Ron Walden

Blue Sky and Green Grass Ron Walden

Trapper Ken Whittle spent the morning pre-heating and preparing his Pieper Super Cub to fly so he could check his trap-line. The minus 20 degree weather made this a taxing task. Flying to the area of his traps was pleasant, but near the first lake on his route he came upon an airplane nose down in the trees. He landed to discover the pilot dead--frozen in his seat. In the aircraft were four duffle bags later found to contain marijuana, and a metal briefcase containing a large amount of money and a .45 automatic Colt pistol. Whittle wrestled briefly with his conscience before deciding to keep the money. He surmised that it was drug money and would not be missed, but the drug bosses did notice and sent henchmen to retrieve their money. This opened an investigation by the Alaska State Troopers and the NTSB which found that the pilot had been murdered and eventually uncovered a huge marijuana growing operation and worldwide importation of other drugs. Informants were found; circumstantial evidence gathered; but little real, hard evidence was brought to light to connect their suspect to the crimes. Trooper Sergeant and helicopter pilot, Karen Holmes, and her partner, Craig Stanton, must take time from the investigation to make daring rescues and cope with the mundane daily duties distracting them from the complicated, frustrating case.