The Road to Round Mountain: The Betrayal by

by C. G. Roberts

  man I think my heart is starting to melt again. “I can’t wait, oh by the way, I’ll be the one wearing gloves”. I could hear a faint chuckle. “Okay, well I can’t wait to see you, gloves and all; see you at one, good night Billy”. “Good night Jennifer”.

  If all were true to form I should be standing tall, whistling perhaps, and smitten with joy as my Mother used to say. Most of this was true, I was standing tall, even with the faltering balance from the boot on my left foot. If there were such a thing then yes I would say I was smitten. I didn’t realize I was smiling until I got to the front door of the mess hall, and saw my reflection in the window. I thanked Mr. Watkins as he locked up the mess hall and proceeded to tell us to go and head for our sleeping quarters.

  142

  24

  the evenIng rItuAl of getting ready for bed was not much different from my house. The only difference was I usually didn’t have to wait on five or six people to finish brushing their teeth before I could. On my way out of the sink area I passed Frankie who whispered, “Dead Pepe’’. He really needed to expand his vocabulary up a couple of notches. I had no response and didn’t give him the satisfaction of even looking in his direction. The concern I had earlier in the evening about the sleeping arrangements were settled somewhat with the addition of an extra staf f member being inside the building with us. With the two staf f personnel keeping watch outside and one inside with us I was fairly sure Frankie and his thugs might be somewhat hesitant to start any crap; at least I hope so.

  I can see why Gordon recommended this particular bed, it just happened to be right next to his. I did take the bed for a test run. After stretching out for a few seconds, I realized that this bed was not much more comfortable than

  a sleeping bag. It could be worse I suppose, my bed could’ve been next to Sully’s. The Staff person at the door wasn’t very tall as much as he was thick. I think even Sully would have a hard time trying to get past him. He gave us the lights out in ten minutes speech; well not so much a speech as is was a commandment.

  Gordon and I were sitting on the edge of our beds facing

  143

  each other as Gordon leans in towards me. “Hey, why didn’t you tell the Sheriff about what Frankie and the boys have planned for Friday night? I saw that you only gave the Sheriff one of the flash drives too, what are you going to do with it”? Trying to maintain a barely audible voice like Gordon did I replied, “I’m much more concerned about what Agent Boling could do to me, than what the Four Horsemen can do. Plus the Sheriff sounds like he hates her and that will keep him busy trying to get in her way. I think I might be able to help on Friday’s matter. Now for those of us who want to, we can go to the movies Friday night”? Gordon scanned his surroundings then returned to me. “Yeah we get to go, but one of the steroid staff members always go with us. What’s your plan; do you really think you can help”? “I think so, but I’ll have to figure out a few details first”. Just as I finished, B.B. came walking between our beds.

  B.B. was turned facing Gordon and leaned over to say, “Frankie says sweet dreams and to enjoy them because they might be your last”. That comment scared the crap out of Gordon and with good reason, for what they did to him last Friday. I could tell that Gordon’s hand were shaking, “Leave him alone, he doesn’t have to put up with your crap”. Damn where did that come from. I don’t ever recall talking back to anyone in that manner.

  B.B. slowly turned to face me. “Look skunk head, you either shut your mouth or I’ll do it for you”. For whatever reason, that didn’t faze me in the least. Okay I knew the reason, I just wanted B.B. to touch me somewhere for a little shock therapy. “Well then I guess you’ll have to shut it for me B.B., and do they call you B.B. because you’re not able to

  144

  Thank you for evaluating PDF to ePub Converter.

  To get full version, you need to purchase the software from: http://www.pdf-epub-converter.com/convert-to-epub-purchase.html

  pronounce your own name”? I hoped that would do it. B.B. looked up towards the front door where the staff guy was setting up for the night. I didn’t see it coming, he threw a left hook that connected square on my jaw. With a quick snap of electricity, B.B. went flying over Gordon’s bed and crashed to the floor.

