No one could find a mule. Cecil looked at the sullen men and women who chose to follow Jake. “Push it out of here,” he ordered.
Pushing and sweating and cussing, a group of men got the pickup rolling while Jake lay in the back, shouting orders and profanity.
“You made an enemy, general,” Billy Bob said to Cecil.
“Yes, I know, sergeant. And I’m ashamed to say that I believe I did it deliberately.”
“Yes, sir.”
Cecil glanced at the sergeant. He couldn’t tell if the man was merely extending military courtesy or agreeing with him.
“You should have shot him, general,” Billy Bob said. “But I reckon you know that you’re gonna have to kill him someday.”
“Yes. I know that, too, sergeant.”
Just as Jake’s pickup truck rounded a corner, Cecil watched as the man lifted his right fist and extended his middle finger to him.
Quite unlike Cecil, he smiled and returned the gesture.
EIGHT
Denise stepped into Ben’s CP. “Ashley is on the radio, general. Says he wants to talk to you.”
“That was quick,” Ben said, looking up. “Must not take Ashley very long to look at a horseshoe.”
“Beg pardon, sir?”
Ben smiled and shook his head. “Old joke, Denise.” He stood up and motioned her out ahead of him. Together, they walked to the radio shack.
The young woman behind the maze of equipment handed Ben the mike. “He’s on the horn, sir.”
Ben pressed the key. “Ashley. What can I do for you?”
“You wanted to talk to me, Raines?” said the voice from out of the speaker. “Not the other way around. What’s on your mind?”
Ben listened to the voice. It was just vaguely familiar to him. But still he could not place it. “I’d like to put an end to the fighting, Ashley. How about you?”
“I’m listening, Raines.”
Was that a note of relief in Ashley’s voice? Ben thought so.
“Are you familiar with a Libyan named Khamsin?”
“I’ve heard the name. What about him?”
Ben took a deep breath, then keyed the mike. “We’re both in trouble if he gets a firmer toehold in American. Are you in agreement with that?”
Silence on the other end. Then Ashley said, “Yeah. I’ll agree with that.” What the hell was Raines getting at?
“I’ve got a proposition for you, Ashley. Give it some thought, if you will.”
“Lay it on me, Raines.”
“I’ll level with you, Ashley. I’ve got about three thousand troops with me. You’ve got just a bit less than that. So listen to me. How about us putting hostilities aside and head east, link up to fight this Libyan. How about it, Ashley?”
The offer was so totally unexpected, it caught Ashley completely off balance. He sat in stunned silence for a long moment. He was almost giddy from relief, but didn’t want to appear too anxious. Finally, he said, “You’re fucking serious!”
“Yes, I am, Ashley.”
“But I just tried to kill you, Raines! What kind of crap are you pulling?”
“No crap, Ashley. I’m on the level. Are you familiar with the old saying about politics making for strange bedfellows?”
“Yeah,” Ashley said slowly. “And the same could be said for war, right, Raines?”
“That’s about it.”
“And if I take you up on this offer? And we kick this Libyan’s ass. What then?”
“Ashley, I honestly don’t know. We’re going to have to talk about that.”
In his own radio room, the mike off, Ashley grunted, thinking: The son of a bitch is honest, if nothing else. He leaned back in his chair, his mind working hard. He knew Raines was totally correct about the Libyan. Crazy ex-terrorist had kicked ass all over the world before coming to the shattered land that was once called the United States of America.
And another thought came to Ashley’s mind: United we stand.
“Well,” he muttered, “it’s a way out of this box I’m in. I can always split the scene once out of here.”
He keyed the mike. “Raines? How do you know I won’t turn on you? Maybe join up with the Libyan?”
“I don’t.”
Ashley sighed, recalling his daddy’s words: A man who has no honor has nothing, son. Of course, Ashley remembered, his daddy underpaid the help and was a fucking crook. “Well, Raines,” he said, the mike open, “I wouldn’t do that. For the simple reason that I don’t trust that rag-head any more than I do you.”
“I understand.”
