The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “I ought to, Frank. I did it for twenty years.” Joe turned to Dean. “You’ll be there.”

  “Of course,” Dean replied. “Did they say why, Joe?”

  “I didn’t ask,” Joe answered. “I just wanted a confession. I figured we’d get the details tomorrow and hash out the punishment.”

  Dean smiled. “That sounds great. Thanks, Joe.” He opened the door. “Thanks, Frank. Sorry about dinner.”

  Frank didn’t really say much, he gave that ‘pissed off’ glare as Dean left and changed his demeanor some when the door closed ‘You want coffee?”

  “Yeah, that sounds good.”

  Frank turned, stopped, and projected his voice. “I’m home!”

  Joe winced. “Christ, Frank.” He tugged his ear.

  “Sorry.” Frank headed into the kitchen. “I’m just pissed. Look at this. Note. Note. Note.” He grumbled and turned on the oven. “I leave during the work day so I can get ahead of the game. I work all day too. Fuckin twelve, fourteen hours . . .”

  At that instant, Joe heard his own voice, ‘I work twelve hours a day. I just would like to get ahead . . .’

  “No one helps. How much easier can I make it?”

  “How much easier can I make it on you boys? Frank, you’re the worst.”

  “Dean, he’s the worst. Josh should help but he’s still young.”

  ‘Hal can help but he’s still too young.”

  “I clean the house, cook the dinner, bathe the kids, make sure homework is done,” Frank continued his bitching as he got dinner ready.

  “It’s nonstop. Cook clean. Go over homework. When will it stop. When do I get time . . .”

  “For myself,” Joe said out loud.

  Frank paused, shut the oven, and turned around. “How did you know what I was gonna say?”

  Joe snapped out of his memory from years before. “What?”

  “You were thinking what I was saying before said it.”

  “Goddamn Frank, were you reading my mind?”

  “Not on purpose. It’s just quiet, that’s all.”

  “No . . .” Joe shook his head. “I wasn’t thinking of what you were gonna say. I was thinking of what I said . . . years ago and how many times I said the exact same thing. I felt the same way you do. Trust me. It’s difficult.” Joe winked softly.

  “But you . . . You did a great job.”

  “You don’t think you do?”

  “I’m not you.”

  Peacefully, Joe chuckled. “More than you realize, Frank, you do. It even surprises me. Hal, yeah, he looks like me and gets irritated like me. Robbie he has my skills., but you got what’s important. I can leave this earth knowing that at least one of my sons turned out to be one hell of a father and that is an accomplishment. I’m proud of you.”

  Frank swallowed. “Why are you talking like this?”

  Joe shook his head. “No reason. Don’t get worried. Look for a lot of it when we go on our vacation. I don’t think I tell you enough how good of a job you do.”

  “As good as you? I always wanted to be as good as you.””

  Joe chuckled “Take a good look at yourself, Frank. You are probably even better. I’m gonna go.” Joe pointed backwards with his thumb. “Check on the kids. I’ll be back.”

  His bad mood was gone. Frank didn’t know how to react. It was a hell of a compliment his father paid him, more so than Joe realized and Frank loved it. He also made a mental note about what his father said about taking a good look at himself. The next time he stood before the mirror, he would do that but at that moment, he couldn’t. He had dinner to get ready.

  ^^^^

  “Burr, it’s cold.” Hal shivered and took off his coat, handing it to Elliot as he stepped into Elliott ‘s home. “Thank you.”

  “Have a seat Captain. I’ll get you something warm to drink.”

  “Thank you Elliott.” Hal took off his gloves en route to the dining room. He paused at the roaring fire to warm his hands.

  “Coffee?” Elliott asked as he walked by Hal.

  “That would be great.” Rubbing his hand together, Hal then continued on to the dining room. He saw the papers spread out. “Working on a song?”

  “No.” Elliot called from the kitchen. “Please don’t . . .”

  Hal chuckled.

  Elliott came from the kitchen with mug. “ . . . Read it. You looked. Shit.”

  “Sorry.” Hal dropped the paper on the table. “It was there. You’re writing Ellen again, I see.”

