The War on Wildlife is free for everyone, but donations are always welcome! The War on Wildlife is the third in the wildlife series with these characters. If you enjoy this novel, the prequels, Spirit of the Wolf and Thundering Hooves are available in paperback! Click here to see all the episodes plus background information and the introduction! If you’ve joined the novel late, please click here to start with Episode One!
Episode Thirteen - The Photoshoot
Angie, Jessica and Michelle were already at the house when Caleb returned from a long day of photography in the canyon. He climbed the stairs to the deck and entered through the sliding glass door, and grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the refrigerator before sitting down at the kitchen table.
“Why the long faces?” he asked.
Michelle answered, “They found the first wolf depredation out in Grand County today., and they are blaming the new Elk Creek Pack.”
“Based on what?” asked Caleb.
“As far as we can tell, it’s just a ranchers word.”
“How do they know that the wolf killed the animal, what a cow?”
“Yes it was a cow, and and it appears the state is going to kiss the ranchers ass and pay him for the loss anyway.”
“That just pisses me off so much. Those ranchers lose 100 times as many cattle to disease, exposure to weather, neglect, and any number of things. The state should have never agreed to pay them anything. They are going to use that as a business model now.”
Michelle replied hopefully, “Well maybe this will be the only one.”
Caleb commented, “Did they tell you anything else at your job?”
“No, it seems they are pretty tight lipped about it.”
“Aren’t you still on the wolf reintroduction team?”
“Yes, but I’m not privy to the politics of it all. I’m just one of the biologists.”
“Maybe I can find something online.”
“I hope so,” replied Michelle.
Angie asked Caleb, “ I know you are busy Caleb, but can you help us with a photoshoot at the mall tomorrow? We need some pictures for advertisements.”
“What time tomorrow?”
“After lunch sometime.”
“Maybe we can grab some lunch in the food court before we start.”
“I’m in!” exclaimed Jessica.
“Works for me,” added Angie.
“I’ll just be bored out of my wits at the park entrance,” lamented Michelle.
“When are you going to get promoted out of that crappy duty?” asked Jessica.
“I don’t know, I would have thought I’d be on to something more interesting by now.”
“I’m sure your time is coming soon,” added Angie.
“Well, I gotta run,” said Jessica as she stood to leave.
“Okay Jessie, I’ll see you tomorrow. What time do you want to meet at the food court?”
“How about if I just meet you here at the house, and we can carpool.”
“Sure, be here about noon then?”
“Yep, see you then,” she said as she walked to the front door.
By then Caleb had already started up his desktop computer, to begin researching the Grand County cattle depredation.
After a few moments of silence Caleb asked Angie, “So what is this photoshoot tomorrow going to entail?”
“We want to shoot some outfits in the mall, with all the shops in the background. Do you need any special equipment for that?”
“No problem.. I’ll use a couple of off camera strobes, and balance them with the ambient light in the mall. A fast lens should make some nice background bokeh for a nice classy magazine style look.”
“That would be awesome Caleb!”
“I’ll get my gear rounded up tonight. Am I carpooling with you and Jessie?”
“I think we can all fit in my car with no problem.”
“Okay, .I’ll put my stuff in your SUV in the morning then.”
Just after lunch, Angie pulled into the mall parking lot near the food court. Heads turned when Angie and Jessica walked in, already dressed in their first look.
Even though his friends were oblivious, Caleb noticed all the attention and commented, “This should be a great show, you already have the full attention of your fans!”
Angie finally looked around and quickly noticed all the eyes upon them.
“Well okay then, I guess we’d better do good!” commented Angie.
Angie picked up her phone and gave Donna a call.
“Hi Donna, we are already here in the food court. Where do you want to meet?”
“I’ll just come down there and sit down with you. After you eat, we can all walk over to the shooting area together..”
“Sounds good. Do you have some kind of cart for Caleb to wheel his lighting gear in?”
“I’ll have maintenance bring one over.”
Soon it was time for the shoot and a small but curious crowd was already gathering. Caleb took a couple of test shots, and waved to Donna that he was ready.
Angie walked out first, wearing designer blue jeans and a white faux fur jacket. She noticed shocked glances, and stopped to make an announcement, “Greetings folks, we are getting some pictures to advertise our faux fur fashion show next month right here in the mall! Proceeds will go to wildlife groups working hard to ban animal fur here in the Denver area. And don’t forget to vote for the ban in November!”
Many in the rapidly growing crowd clapped, and Angie felt comfortable continuing the photoshoot. Jessica was next on deck, wearing a long skirt and imitation leather jacket. The crowd was now into the event, and clapped enthusiastically each time the women walked in with a new outfit. Eventually Donna announced that the models were taking a break, and asked Caleb if she could see the pictures.
