Connor sat on the sofa next to Stacy. “What did you want to see me about?” he asked.
“We talked about how, working with ski patrol, you’re familiar with handling explosives,” Shane said.
“Yes.” He was sitting very straight. Stacy wanted to tell him to relax, though it was all she could do not to fidget. Maybe Shane wouldn’t notice. Talk of explosives probably made most sensible people nervous.
“Have you ever worked with fireworks?” Shane asked.
“No. Why do you ask?”
“I’m planning a fireworks display for the Sunday of Martin Luther King weekend. On the square, right at dark, right after our rally. Something to really get people’s attention.”
“Is that legal?” Connor asked.
“You have to have a permit, but I’ll take care of that.” Shane dismissed the problem with a wave of his hand.
“Could I see these fireworks?” Connor asked.
“Sure. They’re out in the garage.” He stood and they followed him to a side door. Shane flipped a light switch, and a yellow bulb illuminated a one-car garage with a stained concrete floor.Frost decorated the single window on the far wall, and several cardboard boxes were stacked beneath the window. None of them looked like the boxes the cast boosters were stored in.
Shane crossed the space and lifted the flap on one of the boxes. “I’ve got Roman candles, cakes and fountains.” He gathered up a handful of cardboard tubes. “Enough to make a nice showing. But I need someone who knows what he’s doing to deploy them.”
“Maybe ask someone with the local fire department,” Connor said. “I think they handle the fireworks for New Year’s and the Fourth of July.”
“I thought maybe you’d help since you came to the meeting last night,” Shane said. “You’re sympathetic to our cause.”
“I am,” Connor said. “But I think handling fireworks like this is a specialized skill. I know how to safely trigger a release of snow, but that’s about it.”
Shane replaced the fireworks in the box and closed the top. “Never hurts to ask. Let’s go back inside.”
They returned to the living room. Stacy tried to get a better look at the space, but the only light came from a lamp on a table next to Shane’s chair.
“You two are going to be there for the rally on MLK day, I hope,” Shane said. “It’s going to be a great chance to get the public on our side. We’ll have people collecting signatures for a petition to present to the Forest Service, and I’m working on getting as many media people there as possible—everything from the major news networks to social media influencers. This is going to be big.”
“What got you so interested in leading opposition to the ski area expansion?” Connor asked.
“My family has lived in this area for five generations,” Shane said. “We lost the place for a while, but now I’ve got it back and plan to carry on the family tradition. That means preserving this land and the other land around it. We’re in danger of everysquare inch being taken up by second homes and condos and private retreats where you have to pay hundreds of dollars to get in.”
“So you’re familiar with Blaine Mountain?” Stacy asked.
“I spent a lot of time tramping all over that mountain when I was younger,” he said. “I want the next generation to have that privilege, too.”
“It’s a lot for one person to take on,” Connor said.
“I have plenty of people helping me,” Chase said.
“Oh. I guess I thought it was mainly you,” Stacy said. “Or do you mean all the volunteers you’ve recruited, like me and Connor?”
“Lots of volunteers. And people who work behind the scenes. Some big donors, too. Some of the names might surprise you.”
“Oh?” She leaned forward, smiling. “Who? Anyone I know?”
“There are some names you might have heard of. Locals who care a lot about the future of Blaine Mountain, even if they’re not comfortable being in the spotlight.” He straightened. “Are you sure I can’t get you a drink?”
Connor stood. “We need to get going. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you with the fireworks, but I’ll let you know if I think of anyone else who might be good.”
“Do that. And I’ll see you around, I’m sure.” He walked with them to the door. “Don’t tell anyone about the fireworks,” Shane said as they exited. “I want it to be a big surprise.”
“Don’t worry,” Stacy said. “We’re great at keeping secrets.”
