The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  CHAPTER THREE

  Beginnings, Montana

  The last little bit of smoke came out loudly. Frank tossed his cigarette and brought the microphone of his headset closer to his mouth. He leaned with his back against the armory building and looked around the bend while he whispered instructions. “All units. This is to be treated as a code 7. But, uh, let’s make it code 7B because it’s an inside job. If you see him, grab him, secure him, and get me. Four free work hours to the man that apprehends him first. Double time, gentlemen.” Frank turned the bend of the building and headed toward center town. Just as he was about to lower the headset microphone away from his lips, Frank stopped and smiled. “Oh yeah. Looks like I’m getting the time off. Ha!” He darted out into view quickly. “Oh. Hey, Dean!”

  Dean stopped in his entrance to the Library. He looked back and saw Frank barreling full speed his way. “Shit.”

  Frank laughed and began his pursuit as Dean took off running.

  ^^^^

  Quantico Marine Headquarters

  George slept in a hospital bed. Steward, his right hand man, stayed by his side. With his left hand crippled and distorted, George looked like a stroke victim only worse. His face was pale and one side was drawn. It seemed as though whatever was given to him affected only one side. The last time he spoke, hours before, his speech was starting to go.

  “We’re in luck.” Dr. Walker, one of George’s veterinary biologists, came into the hospital room.

  “You found something.” Steward smiled in relief.

  “In Binghamton we gathered up everything we thought Dr. Hayes used to create the virus.” Dr. Walker said. “I’m still new in this division so please be patient. You guys tossed me over to . . .”

  “Get on with it.”

  “The scientists that were working up there have arrived. We think we may know the combination.”

  “Yes.” Steward closed his eyes. “Can you help him?”

  “We believe in a few days we’ll at least be able to stop the progress and, hopefully with more work, reverse it. He’s gonna pull through.”

  “How much damage is done though?”

  Dr. Walker shrugged. “It’s hard to tell. His mind didn’t deteriorate and that’s really is what we need, right?”

  “You’re right.”

  “So we’ll keep him in the induced coma until we come up with the anti-serum.”

  “Thank you.” Steward nodded. “Keep me posted.”

  “Without a doubt.” Dr. Walker, lanky, thin and older, nodded and stepped out of the room.

  Steward looked at George in the bed. “A few more days.” He picked up the phone from the night stand and dialed. He waited through the rings. “Hey, it’s Steward. Yes. Good news, Johnny. We’re making progress with George.”

  ^^^^

  Johnny tapped the phone to his chin. His peaceful smile was apparent.

  “Well?” Bev asked, almost impatiently, with her arms folded.

  Widening his eyes first, Johnny set the phone down on the end table in his living room. “They think they’re gonna be able to reverse it. They’ll at least be able to stop it.”

  Bev’s head dropped forward. Her short dark hair flung in her face. “There’s hope.”

  “Yeah. Fuckin Dean and his virus shit. I couldn’t get out of him what he gave him. He said he didn’t remember what he mixed together. Good thing they only had so much in Binghamton or George would have died. I know it. I know what he makes.” Johnny looked at his watch. “I’d better go. Try to stay away from me. You hanging around me is only gonna breed suspicion I don’t want. Not now, especially with all that’s gonna start to happen.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ll make sure we aren’t seen together.”

  Johnny shook his head. “Good. I’m sorry for snapping. It’s just that this pisses me off,” he stated with anger. “You know, I used to like Dean.” He moved to the door. “But after this, I hate him.”

  “It makes it all worth it.”

  “Yeah, I was feeling bad at first, but now all I can say is excellent timing and good job, Bev.”

  Bev smiled. “Thanks. Should I wait here?”

  “No. I’ll get it to you. There’s nothing we can do with it until the program gets dropped off and that can’t be until Leo is on tracking watch. God, I hope Steward doesn’t screw this up with the timing.”

  “He doesn’t want to do it while Daddy is in the coma anyhow.”

  “Well George would want us to move ahead. We’ve wasted so much time.”

