That evening, Steve checked into La Citadelle Hotel in Hazard, billed as the “Most Luxurious Mountaintop Hotel in East Kentucky” (it’s not that hard to be the best in a list of one), and found a phone message waiting for him. A man identifying himself as Larry Smith said it was imperative that they meet that night. Mr. Smith had taken the liberty of reserving a table for them at 8:00 pm.
As Steve entered the once grand hotel restaurant a little before 8:00, he noted a reservation was pointless as only three of at least twenty-five tables were occupied. Large windows displayed the scattered lights of Hazard. He also observed a blue haired lady at an organ playing some version of the music he remembered from childhood experiences at roller skating rinks. A trim athletic type, with close cropped black hair, sitting alone at a corner table jumped to his feet and introduced himself as Larry Smith as soon as he spotted Steve. Steve responded, “Hi, I’m Steve Dawson, but you seem to know that already. How did you know it was me?”
“It’s my job to know. I also know you have a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, that you have worked for CoalEnergy for nine years, three months in mine operations and engineering and that your engagement to Jennifer Weston ended seven months ago. I admit that I don’t know why the engagement was terminated.”
“Okay, let’s start over. I’m getting real uncomfortable hearing a recitation of my life story from a man I don’t know. Now, who are you and why is it so imperative that we break bread together tonight?”
Larry Smith clenched his jaw for a brief moment then calmly answered, “I own and operate Mountain Security, a comprehensive security service provider that Hemlock Coal Company, among other large companies in the region, depend upon to secure their facilities and key personnel. My biggest concern as we sit here tonight is your personal safety.”
“Ooooo,” Steve thought as he sorted through this comprehensive answer. Some local guy supplies security guards he finds in the local pool hall and thinks he is running Homeland Security. “Is your concern for my personal safety specific in nature or are you just afraid you will have to pick up the tab if I get knocked off during the dessert course?”
Just then a waitress appeared at the table to take their order. Steve noticed the organ music had stopped and realized the waitress was the organist. He asked, “Is your halibut fresh?”
“What do y’all mean, fresh? It comes straight out of the freezer to the fryer, if that’s what you’re askin’.”
“Never mind, I’ll have the strip steak, medium rare.”
After Larry ordered his steak he said, “Good choice, passing on the fish. This place will serve fish that died of natural causes. But back to your question, you don’t know it but you have already stirred up a hornet’s nest in these mountains. These folks would rather live off the land, which by the way they were very adept at prior to welfare, than take orders from an outsider. Your bosses at CoalEnergy either think very highly of you, or consider you expendable, sending you in here like this. My sources indicate the former, so good for you, but I still wouldn’t take a bet on your survival without some nice long odds.”
“But all I have done so far is eat lunch and talk to a few folks. But I suppose your sources have already alerted you to these reckless activities on my part.”
“It’s understandable that you find my concerns perplexing. You have never spent any real time in this area and you don’t know what these people are capable of doing. Let me tell you a story. Two years ago a hotshot engineer from Penn State showed up at Greenfield Coal in Knott County ready to show the local folks how the cow ate the cabbage. Two weeks later his body had to be pried out of his black Chevy Blazer after running off a straight section of road, through the guard rail and down the mountain. One of my contacts with the Sheriff’s Department provided me access to this Blazer. It had numerous dents on the driver’s side with red paint that could clearly be seen. When I asked why no further investigation was done to match the red paint, the Deputy just shrugged and said, ‘these furriners can’t drive on these roads no way.’ I have plenty more of these examples but the point is that we need to get you a nine millimeter Glock and teach you how to use it before your parents get the same sad call that Nittany Lion’s parents did two years ago.”
“Okay, here’s the deal. As you apparently know, I don’t have much experience with guns except for borrowed hunting rifles and shotguns. I have never held a hand gun and probably couldn’t shoot the broad side of a barn with one. I will tell you, and your sources, that I do not carry a gun, and will not carry a gun. So if I do die mysteriously, I’m counting on you to investigate the obvious cold blooded murder.”
“Mr. Dawson, you need to know that you may be the only man in Salyers County not carrying a weapon. I believe my ability to protect you will be compromised if you don’t have a sidearm in your possession any time you are in public here.”
“Well, Mr. Smith, that isn’t going to happen. By the way, why a Glock nine millimeter?”
“Because it doesn’t have a safety and you can get off a shot faster.”
“Perfect,” Steve mumbled as he slowly shook his head.
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