The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  The moan had a slight metal, echoing effect to it when Dean made it.

  “Get your head out of the garbage can and look at me,” Joe instructed.

  “I’m sick.”

  “It serves you right. I hope you throw your guts up.”

  Frank snickered. “I think he did.”

  Joe shook his head in such a parental scolding manner. “I cannot believe you, of all people, acting this way.”

  “Peer pressure.”

  “Yeah, well, peer pressure got you charges of drunken disorderly and destruction of public property.”

  “What?” Dean asked shocked.

  “Did you throw up on the juke box?”

  “Joe,” Dean defended. “I was depressed.”

  “Everyone knows, Dean. You made that perfectly clear just before you blew chunks. Robert, stop laughing.”

  “But Joe,” Dean said. “It brought up painful memories. I couldn’t contain myself.”

  “What are you talking about?” Joe asked.

  “The town. Bowman.” Dean shook his head slowly. “Years ago when Robbie kidnapped me, I watched Denny die. Robbie beat me up …”

  “I beat you up?” Robbie asked. “Cool. Was it bad?”

  “Horrible,” Dean replied. “You hit me with a big red hardback Bible.”

  “Hey,” Frank snapped his finger. “Didn’t mom have one of those?”

  Jimmy nodded. “She did. I remember those. They were heavy. Robbie, you hit Dean with one of those?”

  Robbie shrugged. “I guess. When, Dean?’

  Joe intervened, “Yeah, I’d like to know when you were kidnapped, beaten, and Denny died.”

  “About five years ago,” Dean said.

  Frank spoke up, “It was bad. I was shot.”

  Joe heaved out a breath. “Time machine ripple?”

  “Yes,” Dean said.

  Joe nodded once. “Well it doesn’t count!” he blasted.

  “Dad,” Frank spoke up, “in Dean’s defense.”

  “In Dean’s defense, my ass.” Joe barked. “What about your defense?”

  “What? What did I do?”

  “What did you do?” Joe said sarcastically. “What did you do?”

  Frank tugged his ear. “Yeah, that’s what I asked.”

  “What didn’t you do, you asshole!” Joe screamed.

  “Hey!” Frank argued back. “I was good.”

  “Good? Yeah, you were real goddamn good when you plotted this whole thing.”

  Frank gasped. “I did no such thing.”

  “Bullshit,” Joe came back. “Did you or did you not smoke marijuana tonight.”

  “I did,” Frank stated.

  “Then you broke the law.”

  “No, I did not.”

  “Frank …”

  “Dad.” Frank lifted a finger. “I knew you would bring that up, so …” He reached into his back pocket. “I took the liberty of covering my ass.” He handed Joe a sheet of paper. “I copied it directly from our law books. Remember Paul wanted that in writing? It says, right here …” He opened it and read. “Marijuana use, if done in moderation, is not a violation of any Beginnings law.” He nodded. “Signed by you.” He held it up. “Dated, and everything.”

  “Let me see that.” Joe held out his hand

  Frank hesitated before putting it away and gave it to his father.

  Joe read it, turned, and took it to the desk.

  Frank watched as his father wrote something down. He whispered to Robbie, “What’s he doing?”

  Joe answered as he turned back around. “It’s called an amendment.”

  “Huh?” Frank asked confused.

  “Now it states.” Joe read, “Marijuana use if done in moderation is not a violation of any Beginnings law unless…”

  “Hey!” Frank barked.

  “Unless.” Joe walked closer. “You are the head of Security, your name is Frank, you will be working the next day, and are …” Joe rolled up the paper and proceeded to smack Frank on the head with every word he spoke. “A hardheaded, goddamn, moronic, son of the leader of Beginnings! Signed … by me!” Joe tossed it to Frank.

  Frank unraveled the paper. “You didn’t put that last …”

  “Enough!” Joe yelled. ‘When it comes to you, it’s illegal, therefore you are going to be charged with public nuisance, acts of defiance, and being an all out moron! That, by the way, was instilled as a law way back when George lived here. Check the records, Bub, before you open your mouth again.” Joe breathed out. “Robert.”

