In spite of the fact that theyd quarrelled? asked McGill.
He was a Ballard. What would my mother do with mineral rights? Anyway, after he died my mother had to sell the land she couldnt farm it herself. She sold most of it thats the west slope to old Peterson, who neglected to check if he had the mineral rights. I dont know if he cared about that one way or the other, but when my grandfather bought the rest of the land from my mother the bit at the bottom of the slope and started to exploit the mineral rights under Peterson land then all hell broke loose. Accusations of bad faith were tossed around like confetti. The Petersons have always been convinced it was a deep-laid plot on the part of the Ballards. Actually, of course, it was nothing of the kind, but because my name is Ballard Im stuck with it.
When you put it that way it doesnt sound too bad, said Cameron. All the same, Im not surprised that the Petersons are riled.
I dont see why they should be, said Ballard. The only people making a profit out of the mine are the Petersons; the mine brought prosperity to this valley and the Petersons are creaming it off. The Ballards certainly arent making a profit. Youve seen the operating figures, Joe, and you know the company is just breaking even. He shook his head. I dont know whats going to happen if we have to put in extensive avalanche protection. Ive been trying to get hold of Crowell all day but hes not available.
Who is he? asked McGill.
Chairman of the company. He lives in Auckland.
Ive been thinking of avalanche protection, said McGill meditatively. Ive got some figures for you, Joe. When you design the avalanche gallery over the mine portal allow for an impact pressure of ten tons a square foot.
Cameron flinched. That much? he asked incredulously.
Ive been talking to people who witnessed the 1943 slide. From all accounts it was an airborne powder avalanche, and so was the 1912 slide, according to Turi Buck. The next may not be any different.
Airborne powder! Whats that?
This is no time for a lecture on avalanche dynamics. All you need to know is that its fast and it packs a hell of a wallop.
Ballard said, The 1943 avalanche turned a hundred acres of big trees into firewood.
Cameron put down his fork. Now I know why youre worried about the town.
I wish to hell the council was as worried as I am, said McGill bleakly.
Cameron looked up. Here comes Matt Houghton. If you tell him what youve just told me maybe hell become as scared as I am. As Houghton came up, his bald head gleaming, Cameron pulled out a chair. Sit down, Matt. What did the Civil Defence people have to say?
Houghton sat down heavily. I havent had time to talk to them yet. Well be posting signs on the slope; Bobby Fawcetts scouts are making them and theyll be putting them up tomorrow. Got any stakes we can use, Joe?
Sure, said Cameron, but his voice was abstracted. He was looking at McGill.
Ballard leaned forward. What do you mean, Matt you didnt have time? I thought it was agreed
Houghton flapped his hands. Its Saturday, Ian, he said plaintively, and shrugged. And tomorrow is Sunday. We probably wont be able to get through to them until Monday.
Ballard looked baffled. Matt, do you really think that Civil Defence Headquarters closes down at weekends? All you have to do is to lift the bloody telephone.
Take it easy, Ian. I have enough trouble with the Petersons. Charlie takes the line that no one can prevent him from walking or skiing on his own land.
For Christs sake! Is he out of his mind?
Houghton sighed. You know Charlie. Its that old feud getting in the way.
What the hell did I have to do with buying and selling mineral rights? I was only a kid at the time.
Its not that; its the other thing. Charlie was Alecs twin, you know.
But that was nearly twenty-five years ago.
Long memories, Ian; long memories. Houghton rubbed his jaw. That stuff you told us about your training you know, Johannesburg and Harvard. Eric was inclined to disbelieve you.
So he thinks Im a liar as well as a coward, said Ballard sourly. What does he think it takes to be in charge of a company like this?
He did mention a rich grandfather, said Houghton wryly.
He dropped his eyes under Ballards steady stare. Ballard said, Im expecting a call from old Crowell. You can talk to him if you like. Hell tell you my qualifications. His voice was chilly.
Take it easy I believe you. Youve made a success of your life, and thats all that matters.
No, it isnt, Matt. What matters is that bloody snow on the slope above this town, and I dont want any ancient history getting in the way. Im going to make sure the right thing is done, and if the Petersons get in my way I wont go around them Ill go through them. Ill smash them.
