Cold Cat Mountain: The Peak (Cold Cat Mountain Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  “Blaze, may I introduce you to Randall Sterling?”

  Randall cleared his throat, obviously not interested in an introduction, he shuffled his papers busily without establishing eye contact.

  Pain surged up and over her scalp. Extracting a dose from her pill bottle Blaze covertly popped a tablet into her mouth and chased it with lukewarm water.

  Randall’s predatory presence had stirred something dark within Blaze. His deep black eyes covertly slid Matilda’s direction from under thick set black eyebrows. Matilda, oblivious to his wolf-like gaze, studied the program for the interview.

  Blaze had interacted with many professionals. None had so effortlessly refused to engage in an introduction. The awkward tension was an orchestra he personally conducted. He sipped a hot cup of coffee as he leaned back and raised his eyes to Blaze.

  Very often moments unspoken are the only advantages offered humans listening to their instincts. Without a word passing between them Blaze recognized Randall Sterling carried a monster, like her, but his was one of his own making. Not a monster born from self-defense.

  No, the monster lurking beneath the surface of the man across the table was one he had invited, nurtured and contrived. Their eye contact lasted less than a blink and Blaze felt herself physically react. The claws tightened around her scalp. When she winced it was not subtle.

  Matilda handed Blaze a cool cup of water. Breathing deeply, Blaze wrote a note and passed it to Matilda stating she may need to leave. As the pain grew, the monster stretched and pushed against the boundaries of her medication. An electrical shock ripped through Blaze’s jawline and she stiffened, gripping the edge of the table.

  Resigned to her post, torn between loyalty and mounting pain, Blaze battled her inner monster, praying the interview would end quickly. Something about Randall had stirred her beast from its slumber. Because she was growing pale and didn’t know how long she could fight the mounting battle in her skull she took another pill, chewing it until the pain caused her to grimace and pull back.

  Their host took his seat welcoming them as Blaze battled internally with lightning bolts of pain dancing across her cheek, teeth and inner ear. Half an hour into the radio show Blaze wondered if she would simply pass out. Her color had turned pale and the nausea caused from the electrical currents overriding the anti-seizure medication had grown past what Blaze could calm with sips of cool water and deep breathing. In fact, the deep breathing was not far from becoming hyperventilation. The strain on her face was evident to Matilda, who waited and watched Blaze until she was invited to share her own credentials and discoveries in the calm, cool tone that Blaze recalled from her lecture. Blaze reminded herself that she too could acquire controlled responses. She willed the pain to listen to her commands as Matilda’s voice faded, and Blaze focused entirely on the shock waves. The monster ebbed back reluctantly, watching quietly from its closet. Peering, looming, waiting for Blaze to let down her guard. Waiting for the medication to lose its potency. After approximately thirty minutes of excruciating neuralgic pain Blaze felt the effects of the anti-seizure medication slowly sedate her monster.

  As she relaxed and began observing the interview she noticed the radio host who was interviewing Randall and Matilda appeared well within his element. A selfprofessed Sasquatch enthusiast, he brought an upbeat energy to an interview that had the hallmarks of a gunfight. After allowing Matilda and Randall to share their backgrounds and current work he paused, thanking them. Then smiling, he pointed to Blaze.

  “Well, obviously the past half hour has offered a clear view of our main interviewees. What I’d like to do now, before we open the floor to their formal discussion, is introduce Matilda Bough’s newest colleague and field researcher, Blaze Christian. Blaze, would you mind sharing with our listeners how you came to catch the attention of a world renowned Sasquatch researcher?”

  Blaze nervously touched her hand to her head set.

  “Hello everyone. Thank you for having me on your show today. To answer your question Mike, I believe it was fate which brought the two of us together. Obviously I am humbled by Matilda’s work, and blessed to learn alongside her.”

  “It certainly would be humbling. Matilda Bough has emerged in the past few years as a force to be reckoned with. I wonder if you would share your professional background with our listeners?”

  Swallowing, Blaze offered a tight smile. Why hadn’t Matilda allowed her more time to prepare for this? Why would she spring it on Blaze the night before? Blaze had no experience in the field and panicked at the thought of embarrassing Matilda and herself on air.

  “Mike, it seems I have been able to offer insights based upon my own work with predators. That is all I would like to share about that.”

