Corky and the Alaskan Quake, A Suspense Novel, The Third Book in the Alaskan Adventure Series

By Bill Richardson

Corky Corcoran, a lady Alaska Bush pilot, flies into a remote strip to rescue two stranded illegal hunters before they can be trapped by a huge snowstorm, and rough windy weather doesn’t keep her from delivering a medical team to a remote village.
As she keeps a thief from stealing unique Alaskan art, Corky decides how to manage her gold claims, but then the second strongest earthquake in written history shakes Alaska, the world and her plans.
Corky and her friend Mark give the first aerial reports of the quake’s amazing destructive power in the Kachemak Bay area. They have a “Can do! We’ll make it!” spirit that is an essential part of the Alaskan’s way of living.
There isn't any sex, violence or cussing in the book!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bill Richardson
• Release date: Sep 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9780988531192

Bill Richardson

Bill Richardson, winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour and former CBC Radio personality, is the author of numerous books for both adults and children, including plays, poetry, and fiction.

Book preview

Corky

and the

Alaskan

Quake

A Suspense Novel

by

Bill Richardson

The third book

in the

Alaskan Adventure Series

*****

Thanks Rene', Reena, Karol, Vicki, and also many others for their ongoing contributions and encouragements to getting this third book in the Alaskan Adventure Series completed.

The books are based on my many Alaskan experiences and adventures as a former pilot, survival instructor, search and rescue navigator, teacher, outdoorsman, sailor, and so on!

Enjoy your journey!

This is a work of fiction and the names and resemblances to persons, living or dead, or to any business, or aircraft numbers are entirely coincidental.

I'm solely responsible for the contents in this novel.

The geographical locations do exist.

Copyright 2014 by William C. Bill Richardson

Cover image copyright 2014 by Bill Richardson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be

reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed

or electronic form without permission.

This book is also available as an e-book.

Punctuation revision First Edition: May, 2016

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-0-9885311-9-2

*****

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Lucinda Miranda

Chapter 2 Jeff, the Assayer

Chapter 3 Oscar, the Jeweler

Chapter 4 Otto, the Banker

Chapter 5 Turnagain Arm

Chapter 6 The Grocery Store

Chapter 7 The Black Room

Chapter 8 Seldovia

Chapter 9 Tyone Knob

Chapter 10 December

Chapter 11 Carver

Chapter 12 Tanana

Chapter 13 Friday

Chapter 14 The Art

Chapter 15 The Rally

Epilogue

Glossary (people, places, things, ..)

Other books by the author

Chapter 1 Lucinda Miranda

The White Puddle Café was famous in Alaska for producing the finest hamburgers, milkshakes, and home-made French Fries. Inside the usually crowded cafe was a ten-person curved counter with red vinyl covered bar stools.

With its large glass windows anyone could see into the small diner and check if a space was available at the counter. And because of the rotating cushions on the stools anyone sitting at the counter could turn and watch the people on the sidewalk.

Set back along one wall and not readily visible from the street were three chrome trimmed tables covered with red and white-checkered cloths. The tables had four metal chairs with the same red vinyl padded backrests and cushions that matched the front counter stools.

As Corky opened the door to the White Puddle Café the little tin doorbell loudly announced that it had been disturbed.

Mark, who was sitting at a back table with their friend Marian, heard the tinkling noise and thought maybe his special lady was coming in after calling her sister. As he looked towards the jangling from the bell, Corky was just entering the room. With a quick motion he was out of the chair and on his way to greet her.

Hi, Sweetie! Everything okay with Cora?

Yes, and my sister wants both of you to get a big hug, Corky replied with a sparkle in her eyes as she reached for her boyfriend.

Now that several days had passed since their Super Cub crash, Mark's right shoulder was not so stiff that so he wasn’t able to give her a tight loving embrace in return.

The two stood apart for a moment, and then quickly gave each other a quick kiss. Mark took her hand and caressed it gently as they walked to the table where Marian, their Iliamna native friend and business associate was reading the menu.

