Chapter 23
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Hirst-Chichagof Mine—Klag Bay, AK
A couple of weeks had gone by since the security inspection, and Joe was eager to get back to his normal routine.
The pounding of the stamp mill rattled the walls of the tiny mining office, the ashtray on the table vibrating closer to the edge with each stroke.
Joe read Sam a number of personal messages for the miners, and they copied down the latest business and supply correspondence.
Sam wasn’t making eye contact. He was talking faster than usual, and he kept crossing and uncrossing his arms.
Joe worried he might have returned to the mining office too soon.
Sam gave Joe updated yield-report information for the mine’s output, which Joe entered in his official journal.
The assistant stepped out of the office.
“We need to talk,” Sam hissed under his breath. “Got me a letter. You forget to spill the beans bout my missus, partner?”
Joe could tell where this was going. “I reckon I’ve handed over every message I got, Sam. What’s the hitch?”
“Received a letter from the missus, says she’s hittin the road,” Sam said, his voice getting sharper. “My brother says he shot you a message weeks ago. Ain’t seen hide nor hair of it. What gives?”
Joe held his hands up. “I…I’m lost for words, Sam. I’d never…”
Sam’s face flushed. “Don’t lie to me.”
Joe leaned away. “Sam, I—”
Sam waved him off. “Look, it don’t matter much now. I’m callin it quits. Gotta head back to Oklahoma, try to patch things up with the wife. Toss me my cut, and I’m outta here.”
“Sam, we need you.” Joe tried to bring his tone down. “I mean, sure, I get it, you gotta handle family matters, but—well, cashing you out would take some time. How long you reckon you’ll be gone?”
Sam shook his head and pushed his chair back. “I reckon I won’t be making a return, Joe. The slice I got from our dealings should be ample to fix things up back home. You oughta consider makin your exit, too, while things are still in hand. That security inspection wasn’t no coincidence.”
Joe held his hands up in surrender. “Sam, I…All right. I’ll talk this over with the other guy, but it’s gonna take a bit to get your share cashed out. How—”
The door opened and the assistant came back into the office.
Sam scooted his chair forward again. “That wraps it up for this week, Joe. Appreciate the exchanges.”
The clerk turned to open a filing drawer.
Joe felt a tapping on his knee.
Sam was passing him another bag under the table.
Joe dropped it into the top of his boot. “Thanks as always, Sam. I’ll, uh, provide you with a timeline on that request you made.”
Sam stood. “I’ll be lookin forward to it, Mr. Baxter.”