After a few moments Jimmy watched as Melbourne sent his henchman into the cave with the boys. Melbourne paced around the pickup until finally The Henchman came out carrying Jimmy's rope with the belt dangling. The boys followed and a couple of them were crying.

"Shut up! You sniveling brats!" Jimmy heard Melbourne yell. "It's your fault for not keeping your eyes on him. You know he wanders off- the little trouble maker!" Then looking towards the live oak tree, Melbourne yelled, "Get in the truck!"

Jimmy's heart stopped and he thought wildly, "He sees me!"

But Melbourne had only been looking at the sky. To his henchman he yelled, "It's almost daylight! We better get the brats off the ridge before they..." Jimmy couldn't make out the last part. But he did hear Melbourne sneer, 'I've got that early morning meeting so you'll have to watch the kids." He added, "Call the school and tell them they've got a case of lice and keep them home for the day. I don't want the teachers asking about Jimmy. I'll come up with something by Monday."

Jimmy was relieved to hear that. That meant that Melbourne was convinced that he had fallen down the hole.

He was also relieved to see the pickup drive down the dusty road. He was free. But now he faced a different challenge. Where would he go?

Looking around, the boy was confused because nothing looked familiar. He must be on one of the peaks that he and Ron didn't get to. Remembering how easily they had gotten lost that day in the storm, Jimmy didn't want to wander around much so the safest way was to follow the road down the mountain.

Jimmy scampered down the tree. Avoiding the mouth of the cave as if afraid he would be forced back into it, he made his way over a rock formation keeping his eyes on the road off to the left, for about a quarter of a mile down. At that point the road started climbing up a grade and Jimmy hoped he was up to the task. Soon the road leveled off and Jimmy walked next to it as it curved back and forth, and although still unfamiliar he was sure that eventually it would have to lead him to something recognizable. Jimmy kept his eyes on the uneven ground not wanting to fall in the ruts or stumble on the rocks, but as dawn came making it easier to see Jimmy looked up and saw something that made him come to a halt.

He was looking across a valley at the unmistakable majestic Mt. Konocti.

So what Jimmy had suspected was true. Not only had they not been in one of the Konocti caves. They were not even on Konocti. The men had tricked them. But Why?

He stood there wondering why the rouse. Why did the men make them think they were on Konocti... and in one of the Konocti caves. Jimmy looked around confused. "Where am I?" he wondered out loud. The sound of his voice startled him.

He stood for a very long time looking at the sleeping giant as if forgiving it for all the false evil that had been attributed to it.

"Where am I?" he repeated to Mt. Konocti, as if asking the huge sleeping giant to wake up and help him. Keeping his eyes fixed on Konocti as though it was a protector, he cautiously made his way down the road. He was once again filled with the exhilaration of being free. "I'm free!! He yelled out to his mountain protector. "I'm free!" A strange feeling caused him to touch his face... what was it? A smile-he was smiling. Little Jimmy was smiling for the first time in what felt like a life time.

Soon, however the exhilaration of freedom was replaced with fear. Not the same fear he had come to accept and had lived with for so long. This was a new fear. He had lost sight of Konocti. His protector. How would he know which direction the road was taking him if he couldn't see Konocti.

He had to decide what to do. He felt compelled to turn back so he could see Konocti. At least he would know where he was. But he knew the folly in that. The men would no doubt return with nightfall. And perhaps they would search for him.

The boy froze and looked down. His foot prints. He had forgotten to walk on rocks. He panicked and spun around as if expecting the men to be following the small foot prints on the road. He tried to think just when he had started walking on the road. Not far... he hoped.

Frantically he looked around for something to sweep the dusty prints. Grabbing hold of a sagebrush, trying to uproot it he cut his hand. Tears stung the little boys eyes causing him to stumble and fall and roll into the bushes. He picked himself up and tried to brush the dust off, but a new stinging caused him to look at his elbow. Blood was running down his arm. The forlorn little boy sat down on a rock and allowed the tears that he had been fighting back to come. He hadn't cried out loud in many years, but there on the ridge he sat and rocked himself and wailed. He didn't hold anything back. It was as though a dam had been broken that had been holding back pain and sorrow his entire life. The wailing echoed off the ridge. He had no idea how long he had cried. But when the howling finally stopped the sun was high in the sky and something warm was lying at his feet. Jimmy opened his eyes to find himself staring into the large worried eyes of a dog.

