Sheriff Dobson stood and assisted Hoplite to his feet.
“You’ll have to forgive me, I’ve had to re-write this as of an hour ago,” he deadpanned to some laughter. “Here, sir,” he stated to the former President. “You take this one.”
With Jim’s hand on his back to steady him he read, “I was barely hanging on. I had professed my devotion. And there you were. Scooping me up like an Angel of Mercy, providing one more day with the love of my life.”
Heather started tearing up and blew him a kiss.
“The Tin Hatters ride again,” Chester proclaimed as he stood. “That was what you said as you entered our collective lives. We were adrift in an endless sea destined to never reach port. And there you were. Sharing just enough of yourself to help each of us eventually make landfall… that and a big damn cake!”
Before he finished, Alysin rushed at him and gave him the biggest hug she could. “Thank you,” she whispered as she released him and returned to her seat.
Josh flashed the three a wide grin and a wink acknowledging his role in the last Tin Hatters escape.
Bryan and Kristin stood in unison, alternately reading their prepared words.
“The lights were out,” he started.
“And the winter weather was on its way in,” she continued.
“And there you were,” they decreed simultaneously.
“Backing a massive truck in my driveway,” Bryan stated.
“Get your gear loaded, you’ve got five minutes,” Kristin declared while trying to do an impression of her former brother-in-law.
“Proving that even through the passage of time, you were still unable to ever leave a friend behind,” he concluded with a nod to his old neighbor.
After Hoplite’s handoff, Josh wasn’t surprised when President Sarkes stood next.
“We were on the run, hellhounds on our trail. And there you were. Opening your home to the weak and weary, declaring to a world gone mad that there wasn’t a chance that it was going to claim everything in its path.”
Mayor Cranston and the other assembled town leaders rose up. “This is from all of us,” he stated before he began. “Your desire to protect cost you ninety days. While you were quietly planning, we were loudly panicking. And there you were. Fresh from a jail cell, full of ideas and the inspiration needed to feed the hungry masses.”
Next up were the Board of Governors.
“We were cold and hungry and the lights had been out only since morning. We hadn’t planned for a thing. And there you were. Standing on that bumper, providing clear voice and direction. Willing us to survive.”
“We were dazed and confused. Not knowing day from night,” Katherine began.
“Nothing we saw or heard made any sense. And there you were,” Layla stammered tearfully.
“Rescuing us from an uncertain future, you provided a life as only a devoted protective father can,” her sister concluded.
“That is a debt that can never be repaid,” Layla ad libbed as she rushed forward toward her father’s embrace.
Katherine quickly joined her.
Those present in the church could no longer hold back the tears. Neither could Josh.
Once the two eventually returned to the line of bridesmaids, Brent attempted to speak but was interrupted by Sophie.
“If I may,” she directed at Samantha.
“Please do,” she replied casually.
“Josiah,” she began in accented English. “We were cursed to share an unbearable burden. I was prepared to be sullied as only a woman can. And there you were. Protecting my honor by separating yourself from yours. Your selfless act spared all of our lives, but also provided a life for the son I would eventually carry. Merci.”
Sam rubbed Josh’s back gently. The pride she felt for him and the kind words each of the readers were providing was almost too much to take. She never imagined when she asked each to write four or five sentences that it would turn out the way it had.
As Sophie sat back down, Brent began. “My daughter was searching. Direction and meaning alluded her. And there you were. Showing her what men of character looked like. You were able to lift the veil and show her what real purpose is through the eyes of the child you created.” The retired General placed the paper back in his pocket and shifted his gaze toward him.
“She is the greatest gift I could have ever possibly received. I am so very sorry. Each of my decisions led to the incredibly hard path your life has travelled.”
“All is forgiven,” his friend replied weakly.
Josh then turned toward his bride.
“You guys suck,” he declared to laughter as he wiped away the tears.
The pair faced the official who quickly stuffed his handkerchief back into his pants pocket.
“Do you have the rings?” he asked as he glanced over at Brent. He promptly reached in his pocket and dropped them in his outstretched palm.
“Please face each other,” the Reverend directed as he placed Samantha’s wedding ring in Josh’s hand.
“Do you, Josiah Grant Simmons, take this woman, Samantha Marie Jameson, to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God’s holy ordinance?”
“I do.”
“Do you, Samantha Marie Jameson, take this man, Josiah Grant Simmons, to be your wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death do you part, according to God's holy ordinance?”
“I do,” she replied as she smiled at Josh.
“Josiah, repeat after me please,” he began as he nodded in Josh’s direction.
Unfortunately, the man was already distracted. No sooner had Sam said ‘I do’ as she started making him laugh by displaying funny faces and grins at him.
“With this ring I thee wed,” the preacher started. When he saw that Josh wasn’t paying attention, he exclaimed, “Josiah, didn’t you hear my message about communication and listening?”
“Huh?” he replied, finally hearing the Reverend’s words.
The assembled collection of residents, friends, and family began laughing.
“She’s making faces at me!” he protested.
The laughter only escalated at his protestations.
