Lila and Aldo look at each other with astonishment.
“You should remember the truck has a built in communication transmitter located above you. I can hear everything you say, and don’t worry, I’ve got your asses covered if there’s trouble. Aldo, I can hold it a long time if I have to.”
Kenyon laughed out loud at his own joke and all Lila and Gorrell could do was sit back and keep quiet until the next problem arose.
They didn’t have to wait too long.
Darkness began to cascade on the horizon and Kenyon brought the vehicle to a complete stop at mile marker seventy-five.
“Hey, professor, it’s getting too dark to keep driving much longer. I think we’d better find a place to shut it down for the night,” Kenyon said.
“Are you nuts?” snapped Aldo. “We shouldn’t stop out here, in the middle of nowhere.”
“That’s precisely why, smart guy. I’m not comfortable putting us around a lot of people right now. I don’t know who we can trust. I’d say hotels are out the question. Now, if you have relatives out this way, I could be convinced to drive there, but I’m suspecting you don’t know anybody in the middle of this wasteland we’re driving through either.”
“Damn, I wanted to get home to see Sophie. Is there any way we go a few more miles?”
“We could, but it won’t help much. We’re hours from our destination. We lost time because the highway is closed. If anything happens in the middle of the night and we’re too far out in the wilderness, I don’t want to take any unnecessary risks. I am responsible for the two of you. I think both of you should catch up on your sleep.”
“I’d rather keep going,” said Lila.
“That’s why I’m in charge.” Kenyon put the keys back in the ignition and drove another half a mile before he found a spot to park the vehicle in a wooded area. He left the car briefly and flung large branches on the hood for camouflage.
He jammed the keys deep into his front pants pocket and gave his final command for the night. “Goodnight. I’d suggest keeping the talking to a minimum. The animals out here are nocturnal and have excellent hearing, but you two scientists already know that. Any little noise may intrigue them, and we don’t want that.”
CANAMITH COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
Update #565
President Griggs Made a Brief Speech to the Country Today
“Today I’m faced with realization that our society has collapsed into chaos. I urge all citizens that care about this great country of ours to stop the violence. Return to your homes. The government will take care of you as we work our way through this crisis. We’ve recalled all of our troops from around the globe and are making efforts to get them safely home as quickly as possible. I’ve activated the reservists and they should be arriving at their designated locations within two days. As you know, transportation has been a problem. If you are on the road, please cooperate with our troops and allow them access through the highway system.
“Our citizens living abroad are urged to stay put. Traveling home is too risky at this time. Official staffers have been ordered to keep the gates of our embassies closed.
“Please listen for more updates from the government on the Emergency Broadcast Network. Communication has been spotty, but we’re working hard to protect our communication towers and substations to keep you abreast of the situation. I don’t know when we’ll be able to coordinate our next message.
“Please stay calm. Turning against each other will accomplish nothing. I know you’re scared and you want to protect your children and get them food and medicine. We’ve established emergency transportation trucks to begin providing emergency food rations. Potable water trucks are on their way to every large city. You folks in the rural areas, we’re trying our best to get to you, but it may take some time to provide assistance to your locale. I understand your frustrations. Now is the time that we need to show our resolve and prove to the world why this is the greatest country in the world. The terrorist attacks could not defeat us and we will overcome this crisis too and be a stronger nation because of it. Goodnight.”
CHAPTER 28
General Taft never made promises to his wife that he couldn’t keep. His bride of many years was used to the late night phone calls and early morning departures that placed her husband in harm’s way. He had returned home in one piece after every battle. It wasn’t unusual for Taft to enter the house with an additional medal sewn on his uniform that served notice to all that he had achieved another accommodation of valor or bravery. The battle he was waging now was a challenging foe. It couldn’t be seen, or talked to, or bombed into submission. This made for restless nights and long talks with his wife. Much of the material was classified and he was unable to discuss the details with her, but he had become frustrated that even the famed ABC team of scientists wasn’t having success. Failure on his part would not be welcome news by the higher-ups in the government. If he were replaced as the lead man on the crisis, he would face a demotion and a cut in pay.
That wouldn’t sit well with Elizabeth, who had become used to purchasing items more costly than Taft could afford at his current salary. That harmful habit started years ago with the beautiful rugs from Canamith and had grown in scope and value over the years.
Taft played by the book. A military man all the way. Follow orders, do what you were told and don’t ask questions. This served him well as he moved up the ranks. Now his pay grade was maxed out. His efforts to protect the country didn’t compensate him appropriately compared to men he knew that owned small or large businesses. One of those men was Roger Drake. They first met years ago at a conference and while their relationship couldn’t be classified as friends, they did reach an understanding that each of them might be able to help the other with information that could be mutually beneficial.
Drake contacted Taft directly after media reports of the nuclear waste problem became public.
Taft was sleeping on his sofa when Drake called. “General, Roger Drake here. I trust I’m not disturbing you?”
Lying, Taft answered, “Nope, just resting.”
