by Hunt, Jack
Waiting in the doorway was Jake. His arm in a sling.
“Sam here?” she asked.
“He’s gone to Belfast,” Sara replied. “He left hours ago.”
She ran a hand over her face as they lingered out front of the house. “What did Landon say?” Jake asked.
“He didn’t. He just said he was going to speak with Benjamin.”
Jake looked at Sara as if they were privy to something she didn’t know.
“What about Max?” Sara asked. “Did you come across him while you were there?”
“No. I searched. He could be anywhere.”
They all entered the house, barring Tess who opted to stay down at the dock. Inside, Beth went to get herself a drink. Her throat was parched and she was exhausted from having minimal sleep. Grizzly came bounding up and ran around her a few times before she scratched his head. No sooner had she downed an entire canister of water and set it on the counter than the back doors that led out to the pool opened and in stumbled Max and Eddie, soaking wet.
Sara shot across the room. “Max!?”
She began peppering him with questions but he was exhausted. Both of them slumped down at the kitchen table, water dripping off their clothes and pooling at their feet.
“Where have you been?”
“At the country club,” Eddie said in jest. “You should have seen the friends we made. Oh. Their kindness knew no bounds.”
Max chuckled, slapping him on the arm. “Holbrook Island Sanctuary.”
“What were you doing there?” Beth asked.
He managed to summon a hand. “It’s a long story.”
19
Benjamin was furious. For a second Landon thought he might throw a punch but instead he paced, a mass of pent-up anger, clenching his jaw and balling his fists. “He’s telling the truth, Benjamin,” his wife said. “I saw the guy with my own eyes.”
“I told you—”
“I know what you said but I had to know,” Sue continued, cutting him off.
Landon stood there quiet, gripping an AR-15. He figured the one person Ben would listen to was his wife. When Ben took a seat at what was left of a breakfast counter, Landon spoke up. “We need everyone to help. This isn’t going to be easy and there is a good chance some of us won’t be alive at the end of the day but if we don’t push back, we will fall to whatever regime, rules and regulations FEMA wants to impose on us.”
“But it’s FEMA.”
Landon sighed. “I’m not exactly sure it is, at least, in the way that FEMA may have operated before the blackout. These kinds of things can get away from people. I have to wonder how much of what Harris has ordered is sanctioned by FEMA and what is simply him wanting to save face.”
Ben stared at him and nodded. “Are you sure, Susan?” he asked one last time before he made any decisions that could affect both of their lives.
“One hundred percent,” she replied.
He nodded with his eyes closed and clasped his hands together. “There are three other families I can get on board but the rest of the community, I’m not sure about that.”
Landon went over and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Whatever you can muster, I’m sure will be of great help.”
“Then what?” Ben asked.
“That I’m still working on.”
“Do you think you might be able to get the militia back?”
“I don’t know but at the bare minimum we as a community need to make it clear we won’t stand by and be terrorized or threatened into a way of life that goes against the Constitution. I will go and speak with Ray and see if—”
“You might not have to,” Sue said looking out the window. Landon walked over to see a large group heading up to the doorway. Sam and Ray were leading the way, behind them were Sara, Beth and Max. They entered through the partially open door without knocking. Landon stepped into the corridor and smiled as Beth hurried over and gave him a hug. Sara and Max smiled but looked awkward as if they weren’t sure what to do. He motioned for Max to come over. He looked at Sara for a second and she nodded before he approached and hugged it out. Sam gave a casual salute.
“Landon.”
“Sam. Ray.”
Ben joined him and came out to apologize to Ray. “I guess I owe you an apology. I should have known better.” He extended a hand and Ray looked at it without expression. For a moment Landon thought he was going to reject him. He didn’t. He grasped his hand and pulled him in and patted him on the back.
“No. I should be the one apologizing. We said we would protect you folks. We failed you there. I hope you’ll see your way to forgive.”
“Nothing to forgive,” Ben said looking past him at the array of men and women outside. “Seems like more than before.”
“It is. We rallied together those in and out of Belfast, as many as were willing to fight.”
All of them headed out into the daylight and looked at the group of over eighty men and women all geared up in fatigues and armed to the teeth. “How did you manage to get on the island?” Ben asked.
“The same way Bennington did. You can’t protect every inch of this land. But they have the main roads, most of the town and definitely the docks on the east side covered. This isn’t all of us either. We have another ten heading around to the north end to deal with the checkpoints. No matter what, this ends today.”
“So you have a plan?” Landon asked Ray.
“He doesn’t but I do,” Sam replied. “First I’m going to speak to him.”
