“Not a problem.” Jason continued walking, knowing his mind would keep churning on ideas to help Dean.
All voices ceased the moment Dean entered Joe’s office. He looked at Joe, Henry, then Robbie. “What? Were you guys talking about me?”
Robbie answered. “As a matter of fact, Dean, we were. Henry was just sharing with us your new sex symbol status with the young female population of Beginnings.”
Dean closed his eyes and shook his head. “Henry’s really close to me kicking his ass.” Dean heard Henry snicker and he quickly looked at Henry.
Henry wiped the smiled from his face. “Sorry. Hey, Joe, tell him. Go on.”
“Dean, the reason we were discussing you is,” Joe took a breath, “I stopped at the school today and saw Alexandra. She told me she’s mad at you because you have a girlfriend while her Mommy is kidnapped. She said she saw Bev kissing you.”
Immediately and with surprise Dean sprang from his chair going after Henry.
Henry saw it coming. He jumped from his chair and hurried backwards, trying not to laugh. “I didn’t say anything.”
Robbie too tried not to laugh as he pulled Dean back. “Easy.”
“Dean,” Joe scolded, “You’re making me tense. Now cool it.”
Dean pulled away from Robbie and plopped in his chair. “Henry, one more thing out of you and I swear I’m cutting off your hair while you’re sleeping.”
“Oh Dean, you wouldn’t do that.”
“Watch me.” Dean stared forward. “Can we do this, Joe?”
“Can we lose the mood?” Joe asked.
“I’m sorry, Joe.” Dean held up his hand. “I feel like I’m the most miserable person in Beginnings today.”
“I have news for you, Dean,” Joe said. “You are. Now this should make you happy.” Joe pulled out his notes. “We’re gonna discuss Frank as a suspect. Everyone ready? Let’s talk means.” Joe saw Henry’s hand raised. “Henry?”
“Frank should be eliminated immediately from the suspect list with no arguments at all.”
“Why?” Joe asked.
“Because if Frank was working for George, why would he kill him?”
“What?” Joe asked. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Robbie rolled his eyes. “Bet me it’s another one of those time trip memories none of us have.”
“Yes. He killed George in the time frame that Dean died.”
Joe tilted his head. “The one that was erased when you brought Dean back to life?”
“Yes,” Henry nodded.
“Well, it doesn’t count!” Joe scolded. “And how in the hell did bringing Dean back affect bringing George back?”
Dean quickly shifted his eyes. “It’ll be a Henry explanation. Do you want to hear it.”
“Yes,” Joe answered. “Henry?”
“Easy, Joe. Ellen went back and blabbed to herself about the antidote so there wouldn’t be a lab explosion. In the original time, the explosion occurred. George was prancing around singing about Dean and Ellen being dead, thinking he was cool and surprise, you were awake and he got busted. But . . . in the rippled time frame he had that diversion of you healing so he made his escape.”
Joe stared for a moment at Henry. “O.K., Frank. Give me means. I have that he was taking blood at the clinic. He could have easily switched the Jenny tubes.”
“Dad,” Robbie scoffed. “Frank? Frank isn’t smart enough to think like that. Give him a war scenario, yes. Come on, let’s face it, if intelligence was a primary requirement for living in Beginnings, Frank would have been out years ago. Frank didn’t switch the blood. The only means Frank has is his security position. Yes, I put Frank on my list, but he shouldn’t be there. Frank hated George. George hated Frank from day one.
Henry agreed, “Especially while you were under the Salicain. They went at each other tooth and nail. Besides, when the SUTs invaded us, Frank was too prepared they . . . yeah. Frank was prepared, like maybe he knew how they were coming. It could have been all a big act to build his trust with us in Beginnings. Boy now that I think about it, our defense was pretty good, too good for four hundred men.” Henry smiled. “Yeah.” The smiled dropped. “No. Frank likes being the hero too much.”
