There was no answer.
“Calling Elbow Rock. Window Rock calling Elbow Rock. Over,” Pepper repeated.
Still no answer.
“Come in, Elbow Rock!” Cavanaugh’s voice barked through the phones. “Why don’t you answer, Elbow Rock?”
“I read you, Window Rock,” a faraway voice answered at last. “Something’s coming in from Gallup. Stand by.”
“This is it!” Cavanaugh’s yell almost split Sandy’s ears. “Get out of the way, can’t you, Pepper? I’ll take this. Go to bed or something. It makes me sick just to look at your silly face.... All right, Elbow Rock. I’m ready when you are.”
The minutes slid by while only the mutter of static filled Sandy’s earphones. Beside him, he felt the Dobermans flinch and shiver in their restless sleep. The cold night wind seeped under the bottom of the trailer and set his teeth to chattering uncontrollably. Now he knew what the phrase “a dog’s life” really meant.
“Elbow Rock calling Window Rock.” The phones clattered into life. “Over.”
“I read you loud and clear, Elbow Rock,” Cavanaugh’s voice replied. “What is the message from Gallup?”
“You want it coded, like it was relayed from Washington, or straight?” the distant voice inquired.