Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:32:53 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Chinook 6

Chinook
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)


6: Digging is Good, Finding Is Better

"I have been digging around in the provincial court records and you'll
never guess what I found," Junior said.

"No I won't guess, so why not tell me."

"OK, I think I figured out why the Rundel's are so interested in getting
custody of the boys," Junior said.

"Go on."

"Clark's maternal grandfather, one Oliver A. Wilson, had only two surviving
children, his mother and her brother Senderfeld.  When the old man died he
left the farm to Senderfeld but left the mineral rights to his only
grandson Clark.  It is not clear if Clark even knew this but it is clear
his mother and father did.  I checked further and found out none other then
Black Petroleum has been paying natural gas royalties to Clark's parents
for about 10 years now.  That money, by rights, belongs to Jewely and the
boys," Junior said.

"Well lets get the money."

"Yes, we will but I think we should move slowly and carefully.  If we take
them to court, things will get messy and the boys will be dragged into it.
The first thing I am going to do is get Black Petroleum to stop paying the
Rundles.  They pay quarterly and the next quarterly payment is over six
weeks away.  The Rundels won't even know it has happened.  Black probably
does not even realize Clark is dead."

"Probably not but what do we care, as long as Jewely and the boys get the
benefits they deserve?"

"That is not the most complicated part.  Revenue Canada will surely want
back taxes and they will try and get those from Clark's estate and we don't
want them mucking about.  I think we will let them appear in family court,
to challenge your adoption.  We can hit them there with the evidence, they
will be under oath and I will have the Crown Attorney in the audience.  We
will make them pay back the money with interest, calling it a loan, so the
money that goes to the trust fund is tax exempt.  That way Jewely and the
boys don't need to re-file their own income tax for the past ten years and
to avoid criminal charges.  We assume the Rundles paid appropriate taxes
and if they didn't well."

"The papers Clark left, the ones I gave you, will they help?"

"Yes, birth certificates, marriage license, death certificate, a journal
telling why he left home, a copy of the wedding announcement mailing list,
that shows the Rundels were notified.  The most important is a letter from
them to Jewely and a copy of her letter to them, that prompted that
response.  Jewely's letter was just a simple thing, telling them about the
boys, dates of birth and names, that Clark had died of AIDS related causes
and the date.  That neither her or Clark or the doctors have any idea how
he contracted AIDS.  That was all she said.  She asked for nothing and
offered nothing.  They responded with a truss note saying they owed noting
to her or her children, their marriage was not real, Clark had abandoned
his real family by running away and they wanted no further contact with his
whore or her bastards," Junior said.

"Did they say that really or in so many words?"

"They said it for real and a bunch of religious crap, saying AIDS was a
punishment from God for Clark's obvious deviant life style, even suggesting
she must be the cause of his behavior."

"There is no way in hell those people will ever have any contact with my
precious boys, never.  How do the dates line up?"

"The dates line up fine.  They had been receiving some royalty money for
about a year before the wedding invitation and a good four years before the
death notification.  Since this was part of Clark's estate and he did not
have a Will, under Alberta law Jewely gets half and the boys get half.  I
don't want to alert them to the fact that we know any of this, so I will
not enter it into evidence, until I must.  The court will not like the fact
that we spring stuff like this in a hearing but if it comes out well it
comes out.  Do you know anyone at Black Pet.?"

"Sure as hell do, I know Charley Black himself, his elderly aunt and wife
too.  Charley went to school with dad, they even shared a dorm room for a
couple of years.  Charley and Jenny were at the ranch last weekend.  He
just thinks the world of Rom and Cliff, shall I call him?"

"Absolutely, if he instructs his people to cooperate with me it will make
everything a lot simpler."

Charley arranged a meeting that very afternoon but Junior had to bring his
art advisors along so they could help him while the legal and accounting
stuff was discussed.  Junior picked the boys up after school.  He was quite
surprised to find Charley was waiting in the lobby for them.  He introduced
himself and Junior to his staff lawyer and land man, then took the boys up
the spiral stair case to the executive offices.  Junior and the others only
need about 30 minutes, since Charley had told them to cooperate with
Mr. Evers, just do what ever he wants.  When Junior came into the boardroom
the boys were eating enormous bowels of ice-cream in front of Royce's large
landscape, the one Rom suggested he purchase.  ...........................

"Royce, do you still need to buy a house?"

"Yes, but houses in Calgary are way to expensive, its the down payment I
don't have and being self employed, the banks are just not willing to give
me a very favorable rate."

