Read Under Suspicion - The Legend of D.B. Cooper Page 52

“Yes sir,” Milhouse said when he finally reached Alan.

  “When will those other deputies get here?” Alan said impatiently. “We’re wasting time.”

  “They should be here any minute.” Milhouse assured him as a low flying plane buzzed overhead at treetop level and flew out over the lake. “Do you want me to call them on the radio?”

  Alan didn’t answer. He watched as the small plane with pontoons circle the lake. “Sir?” Milhouse asked after a moment, waiting for an answer.

  “What’s that plane doing?” Alan asked curiously.

  Milhouse looked at the plane as it leveled off, then landed in the center of the lake. “It’s probably bringing in fishermen.”

  Alan took the small pair of binoculars from his pocket and trained them on the plane. “They come in by plane?”

  “Not all of them. Most drive,” Milhouse answered. “That looks like Steve Grey’s plane. He’s an outfitter like Henderson.”

  Alan watched the plane as a man stood on the pontoon and inflated a large yellow rubber raft. “Do any of the planes come to Henderson’s dock?”

  “I suppose so.” Milhouse shrugged. “Buck gets a lot of business. Like I said, most people drive here, then Buck packs them up into the higher lakes. Some of the higher rollers, from the city, fly in and Buck has a camp waiting for them.”

  “Do pilots make enough money transporting people back and forth from Portland?”

  “During the season people come from all over– Portland, Seattle, LA. Some even come from back east. I would imagine that they make a pretty good living.”

  Alan watched as the raft, filled with men and fishing poles, rowed away from the plane. “What do they do in the off-season?”

  “I don’t know.” Milhouse again shrugged, sorry he didn’t have an answer.

  Both men stood in silence as the plane started its engine and began to move towards them. As the plane gained speed, it slowly lifted off the water and flew right over their heads. Alan turned and watched as it flew down the valley.

  “That could be it,” Alan said softly.

  “What’s that, sir?” Milhouse asked.

  “Oh, nothing,” Alan said as he thought to himself. “Let’s get back to work.” Alan then walked back to the cabin with Milhouse close behind. Walking up the porch, they disappeared through the front door.

  Nikki lay on the couch reading a novel and drinking coffee. As she took a sip from her cup, she glanced at the clock. It was noon, and she wanted to see what was happening in the world.

  Nikki reached for the remote on the coffee table, and with a push of a button the TV lit up. She adjusted the volume so as not to disturb Jim in the next room. She continued to read her book while she listened inattentively to the newscaster.

  “We now take you to southwest Washington State, where a very interesting story has developed.” She heard the newscaster say. Nikki slowly lowered her book as the broadcast continued. Her eyes widened, then she quickly got up and rushed into the bedroom.

  O’Leary burst into Cranston’s office. “Sir! You’d better come see this!” Seeing the urgency on his best agent’s face, Cranston rushed out of the office and followed him into the conference room. The room was filled with other agents who were staring at the wall-mounted television. Cranston’s jaw dropped open as he watched the report.