Marian, I have a hug for you from Cora, Corky offered as she reached for her best friend.

I always take hugs. How is Cora? Marian asked as the two hugged, and then patted each other on the back before they sat down.

She’s doing real well and said to thank you for being so helpful in keeping our airplane charter business organized.

With a graceful movement Mark used his right arm to pull a chair out for Corky to sit on.

Thank you, Mr. Donnelly. I see your injured shoulder has improved, she remarked while turning to Marian, and with a feigned tone of horror asked, Did this man drink too much coffee?

The brown-eyed lady raised her left eyebrow and with both eyes slightly closed looked directly at Corky, and as if she was telling a secret, slowly, and quietly, answered, I'm not sure if it was the coffee, or the sudden itching he got a few minutes ago. He went to the gentleman's room mumbling something about, 'It's time for it to come off!' When he came back all I could see was a face full of Irish teeth and his arm swinging. He hasn't been the same since.

The three broke into a deep laughter that was as much from the moment’s humor as it was as a release from the happenings of the last two weeks or so.

Well, we've a lot to talk about, Marian stated. However, I think we should wait until after we're served our delicious home-made hamburgers. In fact, Judy's coming with them now.

Hey, Corky! Can you believe that these two comedians wanted me to put hot sauce on your hamburger? Judy teased ash she carried three plates of hamburgers and fries: two on one arm and the third with the other, to their table.

The milkshakes will be here in a moment. So Marian, here's your double-cheese with bacon and home-made fries; Corky your double-cheese and fries; and for our special friend Mark, a Mexican burger with jalapenos, habaneros, chili peppers, and hot sauce. Now the licorice milkshake that was made special for him should be able to cool down that burger. If not, there's a fire extinguisher by the front door, she added without so much as a grin as the food was placed on the red and white gingham covered table.

Mark wasn't sure how serious Judy was about his hamburger, she was known to give her many customers a lot of humor as well as good service. Well I can take the heat, Mighty Food Deliverer!

The three young ladies watched intently as Mark lifted the top of the homemade bun to see what it might be hiding. He started laughing as he saw a face of melted cheese looking up at him. The mouth was half of a red onion ring and sliced black olives created the two eyes that had small pieces of lettuce for eyebrows. The large nose was formed by a v-shaped piece of yellow hot pepper.

The four friends were still chuckling as Judy added, I haven't seen you folks for a while. As soon as I get the milkshakes bring me up to date on where you've been and whatcha been doing?

We'll hit some of the highlights as we're still figuring out what's happened to us, Corky replied.

Oh, the mystery of your adventures is always so intriguing and fascinating. I'll be right back, Judy remarked as she headed to the kitchen area. In two minutes she returned with three tall glasses and each was filled to the brim with a milkshake.

"Okay, fill me in quickly and I'll leave you to your gossip. I'm going with my hubby on a moose hunt near Cantwell and we're driving up early tomorrow. The nighttime temp up there is already hitting below the freezing mark. We're going to try and spend a week enjoying the great out-of-doors, but this might be a real cold-weather hunt causing us to leave real soon after bagging a moose.

You guys still flying those Cessna 206s and Super Cubs? We might need your services to go farther back into the woods, Judy stated more than asked as she sat down and joined them at their table.

As if on cue the three fliers responded as one voice. Yes!

While Marian and Mark started eating their burgers Corky brought Judy somewhat up-to-date. Well, about two weeks ago Mark and I flew on a sightseeing trip over to the Pacific Coast on the other side of Homer. We crashed unexpectedly and endured one of those windy Pacific weather fronts for a day or so.

Thanks to Corky's positive attitude we made it out of there with minimal damage, Mark offered.

Corky just smiled and continued. "Shortly after that one of our best clients in Igiugig, Nels, passed away and left us all in shock. Marian had been scheduling our charters with him via her Iliamna home and I'd been delivering his shipments to the village without knowing that he had been a doctor, carver, and much more. He left me with an estate that the details are being worked out by his lawyer.