"I think I have the perfect little three bedroom bungalow for you and the
boys, right across the street from a park, less than a block from a grade
school, and four blocks from a junior high, library branch close too.  Two
car garage, in an established neighborhood, nice garden with lots of mature
trees.  Needs a little modernizing but a solid starter home."

"Miss Black you sound like a real-estate agent not a retired school
principal."

"I am serious Royce, I will never live in my house again and Charles will
only sell it when I die."

"But, I still can't afford it right now."

"Nonsense, my estate can hold the mortgage, no banks required and if you
will paint me a large image of yourself and those to wonderful son's of
yours, that painting can serve as the down payment."

"I, well, I don't know what..."  She handed him the keys from a pocket in
her smock.  "Take them, Charles will work out all the details with Junior
there, and be sure to make the monthly payments no more then his apartment
rent PIT, Charles," she said looking over the top of her glasses at her
gray haired nephew.

"Yes, aunt Mable consider it done."

Later when Charley took the men over to see their new home he told Royce
that his aunt did not need the money, she had good pension and he did not
want many of her things either.  The house is in the neighborhood, called
communities in Calgary, of Haysboro, just a few blocks south of the
extended care lodge.  A long walk, easy bike ride, or short bus trip up
Elbow Drive.  It is just down the block from Eugene Cost Elementary school.

Eugene Cost was built in the 60's and Miss Black was its first principal.
Mr. Eugene Cost was a mining engineer who worked for the Canadian Pacific
Railroad and a pioneer in the natural gas utility business in Calgary.
Miss Black knew him and his family.  Come to think of it, 94 years ago
Calgary was not all that large a place.  The boys assured Charley and
everyone that they would call in on Miss Black frequently, since they could
reach both this and her new lodge on their bikes.  Royce would move at the
end of June when his apartment lease expired and school finished for the
summer.

.......................

Schoosh -woosh - clickity clack - clickity clack - schoosh - woosh - ding,
ding, ding.  schoosh - woosh -.  "Royce Evers how can I help you?"

"You can hold me and kiss me and stuff that arrow like cock up my butt."

"I take it you are not in the office," Royce stated running his hand over
his instantly erect penis.

"No, calling on my cell.  In fact I am just a few blocks away, can I stop
in?"

"Sure, any time, you know that Harvey."

A few minutes later Royce was opening the door for Harvey.  Royce could see
the strain on his friend's face.  Harvey needs a hug, he thought so he
hugged him.

"Thanks pal I need a hug, probably as much as a good roll in the bed with
you but..."

"I know man, this professional stuff is the pits.  Just remember its for
the boys, at least that makes it tolerable for me."

"I know, sometimes I let the bureaucracy get me down.  You bust your butt,
being as professional as possible and the bastards still come at you."

"Coffee?"

"Ya, please."

"What's the scoop?"

Harvey explained that his reports relating to him and the boys were being
questioned.  They were demanding a reexamination and reevaluation of the
situation and of Royce as a foster parent.  He figured there was some
political interference from Edmonton.  Not departmental politics but
politics-politics.  Some MLA was putting pressure on his deputy and
assistant deputy minister.  "In addition, someone from the southern
admin. region was snooping around asking questions about you."

"And this MLA, which one, which riding."

"Johnson, that religious nut, redneck from Cardston."  Hum, Royce thought,
the Rundels are from that part of the Provence.  He wanted to confide in
Harvey but he figured it was better not to.  The last thing he wanted to do
was put his friend in some kind of ethically awkward position.

"You think Jewely's in-laws are behind this?"

"You know I can't answer that."

"You just did.  Harvey, if those people get within 10 meters of my sons
they better have a police escort."

"That strong, do you know something I should know?"

"Oh ya, but right now it is better you don't know, just be in court for the
fireworks.  But what's with these interlopers asking questions about me.
You know they tried to see the kids but the school told them to take a hike
and Mr. Hutton literally through them out of the gallery."

"Yes, he called me too, but he told me the kind of questions they were
asking.  What they are trying to do is find some way to attack your
character.  I think it was their suggestion that your only interest in the
boys must be sexual that got him going."

"That's my primary interest in you, are they good looking, maybe I'd be
interested in sex with them?"

"Don't push your luck, those Cardston chicks are way to up tight for sex."

"Have they seen your file or my profile?"

"I doubt it.  All they would have seen is a fact sheet and my
recommendation, not the narrative that goes with it or reference letters
and the like."

