The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “I am very sorry you are going through this, Frank. I am.”

  “I’m sorry Dean . . .” Frank leaned to him. “I’m sorry for what my kid did to Ellen.”

  “Frank?”

  With a painful look, Frank turned his head. “I know what everyone is saying. I hear them. I hear . . . . I hear my son crying. I hear him and the father in me wants to protect him and deny everything. But the man in me . . . the man in me has known and trusted Ellen for twenty-some years. I know her, Dean. I tried to come up with other reasons why she would name Johnny. She was scared or being blackmailed, but the truth is, there is no other reason but the truth to name Johnny. She hates me now.”

  “She doesn’t hate you, Frank.”

  “Then why won’t she talk to me, huh?”

  “I told you she’s sleeping.”

  “Bullshit.” Frank shook his head. “I know Ellen and I know her well enough to know she’s not sleeping. She standing in that fuckin hall listening to every word I am saying and she won’t come out because she hates me.”

  Ellen stepped from the hall.

  “See?” Frank pointed.

  “I don’t hate you, Frank.” Ellen walked to him. “I just didn’t want to argue with you. I didn’t want to have to force you into some big debate. This is hard enough as it is for you.”

  “It’s breaking my heart.”

  Dean slowly stood up from the table. “I’m gonna let you two . . . all right?” He gave a motion of his head and walked from the room.

  “It’s breaking my heart, El,” Frank repeated with drowning sadness.

  “Frank,” Ellen whispered out and walked to him. As she came closer, Frank reached out and pulled her to him.

  ‘It’s tearing me apart to even think that all of this is true.” Frank buried his words with his lips to her face. “Tell me what to do, El. Tell me. I can’t turn my back on you. I can’t. But my son, guilty or not, he’s my son. I can’t walk away from him. He needs me. So who do I hurt here?”

  “You’re gonna only end up hurting yourself, Frank, if you keep going back and forth.” Ellen pulled back from the embrace slightly. “Look at me.”

  Slowly Frank brought his eyes to meet hers.

  Ellen saw behind them. She reached up and ran her hand down his hard face and across the lines that seemed to deepen. “I won’t ask you to choose between me and your son. I never said anything because of you, Frank. Because of this moment and I won’t say anything now. It is our right, privilege, and duty to protect our kids. No matter what they do or how old they get, they are still our children and they will need us. If you believe Johnny needs you, then you stand by your son.”

  “What about if I think . . .”

  Her hand reached up and stopped him. “It doesn’t matter what you think. My God, you’ve got the best guide book in the world.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Joe,” Ellen said softly. “He is a great father. What would Joe do if it was one of you? Would he hate you? Would he not look at or speak to you? What is Joe doing right now over this? Huh? How about the issue between you and Hal? No matter who he thinks is right or wrong, he won’t say it. Bet me that Joe stays strong, silent, and a symbol of support. That’s what he needs to be. That’s what you need to be. Understand?”

  “What about you?” Frank asked.

  “I’m not your son.”

  “No, what about you?” Frank asked again. “I can’t turn my back on you.”

  “Are you really gonna do that?” Ellen questioned.

  “I could never do that.”

  “And I know that.” She tipped toed up and kissed him. “I know that.”

  “What about when this is all said and done? When the situation is over?”

  “No matter the outcome, you will need me then and I will still be here. Just know I understand what you as a father has to do. I won’t hate you over it. I won’t be mad. I understand.”

  “Promise.”

  “If you promise me one thing in return,” Ellen said. “When it’s over, completely over, you will not hate Hal. You will work this through with your brother, no matter the outcome.”

  Frank huffed out. He looked elsewhere. “I’ll . . . I’ll try.”

  Partially smiling, Ellen moved to him and embraced him. “Thank you.”

  “No, El. Thank you for ending some of this for me tonight.”

  Ellen only squeezed tighter in the embrace. She didn’t want to say it, but the word ‘end’ hadn’t even a place in the situation. Because for Frank, Ellen truly feared it was far from the end. In the crusade of hurt, Frank was only at the starting point.

