“I’ve contacted Robbie and Remy,” said Forrest. “They were more involved in the oil and gas side than anyone on the property. Matthew is also doing whatever he does behind whatever curtain or veil he possesses.” He smiled at the men as they chuckled, understanding the subterfuge.
“The gas explosion that happened in Iowa? It wasn’t a city gas line,” said Garr. “Someone was drilling without permission and hit a massive gas vein. The idiot happened to be smoking at the time. His partner was in critical condition and told them everything before he died. They were working for SanOil.”
“Shit. Then it’s already started. He doesn’t want to wait,” said Chief. “He’s going to do whatever it takes to own that land.” Hayes stepped up to the front of the room.
“Unless we stop him.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Saint and I will be heading to D.C. this afternoon,” said Hayes.
“What’s in D.C.?” asked Chief.
“The Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. When I called to ask about drilling applications or granted drilling rights for these areas, the woman told me it was ‘complicated’ and might be best discussed live and in person.”
“Hold on, Hayes,” said Major, “that sounds like a set-up to me.”
“That’s why I’m going with him,” said Saint. “Between the two of us, we should be able to sniff out the bullshit. You guys get to the other states and communities. Talk to the farmers and see what they’ve been encountering. If someone in our government is helping Santori, we might have a bigger issue than the one we’re facing now.”
“That seems reasonable to consider,” said Rachel. “If this is as large as we believe it could be, the U.S. would want their fingers in the pie.”
“We’re so sorry,” said Ernie shaking his head. “We thought this would be easy. Chase away the developers and we’d be okay. We never thought it would be all of this.”
“It’s okay, Ernie. If everything works out, you’ll keep the farm and still be a very wealthy man,” said Christian. Ernie and Pat stared at the room of people.
“We’re already rich,” said Ernie. “Don’t you get it? This land, our families are what make us rich. I don’t need millions in the bank. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not stupid. Having millions in the bank will help me to prepare my land for years to come. When there’s a tornado or a freeze and I lose it all in one year, having that back-up will be great.
“But in the end, I’m already rich. If I didn’t have the money in the bank I would still come back here and be a farmer. All day, every day. It’s who I am. It’s all I know how to be.”
“Which is why you dug wells and planted crops while serving,” smirked Sor, nodding his head. “I checked. The two of you had quite a reputation for helping the locals wherever you were. The thing most countries need, at least those we’re sent to, is food and water. It was the one thing you two knew how to do better than anyone.”
Pat nodded at him.
“They called us Johnny Appleseed and Farmer John,” he smirked. “We didn’t mind. I couldn’t imagine being worried about my children having clean water or even something for breakfast. There were lean years when I was a kid where mom and dad made meals stretch. We might have had eggs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The chickens were always laying. We might not have other things but we had eggs. I never forgot that and I will forever be grateful for it.”
“Is that why you have three dozen chickens?” smirked Sniff.
“Yes, sir,” he laughed. “Eggs will always be on my table. If I have to kill a chicken to feed my kids, I will. But they provided when my father couldn’t. Same with the dairy cows. Eggs and milk. The rest will come.”
“You guys are pretty amazing,” said Sor. “In a time where men your age are more concerned about fancy cars and houses, the latest phone, or the hottest sneakers, you’re more excited about chickens and dairy cows.”
“I guess we are,” smiled Ernie. “I get my money’s worth with chickens and dairy cows. Also, they don’t ever need upgrades.”
The entire room chuckled at his comment.
“Honey? Honey, is it okay if I come in?” asked Tara.
“Come in, Tara,” said Rachel, opening the door for the other woman.
“What’s up?” asked Ernie.
“They closed the schools,” she said with a sad face. “The city said they need to close the schools for repairs but we know that’s not true. They just did a major overhaul of all the classrooms and gym. What are they doing?”
“I think we’re about to find out,” said Patrick.
Patrick, Wyatt, Major, and East pulled up into the parking lot of the school. In their small community, there was one school for kindergarten through seventh grade and then an upper-level school with eighth grade through twelfth. The parking lot separated the two schools.
“Anyone notice anything strange?” asked Patrick.
