Owl Goingback by Crota (epub)

Author:Crota (epub)
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-13T00:00:00+00:00

PART

III

CHAPTER 13

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

LLOYD WATCHED AS Professor Steven Fuller pulled at his white coveralls and adjusted the straps of his chest harness. The four uniformed men standing before him mimicked his moves as they prepared to enter the eternal darkness of the Devil’s Boot.

Each man wore one-piece coveralls and heavy duty clothing to prevent abrasions and provide warmth in the chilly temperatures of the cave. They also wore a caver’s pack small enough to fit through tight spaces, yet roomy enough to hold a moderate supply of high energy food, a first-aid kit, compass, a space blanket and a canteen of water. Along with the carbide helmet lights they wore, they were packing additional flashlights and enough climbing equipment to scale a mountain.

The members of the sheriff’s department would be carrying their personal side arms and Winchester 1200 riot guns. The shotguns had been adapted for the mission by replacing the wooden stocks with pistol grips and adding nylon rifle slings. In addition, each officer also carried a spool of thin cable wire that would link the party to the radio topside.

At first Steven Fuller had suspected Lloyd’s phone call the previous day to be a joke, a prank played on him by fellow faculty members. It was well known among students and staff at Washington University that Professor Fuller was one of the leading speleologists in the state. He was quick to point out that explorers of caves detested the name “spelunker,” which they considered old-fashioned, preferring instead to be called “cavers.”

Even after Lloyd had identified himself, the professor still had doubts. He’d read about the bizarre killings (who hadn’t?) but found a story about a possible labyrinth of underground tunnels hard to swallow. Still, the history teacher jumped at the chance to lead an expedition in search of them.

Lloyd had kept the rest of Little Hawk’s story to himself, explaining to his men that they were following up a lead about a killer bear. He doubted the possibility of a “Crota,” but if such a thing existed he wanted the credit for killing it. It was just the thing he needed to get elected. He also made certain the operation itself remained a secret by not telling his men what the plan was until they were actually at the cave. He explained that the tight-lipped secrecy was necessary to keep the press from dogging their trail, but the real reason was he didn’t want Skip to find out about what was going on.

“A few more minutes and we’ll be ready to go in,” Professor Fuller said, approaching the small folding table where Lloyd and a young deputy sat.

“Good, we’re all set here.” Lloyd adjusted the squelch knob of the radio before him. David Hays, the newest member of the sheriff’s department, would remain behind to operate the base station, providing a secure link to the outside world in case the expedition ran into trouble.

Lloyd stood up. “I guess we’d better get started, Professor Fuller.”

“Call me Steven.”

“Okay, Steven. These are for you.

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