“What kind of favor?” Mercy stayed on high alert. Every muscle ready to defend herself.
He didn’t answer.
“I’m with Chad,” she answered, hoping there was a sliver of integrity among the men.
“Chad’s not the type to stay with Pete’s organization. He’s always cracking jokes and grinning like he’s your best friend, but he’s actually hiding that he’s uncomfortable. I can always tell who will stick it out, and he’s not one of them. You, on the other hand, have the spine and mettle to make it work.”
“If he leaves, I’ll leave.”
“I think you’ll change your mind.” His answer was confident. Too confident.
“Like hell I will.”
“We’ll see.”
Unintelligible whispers from the couple floated across the clearing. They straightened their clothes and stood, their heads close as they talked. After a moment they left together, headed toward the barracks. Mercy noted they didn’t try to hide.
Mercy no longer cared about the couple. She had other concerns. Like whether Sean would turn her in and when he expected repayment for his favor.
“You need to go back now,” he told her. “If I catch you wandering at night again, I’ll report you.”
“There’s another guard on patrol.”
“I’ll keep watch until you make it.”
She stared at him for a long moment through the dark.
He expected her to be grateful for his protection.
Instead she left without another word.
The man who was blackmailing her for a future favor didn’t deserve thanks.
SIXTEEN
Outside in the cold morning air, Mercy huddled next to Chad after last night’s unsuccessful trip to investigate the new building. The two of them stood in the center of the compound with the rest of the group, stamping their feet against the icy breeze. The exact same place Ed had been whipped yesterday. The memories nauseated her, and she couldn’t stop shivering.
“If someone is getting tortured again, I’ll vomit,” Mercy muttered, trying to ignore her empty stomach. It’d been growling since she woke. Thirty-six hours with no food was going to suck.
Everyone in the crowd continued to exchange glances, the same question on each worried face: Is this another punishment?
Bile rose in her throat as she wondered if Sean had reported her. Will I be on the receiving end of the whip today? Her vision started to narrow, and she couldn’t tell Chad what she’d done.
“I don’t think that’s what we’re here for. Look at them,” Chad whispered back, indicating Pete and his lieutenants as they warmed themselves around the common’s campfire. “They look pleased and excited—they’re smiling. Yesterday they were silent and intense.”
Mercy took a deep breath, studied the men before the group, and agreed with Chad’s assessment. Her vision cleared slightly, and she swallowed hard, attempting to force her stomach into submission.
Two hours of sleep were all she had achieved overnight, worrying about Sean’s threat. Thoughts of Truman had also kept her awake. She missed his physical presence in her bed and his calm, rational mind, which helped her think clearly when she was frustrated.
I’d kill to have him here right now.
Pete raised his hands to get everyone’s attention, and the low muttering of the crowd ceased. “This morning is a celebration.”
Pure relief swept through Mercy, causing her legs to wobble. Chad tightened his arm around her waist.
“We have another person joining our elevated rank.”
A ripple of applause and happy voices rose from the audience. Chad swore under his breath.
“What does that mean?” Mercy whispered.
“It’s a branding.”
Mercy echoed Chad’s curse, her gut churning again. Surely the branding would be easier to witness than the whipping. At least it was voluntary.
Or is it?
No one would dare turn it down if Pete offered the honor.
“He needs to send the children away.”
“I know,” Chad said. “It’s wrong to make them watch this, and I’ve asked him about it. He says it gives them something to aspire to.”
Are you fucking kidding me?
“Jason Trotter,” Pete announced in a respectful voice. “Get up here.” He gestured for the young father to join him.
Oh no.
Jason lifted his hand in acknowledgment, and the crowd parted to let him move forward. He tugged on Eden’s arm, but the teenager shook her head and pulled away. She shoved both hands in the pockets of her heavy coat and burrowed her chin down into the thick collar. Mercy was thankful Noah wasn’t present. Pete had agreed the boy could have regular doses of acetaminophen, and the child had definitely seemed improved when she’d checked on him last evening.