  “Well, now you’ll have our phone lines lighting up.” Mike laughed. “Can you tell us anymore?”

  Randall raised his head. His slanted eyes locked with Blaze. With her tone barley above a whisper she maintained eye contact with Randall.

  “I can only tell you that I know a predator when I see one. Even when they are hiding in plain sight.”

  “Wow! That’s somewhat cryptic.” Mike’s enthusiasm ebbed. “Uh, How about we open our phone lines up and take some calls?” The assistant from the other room pointed to Mike and stuck his thumb in the air. “Alright! First caller, you are on the air with Mike. Go ahead and introduce yourself.”

  A Nano second of silence followed and then a line clicked.

  “Hello?”

  “Yes, Hi, You’re on with Mike.”

  “Great, hello. This is Tim. I’m calling from Idaho.”

  “Yes, Tim. Welcome and go ahead.” Tim cleared his throat. “Yeah, my question is for Dr. Sterling. I was wondering if he has heard of the cabin break in up at Snow Mountain Lake in Canada, and what his thoughts are on the subject? Sasquatch or Bear? I’ll take my answer off the air. Thanks.”

  Randall sat up in his chair. He broke eye contact with Blaze, gently resting his fingers over his ear piece. “Yes, thank you Tim. I appreciate you directing the question to me as I was originally one of the team members called to investigate that occurrence. Sadly, I was unable to participate due to a prior engagement. However, my own research indicated that particular event was precipitated by a bear, perhaps a grizzly. While the cabin is in a remote region accessible only by plane, it seems unlikely to me that a Sasquatch would frequent and vandalize a remote woods cabin.”

  Mike turned to Matilda. “What about you, Miss Bough? Any thoughts on that particular incident?” “Yes. I actually have some clarifying questions for Dr. Sterling on that incident as well.”

  Drawing his chin downward Randall assumed a self-important posture. He nodded to indicate that Matilda should proceed. “If a grizzly, or perhaps black bear, had been responsible for vandalizing that particular cabin wouldn’t the animal in question have torn into the refrigerator to gain access to the insulation?”

  Randall tapped his headset thoughtfully.

  “Well, as you know Matilda, not every animal’s behaviors are based upon text book data. Like humans, animals often entertain their own agenda.”

  Mike raised a hand. “If I may, why would any bear go for the insulation in the refrigerator?” Posing his question to Randall Mike waited while Randall held out his hand to Matilda. “Please, allow Matilda to fill in the listening audience. It’s a rather fascinating answer.”

  Blaze stiffened. He didn’t know the answer.

  Unaffected, Matilda expressed her appreciation to Randall.

  “Insulation in the lining of a refrigerator closely mimic’s the chemical scent of an anthill. A common food source for bear.” Mike laughed. “Wow! You learn something new every day. So, Matilda, let me pose the same question to you. Sasquatch or bear vandal?”

  “Well, considering the bathroom sink was torn from the wall and thrown to the floor I would theorize we are discussing a large primate type animal. One capable of using opposable thumbs to gain purchase and leverage required to
remove the sink from the wall, which is how it was found.”

  Mike pushed a button which created a loud emission of cheers and clapping.

  “I would say she called that one Dr. Sterling. Anything you would like to add?” “No. I would prefer we not consume valuable time comparing hypotheses. After all, Matilda was not invited to be a part of the original research party, therefore she is somewhat at a disadvantage.”

  His droll tone had no outward effect on Matilda. She merely nodded and encouraged Mike to take the next caller.

  “Hello! This is Mike and you are on the air. Who are we speaking with?” “Hi, this is Francine, from Wyoming. I am so excited to speak with you all. My question is for Dr. Sterling. Your colleague from the college in Idaho has several casts. One particular set was pulled from the Mt. St. Helen's research group. Did you all happen to find any vertical print indicators on that plaster?”

  Randall leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his protruding belly.

  “Francine I am aware of those casts. That was an exciting find. I believe they are still analyzing the cast for the vertical print pattern you are speaking of.” She gushed loudly into the phone. “Oh my, that must have been an exciting team to be on. How long were you all out there?”

  “Actually Francine, I had my field researcher attend that field event in my place. I was speaking in Asia at the time.”

  Mike ended the call and thanked Francine.

  “Welcome to On the Air with Mike!”

