“Thanks. What can I do to make you feel better?”
Ellen stopped and turned around, she took hold of both his hands into hers. “End this thing. End it without you getting hurt or killed. Bring Dean back. I know you can do this. Get us back the old Beginnings. Please.”
Frank wrapped his arms around her. He wished he could promise to do all those things she asked. But he couldn’t. The best he could do was try. Give it all his heart and try hard.
***
The floor. He was still on the floor when he finally opened his eyes. Dean was surprised that after the beating he had taken that he was still alive. He stood up slowly. There wasn’t a spot on his body that didn’t ache. His face hurt, his eyes hurt, his mouth hurt. Dean reached his fingers to his lips, they felt puffy. He rolled his tongue around the inside of his mouth to feel for his teeth. Relieved that they were all still there, he made his way to the bed and sat down. His room was torn apart. The Bible binding lay on the floor and the pages of it scattered about. Robbie must have gotten the letters that Ellen had written. Dean kept them in the Bible.
His glasses. Dean needed his glasses. He could barely see as it was but with his right eye swollen completely shut, it made things worse. He was only too glad that they weren’t on his face when Robbie lost it on him.
Dean knew it was coming. It was a chance he had to take. He knew the moment Robbie caught wind that any deceit was going on, Dean would feel the wrath. And he did. At least his letter made it to Beginnings, or so he hoped.
Reaching over to the night stand for his glasses, he noticed a cup of water, a cloth which wrapped a section of bread and an apple. Like his mouth could handle that apple. They were feeding him, they didn’t want him to die. Dean felt close to death. His body hurt so much he was surprised he wasn’t dead.
His stomach hungered; it was so empty that it hurt. Of course he didn’t know if that was from having it kicked in or not. Shaking, his hands reached over for the water and bread. Gulping the water first so quickly, he could feel it knotting in his stomach. Then the bread. The Beginnings’ bread. He broke off small pieces, shoving them into his mouth, it was stale, but tasted good.
The sun was shining, he had made it through the night. That was always a good sign. But Dean wondered why the streets were so quiet. Were there no drills, or work outs? He was growing accustomed to the constant bickering and scrapping just outside his window.
Dean finished his bread and water. He debated on trying that apple. His teeth were so sore they couldn’t even bite it. He couldn’t even use his fingers to break off a section, even they hurt too bad. But things could have been worse. And he was right. The door to his room opened and Robbie walked in, shutting the door and immediately pulling a chair to Dean’s bedside.
“I see you’re finally awake.”
“How . . .” It was hard for Dean to speak. He could barely move his lips. “How long was I out?”
“Days. You opened your eyes a few times. But that’s it.”
Dean avoided looking at Robbie. Besides not wanting to see his face, he didn’t want Robbie to know how much the beating took from him. Dean wanted to appear strong and not fazed by it all. “What do you want now ,Robbie?”
“Answers. I’ve been reading the letters that Ellen sent. I’m having a hard time finding the messages. You’re gonna help me.”
“There are no messages in there. There just letters.” Dean had the salty taste of blood in his mouth, it must have been dripping back from his nose. He leaned over and spit on the floor. “If there was any. Why would I tell you?”
“Let’s just say it would be in your best interest.” Robbie arrogantly sat back. “You are lucky I’m not still angry.”
“Really? Well, I know nothing. You can do what you want to me. I don’t give a shit. My body is numb now anyhow. You think another beating is gonna faze me? No. It will kill me, then that’s your loss, my salvation.”
“I’m not going to beat you again, Dean. You’re right. It’s not in my best interest. But I have the kids.” Robbie raised his eyebrow. “Think about that.”
“You won’t hurt the kids. As mean as you are, you don’t have that in you.”
“Wanna bet? I don’t want to hurt them, but if I have to I will.” Robbie stood up and moved the chair out of the way. “Today the first of many warnings go off against Beginnings. There’s nothing you can do to stop it. But you may stop the second warning. I’ll give you until tomorrow afternoon to tell me what Beginnings is planning.”