  “What.” Robbie snickered. “No, Dad, I didn’t do anything but sit there, listen to music, eat my French Fries, and laugh.”

  “You were there?”

  “Yes.”

  “You went with them?”

  “Yes and I was sober.”

  “Completely?” Joe asked.

  “Absolutely. I wanted to be sober,” Robbie said. “I don’t do drugs like Frank.” He snickered. “They’re illegal.”

  “Good,” Joe said. “So you were in full capacity.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Then you’re guilty.”

  “What? No way.”

  “Yeah, way,” Joe came back. “Did you try to intervene when Jimmy started the ‘Hal sucks’ chant?”

  “No, I was …”

  Joe continued, “How about when Elliott stood on the table and sang? Did you think once to say, ‘Elliott, get down’.”

  “No.”

  “How about when Dean gacked on the jukebox?”

  “I did try to get him to stop crying when ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’ came on but when he called me a bastard, I backed away.”

  “I see,” Joe nodded. “Aiding and embedding and obstruction of justice.”

  “What!” Robbie argued with a hint of a laugh. “No way. It won’t stand. I’m the only one that you can’t do anything to. Jason won’t hold the charge.”

  “Are you arguing with me?”

  “Yes. I know I never argue with you but this time, you’re wrong.”

  “I’m your father,” Joe said. “On that note, keep in mind, in this community, in life, when it comes to you, I always out rule Jason. So, as of this moment … you’re grounded.”

  “Dad …”

  “Where do you live?”

  Robbie sulked. “With you.”

  “My house, my rules. You’re grounded.”

  “Ha!” Frank pointed. “You’re grounded.”

  Hal snickered. “Oh, this is enjoyable. Thank you.”

  “Here’s something else you’ll enjoy,” Joe said. “Lock them up and detain them until Jason gets here at six. I’ll have Dan fill in for Frank until he gets back.”

  Hal smiled. “My pleasure.”

  “Dad,” Jimmy called out. “This isn’t fair.”

  Joe tilted his head. “I never said I was fair when it comes to you boys.”

  Frank spoke up, “Can we ask why you’re being so rough?”

  “Yeah,” Robbie added. “It’s a little rough.”

  “Wanna know why?”

  Frank smirked. “We asked.”

  After a snarl, Joe reached out and gave a light whack to the back of Frank’s head. “Smart ass.”

  “Ow.” Frank rubbed his head.

  “Here’s why. None of you respect what Hal has done. He has built a community, runs the community, and leads them. He deserves your respect and, goddamn it, you’ll give it to him. This shit was out of line and what makes it worse is it was directed at him. That is why I’m being rough. That is why I’m being unfair.”

  Jimmy shook his head. “So once again, like in our youth, Hal is the innocent, perfect child? He does nothing wrong.”

  Joe reached for the door. “Once again …” He opened it. “You’re right.” Joe walked out.

  Hal took the pleasure of closing the door and as he turned to face his brothers, Elliott, and Dean, he took the pleasure of flashing them a shitty grin.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

 
; February 15th

  The town meeting was set before the sun even rose. The building on the corner of Main Street was vacant most of the time even before the plague. Double in size with high ceilings, someone once had the bright idea to make it into a coffee shop nightclub but that never flew and any business at that Lodi location flopped.

  It served a purpose when it came time to gather them men of his town and that was where Mike had them meet.

  Two hundred and twenty-seven men packed into the building.