  Elliott hurriedly handed Hal the mug and went to the table. He gathered up the items.

  “Elliott, really, is there anything you can’t save until her return?” Hal eyed what Elliot gathered “Or she?”

  “Excuse me?”

  Hal picked up a paper, “You uh, dropped this.”

  “Captain.” Elliott reached for it.

  “Uh-uh-ah.” Hal read some of it. “Ellen is writing you from Lodi?”

  “She pre-wrote letters for me to read.” Elliott snatched the letter back. “Captain, I apologize for my brashness, but really this is my business.”

  “She’s my family.”

  “She’s my friend.”

  “I see. I also see . . .” Hal pointed to the infamous Ellen picture.

  Elliott grunted and grabbed it. “Thank you.”

  “Elliot, when are you going to tell Ellen about your long standing admiration for her.”

  “Never.” Elliott placed the photo in his pocket. “I realize your impatience to do so, but I also know you haven’t. I appreciate you not mentioning this.”

  “No. I wouldn’t do that, not yet. It’s my ace in the hole.”

  Slowly, Elliott looked at Hal. “What do you mean?”

  Hal smiled. “Can you say . . . I give?”

  Elliott gasped. “You wouldn’t.”

  “I would. You’d give.” Hal grinned.

  “Begging your pardon, Captain, but is there another reason you came here other than to irritate me?”

  Almost too offended, Hal drastically grabbed his chest. “Irritate you? Irritate? Elliott. Did you say irritate?”

  “Captain . . .”

  “You mean like a rash?”

  “Captain . . .”

  “My right hand man is likening me to a rash. Irritating. Would you like to scratch me out of . . . ?” Hal immediately stopped when his phone rang. “Ah.” He lifted a finger. “Saved by the bell, literally. I wonder who that can be?”

  “You can answer it and find out.”

  “My God, Elliott, are we miserable.” Hal answered his phone. “This is Captain Slagel. Oh. Yes. Right here.” He extended the phone to a very annoyed Elliott.

  Elliott looked at the phone. “For me?” he asked with disbelief.

  “Yes, for you. Take it.”

  In a swing of his hand, Elliot took the phone, preparing full well for it to be a Slagel brother practical joke. Less than enthusiastic, he placed it to his ear. “Yes.” Like a diagnosed schizophrenic, Elliott switched to a bright personality. “Ellen.” He turned his back to Hal. “My God, how are you? Thank you. I miss you too.”

  “Elliot,” Hal called out. “When you are . . .”

  “I’m doing it now.” Elliott kept talking and walking.

  “. . . done,” Hal continued, “just bring . . .” Hal gave up when an engrossed Elliott sat down at the table. “Find me. Hmm.” Hal watched for a moment, then actually pleased with himself for irritating and making Elliott happy all within the time frame of five minutes, he left to give him privacy.

  ^^^^

  Perfectly set up and executed, things couldn’t have fallen into place any better for Jess. The countdown was on.

  “What do you see?” Jess asked the young soldier who laid stomach down behind the grade, peering through binoculars at a building set in the woods. It was an abandoned shack, more of an old warehouse.

  “There’s a heavy man. Looks like he has a beard. He’s walking around a chair,” the soldier replied. “Someon
e is in the chair. They have a hood over his head.” He handed Jess the binoculars.

  Taking them with a thanks, Jess looked. “What’s he doing?”

  “I don’t see anyone else.”

  “Me either.” Jess did a quick check of his watch. “Here.” He handed the soldier the binoculars. “Keep watching.” Jess rolled from his stomach to his back and pulled out his revolver. He looked at the anxious faces of the six other men. “If we don’t see anyone else, I’m going in. You men . . .”

  “He’s out of site, sir,” the solider reported.

  Jess continued, “You men cover me. If he really is alone, this should be easy and quick.”

  “I’m not seeing him anymore, sir. He’s no longer in window view.”

  Another soldier gave his input, “Sir, we can’t see the one man anymore. Perhaps others are hiding in there. You don’t know. Allow one of us to go in there with you just in case.”

