The knock again.
“I’m coming, darn it,” Zach barked.
His first order of business upon arriving last night had been to christen the organization with a name. It needed to be something that would inspire confidence in its followers and fear in its enemies.
A few ideas had occurred to him before the light popped bright before his mind’s eye. Encendido Patriot Militia (EPM). And those fighting for the cause would be called rangers. Hard to justify fighting against a group that stood for the ideals of the founding fathers and sounded as tough as anything the military could produce. Not everyone was crazy about having a name. Some tried to argue that it reduced them to a soundbite in a news headline and might distort what the movement really stood for. Zach assured them they’d learn to love it.
With the windows painted over, it was difficult to tell what time of day it was. But there were benefits. He had his own room at last, which meant privacy and perhaps down the road even some companionship. The EPM was coed and as their new leader, Zach felt entitled—no, obligated—to ride the wave he was on all the way into shore and, if possible, beyond.
Dressed, Zach exited his room and entered the church’s main basement hall, only to discover everyone already assembled in three neat rows.
Nice touch.
At the head was Travis, followed by three of his lieutenants.
“Would you like to say a few words, sir?” Travis asked.
“Yes,” Zach replied. He paced back and forth, making eye contact with each of those assembled. “I’m looking around and I see folks from all walks of life. At one time some of you were waiters and waitresses, factory workers, accountants, lawyers. Some of you may have even been in the military.”
No one said a thing, but Zach could see in their faces that he had their attention. He wasn’t one for speeches, normally hated talking in front of a group, and yet somehow this had been different. He’d spoken from his heart and the words had come tumbling out.
“Although we may have arrived here from different places, each of us shares a common goal—to free our town from tyranny and get back our way of life. Now go do your duty.”
The ranks scattered, each individual heading to varying work stations. The room was divided up into several sections. Intelligence-gathering was at the far end. Along the opposite wall were the briefing and mission planning areas. Next to them was communications. The final area was where classes were held on weapons and tactics.
Travis sidled up next to him.
“Quite a slick operation you’ve got here,” Zach observed. “Something tells me Calvin didn’t have much to do with this side of things.”
“Calvin sure looked the part,” Travis admitted. “But he couldn’t inspire his way out of a paper bag.”
“Things are different now,” Zach assured him. “The EPM is about to start hitting back and hard. I want you to make a list of targets. Symbolic, strategic, write them all down. By the time we’re done, our ranks will be swelling with volunteers while the cartel won’t be able to walk down the street without looking over their shoulder.”
“Can’t wait,” Travis said, grinning.
“I also wanna ask you about Nobel’s group.”
“What about them?”
“Well, for starters, do you think they pose a threat?”
Travis seemed to consider the question. “We haven’t had any trouble with them so far, if that’s what you’re asking. They’re usually busy running their own covert operations. Cloak-and-dagger type stuff. But I have heard she’s sitting on a large cache of weapons...” Travis stopped short.
“Did I hear ‘weapons’ and ‘large cache’ in the same sentence?”
“Her husband ran a gun store,” Travis explained. “When things with the virus got ugly, she apparently packed it all up and hid it somewhere safe. There’s a rumor it’s at the old community college under heavy guard, but that’s about as much as we know. Calvin tried to find out more, but never got anywhere.”
“Does the cartel know anything about this?”
Travis regarded him strangely. “They might, although those guys aren’t lacking weapons, I can tell you that with certainty.”
“They may not need them,” Zach said. “But if I was the cartel, I wouldn’t want that much firepower in circulation. If it really is the cache I’m picturing, it could arm enough folks to topple the cartel once and for all.” Zach tapped his finger against his pant leg. “Work on those targets and leave this cache business to me.”
“Will do.” Travis started to walk away and then stopped. “We made the right decision bringing you in. I can see that now.”
Zach’s face lit up. “You don’t know the half of it.”
He found Colton and Dannyboy nearby in an orientation meeting. It was being taught by a cute blonde with a ponytail, a 1911 strapped to her leg.
He gave the two of them a knowing look. Here they were on the cusp of something of monumental importance and both of them were being led around by their libido. Zach waved over Dannyboy, whose face dropped.
“Don’t be like that,” Zach said. “There’ll be plenty of time to flirt later. Right now I have a special mission for you.”
Dannyboy perked up.
“I need you to gather some volunteers to our cause.”
“You mean, in town?”
“Town may be too dangerous. There’s Tombstone and South Bisbee to the east, Whetstone to the north and a few places in between. You explain the danger the cartel poses, and that as soon as they get Encendido locked up tight, their town will be next. Don’t be scared to lay on the fear tactics. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration either. Take the Harley along with some supplies. And don’t forget a weapon or two to defend yourself in case you run into trouble.” Zach was starting to sound like the boy’s father and shut his mouth. “All right, now get.”
Dannyboy hollered with glee as he ran off to get his things together.
A few moments later, Zach watched the young man load the chopper before starting the engine, a deep rumbling growl that always gave Zach shivers. He was envious that he couldn’t be the one riding the empty highways, spreading the word. But Zach had responsibilities now. Folks who depended on him for their freedom, for their very lives.