  “I’ll keep this short and sweet,” Mike spoke to the gathered men. “All of you know who was in this town. Right now, President Hadley awaits an answer from this town. I gave the answer, but then after thought I figured that I’m not a dictator. I don’t make choices for you. We are a town. We are a community. We … make decisions together.” Mike pointed. “On that table are sheets of paper. You will cast your vote anonymously then place it in the box. Majority will rule. If it is close, we will have a meeting later on to debate the issue.” He waited a few seconds before continuing. “What are we voting on? I suppose most of you men know but I’ll tell ya’. We here in Lodi have stood alone. For some time, we were covered and protected by Tim Doyle. However, Tim is with The Western Alliance and Beginnings now. That being said, our presence is now known by the Society. As of this date, we are not an enemy to the Society but we are a friend to Beginnings. Simply said, Hadley wants Lodi to be part of the Society. He wants all of us to join him, work with him, reap his benefits, and fight for him. He needs a decision and I am to send a letter with that decision with Bertha Callahan when she leaves today. That is what we vote on. I don’t know the circumstances of a ‘no thank you’ answer. I can’t promise we’ll be fine. I can tell you, I don’t think we’ll be allowed to stay here if we refuse the Society. As Hadley put it, we’re on his side of the fence. I guess we’ll find out the true consequences of our decision once we give it. So now we vote. After, I’ll count them and render the correct letter. This is your town as much as mine so a group decision, a majority decision, is not a wrong decision. Thank you.” Mike nodded and stepped off of the small stage. There some mumbling as he made his way to Lars.

  “A majority decision is not a wrong decision?” Lars asked in a whisper.

  “Yeah.”

  “Good line.” Lars said, “But it is a crock of shit. You know as well as I do there is only one right decision.”

  “Yes, I do,” Mike said, “but it’s not up to just you and me to make it.” He glanced around the room to the men who took the ballots. “It’s up to us all.”

  ***

  ‘Was he dead?’ Ellen wondered as she walked into the court room at Bowman. She glanced at her watch and saw the time of 6:15 a.m. Yes, she was a bit early. According to the phone call from Joe, the hearing was going to start at 6:30. Typically she would have complained of the earliness, but since she was a key witness and the thought of the hearing was enjoyable, Ellen rushed to get there.

  But he was the only one in the courtroom. Was he sleeping? Frank sat in the front row with his legs extended and slouched with his head back.

  She tip-toed and as quiet as she could be, Ellen slipped to the front.

  “Don’t,” Frank spoke.

  Startled, Ellen shrieked. “I thought you were sleeping.”

  “I’m resting my eyes.” Frank sat up.

  “Hey, am I supposed to be talking to you?” Ellen said. “I am the key prosecution witness.”

  “Yeah, well, let me see if I can try to influence the witness.” Frank brought his lips to hers.

  “That can never be done,” Ellen told him. “I cannot be bribed.”

  Hal spoke out from across the courtroom, “Yes, Frank, so quit trying.”

  “Fuck.” Frank exhaled and rubbed his eyes. “Hal, why are you here?”

  “To watch.” Hal walked forward. “Ah.” He inhaled. “Can you smell it? It’s the scent of Frank going to … jail.” Hal snickered and sat next to Frank.

  “You know I’m not going to jail. We don’t have one.”

  “True,” Hal said, “but we have punishments.”

  “Not unless you can prove me guilty.”

  “Good Lord, Frank,” Hal scoffed. “I am a witness. Ellen is a witness.”

  “To what? Having fun with you?” Frank asked.

  “Fun?” Hal laughed. “You call my being tortured fun?”

  Frank bobbed his head. “Yeah.”

  “My right hand man was stoned and singing ‘That’s Life’ on top of a table last night. You call that …” Hal paused. “Okay, in hindsight … that was fun.”

  “See.” Frank laughed. Frank lifted a hand. “Okay, admittedly we went a bit overboard last night but don’t you think you went overboard on The Dating Game with your Frank comments?”

  “No.” Hal shook his head. “My answers hardly compare to your shenanigans last night.”

  “Shenanigans?” Frank laughed. “Listen to you. We were rowdy. I was … I was a bit influenced. I’m sorry. I am. If I had the chance to do it again, I would have done it without getting high.”

  Ellen snickered.

  “Gee, thanks,” Hal replied.

  “But, really, who got hurt? No one. You ran around,” Frank said. “If you call this whole thing off, I’ll make it up to you.”

  “How?”

  Frank thought for a moment. “You can get back at jealous Ryder and me and have another date with El.” Frank nodded.

  Hal snickered. “Thank you very much, but don’t you think that should be Ellen’s call, not yours?”

  Ellen’s ‘ah’ rang out. “Hal, that is sweet.”