“And something else, Raines: You have to know that I hate your goddamned guts!”
“I think you’ve made that abundantly clear, Ashley.” His reply was very dry.
“And if I take you up on this deal, Raines, I don’t want to see your goddamned ugly face. Ever! I might just decide to hell with it and shoot you on the spot. Is that understood?”
“Perfectly clear, Ashley. But would you object to clearing up one little matter?”
Ashley laughed, knowing what was coming. “What is it, Raines?”
“Why do you hate me?”
Ashley chuckled. The son of a bitch really didn’t remember him. Good. “Don’t you just love a mystery, Raines. Let’s just say this: You whipped my ass once. But you’ll never do it again. Enough about that. We’ve got a problem with logistics.”
“We can work that out. You want me to take care of it?”
“Suits me.”
“How about your men, Ashley?”
“What about them?”
“Will they fight?”
Ashley paused for a moment. “All right, Raines. You seem to be leveling with me, so I’ll give it to you straight. First Battalion is commanded by Colonel West. They’re solid professional — all the way. That’s what he and his men do for a living. Fight other folk’s wars. Second Battalion is average. Third Battalion is the pits. That answers your question?”
“I appreciate your honesty, Ashley.”
“Fine. Just don’t put any of them into a position of having to take orders from some damned nigger.”
“I’ll certainly keep that in mind. I’ll be back in touch with you first thing in the morning. That all right with you?”
Another pause from Ashley. “Yeah. Fine. If I’m gone, Colonel West will be in charge.”
Ashley signed off.
Ben laid the mike aside and looked up at Denise.
“You’re a man of many surprises, general.”
“Not really,” Ben said with a smile. “There is always the chance that Khamsin’s men will kill Ashley. If that’s the case, then I won’t have to do it.”
She laughed aloud. “How about a devious man, general?”
“I’ve sure as hell been called worse.”
“It was a good move, Ben,” Ike said. “I didn’t even thing of doing anything like that.”
Ben smiled.
Tina looked at him curiously. “Why are you smiling, Dad?”
“He had no choice in the matter, people. He knew damn well he didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning this fight. All I did was give him an out.”
“And a chance to save face,” Dan added. “A fine move, general.”
“Don’t compliment him too much,” Dr. Chase said. “It’ll go to his head.”
When the laughter had died down, Ben said, “But I still don’t know who the man is. The voice is somewhat familiar. But I just can’t put a face to it.”
“You think this might all be a game to him, general?” Dan asked.
Ben shrugged. “I hope not. But he’ll damn sure find out when his troops face Khamsin that it’s not a very funny joke. If this Ashley actually leads his troops.”
Ike nodded his head in agreement. “Yeah. I’ve thought along those same lines, Ben.”
Dan said, “I’ve seen some of Ashley’s troops who were solid professional. Others that were good for no more than cannon fodder.”
“Does a
nybody have any additional information on this Ashley person?” Ben asked.
“About your height, Dad,” Tina said. “A bit heavier. Just about the same age.”
“Comes from the Deep South,” Chase said. “What kind of accent did you detect while speaking with him, Ben?”
“Louisiana or Mississippi, I’d guess.”
“Great fan of Patton,” Ike said. “But unlike Pat-ton, not a very good solider. From what we’re able to learn from questioning both civilians and captured troops, Ashley is pretty much of a showboat. Pearl-handled forty-fives, shiny helmet, riding britches . . . the whole nine yards. A very cruel man, from what I can gather.”
“Have to be cruel, or crazy, or both, to hook up with Big Louie and then plot to kill him. Right?” Ben stood up. “Have all hostilities ceased?”
“Not a shot being fired, Ben,” Ike said.
“Good.” Ben held up a piece of paper. “According to this communique I was just handed, a few minutes ago, Ashley has put Colonel West in charge. Now whether that means Ashley has pulled out, I don’t know. I’m to meet with Colonel West in Topeka in a few hours.” He glanced at Ike. “How did Buddy perform?”
