Free Cantina Valley (A Ben Adler Mystery Book 1) by Trevor Scott Page B

he might return?”
    The former soldier shrugged.   “Could be a while.   I think they’re up in the Siuslaw.”
    “Matsutake?”
    “I don’t know.   I’m not a mushroom guy.”
    Ben nodded.   “All right.   Could you do a favor for me, then?”
    “Depends.”
    Ben pushed forward.   “Could you simply have Tavis give his sister a call.”
    “Service is not available out here.”
    “I understand.   I don’t even own a cell phone myself.   Or a land line.   Or the internet.   But I don’t have a sister looking for me.   You know how they can be.”
    “I’ve heard.”   Kevin hesitated, his hands firmly on his hips.   “The only reason I’m talking with you is because I know you and you served in the military.”
    “I hear you.   I’d appreciate your help.”
    “My hospitality only goes so far.   Next time you need to comply with our signs.”
    “Will do.   I have a gate at my place.”
    “We’re working on getting one.”
    Ben was about to turn and go, when he thought of one more thing.   Especially since he had been warned about not coming back.   “I’m familiar with the history of this place.   Where exactly do you fit in to the past?”
    “We don’t.   We fit in to the future.   Time for you to leave, Ben.”   This was not a suggestion.
    “Roger that.”   Ben walked back to his truck and got behind the wheel.
    “What did he say?” Maggi asked desperately.
    “Hang on.”   Ben cranked over the engine and pulled around, turning back toward the way they had entered the Compound.
    “Wait,” she said.   “I need to see my brother.”
    Ben kept driving down the hill until Maggi pulled on his arm.   “Tavis is staying here,” he said, “but he’s not here at this time.”
    “How do you know?”
    “Because the guy told me.”
    “And you believe him?”
    “I told you I can tell when someone is lying,” Ben said.   “This guy is hiding something, but he was telling the truth about your brother.   He’s with some friends picking mushrooms in the Siuslaw.   They have no cell service, no land line and no internet.”
    “Just like you.”
    “Right.”
    “What is wrong with you people?”   She stopped herself.   “Wait.   Mushrooms?   My brother doesn’t like those.   He ate a false Morel once and got really sick.”
    “People can change, Maggi.   But I just heard your stomach growling.   You need to eat.   I know a little mom and pop place close to here.”
     
    •
     
    Kevin waited until the nosy neighbor had gone down the hill before heading back into the main lodge.   Once inside he met up with his partner, a former Marine.
    “What was that about?” his partner asked.
    “A guy named Ben Adler asking about Guff,” Kevin said.   “Guff’s sister was along for the ride.”
    “You know this Adler?”
    “Knew him.   He took over his parents’ place once they died.   Retired Air Force.”
    “He didn’t look like a pilot.”
    “No.   I heard he was a security policeman before becoming a special agent with their OSI.”
    “Really?   Those guys were really helpful to us in the Gulf.   Decent interrogators.”
    That’s exactly what Kevin remembered as well.   “He could be a problem or very helpful.”
    “Which way will he go?”
    “Hell if I know.   He’s off the grid like us.”
    “Where’d you tell him Guff went?”
    Kevin smiled.   “Mushroom picking.”
    “That’s the truth.”
    “I know.   I had a feeling Ben Adler would know a lie after everything he saw over there.   When Guff gets back, tell him to call his damn sister.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    11
     
    The two of them ate at the Cozy Inn a half a mile off of U.S. Highway 99, the old main north/south highway from Canada to Mexico.   The place was technically outside of Cantina Valley, but not by much.   Once Interstate 5 was built, many of the smaller communities on 99 got smaller, and those lucky enough to be right off the interstate grew