Houghton gave him a startled look. My God, but youve changed!
Turi Buck said it first Ive grown up, said Ballard tiredly.
There was an embarrassed silence at the table. McGill, who had been quietly watchful, said, I dont know what that was all about, Mr Houghton, but I can tell you this. The situation is now more serious than that I outlined at our meeting this morning. Ive taken more samples from the slope and the stability is deteriorating. Ive also been talking to people about previous avalanches, with the result that Ive just notified Mr Cameron to prepare for something hitting the mine very hard indeed. I have to tell you that also applies to the town.
Houghton was affronted. Why the hell didnt you talk like that this morning instead of pussyfooting around with scientific quibbles? This morning you said the hazard was potential.
McGill was exasperated. I sometimes wonder if we talk the same language, he snapped. The hazard still is potential and it will be until something happens and then itll be actual hazard and too goddam late to do anything about it. What do you want me to do? Go up on the slope and trigger it just to prove to you that it can happen?
Ballard said, Go back to your council and tell them to stop playing politics. And tell the Petersons from me that no one votes for dead men. His voice was like iron. You can also tell them that if they dont do something constructive by midday tomorrow Ill go over their heads Ill call a public meeting and put it to the people direct.
And telephone Civil Defence as soon as you can, added McGill.
Houghton took a deep breath and stood up. His face was red and shiny with sweat. Ill do the best I can, he said, and walked away.
Ballard stared after him. I wonder if this is a good time to get drunk?
TWELVE
Did Mr Ballard drink heavily that night? asked Lyall.
Camerons lips compressed and then he relaxed. Not more than most, he said easily. It was a party, you must remember. For instance, he didnt drink as much as me. As an apparent afterthought he added, Or as much as your clients there.
Did Mr Ballard drink heavily that night? asked Lyall.
Camerons lips compressed and then he relaxed. Not more than most, he said easily. It was a party, you must remember. For instance, he didnt drink as much as me. As an apparent afterthought he added, Or as much as your clients there.
Lyall said sharply, I must protest. The witness cannot be allowed to make gratuitous innuendoes of that nature.
Harrison was trying unsuccessfully to hide a smile. It appears to me that Mr Cameron was merely trying to put Mr Ballards drinking in the scale of things. Is that not so, Mr Cameron?
It was a party in a small town, said Cameron. Sure, there was drinking. Some of the boys from the mine got pretty smashed. Some of the town folk, too. I was a bit rosy myself towards the end. But Mr Ballard was nowhere near drunk. I dont think hes really a drinking man. But he had a few.
I think that answers Mr Lyalls question. Go on, Mr Cameron.
Well, at about eleven-thirty that night Mr Ballard again tackled the mayor about whether hed telephoned anybody Civil Defence or whatever and Houghton said he hadnt. He said he didnt see that a few hours would make any difference and he wasnt going to make a fool of himself in the middle of the night by ringing up some caretaker and asking him damn silly questions.
Harrison looked across at Ballard. Mr Cameron, it would be improper to ask you why Mr Ballard, at this point, did not make the call himself. Mr Ballard is here to answer for himself, as I am sure he will. But, if there was this urgency, why did you not make the call?
Cameron looked embarrassed. Wed been told, quite bluntly, to keep our noses out of town business. And up to that time we thought the call had been made. When we found it hadnt we thought the likelihood of getting anyone at Civil Defence who could tell us what we wanted to know was slight. Another thing was that Mr Ballard still hoped to co-operate with the council, and if he made the call theyd think hed gone over their heads on what they would consider to be town business. Relations between mine and town might be permanently damaged.
What did Dr McGill think of this?
He wasnt around at the time; hed gone out to check the weather. But afterwards he said that Mr Ballard was a damned fool. Cameron scratched his cheek. He said I was a damned fool, too.
It seems that Dr McGill is the only person to come out of this with any credit, observed Harrison. There appears to have been a lot of buck-passing for reasons which pale into insignificance when one considers the magnitude of the disaster.