"Where'd you come from?" Jimmy said as he jumped up. The dog jumped up to, and gleefully started barking and jumped up on Jimmy almost knocking him back down. "Whoa!" Jimmy laughed. And hugged the dog. Looking around again and seeing no one, "Are you lost too, boy?" Jimmy asked the mutt. Jimmy picked up a small piece of wood and tossed it and was delighted when the dog not only chased it but brought it back. "Well, someone has taught this to you, Boy. How did you end up here on the mountain?" Jimmy played the game with the dog a few more times and hoped that the owner wasn't near by.

Jimmy had never had a pet, and he hoped the dog would stay around. He welcomed the thought of having him with him as he faced another night alone.

Jimmy remembered the foot prints and looking at the road he thought of a way the dog could help. The dog had stirred up the dust and messed up his foot prints where ever Jimmy had thrown the wood. Jimmy tossed the wood a few more times and watched as the dog ran through the foot prints leaving a mess of stirred up dust in their place. If the men walked down this far they would think that the tracks were coyotes Jimmy hoped.

Finally both the dog and Jimmy had tired of the game, and Jimmy had found a tree branch small enough and with just enough dried leaves to be useful as a broom. He walked along the side of the road and swished the broom while the dog, whom Jimmy had started calling Hero, chased it and jumped on it joyfully.

Jimmy surveyed the road and felt satisfied that all the foot prints had been covered up and he turned and headed back, this time staying off the road and making sure he walked on rocks or gra.s.s.

Jimmy stopped. There was a road that he had not notice before. It had not been traveled for a while but it was definitely a road. "Where does this go?" he wondered. "Maybe it's a faster way off this ridge," he hoped. "Come on Hero let's see!" And he took off picking up his pace hoping he wasn't making a mistake. "As long as we follow this road, we can always turn back," he said out loud, "but maybe it will take us to a main road faster. And at least if the men come back we won't run into them, a thought that had not occurred to him before. The road wound around and climbed up and over the ridge but there were no other roads or forks so the boy felt comfortable that he could find his way back if necessary.

The boy and dog walked side by side while Jimmy told Hero all his woes. Hero listened and whined when Jimmy's tale turned too gloomy, causing Jimmy to laugh, 'It's ok, Hero I handled it. And now we're free," he yelled gleefully and broke into a run, still being careful to make sure his feet landed on rocks or gra.s.s. Hero however was running to and fro, circling the boy and stirring up dust and leaving prints everywhere.

Jimmy hadn't been this happy since... "Since the last family night" he said to Hero. Pushing away the homesick feeling that swept over him he hugged his dog, "But you're my family now. And soon we'll have our brothers with us!"

The boy slowed to a walk. "We better save our energy, Hero." Looking around he added, "We have to find some water soon. And food." Hero looked at Jimmy with his tongue at the side of his mouth content with his new master.

Jimmy's mouth was dry and his throat was feeling hoa.r.s.e. He had not spoken to Hero for some time. He was getting worried. He needed water and he knew that Hero did as well. There had not been a tree or any form of shade for awhile. Jimmy had removed his long sleeve sweat shirt which had been his nightly uniform in the cave, and tied it around his head for protection from the hot Lake County sun. His bare arms were burning. He knew they could not last much longer without water and shelter.

As they turned a bend Jimmy stopped in his tracks. He couldn't believe his eyes.

"Look, Hero, A cabin!" Jimmy cried hoa.r.s.ely. "At least we can get out of the sun. Come on!" he said and mustered up energy to run to the cabin. The door was bolted, but walking around he found an uncovered window and what he saw inside made breaking the window worth the effort and consequences. Water. Cases and cases of bottled water.

Looking around Jimmy found a large rock and broke the window. He reached through and unlocked it and struggled to raise it. Finally the window broke free from the old seal and he pushed it up. Jimmy helped Hero inside first before climbing through the window, and headed for the water.

Jimmy remembered from movies that it would be dangerous to do more than sip the water for awhile. And that's what he did. He sipped and pulled a bowl out of a cupboard to pour sips for Hero. There was a locked cupboard and Jimmy picked up the rock that he'd broke the window with and pounded the lock until it broke free.

"Food!" Jimmy whooped. "Food for days!" There was cold cereal and powdered milk which Jimmy wasted no time mixing and pouring over the cereal. One bowl for him and one for Hero. As he ate, Jimmy took stock of the contents of the cabin. Besides the food and water, there was a well supplied first aid kit. Jimmy looked at his knees and elbow. "I better not chance getting an infection, he told Hero," and began the unpleasant task of washing and dressing his wounds.

A clock and an expired calendar hung on the wall. Reading the notes on the calendar he determined that the last time anyone had been in the cabin was the previous October.