  “No,” Jess stated firmly. “I go alone.”

  “No.” A voice entered the darkened area. “I’ll go with you.” James dropped down to where the men hid.

  “James,” Jess said with astonishment. “My God, what are you going here?’

  “Do you think you can pull my men and put them on a detail without me knowing?” Jimmy asked with edge. “Huh? Do you think just because you work directly with the President, you have that authority?”

  Whispering anger for the benefit of those around filled Jess’s tone. “I am under the orders of the President.”

  “And these men are under my orders. When you are in my domain, you too, Mr. Boyens, are under my orders. Now, if this is what I think it is, you either take one of my men or me. Your choice.”

  Jess shifted his eyes around. “Fine. Since you’re the most experienced, you go first. And time is wasting.”

  One of the soldiers reached out, halting Jess. “Be careful. Remember last time it was a trap.”

  Jess nodded. “But last time we didn’t see the prisoner. Do we still see the prisoner?”

  The young man with the binoculars looked. “He’s squirming in the chair. Yes.”

  Jess motioned his head to Jimmy. “Let’s go.”

  First on their bellies then in a low crouch, Jess and Jimmy made it to the building. They sneakily looked in the window, gave a nod to each other, and stormed in.

  Private Davis inched his way to the soldier looking through the binoculars. “What do you see?”

  “They’re in.”

  “Give them one minute . . .” Private Davis’s head cocked at the double gunshot. “Then we race.”

  “I think we should go now I don’t see them, only the prisoner.”

  Private Davis looked at his watch. “You’re right, let’s go! Move in!” he called out and upon the rising of the men with guns ready, it happened.

  BOOM!

  A thunderous explosion came from the building and a fireball roared their way. The blast sent some of the soldiers flying in the air while others dove for cover.

  “Commander!” In desperation, one of James’s men jumped up. “Commander!” He rushed toward the raging inferno.

  “No!” Davis grabbed him. “Stop.”

  “But the commander is in there.”

  “And, it’s . . . no use.” Heat from the blaze plastered him and illuminated his face. Davis closed his eyes and dropped his head. “It’s too late.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  February 7th

  ‘Tragedy. At three forty-three this morning, in an attempt to rescue an unidentified hostage from the grips of a known defector shelter, the unexpected occurred . . .’

  George read the message with a heavy heart.

  ‘The hostage, bound, gagged, hooded, and struggling, was observed for close to an hour. During that time span interrogations, often hostile, were witnessed upon this hostage. With certainty, one defector was in the building with the hostage. Two more were suspected present but not seen. The situation was deemed priority. Officer Jess Boyens saw what he considered a window of opportunity . . .’

  George swallowed. He read but didn’t want to go on.

  ‘In his charge to quietly enter the building, Commander James Slagel arrived. Commander Slagel insisted Officer Boyens take assistance from him. Both men made a dignified and highly commendable rush to the building. No outside forces were seen. Both men were covered by Society soldiers. Within seconds of entering the premises, two shots were heard. Before troops could aid and assist, a high powered explosive was detonated . . .’

  “Oh my God,” George wisped out.

  ‘The building was destroyed. The remains of five bodies were found in the ruins but they were beyond recognition. It is with regret to inform you that we believe killed in the raid were . . . the hostage, Officer Jess Boyens, and Commander James Slagel.’

  The message crushed in his closing hand as George released a crumbling breath. “This can’t be.” Graveled and emotional, he spoke as he lifted his eyes to Bertha. “This can’t be.”

  “I’m sorry, sir,” Bertha told him.

  “It doesn’t feel right. Something about this doesn’t feel right.”

  “Is there something I can do?” she asked with compassion.

  “Yes.” George set down the message. “Get things ready, ASAP.” He looked at the wording again. “We’re heading to Florida.”

  ^^^^

  It was loud as if it played on a speaker system, but Mike knew better. He heard it reverberating through the hospital as he entered just before dawn. At first he thought it was another ‘Tigger’ practical joke, but the tone and sound of it told him otherwise. He arrived at the hospital seeking Ellen, who seemed to have her own personal homing device.

  Her phone.