The Reverend sighed, “Let’s start again… With this ring I thee wed.”
Josh, fully aware and paying attention, was able to repeat the sentence and the remainder of the exchange of rings as directed. Sam didn’t wait for the official to begin and recited the words without direction as she slid Josh’s ring on.
“By the authority vested in me, and in the name of the Holy Spirit, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. You may kiss the Bride!”
Chapter 21
“Oui, Monsieur,” the Foreign Legion Officer answered into his mic. “We’ve only reached McArthur this afternoon.”
“Any news or progress on locating the person, or persons, referencing ‘buried treasure’, Capitaine Marceau?”
“Negative, Brigadier Smythe. As I’ve mentioned, we’ve only just arrived. If they are still alive, it shouldn’t take that long to locate them. We still have our triangulation equipment.”
“What do you mean? What is the status of the town?”
“Feeble, weak, and malnourished… like the rest of them. Some gangs from one of the larger cities have been razing towns looking for resources. I’m afraid that there isn’t much left.”
“Understood. Find the men, find the tunnel, then report back in a week’s time.”
“Affirmative, Monsieur. Capitaine Marceau out.”
Josh and the others stared bug eyed at the man as he placed the mic on the table.
“Thank you for that,” Josh offered.
“Josiah,” Sophie began. “That is why we have come to McArthur.
”
“If those guy’s survive the next few days, I’m gonna kill them myself,” Gregg groused under his breathe.
“Well damn,” President Sarkes proclaimed. “We are now, officially, between a rock and hard place.”
“Exactement,” Philip replied in French before switching to English. “Not to make matters worse, but if we don’t appease his curiosity, the dragoons that sacked Cleveland will leave West Point and make their way here as reinforcements.”
“This is turning into a freakin’ Greek tragedy,” Hoplite proclaimed.
“I’m not saying the missing gold shipment from Denver is here, but if it is, can it be moved?” Sophie asked delicately.
Sideways glances and awkward stares ensnared the room until they all eventually landed on their leader.
Clearing his throat, Josh provided as non-committal an answer as he could. “Impossible,” he answered in French.
“What he is trying not to tell you, Sophie,” Sam interjected. “Is that it is currently buried under a couple hundred tons of rock and dirt.”
“Merci,” she replied. “Josiah, please be frank with me. I am your friend. Now, can it be found easily? What I mean is, are there landmarks, signs, or anything that could lead the British directly to its location?”
“If the Brits do show up,” Sheriff Watson offered. “The locals didn’t trust outsiders before all of this. They’ll keep their mouths shut. The residents from Lake Hope are a collection from all over. Some may have heard of the location because they’ve done some hiking or camping in the area previously, but they don’t know it’s there. I don’t think any of them could get there today without a GPS.”
“We could check in with the men tasked with its observation. See if they’ve witnessed anything or anyone around that location,” Brent added. “I haven’t seen any reports stating otherwise so I don’t believe anyone has ventured out that way.”
Sophie looked around the room skeptically and observed each of the faces in the room.
“I’m curious,” she began.
“And what’s that?” Josh asked casually.
“Did everyone in this room take a page from your interrogation playbook?”
“Is that what this is then?” he replied.
Exacerbated, Sophie abruptly exited her chair and stood behind it.
“No,” she stated forcefully. “This is not! Did you not hear each of the pieces of information being offered? Samantha says it’s under tons of rock and dirt. The Prefect indicated that the locals won’t talk and the outsiders are unaware. The General indicated that men are on constant watch observing its location, but not one of you actually said where this location is!”
“I did notice,” he rebutted as he smiled broadly. “Perhaps the less you know the better.”
“Inacceptable, (Unacceptable,)” she replied candidly. “I can’t help protect you or this town if the details are being hidden from me!” she concluded exacerbated.
Josh crossed his arms in defiance.
“Ach,” Sophie declared. “You’re just a stubborn now as you were twenty years ago! I’ve come five hundred miles in a horse drawn cart to see you so the British wouldn’t send their dragoons and slaughter everyone! I don’t think a request for a little candor is out of line!” she thundered.
Josh nodded his agreement at her assertion. After a few tense moments of silence, he placed his hands on the edge of the table and declared, “Why don’t you and your son make yourselves comfortable at the McArthur Hotel for the night. We’ll discuss it and give you an answer in the morning. Fair?”
“Vous exaspérante home! (You infuriating man!)” she decried.
“And I see you still haven’t lost any of your fire, Sophie. Always loved that about the French. Such passion,” Josh stated calmly.
“Venez mère, nous allons les laisser à leurs deliberations, (Come mother, we’ll leave them to their deliberations,)” Philip said as he attempted to guide her toward the door.
Sophie stood fully upright, straightened her uniform blouse, and attempted to regain her composure.
“How about I walk you across the street and introduce you to Jacques and Mimi. Perhaps he can take a request and fix you something to make you feel more at home in the morning for breakfast,” Sam offered as an olive branch.
“I doubt that,” Sophie declared as she stormed toward the door.