"Mark and I have combined our two charter businesses and we're getting busier and busier.

Also, a lady tried to bushwhack my plane without much success. She's now under arrest and to add to all of that we've met a very nice man Sven, from Denmark, and enjoyed some super incredibly good smoked Pike from Alisha. That's a pretty good summary, I think," Corky finished with a smile.

Makes me tired, Marian said quietly, before she sipped on her strawberry milkshake.

Just one adventure after another Judy, Mark added, knowing that Corky had just touched on a few highlights, without mentioning the gold mining claims, of what there life had been like for the last several days.

Judy shook her head, smiled and commented, "You people never have a dull moment.

"Well, I'm going to say good-by, grab my coat and head out the door to our hunting adventure. Oh, and Corky, that’s a pretty carving hanging on that necklace!

Anybody I know give that to you? Judy asked as she smiled and tipped her head at Mark.

Corky immediately looked lovingly at him as she replied, He bought this for me over at Oscar's Jewelry Store, that’s just across from the big bank. It turns out Nels carved it from river agate.

It's beautiful and congratulations to you two, Judy responded, and then turned to face Marian. Please, my good friend. Be sure these two keep their feet on the ground. See ya'll later.

As if I don't have enough to do, Marian replied. Have a successful hunt Judy.

The trio waved good-by and started eating.

After a few minutes of delicious consumption Corky took a big sip of her rich chocolate shake and broke the silence with a quiet, but matter-of-fact statement.

Well, my friends, we have a lot to talk about. Maybe we should just hit the highlights and cover the details at another time. Before we start I want to be sure that I don't keep you from being with your sister tonight.

The native lady nodded her head and replied, "I've been thinking about that. If you don't mind I'll stay at your folk's place instead so we can get an early start tomorrow. The nighttime temp has been going down at night and getting real cold. The last time we were here there was some ice along the shores of Lake Hood and Spenard. No doubt there will be more of it tomorrow and we may have to break it loose from around the floats. The main water channel and the lakes won't be frozen yet.

I'd like us to stay together so you don't have to wonder when I'm going to show up.

"That's fine with me, Marian. You can always stay at the house. And let's check your house key to be sure it works properly. The lock was stiff, so maybe it needs some lubricant.

Mark, do you still have your key?

Yep. Let's pick up some groceries on the way to the house and I’ll get a small bottle of powdered graphite for the lock. Do you ladies want to talk some now and continue later?

Let's get started. Okay? Corky asked. Marian and Mark slowly nodded their heads in agreement.

Okay. In the last few days, our friend Nels has died and left quite a legacy. He was a very private person living with a false name who not only was a very successful gold miner and agate carver, she stated while rotating the brown bear agate on her necklace between a thumb and finger. "And as he was a trained doctor, he kept giving generously of his medical know-how which has helped to keep the native healing culture alive.

"And Nels aided many people without asking for anything in return with most of them not even knowing that he had been involved in improving their health. Until a few days ago only two or three people knew of his Danish background and that Sven, the Danish Consulate in Anchorage was his son, or that there were any other living relatives.

He made me the executor of his estate as well as the beneficiary of much of his property, including a considerable amount of gold. Now that he bequeathed his mining claims to me I feel an awesome responsibility to be sure I keep them active. And most importantly for me is that all of this has brought Mark and I closer as more than just friends, Corky added as she reached for and gave Mark's hand a tight loving squeeze.

These events have reinforced my long and sincere friendship with you, Marian. You've been a staunch supporter and great friend. Thank you!

Marian, in her typical native way, nodded her head and said nothing.

I'm going to ramble and hit a few high and low spots and then we can sort out as much as we can, when we can. We’ll have a lot of changes and unknowns coming our way, Corky remarked as she started talking faster and faster. "And without trying to sound like some kind of director, we have to get our planes ready for winter.

