The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Frank said George was given that virus Dean made.”

  Dean shook his head. “I don’t know if it worked or not.”

  “Still.” Henry nodded “Frank says George is dead. I understand finding out who worked for him . . .”

  “Henry,” Joe interrupted, “even if Frank is right and George is dead, the Caceres Society is not. They may not be as big of a threat. Hell, they may not want us anymore. But . . . the Society still exists.”

  “Sorry.” Henry lowered down in his chair. “I just feel bad about the Andrea part.”

  “I do too and Reverend Bob also. I like Rev. Bob. But still . . . Robbie . . . Robbie’s gathered up some interesting information while learning to be a . . . .” Joe paused to snicker. “Ministry assistant.”

  Robbie made a scoffing face. “Dad, I did really well. I passed his tests on church laws and . . . . did I not read to the congregation?” Robbie nodded.

  “Badly.” Joe passed out folders to Dean and Henry and opened one for himself. “Take a look. This is info Robbie gathered and copied as evidence. Good job, Robbie. In here is a copy of Reverend Bob’s yearbook page and a copy of his original ordination.” Joe shuffled through the stack. “There is a statement from Forrest Caceres, a copy of the agenda from the Caceres Society meeting on population control, and tracking of incoming phone calls. He gets many. Dean’s statement that the blood found on the floor of the cryo-lab by the broken in freezer matched the Reverend Bob’s blood type and there is a statement that his hand was also sliced.”

  Dean held up his hand. “Joe, that is substantiated evidence. The sample was contaminated and I was unable to obtain a clean DNA. Thirty-six other people have . . .”

  “Dean, this isn’t a court of law, but thanks.”

  Dean nodded. “O.K. So then why the evidence?”

  “I feel, and I want to ask your opinion, gentlemen, that it’s enough to bring Rev. Bob in and question him. We’ll do that tomorrow when Frank’s here. He gets answers out of people. That way . . .” Joe held up the folder. “We have back up for the meeting tomorrow should anyone question our actions.” Joe raised an eyebrow. “Agreed?”

  They all agreed.

  “One more thing.” Joe closed the folder. “There’s another reason I want to wait until tomorrow. Henry . . . he’s been gathering a folder, just like this, on my wife.” Joe closed his eyes. “I would like to speak to her alone before we bring her in as well.”

  Robbie slouched in his chair. “I can’t believe you’d even suspect Andrea.”

  “She’s a viable suspect.” Joe tossed up his hands. “Henry’s reluctantly gathered evidence.”

  “And I didn’t even try,” Henry defended. “I did, but I didn’t.” He shrugged. “I feel bad.”

  “I do too,” Joe said sadly. “That’s why I want to face her with it alone tonight unless you boys have a problem with it.” He watched them shake their heads. “Good.” Joe leaned back. “Then tomorrow, we start to end this person’s ‘I spy for the Society’ reign.. I feel a closure coming, gentlemen,” Joe stated with confidence. “Real soon.”

  ^^^^

  “Let’s just hope it’s not worse than we expect . . .” Joe’s voice came through the tiny speaker set up next to a transmitter on a table in a food pantry. A hiss of static accompanied Joe’s voice and Johnny, smiling, turned it off. He looked down to his notes with a smile, tapped the small notepad on his hand, and stood up. Stepping away from the small table, Johnny pulled a shelf from his right. It closed like a door, blocking out the view of the table and radio transmitter. Placing the notepad in his chest pocket, Johnny, feeling pleased, left his little pantry.

  Bowman, North Dakota

  It was supposed to be payback day for Frank. Hal planned on that the second he start inadvertently insulting everything Hal did. Hal knew Frank didn’t do it on purpose. Frank just wasn’t smart enough to think of insults that bad on his own. Hal would get him back. He was already working on it. Nothing mean, nothing big, just adult replicas of what Hal used to so much enjoy doing to Frank in their youth. He kept checking his watch, telling himself that soon Elliott would be done with his training and Ellen would be done with her clinic work. Just about the time that those two end and start hopefully doing something together, Hal would be done with his tour with Frank. He wasn’t trying to start trouble. Well, maybe he was, but in a clean way. He wanted to drive Frank just about as nuts as Frank was driving him.

