Hell's Roundabout. Benjamin Vance

and shaggy eyebrows.

      He said, “Basically, the Earth’s mantle provides us with a magnificent magnetic core that protects us from the ravages of our own sun. Especially during solar storms, our magnetosphere provides a shield around the Earth, mainly on the side facing the sun. The result of this wonderful magnetic shield is manifested visually in the Aurora Borealis in the Northern Hemisphere in the winter and the Aurora Australis in the Southern Hemisphere in their winter.

      “During solar flares and storms, similar to what we’ve had lately, huge amounts of solar energy are flung at Earth’s magnetic field. The field is compressed on the sun side and elongated on the dark side. The plasma energy from the sun builds up on the dark side and is discharged in magnetic storms which cause the aurora and other phenomena. Sometimes the energy is given off in bursts and knocks out communications at various parts of the world, usually at night and usually during solar flares.

      “Some think these solar storms or flares cause powerful inductions of electromagnetic currents near the Earth’s surface. In 1989 a plasma storm knocked out the power grid in Quebec and caused aurora as far south as Texas. The phenomena have been known to cause telegraph operators to get shocked, transformers to explode, navigation equipment to get ruined and many satellites to be damaged. However, sometimes during these storms nothing much happens at all.”

      Army asked, “Theoretically, what would happen during one of these magnetic storms if lightning occurred at the very spot Earth’s energy was being dissipated?”

      “Well, heck, it’s just theory, but lightning is a formidable source in itself, so I would suppose anything could happen. More than likely, the person or thing would just be burned up or melted or exploded. You know anything is possible I guess. Did you know the magnetic North Pole has been moving during the last 150 years? It’s now out in the Arctic Ocean and moving toward Siberia at a pretty fast geologic rate. That movement alone could significantly affect the magnetosphere and what happens, where.”

      “Wow, Doc, do you think the Magnetite or other minerals in the area of the mine could induce a stronger effect?”

      “I … guess it’s possible; perhaps intensifying or focusing the phenomenon, but like I said anything is possible during a solar flare and perhaps it’s just the time of night or time of year, you know.”

      Army asked, “Chiara, do you have anything to add?”

      She said, “Well, do the ghost lights have any real significance? You know they don’t happen all the time.”

      Dr. Dean responded positively, “Yes Chiara they might. If only one could monitor the lights and storms and correlate with solar flares and time of year, but I’m afraid there are just too many variables and too few unfortunate occurrences to really get a positive spin on this. I find it hard to believe the unfortunate older lady got caught up in some freak of nature and was expelled from the side of a hill in California. You might want to contact a geologist in your area to determine the geologic nature of the hill you referred to Mr. Lennox.”

      “Thanks Doctor Dean, I will, and I’ve already established a contact at U.C. Davis.”

      “Oh wonderful, can you tell me the Doctor’s name?”

      “Yeah, it’s sort of a different name … Dr. Cherish Spring Templeton; think that’s right.”

      Dr. Dean got a big grin on his face and said, “Well of course it’s right. She’s the daughter of George Templeton, a great geologist who worked for the U.S.G.S. out of San Francisco I think. He died in a cave-in about 7 years ago. He was a super fella, always a bunch of laughs at conferences and knew his geology, absolutely. I miss him. His daughter’s name reflects his penchant for the unorthodox though. He was thoroughly convinced the moon causes most Earthquakes and did a lot of research trying to prove it; another case of too many variables.”

      ***

      They talked little on the way to the motel, but one of the few things Chiara said was, “Cherish Spring; I could name a daughter that. I think it’s better than Mary or Joan or Chiara.”

      “Yeah, I agree, with the exception of Chiara” and he turned to her and smiled into her eyes.

      Then looking ahead into traffic again he said, “Can we skip the museums and the motel and go to your home tonight? Would you mind me staying at your place? I’d sure feel more comfortable there, unless you want me to drop you off and come back here … ?”

      Without looking at him she reached for his hand, brought it to her mouth, kissed the back of it and said, “I would just as soon you stay with me permanently, but I know you have responsibilities at home and I’m afraid Charley wouldn’t understand at all; my stealing his father. No, I want you to stay with me every minute of every day, and make me laugh like you do and warm me and carry me inside when I get cold, and care for me when I’m sick and listen to me whine without reason and put up with me when I have those bad days when my pottery wheel gets unbalanced like I am.”

      His mind was a whirl of counter intuitive emotions and contradictions. There was no way on Earth he could be in love with the woman on such short notice, but obviously there was something between them; something bigger than both and it wouldn’t be denied. He looked at her briefly and took her hand, “Why don’t I get my stuff out of the motel and that way I won’t have to pay for tomorrow and won’t have to hurry so much getting to the airport on Thursday?”

      “Sounds okay to me, but it sure would be a shame, paying for your room today and not even messing up the bed.” She turned to look at him with a little flush to her cheeks and found him smiling.