“I don’t know what they are planning. I swear on my kids I don’t.” Dean held on to his side, it began to hurt whenever he took a breath.
“Think about my offer, Dean.” Robbie turned to leave the room. “Oh . . . Just because I’m that type of guy, I left the medications unharmed. Perhaps you have something in that box that can help you.”
Dean rose from the bed the moment Robbie left. He did have something in the box, he had pain medication. That would only help the physical side though. He had nothing in that box that could help his heart. The heart that began to worry about what Robbie was going to do, and whether or not his people would be ready for it.
***
Joe was never one to jump the gun. Everything was always planned down to the very last and minor details. Always priding himself on having a keen foresight, Joe felt odd for feeling strange so fast. He stood before the back gate of the community staring down at his wrist watch. It was twenty-five minutes after one. He had been standing there ever since Henry and Paul were ten minutes late from returning from the supply drop off. Doing a radio check to the tower every few minutes asking, ‘see anything?’ and always getting the same response back, ‘nothing yet’, added to his worries. Never were Henry and Paul more than a few minutes late, let alone the forty-five they were.
Usually he would wait, but it was time to do something. Knowing the tension and problems that Robbie was having at his camp, and remembering the desperation in Dean’s letter, Joe left the gate. He had to find Frank. He had no other choice.
“Frank we have a problem,” Joe said as he walked into Frank’s office where he and Ellen were having lunch.
Frank couldn’t believe his ears. His father sounded desperate. “What’s wrong?”
“Henry and Paul are really late. I want two of your best men armed and sent out to look for them. With all that’s going on, we can’t chance it.”
Frank immediately stood up. “Go find Greg, he’s behind the fields, I’ll get the weapons together.” Frank reached for his keys from his belt. “I’ll meet you guys at the back gate in let’s say ten minutes?”
“Whoa!” Joe halted him. “You said Greg, who’s the other man?”
“You wanted my best two men. Greg is one, I’m the other.”
Ellen was still standing there hearing it all. “Frank, you aren’t going. Joe didn’t mention you.”
“She’s right, Frank. Not you. We can’t take a chance on Robbie’s guys seeing you alive.”
“I’m going.” Frank opened up the office door. “I’m heading to ammunition. I’ll meet you at the back gate.”
Joe stopped him. “Frank, listen to me, I can’t allow this.”
“Yes you can.” Frank scolded back. “Even if it means taking a chance on them seeing me alive, I’d rather do that. I’d rather know that I’d been seen, than know that I could have done something to help Henry and Paul, but chose to be hidden. I’m the one who goes. I have to do this.” He looked over at Ellen. “I have to do this.”
Joe didn’t want to agree but knew he had to. “Fine, I’ll get Greg.”
Frank saw the look on Ellen’s face, her eyes were closed, her head turned from him. He moved to her and lifted her chin. “El . . . I have to, you know this don’t you?”
Ellen opened her eyes. “I understand.”
“I need your support on this. I have to have it.” He kissed her lips. “Please.”
“You have it.”
“Thank you.” He sli
d his hand from her face and ran from the office. He had so much to get and so little time to get it.
Joe examined Frank and Greg as they stood outside the jeep at the back gate. “You have your rifles, hand guns, six grenades each, and enough ammo?”
Frank checked both he and Greg out. “Got it.”
“Your radio is working?”
Frank turned it on. “Fresh batteries.”
“Good luck. You know what I want, look for them two. Don’t go near Robbie’s camp. If you don’t see them we’ll assume they’ve been taken. Any sign of trouble, get your ass out of there. Got it?”
“We have it.” Frank motioned to Greg to get into the jeep, he had one more thing to do. Frank walked to Ellen who stood off to the side, she looked sad. Her back faced him. “El, I’m going, I won’t be long.”
Ellen’s head nodded.
“El . . . your support?” He turned her to face him. “I will be back. That I promise you.”
Ellen wrapped her arms tightly around him. “Be careful.”
