Next World Series (Vol. 3): Families First [Second Wind]

by Ewing, Lance K.

  Mac made a brief stop at his house to inform his best friend about him and Sarah. Bo yawned from an afternoon nap and licked him on the hand. “I know you will love her, Bo, as much as I do,” Mac said aloud.

  Cory and his son settled into an upstairs three-bedroom apartment, recently refurbished before the lights went out. It was the very same apartment Lance and his family had occupied years before.

  Cameron opted for Lance’s old room, still with an above-room attic space and minus the air conditioning. Toilets were flushed with buckets of swimming-pool water, although the inground pool was running low.

  Mac gave Rico a heads-up that Sarah would join him for dinner, not wanting him to make a fuss or prepare anything special.

  “Of course not,” Rico replied. “You are just two diners sharing a meal with everyone else now.”

  Mac borrowed a truck from the Ranch to pick up Sarah, as he felt his four-wheeler was a bit informal. He dressed up tonight—well, Mac-style dress-up, if he was honest. A long-sleeved cowboy shirt was paired with jeans and a nice pair of boots for his big date.

  He met her at Samuel’s place, and it felt a bit like a high-school prom date as he pulled up in front of the house.

  Samuel answered the door on the first knock and told him Sarah would be down in a minute, with them both exchanging awkward conversation as the minutes dragged on.

  Sarah strolled slowly down the stairs in an all-black form-fitting dress that rendered Mac speechless.

  Her father smiled, proud of his daughter, and happy to see her confident and radiant once again.

  Mac carefully took her hand in his and couldn’t stop smiling. “You kids don’t stay out too late tonight,” joked Samuel, opening the front door.

  Mac opened the passenger door for Sarah, as all men should, and buckled himself in on the other side.

  “From this day forward,” said Sarah immediately, “we will not speak of the tragedies of the past, and we will face the trials of the present and the future together. Are you in line with that, Mac?” she asked matter of factly.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied, thinking this would go down as one of his very best days.

  I found the perfect one, Mom, he said silently. I promise you I will do right by her and never hurt her.

  * * * *

  Rico was up to no good as they arrived for dinner, sneaking a 2008 Gibson Bridge Pinot Grigio from a classic vineyard in Marlborough, New Zealand, on to their table. “This is a gift from my staff,” he said, “to your very first true date.”

  “I think this is our third,” replied Mac.

  “No, no, no,” interjected Rico. “I can see it in her eyes,” looking directly at Sarah. “Tonight is your very first date of something very special.”

  She nodded her head in agreement, and Mac finally understood.

  * * * *

  “We will never forget this day, either of us,” whispered Sarah to Mac, as they drove back to Samuel’s home.

  Mac kissed her good-bye and walked her to the door, feeling better than he could ever remember, and Samuel was relieved to have his daughter home by 11.

  The Ranch was locked down tight this night, and those not on security slept soundly, even Mac.

  * * * *

  Morning came early for Mac, readying his men for security training and introducing Cory and Cameron to everyone.

  Each man on security detail was happy to add a police officer to the mix. Cory was careful not to overstep his bounds and wasted no time in adding his expertise to Mac’s training.

  The nearly eight-hour training, only paused by a lunch break, was filled with both men and women, as well as a few of the older teens from both the Ranch and the West.

  The northern and southern borders were operated by a skeleton crew, so that more could attend, making Mac nervous after yesterday’s happenings.

  While it was impossible to cover every perimeter of the nearly 500 acres between the two properties without an actual wall, they were able to identify the most likely breach areas.

  It was clear to all that the days of the Ranch having just one nightwatchman and the West having none were over. Between the two groups, it was determined that most capable adults would do a one-night-on and three-nights-off shift for the foreseeable future.

  Lookout posts with clear vantage points were marked, and every nightwatchman or -woman would have a dedicated radio until they ran out.

  * * * *

  The Ranch stockpile was in a large 1970s Faraday cage, kept in a cellar underground that had also been used to brew wine and beer by a few discerning members. There was a yearly summer Brew-off (adults only) during the annual Fourth of July picnic, with ribbons for the best beer and wine in various categories. Each winner had one year of bragging rights, until the next challenge.

  The cage was regularly updated, with equipment added annually, including 22 radios, flashlights, lanterns, generators, and spare batteries of all sizes, from AA to truck, and even tractor, batteries.

  There were a few odds and ends that didn’t make much sense and sparked conversation among the members, including 26 kitchen timers with built-in clocks, and only four wristwatches. There were 12 Sony Walkman cassette players with stereo headphones and music cassette tapes, ranging from the former front man for the Commodores, Lionel Richie, to the 1970s rock band still making music up until recently, called Van Halen.

