“Blake to Crocco,” William said into the radio. There was no response. There hadn’t been a response for over an hour. William assumed that Crocco turned the radio off while he led the men up the blue trail. They still had the element of surprise, and didn’t need the chirp of a radio to give away their advantage. “Blake to Crocco,” William said a second time, anxiously waiting for a response. Static filled the air when Crocco keyed his radio. William could hear the voices of men screaming profanity, ordering the squatters to move your ass, you fucking scumbags.
“Go ahead, Mr. Blake,” Crocco replied. “What’s the latest?”
“We just finished taking the encampment at the top of the Sleeping Giant. They were waiting for us. A sniper picked off …show more content…
Patrol size should be no fewer than five men until we’re sure we’ve cleared out the infestation. After we know the camps are gone, we can drop to two-man patrols and cover more area. We’re going to have to maintain an active presence in the park for the foreseeable future; at least until word gets out loud and clear that the park is closed to vagrants.”
“Yes, sir. I’ve already assigned a rotation. I don’t think we’ll have any more trouble with Birchvilles sprouting up on Sleeping Giant.”
“You call them Birchvilles one more time and you’ll be out of a job. You got me?” “Yes sir. I’m sorry.” “You should be. You sound like some fucking liberal activist.”
“I understand, you’re right. You have a nice trip, Mr. Blake. Everything on the estate is under control. Over and out.”
William placed his radio on a table and walked to the helicopter. He climbed in and took a seat across from Mary and James. He lifted an aviation headset and placed it over his ears. The pilot’s voice carried through the noise-reducing earphones. “Are you ready to go, Mr. …show more content…
The helicopter growled to life, the blades cut a deep, concussive, thunk, thunk, thunk, through the air as it lifted off. William stared over Blue Hills Orchard as the helicopter rose. He watched farmhands moving through the orchards, tending to the apple, peach, and nectarine trees.
“Look,” William said, pointing to a corn maze that his crews designed in a three-acre square plot. “Cool, huh?” William asked. Mary and James nodded in agreement.
“Look, smoke,” James said, pointing to the top of Sleeping Giant.
The helicopter flew over the castle. Thick tendrils of black smoke floated into the clear blue sky above Sleeping Giant. William stared down at the scene. His men built several bon fires and were busy burning the tents and other possessions that belonged to the squatters. It was difficult to see much of the action through the foliage around the castle, but William could see several horses tied up, and a few men moving in and out of the castle carrying sleeping bags, clothes, and camping gear. The men threw armloads of gear into the fires and returned to the castle for another