Dean nodded. “That’s exactly what I came up for as his motive. Frank loves to be the hero. Yet, who in Beginnings thanks him? How many times has Frank saved the day? How many times has he rushed to the rescue? Everyone takes him for granted and they have from day one. George used that. He played on that, promised him an army to train, a big one. Frank would get the glory because he would be there from the ground up.”
Joe blinked in thought. “What about Ellen? I know my son loves her.”
“Yeah, and he took her,” Dean answered. “How do we know right now he isn’t turning around and heading to home…Quantico that is.”
Robbie shook his head. “Frank is Mr. Father. He wouldn’t take a chance, no matter how small, of something happening to the kids. He already lost Brian.”
Henry’s head bobbed side to side. “Yes, but, meaning no disrespect to Frank and this is just a thought, what if his whole grief thing was an act to make his escape.”
Joe’s hand slammed down hard. “An act? He lost his son for crying out loud.”
“Not really,” Henry said, “Brian was Dean’s kid. What if . . .”
Robbie and Joe both shouted. “What!”
Dean cringed.
“I thought you . . . I thought.” Henry shifted his eyes around. “I mean . . . geez, there I go again. Forget it, my mistake.”
Joe tilted his head as he spoke to Henry but watched Dean. “Another ripple in time?”
Henry nodded. “Exactly.”
“Dean?” Joe questioned, “a ripple in time.”
“Yeah.” Dean sat up. “Oddly enough in the time frame that Frank screwed up and Ellen was married to Robbie, Brian was my son because Robbie can’t have kids.”
Robbie grinned. “Wait. You guys screwed up time? I was married to Ellen? I didn’t know this.” He looked at Henry. “Hey, do you guys have the history disks from that? Can I see?”
“No,” Henry answered, “we fixed it.”
“How did it happen?” Robbie asked.
“Robert,” Joe interrupted, “we’re getting off the subject.”
“I want to know. No one tells me this shit. Henry?” Robbie questioned.
You got to Ashtonville too late in the original time. Frank wanted you there earlier to help Ellen only when he called you he forgot to tell you how early. You took off, hooked up with Ellen, and were married ten years when we came back through the time machine. But . . . we went back, stopped Frank from making the phone call and he mailed you a letter instead.”
Robbie looked so arrogant. “I wish I would have seen my big brother’s face. Anyhow . . . back to Frank. Dad, scratch him off the list. Nothing is feasible.”
“I agree.” Joe looked at Dean. “Dean?”
“As much as I hate to admit it, Frank isn’t working for George. Take him off.”
“Henry?” Joe looked at him for an answer.
“Sure Joe, take him off.”
Joe’s pencil moved in a line. “All right, now Andrea. I think . . .” Joe saw Henry’s hand wave fanatically. “What Henry?”
“Can I share my motive theory? Please?”
“We do means first.”
“Come on, Joe it’s good. Can I, Joe? Huh? I want to tell it before anyone else does.”
Joe pretty much gave up. “Go on.”
Henry excitedly looked at his notes. “Thanks Joe. O.K., I’ve been giving this a lot of thought, meaning no disrespect Joe.”
“None taken.”
“Thanks. I think it’s quite plausible that Andrea is working for George. Her motive simply is . . . she and George were lovers.”
Laughter erupted loudly from the group.
“No, I’m dead serious. What? We’re gonna dismiss that, why? George killed Miguel. George had no reason to kill
Miguel unless it was a personal issue. He wanted to get Miguel out of the way so he could have Andrea. And . . . and . . . I asked. Yes I did. I asked everyone if they remembered where she was when Joe came out of the Salicain. Do any of you? No. I know in my history she appeared out of nowhere so I’ll tell you where she was. She was the inside man, getting things ready. She knew what had happened and she was with George. How else did he get his things together so fast and make his escape?” Henry proceeded to tell his version of what happened . . .
“Hurry.” Andrea tossed items into a duffle bag which sat on George’s bed.
“Andrea, are you absolutely positive?”
“I’m certain of it. I heard something about vial seventeen when Dean and Ellen were in the lab. They’re testing it now, George. It’s only a matter of time.”
“How did they find out? We had that rigged.”
