Konocti Caves (Cobb Mt Mystery Series Book 3) Read online

  KONOCTI CAVES

  I have loved reading and losing myself in Kit DeCanti’s writings, but none so much as Konocti Caves. Kit has already shown her talent and insight into her characters by her ability to write through the eyes of her protagonists. What I love most about DeCanti’s novels is that, although thoroughly intriguing and entertaining, they are not all fluff. I always come away with “something of substance”, as DeCanti says she strives to achieve. If you are familiar with her work you know that she’s dealt with such social issues as suicide and elder abuse and now in KONOCTI CAVES she addresses the dismal state of the foster system, and does so tastefully yet uncompromisingly; and succeeds in pulling at our heartstrings- making us want to act on behalf of the many forgotten children. While KONOCTI CAVES focuses on the sad condition of the Foster system; and how it is failing children by allowing unscrupulous and motivated people to use and abuse these defenseless kids. K it also takes you on a wild and dangerous exploration of some harrowing Lake County mountains and their caves through the eyes of a young boy- while not forgetting to give us insight into all of her characters, some savory some not so much. It's quite an adventure- you won't want to miss

  KONOCTI CAVES

  "DeCanti does a wonderful job of bringing her fictional community to life by getting us into the minds of a multitude of characters. She also gives us another great ‘word tour’ of beautiful Lake County California. The story itself was interesting and without a dull moment."

  – Joe Lombardi SR, San Francisco, California

  …more

  I've just finished reading Konocti Caves and enjoyed it very much.

  Several years ago I worked for a Northern California Treatment Center. It is no longer in operation, but in my three and a half years there, as the executive secretary to the director, I typed every case history, treatment session and counselor's report that went through the office. While not a counselor myself, and having only casual contact with the children, I felt I knew each one intimately. They were abused, neglected and very needy. They needed love more than counseling, in my opinion. At times I was horrified by the treatment and counseling given these children and the attitudes of the ‘highly educated’ staff. Every child needs a family to love and nurture them. This feeling comes through loud and clear in Kit's book, Konocti Caves. The harrowing adventures of an orphaned child, “a victim of the system", as those in the field call it, are knitted precariously into the captivating landscape of beautiful Lake County. The mountains, lake, landmarks and local businesses - all keep us attuned to exactly where we are throughout this fast moving adventure. I can't wait to read it to my grandchildren.

  ~Susan Little- Boyle,Mississippi

  …more

  I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I shivered with fear! Gave me everything I look for in an mystery adventure!

  ~Connie Taylor- Stockton California

  Kit DeCanti grabs your heart in this story of intrigue, suspense, good guys, bad guys, and hopes and dreams. Jimmy Muldoon teaches a community about unconditional love and the hopes and dreams of an orphaned child. The characters could be your neighbors, the setting your back yard; and you find yourself knee deep in suspense hoping that the local deputy sheriff Ron Simmons will come to the rescue. You’ll laugh, cry, be angry and happy, all the while learning about the wonders of Konocti Caves. It’s a page turner to the end.

  ~Bonnie Sears- Lakeport, California

  An exciting adventure with serious social undertones, “KONOCTI CAVES” is a great read. I love the ending. After a whirlwind of doubt Kit’s rich characters restore your faith in mankind once again. My niece and nephew will love this book.

  ~D. L. Brown- Wasilla, Alaska

  more…

  I enjoyed Kit's latest book just as much as the first two!! I find her topics interesting with good insight into important social issues. Stories so good I don't want to put the books down until I finish!! Like the others, Konocti Cave is A GOOD READ!! Already waiting for the next! Keep them coming Kit!

  ~Donna Stephens- McAlester, Oklahoma

  Wow! Great adventure book! Holds the reader captive. The story unfolds in the present moment with a young boy wondering about his fate. The writer takes you to a place of hope, as an elderly woman helps the child break through the stereotyped label society has plagued him with. The descriptive details of settings in Lake County are vivid. I found myself held glued to the pages, as the story unfolds. An incredible story for teen and adult readers alike.

  ~Martha Steward, Author of Darby's Story The Life of an Adopted Dog- a Mom's Choice Awards Silver Recipient

  Mystery, Intrigue, Action, Suspense, and Romance- Konocti Caves has it all! If you are looking for a great book for entire family look no further! Best book I’ve read in a very long time.

  ~Thomas Johnson –San Jose, California

  Kit DeCanti’s books including

  SECRET ON COBB MOUNTAIN

  RETURN TO COBB MOUNTAIN

  KONOCTI CAVES

  THE ROCK HOUSE

  SECRET OF A LAZY COOK- Or How I Survived Marriage

  To An Italian When I Hate The Kitchen

  are available on

  htpp://www.kitdeeproductions.com

  Published by KitDee Productions

  Most books by Kit DeCanti are available at special

  quantity discounts for bulk purchases for

  sales promotions, premiums or fund raising.

  Special books or book excerpts can also be created

  to fit specific needs by publisher, with prior permission from author.