“Speak? No, Sam, that’s a terrible idea. That’s not a plan, that’s suicide. You know he wants your head,” Benjamin said.
Sam nodded, relaxed and seemingly without fear. “That he does. Except a man like that won’t fall for how we did this last time. He’ll be expecting to be ambushed. He certainly won’t show his face unless I draw him out. I figure if we can take him, we stand a chance of the rest laying down their weapons.”
That’s when Landon piped up. “It isn’t just him you have to worry about. Let’s face the facts, Bennington isn’t in the position he is now because of his own fortitude, he’s there because of Harris. Bennington is just a puppet like the rest of the military.”
“That’s why this is perfect timing,” Ray said. “Harris is here in Castine.”
Sara chimed in. “How do you know?”
“Word travels fast. My crew has been doing surveillance on the comings and goings since we left.” He looked at Sam, and Sam shook his head.
“And there was me thinking you were doing nothing except drinking yourself into a drunken stupor.”
“Please. And let that asshole get away with murder? Come on. I was biding my time having my guys do some reconnaissance. A convoy of Humvees arrived earlier today. Word has it Harris isn’t the only one that’s here either. Some good friends of ours from one of the other counties said that some suit from out of the county who heads up another FEMA camp in Waterville arrived. It appears Harris has been asking for far more than he should have. Ten percent is the going rate elsewhere. Anyway, this suit brought with her a new group of soldiers to provide additional support.”
“Support?”
“For ensuring that towns that resist are… encouraged to get with the program, if you know what I mean.”
Benjamin’s gaze bounced between them. “All right, I’ll bite. You go strolling into his neck of the woods and draw him out. Then what? No matter how you play this I can’t see this ending in anything else but bloodshed.”
“I can,” Landon said to the surprise of the others. “He released me requesting that I go and speak with you all and get you to see his way of thinking.”
Ray chuckled. “And you believed him?”
“Of course not but it presents us with an opportunity.”
Ray looked around. “His guys are probably watching us now.”
“Oh they are,” Beth said. “They followed me back to the Manor, so I figured they were on your tail too.”
“Yeah they are
. I saw them,” Landon said. “Which means he knows you’re here.”
“And there was me thinking we were gonna pull the wool over his eyes,” Sam said sarcastically.
“We don’t need to,” Landon replied, placing a hand on Benjamin’s shoulder. “This community, or what remains of it is the key.” He shared what he had in mind and Sara smiled.
“He’s right.”
Sam grimaced. “And if you’re not?”
Ray nudged him. “Then this ends in blood.”
Bennington felt like a king hosting an event for some elite members of society. He’d cracked open the best wine they could get their hands on, and had several of the guys whip up a meal. With so much going his way, he wanted to capitalize on it by rubbing shoulders with Brooke Stephens and learning about the work FEMA was doing before dropping his idea for handling the camp. The thought had come to him while waiting for Harris to show. It wasn’t as much about taking control of Castine, as it was being at the helm of the FEMA camp. He was thinking far too small. After seeing the way Stephens listened to him at the checkpoint and shot down Harris’ attempts at controlling the conversation, he was encouraged.
“So as I was saying. It’s all about having the right person leading the cause.”
“It seems so,” Stephens replied.
Harris looked as if he was about to burst a blood vessel.
“I would welcome the chance to share some of the ideas that I have if you’re open to that.”
Stephens set her glass down and Bennington went to refill it. She placed a hand over the top. “Oh that’s enough for me. Thank you, Mr. Bennington.”
“Please. Call me Mick.”
Right then a steel door groaned open and in walked Sonny. “Sorry to interrupt. Mick, you wanted to be updated when we had news.”
“Yes. Excuse me,” he said rising from the table and wiping his lips with a napkin. Harris raised a brow and Bennington gave him a smug smile. He hadn’t felt this good in years. There was nothing like having people of real importance listen to him. He stepped outside and Sonny closed the door behind him.
“They’re here.”
Bennington waited for him to fill in the rest. When he didn’t, he replied, “Care to be a little clearer?”
“The militia… and numerous other people including Sam, Jake. They gathered outside Benjamin’s home.”
Bennington turned and took a few steps down the corridor. “Huh. Maybe Landon did come through.” He turned looking jovial. “Very good. Alert the others to be ready.”
With that said he stepped back inside the room and updated the rest of them on the situation, once again eager to win the approval of Stephens.
“They’re heading this way?” Harris asked.
“Um. Well.” Bennington stumbled over his words.
“We should leave now,” Harris said rising from the table and gesturing for Stephens to leave. Bennington lifted a hand.
“Whoa, whoa, what’s the hurry?”