“I don’t know.” Andrea hurried and packed his things. “You’re taking a Jeep, right.”
“Yes.”
“How long until your people pick you up?”
“Six hours.”
“Then you have to throw Frank off, because you know as much as I do they are gonna be searching for you.”
“I have a plan for that.”
Andrea let out a breath as she zipped up the bag. “I wish I could go with you.”
George moved closer to her. “I wish you could too, but you can’t. I need you in here for me.”
“I know.”
George laid his hand on the side of Andrea’s face. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.”
“Please, please be careful out there.”
“I will.” George kissed her on the cheek. “I have to go.”
Andrea only nodded her head with sadness.
“Andrea, I love you.”
“ I . . . love you.”
Henry gave a closed mouth proud look as he added the final dramatics to his story. “There. George escaped, because she helped him get out. We know she had the means and she has the medical knowledge.”
Robbie shook his head. “What about the switching of the tubes? She was sick when Jenny came in.”
“True. But,” Henry held up a thinking finger, “we never established for certain that the tubes were actually switched, have we? There were so many hands on the blood those days who knows if it was accidental or on purpose. We don’t. We can’t use switching of the blood as an out for someone. Andrea is perfect, the God fearing Christian woman, isn’t she. But look at her personality. One minute she’s loopy and we can’t figure out what’s wrong with her, the next she’s wacko woman. If she’s hiding her true colors, of course it’s going to emerge. Didn’t anyone ever wonder why Andrea never cares if she attends a council meeting. She only says fill me in and we do. And . . . look who she’s with…Joe, the leader of the community, a perfect position to find out what she needs to know. What she doesn’t find out as council, she finds out as his wife. She’s a smart woman. Cunning that Andrea is. I’m surprised none of you had a field day with her either.”
Joe was speechless. “Henry gave . . . Henry gave some valid points. Can anyone give me a reason to remove her from the list?” Joe waited and received only silent stares. “Even though I know my wife and even though I know she has nothing to do with George, Henry gave some valid arguments. Although I hate to do it . . . Andrea stays.”
Henry grinned and clenched his fist in excitement. He convinced them all to consider Andrea with one of his really ‘cool’ Henry theories. Because of that, he added a little gloating to his expression as well.
^^^^
Ft. Peck Lake
The sound of Frank coughing carried to Ellen as she sat on the porch of the cabin, watching him take things to the truck. He’d walk, cough, and move again. He smiled at Ellen when he walked back to her, plopping on the wooden step beside her.
“A few more things,” he sniffled. “We’ll save those for tomorrow.”
“Frank, you look a little pale. How are you feeling?”
“I’m good.”
Ellen reached up to him and touched his face. Her hand slid to behind his neck. “Frank, you’re warm and you’re coughing. You know what Dean told you about the pneumonia. Just because you feel better doesn’t mean it’s gone. Six weeks it stays in your . . .”
“El, I’m fine.” Frank coughed again. “If I’m sick it’s your entire fault anyhow.”
“My fault? How is it my fault?”
“I had to jump in the lake to save your ass.”
“You jumped in the lake, asshole, because you shoved me in. You probably needed a Frank hero boast so you found a way to save my life.”
“Yep.” Frank smiled and kissed her.
“Oh.” Ellen touched her lips. “Frank, your lips are hot.”
“For you.”
“No I’m serious. They’re really hot. Maybe we should consider going home now to get you started on an anti-infection.”
“No El.” Frank shook his head. “I’ll be fine. Besides the sun will be going down soon and we’re leaving tomorrow. And . . .” With a smile he pointed. “It’s my thirty-fifth birthday.”
Ellen laughed and swiped his hand away. “Thirty-five. I recall five years ago how we celebrated your real thirty-fifth birthday.”
“So do I.” Frank leaned into her with a shitty grin.
“Frank, come on. I don’t think you’re up to this.” Ellen felt his lead and moved from him.
“You don’t think.” Frank neared his lips to hers.
“Besides, you’re really old now.”