  After a few seconds of moaning, Staff steroid had no-ticed the unexpected light show and came running. He stopped where B.B. had landed, and waved off the residual smoke that coming from B.B. I got up from my bed and went around to see for myself. I could sense a trend as the smell hit me. It seems that losing control of your bowels is one of the side effects of touching me. And what a foul smell it was. I shouldn’t have egged him on like that. The whole purpose was to be able to buy Gordon and myself some time. With Sully stuck in the time out room, and B.B. needing a change in shorts, I was confident they would not attempt anything tonight. Okay, somewhat confident.

  I could see the name badge for staff steroid, it was Malloy. He was helping B.B. back to his feet as the others came close to see what had happened. That’s when B.B. started yelling, “he Tased me, he Tased me”. In a sense he was right, except that I had no weapon to speak off. Malloy turned to me, “So who’s gonna tell me what the hell happened”? Before I could get a word out, Gordon chimed in. “B.B. threatened us, then he hit Billy in the jaw”. Malloy told B.B. to hit the showers and get rid of that smell, then bet over to have a look at my jaw. He was starting to touch it when I hollered, “No, don’t do that”. “Why the hell not, I need to see where you said he hit you and so far I don’t see squat”, Malloy replied. Gordon

  145

  stood up and whispered in Malloy’s ear. Malloy stood up looked at me and then back at Gordon, “Really”. “Go check with Mr. Watkins he was trying to keep this quiet”, Gordon responded. “I’ll be back in a couple minutes, try not to zap anybody while I’m gone”.

  I’m sure that last part was for my benefit. I know that Mr. Watkins had wanted to keep my condition quiet, and probably could have if not for Frankie and his gang. I was hoping for a quiet night. I think the only way that’s going to happen is when I leave this place. Only five weeks and 6 days left, my how time flies.

  After about five minutes Malloy came back inside from talking to Mr. Watkins. He walked over to Gordon and me. He sat down on my bed, just as B.B. came in from the show-ers. “Any more out of you tonight, and I promise, I will use my Taser on you”. B.B. remained speechless with his head hanging low as he went over to his bed.

  Malloy set up shop so to speak in between my bed and Gordon’s. He got comfy in his chair as he plugged in his headset, and started watching his movie of choice. I couldn’t tell what the movie was as I was facing him while in bed. I was dead tired, and wanted nothing more than to sleep. We should be able to get some rest now that the reinforcements are here. Of course the reason they are here had a lot to do with me. If I didn’t decide to go talk with the other Agents, they would still be alive. My mind was spinning in numerous directions about how my actions have affected others. It’s going to take some time, to deal with all of this. Oh, and then there is Friday night to deal with. Maybe I won’t be getting that much sleep after all.

  146

  25

  tuesdAy mornIng cAme and went without inci-

  dent. The breakfast consisting of pancakes and fried potatoes was entirely too filling, especially when you haven’t slept much. Frankie and his thug monkeys were suspiciously quiet, which was fine by me, I was ready for a break. Gordon and I killed some time walking around the buildings while killing some cigarettes. I was still trying to figure out why I got light headed after smoking. All Gordon would do is laugh at my apparent disorientation after lighting up.

  Gordon had a lot of questions about how I don’t feel any physical pain, like when B.B. popped me in the jaw, and when Detective Hargorve went for my throat. What he really wanted to see was for me to take my gloves off, and shoot excess lightning at something and watch it fry. I could go for that myself but I didn’t
want to waste any since I didn’t know how long it would stay in me, or if it just went away after time.

  It was cloudy and a bit of mist was noticeable on the chairs out front of the Rec. Hall. It was rather dreary look-ing out here. I could understand why everyone with any sense was inside. They had quite a crowd across the street at the convenience store. I didn’t notice any open parking spots. Well nothing draws a crowd in for a good sale like a double homicide.

  One of the staff was on his bullhorn announcing that

  147

  lunch was being served. Almost like royalty being summoned for the midday feast; except for the bullhorn, which quickly dissolved my image for Pomp and Circumstance.

  The lunch menu consisted of Navy beans, fried potatoes and cornbread. Two out of the three were pretty good. The cornbread was dry as dust. Gordon and I had our dessert outside, a couple of Marlboro’s finest. I was getting the hang of this smoking thing, I remembered not to light the filter this time.