  “But this is gonna take even more time.”

  “Yeah,” Johnny smiled. “But no more time than if we waited for George to get all better and it’s a sure fire way to bring the distraction we need. Distraction will be our key to finding out everything without anyone noticing. When we know all we can and get what we have to get . . .”

  “We can get out of Beginnings.”

  “You better believe it. Every day here is like a prison sentence to me.” Johnny opened his door. “Now let’s just hope I followed the instructions right and I didn’t screw something up over there.”

  “Johnny.” Bev grabbed his arm. “This will work, right?”

  Johnny closed his door. “How can it not? The ball is literally in our court and once we start it rolling . . .”

  “But it’s so simple . . .”

  “Yes, but maybe simplicity is what we need. It’s been in our hands. We just didn’t know how to use it. Besides, when you look at all we have to do, is it really that simple?”

  Bev only tilted her head in a ‘guess not’ manner.

  “See. I’m out of here. Wait a few minutes then leave.” Johnny opened his door, looked around, and stepped out. He pulled the door closed and turned in the direction of the modular home living section.

  ^^^^

  “Looking at your skills . . .” Henry flipped through the clipboard as he sat with Richie in Ellen and Dean’s home. “Joe wants to put you, starting tomorrow, in building of the new barracks.”

  “Construction?” Richie asked.

  “That’s what you did before the world ended.”

  “Yeah, but Henry. I hate it.”

  “In Beginnings you do what your skills dictate. We utilize you where we need you. With the community growing, we need you in construction.”

  “Don’t you have anything intellectual listed that I can do?” Richie reached forward and grabbed for the clipboard.

  Henry snatched the clipboard back. “Richie, please. This is mine.”

  Richie raised one eyebrow. “Can’t I be a Frank soldier?”

  “No.”

  “Why?”

  “Frank didn’t say he needed you. You can ask if you can be on reserves.”

  “You know, Henry, I don’t know if I’m mentally capable of working yet. Andrea said I should wait until the adjustments over.”

  “We can send you to Containment full time instead of only being there when you aren’t working.”

  “You mean stay in there with all those crazy people?”

  “Yeah.”

  “No.” Richie shook his head. “I can’t believe my sister is making me stay there anyhow.”

  “Your sister is following the rules. She got you out today, didn’t she?”

  “To babysit.”

  “It’s better than Containment. Now back to your work . . .”

  “What if I just take a desk job somewhere . . .”

  “Richie?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re lazy, aren’t you?”

  “Very much so, yes,” Richie nodded.

  “Swell.” Just as Henry was dreading another Robbie Slagel, he turned when the door opened.

  Johnny slowed his walk into the house. He didn’t hide his shock of seeing Henry and Richie. “Hey uh . . . what are you guys doing here?”

  Henry thought the same thing. “I came to talk to Richie. He’s watching the baby. What are you . . .”

  “I’m here to see my dad.” Johnny shut
the door and called out. “Dad, I’m . . .”

  “Your Dad is working,” Henry stated then looked at Richie. “Actually he’s on a Dean hunt, which isn’t very nice.”

  Johnny tossed his hands up. “Oh wow. I thought he’d be getting settled. Shit. I really wanted to spend time with him.”

  “He’ll be home soon,” Henry told him. “Stop by later. I’m sure he wants to spend time with you.”

  Johnny hesitated. There was an awkward silence he didn’t like. Bouncing from heel to toe, he pointed to the hall that led to the bedrooms. “Is Nick in bed?”

  “Yes, thank God,” Richie answered and quickly shifted his eyes to Henry. “I mean, unfortunately, yes.”

  Henry shook his head and held up his hand. “No need to cover that remark. I know Nick is tough.”

  “Can I go see him?” Johnny asked. “I haven’t seen him. I promise not to wake him.”

  “Sure.” Henry answered. “But if you wake him . . .”