He nodded as Dannyboy pulled on his helmet and saluted. There was a good chance he’d never see his friend again. But Dannyboy wasn’t just a friend, was he? No, the kid had become something of a son. But strong as that bond might be, it would never eclipse the one Zach shared with Colton, his own flesh and blood. During those dark days when the virus was ravaging his body, Colton had been Zach’s will to live. And it was the memory of his son which had propelled him the many miles it took to reach home. He’d seen the look of pride in the boy’s eyes. Kids couldn’t hide stuff like that. Now that Zach finally had the chance, he wanted to earn it.
Chapter 33
Dale
“How did it go?” Ann asked, after they’d returned from the meeting with Nobel. She was standing by the pumphouse, trying to wash the paint off the side wall.
Duke scampered out, wagging his tail and begging to have his head scratched.
“About as well as can be expected,” Dale told her. Sandy arrived and greeted him with a kiss, a sight which didn’t seem to faze either Ann or Brooke. Although it was glaringly obvious by the way Brooke stared off into the distance and sighed heavily every minute or so that she had something else on her mind, or better yet, someone else.
Sandy and Dale exchanged a knowing glance.
“There’s still a lot to do and hardly enough time to do it in,” he said, just as another pickup pulled into the driveway. Duke began barking immediately. Ann came up with a 9mm pistol. Seeing it, Dale smiled and pushed the barrel down. “Easy, Annie Oakley,” he said. “They’re friends.”
The pickup navigated the concrete pylons and came to a stop by the pumphouse. The three figures inside stepped out and Dale watched his daughter’s face turn pink.
/> Caleb and the other three members of Vickie’s organization greeted them. They introduced themselves as Jed, Roy and Tyrell. They were at least five years older than Caleb. Jed wore frayed overalls while Roy and Tyrell wore camo shorts and green shirts. But each man carried a long gun, a pistol and a chest rig with additional magazines.
“They’re here to help around the house,” Dale said. “And provide additional security now that Zach and the others have gone.” The wound from their unexpected departure was still raw and Dale couldn’t help feeling as though they’d abandoned him right when he needed them most. At least Vickie had been generous enough to lend them four of her own.
“I feel safer already,” Brooke said, trying hard not to smile.
“You four can sleep downstairs in the living room. Ann will help you get settled.”
The four men removed sleeping bags, pillows and other gear from the bed of the truck and followed Ann inside.
Once they set their things in order, Dale would take Roy and Tyrell to the basement to help him finish the tunnel. With any luck, the project wouldn’t take more than a couple more days. As for Caleb and Jeb, there was still plenty of work to do outside, adding more foot traps, completing the ditch and tending to the chickens and the vegetable garden out back.
An hour later, with Roy digging away in the basement and Tyrell hauling up the hard-packed earth and dumping it outside, Dale sat down before the shortwave radio and signaled the sheriff’s office.
“Encendido Sheriff’s Office,” a man responded.
Dale didn’t recognize the voice. “Get Sheriff Gaines,” he said.
“I’m afraid the sheriff isn’t available.”
“Tell him it’s Dale Hardy. Tell him we need to talk.”
The other end grew quiet for several minutes. Dale was about to hang up when Randy came on.
“I must say, you’re the last person I expected to hear from,” Randy said.
“We need to meet,” Dale said, cutting the small talk short. “Can I trust you won’t try to pull something stupid?”
A pause. “Of course you can trust me.”
“Is anyone else listening in?” Dale asked. The question was a trap. Of course they were, but he wanted to see how Randy would answer. If he said no, the lie would only prove the sheriff wasn’t really interested in meeting him man to man.
“You know there are, Dale.”
Now it was Dale’s turn to stop and consider the full range of risks he was about to expose himself to. “We need to speak, but it can only be you and me. Anyone else shows up and the meeting’s off.”
“What’s this about?” Randy asked, sounding intrigued, but not trying to let on.
“Can’t discuss it like this. I’m sure you understand.”
“How do I know I can trust you? You did try to kill me, Dale. Don’t think I forgot about that.”
“I did,” Dale admitted. “And sometimes I wish that shot hadn’t gone wide. But there are some things that are bigger than an old feud between two stubborn bastards. You have my word. Now, will you agree to meet?”
There was another silence and this one seemed to last a while. “Where?”
“I’ll have someone radio you in thirty minutes with the location.”
“You’re worried I’m going to get there first and set up an ambush,” Randy said, sounding entertained that Dale could practically see inside his head.
“I wouldn’t put it past you. There’s trust and then there’s trust. Let’s stop playing games. If I see that you’re alone, then we’ll have words. I spot anyone else and I’ll be gone before you know it.”
“Fair enough,” was Randy’s final reply before the conversation ended for good.
Dale went upstairs and told a rather worried Sandy to wait thirty minutes and then radio the sheriff’s office telling them where he would be.
Chapter 34
Apparently Sandy wasn’t the only one who thought Dale shouldn’t be going alone. When he got to his truck, he found Duke waiting there, wagging his tail.
“Not this time, boy,” he told the dog. “But I’ll return soon and we’ll work on some drills out back.”