  Heavy breathing. Blaze wondered if people realized they sounded like out of shape runners when they huffed into the phone.

  “This here is ol’ Jacko McLain. I’m calling from Eugene, Oregon. I guess my question is fer’ both yer’ experts there today.”

  “Well, actually Jacko, we have three guests today. Maybe Blaze would like an opportunity to respond to your question as well.”

  No, Blaze would not. She felt some tension ebb and forced herself to relax a bit. “That’s fine, that’s fine. Listen, I was at Matilda Bough’s last speaking engagement. I am not happy at all with her statement that Bigfoot is a man eater. That kind of ridiculous statement is going to have every Tom, Dick and Harry with a rifle out looking for this creature. I think that was an irresponsible statement. I would like to hear back from both the Doctor and Matilda. Don’t matter if the predator woman steps in and says anything. I don’t know her anyway.”

  Clearing his throat Randall chuckled.

  “Jacko, I too was surprised by Matilda’s statement. Personally I do not believe we have gathered enough evidence to try Bigfoot for manslaughter.” The breather laughed. “Well, at least one of you have yer heads on straight.” Mike intervened swiftly. “Matilda, would you care to comment? After all, you currently lead the pack in developing research finds. It seems odd though to indicate Bigfoot is taking people. Your thoughts?”

  Clasping her hands in her lap Matilda nodded back to Mike. “Indeed Mike, Jacko, Dr. Sterling, my theory does invite an uncomfortable component to Bigfoot-ology. Just as no one stands on the beach line and enjoys the fact that a super eating machine lurks just beneath the waves we know there is one there. Sharks do not receive the speculation Sasquatch does because they have in fact been physically proven to exist. They too attack, causing humans to read dreadful stories in the news where swimmers simply disappear. On some level, we as a populace have come to terms with the fact that we know sharks are out there. Even if we had only discovered sharks teeth, and not the shark itself, we’d be forced to admit that the findings and the disappearances might be somehow connected. Not having personally seen Sasquatch does not limit my assessment of what a creature with its obvious intellectual capacity is capable of. In fact, if anything, it makes me more cautious considering how elusive the creature is. Elusiveness requires a degree of intellect we cannot dismiss”

  Jacko breathed heavily. “I think you are making judgement calls missy that are beyond your abilities. That’s a dangerous game to play. Now, men like myself and Dr. Sterling here, we respect the forest. We know how to hunt. We’ve been out there. No offense but a woman would not be able to make an accurate statement about what’s out there. Women aren’t out in the wilderness like we men are. You don’t have the instincts to make the call on the game. There is nothing about Sasquatch that indicates it might be eating people.”

  “Wow. That is a heavy response. Dr. Sterling do you have anything to add to that?”

  Randall shrugged in a humble gesture. “Well, Jacko has made some valid points. I too think it is a dangerous statement Miss Bough has issued to the public.” Mike adjusted his headset. “Uh-huh. And what about the field research and time in the woods? Would you agree with Mr. McLain that it brings a certain instinct to the surface when men spend time in the wilderness? That sounds extremely sexist.”

  “Well, it is a relevant statement. Mr. McLain speaks for many people who have found themselves developing an appreciation for the forest and the energy it creates. Many men have left their hunting camps based on rocks being thrown at them from the trees…or sounds. Women just aren’t out there as much.”

  Matilda raised her finger to speak. “Actually gentlemen, I have spent a great deal of time in the woods. Alone. Very recently, in fact. I would imagine more than Dr. Sterling, given his extremely busy speaking schedule.”

  Mike nodded to his booth man and cued the music for break.

  With a deep breath he removed his headset, looking slightly stressed.

  “We have less than five minutes before we are back on air. Great interviews! I will be right back.”

  Mike flew out the door. The unspoken tension in the room grew. Randall slowly stood, eyeing Matilda. Moving to where she was seated he leaned in, his voice was low.

  “If you have an opinion regarding my outdoors activities it is best you keep them to yourself.”

  Blaze turned from the water cooler. Randall was smiling. His teeth gleamed as he lowered his head to speak into Matilda’s ear.

  “We both know about your mistakes and early blunderings in the field. I’d hate to have to bring some of it up on the air.”

  Matilda raised her head and pushed back from the table. “I think you are out of line Dr. Sterling. Respect my personal space, please.”