I agree, said Cameron frankly. But Dr McGill was the only person who had any conception of the magnitude of the trouble which faced us. When he told me to prepare for an impact pressure of ten tons a square foot I thought he was coming it a bit strong. I accepted his reasoning but at the back of my mind I didnt really believe it. I think that Mr Ballard was in the same case, and he and I are technical men.
And because the members of the council were not technical men do you think that excuses their dilatory conduct?
No, said Cameron heavily. We were all guilty to a greater or lesser degree. It does not excuse our conduct, but it goes a long way towards explaining it.
Harrison was silent for a long time, then he said gently, Ill accept that, Mr Cameron. What happened next?
Mr Ballard and I stayed at our table talking and doing a little drinking. If Mr Ballard did any drinking that night it was then that he did it. He hadnt had more than two drinks up to then.
Cameron talked with Ballard for some time, maybe twenty minutes, and then they were joined by Stacey Cameron. Ballard cocked an ear towards the dance floor; it was late enough for the jigging rock rhythms to have been replaced by the night-club shuffle. Dance? he suggested.
Stacey grimaced. Thanks all the same, but no thanks. Ive been danced off my feet tonight. She sat down and flexed her toes, then looked up at him. Liz Peterson wants to know if you think she has smallpox.
He blinked. What!
She seems to think that youre ignoring her. She could be right, at that.
Ballard smiled slightly. Id forgotten she existed until tonight.
Well, you know she exists now. Why dont you ask her for a dance? Shes sitting this one out.
Ballards jaw dropped, and then he smiled. Well, for Gods sake, why not? He drained his glass and felt the lump of whisky hit bottom with a thud. Ill give it a whirl. He left, heading for the dance floor.
Are you crazy? demanded Cameron. Dont you know that Ballard and the Petersons get on like the Hatfields and McCoys? What are you trying to do start a war?
Theyve got to start talking to each other reasonably sometime, said Stacey. Huka isnt big enough for them to ignore each other forever.
Cameron looked unconvinced. I hope you know what youre doing.
Dad, whats all this about an avalanche?
What avalanche?
Dont talk to me as though I were a half-wit, said Stacey. The avalanche you were discussing over dinner.
Oh, that one! said Cameron with an ill-assumed air of surprise. Nothing to it. Just some precautions McGill wants us to take.
Precautions, she said thoughtfully. Thats not what I understood by the way Ian was reaming out Houghton. She looked past her father. Heres Mike now. Hows the weather, Mike?
Heavy snow setting in. McGill checked his watch. Nearly midnight. How long do these shindigs go on?
The dancing will stop dead on midnight, said Cameron. Very religious guys, these New Zealanders. No dancing on Sunday.
McGill nodded. I wont be sorry to get to bed. He stretched. What did the Civil Defence crowd have to say?
Houghton didnt call.
He didnt! McGill grabbed Cameron by the arm. What have you done about it? Did Ian try? Cameron shook his head. Then hes a goddamned fool and so are you. Wheres the telephone?
Theres one in the lobby, said Cameron. Look, Mike, therell be no one there at this time of night qualified to tell you anything.
Tell me hell! said McGill. Im going to tell them. Im going to raise the alarm.
He walked away rapidly with Cameron on his heels. As they skirted the dance floor there was a shout and a sudden disturbance. McGill jerked his head sideways and saw Charlie Peterson with his hand on Ballards shoulder. Just what we need, he said disgustedly. Come on, Joe, and crossed the floor to where the two men bristled at each other.
Ballard had been dancing with Liz Peterson when he felt the heavy thud of Charlies meaty hand on his shoulder and felt himself spun round. Charlies face was sweaty and his eyes were red-rimmed. Alcohol fumes came from him as he whispered hoarsely, Stay away from my sister, Ballard.
Lizs face flamed. Charlie, I told you
Shut up! His hand bore heavily on Ballards shoulder. If I catch you with her again Ill break your back.
Take your hand off me, said Ballard.
Some of the ferocity left Charlie and he grinned genially. Take it off yourself if you can. His thumb ground viciously into the muscle at the top of Ballards arm.