  “I’ll handle him.” Johnny smiled. “Thanks.” He walked across the living room and into the hall. He slowed down his walk until he heard Henry and Richie slip into some conversation about construction then walked on. He paused by Nick’s room, looked in, and then looked back down the hall. When he saw all was clear and no one coming, Johnny walked a little further, slipped into Dean and Ellen’s bedroom, and shut the door slightly.

  ^^^^

  Frank only laughed. His laughter echoed in the tunnels.

  “Frank!” Dean screamed out. “You’re an asshole.”

  “You’re lucky I’m not carrying you.”

  “Oh, yeah, I’m really lucky.” Dean squirmed and fought. His arms were tied tightly to his sides and a rope was attached around his neck as Frank led him to the cryo-lab.

  “Any means I deem necessary.”

  “I would have come on my own.”

  “Like you were.”

  “Oh wait, Frank. Just wait until I kill you.”

  “Dean.” Frank spun around. “Little man threats do not scare me.”

  “And to think I risked my life to bring you home.”

  “Dean, move faster or I’ll tug.”

  “What do you mean tug?”

  Frank yanked the rope and Dean flew forward. It took everything he had not to fall.

  “I hate you.”

  “You married Ellen.”

  “Is that why you’re doing this?”

  “No. I’m doing this under orders of my father.” Frank stopped at the cryo-lab. “Hey Dean, look.” Frank punched in the code as he sang in a childish manner. “You’re in trouble. You’re in trouble.” The cryo-lab door buzzed and Frank pulled Dean in. “Got him.”

  “Christ.” Joe stood up. “You got the man tied up.”

  “Yeah. So?” Frank said. “Here.” He handed Joe the end of the rope. “Hold on in case he tries to leave.” As he walked by Dean, Frank rubbed his hair and messed it up. “Bye, Dean. I’ll uh . . . see you at home.”

  “I hate you, Frank.” Dean snapped. “Just you wait. You’re a dead man.”

  “Dean.” Frank stopped in his leaving. “You don’t have it in you, fake or not.”

  “Bet me.”

  “That you can’t kill me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Is this on the lines of what we decided in Colorado?” Frank asked.

  Dean took a moment, “Where?”

  “Colorado.”

  “We haven’t been to Colorado in over a year.”

  “Dean, we just got back.” Frank stated.

  “Frank, you asshole. We were in Alabama.”

  “Oh, O.K.”

  “Then yes,” Dean nodded.

  “Yes what?”

  “On the same lines,” Dean stated.

  “As what?”

  “As what we decided.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” Frank was lost.

  “Frank!” Dean yelled. “God, are you dumb sometimes.”

  “If . . . .” Danny held up his hand, inched closer to Dean, and lowered his voice. “If I may? Joe has been looking for you and he doesn’t look happy. You are arguing with Frank while you’re all tied up like a baby calf.” Danny nodded. “I’d watch who’s calling who dumb right now at this moment.”

  “Yeah,” Frank added. “I like you, Danny. Bye, Dean.”

  Joe, huffing, stood up and started to untie Dean. “Frank, don’t go too far.”

  “From where?”

  “Here,” Joe said as he slipped the first knot out of the rope.

  “From here, here? Or here in Beginnings?”

  “Here!” Joe said.

  “You want me to wait outside the door?”

  “No. I just don’t want you to go too far.”

  “Are you afraid Dean is going to get rough?” Frank asked. “Because Dad, he’s . . .”

  “Frank.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Get the hell out,” Joe snapped, perturbed.

  “Do you still not want me to go too far?”

  “Go!” Joe pointed.

  “Fuck,” Frank huffed out and headed to the door. “Yell at me. I just got home. You tell me one thing and get mad after I try to clarify it.” He opened the door and left.

  Joe took a calming breath. “Now . . .”

  “Joe.” Dean dropped the rest of the ropes from his body. “I know what you’re gonna say.”

  “You do, do you?” Joe said.

  “Yes.” Dean nervously straightened his hair that Frank messed up. “It’s not cruelty to animals at all, Joe. They’re hybrids. And they died. Had they lived I would have treated them well. I know it doesn’t seem like it has any scientific merit what so ever, but genetically it . . .”

