Free Peggy Dulle - Liza Wilcox 04 - Saddle Up by Peggy Dulle

Ridgedale?”
    “Didn’t you know that cancer is everywhere and the entire world is a cluster?”
    “Who says?”
    “All the politicians and governmental agencies that don’t want to take responsibility for their screw-ups.” Dad got up and paced again, a clear indication that he was unhappy about the situation in Ridgedale and, of course, his feelings toward elected officials and our government.
    “So what do you think is causing the cancer?”
    “Take your pick. Ridgedale sits in the middle of a bunch of crap. North is the Aspin Power Plant, south is the Emerald Lagoon and the entire city was built on pesticide-rich farmland. Those would be the second, third, and fourth things wrong with that area.”
    “Well, then I guess I’ll bring bottled water and thick soled shoes.”
    “I’d recommend a gas mask, too,” my dad replied. And he was serious.
    “I’m surprised that you guys aren’t up there picketing and doing whatever eco-terrorists do these days.”
    My dad turned away from me and didn’t respond to my last statement.
    “Oh no, don’t tell me you’re planning something during the rodeo?”
    “It’s the only time that town gets any recognition, Liza.” Dad turned around throwing his hands in the air. “The other 360 days out of the year, nobody even knows they exist.”
    “Great. I will be there, Tom will be there, you and your little band of terrorists will be there, too. There are only ten rooms at the inn, where in hell are we all going to stay?”
    “There is no way we’ll stay in that town. My group is driving in.”
    “What are you planning?” I asked.
    My dad raised his eyebrows.
    “Oh God, never mind. I don’t want to know. Maybe you’re the reason that family gets killed?”
    “Nope, we make sure that nobody is hurt except the big corporations that pollute the water or air.”
    “So maybe somebody screws up.”
    He shook his head, but a hint of doubt was in his eyes.
    My phone rang.
    I glanced at the caller ID. “It’s Tom,” I said.
    “That’s my cue to skedaddle.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek and left through the sliding glass door.
    I answered the phone. “Hello, love.”
    “Hi, honey. How’s your Sunday going?”
    “Rather busy.”
    “Really? Usually you watch a movie and get your mind ready for school on Monday.”
    “I haven’t started that yet,” I said, glancing at the yellow pad full of words. I needed to add the information that Dad had just given me too.
    “What’s been going on?”
    “Justin called and gave me some information on Ridgedale, and then… , I hesitated.
    Tom finished my sentence, “Your dad stopped by or called you to give you his information.”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, that sucks. I came in number three. I’ve got to get faster at being your minion or you might dump me for someone else.”
    “Minions are slaves, Tom. You are not my slave.”
    “I’m a slave to your love,” he said.
    I rolled my eyes – I seemed to be doing that a lot today. “So minion number 3 – what did you find out?”
    “Ridgedale is a nothing town.”
    “I’ve heard that.”
    “Okay, let’s see if you know this. Their police department and fire department are all manned by volunteers. They do have a mayor.”
    “Really? What’s his name?” I picked up the pad, flipping to the next page.
    “It’s a woman and her name is Priscilla Banner.”
    “What else do you know about her?”
    “She’s the one with the money and power in the town. She owns just about every piece of land in the area, a power plant and some kind of lagoon recreation area, and leases it out to the town. Her daughter runs the local newspaper.”
    “ The Ridgedale Reader ?”
    “Yes, you must have gotten that from Justin. He’s the computer minion and I’m sure it’s available on the Internet.”
    “He sent me the link.” I jotted some notes onto the yellow pad.
    “I wouldn’t put much stock in what it says. The newspaper is run by the Mayor’s daughter, Grace