  The Sheriff pulled into the drive parking alongside the Rec. hall. He was wearing a dressier version of his normal uniform, complete with dress jacket and a different looking badge than he normally wears. His hat was even a more mili-tary type with a shiny brim, instead of his wide brim hat. My appearance paled in comparison, but in my defense, all my good stuff was burned.

  “Hey Sheriff, looking mighty spiffy today”, I comment-ed. “This old thing, I only wear it when I don’t care how I look”, he said with a smile. “You Boy’s about ready, I’ll go tell Watkins and we’ll get going”. I started to get a little quea-sy feeling in my gut. Part of my nausea I’m sure was not helped by the cornbread, but most of it was saying my final goodbye’s to my parents. The only good part of this was that Jennifer would be there and I was really looking forward to that part of our journey.

  Inside the Sheriff’s patrol car was impressive. A rifle holder, and the rifle itself I couldn’t tell you what it was. He had a mini computer monitor mounted by the dashboard, 2-way radio, and a couple of dozen assorted light switches scattered about. I was in the passenger seat as Gordon was

  148

  in the back, hopefully not feeling like an arrested criminal.

  “Billy, How much does Gordon know about what’s going on”, The Sheriff said in a soft tone?”, “He knows what I know”, I replied. The Sheriff wrinkled his nose as we were pulling out onto marine drive, “Billy Speer, have you been smoking”? The jig was up and there was no escape, “Gordon got me hooked”, as I laid the blame as far away from me as possible. “Thanks a lot snitch”, Gordon chimed in from the back seat.

  The Sheriff pulled out the flash drive I gave him, from his jacket pocket and plugged it in to the side of his monitor, and turned the monitor to where I could see it. The screen

  was entirely too busy with information for me to make out what I was looking at. “What is all this”. The Sheriff shook his head and replied, “Damned if I know Billy, There’s so much data on this thing I thought my computer was going to explode. However there are some legible folders on this thing like multiple phone records, financial records, and a map with directions to a place in the middle of Nevada”.

  The legible part had far too much information for me to take in, more or less the rest of the flash drive. I started to wonder how much information on that drive was related

  to Agent Boling. Since both of the other agents were murdered last night, I’m sure the majority of it had her activity all over it.

  “Did you ever find out what happened at the convenience store last night Sheriff”? He gave me a rather odd look, “Son you know what happened”. “I know, what I mean is there anything official coming from Agent Boling”? “As a matter of fact, oh fussy britches, did send me a copy of

  149

  her report this morning. Funny thing is, the report had the agent’s death caused by a shootout in the parking lot, from a robbery attempt at the store”.

  “How can she do that, they died because of what I have become, and tried to protect me”.

  “One minor little detail she may have overlooked, it seems the FBI agents had someone put up a camera on the light pole in the parking lot that faces the store. I’m sure that Agent Boling was well aware that the store had no camera and one of the folders on the flash drive has login information to access footage from that camera. I believe those two agents had already planned on her acting in some capacity and wanted video of it”.

  I seem to be the cause of the FBI agents getting killed, and the subsequent cover up attempt. I don’t understand what is so important about my condition that warrants this type of activity. One thing I was sure of, that the place in Nevada is the key to this whole mess. What exactly was down there and more important who, and how big of a roll does Agent Boling play in this. I need to stop, I’m giving myself a headache as I still need to deal with my current situation first.

  “Did you say that some people you know can maybe figure out what all this stuff on the drive is”? “Yeah, but it will take some doing. I sent copies of the contents to three different folks I know, but I won’t say where or who. We don’t need any more dead bodies turning up around here”. Boy did I understand that and I didn’t want to know who was looking at it, for my own sake as well as theirs.

  It took just a few minutes to go around the bend and up

  150

  to the Point. The Sheriff popped the flash drive out of the side of the monitor and back into his pocket, as we pulled in to the modest parking lot. The Point wasn’t a big tourist attraction, just a large covered version of a lifeguard stand you would see on the beach, but you had a view of Washington State, the mouth of the Columbia River and to the west, the Ocean. It was made of 100 percent wood, which is a challenge to keep in good repair with our rainy weather.