  ^^^^

  The watch alarm went off. Beep-beep-beep. Beep-beep-beep.

  Johnny tested it then set it. December sixth. How long would it take him to get to Circle, Montana? It all depended if he was on foot or was he driving? Johnny knew there wasn’t any place he could be where transportation wasn’t close enough to steal. He was grateful he had that chance to look at the map, study it, and learn all different ways to the town because Johnny didn’t know if he would be sneaking out or running.

  The only thing that would inhibit Johnny’s escape was if he was still stuck behind the walls of Holding. He started working on getting out already. The tears flowed and he begged his father to do all he could to move any procedures they would do up immediately. He proclaimed that his innocence would be his defense lawyer and he gloated with gratefulness inside that his father was such an idiot to believe anything he said. That would work in his favor and he knew somehow Frank would pull though.

  Looking at his watch again, Johnny double checked the ‘alarm’ time. He knew the second that went off, no matter where he was, if he was within an inch of freedom, he was going to steal it. He would do so at any cost.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  December 6th

  “D-day,” George told Steward. “Did you hear anything from our men in Bismarck?”

  “I just spoke to the leader,” Steward informed. “The chopper is ready and waiting to lift off.”

  “Lift it off now,” George ordered.

  “Excuse me? We told Johnny noon.”

  “What happens if he has to get there early? Have the bird there. I don’t believe anyone from Beginnings is going to be near Circle. I want nothing to go wrong. I want them home, Stew,” George said. “And today is the day we get them here.”

  ^^^^

  Robbie wanted to but he had a hard time looking at Jess. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “And what?” Jess asked. “What? Would you believe me? Would you believe my intentions were not with the Society?”

  “I would have believed it then.”

  “As opposed to now?” Jess asked as he lay in his bed. “Robbie, come on, I love Beginnings. This is my home. I wanted out of the Society. I took the out they gave me.”

  “Did you stop to wonder what was going to happen to you if all this was found out?”

  “I hoped . . .” Jess spoke sadly, “I hoped that I would be able to explain myself out of it.”

  “Maybe before, Jess,” Robbie explained, “but not anymore. Andrea went down. Eight people were executed. My nephew is about to go down. So much shit has happened. So much hatred has been built against the Society that when it comes to insiders, New Bowman . . . Beginnings, everyone . . . including myself. Trust me . . .” Robbie moved to the door. “We’re out for blood.”

  ^^^^

  When Ellen awoke, she totally forgot she wasn’t home. She couldn’t be in Beginnings for now. She showered and dressed, preparing to face a day she dreaded.

  “Morning,” Elliott spoke to her as she came down the stairs. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Yeah.” Ellen nodded. “My stomach is going crazy though.” She let out a breath. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be working.”

  “I thought maybe you might need me,” Elliott stated. “I made breakfast, but if you’re not feeling well . . .”

 
“No. I’ll eat.” Ellen smiled. “Thanks.”

  “Good. I’ll just get it on . . .” Elliott stopped in his moving from the living room when there was a knock on the door. “I’ll get that.”

  Who could it be? Ellen wondered. She hoped it wasn’t someone who was prepared to vocally blast her for destroying Johnny. That was why she was in New Bowman.

  “Jenny,” Elliott said, opening the door. “What can I do for you?”

  “I know Ellen is here. Can I speak to her?”

  Elliott looked behind him and received a nod from Ellen. He opened the door wider. “Come in.”

  “Thank you.” Jenny stepped inside.

  “Ellen and I were about to have breakfast. Will you join us?” Elliott asked.

  “No, thank you. John and I enjoyed a lovely meal at the mess hall this morning. I’ll only be a minute.”

  Elliott nodded and excused himself from the room.

  Jenny smiled nervously. “How was hiding?”

  “Better than being home,” Ellen stated.

  “Tell me about it. We did stay at Danny’s Hoi-tell but, you know, it’s not home. Then again, we’re thinking of making New Bowman home.”

  “Really?” Ellen asked.