  FOR DETAILS GO TO www.kitdeeproductions.com

  Or email [email protected]

  KONOCTI

  CAVES

  by

  Kit DeCanti

  >^..^<

  Published By KitDee Productions

  2011

  This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons- living or dead-are entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2011 by Carolyn DeCanti

  Copyright © cover photo 2011 Carolyn DeCanti

  Published by KITDEE PRODUCTIONS

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

  For information contact KitDee Productions [email protected]

  ISBN- 13:978-1460929322 and

  ISBN-10: 1460929322

  First printing: March, 2011

  Second printing: June, 2015

  Printed in the U.S.A.

  I want to give special thanks to both my grandsons, and all my nephews for giving me a peek into their minds and hearts. They see everything (and live life) as a game to conquer. I was able to draw from their zeal for life and fun; which helped my protagonist as he battled situations that no child should ever have to- and not let it beat him down.

  Thank you also to my sisters Kay, Sandy, Donna, and brother Phil; and the long hot California summers- which provided the time and backdrop for many mysteries to invent and solve; and which instilled in me a love of mysteries.

  I also need to thank my daughter Angela Kay Woodall and good friends Sue Garcia and Judy Mason for their expertise and long hours in editing this book.

  I’m very thankful to the readers who waited patiently (or not) for a sequel to Secret On Cobb Mountain and Return To Cobb Mountain. I hope they, and you, won’t be disappointed with this latest addition to the Cobb Mountain Series.

  And last but not least, a big THANK YOU to my husband, soul mate and Captain Oh My Captain, Tony
, who loves and encourages me at every turn of the road.

  Thank you to the following businesses and locations for allowing me the privilege of using their names in the content of this book:

  Cactus Grill Restaurant~ Clearlake, CA

  Children’s Museum Of Art and Science (CMAS) Lake Co, CA

  Clearlake Cinema~ Clearlake, CA

  Clear Lake B & B, Lakeport, CA

  Dr. Betat, Lakeport, CA

  Guido’s Pizzeria~ Kelsyville, CA

  Historical Society of Lake County

  Jellystone Campground On Cobb Mountain

  Karl’s Corner ~Clearlake Oaks, CA

  Main Street Bar and Grill ~ Clearlake, CA

  Mountain High Coffee & Books~ Cobb, CA

  Magoon’s North Jewelers~ Lakeport, CA

  Planetarium ~ Kelsyville, CA

  Record Bee ~ Lakeport CA

  School House Museum Lower Lake, CA

  Serendipity Art & Boutique~ Lucerne, CA

  Shannon Ridge Winery, Clearlake Oaks, CA

  Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Lakeport, CA

  Zino’s Ristorante ~ Kelsyville, CA

  Dedicated to

  my grandsons,

  Keenan and Jakob

  and

  Children’s Museum of Art and Science

  (CMAS)

  KONOCTI CAVES

  Prologue

  The small boy could hear his name being called frantically as he stood motionless at the end of the pier looking out over the fiery waters; while the sun slowly slipped behind the sleeping giant. Mount Konocti.

  The child shuddered as he thought about how close he had come to falling down the cave. A sense of dread filled him and he closed his eyes as he felt the vibration of heavy steps falling on the pier coming closer. As much as he wished it was his old foster mother, he knew in the pit of his stomach that it wasn’t.

  The young boy also knew it was futile to try and escape. There was no escaping what was in store for him- nor for the list of boys in his notebook.

  Tears ran down his face as he dropped the notebook he had been clutching; and watched it disappear forever into the muddy water below.

  A large hand gripped the young boy’s shoulder causing his head to jerk up and his eyes to open wide to the view of the huge mountain that had once held him spellbound; but that would now hold him permanently in one of her deep cold caves. Konocti Caves.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Little Jimmy

  Twelve months earlier…

  Young Jimmy Muldoon stood anxiously at the large window that overlooked a pier stretching out over the agitated waters of Clear Lake. In the distance a huge giant rose out of the water. This giant was what had Little Jimmy so excited. He was looking forward to a special outing with his friend Ron Simmons. He hoped Ron hadn’t forgotten.

  “He’ll come,” Jimmy murmured, as if trying to reassure himself. He could never totally bring himself to believe that someone as cool as Ron Simmons really liked him. Ron was a local sheriff deputy; and was always coming up with new and interesting places to explore. And Jimmy loved exploring more than anything. Today they were heading up to his favorite place in the world- Mt Konocti.

  Little Jimmy, as most people called him, had spent hours studying the mountain and walking the trails and climbing through the secret caves in his mind. Today he would finally get to actually walk on its trails; and find out for himself if the rumors and stories about hidden caves were true.

  Hanging around Little Jimmy’s neck were the binoculars that Ron had given him for their outing to the Heron Festival at Clear Lake Park. He lifted them to his eyes and stared spellbound at the huge mountain.

  Jimmy had been obsessed with volcanos ever since he could remember. The earliest foster family that he could remember living with had a view of Mt. Konocti from his bedroom window. He would lie on his bed and gaze at it for hours letting his mind walk up and down it, when he was put in his room on timeouts for bad behavior. He missed the view when he was sent to another foster family; but he certainly didn’t miss those foster parents. Just thinking of them caused Jimmy to shudder. The next family was a bit better. But they too, soon tired of his ‘shenanigans’ as they called his over active behavior, and sent him away.

