14 August 1993 - Klamath Inn, Grant's Pass, Oregon
I decided to fly the chopper up. I needed to log a few hours in the air anyway and, should I find it necessary to pursue a further lead elsewhere, it will be easier to do this way.
I just called Alex to tell her she would have to sub for me at the fund raiser at UC Berkeley tonight. She wasn't happy about that. Why do women always panic at the thought of attending some function on short notice? Why does the question of hair and not having a thing to wear become a crisis, when the hair looks perfectly fine as it is and there are a dozen choices of dress in the closet?
I must admit that I could have easily flown back down to attend the thing, but I'm simply not up to "schmoozing," as Alex would say. Besides, I have a feeling I'd be the "rabbit" for the local paparazzi.
~~~~~
To the matter at hand: In my backtracking of the American River Case, I found that a deputy sheriff, a Mr. Lorenzo Evans, had maintained a file on both the "ghost lights" and the disappearances for over 40 yrs. I don't know why we didn't find him 20 yrs. ago. He's now retired and living in a nursing facility here in Grant's Pass, but he's still sharp with a good memory. Unfortunately, his overall health is rapidly deteriorating. He's allowed me to borrow the files to photocopy them, but I wanted to study the originals over night. No photocopy ever completely substitutes for the original. They are a treasure trove of letters, newspaper articles, and police reports. Some items date back to the Gold Rush era.
In the meantime, I've set the whole team to work researching an assortment of cases. I left quite a pile on the conference table and a list of elements to look for. Some pertain to the Amer. R. Case, while others focus on a possible alternate case - a religious manifestation on a building in the Marina District. At the time we attributed that phenomenon to city lights being refracted from the windows of a distant building. However, the building suspected to have been the cause of the reflection was one of those torn down after the Loma Prieta quake. Yet the image has made a reappearance during the past few months. Obviously our conclusion was incorrect. It's not exactly a case that will put Nick in his element or attract his interest. Therefore, it's a very poor second choice.
The case load from London and local events that might concern us have been few of late. Hell is on holiday, which is both good and bad. Good in that it is not putting pressure on us while I'm trying to ease Nick in, but bad in that idle minds make for curious, irritable minds.
Re: Nick. He's wound nearly as tightly as I am, but I still don't know why - perhaps it's just his nature. His father could be a nervously coiled rattlesnake at times. It could be boredom and worry over his legal problems, so I'll keep him busy. I ask myself why I should be making such an effort with someone who obviously dislikes me. Maybe it will work out, but if not, all I really ask of any member of my House is that they follow orders, use their heads, and support the team. A precept, like a general, need not be loved by his troops - only respected and obeyed.
I set him to work doing a complete overhaul of the Jag. That should keep him occupied. It is in dire need of tender loving care. We are also expecting a large shipment for the museum. I told him that when it comes in he can help Julia unpack and catalog it. I sense a certain affinity between those two. I'm pleased that a friendship might develop, but I worry about more than a friendship. Romantic involvement within a House can both strengthen it, in that the bond becomes closer, but it can also greatly weaken a House, if the relationship becomes primary over the welfare of the team.
When I get back, I might see if he can handle maintenance on the chopper. He has his pilot's license, but he's not a certified mechanic. Still, I think I'll see what he can do - what he knows. Then I'll take it over to the usual place at SFO and see what they think of his work.
So far he had done a good job with everything that I've specifically asked him to do. No complaints from him or me. However, if I phrase it in such a way as to imply that it is his choice whether or not to do it, he may do it, if it interests him, or he may not do it, but sometimes he does other things and tells no one. I'm certain that he helped Philip catalog the coins, but Philip seems baffled. It's almost as though he thinks the Leprechauns did it - a curious relationship is building there.
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