Panting, Duke barked and continued to eye the truck. After a minute of angling, Dale was able to open the door a crack and slide past Duke into the driver’s seat. “You watch the others while I’m gone,” he said.
Dale rolled a few feet down the drive and stopped when he saw Caleb, Jeb and Brooke working on the trench. “I’ll be back shortly,” he said.
“All right,” Brooke said, dismissively.
Dale couldn’t help but chuckle as he pulled away.
The spot he picked was a landmark ten minutes west of town called the Devil’s Pitchfork, a large saguaro cactus that looked a lot like Satan’s favorite farming implement. The spot itself was on a rise, from which Dale would be able to keep an eye over the valley below, especially the main road that led out of Encendido. He waited in the truck, peering through a set of binoculars and sipping on a canteen of well water. Next to him were his three favorite weapons—one for long range, the second for medium and the last up close and personal. If Randy had any sense of self-preservation, Dale was confident he would do as he promised.
Several minutes passed before a lone dust cloud appeared along the road below. As the vehicle drew closer, Dale saw that it was a cruiser.
So far, so good.
Before long, it pulled up to where he was parked. Both men stayed in their vehicles, eyeing each other. At last, Dale opened his door and planted a foot on the hot dusty ground.
“I’ll take it on faith that you’re armed,” Dale shouted.
Randy opened his own door. “Stupid not to be, especially out here where nearly everything out here will kill you soon as look at you.”
“Sounds a lot like life in Encendido.”
Randy grinned, the expression practically sealing his eyes shut.
“So how you wanna do this?” Dale inquired.
“Leave our weapons in our vehicles. Step out and spin around so we know nobody’s cheating.”
Dale thought it over. “Sounds fair.”
They did so, both men stepping into the stifling desert air, making a full turn, one at a time, and standing there as though waiting for some third party to provide further instructions.
“You coulda picked a cooler place to meet,” Randy complained. His cheeks and the edges of his ears were pink and wet with perspiration. “I’m just saying.”
Both men walked toward each other, meeting somewhere in the middle. Fewer than five feet separated them, but this was about as close as either of them wanted to get.
“I’m here,” Randy said. “And I don’t have all day, so let’s get to it.”
“I wanna make you an offer,” Dale said. “It’s not one I’ll make again, so I want you to think real hard before you answer.”
Randy watched him, dark patches growing from his armpits. “I’m listening.”
“You and I both know right now we aren’t the problem.”
The sheriff’s eyes flicked to Dale’s feet and then back. “The cartel,” he said, knowing full well what his long-time adversary was getting at.
“Since they’ve arrived,” Dale said, “things in town have gone from bad to worse.”
“Yeah, well, if you hadn’t been so hard-headed, we coulda found a more amicable solution.”
“I didn’t bring you all the way out here, Randy, in order to debate who was at fault. If you were doing what was in your heart, then more power to you. The truth of the matter is, the cartel’s getting ready to chew what’s left of this town up and spit it out. They already did the same to Hugh Reid and countless others.”
“So what are you suggesting?” Randy said, that same arrogant smirk spread across his lips. “You wanna team up? Become best friends? Fight crime together?”
“I’m advocating a truce,” Dale said flatly. “You give it whatever name you want. If we move on the cartel, I need your word your men won
’t interfere.”
“And if I do? What’s in it for me?”
“Your life,” Dale replied. “Perhaps even a future in Encendido. You’ve done some horrible things, Randy. And I’m not only talking about what you tried to do to me and countless other residents in town. I’m talking about the biggest no-no. Number six on God’s instruction manual. Good people were killed in cold blood and we have proof you were involved.”
“Betty,” Randy hissed.
“She’s safe,” Dale said. “But she’s also a practical woman, Randy. You play your part and we can make the charges against you go away. One way or another, Encendido will be free of the cartel. When the chips fall, you’ll need to make up your mind which side you wanna be on.”
“While I consider your proposal, let me offer you a bit of advice. Your friends in the resistance movement need to stop blowing things up and taking shots at deputies and cartel members. It’s only pushing Edwardo further over the edge. I’ll tell you, if that crazy bastard had a nuke he’d have set it off by now, and right over the city center. The guy’s that volatile. There’s no telling how many he’ll kill if he’s pushed too far. It’s not an exaggeration to say he’d order everyone butchered.”
Randy was talking about Zach’s new outfit and the havoc they’d wrought under Calvin’s leadership.
“Tell him to ease off until you and your people are ready for the big push. If you can promise me that, I’ll give you my word we won’t interfere.”
Randy put out his hand. Dale stared him in the eye, stepped forward and took it. They stayed like that for a full minute, squeezing hard enough to let the other man know they meant business, but just shy of breaking any bones.
Chapter 35
Zach
Peering through the binoculars, Zach watched two cartel members enter a bungalow across the road. Zach and his men were in an empty house on Laguna Street in the southeastern corner of Encendido. When he had asked Travis for targets they could hit, this had topped his list—a cartel outpost of sorts, designed to allow the criminal organization to project their dominance over this part of town.
Defiance: A House Divided (The Defending Home Series Book 2) Page 14