“I wanted to discuss that Rothschild guy from the border facility. Know him?”
“You mean, ‘knew him?’”
“What?” asked Drake.
“Knew him. He’s dead. Left a bunch of memos about how he was able to pocket millions of dollars in profit due to unscrupulous misallocation of government property, namely hazardous waste material. Apparently he decided to kill himself rather than testify before any sub-committees that could rip him a new asshole. What was he thinking?”
Drake was silent on the other end of the phone. Taft knew Rothschild had been a key player in Roger Drake receiving no-bid contracts that paid Drake millions of dollars in fees for setting up the communications network at the border facility. The work had been done years ago, but routine maintenance contracts were given to Drake at astronomical prices and Drake in turn had given Rothschild generous amounts of hush money. If those facts were to come out in public, it wouldn’t bode well for the much-respected Drake. Drake knew Rothschild was dead. His people on the inside told him Rothschild was dead before the ambulance arrived to take his stiff body to the morgue.
“General,” said Drake. “Does the military pay it heroes satisfactorily? You men make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. You are ones that give up traditional family lives so that people like me can go out and make a lot of money, date a lot of beautiful women, and set our futures with boatloads of cash for our retirement.”
“What are you getting at Drake?”
“General, I have an idea that can set you and the missus and that lovely daughter of yours up for the rest of your life. All it would take is for you to help me out with this entire border plant incident.”
“Are you suggesting that I bury the report?”
While Taft was trying to determine what Drake wanted, Elizabeth interrupted her husband by showing him a stack of overdue bills. Elizabeth’s free spending had pu
t Taft in a difficult position financially. He was thousands and thousands of the dollars in debt. The stress was beginning to show and it bore into their relationship daily. The once tough but sweet man had turned sour and frustrated at the low wages given to those that served the country with pride. In a moment of weakness, staring at the stack of bills, wondering what difference the report would matter with the world in turmoil and without thinking how foolish it all sounded, he took Drake’s baited hook.
“Are you saying it’s in my best interest to help you out? That is, financially?”
“Are you okay with that?” asked Drake.
“We’re still talking, aren’t we?”
“We are. What I’m suggesting is if you can find a way to get rid of any connection in regards to the flow of money from my company to a certain person who might not be alive any longer. There could be a windfall bonanza of benefits to you.”
“Such as?”
“How does ten million dollars sound for a start?”
“That’s a big bonanza.”
“That’s the kind of money you should have been making all your life. You’re a smart guy, too smart to live the life of a pauper. This is your chance to give your family financial security. This is why you put in all those hours. Think of the missing birthday parties and anniversary dinners. In addition, I have a ‘safe-house’ for lack of a better term, in case this situation with Mother Nature gets worse. I can arrange transportation to the safe house for you and your family. You can stay there until things settle down. Once that happens, it’s essential to have strong leadership at the top of the ticket.”
“You’re talking public office.”
“Absolutely. With my financial backing, you’d have as good a shot as anybody. People are drawn to you. The uniform and the stripes, you know, not everyone is against protecting the country. They trust you. What’s the point of putting Rothschild’s family under the microscope any further? He’s deader than shit. I went to high school with his wife. Nice girl back in the day. She didn’t have a clue about any of this. Here’s what I have in mind. If things get critical, you’ll know I’m outta there, and if I leave, that’s not a good sign. You’d be wise to follow suit. You should pack your bags in advance. I can have your luggage waiting for you at the safe house, just in case. If things go south, call your wife and I’ll have a ride ready for you and bring you to my location.”
“Where’s it at?”
“That doesn’t matter now. What do you think? Do we have a deal?”
CANAMITH COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
Update #589
School Bus Gangs
The sight of a yellow school bus traveling down the street used to be a sure sign of autumn and the opening of the school year. However, as society stands on the precipice of collapse, yellow school buses have been appropriated by gangs of adults, using the fleet as a sign of power and danger to anyone that stands in their way.
Norman Dell, a 75-year-old resident of Taylorville, recently had an ugly experience with three such buses last week. “I heard these buses stop in front of the house. I live alone and my children haven’t ridden the bus for over thirty years. When I opened the door, three men pushed me down and raided my pantry. They grabbed every perishable I had in stock. Then they searched for medicine and they took that too! I begged them to leave my diabetes medicine, but they took it anyway. When they left, the last man helped me up off the ground. He had the saddest look on his face. It was like he was stealing from his own grandfather.”
CHAPTER 29
“Wait here,” demanded J.J.
Mathis listened to his brother-in-law and stayed in the car.
“This is going to take my best work. My sister will not be happy to see you. I’ll be back in a few minutes. It’ll be to either invite you in or to give you a sleeping bag and a pillow.”
“J.J., I’m willing to— ”
“Quiet. Stay in the damn car and don’t move.”
J.J. returned from the house within two minutes. “Mathis, come in. Can I get you something to eat?”
Mathis grabbed his bag and entered the three-bedroom ranch style home. Kate had taken Sophie and gone to the far back bedroom.