  Rounding out the oddities were four navy-blue Razr flip phones, three original iPods, two handheld pocket video cameras, and five first-generation iPads (the thick, heavy ones in silver).

  As an apparent joke, there was a small glass case containing a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue, with two glasses inside and a miniature axe taped to the outside. The plaque on the front read “In case of emergency, break glass!”

  * * * *

  The security day ended with a welcomed visit and prayer from John, who was starting to get around a bit with Bill’s help.

  “Mac has told me about your training,” started a confident John to his men.

  “You have worked hard and taken our security here seriously, and I commend you on that.

  You men and women are the lifeblood of our community and the entire valley. Without adequate security, we cannot protect what is most dear to all of us. You all are at the forefront of our fight to honor our Lord and protect his followers. Let us pray.”

  Dear Lord, we thank you for guiding our men and women on security training this day, and each day forward. We shall all work together to protect each other and this bountiful valley you have given us to watch over, Lord. We would ask that you continue to lead us in fulfilling your will in the days to come. It is in your name we pray. Amen.

  John continued: “I am proud to know every one of you standing here today. We welcome Officer Cory and his son, Cameron, who I know will be valuable assets to our family.”

  Before departing, John and Bill pulled Mac and Jimmy aside.

  “Can we borrow you for just a few?” John asked Cory.

  “Yes, sir,” he replied. “How can I help?”

  Cory was filled in on the Mrs. Miller issue and asked if he had ever met the family.

  “I know Mr. Miller…or knew him,” replied Cory, “and I’ve met the boys a couple of times. They’re all a piece of work, though, if I’m honest.”

  John asked Jimmy to run his plan by Cory and get his take on it.

  “It just might work,” said Cory, “but we’re talking about a woman who killed her husband and it sounds like she’s drunk most of the time.

  “We will have to get those boys away from her to even have a chance at talking. Plus, we will have to show superior firepower to make sure they don’t do something stupid out of fear or revenge.

  “Those boys have their own issues, and I’m not saying we should invite them back here for supper,” he added, “but they may not be as far gone as she is. They had to see something leading up to the killing of their father. But right now, they only have the one story.”

/>   “Jimmy is the lead on this,” said John, “but can you help him get a plan together, Cory?”

  “Absolutely, sir,” Cory replied. I will help in any way needed.”

  Mac patted Jimmy on the shoulder, asking if he had this.

  “We do, my friend, one way or the other. We will know where we stand soon enough. We can’t risk you or Sarah being in the line of danger over a situation like this.”

  “Take five men, including a few witnesses from before, plus Officer Cory, and make a plan,” said Mac to Jimmy. “I want it run by me, John, Bill and Samuel by noon tomorrow and executed right after, early in the afternoon if possible.

  “You will need them separated from their mother,” Mac continued, “but they spend most afternoons hunting off the property, so you may be able to talk with them alone—if you can find them, of course.”

  All Mac could think about was his next date with Sarah. It was tomorrow night at her house for “dinner and a movie,” minus the movie, unfortunately.

  Mac fell asleep quickly this night, having new confidence in his security team.

  He was awakened at 2 a.m. with banging on his door. Bo barked and growled, leading Mac to believe it was the Miller boys back for more graffiti.

  “Mac,” one of his team called out. “We have a situation.” Cautiously opening the door, Mac saw his man with a panicked look on his face.

  “They burned the haystack for the cows, plus our woodshop!”

  “Who did?” asked Mac, already knowing the answer.

  “The boys…the kids did it…and left some warning signs too.”

  “All right,” said Mac. “Let’s get Jimmy and Cory on this also. I’ll be up at the woodshop in a few minutes. Is it still burning?”

  “They have the fire truck working on it right now,” came the reply.

  * * * *

  Mac was at the woodshop in ten minutes, followed by Jimmy and Cory, all assessing the situation. The hay bales were totally burned, which would no doubt create an issue for the livestock in the coming days and weeks.

  The graffiti was much the same as before, now being read for the first time by his security detail.

  “This isn’t going away,” suggested Jimmy.

  “No, it’s not,” replied Mac. “I’m hoping you can make contact with them tomorrow, before this really gets out of hand. On the plus side, our fire truck did excellent work on the woodshop. We will have to refill her tomorrow, though.”

  Mac could not sleep for the rest of the night. He hoped for a peaceful resolution, not wanting the Miller boys to get hurt or worse, but also wishing peace for this valley they all shared now.

  * * * *

  Meeting for a 7 a.m. breakfast of farm-fresh eggs, bacon, and potato wedges, the security team discussed the plan to be presented to John, Bill and Samuel.

  Cory volunteered to go up the mountain in uniform, as long as he was backed up by Mac’s guys. He was hoping to talk to the boys before this went any further. John, Bill and Samuel were all briefed and agreed the plan was a good start.

