by LC Champlin
After retrieving a space blanket from his satchel, he pulled the tacks from a few of the posters—bands, BBC series, and anime—that decorated the walls. As Judge looked on, he stretched the foil across the bottom half of the window. Odds favored the authorities not using thermal imaging, but if they did, the blanket would conceal his body heat. Semper paratus.
With binoculars in his left hand and HT in his right, he hit the PTT. “Amanda, do you copy?”
“I was just about to call you. It looks like most people are going to stay here, at least for a while. The government will get this under control soon.”
“So we hope.” No need to attack a defeated city. They’d accomplished their objective already: crushing the infrastructure of the Bay Area.
“I’m at the park.”
“Excellent. Hold the transmit button on the radio down when they’re ready for me to talk.”
“Okay.”
He slid his hand into a pocket for the oxycodone. “Well, girl.” He scratched behind Judge’s ears. “This is it.”
She whined.
Chapter 108
Chaos for the Fly
Untraveled Road - Thousand Foot Krutch
Nathan leaned against the wall, propping the binoculars against the window frame. Most of Marlin Park’s defending champions were leaving to protect their title, rumbling westward toward Heron Court.
Beyond the next row of houses, Amanda approached the mobile command center. When she reached it, Officer Rodriguez stepped from the side door to greet—or more likely glare at—her.
A fraction of a second later, Behrmann emerged, radiating the energy of an activist battling for injustice. She looked about, probably wondering why he did not attend.
Amanda hugged herself as she and Roddy exchanged words. A moment later, a second DHS officer exited. He carried a flat, black, rectangle. A tablet. Using him for a stand, Rodriguez tapped the screen. Did she initiate a video conference call?
Roddy stepped back from the tablet. Was that a face onscreen?
Cht-cht from Nathan’s radio, then—“Josephine Behrmann. Where’s your fearless leader?” Director Washington, with a glower so intense it infected her tone.
HT up. Showtime. “My apologies for not coming in person, Director. Did you strike the terrorist mercenaries’ base yet?”
“Worried about your engineers, are you?”
She knew the pair’s professions. The government must have made contact with them. But how did the men fare? “I’m pleased to know they’re safe.”
“I never said they were safe, Serebus.” The sadist wanted to unsettle him. Hah, novice.
“I can read between the lines. If they were dead, you would have held their deaths over my head, correct?”
Director Washington sniffed. “They are in good hands.”
“Excellent. The operatives there have my sincerest gratitude.” Nathan closed his eyes. Tension seeping from his muscles, he rested his forehead on the wall. Thank you, God. He wouldn’t have to explain to Hemali that her brother was dead, nor would he have to push Kuznetsov’s despondent face from mind.
Eyes back to the Bushnells, he took a breath. “Now we can get to business: I asked you here to negotiate.”
“I don’t negotiate like this. Turn yourself over to the officers at the command center. We’ll take you to a secure location”—a cell?—“until you’re able to fly back to New York.”
At this, Behrmann opened her mouth, but Amanda put a hand on her arm to stay her. Good.
“When Red Chief killed Carolyn despite the police and military presence here, the people here decided they prefer to shelter in their homes rather than rely on government resources that are already strained to the breaking point.” If Albin had attended the meeting, he would have objected. Jeremy’s sacrifice proved a blood-stained boon, distracting the attorney. “I too prefer to make my own safe space. In exchange for that freedom, I’ll hand over the data you wanted me to retrieve from Birk. I have a number of other files your people will find valuable. Don’t worry; I’ll include directions so you don’t accuse me of giving you spam. Agree in writing to deliver supplies to Redwood Shores but leave us in peace. I’ll give you the files’ location then.”
“Let me get this clear.” Director Washington sounded as if he’d asked her to have him installed as president. “You want me to let you and your cohorts loose, despite the fact that you’re up to your ears in suspicion? There’s evidence now that you were working with human traffickers.”
A white Toyota Tacoma pulled into Marlin Park’s lot. Albin exited the vehicle. Shit, time to wrap things up.
“Do you really have the manpower to waste on us? I only want to keep my people and myself safe. If you’re nervous that we’ll make a break for it, despite the fact that we all have lives we’d love to return to after this resolves, send a probation officer out to check on us. You do it for sexual offenders. Are we worse than child molesters?”
“Serebus,” Washington hissed, “I don’t have time for any of this. Get me those files, and you have a deal. Senator Charles Frack did vouch for you.”
Frack actually came through! Albin deserved congratulations for involving the jackass. Speaking of the adviser, he had talked his way past a police officer and was now approaching the command center.
“Thank you. I’ll see that the files are handed over before your last officer leaves.” One of the neighbors would lend him a laptop with which he could copy the files. Keeping with her role of liaison, Jo would deliver them.
“God have mercy on your soul if you break the terms of the agreement, because I won’t.”
“I would expect nothing less, Director. As always, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you. Serebus out.”