  “John’s joining the UWA. Hal said he’d love to have him.”

  “You don’t seem happy about that.”

  “I am but . . . Ellen.” Jenny walked to her. “I’m standing by my husband. We all but got thrown out of Beginnings yesterday. We couldn’t take it. They’re accusing him of being the one who is working for the Society. They keep saying it over and over. Ellen, please, you’re the only one. Am I justified? Is my husband finally an innocent in this?”

  Ellen stared for a second. “No, Jenny.”

  Jenny’s eyes closed.

  “You’re husband is a hero in all this.”

  Her puckering lips turned into a smile and Jenny let out a little sob. “Thank you.” She rushed to Ellen and embraced her.

  “You don’t want to stay?”

  “No.” Jenny stepped back. “I’m gonna go shopping. I think that will help take my mind off of things. Would you like to come?”

  “No, I’m gonna stay in hiding for a little bit more.”

  Jenny walked to the door. “It’ll be over soon, Ellen. Don’t worry. This whole entire Johnny thing. The hearing thing. It will all be over in a few hours.” After a reassuring look, Jenny walked out.

  As she watched the door close, Ellen thought about what Jenny had said. She was right. It would be over in a few hours. But the question was, with the decision of guilt in the hands of a community that loved Johnny, would it be over the way it needed to be?

  ^^^^

  Johnny stepped through first when Frank opened the door to his house. “Dad. Thanks.”

  Frank just nodded and closed the door.

  “This means a lot being able to come home and shower.”

  “We don’t have much time. You’d better hurry,” Frank said with little enthusiasm.

  “O.K.” Johnny moved to the steps. “Hey, Dad? Wasn’t it great the way everyone kept stopping us to give support? We are gonna kick ass at that proceeding today.”

  Frank gave Johnny a forced smile as he watched him go upstairs. He stood there in debate for a couple of seconds, staring up the steps. He heard Johnny go into the bedroom, open drawers and then Frank went upstairs. He felt guilty for the lack of trust, but he justified it. Johnny was entrusted in his supervision and Frank wanted to take no chances.

  “Dad.” Johnny was startled when he came from the bedroom with a stack of clothes. “What’s up?”

  “I’m gonna . . . I’m gonna wait up here.”

  “O.K.” Johnny shrugged.

  Frank looked at the bathroom where Johnny was headed. There was no window and no means of escape. Why it was going through Frank’s mind he didn’t know, but the bathroom was safe enough to allow Johnny privacy.

  “I’ll be right out.” Johnny slipped in the bathroom and closed the door. He set his clothes on the back of the commode and looking at the door. Johnny smiled snidely. With arrogance and a smirk, he lifted the folded shirt and enjoyed the view of the small revolver he had hidden there.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  He was alone.

  Tap . . . tap . . . tap. The end of the cigarette hit against the table as Joe stared out into the empty chambers of the courtroom. It was the biggest courtroom in the building. Size was needed for the event that would transpire.

  Three chairs were set up at the long table. Joe sat in the center where one of three men would sit, either Danny Hoi, Elliott Ryder, or Joshua Owens. Grace would sit to their right, and to her right was the stand was where Johnny would remain for the entire proceedings.

  Joe could barely see the stand from where he sat. He supposed seeing Johnny didn’t matter to Elliott, Danny, or Joshua. They weren’t the ones deciding Johnny’s fate. They were merely there to ask questions if needed, questions of evidence presented as if they were some sort of Supreme Court.

  The people, those who arrived timely enough, would be the ones to vote.

  The courtroom held over a hundred and Joe guessed it would be packed. Near the door was a stack of ballots. The top of the ballot read ‘guilty’ and the bottom, ‘not’. They would tear off their choice and place it in a box after all the evidence was presented.

  Tap . . . tap . . . tap. Once more Joe packed his cigarette before lighting it. He wanted to be alone before it all began.

  It wasn’t even twenty-four hours earlier that Joe sat in that courtroom with Frank, Hal, and Judge Grace. Joe was far from the cool calm he presented. He raged inside. He knew Judge Grace meant well but her spoken words made Joe want to cringe.