Caleb responded, “Sure,” and turned his camera around. Donna looked delighted as she thumbed through a couple dozen images. In the meantime Angie and Jessica crowded in close, and were also doing their best to see all the pictures on the back of Caleb’s camera..
Finally Donna declared triumphantly, “I think we got it! Caleb, when can you get these delivered?”
“I’m sure I can have them done by the end of tomorrow. Do you want me to drop by with a thumb drive?”
“Sure, I’ll be here until six. Why don’t you stop by my office around five.”
“I’ll be there!” he said confidently.
After a few moments of silence Angie said to Caleb,“We are going to change, so why don’t you start packing up.”
“Okay, can you drive your car up to the door when you get changed. I don’t want to lug this stuff across the parking lot again.”
“You got it.”
Soon the elated trio was on their way back to Franktown, excitedly discussing the photoshoot.
“Did you see all those people? They were even clapping,” commented Angie
“That was awesome,” replied Jessica. “I think it is going to be a great show! I can’t wait!”
“Me too, I think we are going to be able to make a good donation to the wildlife!!” responded Angie.
Caleb was quiet in the backseat as he looked through the collection of images again.
“You girls were beautiful today! These pictures are great! The models in the big fashion magazines have nothing over you!”
Both women chimed in at once, “Thanks Caleb!”
As they neared Franktown, Caleb suggested that they stop to toast the successful day. “Hey, we should stop at the Stage Line and have a couple of beers!”
Angie asked Jessica, “That sounds great Caleb, what do you think Jessie?”
“Works for me!” she replied.
Angie pulled in and the trio walked toward the big open front door.
“Maybe we should call Michelle,” commented Jessica.
Caleb replied, “She’s still at work. If we’re still here later we can give her a call.”
The jukebox was playing country music when they walked into the dark saloon. Most of the tables were available, so they just walked in and sat down. The waitress and a big dude approached their table, but separated as they drew near the end of the bar. The big guy took a seat at the front door and the waitress came over to take their order.
“Hi guys, how are we all today?”
“We’re great,” answered an enthusiastic Jessica.
“Glad to hear it! I’m Bonnie, can I start you out with some drinks?”
“Should we just get a pitcher?” asked Caleb.
“Sure,” answered Jessica.
“We’ll have a pitcher of beer then, whatever you have on tap,” said Angie.
“How about our microbrew special of the day? It’s a pale ale that a lot of people really seem to like.”
“That sounds good,” replied Caleb.
Angie and Jessica nodded their heads in approval, and Bonnie turned to walk their order to the bar.
Eventually the lively country rock music was interrupted by a slow ballad, prompting Jessica to excuse herself for a restroom break. Angie followed close behind while Caleb continued to sip his brew, and reflect upon the photoshoot. He glanced up as the two women returned from the restroom, and noticed a scruffy dirty looking cowboy approaching them from the bar. As the man neared Jessica, Caleb heard him slur a rude invitation, “Hey baby, wanna dance?”
Jessica answered politely, “No thanks.”
“What, do you think you are too good to dance with us cowboys?”
“No, that’s not it. I’m married and I just don’t dance with strangers.”
Caleb stood and walked toward the women, while the man angrily turned and started to walk away. At first it appeared that Jessica had quietly diffused the situation, but suddenly the belligerent slob turned around and stepped back in front of Jessica. Caleb heard him mumble something unintelligible, and quickly approached to intervene. Before Caleb could get positioned, the trouble maker tried intimidating her by lifting his fist to her face. Caleb didn’t wait to see what would happen next, and responded with a powerful right jab to the chest which sent the attacker reeling twelve feet across the bar. Angie heard the sound of cracking ribs, and exclaimed “Oh crap Caleb, I think you broke his ribs.”
The cowboy eventually landed on his back and made no move to get up. The bouncer responded quickly to the altercation and said to Caleb, “I saw the whole thing and I would have done the same thing, so you’re good. That guy always causing trouble in here so I’m going to 86 him as soon as he comes around. Go ahead and enjoy yourselves, and sorry for the trouble.”
Caleb thanked him and he and the women sat back down to finish their beer.
“Well damn,” said Jessica. “That was exciting!”
Angie chuckled, “I don’t know if exciting is what I would call it.”
They eventually finished the pitcher and decided to pay their tab and call it a day.
“I guess we aren’t going to need to call Michelle after all,” commented Jessica.
“No I guess not. She should still be at work, or at least she’s supposed to be. Earlier she didn’t sound too excited about sitting in the booth all day.”
“She didn’t did she,” replied Angie.
“I wonder if she is going to look for something else soon?” wondered Jessica.
“I wonder if she would want to join our little company and work with us,” added Angie.
“Maybe so,” replied Caleb.
The three friends quickly forgot about the unfortunate incident in the bar and climbed into Angiie’s SUV. They drove the rest of the way in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
Episode Twelve «««< >»»»Episode Fourteen