“Top soldier, Ben. Very smart. Cautious, but not too. His grandfather must have been quite a soldier. He sure taught the boy some good moves.”
“How are the troops accepting him?”
“Fine and dandy, Ben. They all seem to like him and most look to him for orders.” Ike smiled and braced himself. He had a strong hunch what might be coming at him from Ben.
He was right.
Ben glanced sharply at his friend. “You give him any rank?”
“Nope. But he’s your son, Ben. You know damn well that a lot of Rebels — hell, most of them — are going to look at Buddy in a different light.”
Ben nodded his head. “Yeah. Okay. Sure, you’re right.” To Dan: “Have you observed him, Dan?”
“Yes, sir. He’s a natural leader and natural soldier. No matter what group he joins, they all seem to instinctively defer to him. He doesn’t ask for that; it just happens. You’ve got the same quality about you. He is quite fortunate that he inherited it. And from what I’ve been able to hear and observe, he conducts himself admirably.”
“Quite a glowing recommendation, Dan,” Ben said, his tone very, very dry.
“Thank you, sir,” the transplanted Englishman said with a straight face. “I thought it read well myself.”
Ben glared at him. It bounced right off of Dan.
“Buddy will damn well earn any rank,” Ben said. “Just like anybody else.”
“Oh, quite right, general,” Dan said.
“Pip, pip, and all that,” Ike said.
Ben took a step toward Ike, and Tina stepped between them. “Dad, the Rebels are putting the leadership role on Buddy. He isn’t asking for it. It’s like Dan said; he is a natural. And a lot of Rebels want to follow him.”
“And? So?” Ben demanded, considerable heat in his voice.
“Aw, shit, Ben!” Ike flared. “The kid deserves a team. He’s that good. Buddy is as good as any soldier I’ve ever seen. Even as good as a lot of Seals,” he added, a wicked glint in his eyes.
Dr. Chase laughed and rubbed his hands together. “This is going to get good here any minute.”
Ben ignored the doctor. “If I decide to give Buddy any rank, Ike, that will be solely my decision to make.”
Dan backed up, pulling Tina back with him, getting them both out of the way.
“American special troops can be quite boorish,” he said to her. “Don’t you know?”
“Oh, quite,” she said, grinning. She knew that Ben and Ike occasionally had to clear the air between them. But they both knew the other’s capabilities when it came to gutter fighting, and no blows had ever been landed.
Yet.
“That’s your ass, Ben.” Ike stood his ground. “That would be solely my decision to make.”
“What the hell do you mean?” Ben roared.
“You assigned Buddy to me, oh great supreme commander, General Poo-bah! And if I decide to give him a team, that is my decision to make. And it’s already done been decided. I gave him a recon team this morning and told him to have at it.”
“Without consulting me!” Ben yelled.
“I don’t need to consult you!” Ike returned the yell. “I give folks grade all the goddamn time.”
“Well, Buddy is not just anybody! Or have you forgotten that?”
“No, I ain’t forgot jack-shit! I don’t give a good goddamn if he’s your son or the great-great grandson of Cochise. If he can do the job, that’s all that counts.”
Dan, Tina, and Dr. Chase stood smiling. They’d seen this little drama unfold many times in the past. Denise sat on a camp stool and remained very still, not knowing what to make of all this shouting between the generals.
“I’m surprised you didn’t give the kid a fucking division, General McGowan!”
“Well, by God, General Raines, I just might do that someday. Thanks for the suggestion. But for the time being, I gave him a platoon to ramrod, and he’s doin’ a damn fine job of it, too. Now if you don’t like it, shove it up your tush!”
Chase burst out laughing.
Both Ike and Ben gave the doctor hard looks.
Dr. Chase said, “Both of you are behaving like children.”
“Who the hell asked you!” Ike yelled, beating Ben to the words.
“I think a cup of tea would be nice right about now,” Dan suggested.
“You know what you can do with your tea?” Ike told him.
“Drink it, perferably,” Dan replied.
“That ain’t exactly what I had in mind,” Ike told him.
