Chapter 11 #2
They took their seats, the Satterwhite brothers diving into a conversation about the state of Wyoming and ways they could attract more industry, and thus, employment opportunities. They exuded a level of energy and passion that kept the discussion going throughout the meal.
Thankfully, Rachel had arranged the name tags, placing Harris between the Satterwhites and Kujo, with Six at his feet, on the other side of the table from Liliana. Dax listened attentively, while keeping a close watch on everything around them but mostly on Tate Harris.
The Buttrams and Satterwhites spoke about the future of manufacturing in the state.
Harris sat back and listened for a while.
After the main course had been cleared and dessert was served, Harris lifted his coffee mug and paused.
“Attracting industry is one way to bring more jobs to Wyoming, but this state’s economy is tied to mining, tourism and agriculture.
Manufacturing is less than 6% of the state output. ”
“A fact we hope to change,” Colin Satterwhite said.
The Buttrams nodded.
“Wyoming is also the least populated state in the union,” Harris continued. “If you bring in more manufacturing jobs, who will fill those positions? We already have a shortage of employees to fill the open jobs.”
“Mr. Harris, you’re in land development, are you not?” Connor Satterwhite asked.
Harris nodded. “I build resorts, which cater to tourism, the second largest contributor to the state’s economy.
Tourism employs over twelve percent of the state’s workforce, even more than the number one contributor to the economy, mining, at just over 3 % and the almost 3. 5% employed by manufacturing.”
“And your point is?” Alan Buttram asked.
Out of the corner of his eye, Dax could see Liliana’s lips twitch. She probably wanted to ask the same question but hadn’t wanted to poke a sore spot with the man. Namely, the stalling of the man’s projected mega-resorts.
“Tourism brings more jobs, employs more people and provides the most income to the state of Wyoming,” Harris said. “Projects to increase the number of tourists who visit our state will increase the number of jobs and money generated for our economy.”
Liliana leaned forward. “People come to Wyoming because of several key natural attractions. There has to be a balance between increasing our GNP and protecting our natural resources. It’s our duty as residents of the state to be good stewards of the land that has been set aside as National Parks, National Forests and National Monuments.
We have to protect them in order for them to still be around for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. ” She met and held Harris’s stare.
A man stepped up onto the stage, tapped the microphone and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Miss Liliana Lightfeather, independent candidate for the US Congress to represent the people and the state of Wyoming.”
Rachel leaned into Liliana’s shoulder. “It’s time.”
Liliana gave a tight smile to the guests at the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m the keynote speaker. We can continue this discussion afterward.”
Harris’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, we will.”
Dax rose and held Liliana’s chair as she stood. When she started to step away, he reached for her hand and held her in place. “Want me to go with you?” he whispered.
She looked up into his eyes, her smile more genuine. “Thank you, but no. I have to do this on my own.”
“You’ve got this.” He bent to brush his lips across hers, releasing her hand at the same time.
Dax continued to stand as Liliana walked up to the stage and took the mic from the MC.
Once she was on stage, Dax took his seat and listened as Liliana spoke of a little girl raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation, who hadn’t had a penny to her name but had worked hard to do more for her family, her people, and eventually, the people of her state.
Her sincere desire to help others came across in her tone, her demeanor and her confidence that she would make a difference, representing the people.
She promised to do her best to protect their livelihoods at the same time as she fought to protect the natural resources that made the state so unique and beautiful.
She promised to listen to people of all races and economic statuses.
Dax was mesmerized by her physical beauty as well as the beauty of her conviction. As he glanced around the room, he noticed that every gaze was on Liliana, each individual caught up in her passion and pride for the state where she’d been born and raised. Their state.
As she concluded her speech with a heartfelt thank you to those who contributed to her campaign, she added a request for everyone to get out and vote, whether it was for her or for another candidate. “Your vote is your voice. Let it be heard.”
The room erupted in applause and a standing ovation.
Dax looked across the table at Harris.
The man pushed to his feet without clapping like everyone else in the room.
Liliana smiled and thanked the audience, then handed the MC the microphone.
“There will be a social in the bar for those who would like to speak with Miss Lightfeather in person.”
As Liliana turned to walk away, a loud bang pierced the silence, and smoke billowed up from beneath the stage.
Pandemonium erupted. Women screamed, and everyone rushed for the exits.
Dax glanced up. Why hadn’t the fire suppression system kicked in?
Kujo yelled, “Get Liliana. I’ll get the others out.”
Dax was already racing for the stage and Liliana.
Flames leaped up the fabric skirting along the front of the raised platform and climbed the curtains on either side.
The closer he came to the stage, the more the smoke burned his eyes and blurred his view of Liliana.
Through the flames and smoke, he thought he saw her turn toward the back of the stage with the MC. Though the smoke was thick, Dax was almost certain a door opened, and they ducked through it.
The flames burned hot, consuming the fabric curtains. They fell onto the stage, making it impossible for Dax to follow Liliana.
He looked back at the crush of people pushing against the exit doors.
Shouts went up.
“The doors are blocked!”
“We can’t get out!”
“We’re trapped!”
With no other option, Dax dashed back to the table, yanked the tablecloth out from under the plates and glasses, soaking it with their leftover drinks. He wrapped the damp tablecloth around his head, shoulders and face and ran up onto the stage, diving through the flames and smoke.
He couldn’t see Liliana or the MC. They had to have made it out the back door of the stage.
Bending low, he stumbled through the haze, his eyes and lungs burning. He didn’t stop until he reached the back wall. He felt along the wall until he found the door, fumbled for the handle and tried to turn it.
It was locked.
With flames at his back and smoke all around him, he couldn’t go back the way he’d come. He had to get through the door.
Dax cocked his leg and kicked as hard as he could. The door didn’t open, but the sound of splitting wood encouraged him to try again.
With heat bearing down on him and smoke beginning to burn his lungs and eyes, he kicked again and again, putting everything he had into it.
The doorjamb splintered, and the door swung open into a media room behind the stage.
The lights in the room chose that moment to blink out.
Dax dove through the opening and shut the door behind him, hoping to slow the progress of the smoke and flames.
With only a red emergency light to guide him, he found another door at the end of the narrow room.
When he tried to open the door, it only moved a few inches before something on the other side blocked it from opening further.
Smoke was quickly filling the media room.
Dax shoved his shoulder into the door and pushed as hard as he could, moving the object blocking the door enough to let him squeeze into a hallway.
He nearly tripped over a dark object on the floor only to discover the object was the body of the MC who’d been with Liliana when they’d escaped through the back door.
He felt for a pulse. When he didn’t find one, his gut clenched. Whoever had created the smoke and fire had killed the MC and now had Liliana.
Dax might only have seconds to find her before she met the same fate as the MC.