++++++++++++
Albin’s jaw clenched as he strode toward Amanda, Behrmann, and Officer Rodriguez at the mobile command center. Why did he have to learn of this meeting via the Muster siblings? Why did Mr. Serebus not contact his adviser directly?
As Albin approached the group, Rodriguez and another DHS officer stepped into the trailer.
“Albin.” Amanda and Behrmann greeted him in unison.
“Are the negotiations completed?” He dulled the edge in his voice to avoid collateral damage.
“It looks that way,” Behrmann answered, cutting off Amanda. “The government is going to leave the people here but provide supplies. Apparently we’re getting a probation officer, so to speak, to look in on us.”
“No evacuation?”
Amanda shook her head. “No. Now that Red Chief is gone—”
“Mr. Serebus dispatched him?” Perhaps the dark man had cut Seir down in an ambush.
“He said the cannibals killed the Goats’ leaders.”
Arms crossed, Behrmann smiled the smile of the avenged. “That’s what I call justice.”
“I see.” Mr. Serebus had achieved his version of victory. He had dealt with the Red Devil Goats, convinced the Redwood Shores residents to shelter in place, and avoided government custody. But I cannot share in his triumph.
Amanda’s hand on his shoulder returned him to the present. “Albin, are you okay?”
“I need to speak with him.” Turning on his heel, he stalked off.
“Me too,” Behrmann declared.
“No. We need you to continue as liaison with the government. When I locate him, I will inform you.”
Although the reporter looked skeptical, she stepped back. “Fine.”
As Albin reached the other side of the street, a thought struck: how would he find Mr. Serebus? Well, let the man find him.
Chapter 109
This World of Eternal Struggle
Hello My Old Heart - The Oh Hellos
Albin worked his way back to the Musters’ house. After climbing the steps, he leaned against one of the porch’s pillars to wait.
Closing his eyes and pressing the back of his head into the support, he growled as pain s
pread behind his eyes. The spines of fire lanced into his nerves, sending sparks across the darkness. They coalesced into the image of Carolyn falling, bleeding, and dying. Her expression of surprise and pain etched itself into the back of his eyelids. Then Jennifer Nelson’s face, as she had appeared before the contagion dominated her, took Carolyn’s place. But Jennifer warped into the cannibal he had dispatched. His mind played again the footage of bullets decimating her skull.
Snorting, he glared across the street at nothing. His thoughts went blank for a moment. Then they turned to Mr. Serebus. Rolling his shoulders in discomfort, Albin gave his head a shake, which did nothing to help the pain. Closing his eyes proved equally ineffective.
“He used me.”
Is facilitating his actions not your job description? pragmatism asked.
“He was ruthless.”
Is that not why you respect him and enjoy working with him? experience enquired.
“He ignored my advice. Then he proceeded to deliberately exclude me because he knew I would object.”
If you and he are now diametrically opposed, perhaps you have changed as much as he.
Footsteps on the sidewalk halted his response. Denver and Taylor approached, each attempting to act casual but appearing more conspicuous than if they had simply strolled over.
“Um, are you all right?” Taylor asked as Denver sauntered up to plop onto the top step.
“Are you sad about Carolyn?” Denver asked, squinting at him.
“Of course he is, stupid,” Taylor hissed, backhanding her sister’s arm.
“Nathan will be a good leader. He really cares about us.” Denver nodded with the absolute faith inherent to children. “He fought off the raiders.”
“He’ll do what’s best for us,” Taylor agreed. “Right, Albin?” She gave him a hopeful smile.
“Mm.” Throat tightening, he looked away.
“Albin, right?”
“Ah.” He rubbed his thumb over his upper lip, which suddenly itched, as he replied, “Certainly.” Then he stopped. He had just lied to children. He had violated a rule of the Conrad family. Why? For Mr. Serebus.
He is not simply using you, he is manipulating you, realization declared.
Surely not. Friends didn’t need to manipulate one another. They respected each other enough to ask and to discuss.
Can you trust what he says? doubt insinuated. Mr. Serebus attempted to murder Kenichi-san, yet said nothing to you regarding it. What else is he keeping from you?
“Ed’s people wanted to take over,” Denver commented to her sister. “It’s good he’s gone. It would be hard for Nathan to be the leader with him around.”
“That’s why the Communists and Nazis got rid of people who didn’t agree with them,” Taylor related.
How long had they been talking?
Denver screwed up her face. “He’s not a Nazi, stupid!”
“I know he’s not. And don’t call me stupid, dummy. We learned about all that in World History class this month. I was just saying it makes things easier.”
Albin stared across the street, but instead of houses, he saw grainy footage of the Soviet Union’s forces on parade. Red flags with hammer and sickle flapped. Then played clips of Nazis saluting their Fuhrer as he raved in front of the twisted cross on its crimson field. Red. Red like the bloody hand print Mr. Serebus insisted on leaving on his face during the first hellish night of the disaster.
Rubbing his temples and squeezing his eyes closed, Albin sighed. Depending on its trajectory, Mr. Serebus’s ambition would either save or damn the man and everyone near him.
