The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Oh.” Johnny plopped on the couch next to Bev. “He said not to worry about it. So we failed. It wasn’t the first and it wouldn’t be the last.”

  “Did he say anything about the info on the chip?”

  “Danny deleted it. I asked him. But your dad said even if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to make heads or tails out of the info without the viewer. That reminds me, I have to reload it on your lap top. You have two weeks’ worth of El bedroom disks to review, not to mention the one I’m gonna try to get this week before it gets too full.”

  Bev groaned. “God, nothing happens. They’re boring. The most excitement was when Dean decked Jess in Ellen’s bedroom. The rest, she talks on the phone in there . . . with her kids.”

  “You have to listen to what she says. You never know what can be picked up or used. Like the Dean info. How valuable that was when we implemented the baby issue. People talk in their bedrooms. That’s why they are called bedroom secrets.”

  “Ellen has no bedroom secrets,” Bev said. “She doesn’t even have a man now.”

  “Poor baby.” Johnny patted Bev on her knee. “Missing out on your visual vibrator?”

  Bev cringed, “You’re disgusting. What’s the point?”

  “Ellen is pretty centered,” Johnny explained. “More people talk to her than anyone. She talks on the phone and we find things out that only she’s supposed to know. You know what your dad says. We need another group of insiders. Play upon people’s vulnerabilities. Get them to work for us.”

  “Blackmail?” Bev asked. “Will it work?”

  “Oh, yeah. Especially if we hold the cards to something they don’t want anyone to know. Look how easy it was to get Cindy on our side.”

  “Cindy’s dead now,” Bev said.

  “Still, I overheard her talk about taking a little more from Distribution. We played on that and played it up. Next thing you know, she’s meeting the Society at the back gate to pick up info.”

  “Johnny.” She dropped her voice. “Did my dad say when we get to leave here?”

  Johnny nodded. ‘Yeah. As soon as we put together a new team. But he did say if things get tight, damage done or not, new team or not, he’ll pull us.”

  Bev looked perky about that. “Johnny, he said he’ll put us up in a really nice house. Let’s take your baby and be a family.”

  “Fuck, Bev,” Johnny snickered. “She has a mother. Denise.” He looked at his daughter in the walker who started to fuss. Johnny winced.

  “I don’t like Denise. She’s mean to me. I want to raise your baby.”

  “Denise will raise the baby. It’s hers and Curt’s by law anyhow. Besides, everyone is mean to you.”

  “Not Trish. She’s my new friend. I’m going to earn a wonderful hostess gift by having a Tupperware party. Will you come?”

  Johnny grumbled and stood from the couch, his eyes twitching in annoyance over his daughter’s growing loud cries.

  “She’s also gonna give me motherhood tips.”

  “Good.” Johnny reached down and picked his baby up from the walker. “Start now. Do something with her.” He handed the baby to Bev and walked from the living room.

  ^^^^

  Ellen lifted the covers up to Alexandra’s chest. With a giggling smile, she brought her nose down and rubbed it against Alexandra’s tiny button one before kissing her. “Sleep.”

  “I don’t feel very good. Maybe I should stay home from school and go to Uncle Hal’s city with you.”

  “I’d love for you to go, but I’m gonna be very busy there. I want to try to get all my work in so I can be home Tuesday.”

  “But I like it there.”

  “I know but you can’t go. Besides, Uncle Frank and Daddy will be upset if they don’t get to spend tomorrow with you.” Kissing her daughter once more, Ellen stood up and walked across the room. “Goodnight.”

  “Night, Mommy. You’re the best.”

  Ellen smiled as she reached for the light switch. She watched her daughter roll on to her side, then Ellen turned off the light and walked from the room. She would have headed straight to the living room had she not caught a glimpse of Jess moving around in her bedroom. Folding her arms, she walked in and leaned against the archway. “Hey.”

  Jess looked up with a smile. A small open suitcase was on Ellen’s bed and items were set up around it. “All settled in?”