“All right!” Chase put an end to the bickering. He glared first at Ben, then at Ike. “I’ve a good mind to exercise my authority as chief medical officer and relieve both of you of command and put your asses in the hospital for observation. And you both, by God, know that I can and will do just that.”
“That might not be a bad idea, doctor,” Tina said, smiling. “They are showing signs of stress, wouldn’t you agree?”
“What the hell do I have going here?” Ben said. “A revolt?”
Denise stood up. “May I please say something?”
Everybody looked at her. She had sat so quietly, they had forgotten she was among them.
“A voice of reason would certainly be welcome here,” Dr. Chase said.
“Of course, you may say something, my dear,” Dan told her. “But don’t be too alarmed. They’ve been doing this for years.”
“Well,” Denise said. “It seems to me that you, General Raines, are concerned more with saving face than you are the welfare of your son. It might reflect badly on you if Buddy should fail in his leadership role. And you, General McGowan, should have informed General Raines of what you planned to do. As for Buddy, I thought that field promotions went on all the time, in any army. That’s all I have to say. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to make some preparations for the trip to Topeka. Thank you for allowing me to speak.” She turned and walked outside.
Chase jerked a thumb toward the departing Denise. “I like her. Nothing like a bit of reason amid chaos.” He turned and followed Denise outside.
“Come, my dear.” Dan took Tina’s arm. He looked at Ben and Ike. “Ta-ta, all!” he said cheerfully.
Ben rode in an open Jeep up the Kansas Turnpike toward Topeka, Denise driving. Out of pure spite, Ike had assigned Buddy and his team as point for Ben.
Ben pointed at the Jeep a few hundred yards ahead of them on the cracked old turnpike. “Doesn’t that boy know how to wear a beret?” he bitched, referring to Buddy’s headgear: a dark red bandana. He looked at Denise. “What’s so damn funny?” he asked, noting her smile.
“You. You act like a big ol’ bear with a sore paw. You’re so proud of Buddy you’re about to bust. But the only way you can show it is to sull up and act ticky.”
“Ticky? I am behaving ticky?”
“Uh-huh.”
Ben grunted.
She laughed aloud.
Ben smiled, his mood lifting. “Ike and I have to clear the air every now and then, Denise. Don’t worry about us. I just don’t want Buddy to fall flat on his face, that’s all.”
“I think, Ben, that if Buddy gets in over his head, he’s the type who will admit it and call for help.”
“Yeah, I think so, too. He is a good-looking kid, isn’t he?”
Her laughter rang out in the open air of late summer. “Yes, Daddy.”
“General Raines,” the man said, holding out his hand. “I’m Colonel West.”
Ben shook the offered hand. He inspected the man. In his late forties, Ben guessed. Stocky and appearing in good physical shape. Very competent looking. “Might as well get right to the point, colonel. Clear the air.”
The legendary Ben Raines, West thought. Big mean-looking bastard. Be interesting serving under him. “Yes, sir. I expect there will be some changes made.”
“A few, for sure. But nothing you can’t work with. Where is Ashley?”
“Pulled out, sir. Left last night. Took his personal company with him.” He did not say he was glad to see the pompous bastard leave.
Ben smiled. “Ashley appears to be a very elusive type.”
“And he hates your guts, general,” West told him bluntly.
“For reasons I have yet to fully understand. How about you, colonel?”
“How do I feel about you?”
“Yes. Let’s be perfectly honest with each other. Our lives might well depend on it.”
“All right. Let’s put it this way, General Raines. I don’t like niggers, I don’t like spies, I don’t like Jews, I don’t like Indians. I think white people are the superior race; all others are inferior. But I’m smart enough to know that there are exceptions to every rule. And I have respect for those exceptions.”
“Gen. Cecil Jefferys?”
“One of those exceptions I mentioned. I have the utmost respect for him. I would certainly take his orders.”
“That’s good to know. You probably will be taking orders from him. Go on, colonel.”
“I don’t believe that inferiors should be mistreated.”
Smoke from the Ashes Page 17