“I’ll pass. I don’t have much of an appetite and your food may not sit well with me. The pesticides and chemical additives might make me sick. I’d love to see Sophie.”
“I think it would be best to see her in the morning. Kate is not too pleased with the way the evening has unfolded.”
“If you want me to leave…”
“That’s not necessary. I wouldn’t have driven all the way to the school and back if I was going to throw you out now.”
“That’s reassuring.”
J.J. looked around the family room. Two couches made an “L” shape and J.J. grabbed one end of the couch and pushed it next to the other one.
“There. It reminds me of a big crib, but it will be more comfortable than the floor.”
“Thank you, that’ll be perfectly fine. When do you think Lila will be back?”
“It’s hard to say. She said things were terrible at the capital, and the ride here could be hazardous.”
“I’ll see you in the morning, or sooner, if Lila arrives,” said Mathis.
J.J. started to walk away. He turned back to Mathis.
“Why did come looking for Lila?”
“You’ll think I’m crazy. I had to try. I came here at great risk to tell, I mean to ask, no, I came here to use all of my verbal skills to convince her to come back home with me. I was hoping for your support in the matter when she returns.”
“Uh, don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“Then goodnight.”
“Goodnight it is.”
CHAPTER 30
The night spent on the side of the road was uneventful, other than Aldo’s constant snoring. Lila rammed her foot into the side of Aldo’s leg repeatedly, causing him to switch positions and bring quiet back to the vehicle.
When the morning came, Lila greeted her fellow passengers with a groggy hello. “I’m going to try sleeping, and if anyone wakes me up, it better be to tell me we’re home.”
Kenyon and Aldo didn’t respond. Lila had made it clear that this was not the day to mess with a sleep deprived, heartsick mother.Lila pulled the blanket over her head to block the sun and road noise coming from the tires bouncing in the ruts of the freeway.
Kenyon and his academic passengers were twelve miles from Taylorville when trouble came calling again. It wasn’t a bathroom break that forced them to stop the vehicle this time.
A large gathering of people had assembled on the freeway and made the road impassable. Kenyon slowed to the truck to a crawl, and stuck his head out of the window.
A heavyset man waved his arms back and forth, indicating he wanted the truck to stop.
“What’s the problem here, neighbor?” Kenyon asked.
“You ain’t my neighbor. What’s your business here?”
Kenyon turned around to his passengers. “Fasten those seat belts and cover your heads.”
Lila and Aldo followed orders without hesitating.
The man blocking the road was almost as wide as the westbound lane. He wasn’t moving out of the way as Kenyon accelerated.
“What is your business here? Shut off that truck and let me see some identification.”
Kenyon wasn’t going to stop the truck. He wasn’t the brightest man in the Army, but he knew a trap when he saw it. He turned the truck sharply to the left, sending Lila plowing into the rear door.
Kenyon heard the large man say, “Fire!” and within seconds, the truck was under attack. Eight men fired semi-automatic weapons at the truck. The truck was equipped with heavy armored side panels and bullet resistant tires. The bullets bounced harmlessly away from the truck. Kenyon drove the truck off the road and into the far eastern edge of the Sanderell mountain range.
The angry mob shouted obscenities at them as they drove away. Kenyon sliced and diced hi
s way through muddy paths and steered the truck through several downed trees and one large roaming buffalo. Kenyon was confident the truck was out of harm’s way when he noticed an animal rushing towards the side of the truck. Kenyon sent three forty-five millimeter bullets into the behemoth’s side. The animal let out a loud grunt and collapsed.
Lila yelled, “What was that noise, Kenyon?”
He didn’t respond. He concentrated on the road and disregarded a second and third request from his passenger. The fourth attempt, this one louder and assisted by Aldo drew the secret out from the driver.
“We had a situation, and I fixed it! We’re almost there. Sit tight and shut up,” said Kenyon.
Lila’s frantic voice rose with each passing minute. “He shot something, didn’t he? I knew it, Aldo… Kenyon, tell me what is going on! Did you kill someone? What’s going on out there?”
“Professor, please settle down. We’re not on a picnic ride.”
“I demand to know what’s going on!”
“Look out your back window! I hope you’re happy,” snapped Kenyon.
He lowered the armored window and saw the carcass of the buffalo fading in the distance. Lila felt a sharp pain in her head and fell backwards. Gorrell caught her and she regained her composure quickly.
“What was that?” the young man asked.
“Headache, and that was a bad one.”
“You don’t look so good, Professor.”
“I used to think it was nothing, and now the pain is more frequent, and wow, sometimes it sends me for a loop.”
“You better get to a specialist when we get back. I’ll have you see my friend Dr. Hayden. He’s the head of the Neurology Department. You call her right away and tell her you’re a friend of mine. She’ll see you.”
“Aldo, look around. I think we’re past the point of worrying about a headache.”
“When you get back home, you should take a few days off.”
Escape to Canamith Page 16