  A look of sadness crossed the innocent face as he thought about the many failed foster arrangements he had been in. Jimmy had long lost count of how many times he had been shipped here then- there; uprooted, changed schools, left friendships before they could really be established. He was the perpetual ‘new kid in school’. Jimmy had stopped wondering what it would be like to have a real family. He knew that would never happen.

  This foster home, here with Mrs. Capra was the closest he had ever come to feeling like he belonged somewhere. But even so he distrusted her. He couldn’t give his heart to her. Couldn’t put real faith in her; or feel really secure that she too would not tire of him and send him away. In his ten short years he had learned that you couldn’t count on anyone but yourself. Even so Mrs. Capra did seem to genuinely care about him- even though young Jimmy stressed her patience to the breaking point more times than he could count. After a short timeout she would hug him and reassure him of her love. She even seemed to blame herself for her lack of patience and energy more than she blamed him.

  Mrs. Capra was old and couldn’t keep up with Jimmy’s high energy- partly due to his unrelenting curiosity of the world around him and partly because of being hyper active with attention deficit. A label that had closed many a door to the child. So far Mrs. Capra had not closed the door of her home to him- nor the door to her heart. But Jimmy knew it was short lived. Deep down he knew at some point he would be tossed aside again; and he knew it would be his fault. He was ready for the inevitable… She would be waiting at the table with the familiar cookies and milk and her smile would not be able to hide the fact that he would be leaving. His bag would already be packed and before he could choke down the cookies a county car would pull up.

  Little Jimmy’s back straightened. He was strong. He was a survivor. He would be ready. He would survive.

  As he gazed out the window, staring now only at the air, Jimmy drifted back to a time when he arrived at a large facility.

  It was evening. The lights were turned off almost as soon as he and his small bag of belongings were unceremoniously deposited onto a cot in the center of a gymnasium filled with rows of children lying on similar cots. As he sat there numb and forlorn a child a few rows over started to cry. Soon another child started sobbing. In the bed next to him a child was trying to muffle his sobs in his pillow. It wasn’t long before the gymnasium was filled with wailing children- young voices crying out for parents that would not come.

  It was then and there that Little Jimmy determined in his heart that he would somehow save these kids. He went from one crying child to the next comforting them. Soon he was joined by an older boy named Timmy.

  Jimmy and Timmy ended up whispering way into the night; and bonding over the sleeping children that they had just comforted. Although the two boys had just met and only had a few hours together in that dark gymnasium they became fast friends. Timmy was Jimmy’s first real friend. They made a pack that they would always keep in touch no matter where they ended up.

  Timmy was shipped out the next day before they could say goodbye.

  That was when Jimmy had started his list. Before he was shipped out to a local foster home, he made sure he had the name of each child from that center and left each little face with a promise that he would always be their friend and that he would stay in touch with them and find them someday. Since that day his list had grown long. Very long.

  Little Jimmy spent a hefty percentage of his allowance on stamps, cards and stationary. Most evenings before he went to bed he wrote a letter, not knowing if the letters ever reached the child he sent it too. The only place he knew to send them was to an address he had copied off a file he held on his lap in that gymnasium. The foster agency that handled his case. He had met all the
boys on his list at various facilities run by the same agency.

  The hum of an engine pulled Little Jimmy’s attention back to the present. To the day at hand; and his excitement returned as he spotted Ron’s SUV pulling up to the house.

  Jimmy ran shrieking to his foster mom, “Mrs. Capra he’s here! He’s here! Ron’s here! Can I leave? Can we go now?” Laughing as she stuck a bag of snacks in his backpack Mrs. Capra hugged Jimmy and then watched from the window as he bounded down the walk way to the waiting SUV.

  The elderly woman was relieved that Ron’s recent marriage didn’t prevent his frequent outings with Jimmy. She had been worried because she was well aware of Jimmy’s abandonment issues. She knew how much he looked forward to Ron’s visits; and also how anxious Jimmy became while waiting- wondering if Ron would really show up.

  Mrs. Capra also saw the look of nervous expectation each time Jimmy came home from school. She had stopped waiting for him with cookies and milk because she could tell that it triggered something unpleasant from his past. Instead, she had begun waiting for him in her front garden where he would happily drop his backpack and join her. While she taught the boy how to pull weeds, thin vegetables and dead head flowers, Little Jimmy told her about his day. It was a routine they both looked forward to.

  Having established this common ground, Mrs. Capra had something to build on. Besides working together in their home garden, they began touring various gardens around the county. She enjoyed driving the orchard lined roads in the spring with all the blossoms and the multi colored vineyards in the fall. Jimmy was more interested in learning the different gardening techniques.

  Mrs. Capra was very thankful to live in a county full of gardeners willing to take the time to share their knowledge. Little Jimmy ate it up! He just couldn’t get enough of organic and self sustaining gardening; and in no time at all he was the teacher and she the student.