  Despite his personal irk Frank vendetta urge that seemed to seep forefront as if Hal were a teenager again, there truly was one thing Hal looked forward to doing with Frank.

  “Oh, yeah,” Frank grinned and spoke in his husky manner. With his hands on his hips, he stared at the big white house. “The House of Lesbians.” He looked over to Hal. “What exactly are you wanting me to do?”

  “Well, Frank, these ladies are not very nice . . .” He paused while Frank fluttered his lips. “They won’t listen to us when we tell them about the move in two weeks. The house isn’t even ready.”

  “You guys are afraid of them.”

  “Wait until you meet them.”

  “Ha, I’ll handle them.” Frank clomped up on the steps in his combat boots. He knocked on the screen door. “Are they home?”

  “They don’t leave unless we clear the street.”

  “Of what?”

  “Us.”

  “Why?”

  “They don’t trust us.”

  “Of course not. They’re lesbians.” Frank reached to knock again. “Wait. These women have been without men. You don’t think they’re gonna rape me when they see me?”

  “Frank.”

  Frank knocked again. The door opened slightly and Grace popped her head through the crack. Frank jolted back. “Hey.”

  “We aren’t expecting you,” Grace stated.

  “No one ever is. I need to come in.”

  “You need to learn manners.”

  “And your point?” Frank asked. “Now correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the Captain here run the town.”

  “Well yes, but . . .”

  “Step aside. Gergerace.” Frank opened the screen door and reached for the door.

  Hal was impressed “Frank, how did you know that was her?”

  “Hal, you described her to the tee.” Frank pushed on the door. It wouldn’t budge. “Lady.”

  Grace held it tightly with her foot. “Captain, we don’t appreciate the intrusion, especially by a man.”

  “Here’s the deal,” Frank stated. “Now you either open the fuckin door and let me in to explain this move you women are ignoring or . . . they leave you here.”

  “This is my brother,” Hal said. “He’s from Beginnings.”

  “He’s your brother?” Grace cased Frank. “He’s so barbaric.”

  Frank rolled his eyes. “I don’t have time for this. Open the fuckin door, lady.”

  Grace huffed, but she obliged.

  The second Frank stepped inside, he and Hal both sneezed. A nasal weakness for perfume was a Slagel trait

  “Ger . . . Ger . . . ace.” Hal swallowed. “If you could please gather the women.”

  “They’ll be frightened,” Grace stated.

  “Please.”

  Grace walked out and Frank sneezed again. He sniffed loudly. “Fuck. What’s with the perfume? Who are they gonna impress? They’re lesbians.” As he stood in the foyer, Frank watched the women come down the steps. They wore long nightgown and thick robes tied tightly around the waist. Frank looked at his watch. “It’s two o’clock in the afternoon, Hal. Don’t they get dressed? No wonder they never leave the house. Oh look, old magazines.’ Frank pointed to a table and walked to the magazines.

  Grace brought her women into the living room the stepped into the foyer. “Mr. Slagel.” She didn’t get a response from Frank. “Mr. Slagel. Mr. Slagel!” she screamed.

  Slowly Frank turned around. “Is she talking to me? I’m not Mr. Slagel. My dad is. Wait, I am Mr. Slagel. Sorry. What?�
�

  Grace paused. “Um . . . we’re ready.”

  “For?” Frank asked.

  “You wanted to speak to them.”

  “Oh, yeah.” He followed her into the living room. The women sat huddled together. They looked almost frightened. Frank clapped his hands together once. “All right. I’m Frank. Get used to me because you’ll be seeing me a lot. My brother . . .” He pointed to Hal. “Tells me that you aren’t ready to move. Well, you are moving in two weeks and you’d better be ready. So pack it up ladies.”

  “Captain Slagel,” Grace spoke up. “Will you at least send men to do the work for us?”

  “Yes,” Hal answered.

  “No,” Frank stated.

  “No?” Hal questioned.