"So all they will be able to learn is what people who know me tell them, if
they are even willing to talk to them at all."

"Correct, I have been putting out the word that these people are not
official and not to be cooperated with.  I think someone has made some
unfounded accusations and assumptions about your character.  They are
probably supposed to try and substantiate them."

"Thanks again.  You still owe me thought."

"I know, anyway I figure they will be forced to come and meet you.  Now I
know you all to well.  Royce you must treat them like characters in a play
and no matter how angry you want to get, don't."

"I can do that.  Brian and Junior have been prepping me.  I'm ready for
them but the one thing they can not do is interview the boys without me or
their legal council present and they can not interview Jewely.  I don't
want her upset and something like this will upset her.  Again when we get
in court it will all be crystal clear to you."

"Ok, I will reinforce that and you call the care facility.  What about
letting Miss. Black have a chat with them?"

"Brilliant idea, she'll charm them out of their panties and then cram them
down their throats and they won't even realize it."  ...............

Schoosh -woosh - clickity clack - clickity clack - schoosh - woosh - ding,
ding, ding.  schoosh - woosh -.  "Royce Evers how can I help you?"

"Well Miss. Applebe, you and Miss. Storemont are welcome to visit me
between the hours of 9 and 11:30 am or 1:30 to 3:15 today or tomorrow,
after that I am either booked or out of town until the following Monday."

"You can come right now if you wish but I will not be here from 8:45 to
about 9 since I escort the boys to their school."

"Dad I can't find my math book?"

"Look on the desk, Cliff.  Sorry about that, its the post breakfast, find
your apus-crapus time of the day.  I should be back ±9.  Just ring my bell
and I'll buzz you in."

"Who was that?"

"A couple of busy bodies from Social Services."

"Are they nice people like Mr. Fanto," Rom asked?

"Yes, sweetie they are nice people just doing their jobs, did you brush
your teeth?  Get a move on it or you will be tardy ... go."

Royce and the boys emerged from the building, bikes and book bags in hand.
Donned their helmets and rode down the block and up the hill.  Royce
noticed two youngish ladies sitting a small blue car.  "Ok, we are being
watched." he thought.  When he returned he quickly put his bike away, hung
up his helmet and pored a cup of coffee.  He figured they would be seeking
entrance in about 4 minutes, Royce looked out the window sure enough the
ladies were heading up the block toward his building.

Royce invited them in, sat them down at the kitchen table, offered coffee
or tea.  One chose coffee the other tea.  They exchanged business cards.
Royce was still dressed in his biking shorts and a T shirt.  He does cut a
handsome figure with his broad shoulders and small butt, atop smooth thighs
and powerful calfs.  The spandex shorts show off his manhood and small
round butt.  If his image doesn't give them sticky panties, nothing will.

"Now if you would please tell me why you are here?"

"Well we can't discuss that except to say we are charged with making sure
the best interest of the Clifford and Romer are protected," responded
Miss. A., with Miss. S. nodding in agreement.

"This is a bit out of your district isn't it," Royce said looking at their
cards.

"Yes, but we have been given our instructions and..."  replied Miss. S.

"We all have our instructions and our jobs to do.  My instructions are to
be polite and courteous and give you the card of my legal council and that
of the boy's council."  He presented the cards.

"We ...  we,"

"I know you have been instructed to conduct interviews, inspections and to
confirm accusations about my suitability as a parent.  I have already filed
out all the forms and questioners, filed all necessary documents with the
court and have been interviewed by several Calgary based social workers."

"But new evidence has come to light and we must follow up," said Miss. A

"Evidence my ass," Royce thought.

"You can do that by normal channels.  Instead of sneaking around
interviewing my references and trying to see the boys at their school."

"Sir, you need to be cooperative otherwise our report will..." said Miss,
S.

"Lady I don't give a damn what your reports has to say.  I will not be
intimated by veiled threats."

"As long as you accept money from our department you are obligated to
cooperate with us," Miss. A said.

"True, if I have accepted that money, but since I have not, I am under no
obligation."

"The departments records show several checks being issued to you." Miss
A. admonished.

"They also show those checks being returned.  So let us get this straight
from the get go.  I am under no obligation to the province, I have accepted
an obligation to Mrs. Rundle to be the guardian of the boys while she is
incapacitated.  I assured her I would adopt her sons, that they will never
be parent-less orphans.  All that is in the documents filed with the Family
Court."

"We have reason to believe you will not make a fit parent and that
Mrs. Rundle is not of sound mind and unable to make agreement to this
adoption," Miss. S. said.