“Always.” He stepped back from the embrace. “I have to go. I’ll be back before dinner.”
“Frank.” She grabbed for his hand. “I love you.”
“I needed that.” He leaned in and kissed her quickly and mouthed the words, ‘I love you.’ Frank had to go, the jeep was running, the perimeter was shut down, and the gate was open. He charged back, shook his father’s hand and jumped in the jeep.
With the sound of gears shifting and wheels screeching, Frank and Greg quickly left the community.
Joe grabbed for his radio, as he watched Frank drive off, he spoke into it. “Perimeter sixteen, back on. Keep this channel clear.” He left the radio on. He didn’t know how long it would be before he heard from Frank. He hoped that only a few minutes would go by and he would see both jeeps returning. But a part of him knew that wasn’t going to happen.
The jeep moved as fast as it could down the empty interstate. Frank kept his eyes straight ahead as he drove, Greg sat next to him. “Keep your eyes peered for anything around.”
“Got it.” He pulled out the binoculars, looking side to side. “How much further?”
“The exit is about ten more miles up . . .What the . . .” Frank shifted gears and pressed his foot harder to the pedal. “Come on move.” He beckoned the jeep.
“What’s wrong?”
“Up ahead. Smoke. See if you can see what it is, and if we should stop here.”
Greg lifted the binoculars to his face. “Shit.”
“What?” Frank held out his hand to him, wiggling his fingers for the binoculars. When he felt them hit his hand he brought them up to his eyes. “Fuck!” He tossed them back to Greg. “No. No. No.” He beat his hand on the steering wheel, leaning forward as if that would make him get there sooner. He reached down his hand for the radio, and handed it to Greg. “Tell them we have a problem. Tell them we can’t chance being heard on the radio. We’ll get back to them.”
Greg, hesitant, pressed in the button. “This is us. Joe, are you there?”
“I’m here.” Joe’s voice crackled through the static. “What’s up?”
“We’re breaking contact. Can’t chance being picked up. We have a problem, we’ll get back to you. Stay close.”
As Joe began to inquire what they found, he got a response he didn’t want to receive. Before the radio went dead he heard the gut wrenching sound of Frank crying out with all of his emotions and the sound of screeching breaks.
“No!” All of Frank’s weight pressed to the break as the jeep skidded sideways before making its complete stop. “No!” He grabbed his rifle and jumped from the jeep. “Cover me!”
Greg got out of the jeep and stood behind the door. He aimed his rifle and kept his look out.
The flames were intense; they engulfed the jeep that once belonged to Beginnings as it sat at the exit of the interstate. It was the jeep Henry and Paul had taken to meet Robbie’s men. It sat at the place they were to meet. The boxes of supplies crushed and their contents scattered about the road way.
The thick black smoke and heat did not hold back Frank from making an attempt to reach the vehicle. With one arm raised protecting his eyes, and the other covering his mouth, Frank choked and coughed as he neared the jeep. His vision was somewhat clouded by the smoke, and a foul stench plowed forth bursting at him with the power of the flames.
He knew that smell, and though the smoke was like a wall of darkness, it did not stop him from seeing the sight that lay before him. The vision that formed a lump so big in his throat he could barely breathe. The horrific site of one body in the jeep, three burning arrows protruding from the chest, the head flung back as if he were screaming for help. The one body burning, burning so bad Frank could not see who it was.
He tried with all he had to reach the man. Was it Henry? Was it Paul? He didn’t know, but it didn’t matter, he still tried, though the attempt was in vain, to reach the man. He tried that was, until he felt a hand pull him back and a voice, Greg’s voice, call to him.
“Frank you’re too close.” Gregg pulled him back.
“I have to try.” Frank reached forth.
“It’s too late. It’s too late.” Greg pulled harder, dragging Frank a little further out.
It killed Frank at that moment. He knew there was nothing he could do. The fire was too intense and it was obvious that the man, Henry or Paul, was already dead. The arrows in him told Frank he was hit before they burned him. But where was the other one? Clearing his way out of the smoke Frank ran to the jeep. Trying to catch his breath, trying to cough out the black guck that gathered in his lungs, Frank leaned against the jeep.