"Hunting season." Jimmy said out loud and Hero c.o.c.ked his head. "Well that's a few months away so we're safe," Jimmy said hopefully. Watching the second hand spin around the face of the clock, "At least the clock works." He laughed, "so we won't over sleep." He laughed again at the ridiculous thought. But it would be good to be able to keep track of time. A transistor radio sat on the counter and turning it on he was pleased that the batteries were good. He turned it off, "better save the batteries," he said to Hero. But actually the noise unnerved him. Hanging on the wall was a large camouflaged backpack which Jimmy pulled down to examined the contents. A pencil, notepad, hunting map, compa.s.s, Swiss army knife and survival food, blanket, flares and a flash light. Grinning, Jimmy couldn't believe his good fortune.

A cot was in the corner and although dusty, Jimmy climbed on it and fell asleep with Hero curled up next to him.

Jimmy woke up with beads of sweat rolling down his face. He blinked repeatedly wondering at first where he was. When Hero licked his face it all returned to him. "We're free." He said to his dog and hugged him. "We're free."

Jimmy looked at the clock and saw that he had slept five hours. It was getting dark. Soon the dually pickup would be climbing up the ridge. The thought of his foster brothers returning to the cave made him ill. "We'll save them won't we, Hero," he said to the big brown eyes, "Won't we!"

Jimmy got up and opened a can of chicken noodle soup and poured it into a bowl for Hero, and then opened one for himself, adding water to his. He also opened a box of crackers and wondered how long it had been since he had been full. "Well, tonight we get full!" he said to Hero, "Tonight we eat for us and our brothers."

He ate and told Hero, "After we eat we better get some more sleep. We have an early morning."

As the dually b.u.mped and slid down the rocky road, the boy and dog hiding in the moon shadows went unnoticed. And the boy's whispered; "I'll save you, I promise!" was heard only by the dog.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

Konocti Rumors Ron's belief that Jimmy and the other boys were alive was bolstered after Melbourne shut down access to the mountain. "He wouldn't care who went up there if he thought there was nothing to find there." Ron reasoned. But the anxiety and determination that was apparent on the man's face made Ron certain that he needed to find the kids before Melbourne or his hired goons did.

The meeting Ron and Kat had with Lenny, Jack, and the Lombardis went well and all had agreed to join efforts and resources to find and rescue the kids. Guido and Marie Lombardi were very enthused to offer their support and were more than generous with their resources; which was key for the success of the plan that Ron laid out.

There was surveillance equipment to purchase that would not be cheap. They also needed to hire a couple more private detectives since the county's administrative heads were all blinded by Melbourne's flamboyant personality, and more than anything his wallet. And since Ron and Lenny would have to carry on with their normal duties Jack would need some a.s.sistants to help him follow up on leads as well as follow Melbourne.

With the Lombardis...o...b..ard Ron felt like the playing field had been leveled. Regardless of how much money Melbourne claimed to have, it was hard to imagine that he could possibly have more than the mega wealthy Lombardis.

Ron and Kat now felt positive that they were going to find Little Jimmy and his foster brothers.

Ron had laid out his plan of setting up surveillance cameras at several different advantage spots around the lake, all capturing different angles and views of Konocti.

Jack and Guido left that night for Sacramento in order to purchase the needed equipment first thing the next morning.

Guido spared no costs. The high resolution and night vision cameras and recording devices with long playing tapes were such that even the FBI would envy. Guido also made his personal helicopter, sea plane, and boats available. There was not one inch of the large county that they were not prepared to cover now.

Ron knew it wasn't just because the Lombardis felt an obligation for all that Ron and Kat had done for them the previous year; but the couple had a genuine love for children. Especially foster children.

Guido himself had been a foster child of sorts- and certainly an orphan. If it weren't for Guido being taken in by the late Sr. Lombardi- who knows where he would have ended up. Yes, he would do what ever was in his means to help these children.

Jack set out to start installing the surveillance equipment.

While Ron and Lenny carried on with their duties with the Sheriff Department, they left Jack to lead the team in their absence. He stepped up to the task with vigor and a dedication that was impressive even to the grieving Kat. Although she also had a job to carry on, she incorporated into her daily actives dropping in on Mrs. Capra. She felt guilty that she had not done so earlier. The nurse a.s.signed to her care was a high school friend of Kat's. Although not taking her into her confidence Kat was still able to smooze her high school chum into believing that the video camera she set up in the upstairs window was for her own personal use.