Eden stood alone, looking lost, her wide eyes locked on her father. Mercy tried to pull away from Chad to stand with the girl, but he wouldn’t release her. “Don’t,” he whispered. “Let someone else support her. Not you.”
“They’re ignoring her.”
“It’s not a big deal. The brand will be fast.”
Pete was giving a speech, something about Jason’s history and what he’d brought to the group, but Mercy tuned him out, her focus still on Eden.
“. . . reported Ed’s cell phone.”
Mercy’s entire body jerked as she looked at Pete. What?
More light applause and nods of approval. Pete shook Jason’s hand as he slapped him on the back. Both men wore big grins.
Jason had turned in Ed. And would now be rewarded.
Looking around, she spotted desire and admiration in the faces of the group. Every one of them wished they were standing next to Pete, waiting to be permanently scarred. Among the men up front, Sean caught her eye and winked. She responded with her bitchiest stare.
Pete pulled the branding iron out of the fire, its tip glowing. Jason stretched out his arm and grasped Sean’s hand in a handshake but didn’t release. They lifted and turned their clasped hands, Jason’s wrist exposed.
Pete maneuvered the iron within a few inches of Jason’s wrist and paused as he met the man’s gaze. “Thank you, Jason.” His words were simple and the tone heartfelt.
People wanted Pete’s attention and praise.
Mercy closed her eyes.
Skin hissed, Jason moaned, and as one the audience sucked in their breaths.
It was done.
Mercy opened her eyes. The growing odor of burning flesh and hair made her cover her mouth and nose. Several other observers did the same. Eden was still frozen in place, and Mercy wondered if she’d closed her eyes.
Men pushed forward to congratulate Jason. More back slapping and handshakes. The women stayed back, occasionally glancing at the men and shuffling their feet. Three of the women drew together in a small huddle, their heads together as they spoke, their breath rising in the cold air.
“That was sick,” Mercy stated softly.
“It’s a big honor.”
“Only inside this compound. Outside, the burn means nothing—no, it means you’re a militant radical.”
“Keep your voice down,” Chad whispered. “And try to look impressed instead of looking like you’re observing a fraternity rite.”
“Apt description.”
“Pete’s sending me to Portland this afternoon,” he said with a grimace. “Jason’s going with me, and we won’t be back until tomorrow. He has some orders that need to be picked up.”
“All the way to Portland? Do you know what you’ll be bringing back?”
Chad frowned. “He says it’s machinery. He wouldn’t go into more detail than that.”
“It could be anything. Is it normal to send you?”
“This is the first overnight. I’ve only done short trips during the day.”
Mercy studied his face. “You’re worried.”
“Feels a bit off. But everything has felt off for the past week. There’s a sense of u
rgency that’s permeating the compound, and I don’t know why it’s happening.” His brows came together as he held her gaze. “I won’t be able to show you where the phone is before I leave, and that bothers me.”
That makes two of us.
“Maybe you can convince Jason to ask Pete again for Noah to see a doctor. Perhaps his new status will help him get care for his son.”
“I doubt it. And I expect Jason will be more fervent in following Pete’s belief of no medications.”
Mercy knew he was right.
“I need to go congratulate Jason,” Chad whispered. “I’ll see you before we take off. I’ll try to make a sketch of where I buried the phone, but I don’t know if it will be detailed enough in case of an emergency.”
“We better hope there’s no emergency while you’re gone.” She glanced past him and saw Sean watching them closely.
“I don’t care for the way Sean looks at me,” she said softly, sharing a fraction of her concern about the lieutenant.
“Sean’s okay.” Chad absently patted her shoulder and strode to the group around Jason.
Sean watched Chad walk away and then moved his gaze back to Mercy. He smiled, all of his teeth showing.
Did he request Chad be sent out of town?
If Sean thought she was vulnerable without Chad around, he was in for a surprise.
Bring it on.