“Ladies, I’m going inside. You should find your mother. Good day.” With that, he entered the house.
++++++++++++
Nathan closed the door behind him as he and Judge exited the house that had provided a vantage of Marlin Park. The ReMOT still showed gray, so in the meantime, he would have to keep forging ahead.
Beepbeeepbeep!
What the—His hand went to his belt, the source of the sound. The sat phone. The buyer, perhaps?
Beepbeeepbeep!
“Yes?”
“Nathan Serebus!” Voice modulated hid the speaker’s identity. “I’m thrilled you performed so well. I never doubted—”
“Who is this? What are you talking about?” Unease grew, like the feeling of looking over a cliff.
“And so humble, too. Then again, I suppose I do deserve a fraction of the credit, since I nudged the domino that started the Rube Goldberg machine. But after that, you played at expert level on this campaign. I told the twisted sister that you were in the area and that you were just dying to run her town for her.”
“Excuse me?” A wave of sick heat swept over Nathan, making acid burn in his stomach.
“You’re right: I wasn’t that direct. I simply mentioned that you are a fine leader and have practically no morals. Then I reminded her how Cheel thought you were a valuable resource and how others think you’re special.
“Further, I pointed out how her Devil Goats were raising Hell and eating the flowers. Literally, considering how they burned down little Victor’s house. She wasn’t too pleased about them losing half his collection, either. It should have been a cake-slice job, since she told them everything, right down to the hot sauce.”
Who the bloody, fucking—“To whom are you referring?”
“Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies.”
“Tell. Me.”
“What, don’t you want to play? Show some manners, especially after I didn’t hand you and your sheeple over to the Goats.” The speaker dropped into a stage whisper for the next sentence: “I said I didn’t want them tracking blood and fire into my house.
“I also think she had some outside—or would it be inside?—input about you. Whatever the case, you got the job!”
“If you don’t tell me who you are and what you’re talking about, I’m afraid your bragging has been a waste.”
“You’ll figure it out. In the meantime, enjoy being the King of the Fools. I look forward to continuing our game, Okami.”
Call ended.
Okami? Ken. Extremities nerveless, Nathan sagged back against the door. “He’s . . . been playing god this whole time. He was my benefactor?” Static buzzed in his ears as his vision blurred. Ken cooperated with the buyer, and by extension the group that had unleashed the cannibal plague.
And who was this “twisted sister” he referenced? No way to tell at the moment.
Something cold and wet pressed against Nathan’s hand. Judge. She cocked her head to regard him. Then she barked.
Brain functions jolting back to reality, Nathan stared at her. “We’ve derailed their plans twice so far. Judge, my people and I will conquer this city. Then I will offer the victory as a sacrifice to God.” He grinned, fierce and triumphant.
Chapter 110
Pride Goeth Before
In the End - Black Veil Brides
In the Musters’ kitchen, Albin continued to brood as the day trudged on. Now and then he would radio Amanda, Behrmann, Bridges, or the watchmen to request a status update. They reported that the authorities were departing. The chaos in the city was worsening, and their comrades required reinforcements.
Then came the slam of the back door. Drawing his weapon, Albin concealed himself around a corner in case a visitor with hostile intentions entered.
“Albin? Are you in here?” Mr. Serebus called.
Panting, Judge padded around the corner. She barked.
Albin holstered his pistol as he stepped away from the wall.
Mr. Serebus approached from the hall. “Albin.” Grinning, he closed the distance and caught his adviser in an embrace. Albin did not reciprocate.
“What’s the matter?” Recognizing the change, the dark man retreated a pace. “Albin, we won. I have the ReMOT, but Red—if he’s still alive—thinks it’s destroyed. The people are staying here, meaning they’ll be less
vulnerable. More importantly, we’ll have the human resources to develop the files. It’s a shame about Carolyn, but overall—”
“I require an explanation,” Albin interrupted, shoulders back and eyes narrowed.
“What are you talking about? You know what happened.” With a dismissive smile, Mr. Serebus moved to the kitchen.
“I know the outcome. However, I do not know why you decided to achieve it in that manner, or why you did not inform me of your true motives.”
Lowering his brows in confusion, Mr. Serebus turned to stare at him. “I thought that was obvious: The people wouldn’t listen to reason, so the manipulation had to be real—even to you. It was for their own good.”
“Since the day I met you, we have had an agreement that you will not lie to me. I am your adviser, not your pawn.”
“Albin, I honestly thought you understood.”
“Is that so?”
“I was going to explain when I had a moment.” He lifted his arms in a shrug.
Albin’s pulse rose, sending gouts of pain behind his eyes. “And what would that explanation be, precisely? Is it perhaps how you tried to murder Kenichi Oshiro and lost our best chance for security?”
Mr. Serebus went still, neither blinking nor breathing. “What I did, I did precisely for a chance at security.” Expression darkening, he pushed from the counter. “I am not going to share a roof with a man who toys with us and who almost cost us our lives.”
“Kenichi-san did not know the Goats would arrive. You, however, attempted to kill him.”
