The Mystery of the Blazing Cliffs - M. V. Carey [9]
“Why is the road closed?” said Konrad. “We are supposed to go to San Jose tonight. We do not have time for the war games that you play.”
“Sorry, but it isn’t a game.” Lieutenant Ferrante’s voice was tight. “My men and I were dispatched from Camp Roberts this afternoon and told to keep all traffic off this road. This is an emergency route from the San Joaquin Valley to the coast, and it has to be clear for military vehicles.”
“We don’t plan to block it,” Jupe pointed out. “We’re going back to 101, and then north to San Jose.”
“Highway 101 is closed, too,” said the lieutenant. “Look, why don’t you just turn around and go back up that drive and let us do our job?”
The lieutenant put a hand on the pistol he wore at his belt. The boys stiffened.
“I have orders that no one is to use this road,” the lieutenant continued. “It’s for your own protection.”
“Protection?” echoed Konrad. “You protect us with a gun?”
“I’m sorry,” said the lieutenant. “Look, I just can’t let you through. And I can’t tell you any more than I have because I don’t know much more. Now be good guys and go back up the drive, huh?”
“Mr. Barron won’t believe this,” said Jupiter. “That’s Charles Emerson Barron, the industrialist. He may be quite angry when he learns that his guests are being detained. He might even call Washington. He’s a powerful man, you know!”
“I can’t help that,” said the lieutenant. “I can’t let you through!”
Several more uniformed figures appeared on the road. They stood quietly near the soldier who had first stopped the truck. Each carried a rifle, and the boys could see that each was alert.
“Okay, okay!” said Konrad quickly. “Jupe, I do not like this. We go back to the ranch.
We tell Mr. Barron what happens.”
“Good!” said the lieutenant. “You do that. And listen—I’ll follow you in the jeep. I’ll help you explain to this Barron, whoever he is. I mean, it’s just one of those things. We’re only following orders.”
The lieutenant got into his jeep and the boys climbed up into the truck.
“Crazy!” said Pete as Konrad turned on the gravel drive.
“Yes, it is,” said Jupiter.
The truck began to roll towards the Barron house, followed by the jeep.
“There was absolutely nothing wrong when we left Rocky Beach at noon,” said Jupe.
“What could have happened since then?”
“Beats me,” said Pete, “but that lieutenant sure looked scared. Something’s up.”
Konrad stopped the truck in the drive beyond the ranch house. The jeep pulled in behind, and the lieutenant got out and looked around.
“Who’s in charge here?” he demanded. His voice was loud, as if he were blustering to keep up his courage.
Hank Detweiler came down the back steps of the ranch house. Elsie Spratt and Mary Sedlack were with him, and Rafael Banales stood behind them in the kitchen doorway and watched.
“I’m Mr. Barron’s foreman,” said Detweiler. “Can I help you?”
The back door of the Barron house opened and Charles Barron and his wife came out on to the back porch.
“What is it?” asked Barron.
“The road is closed,” said Jupiter. “We can’t leave.”
Jupe turned expectantly toward the lieutenant, and Barron glared at the officer. “My road? Closed?”
Jupe saw with amusement that the lieutenant had begun to sweat in spite of the chill on the evening breeze. Jupe suspected that Charles Emerson Barron often had this effect on people.
“I beg your pardon, sir,” said the lieutenant. “It’s not y-y-your road!”
Jupe grinned to himself. Mr. Barron could do more than make people sweat. He could also make them stutter.
“Well, it certainly isn’t your road!” cried Barron. “What do you mean, it’s closed? It can’t be closed! It’s a public highway.”
“Y-y-yes, sir!” said the lieutenant. “The highway to the San Joaquin, sir, b-b-but—”
“For heaven’s sake, speak up!” roared Barron. “Don’t stand there blithering!”
“We h-h-have orders, sir,” the lieutenant managed to get out. “This afternoon. From Washington. Something h-h-happened in T-t—”
“Lieutenant!” shouted Barron.