“I’ll join you,” Layla stated more than asked, taking the young man arm in arm.
“Who is this, Jacques? Is he a Frenchman?” Philip wondered as the pair started walking.
“Oui,” she answered emphatically.
No sooner had the four exited the Sheriff’s office as Josh decreed, “Relax, relax. It’s all part of the game. The French are masters of it. They want information, but need to feel like they’ve worked for it. Sophie has forgotten that I know how it’s played.”
“So you’re going to tell them?” Brent asked.
Josh turned his head toward President Sarkes.
“You swear on the memory of your late wife and a stack of King James bibles that they are allies?”
“Brokered the deal myself, you can trust them. Hell, we all heard the Capitaine’s transmission. He didn’t have to do that. We damn sure didn’t ask him for that kindness.”
“Agreed,” Josh replied. “Does anybody have any objections to showing them tomorrow?”
“Whatever you think is best, Dad,” Heather decreed as she checked Hoplites bandages.
Katherine nodded her agreement, as did the others.
“Gregg, you’re awfully silent.”
“Oh,” Dallas answered. “He’s just conjuring up ways to dismember those two.”
Chuckles permeated the room.
“Then it’s settled,” he declared. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to join my wife, get the French situated into their new digs, and then I’ll be taking my new bride home.”
* * *
Eustace quietly crept toward Tyler’s bunk, ever mindful of the ancient, creaky wooden floor. The old buggy factory in downtown Columbus had been dormant for nearly a century until some developer bought the aging structure and revitalized it. Tim had evicted any tenants that remained and repurposed it as a barracks shortly after consolidating the gangs and his power. The site had been chosen personally by the man for its location. It lay only a hundred yards from Huntington Park and his cash crop in the outfield next door.
While men were snoring loudly, Lt. Stokes glanced around the room. The only movement he noticed was a couple quietly having sex in a corner rack.
As he moved in closer to awaken the sleeping man, Tyler abruptly opened his eyes and startled him, taking his breathe away momentarily.
Without saying a word, the two men snuck out through a broken bathroom window. Keeping to the shadows, the pair worked their way toward, and into, a shot up five story condominium complex that fronted the Scioto River. The structure stood only a block from the barracks, but provided a clear southerly exposure for their transmission to Circleville twenty miles away. From the rooftop, his communication should be able to travel unencumbered as no high rises blocked his line of sight.
The duo made short work of the stairwell access and exited onto the roof in no time. Tucked in among the HVAC components, Eustace retrieved the small radio they had stashed previously.
As he turned to make his way toward the southern face, an arrow nicked the outside of his shoulder and embedded itself into the side of the mechanicals.
“Hello,” he heard a voice announce from the shadows.
Stokes quickly looked over at Tyler. The man was being held tightly by one of Tim’s goons, a gun directed at his head.
Tim, making a grand entrance, slowly exited from cover. As he came into view, the smoke he exhaled from the joint he had lit formed a wafting cloud around him. Continuing to progress toward the two only made the vapor swirl.
“I’ll take that,” TK decreed as he attempted to retrieve the device from the Lieutenant’s
hand.
Eustace quickly withdrew the radio from his reach, then, in act of supreme defiance, Lt. Stokes abruptly threw it off the building. The men assembled on the roof followed its arc over the ledge. Several seconds passed before they heard it crash onto the sidewalk below.
“Huh, well would ya look at that… it musta slipped,” the combat engineer offered casually.
“I really hate it when that happens,” Tim concurred. “Kinda like this,” he rebutted and tried to abruptly remove his weapon from his shoulder holster in a show of force. The man was only able to withdraw it halfway before it got caught and discharged, blowing a hole in the rig and his shirt, startling him.
Eustace started laughing uncontrollably at the man’s folly.
Tim’s men remained silent. When their inebriated leader smiled broadly and joined him in the laughter, only then did they join in.
“Now,” the Lieutenant declared in a serious tone. “Which one of you bastards shot that arrow at me?”
“Uh, that’d be me,” a young ‘soldier’ offered reluctantly.
In a lighting fast motion, Eustace withdrew his side arm and shot him in the forehead, dropping him immediately. Before anyone knew what happened, the weapon was back in his holster.
“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!” Tim proclaimed. “We’re just having a conversation!”
“Conversations don’t start with bolts from a cross bow. How about you tell me what you want?”
“I’ve got people everywhere. They saw you two slip out of the wash house,” the man answered with a wide grin as he waved his hands around.
The moon light betrayed Tim’s state. Eustace could clearly see the man’s swollen bloodshot eyes. As he neared, he could smell the bourbon.
This guy’s hammered out of his gourd, Lt. Stokes thought. Josh and Bryan were right. He’s still a screaming alcoholic.
“When we talked this morning, you didn’t say anything about a radio. What was that for?” Tim said somewhat slurred.
Thinking quickly, Eustace replied, “I wasn’t completely honest earlier. I’ve got some friends that are camped just outside town. I agreed to come back and scout it out. See if what he was telling us was on the level.”
By the Dawn's Early Light Page 26