"The three of us need to review what flying business is already scheduled; what is pretty sure to happen, like with Volts Electric; and what else might happen, such as with those ice fishermen. I'm not sure when my 206 is going to be repaired and I'm thinking about putting my Super Cub on skis and maybe put Mark's 206 on wheels. Of course, that's up to you, Mark.

We also need to discuss the mining claims, and get some groceries for Cora, and talk with Jeff, the assayer, and Rudy, the jeweler, and Ralph Baring, the lawyer, and...

Mark quickly put his hand up in the air and gently stated. "Whoa! Too fast! Too much! Marian and I have spots in front of our eyes.

"Corky, your hamburger is dripping onto the table and my ears are numb. Take a slow deep breath. We'll get it all worked out in due time.

Even though we're concerned about the lake ice, why don't we just talk tonight, check the plane in the morning, then run our errands tomorrow while we continue talking, and then leave the next day? Lake Hood won't freeze up in the next thirty-six hours.

Marian, in a soft voice and with a twinkle in her eye, commenced speaking. "I wholeheartedly concur with your analysis and your prognosis, Mister Donnelly.

"With consideration to our personal welfare and the importance of making many reasonably rational decisions, I suggest we allow ourselves plenty of time to mull over various considerations for each point that is being presented.

Then, without the immediate need for us to discern the importance and priority of each item, we will be able to propose workable alternatives to the various points.

With an exaggerated rolling of her eyes Corky teased her friend. You are an awesome speaker. I never know when you're going to speak like that, or talk 'short talk'. Behind those beautiful eyes is a great brain. I really think we should spend some real time finding you a good man. Have you ever heard me mention the name, Bobby Randall?

Mark didn't hesitate as he added, Now there is a good man. Good looking. Good worker. Good dancer. Good fisherman.

Good fisherman? You never tell me that. How good fisherman this Robby Bandall? Marian asked in 'short talk'.

He always gets his fish. One time he caught a winter king salmon so big it towed his skiff a mile before Bobby, not Robby, could pull the giant in, Mark stated with a straight face, and then quickly bit into his hamburger.

Winter King? Where this fish? You kidding me? Marian asked with interest as she put both hands palm down on the table and moved her head and shoulders back.

Corky added as she bumped Mark's leg with her knee. "No kidding about the fish, or Bobby Randall, Marian. The big winter kings are off the Anchor Point bluff. Bobby has a reputation for catching fish whenever he goes out.

Oh, and by the way, he can really put a great smoke on those swimmers.

Mark continued the praise without hesitation. "He's a great cook and keeps a clean place where he lives with his mother and sister. Likes people, but doesn't like busy bodies. If someone needs some help, he helps without asking for anything in return. He doesn't owe money to anyone.

Corky, you'll be dancing with him again real soon. I think the next dance is sometime towards the end of November isn't it?

Okay, you two. I get hint, Marian responded. Sometime he come to Iliamna. I check him then.

Corky wiped some milkshake off her lip with a napkin before she offered: "I'm sure he won't go to Iliamna dear Marian, unless I promise not to leave him stranded there. Maybe you can visit us on this trip to Homer. You haven't been there for a while. Cora and her Tall Man would love to see you.

"And as Mark pointed out we won't have all these questions settled for a while.

Want to fly back with us straight to Homer?

"Okay. I go if my sister Tina can stay and take care of business for us for a few days.

"Now back to this lawyer fella, Mr. Baring. Do you think he has told you all the info about the mining claims? Just how big are the claims? What do you have to do to keep them? Can you hire a few people to work the claims?

"How will you be sure the gold that is mined by hired help is actually all of the gold? Is it worth it to mine it yourself each summer and still operate the charter service? Once word gets out you're mining over there, every gold-seeker and outlaw will be looking for a way to get the gold for themselves.

"And since your 206 doesn't have the floats attached why not put it on wheels along with your Super Cub, and leave Mark's 206 on floats until the weather limits it use?

I've many questions, but like we talked earlier, nothing really to decide tonight.