  “See?” Frank held out his hand. “You’re sweet. You get another evening out.”

  “On your Danny Dollar card?” Hal asked.

  Frank grunted. “Yes.”

  Hal stood up. “I can’t believe you’re trying to bribe me now.”

  “Hal! Fuck!” Frank yelled. “I can’t believe you’d insult El by turning down her date.”

  “Frank,” Hal spoke calmly, “I can’t do this. I can’t call it off. I caused too much of a commotion for your reprimanding. I insisted. I have to follow through now.”

  “What if El doesn’t testify.”

  “Ellen has to testify,” Hal insisted. “There was trouble last night. I called Dad. My town knows. Ellen is here and Jason is aware Ellen witnessed it. I’m sorry big brother, but with all that went down, there has to be repercussions and someone has to take the fall.”

  The courtroom door opened.

  Both Hal and Frank turned to see Dean walk in.

  “Morning,” Dean said.

  Hal and Frank just looked at each other then … smiled.

  ***

  The entire point of having the hearing was for entertainment purposes only and to get him back in the swing of things following his observatory trip to Billings. Jason Godrichson knew the stature of the men on trial was of such importance that any punishment handed down would have to not interfere with their work. Needless to say, he wanted to hold the hearing anyway to watch them gravel, snicker when they complained, and inconvenience them for inconveniencing Joe. It was all part of the game. Never did Jason expect to hold a serious acquisition.

  It was payback … for Hal.

  It started normally with the introduction of defendants and hearing their pleas of not guilty. Then Jason informed them that the hearing was not a formal ordeal and it was to be over as quickly as possible and kept low-keyed.

  After reading the deposition and the list of offenses and charges, Jason simply turned to Ellen and asked for her rendition. After all, she was the key impartial witness.

  He wasn’t shocked in the least when Ellen spewed forth that Jimmy was cute and sat quietly in the corner with Jenny, occasionally getting up to swing dance and laugh. It didn’t surprise him when she stated Sgt. Ryder was highly entertaining and was glad to see him ‘up and about’ using his talents and vocal ability other than at church. The praising of Rob
bie’s dart skills was not a shocker. Ellen went on and on how Robbie beat every man that challenged him and did it without ‘Slagel’ gloating. On the Frank front, Jason merely nodded and showed a ‘is that so’ impression when Ellen told of how he congratulated Hal and joined them for conversation and good jokes the entire evening.

  What astonished and entertained Jason was Dean’s reaction. The loud ‘what!’ he released every few seconds, the prissy mood, his stomping feet, and temper tantrum. Dean was a one man show, courtesy of Ellen informing the court how Dean tried, with diligence, to rally everyone together, had Hal running amuck, stood on the table chanting ‘Hal sucks’, and the best—when Dean put his finger down his own throat and made himself throw up on the juke box as some sort of protest over Elliott’s wonderful singing.

  Jimmy … charges dropped.

  Frank … all cleared.

  Elliott …. no problem.

  Dean …

  Jason cleared his throat and held back his laughter. “Obstruction of justice, loitering, public intoxication, lewd and crude behavior, destruction of property, acts of terrorism, and unlawful sexual advances toward an inanimate object.” Jason shrugged. “I believe that was the microphone stand. You are to return to this courtroom tomorrow for sentencing. You’re released on your on reconnaissance.”

  Dean stood with his mouth agape.

  Robbie stood up. “What about me?” he asked.

  “Oh,” Jason snapped his finger. “I forgot.” He flipped through some pages. “Oh here it is. Yes. Unlawful and unauthorized use of a Beginnings vehicle.”

  “What?” Robbie laughed.

  “Were you driving?”

  “Well yes …”

  “You didn’t req the truck. Frank did. Therefore, he should have been driving. Guilty. Because Joe’s punishment is severe enough for the charges, I’ll uphold it. Grounded for one week.” Jason slammed his gavel. “Case closed.” He stood up with an exhale. “I love being a judge.”

  ***

  For the longest time Mike’s desk was covered with the tiny slips of paper that were the voting ballots of his town. He didn’t just count them once; he went over them three times to make sure his tally was correct.