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“Paige you should see this,” Craig said chuckling a bit later glancing at the TV monitor.
“What is it Craig?” she inquired before stopping short and turning the volume up.
Lead Rescue Consultant Wayne Higgins was escorted off the property moments ago by two of the men working the rescue site. We’ve been told the federal rescue team was not called in but the remaining members of the team have stayed at the site working with the person in charge, someone the people of Jennings know very well, our very own Paige Brighton, daughter of Brighton Mining owner and operator, Cord Brighton. We’ve recently learned Paige was the leading member of the rescue team but left for other opportunities.
Paige has constructed a plan that is currently underway to rescue the men trapped several hundred feet below the surface since late Friday evening. Drilling of the emergency shaft has been underway for hours and there are hopes of reaching the trapped miners sometime tomorrow. Included in those trapped are owner and operator, Cord Brighton and his son Samuel along with Edward Rushings, Harrison Dalton, and current Chief Security Operations Manager, Joel Wright, as well as several other members of Mr. Dalton’s team.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with those trapped and with their rescuers working diligently to bring them back alive. This is Cassandra Johnson, bringing you updates as they become available of this tragic accident.
“Good old Cassie,” Paige grinned. She picked up the phone and called Neal. “Tell Cassie she can come in as long as she doesn’t intrude. Yes, Neal I’m serious. The other stations can just deal with it. I know Cassie will understand the situation, her dad worked here for thirty-five years.”
“Will do,” he said, and she hung up.
“What?” she said noting the stares coming from her friends.
“Joel Wright? He wouldn’t happen to be your Joel, would he?” Jesse questioned.
“He’s notmyJoel, he never was, but yeah, it’s him,” she answered.
“When you said your whole family you really meant it didn’t you,” Craig said rubbing her back.
“We’re getting them out,” she said firmly, “so wipe those looks off your faces and help me get to the bottom of this alright?”
“Good to have you back boss,” Jesse teased.
“I’m not back…” she said turning around to watch the people rushing around her. What would they say if they knew the truth? If they knew that, she was barely holding it together, barely managing to keep breathing. They’d surely stop and choose someone else to follow, and that she knew would ruin their chances of getting them out safely.
Chapter 4
“Something on your mind sweetie?” Doug asked handing her another cup of coffee, the ninth or tenth she’d taken but not touched.
“I just can’t believe they’re all down there,” Paige stated letting out a sigh. “It’s one thing to do this for people you don’t know but when it’s the people you love…even ones you said you’d never forgive, never wanted to see again or a place you never expected to return to…it certainly puts things into perspective…”
“And what are you two slackers doing over here?” Moose inquired heading over to them.
“Is there a problem?” she said praying the answer was no. They’d already had enough delays and they were quickly nearing the fifty-hour marker for the group.
“Not a one…we’re about to punch through actually,” he answered.
“You’re kidding…Moose you are the best,” she told him kissing his cheek as a smile crossed her face. She walked back into the tent and grabbed the walkie as she headed out to where the shaft was.
“Anyone feel like coming home?” she questioned sending her voice through the instrument.
“Paige?” Joel replied. “Care to say that again?”
“I asked if anyone felt like coming home…I need you to get everyone down to the intersection of the west shaft. We’re about to punch through.”
“About time Sis,” Sam stated but she couldn’t begin to complain.
“Faster than anyone else could have gotten you out that’s for sure,” she retorted.
“Okay Paige we’re on our way,” Joel said taking the walkie back.
“Good, we’ll see you soon.” She took a deep breath before she turned to face the group. “We’re halfway there. Let’s let the others know we’re bringing them home.”
“Want me to deal with the families?” Hillary asked handing her a file. “I think you’re going to find page three interesting.”
“Thanks, and that’d be great. I don’t mind if they get bused down here but I don’t want them near the hole. If my gut’s anything to go by we haven’t seen the last of it down here,” she admitted.
