while before replying, \u201cMaybe that is because the horses are already dead when they arrive, and they just store the carcasses inside. That would explain all the refrigeration equipment that is running.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI sure hope you are wrong about this, Carl. I promise I won\u2019t tease you about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not worried about that as I am sure I am right. Let\u2019s check the other building.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other building was larger, and like the first building, all the windows were narrow and up high. However, unlike the first building, a dim light was visible inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a double door in the front of the building, and when Carl tried it, he was amazed to find it was not locked and quietly exclaimed to Tracy, \u201cWhat the hell. It\u2019s not locked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSee, maybe you\u2019re wrong that something secret is being done here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so. They\u2019re just probably complacent with its isolation and that barbed wire fence. So, we\u2019re just lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFine, if you say so. Then let\u2019s get this over with and look around inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl gingerly opened the door partway and peeked inside. No one was visible, so he opened the door further, and he and Tracy cautiously stepped inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see anything out of order,\u201d said Tracy. \u201cIt looks just like a smaller and less complicated version of the meat processing area in the other facility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeh, your right,\u201d said Carl disappointedly. \u201cWait here. I want to see if I can enter the other building from here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl walked back to the far wall, where a short hallway ended at a stainless-steel padlocked freezer door apparently providing access to the smaller building. After a brief struggle, Carl forced open the padlock with his tire iron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl removed the lock and opened the door. Unfortunately, he couldn\u2019t see anything as it was pitch black inside. All he could tell from the rush of cold air that swept over him was that it definitely was a freezer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He extracted his cell phone from his pocket to use it as a light, expecting to see horse carcasses hanging inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he turned on the light, Carl abruptly cried, \u201cOh fuck me! …Those miserable fucking bastards!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Carl?\u201d Tracy demanded as she began hurrying closer after hearing Carl\u2019s surprisingly profane outburst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl shut off the light, turned toward Tracy, visibly shaken, and said forcibly, \u201cTracy, stop! Don\u2019t come any nearer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy? Are there piles of dead horses in there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, …worse than that. It…Much worse. …I found your missing homeless men!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

END<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Episode 1 \u2013 The Dream Job I can\u2019t believe it will be all over after eight years of study, thought Tracy Freeman. I\u2019ll finally be getting my doctorate in veterinary medicine on Friday. I know Dad is unhappy that I am not going back to … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":154817921,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3404","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/PaPDdH-SU","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":134,"url":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/?page_id=134","url_meta":{"origin":3404,"position":0},"title":"SHORT STORYS","author":"Elliot Actor","date":"19 Jun 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Click on links below to view the short story My Finding Gramp's Basement Chance Encounter The Sphere YUM-YUM Echoes of my Heart The Gravedigger Kola Hell","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":182,"url":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/?page_id=182","url_meta":{"origin":3404,"position":1},"title":"Can People Change?","author":"Elliot Actor","date":"20 Jun 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Would it surprise you if you heard that President Trump woke up this morning and said to Melania, \u201cI\u2019m going to call Dr. Fauci and apologize. He\u2019s right I think we need a national mask mandate.\u201d Or, maybe Nancy Pelosi calling him up later and telling him \u201cI\u2019ve asked all\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3434,"url":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/?page_id=3434","url_meta":{"origin":3404,"position":2},"title":"Law & Order SVU – Screenplay","author":"Elliot Actor","date":"23 Dec 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Setting: Special Victims Unit located within the 16th Precinct in Manhattan, New York City. 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And by the\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":199,"url":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/?page_id=199","url_meta":{"origin":3404,"position":4},"title":"Peanut’s Big Advanture","author":"Elliot Actor","date":"20 Jun 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"In the January 2016 Colorado Airstream Club Newsletter, I wrote in my Bio that I had to prepare for the Newsletter as the incoming Club\u2019s 1st Vice President, that we had a parrot and we were his favorite traveling companions. 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And naturally, you night ask,\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3404","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/154817921"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3404"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3404\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3408,"href":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3404\/revisions\/3408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elliotactor-author.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}