  Readying their four-wheelers, Cory pulled Mac aside.

  “I hope this goes well. If it doesn’t, will you all look after my boy?”

  “We would do that, and I would take the lead,” replied Mac, praying silently that wouldn’t happen.

  Single file, led by Jimmy, they headed up the mountain, stopping first at old man MacDonald’s place. Jimmy found him on the porch, smoking his pipe, just as last time.

  “Any sign of the boys around here?” called out Jimmy, as he cut the motor.

  “None that I’ve seen,” replied the old-timer. “Saw you all had some fireworks down your way last night, though.”

  “We did,” replied Jimmy. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, now would you?” asked Jimmy in a respectful tone but still wanting answers.

  “The boys are after Mac is all I know,” he replied.

  “Where did you hear that?” asked Cory.

  “Hey, Chief,” replied Mr. MacDonald. “It’s been a while,” he replied, without answering the question.

  “Yes, sir, it has,” replied Cory, then repeating the question.

  “Chief, there are no more secrets up on this mountain than down on your Ranch. Everyone knows every damn thing about everybody else. Even those boys aren’t entirely sure about Mac killing their father, but they only know what their mother told them.”

  “Why didn’t you come down to the Ranch and tell us about this information?” asked Cory.

  “Well, it’s like this, I suppose,” he answered, slowly exhaling a plume of smoke swirling into the otherwise clean mountain air. “Ain’t none of my damn business…and besides, I figured you would all be up here sooner or later, asking a bunch of questions, like right now.”

  “Fair enough,” said Jimmy. “Do you know where the boys might be about now?”

  “I heard a couple of faint shots over the ridge yonder,” Mr. MacDonald said, pointing behind him, “about a half-hour ago. Could’ve been them or someone else. I don’t rightly know.”

  “Thank you, Mr. MacDonald,” said Jimmy as they started the bikes, heading back toward the mountain.

  “Single file, boys, and eyes open!” called Jimmy from the lead.

  The message was passed down the line, like the classic children’s game of passing the information from child-to-child and seeing how the instructions changed as they reached the end of the line. Thankfully, Jimmy’s stayed the same throughout.

  At ten miles per hour, they kept watch on the surrounding ridge. Keeping clear of the Millers’ compound by two miles, the men canvassed the mountain.

  Cresting a large hill with a vantage-point view of the valley, they heard the first shots. “Crack! Crack!”…a pause…and then two more.

  “Take cover behind the bikes!” yelled Cory.

  “I’m hit!” called out Jimmy, who was shot in the right knee and fell with a thump. He was on the ground next to his machine when the second bullet caught him in the right side of his neck.

  “Return fire!” yelled Cory, pointing down to a large clump of trees 120 yards out, at the very end of the open field.

  With no time to retreat, they all returned fire from behind their vehicles.

  Cory yelled “Cover me!” as he dragged a panicked Jimmy behind his four-wheeler and out of the line of fire. Shots flew in both directions for the next minute, only drowned out by the sound of barking dogs.

  “Cease fire!” called Cory, not hearing any more gunshots from the other side.

  Seconds later, one man ran from the clump of trees, with two dogs following close behind, away from Cory and their group.

  “Let him go!” Cory called out. “Nobody fire.” They watched as the person ran down the road and out of sight.

  Cory assessed Jimmy’s wounds, wrapping his own shirt around Jimmy’s neck in an attempt to stop the blood. He tasked two of the five men he now led with taking Jimmy down the mountain.

  “You two go on one four-wheeler with Jimmy. Go straight to the West hospital as fast as you can, but don’t dump the bike. I’ll radio down now, and we’ll get your other vehicle back later.”

  Cory radioed Mac, giving him details on Jimmy and the situation.

  “I’ll take care of things here and get Sarah notified about the incoming. Are there any more shot?” asked Mac.

  “Not on our end,” replied Cory.

  “How about on theirs?” asked Mac.

  “I’m not sure. We’re about to check it out,” said Cory.

  “OK, guys,” said Cory to the three men left with him. “Let’s check out the shooting location carefully.”

  Scanning first with binoculars, Cory spotted one man down, just inside the tree line. With no movement and nothing else out of the ordinary, they slowly made their way down to the trees.

  The younger Miller boy was shot multiple times and DOA.

  “I’m sorry it came to this, son,” said Cory quietly to the boy, carefully closing his open eyes. “I�
��ll leave you here so your brother can come back for you.”

  Writing a quick note, Cory pinned it securely on the young man’s shirt.

  This was an accident and we only returned fire after being ambushed. Mac did not kill your father, and I would like to talk before anyone else gets hurt. Meet me tomorrow morning around noon at the apple tree [referring to the only one on the ridge, known by all]. We will talk, and I will personally guarantee your safety for the meeting.