“I’ll show you old.” Frank extended his arm, plowed into Ellen, causing her to shriek, and knocked her down to the wooden porch.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Beginnings, Montana
Henry sat on Alexandra’s bed that night. Her covers were turned down and he brushed her hair.
“Uncle Henry?”
“Shh. Ninety-eight, ninety-nine. One hundred, done.” He set the brush down.
“Is my mommy coming back soon?”
“Tomorrow.”
“That’s what my Daddy said. He said that if she doesn’t come back, he’s going to kill Uncle Frank. Will he really kill Uncle Frank?”
“Oh I don’t know Alex, he may. He’s not been in a very good mood lately. You know he threatened to cut off my hair.”
“That wasn’t very nice,” Alexandra said.
“No it wasn’t. That’s why we made him watch the movie tonight.” Henry helped Alexandra into bed and covered her. “Hopefully watching the adult movie will put him in a good mood.”
“Let’s hope.” Alexandra snuggled. “Goodnight, Uncle Henry.”
“Night Alex.” Henry leaned down and kissed her. He walked to the door.
“Uncle Henry, call me if you need help with Nick.”
“Oh you know I will.” Henry smiled, pulled the door closed some, and left the room. He walked into the bathroom and pulled a plastic hood from his pocket. Hating to do it, but afraid not to, Henry secured the hood to his head, tucking his long hair underneath. He wanted to be prepared in case he fell asleep and Dean made good on his threats.
^^^^
There was nothing unusual about the way Danny Hoi walked to the grassy area behind distribution, bubbly and upbeat. He carried a bowl of popcorn and found Dean who sat further back from the rest of the men. Dean lay on his side, staring at the wall, and waiting for the movie to start.
Danny plopped down and placed the bowl in between them. “Hey Dean.
Dean raised his eyes. “Hi Danny.”
“Excited about this? Oh wait, bad question, not yet huh?”
“Why would I be excited?”
“Adult Movie night.” Danny smiled. “Isn’t that cool of Trish to start this? I hear it’s a lesbian flick.”
Dean stopped into his reach for popcorn. “Why would you think that?”
“Trish said it was. She said it was an adult movie about women. She got it from Ellen’s video collection. I didn
’t know Ellen was into lesbian flicks.”
“Danny, Ellen . . .” Dean paused. “Never mind. If I know what Ellen likes, and I do, you’ll love it.”
“Excellent.”
Dean shook his head with a smile as he reached into the bowl. Just as he opened his mouth to eat, he stopped. “Shit.”
“What? Danny asked then saw why Dean made his remark. Danny’s eyes followed the pair of very exposed legs up to their owner, Bev. Danny grinned. Bev looked at Dean.
“Hi Dean. I thought you and I could watch the movie together,” she asked softly.
Dean said nothing. He grabbed another handful of popcorn, gave a raise of his eyebrows to Danny, stood up, and walked off.
Bev turned and watched Dean walk away.
Danny looked as she rolled on her side, again he cased her. “Hey uh Bev . . . if you’re uh looking for someone to watch the movie with, I’ll watch it with you.”
Bev just gasped, rolled her eyes, got up, and stormed off.
Danny shrugged and pulled his popcorn closer to him. “Maybe not.”
It wasn’t exactly Jess’s thing, but since every other male in Beginnings was there, he figured he might as well be too. The area was packed with the men waiting for Beginnings’ first adult movie night. Finding Robbie wasn’t too difficult. He merely followed the noise to the loudest bunch, the band The Starters all sat together, Robbie on the end, Denny, blindfolded, in front of him.
“Can I join you guys?” Jess asked as he approached.
“Jess, my man.” Robbie patted the empty spot next to him. “Join away. You’re just in time. We’re waiting on Trish.”
“Thanks.” Jess sat down next to Robbie. “Why is Denny blindfolded?”
“Check this out,” Robbie said, “strict orders from our mom. He’s not allowed to see. So . . .” chuckling Robbie reached out and rubbed Denny’s hair, “he’s not watching.”
“Aw.” Denny tried to get Robbie’s hand but missed. “Come on guys, I won’t tell.”
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 354