  “Dean.” Joe stopped him.

  “Yeah?”

  “This isn’t about hybrids.”

  “It’s not?” Dean was puzzled then quickly shifted his eyes to a snickering Danny.

  “Sorry.” Danny held up his hand and stepped back.

  “It’s not,” Joe said calmly.

  “Oh.” Dean let out a breath. “Here I thought you were gonna go off about how sick it was. I wouldn’t have run, I mean, I would have come right down here.”

  “Is that so?” Eerily calm, Joe stepped to Dean. “Well Dr. Dean Hayes, I’m not here to discuss how sick those hybrids are.” Closer Joe moved to him, his voice soft until he reached an inch from Dean’s face and then Joe . . . yelled. “I’m here to find out what the hell you’re doing with my dead grandson frozen in freezer case!”

  “Oh shit.”

  “Oh shit?” Joe raised his eyebrows and stepped back, ignoring Danny who seemed to be enjoying it. “Oh shit, you say. Well I have one question for you, Dean.”

  Dean could feel his heart pounding in his chest. “Yeah Joe?”

  “Does my daughter know about this?”

  Being happily married for a long time was the first thought that crossed Dean’s mind. Slowly, while trying to hide it, he took a deep breath. “No, Joe.” Dean pulled a stool and sat down. “Absolutely not.”

  Ellen’s shrieks rang out loud and shrill in the lab. She spun to Dean. “You told him!”

  Dean hunched. “El, I . . .”

  “So you know.” Joe stepped to her.

  Ellen quickly shifted her eyes to Dean.

  “I told him you didn’t know,” Dean said.

  “I didn’t, Joe. I didn’t know until this very . . .”

  “Oh knock it off.” Joe stopped her before she could start rambling. “Sit down!”

  Ellen sat.

  “Now.” In frustration, Joe ran his hand over his head. “Do you two mad scientist have any idea how sick this is?”

  “Joe,” Ellen spoke up softly. “In the name of science . . .”

  “In the name of science my ass!” Joe yelled. “What the hell were you two thinking? I turn my head from your antics down here, but this, this, this . . . this surpasses any immoral boundaries that even Doctor Frankenstein crossed.”


  Ellen snickered.

  “What?” Joe asked her. “You think this is funny?”

  “I’m sorry. It’s just that don’t you think you may be overreacting?”

  Joe saw so much red that he couldn’t even speak. “I . . . . I don’t even know what to do, but I’ll tell you what. Frank needs to know about this.” Joe picked up his radio. “Frank.” He called into it.

  The cryo-door opened and Frank walked in. “Yeah.”

  Joe tossed his hand up. “Were you waiting out there?”

  “Yeah. You said not to go far. Hey, El. So is Dean in all kinds of trouble? Are you kicking him out, Dad?” Frank gloated.

  “If I kick Dean out, Ellen goes also.”

  “What the fuck did you make her do!” Frank yelled at Dean.

  Dean flipped him off.

  “Frank.” Joe’s voice softened. “There’s . . . . there’s something you need to know. I . . . . I don’t even know how to tell you this.”

  “What?”

  Joe looked to Danny. “Danny, could you?”

  “Oh sure.” Danny waved his hand to Frank and led him to the back room.

  Frank looked back in wonder as he followed Danny.

  In the silence, Joe looked at Dean and Ellen. “I don’t know how he’s gonna handle this. I wouldn’t want to be you . . .”

  “No!” Frank’s voice cried out.

  “See?” Joe held out his hand. “Do you see?”

  “Oh my God!” Frank stumbled emotionally as he came from the back.

  “Frank . . .” Joe moved to him.

  With a quick action, Frank shot up his hand and halted his father. He flung himself into the lab counter. “What have they done? What in God’s name have they done? Why? Why?”

  Dean took one breath and his face turned red. “Frank! Knock it off. You were as much a part of this as we were.”

  Frank lifted up suddenly and spun around. “You lie!”

  “Oh bullshit.” Dean slid off the stool. “If we go down, so do you.”