Mercy had been assigned to wash the pots and pans from lunch. She suspected she’d been given the duty to enhance the misery of her no-rations punishment. Nothing like being around food and unable to eat it. Two other women helped to dry the dishes and clean up the mess hall.
Mercy plunged a sticky pot into the tepid water. Her drying partner had criticized her for using too much soap and demonstrated how a single drop of liquid detergent was to be used for a huge pot. Clearly the bottle of detergent had already been watered down.
Mercy was almost glad for her punishment. The level of kitchen cleanliness did not meet her standards, and the duty gave her a chance to tackle it. But she was hungry. Lunch had been peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with lentil soup. Her mouth still watered from the smell of the soup. She’d be grateful when she could eat breakfast tomorrow morning.
Chad and Jason had left for their trip. He’d hugged her goodbye. “Stay out of trouble,” he’d whispered. Now that he was gone, she felt at sea, abandoned. All too aware that she couldn’t contact anyone.
She handed her partner the last pot to dry and let the water drain from the huge sink.
“Jessica!”
Eden appeared in the kitchen doorway, panic on her face. “It’s Noah. He’s bad off.”
Mercy hung her washrag on the edge of the sink. “What happened?”
Eden grabbed her hand and towed her out of the kitchen. “His fever’s back. He won’t open his eyes.”
Shit.
She followed the girl, who ran off at full speed, and she was besieged by memories of that sick little boy long ago whom her mother couldn’t help.
Not on my watch.
“When was his last dose?” she huffed as she pursued the teen.
“Last night.”
“You didn’t give him more?”
“Beckett wouldn’t give me any. He said Pete said no more.”
I’m going to kill both of them.
They reached the children’s cabin. Mercy took the stairs in one leap and pulled open the door. Her heart stopped. It smelled like her memories.
Pork. Cabbage.
Noah was motionless on the floor. Sadie looked up as she dabbed Noah’s forehead with a wet rag. “I don’t know what to do,” she choked out. “He’s so hot.”
Mercy knelt beside the pallet on the floor, her heart in her throat. I will not be too late. “Noah.” She gently shook his shoulder as she felt his forehead and temples. “Noah. Look at me.” His hairline was wet, but she didn’t know if it was sweat or water from Sadie’s cloth. She repeated her command, and the boy’s eyes opened into slits.
“There you are.” Relief swamped her. “Does your ear still hurt?”
He closed his eyes, but he seemed to nod the tiniest bit.
Sadie twisted the cloth in her hands. “What can we do?” Her eyes pleaded with Mercy.
Not sit here and do nothing.
“I’ll be back. I’m going to talk to Pete.” She got to her feet, strode to the cabin door, and then stopped, an idea percolating. Returning to Noah, she bent and scooped up the boy in her arms. “Wrap that blanket around him,” she ordered Sadie, who jumped to obey. They struggled with the limp boy, but finally he was tightly bundled. The heat from his head burned through the shoulder of her jacket.
“Now I’ll talk to Pete.”
With Eden trailing behind her, Mercy took a slight detour to the supply building. Medicine first. She told Eden to knock. No answer. She had her try the handle. Locked.
“Beat harder on the door,” Mercy suggested, wondering if Beckett had chosen to be away from the building, suspecting she might come. Or maybe he was inside, listening and laughing.
No answer.
Mercy resumed her trek to the command center, evil thoughts about Beckett bouncing around her brain. Eden was silent, no doubt picking up that Mercy was furious.
Her boots were loud on the stairs, and she jerked her head for Eden to open the door. No one was inside the main room. The door to Pete’s office was closed.
“Pete!” she shouted. She didn’t care if he took away her food again.
To her relief, footsteps sounded in Pete’s office. He opened his door, surprise in his eyes.
“Jessica?” He frowned at the boy she held tightly against her shoulder. “What happened?”
“Noah needs a doctor. Now.”
Pete’s face cleared. “I told—” he started in a patient voice.