  A travesty.

  A circus of errors.

  Were they the terms she used to describe the downfall of Johnny?

  She scolded Hal and told him he’d better have a leg to stand on when he presented his evidence. Her terminology of, ‘An outcry of injustice is being served by the enraged people of Beginnings’ blazed through Joe.

  Though Joe wanted, for the first time, to stand up, interrupt, and say, ‘fuck the people of Beginnings,’ he didn’t.

  He just listened and stayed calm. He listened as she described how she was bombarded with pleas to end the maltreatment of Johnny. The people of Beginnings rallied. Joe truly believed in the case of Johnny, grandson or not, the people of Beginnings were being morons.

  Outcry? Injustice? Where was their outcry and screams for justice when Andrea was on the stand? Where was the concern? How quickly the people of Beginnings were to judge and find guilty a woman who had only dedicated her heart and soul to them and how quickly the people of Beginnings were to dismiss an insider that made sense only because he drank with them and worked with them. How convenient it all fell into Johnny’s lap. All the medical coincidences that were blamed on Andrea, no one really thought Johnny could do it because he was such a novice. Such trust was placed in Johnny that he had free reign. It made sense. The only thing that Joe couldn’t figure out was, why? Why would Johnny turn his back on his home? Like Frank had questioned, was the gain, the motive? Unless Johnny himself came right out and said it, Joe supposed he never would know.

  ^^^^

  In a small back room at the courthouse, Ellen and Hal stood around waiting while Robbie peered out the first floor window. He looked at the crowd of Beginnings people who gathered, waiting to get in. “Do you know what sucks?” He turned to look at Hal. “He’s our nephew, our family, and we’re the only ones who believe he’s guilty.”

  “I know. He’s the Golden Boy and I’m the enemy of the state right now,” Hal said. “That will change, Robbie. Trust me. That will change.”

  “How?” Robbie asked. “What do you have? Please tell me you have something.”

  “I do. I have witnesses and documentation we’ve collected.”

  “That won’t do it, Hal,” Robbie argued. “It won’t. They’ll vote him innocent. In
order to find him guilty, they are going to need to be slapped in the face.”

  Hal tilted his head. “They will be.”

  Ellen’s eyes grew wide. “No.”

  Hal quickly looked at Ellen. “No, what?”

  “Don’t use it,” Ellen stated. “I am begging you. Don’t use it.”

  Curious, Robbie turned to Hal. “Use what?”

  “My ace in the hole,” Hal replied. “Ellen, you do know that is the clincher.”

  “At what cost?”Ellen argued. “To kill your father. Kill Frank. If they hear that, it will. They don’t need to hear that.”

  “Hear what!” Robbie asked loudly.

  “A tape.” Hal kept his eyes on Ellen. “A tape of Ellen and Johnny arguing. On this tape you can clearly hear Johnny strike her.”

  “Let me hear it,” Robbie requested strongly.

  “No,” Ellen said. “No, Hal.”

  “Hal.” Robbie stepped to him. “If there is something that big, why are we wasting time on this hearing? Let me hear this.”

  After a look to Ellen, Hal laid the tape player on the small table and pressed ‘play’.

  Ellen turned her back with her arms folded tightly as she listened painfully.

  Robbie shut off the tape and spun with glaring eyes to Ellen.

  “See?” Ellen looked at him. “See why I don’t want Frank to hear that.”

  “It’s too late,” Frank spoke softly in the door of the small room. Dean was beside him.

  Hal stepped forward. “Frank.”

  Frank held up his hand. “I just . . . I just need a minute. Just leave me alone.”

  When Frank walked away, Dean stepped in and blocked anyone from following Frank. “Let him go. He’s having a really hard time today.” Immediately he put his arms around Ellen. “How are you? Are you ready for this?”

  “As much as I can be. When did you get here?”

  “Frank and I just arrived,” Dean replied.

  “Is Johnny here?” Hal asked.