  It rang, which told Mike one of three things. She stepped away from it, left it behind, or . . . something was wrong. With that thought on his mind, he raced to the sound.

  He was wrong on all three counts. The phone was on a table outside of Johnny’s room and Ellen was inside, slouched in a chair next to Johnny’s bed. She was sound asleep.

  The ringing stopped just as Mike reached for the phone. Getting ready to set it down again, it rang once more.

  Someone was calling incessantly. Mike brought the phone into the room. “Ellen,” he called out in a whisper. “El.”

  No response.

  Figuring he didn’t want the phone to wake Ellen or Johnny, Mike pressed the ‘on’ button and answered in a low whispering tone. “Hello.”

  A moment of silence, then Dean spoke. “May I speak to Ellen?”

  “She’s uh . . . she’s sleeping right now.” Mike kept his voice low. “Do you want me to wake her?”

  “No, that’s . . .”

  “She’s right here. Hold on. El? El?” Mike shook her gently. “El?”

  “Hmm?” Ellen grumbled out.

  “Phone.”

  “Shit.” Ellen took it and cleared her throat. “Hello.”

  “El.” Dean spoke coldly. “Who was that?”

  “Mike,” Ellen answered and sat up with a groan. “Why, what’s the . . . hello?” Ellen blinked, shrugged, and disconnected the call.

  “Is everything all right?” Mike asked.

  “Yeah, we lost connection. It happens. He’ll call back.”

  “You were out.”

  “Tell me about it.” Ellen stood up. “I never heard the ring. Thanks for answering. Beginnings would have panicked.”

  “No problem.” Mike inhaled. “So . . . how’s Johnny.”

  “Good, he handled it well. I liked the procedure we used.” Ellen folded her arms and moved even closer to Johnny. “Short, slow treatments. I wonder if down the road this could prove beneficial to someone else as well?”

  “You mean as far as side effects?”

  “Yeah, so far there have been none. And that . . .”

  A simple Johnny moan halted her.

  Mike rushed to the bed. “Is this the first he’s been up?”

  “Yeah.” Ellen l
aid her hand on Johnny’s arm. “Hey,” she called gently. “How are you?”

  Johnny’s eyes opened and he shifted them around.

  “So you know who I am?” Ellen asked.

  Johnny nodded.

  “Me?” Mike questioned as well.

  “Mike.” Johnny lifted himself in bed a little.

  Mike smiled.

  Ellen exhaled. “This is such a good sign. Oh, my God, a great sign. John . . .”

  Johnny shrieked, almost as if in shock.

  “What? What?” Ellen panicked. “What’s wrong?”

  “Why . . . why . . .” Johnny looked around. “Why am I in a man’s body?”

  Ellen inhaled gasp.

  “Ellen?” Mike raised his eyebrows.

  “Oh boy.” She whistled then whispered, “So much for no side effects, huh?”

  ^^^^

  Pensacola, Florida

  The warm gulf breeze hit against Jimmy’s face as he watched the waves roll in.

  “Ready?” Jess approached. “It’s time to move again.”

  “Did you . . . did you ever think . . .” Jimmy spoke in a reflective way. “That in a world without people, without constant maintenance, without . . . tourists, a beautiful beach would be a forest?” Jimmy turned and with an outward motion of his hands, pointed to the growing wildlife all over the beach.

  “Um, yeah, we covered that in school.”

  “I guess.” Jimmy nodded. “I don’t know.”

  “What’s with the deep thoughts?”

  “It keeps my mind from going crazy and thinking of my dad, brothers, family.’ He shrugged. “It’s a long trip.”

  “That’s why we have to get moving.”

  “So you think it worked?”

  “Without a doubt.”

  “Bodies?”

  “They’ll be burned. The heat should really remove any distinguishing characteristics.”

  Jimmy snickered. “Poor Savages.”

  “Yeah, for once they worked in our favor. So . . .” Jess clapped his hands together once. “You ready to go?”

  “Oh my God, Jess,” Jimmy said with a smile. “Am I ever.” Receiving the friendly swat to his back, Jimmy walked off the beach with Jess.