  “No.” Frank shook his head. “Absolutely not.” He looked at Grace at the same time Hal hid his smile. “No. Do it yourself. They’ll get you boxes. There’s what? Twelve of you? Ha. You pack. The men are busy. They’re protecting you and packing up the city.”

  “We don’t have to listen to you,” Grace barked.

  “No.” Frank shook his head. “Probably not, unless it is a security issue, then you listen. But . . . see, Bowman grows food and has it stocked but . . . they grow every day. One, two, a few here and there. They don’t have enough food. The soldiers, they don’t eat so you women can gain weight. And let’s face it. You’re all pretty healthy looking.” Frank nodded. “Now, in Beginnings, man, we have plenty and Bowman is going to work for it. For the protection, supplies, and a better way of life, Bowman is joining Beginnings. And here’s the kicker. You’ll like this. You may only listen to Hal here, but Hal, in two weeks time, has to listen to Beginnings. You will live under Beginnings rule so you might as well start now. Pack it up.” He looked to Hal. “Good?”

  Hal shrugged. “Sounded good to me.”

  “Good.” Frank nodded. “Now let’s get out. The fuckin perfume is giving me a headache.” Frank began to leave the room.

  “Mr. Slagel,” Grace called out.

  Frank turned around this time. “Yes.”

  “Even if you insist on being so crass and obstinate, must you use the foul language as well?”

  “Yes, I must.” Frank nodded again, twitched his head to Hal and both of them left the house.

  Grace, totally flustered, turned to face her women and heard the sobs begin. “No. No. Don’t worry. I assure you, most men in Beginnings are not like that.” She looked back. “Let’s hope.”

  ^^^^

  “Our supplies are nearly packed up.” Blue, the Bowman doctor, told Ellen in the examining room. “I’m leaving out only what I feel we may need. The Captain has told me of no unseen raids so I’ve no injuries to prepare for.” His eyes shifted to the door.

  “Good.” Ellen closed the last file. “You know, I want to get you used to our clinic in Beginnings and have you work there every once in a while to break your monotony.”

  “I’d . . . .” Blue shifted his eyes to the door again. “I’d like that. I’m sorry you were so busy today.”

  “I hope your feeling weren’t hurt.”

  “Nah.” Blue shook his head. “I understand the two women wanting you to look at them, and I know the men really didn’t want a second opinion from you. It’s because . . .” Blue looked to the door. “It’s because you’re a . . . .”

  “Woman?” Ellen finished his sentence then turned around to see where Blue’s eyes were fixed.

  “Sgt. Ryder?” Blue called out. “Is there something you wanted?”

  Nervously and with an embarrassed look, Elliott stepped inside. “I. . . . I wanted to speak to . . . . Dr. Hayes.”

  Ellen smiled. “Is something wrong?”

  “No. I mean, yes. Yes.” Elliott nodded.

  Blue looked at Ellen. “You need me to stay?”

  “No, we’re buddies.” She winked at Elliott. “I’ll be fine.” Ellen waited until Blue left and she patted the examining table. “Hop on up.”

  Elliott did.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “I . . .” Elliott cleared his throat. “I . . .” Again he cleared his throat.

  “Is your throat sore?” Ellen stepped to him and felt his neck and glands. “I don’t feel anything swollen.

  Elliott coughed. “I have this tickle.” He coughed again.

  “Let me take a listen.” Ellen grabbed her stethoscope. “Take off your shirt.”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “I . . . I can’t.”

  “Is there something wrong?”

  “No.” Elliott shook his head.

  “I mean, if there’s a scar or something, trust me, I’ve seen it all. We have a man in Beginnings with half a face, you know.”

  “No, that’s not it. It just wouldn’t be appropriate.”

  Ellen laughed. “I’m a doctor, sort of. Yeah. Take off your shirt.”

  “Dr. Hayes . . .”

  “Ellen.”

  “Ellen. I’m very sorry. I’m not sick. I was not honest.”

  Ellen folded her arms and titled her head. “What’s wrong then?”

  “I was just wondering . . . I was . . . . have you read any of the book I sent you?”

  “Oh, yeah, about half. It’s very good and I don’t read.”