  “Yeah.” Ellen stepped in the bedroom. “What are you doing?”

  “Oh. I’m sorry. You’re mad, huh.” Jess set down the shirt he was holding. “You had your things all scattered about. I thought I’d help out and finish packing for you.”

  “That’s really nice. Thank you.” Ellen sat on the bed.

  “You missed a few items. I tossed them in.”

  “You are never going to fit all my stuff in that little suitcase without wrinkling everything.”

  “Watch.” Jess winked. “But I do want you to take one item out as soon as you get to Hal’s.”

  “What item’s that?”

  “One of the items you forgot to pack.” Jess walked to the closet. Hanging on the door was a simple little black dress. “I took the liberty of picking this out for your date tomorrow night. It’s very . . . sexy in a plain sort of way.”

  Ellen chuckled some. “First, I’m not going out on a date with Elliott tomorrow. Second, I wouldn’t wear a dress.”

  “Ellen.” Jess hung up the dress again and walked to the bed. “You are going out with Elliott. He is really looking forward to this date. You would know this if you returned his calls and didn’t have me screen them. Second . . .” He held his finger over her lips. “No. No. Get dressed up. Treat this as special. Elliott’s really nice and I think he’s cute.”

  “Elliott is cute.” Ellen swung her legs up on the bed and lay on her side watching Jess pack.

  “I think you should wear your hair up too. It looks good.”

  “Frank hates my hair up.”

  “I’m not Frank and neither is Elliott. I think it’s good that you’re looking at someone new and not someone who . . .” Jess sounded bitter. “Assumes you should be with them.”

  “Oh. Ouch, I felt that. You’re pissed.”

  “Well, yeah. Frank and Dean. They just assume you belong to them. They even take turns and such. I think you should venture out and get away from them, at least for a while.”

  “Someone new.” Ellen propped her head on her hand. “Like you? Oh, wait. Do you count?”

  Jess slowed down in placing the last item in the suitcase. “No,” he said softly. “I don’t count.” He went over and took down the dress, then laid it on top of the packed suitcase. “Remember, take this out as soon as you get to Hal’s. You can close it in the morning.”

  “You can close it in the morning if you want. What time do you start shift?”

  “Five. But I’ll stop by if you . . .”

  “No silly. Stay. I’m saying stay. Robbie’s flying. He’ll never know you didn’t come home.”

  “Really?” Jess smiled. “You want me to stay? You’re not sick of me. I’ve been around you a lot.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Ellen laughed. She swung her legs around the bed and stood up. “Please. You and I still have the rest of Gone with the Wind to watch. Besides, you spoil me. Why wouldn’t I want to have that? Cook, clean, pack.”

  “I believe when you’re with someone, not that we’re with each other, but I believe in spoiling. I love doing little surprises to see the other person’s expression. But sometimes I can be a bit much so tell me if I am.”

  “Are you kidding? I love surprises.”

  “Then are you ready?”

  “For?”

  “New hinges.” Talking a step back and using his foot, Jess closed the door.

  Ellen’s mouth opened, her eyes lit up, and she let out an excited shriek.

  “There’s the expression.” Jess pointed at her then reached back and opened the door.

  ^^^^

  New Bowman, Montana


  Radio silence was broken by Robbie in the form of one word. One word that made no sense to anyone and that heightened the anticipation of Robbie’s return.

  Hal stood with Elliott on the old highway used as a runway and watched his little brother disembark from the jet.

  “He always looks so happy when he flies, sir,” Elliott commented.

  “That’s because my brother says it gives him erections.”

  Elliott’s eyes widened and he turned his head, embarrassed.

  “Shame is something my little brother doesn’t have,” Hal said as looked upon Robbie securing the jet then to Elliott. “You look tired, Elliott.”

  “I am sir. I wanted to wait for the news then I’ll hit the hay. I have to be up to finish my duties before Ellen arrives. Do you . . . Do you know what time that is?”

