Hortons Bend

can’t wait to head out west but after that I’m still worried about job prospects right now.” Brody patted her shoulder and assured her “Darwin you’ve got great credentials. Once you defend your dissertation then the world is your oyster. Think about whether you want to go into academia or do private research with an environmental firm. Don’t turn your back on government jobs…more paid holidays. But once you decide let me know and maybe I know somebody who has some pull.” She smiled in appreciation and started towards the lab but Brody stood still. His look was serious when he looked her in the eyes and said “Darwin there’s something I want to ask you when we get back to the lab.”

    Chapter Six
    The two men in the county sedan reviewed the digital photographs while sitting outside the county’s administration offic e. The driver, Roger Curtis, County Administrative Deputy, was especially pleased with the images. “I think Banner will give us a raise for these. He said he knew that he was up to something and this proves it” he told his cohort. Robert Ragland, who sat in the passenger seat, didn’t share his enthusiasm. He didn’t because he had only been with the county government for two years and wasn’t a trusted member of the people who worked there. Ragland was never snubbed by the other employees. He simply shuffled papers and didn’t realize he lacked the proper contacts to be anything more than his current position in county government. Curtis wasn’t much higher up the county ladder but knew pleasing Banner would help smooth the way. Ragland simply shrugged in agreement. Hell, what was the big deal? They had driven out to the north end of the county for the last few days and anybody could have picked out that red and white behemoth that the guy drove. They had photographed it before he even noticed them. Frankly he was bored and looked forward to getting back to the office. “They all look good so I imagine the Commissioner will be fine with any of them” he said getting out of the sedan.
    Curtis walk ed with him to his office and spoke in a whispered voice “Let’s just keep our little trip to ourselves. You know…just another county investigation.” Ragland closed his eyes and nodded with assurance having forgotten about the whole thing before he entered the public building. Curtis patted him on the shoulder and carried the camera up to the third floor hoping the commissioner would be in his office. Banner was just leaving his office with a group of businessmen when he noticed Curtis. He excused himself from the group and met with Curtis out of earshot of the others. “Roger I didn’t expect to see you today. Did we have some luck out in the country?” he asked. Curtis nodded and said “Yes sir. We saw him leaving the farm a little after noon. It’s all right here. Just as you asked.” Banner started to say more but simply smiled and patted Curtis on the back. “Good good. You did real good. I hope you remembered to remind your associate that this is something that is not worth discussing.” Once again Curtis assured the commissioner “He didn’t have any real interest in this anyway. I explained to him it was just the county checking up on one of our residents who needed advice.” Banner put his arm around Curtis and walked him in the direction of the elevator. “This is just a land issue. Something we do all the time. I don’t expect it to go much further than today to tell you the truth. Thanks for going out there. I’ll take it from here and will let you know if anything comes from it.” He removed his arm but wanted to throw Curtis a little bone. As Curtis pushed the elevator button Banner gave him a big smile and said “You know Roger we ought to hit the links sometime soon. I’ll give you a call when I can fit a game in.” It was more than enough to make Roger Curtis’ day and he must have told his wife ten times at dinner that maybe his ship had finally come in.
    Banner turned to his party and excused himself. He walked back into hi s office and called Steve Price who was his right arm on the river focus group. Price was one of the commissioners most trusted committee members and on more than one occasion had proved to be a valuable business partner. “Steve… its Herschel. Look I wanted to tell you that the digger came nosing around so I need you to do me a favor. Call Barbara over at the museum and encourage her to rein her boy in. I’ve