  “Good.” Elliott smiled. “Can we talk about it?”

  “The Brady Bunch?”

  “Oh.” Elliott grunted in frustration. “I apologize again. I’m coming off . . . stupid.” He slid off the table. “Thank you for your time.”

  “Elliott? What’s wrong?”

  “I just wanted, please don’t yell. I wanted to know if I could have a conversation with you. Just talk to you. I’m being pushy.”

  Ellen laughed. “No. You wanna just hang out and talk.”

  Elliott sighed in relief. “Yes. Could we? I really enjoyed when we spoke in Beginnings. It was different for me and I was hoping this time we could speak about things that had nothing to do with what’s going on.”

  “For instance, the Brady Bunch?”

  “If you’d like? Or the weather as well.”

  “Just idle conversation.”

  Elliott snapped his fingers. “That’s it.”

  “Sure.”

  “Really?”

  “I’m done. I just have to clean up.”

  “I’ll let you do that then.” Elliott backed up. “I’m going to go change. I’m still dirty from training.” He moved to the door. “Ellen, thank you. This is a gift and I don’t think you realize it. Thank you.”

  “You don’t have to thank me, Elliott. Really. When you get used to being around Beginnings, there are lots of women and people in general that will stop and have idle conversation with you as well.”

  “I look forward to it. I’ll be back.” Elliott knocked his hand once off the door frame, smiled and darted out.

  Ellen snickered and, shaking her head, she turned back around to her work.

  Quantico Marine Headquarters

  George held the phone as best as he could. “Just . . . just follow through.” He coughed. “We’ll contact . . . . Bob tonight. Get the others . . . prepared Johnny. We’ll handle it.” George nodded. “I feel good be . . . because the heat . . . will be off . . . of you.” George twitched his head to Steward and then to the phone.

  Steward retrieved it. “Johnny, he’s not worried so neither should you be. Keep your mind on what you need to have it on.” He winked at George when he saw he was saying what George wanted. “Bob knows what to do. You just inform the others. Take care.” Steward hung up the phone. “All right. When our team that’s meeting Johnny checks in, we’ll have them stay put. Sound good?”

  “Yes.” George rested back in the bed.

  “We expected this.” Steward folded his arms. “I’ll prepare things here.”

  George wanted to speak more but he was wearing thin. He was assured by the doctors hat he would grow stronger each day and he counted on that. But for the time being, George had to give int
o his illness. Before he was finished with his meeting, he had fallen asleep.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Beginnings, Montana

  “Romantic evening?” Andrea questioned as she set the coffee cup down in front of Joe at their table.

  Joe, who was staring out, looked up at Andrea when she broke his train of thought. “I’m sorry?”

  “Were you planning a romantic evening with me?” Andrea slid into the table with her own coffee “You sent Denny and Katie to Dean’s.”

  “No. I needed to be alone with you.”

  “Oh, I love alone talk.” Andrea smiled. “Did you want your dessert now?”

  “No, Andrea we . . .”

  “Can we have some time to discuss Beginnings’ Day next week? I have so much I want to do and so little time to do it. You know it’s gonna be big.”

  “Yeah, it is with all those new people.”

  “Is Frank complaining about the scheduling yet?” Andre smiled and shook her head. “I remember last year how bad he was. But of course, last year he and Ellen had broken up. It was a bad time.” She sipped her coffee ‘This is nice.”

  “No, it’s not.”

  Andrea nearly choked. “What?”

  “I’m hating myself, Andrea, but right now I have to talk to you as . . . as the leader of the community.”

  “No, Joe, I am not changing my mind. I have to withdraw from Council, but you’re sweet.” She reached over and tapped his hand.

  “It’s not about that.” Joe pulled out the chair next to him and picked up a Bible from it. He laid it on the table and slid it in front of Andrea.

  “Are we praying?”

  “No. I need you to have this near you for when I ask you some things.” He flipped open the cover and pulled out the two typed letters that George had kept, the two letters Joe found, from Beginnings to the past, warning George of the plague and trouble. “Andrea,” Joe sighed.