“Now, Pete. Or by the time Jason returns, his boy is going to be dead.” She pinned him with a grim stare. “Do you want to be the one to inform Jason his boy died because you wouldn’t get him a doctor? Because I don’t.”
Behind her, Eden softly gasped. Mercy wished to comfort her, but Pete was her focus.
“What will the other parents think when this boy dies because you wouldn’t act? Do you think they’ll be understanding?”
Eden muffled a sob.
If that teenager’s sound of grief didn’t change the asshole’s mind, Mercy didn’t know what would.
“A doctor. We’re almost out of time,” she urged. She turned Noah’s face so Pete could see the lethargic boy.
Indecision flickered in Pete’s eyes, but he nodded. “Sean can drive him to the urgent care center.”
“Good.” If she hadn’t been so angry, her knees would have given way in relief.
“Sean’s at the construction site,” he told Eden. “Go get him.”
Eden dashed out of the room.
“I’ll go with him to town,” Mercy stated.
“No. Sean and another lieutenant can handle this.”
“But—”
Pete held up his hand, his eyes hard. “You’re getting your wish. Don’t push it.”
Mercy clamped her jaw shut, biting back another plea. Her arms locked around the boy as if her determination could keep him alive. It would be a struggle to release him to Sean. She and Pete stood silent, neither dropping the other’s gaze.
“Thank you,” she finally said. She was thanking him for crumbs again.
“I’m not without feelings.” His words were stiff. “I want what’s best for everyone.”
“I know.” She wanted to say a hell of a lot more, but she’d get at least another thirty-six hours without food. She’d plowed through several boundaries and knew Pete’s patience was wearing thin.
Dictators didn’t like agitators.
And since her first day, against all her good intentions, she’d rocked the boat.
Fifteen minutes later, a small crowd had gathered and watched as Sean and another man drove away with Noah. People whispered among them
selves, and Mercy could feel their eyes on her back.
Will I be ostracized or lauded?
She didn’t care.
Mercy’s arms felt unbearably empty, missing the weight of the boy. She set a hand on Eden’s shoulder. The teen hadn’t left her side since she had returned with Sean.
“Will he be okay?” Eden whispered.
“I think he’ll be fine.” She leaned closer to the teen, feeling horrible that she’d mentioned Noah’s possible death in front of her. “I’m sorry if I upset you. It was the only way to let Pete know how serious the situation was and to get him to act.”
“I’m just scared for Noah.”
Me too.
The girl tipped her head against Mercy as they watched the taillights disappear in the murky gray afternoon. Mercy shook her head and blinked, trying to clear her eyes. Little things were floating in her vision.
It’s not my eyes.
Tiny bits of snow were falling, gently winding their way to the ground, where she focused on the delicate white sparkles on the dirt. She willed the crystals to melt. They didn’t, and icy foreboding crawled up her spine. Winter in the mountains had arrived.
Hurry back, Chad.
SEVENTEEN
Mercy helped another woman stack wood while several men chopped. The snow had let up after two inches had fallen, but she suspected more was coming. The stacked wood was covered with tarps, which annoyed Mercy. Unless someone was assigned to remove snow from the top and around the covered stacks every day, everyone would have to dig to get to the wood. It was best stored under a roof.
She’d mentioned the problem to the men chopping wood. They’d ignored her.
“Jessica.” Mercy spun around at Vera’s voice. Vera’s skin looked more yellow than usual against the snowy-white background. But her eyes and the force of her stare were as tough as ever. “You’re needed in the kitchen.”
The other woman stacking wood stopped and scowled. “I need her.”
Vera looked down her nose at the woman. “This is important. And I’ve been watching you for a full minute. You’re moving as slow as possible to make Jessica do most of the work.”
Mercy had noticed her partner slacking off but hadn’t cared. She had nervous energy to burn. Since Chad had left, she’d felt wound tighter and tighter by the hour.
A Merciful Promise Page 13