"I think the legal and medical professionals involved will dispute and
completely dispel that competency business in court.  What might those
other reasons be and what evidence do you have that would support them?"

"We are not at liberty to tell you that," Miss S. said.

"So I am accused but you won't tell me of what or who my accusers are.
This is not due process and not the Canadian way of justice.  It is the
methods of the Inquisition.  I guess all you can do is appear in court at
the adoption hearing and present your case.  I just caution you that the
court will take a dim view of unprofessionalism; should it be apparent, my
council has been instructed to take firm action, if slanderous or libelous
statements are introduced into the hearing.  I have no idea what these
people have said but I do know the professionalism of the Social Service
staff in the Calgary region to be high and praiseworthy.  I think you have
been sent on an ice fishing expedition, be careful not to tread on thin
ice, you know how chinooks can change things."

"If you won't answer our questions how can we get to the truth," Miss
A. asked?

"I will gladly answer any questions put to me under oath.  My advice is to
interview my lawyer and the boy's lawyer, who also represents Mrs. Rundle
and the Child Advocate, as well as all the usual public records.  Use your
own eyes, interview people who know the boys, teachers and the like.  You
can ask around about me but I suggest you choose your words more carefully
or being asked to leave my major gallery will be a relatively mild
rejection.  If your objective is to dispel myths and false accusations
that's fine but to start repeating falsehoods about me will only produce
poor results.  I suggest you talk to Miss. Mabel Black, she is still at the
same facility as Mrs. Rundle and knows the boys quite well; unfortunately
Mrs. Rundel's physician has forbid any visitors, expect immediate family.
The staff knows me and the boys, ask them your questions."

"Do you think it wise to air these serious charges at the hearing with the
boys present," Miss S. asked?

"That is a question for their lawyer to answer.  What I think is, just what
I think, it is yes.  This is about their future and as far as I am
concerned they should not only know the facts but have a say in it.  You
better write that down now, so you quote me correctly," Royce said pointing
to Miss. S's pad. "I don't want them being up set by any of this while
school is still on, however.  Besides being a child abuser and drug using
homosexual, what other speculations are on your list?"

"We would rather not say," Miss. S. said.

"More coffee?  I can guess and you can see most is blatantly false and
others simply lack evidence.  It is easy to stereotype someone but like the
average man, the trick is to find one."

"Do you always take the boys to school," Miss A. asked?

"Yes, I take them in the morning, meet them at noon and we come here for
lunch and meet them again after school.  Weather permitting we ride our
bikes, if not I drive.  In the fall we will be living across the street
from an elementary school and four blocks from a junior high, so they will
come and go on their own.  What they need more than anything now is
stability"

"You are moving," Miss. S. asked?

"Yes, I purchased a house in Haysboro but will not move until the end of
June, when school is finished.  I think those two have had more then enough
disruption in their lives already don't you?"

"Yes, what do you serve for lunch," Miss. S. asked?

"Mostly left overs from the night before, lets see, today is roast bison
sandwiches, raw vegetables, fresh fruit and milk.  Go ahead and look in the
refrigerator and cupboards."  The ladies were reluctant but Royce insisted.
"I am a very good cook.  The beef, bison, elk, venison and rabbit all come
from my family ranch.  The poultry, pork and fish is purchased."

"Your family owns a ranch" Miss S. asked?

"Yes, ten sections west and a bit south of High River, mostly dad raises
horses but keeps a selection of other animals for food.  Would you like to
see my 4H ribbons?"

"You are related to the Evers who raise the Mustangs and Quarter Horses,"
Miss S. asked?

"Yes, that's us."

"Who is Harland Evers Junior," Miss Applebe asked looking again at Junior's
card.

"He is my older brother, my sister is a vet, her office is in Nanton."

"We wondered how Mrs. Rundle and the boys could afford a lawyer living on
social assistance," Miss. S. said?

"You will have to ask Junior about that."  The ladies inspected the
apartment looking at the boy's room, the kind of books on the shelf and so
on.

"Is this a picture of Clifford and Romer," Miss. S. asked?

"Yes, and their horses and Romer's dog."

"Did you give them these animals," Miss. S. inquired?

"No, my father did, Harland Sr.  Oh, I objected but he just pointed out the
three of us had our own mounts from age nine, so Cliff and Rom can have
them too.  He knew it would be good for them to bond with and learn to care
for animals.  He is right of course.  You learned that in your child
psychology courses, I'm sure, dad knew it from experience I guess."