“Sorry, Frank.” Greg pressed his hand on Frank’s arched back. “You could have been killed. Whoever that was is already dead.”
Frank lifted his head and turned around. It was then that he took in the whole scene of what had happened. Blood spewed forth about the ground, one body, burning in a jeep, the scene of an obvious ambush. Beginnings walked right into it. Beginnings sent two men straight into it.
Frank knew he and Greg had to make a run for it, they had to leave before they were spotted, or ambushed themselves. They couldn’t leave without looking into the wooded area quickly just to see if they spotted another body, they didn’t. Viewing the tragedy just one more time, they jumped in the jeep and headed back. They had questions to answer and no answers to give. There was one body. One man. Who was it?
Frank received his answer to that question as he drove frantically back home. He had to hit the brakes again, but this time he did it with relief.
When jeep stopped, Frank gripped the wheel, first dropping his head then lifting it with a wide smile. Henry stood in the road waving his hands.
CHAPTER FORTY
July 18
Joe’s hand fell hard to his desk at the same time he called out. “Henry. Do you know how close I am to just . . . . just putting a muzzle on you.”
“I’m hyper, Joe.” Henry buzzed, not paced about. “I haven’t been to sleep. I had a traumatic experience yesterday.”
“Yes, we know. So you’ve been up for twenty-four hours, how much coffee have you had.”
“Not much Joe, it gives me gas.”
“Swell.”
“But I had lots of tea. Anyhow, I had all night to do this . . .”
“Henry.” Joe stood up. “Is this really important.”
“But you said to find it.”
“Find what?”
“Where the power is going.”
“This . . .” Joe pointed at him. “Is an obsession.”
“Oh, no, Joe. How can you say that?”
“Because you bring it up all the time. You’re looking here. You’re looking there.”
“I think I narrowed it down.”
“Good for you.” Joe walked to the door.
“I’ve pin pointed it to transformer eight. Which covers a three mile area starting at . . .”
“Three mile area?” Joe open
ed the door. “Pin pointed? When you find it. Tell me.”
Henry reached into his back pocket and pulled out a map. He unrolled it and looked down at it. “Now, I’m, really starting to believe that it could be a source that is . . .” He looked up when the door closed. “Hidden.” Joe was gone. “Shit.” Rolling the map back up, Henry raced from the office. He wanted to make sure Joe heard it all.
***
Robbie walked in circles around Dean’s chair. An interrogating look on his face. “Victory Dean. One small blow against Beginnings. What do you make of that?”
Dean stared forward not answering.
“We will take them. We’ll be ready for them. Tell me what they are planning.”
“Nothing. They aren’t planning anything.”
“Bull shit.” Robbie kicked the legs of Dean’s chair sending Dean to the floor. “Tell me.”
Dean picked himself up, his face emotionless. He sat the chair up. “If I sit again will it be a vain attempt?”
Robbie’s hand reared back to strike him.
“Go ahead. Do it. I don’t care.” Dean began to stare him down. When he realized he won that small battle, he sat down again. “How much longer, Robbie? I’ve been sitting here twenty-four hours. I know nothing. I’ve been thrown to the floor nineteen times. How much longer.”
“When I get my answers.”
“You’re not getting them from me.” Dean folded his arms waiting to be sent to the floor again, it didn’t happen. “I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”
“Then Beginnings will.” Robbie marched to his desk. He turned on the radio, the radio that hadn’t been on in a week. “You will tell them what has happened to you. Tell them that they wouldn’t recognize you if they saw you.”
“You tell them if you want them to know.” Dean’s tone was firm.
Robbie placed the radio close to his mouth. “Come in Beginnings. In five minutes I have someone who wants to speak to you.” Robbie put the radio down. “You have five minutes Dean to think about it. If you don’t tell them, I’ll let them hear. I swear to you.”
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 76