  Randall stepped in front of Matilda. “Maybe I should explain this another way. You speak less and I will respect your personal space.”

  Blaze slowly set down her water and stepped between Matilda and Randall. Smiling up at him Blaze folded her arms over her chest.

  “Pepper spray or rape whistle?”

  “Excuse me?” He gazed down his long nose.

  Holding them aloft Blaze shrugged. She held an item in each hand.

  “It’s really your call. I don’t usually let the perpetrator chose, but in this case… what the hell?”

  Randall straightened to his full height and stepped back. He shifted his black eyes to Matilda. “This is who you hired?” He sneered the word out.

  Blaze narrowed her eyes. “Tell me, Randall, exactly how many field research projects have you conducted in the past five years?”

  Randall shifted his eyes to Matilda again. Blaze snapped her fingers. “No, look right here. I am the one speaking to you.”

  Stepping close Blaze pushed Randall, just enough he lost balance and caught himself in a chair to avoid a fall.

  Leaning down over him Blaze whispered in his ear. “We all know about your mistakes and blunderings too, because you haven’t even been in the field.”

  Blaze slid the pepper spray back in her pocket, and tossed the rape whistle to him where it landed in his lap.

  “In case anyone invades your personal space.” Mike re-entered the room, taking in the shocked expressions on Matilda and Randall’s faces. Randall slowly stood, placing the whistle on the chair he’d occupied. His thick black brows burrowed deeply above his deep set eyes and he turned slowly to move back to his seat. His wolf like eyes openly grazed Blaze’s face with challenge. A l
ine had been drawn. The ensuing silence hung thick within the brightly lit room. Blaze considered his stance, his reaction, and his underlying need to regain control in the only way cowards knew. Malevolent secrecy and revenge. She heard Mike speaking, somewhere in the background, but her vision had tunneled to Randall. Every instinct in her shrilled at the man’s unspeakably deceptive quality. It lurked just behind the depths of his soulless black eyes. Sharks eyes.

  “…if you would like to respond Blaze.”

  Pulled into the present Blaze averted her gaze and re-focused upon Mike, who uncomfortably fidgeted in the face of her silence during open air time.

  “Excuse me? Could you repeat the question?” Blaze smiled politely and waited as she leaned back in her chair. Her monster for the time being was content, having fed upon the decaying carcass of Randall’s dignity, even if it was somewhat sedated.

  “I was just sharing with you that our caller on line three is curious about your perspective on Matilda’s assertion that people may be missing due to encounters with Sasquatch.”

  Blaze turned slightly in her seat, confirming with Matilda she should respond. With a slight nod she encouraged Blaze. No one noticed the wink Matilda offered. Blaze paused before leaning in to answer. Not believing in the creature Matilda studied had no current bearing on whether Blaze believed people could go missing by its hand. Facts were carefully compiled and recorded by Matilda. Blaze had spent hours with her in the past weeks studying the mountainous regions where people had simply disappeared. The eerie connection was a reality too succinct to discount. Blaze, having dealt with facts in the past based upon the abuses her charges had endured, knew how to accept obvious evidence without formalizing an outward opinion.

  “Thank you Mike. To answer the caller’s question, I believe that the correlations are very hard to dismiss. Not only does Matilda’s research stand alone as sinister and unexplored, but the fact these disappearances have taken place in known regions of Sasquatch sightings is compelling enough to ask this question back: Is Sasquatch indeed an unidentified Cryptid, highly efficient at living in the wild off of roots and berries, and perhaps the occasional game it encounters? Or, has it learned to adapt to its environment as an opportunist, and not in fact a purist? Matilda’s work shows the public that effectively compiled evidence cannot and will not be ignored simply based upon the arrogantly profound conclusions of scholars with degrees. Curiosity is at hand and it will not rest until it is equally acknowledged and satisfied. Dried up theories that this elusive creature is attracted to female ape urine, which has not worked to attract a Sasquatch, need to be put aside. Curiosity drives us, pushes us, prompts us, and the minute we become complaisant and lazy in building knew theories is when we should walk away and leave the field. Closed mindedness did not discover America. A curious mind refusing to rely upon the facts others claimed valid is how America was discovered. Open minded thinking, absent of knowledge acquired on the shoulders of others is what will assist us in proving the existence of Sasquatch.”