  We were just getting out of the patrol car when another small car pulled onto the parking lot. It was a light blue Hyundai Accent with Jennifer behind the wheel. My mood immediately improved with the sight of her. The Sheriff was digging around for something in the trunk. Jennifer looked stunning as she got out of her car. She was wearing a sleeveless black mid length dress with matching black shoes. This was the first time I had seen her with her hair not in a ponytail. Her Shiny blonde hair, those sparkling blue eyes and that dress would make for a great portrait. Since I have no talent in that arena that point is moot. There was a light breeze that gently swirled her shoulder length hair. A beautiful memory I will never forget.

  Only 50 percent of us dressed appropriately, but that was okay, we were here to pay tribute to my parents. My Dad would approve of my attire since his wardrobe consisted of overalls and hip waders. My Dad was quite the fashion Guru.

  “Billy, come here for a minute”, the Sheriff asked while I smiled and waved at Jennifer. Jennifer came around with me as we went to the back of the patrol vehicle. I looked over at Jennifer and said, “You look Fantastic, I mean wow”. I’m surprised I got that many words out. “Thank you Billy, I’ll

  151

  be right back, I’ve got something for you in the car”. I was watching her walk back to her car when I heard the Sheriff, “A little distracted are we”? Embarrassed, I slowly turned towards him as he handed me an urn. I couldn’t help but stare at it. I wasn’t quite sure what I expected but seeing the urn was a slap of reality I wasn’t ready for. I could feel my eyes getting misty.

  “That’s your Dad”, said the Sheriff as he pulled the second urn from the box in the trunk. “This is your Mother”, the sheriff continued. Too much reality, I don’t know if I can do this. Jennifer came around with some type of clothing draped over her arm. “I’ll take that Billy”, she said referring to the urn while handing me a suit coat. “It’s for you; the Sheriff said all of your clothes were destroyed in the fire” she said with that smile that continued to melt my heart. “I don’t know what to say”, as my eyes welled up again. “It was my brother’s suit, but he hasn’t worn it for a while”. I gave it a try and it fit pretty darned good. I now felt a
little more appropriate.

  The Sheriff pointed to the stairs of the Point and said, “Shall we”. I took my Mother’s urn while Jennifer surprised me by taking my Dad’s urn. It was just as well; the way I was shaking I don’t think I could have held on to two urns. “Thanks”, was all I could get out as we went up the stairs. The breeze picked up some when we got to the top. The mist had stopped and there were a few breaks in the clouds.

  I walked up to the railing facing the mouth of the Columbia River with Jennifer at my side when she said, “I’d be honored to help you if you’d like that way we can

  152

  release both urns at the same time”. She was too good to be true. I was feeling a little wobbly but managed to nod my head in agreement.

  I opened the top of my Dad’s urn as Jennifer did the same with my Mother’s. We set the urns on the rail when I said, “Ignorance is the curse of God, Knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven”. Jennifer immediately replied, “My soul is in the sky”. We looked at each other and she said, “On three”? I nodded, as she counted one, two, and three.

  We picked up the urns and poured them out over the railing. A gust of wind came up as we emptied the urns, and the wind seemed to pick up the ashes and sent them higher in the sky. It was surreal as the ashes seemed to twist and turn with the wind, continuing their ascent in the sky. I know the laws of gravity, but for the life of me, my Parents ashes kept rising as if reaching for the heavens. The wind died off to just a breeze, as my parent’s ashes disappeared out into the horizon. It was all I could do to maintain my composure when I felt Jennifer’s hand join mine. The feeling of her hand in mine made me feel a lot better. I looked down at our hands and notice she too was wearing surgical gloves. She thinks of everything.

  The Sheriff had his hat off holding it over his heart during our mini ceremony and stated, “Well I’ve got to say that was about a good a sendoff that I’ve been a part of; that was great Billy”. I could tell Gordon was moved as well. He didn’t say anything but gave me a thumbs up. I asked the Sheriff and Gordon if I could have a few minutes with