"I'm making a long playing tape of the mountain that I plan on putting to music as a gift for Ron." It was all true- except for the music. Since the girl had never been to Kat's home she had no idea that she had a perfect view of the mountain from almost every window in her home on Edgewater in the Rivieras. And of course cameras had already been set up and aimed at various locations of the mountain there.

Kat and Ron had always loved their personal view of the mountain that chaperoned all their dates during their exciting courtship. But now, when they looked at the mountain they felt only pain fear and dread.

Along with theirs and Mrs. Capra's home Jack had set up cameras on the Lombari's compound, as well as a spot on Kono Tayee - a location which required solar battery packs, but offered a perfect view of the North slopes and peaks of Konocti.

While Jack was setting up the equipment at the Lombardis, Ron sent Kat to talk to Greg and Diane Gill at the Clear Lake Bed and Breakfast in Lakeport. He and Kat had spent a get way weekend there once and remembered the roof top widow's walk. Since it was out of bounds for guests and only used for maintenance Ron hoped that Greg would allow Jack to set up some equipment there. And then the mountain would be covered by all angles. But before they made any requests, first they needed to make certain that the Gill's had not been fooled by the Melbournes.

Ron knew he could count on Kat to feel them out and read their expressions, faces and body language to make sure they would be good allies. After several minutes with the couple, she was convinced and very much relieved when they were more than willing to help. Kat strolled the beautiful grounds while talking in a hushed voice to Ron relaying the message from Greg, as to when he would be available to give Jack roof access.

She hung up and admired the garden and reminisced about the lovely time she & her husband spent there. Ron had reserved the George Washington Suite with a perfect view of Konocti. It was nice waking up to a different view than what they were used to; though she never tired of their views from their own home. Ron had chosen the date so they would be able to watch the pelicans herd fish into the cove for harvesting, which was an amazing sight.

She and Ron had discussed renting two rooms and inviting Jimmy and Mrs. Capra. She smiled thinking about how excited Jimmy would be- and then caught herself. Walking in this serene setting she had totally forgotten all the anguish she had been feeling; but now it rushed back and she hurried off to join Ron at home.

Having secured all locations and completed the installations, Jack a.s.signed an a.s.sistant to make the rounds checking on the outdoor equipment while Guido flew him on daily flights over the mountain rotating the planes and helicopter, to avoid suspicion. And Kat had begun the tedious job of waiting for the videos to review. Ron had connected televisions to the surveillance at home so at least they could be watching them as they recorded. When ever they were home, they never took their eyes off the monitors.

Rumors about the boys had increased.

Even more than the rumors were reports of the boys being spotted. There were reports of seeing from one to a dozen boys being spotted everywhere from Cobb, Lower Lake, Clearlake Oaks to Lakeport and every town in between- not to mention the numerous ridiculous report of the boys being taken in a boat by a dog.

Ron knew that they weren't the only ones watching the mountain.

Ron was certain that every telescope and pair of binoculars around the lake were focused on Mt. Konocti. And one of those was sure to belong to Melbourne. Ron hoped to spot the boys first.

Days went by with nothing.

Another meeting was arranged. This time at the Lombardi's compound, which was apparently, undergoing some major renovation.

"Sorry for the noise," Marie said as she opened the door and led her guests to the parlor. "As you can see, we have a project in process."

"No problem," Ron said and got right down to business. "I know we have all been discouraged by the lack of progress in our search. But I'm hoping we can hang in there a little while longer."

The look exchanged between Guido and Jack didn't go unnoticed by him.

"I know, I know. It's costing money to keep it going,;but I've been hearing rumors of sightings. And it all points to the mountain... I just wish we could get a clear view of the cabin. I'm sure that that is where they are."

"Not the cave? I thought Jimmy was obsessed with the cave." Guido questioned.

"No. Not the cave," Ron said with conviction. "Don't buy into all the rumors. Sure Jimmy was obsessed with finding the cave- but when we did find it, he had a near accident and I don't think he will go back into it with out me... without a grownup." Kat reached out and squeezed Ron's hand; and he looked at her sadly.

"We've spotted Melbourne's goons from the air, on the mountain near the cave several times. The one that you and Jimmy found. If the kids were up there they would have found them by now." Jack insisted.

"That's just the point, though. I think Melbourne is believing his own propaganda. He thinks Jimmy would show up at the cave, but I think Jimmy would take the kids to the cabin. It would be much safer, and out of the elements. There was also a spring nearby. While we were in the cave, Jimmy told me he had read about it on the internet." He looked pleadingly at the men. "Just a week longer..." his voice trailed off and he sat there looking like a lost little boy himself.