  “Haven’t a clue. Don’t you?” Hal saw Elliott shake his head. “You mean you haven’t talked to her? She’s still blowing you off? My God, Elliott, you must have really offended her.

  Elliott’s mouth opened and his finger pointed to question Hal but he didn’t get a chance to speak.

  “Robert.” Hal approached Robbie. “Well?”

  Robbie lit a cigarette. “Well. You got my message.”

  “One word that told us nothing.”

  “No. It told you it all.”

  “One word?” Hal asked. “Then you’d better call Dad ASAP because he is baffled.”

  Robbie grinned.

  ^^^^

  Beginnings, Montana

  Joe didn’t want to do it, but he couldn’t wait anymore. Despite what his tired mind and body wanted to deal with, he couldn’t figure it out on his own. It had to be too simple.

  “You wanted to see me?” Frank didn’t knock on Joe’s door. He just walked in.

  From his seat on the sofa, Joe looked up. “What the hell happened to your eye?”

  Frank wiped the blood that dribbled from the corner of his eyebrow. “Fuckin killer baby training.”

  “Killer baby training?”

  “Yeah. Dean let’s me borrow them an hour or so, so I can train them for my plan.”

  “Killer baby training. They attacked you?”

  “One did. I straightened him out.”

  “Good.” Joe nodded in shock.

  “Training’s going well.”

  “That’s, uh, good to hear.”

  “Cattle prods working . . .”

  “Frank.” Joe halted his son. “Listen. I want to ask you what this word means to you. Ready?” He waited for a nod. “Meatloaf.”

  “What about it.”

  “What does it mean to you?”

  “Is this a trick question?”

  “No! Frank you idiot!”

  “Dad!” Frank snapped. “You asked me. Fuck. Meatloaf. I thought you knew. It’s a long loaf made out of meat.”

  “Frank . . .”

  “It’s pretty good. Why? Do you wanna make it?”

  “No. Frank! Asshole.” Joe calmed himself. “Robbie broke radio silence. He only said ‘Meatloaf’.”

  Frank’s eyes raised and he grinned. “Oh yeah. Yes!” He smiled arrogantly and pointed to his own temple. “I see why you came to me. I’m smart.”

  “I’m sure you are.”

  “Meatloaf. I love meatloaf. Robbie knows I love meatloaf. I always have.”

  “Frank. That still doesn’t explain to me what it meant.”

  “Sure it does,” Frank stated as if Joe should have known. “I love Meatloaf. He’s one of my favorite singer next to Journey, of course. And one of my favorite songs is . . .”

  Joe tossed his head back with a groan. “Christ. I can’t believe I missed it.”

  “No, that’s not one of my favorite songs he does. That doesn’t make sense. I don’t think Meatloaf does a song called, Christ I can’t believe I . . .”

  “Frank.”

  “Maybe it’s on one of his obscure albums.”

  ‘Frank! No. ‘Two out of Three Ain’t Bad’. That’s the song. Two out of three. George’s man was right.” Joe grinned at the thought. “Robbie found the camp.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  October 26

  Beginnings, Montana

  Frank’s long, tired, sniffle rang out in the predawn. His boots moved with a tromping stomp against the hard ground and so did Robbie’s as they walked together.

  They stopped the Jeep somewhere about a half a mile past Jason’s quantum lab in the field that ran south of the living section toward the woods and walked to one of the metal tool sheds randomly erected in Beginnings.

  “Today’s the day,” Frank said. He had a big green bag tossed over his shoulder. “Excited?”

  “Yeah.” Robbie smiled.

  “You better get some sleep. It’s not that long from now.”

  “You too.”

  “I’ll wait.” Frank jingled the keys. “I’m too hyped.” The moment he brought the keys to the padlock, he and Robbie heard the multitude of shuffling and clanking chains from inside. “They sound agitated.”

  “I’m ready.” Robbie swung around his M-16.

  “It kind of has that ‘Night of the Living Dead’ feel, doesn’t it.” Frank moved to the door’s side while Robbie took an aiming stand. “On three. One . . .” Frank turned the knob. “Two.”

  Robbie pumped the chamber and aimed.

  “Three.” When Frank flung open the door, screams entailed, Robbie raised his weapon, Frank tossed in the sack, and quickly slammed the door shut again. Hurrying, he latched the lock back on as the door moved in consent banging. Frank smiled and turned away. “That went well.”

  “We have it down to a science,” Robbie said.

  “That we do.”

  Both brothers, together, walked away from the shed.

  ^^^^

  Quantico Marine Headquarters

  “Confirmation received. The men in the field await your order,” Steward spoke to George.

  George continued to peer out his office window. “Pathetic.”

  “What is?”

  “This view. How long until our refurbishing team is scheduled for D.C.?”

  “Um . . . D.C. is a big project. You don’t have them there until spring, sir.”

  “Send a message that after they finish in Lauderdale, I want them up here. I want to go back to the White House. A man in my position shouldn’t be living in a frame house a half a block from Quantico’s main street.”

  “O.K.” Steward stepped closer. “The order, sir?”

  “Yes.” George turned around. “Is the surveillance team picked?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Tell the C.O. in the field to ship them out, all of them except that team and send them south, due south.”

  “Yes, sir.” Steward walked to the door.

  “Let me know as soon as you hear from Beginnings.”

  “Yes sir.” Steward left.

  George returned to his window and his ‘deep thinking’ presidential stare. “Pathetic view.”

  ^^^^

  New Bowman, Montana

  “Ellen.” Hal extended his arms in a welcoming manner as she stepped inside New Bowman’s small hospital.

  “Hey, Hal.” She warmly embraced him. “Is Blue ready?”

  “He’s getting the day situated for you now.” He placed his arm around her. “Where are your things?”

  “Dan is taking them to your place for me before he heads back.”

  “Good. I cannot believe you want to undertake this all in one day.”

  “I know it’s a lot of physicals.” Ellen turned the corridor, and slowed down. UWA soldiers sat patiently in the hall. “Whoa.”

  “You said a hundred. Half haven’t arrived yet.” Hal, still walking with his arm around Ellen, whispered in her ear. “Good thing you and Blue aren’t doing prostate exams as well.”

  Ellen’s eyes closed as she silently chuckled.

  “Ah, Elliott.”

  Ellen opened her eyes as they stopped by the ex
amining room.

  Elliott smiled. “Ellen, how are you?”

  Hal spoke before Ellen could answer. “El, I thought with examining all the men, for safety sake, and as customary precaution, a guard is in order. Sgt. Ryder volunteered to be that guard.”

  “Swell. Excuse me.” Ellen opened the door and went inside.

  Elliott shocked, stared at the closed door. “Captain?”

  So dramatic and so instigating, Hal shook his head as he walked away. “My God, Elliott I’m beginning to think she hates you. What did you do?”

  Elliott was at a loss.

  ^^^^

  Beginnings, Montana

  The slam of Jenny’s hand onto Trish’s desk left behind a piece of paper.

  Trish looked up from her date book. “What’s this?”

  “Read.” Jenny folded her arms.

  Trish skimmed over the letter. “What?”

  “It’s all there.”

  “But . ..”

  “Because I run the organization, you are hereby . . . kicked out of any and all women’s group functions and meetings.”

  “But . . .”

  “Traitor.” Jenny tossed back her hair, stuck her nose in the air, and walked out.

  The moment the door slammed, Trish growled loudly, crumbled the paper, and picked up the phone. “Hello Scott. I have a favor.”

  There was a sound of blowing, then tapping over the horn speakers that seemed to ring out in every corner of Beginnings. Following that, Scott’s voice came barreling through. “Attention, Danny Hoi. You are summoned to History immediately. And man, I’d be scared.”

  With a sugarcoated ‘aw’, Andrea stopped on the clinic steps just as Danny--who was working on the door--looked up to his calling. “How sweet. You’ve been paged.” Andrea tapped him on the back and went inside.

  ^^^^