Ron drove off Lombari's hill in silence. Kat was lost in her own thoughts staring out the window. Had she really watched the videos close enough? Did she miss something? She decided to re-watch every single video there must be something there that she missed. Ron couldn't be wrong. He had, after all, solved more than one Lake County mystery; and none were as important to him as this one. Tears sprung to Kat's eyes and without looking she reached over and found Ron's large hand where she knew it would be- on the gear shift.

Giving his hand a squeeze, Kat turned and looked at him, "I know you are right, Ron. I trust your instincts. And I know you will find our boy."

Ron needed that word of support. Although he had convinced Lombardi to hold off one more week before pulling the plug on the operation he knew that Lombardi's confidence in him had waned. Even Jack was skeptical- thinking he was too emotionally involved.. On one of their aerial searches, Jack and Guido had seen something on Walker Ridge that they felt would turn up more leads; and they were going to focus their investigation there; although leaving the cameras aimed at Konocti for one more week.

Ron had one nagging thought that he didn't mention at the meeting, which he now shared with Kat. He felt sure that there was too many sighting on the mountain to dismiss- but were they Jimmy and his foster brothers or perhaps other kids who were being drawn up there by all the hoopla?

"Either way there are kids on the mountain and they are in danger," Kat replied and was even more determined to search the videotapes again.

"Ron! Ron, wake up!" Kat's urgent words woke Ron from a nightmare.

"Wha...? What's the matter Kat? What is it?" he said, hoping it was not going to be bad news.

"Ron, you have to come and look at this... I'm not sure... but I think it's something. I think it's Jimmy." Kat said pulling her drowsy husband out of their bedroom and down stairs to the theater room. "I didn't notice this before. But doesn't this look like Jimmy's back pack? Isn't this Jimmy's back pack? The one he used to bring to CMAS- it's faded and dirty... But I think it's it. See isn't that his initials... 'JM'?"

Ron was fully awake by now. "Where? Where are you looking? All Ron could see on the frozen screen was a lot of underbrush.

"Here! Right here," Kat insisted and pointed to the corner of the screen. Sure enough there was a backpack partially exposed from the brush. Kat rewound the tape a few frames and played it again in slow motion. The backpack briefly appeared moving beneath the undergrowth.

"It's him!" Ron exclaimed. "It's Jimmy! He's alive and he's up there! Ron ran to the sliding door and barely got it open before running out to the deck. Waving and pointing to the huge dark mountain he cried, "He's there! He's up there right now!" Kat ran to his side sobbing and flung herself into Ron's embrace. The young couple cried into each other's ears "He's alive. He's alive! He's on the mountain... He's alive!"

Theirs were not the only ears hearing their joyful cries. A microphone was hidden underneath the deck almost directly under their feet.

While Ron was dialing Jack's number on his cell phone, one of Melbourne's hired goons was dialing his own cell phone.

"Mr. Melbourne..."

CHAPTER TWELVE.

The Boy With The Plan Walker Ridge a month earlier As soon as the red tail lights were out of sight, Jimmy and Hero followed. Jimmy in the rocks and gra.s.s and Hero happily circling him as they made their way down the side of the dusty road. Jimmy had loaded the back pack with water and additional food. He never wanted to be hungry again.

Finally they came to a larger more traveled gravel road. The sun had broken through the dawn and the top of Konocti was once more in site and Jimmy walked towards it. Even though he felt sure the men would not return, Jimmy pulled Hero out of site when a vehicle approached. Watching it drive by, Jimmy held Hero's muzzle and whispered "Quiet." And then letting go he said, "We must be close to the highway." He was beginning to think he knew where they were. Jimmy knew all the faces of Konocti, and based on the location the sun was rising from he felt certain that they had just descended off of Walker Ridge. But he needed to make sure, so the boy and the dog followed the tail lights until they reached pavement. The boy walked towards the white marker until he was close enough to read it.

After retreating behind a tree out of sight from the highway, Jimmy reached in his backpack, and after jotting down the marker number, he checked off the first item on a long list he had made during the night while coming up with a plan. The item was "Find out where we are".

Jimmy turned around and headed back the way they had just come. Now that he knew where they were he knew what he had to do. And right now he and Hero needed to hike back up to the cabin before the heat set in. But first Jimmy unloaded his backpack and stashed everything but some water, a little food, the map, compa.s.s, flashlight, pen and notebook. Even though it was full daylight, he didn't want to chance being in the dark again.