“The hurry?” Harris scoffed. “Do I have to remind you how this ended last time?”
“We were ambushed.”
“And you may be ambushed again. Just because you think you managed to get through to this… Landon. It doesn’t mean he listened to you. In fact releasing him was probably the worst mistake you could have made.”
Oh, Bennington could see where this was going. Harris was trying to undermine him in front of Stephens — make him look like a fool. But that wasn’t happening. He hadn’t worked this hard to have a sniveling prick like him rain on his parade.
“It’s under control. Last time we didn’t have this many soldiers available to us.” He turned to Stephens. “Please. Take your seat. You are safe here. If, and I say if because I am confident that I managed to connect with Landon. If they were attempting to ambush us, the last place you would want to be is out there on the streets.”
Harris raised a finger to Stephens to indicate he wanted a moment alone with Bennington. They stepped outside. Harris whispered quietly, “I don’t know what you think you are playing at but know this… I am the one calling the shots. Not you. You understand? The only reason you are here is because I allow it. The only reason you aren’t in that camp as one of the others is because I allow it. Now I’m asking.” He paused. “No. Actually I’m ordering you. Get out there now and deal with this matter while we leave under the protection of my men.” He made a point to emphasize the word “my.” He turned to walk back into the room but paused at the door with his hand on the handle. “Oh and Bennington. You ever try to make me look bad like that again in front of Stephens, or anyone, I will have your head.”
He entered the room and closed the door behind him leaving Bennington seething.
Each of them had been instructed on what to do. Ray had dotted his men throughout the town to cover their asses if shit went south. Sara, Beth and Max had gone with Benjamin and Sue to rally together as many people from the community as possible. If they were to pull this off it would be nothing short of a joint effort. Landon and Sam stood outside Trinitarian Congregational Parish awaiting their arrival.
“You sure about this?” Ray asked them both.
“If I’m not then it’s going to be one hell of a party,” Sam replied with a smile before dropping a cigarette and crushing it below his boot.
Landon added, “If I’m not mistaken, Daniels, you seem to be enjoying this.”
He smiled. “What’s there not to enjoy? One way or another Bennington is going to get his ass handed to him.”
They’d been waiting there for close to an hour before they saw a large group making their way down the road. It was hard to know exactly how many there were, but a rough estimate was more than thirty armed residents. Ray headed off to rendezvous with his men and get into position.
“We’re taking a big risk if this doesn’t work out,” Benjamin said upon reaching them. “Not everyone wanted to help.”
“Understandable,” Landon said bracing himself for what was to come. “Well, let’s do this.”
He stepped off the curb into the midst of the people and made his way to the front. It looked like a group going to a rally as they walked down Main Street together, heading for the dock. There had to be a show of force. Each of them were there to protect one another.
It didn’t take long before they were in sight of the soldiers.
Barriers had been erected to prevent anyone from attempting to rush the dock. Armed soldiers raised their weapons as if expecting trouble and Landon took a deep breath before telling the others to be ready. Out the corner of his eye he glanced up and saw some of Ray’s guys moving across the tops of the buildings to get into position. They stopped at the intersection of Water and Main Streets. Benjamin had already told those gathered that at the first sign of trouble they were to break off to the left and right and use the stalled vehicles and buildings as cover. They fanned out as they moved forward as one unit.
“That’s as far as you come. State your business,” a soldier bellowed.
“Here to speak to Bennington,” Landon said. “Tell him Daniels is ready to talk.”
The soldier got on the radio but Bennington must have already got the heads-up as they spotted him making his way up Sea Street surrounded by armed guards. Their rifles were out in front, aimed at the group long before they were within earshot. Bennington was fully outfitted in a helmet, a ballistic vest and cradling an M4, his finger hovering over the trigger.
“Landon. You returned. Good news, I hope?” His narrowed gaze drifted over the mob and fell upon Sam. The animosity between the two of them was palpable. “I see you brought members of the town with you. Pete. Douglas. June.” He reeled off names. He was all too familiar with them and probably knew their distaste for him. They gave a nod. He squinted and scanned the crowd. “Ray not here?”
“He’s here,” Landon said. Making it clear that a crosshair was already on him. It was a countermeasure, a last resort. He knew it was a big risk having Ray involved in thi
s after what Bennington had done to his brother but he had to hope that Sam had got him to agree to play it cool.
“We’re here to talk,” Sam said.
“I’m glad to hear that. So then let’s kick this off by having you place your weapons on the ground.”
“Can’t do that,” Sam replied.
Bennington shifted from one foot to the next, a look of confusion spreading. “So by talk you mean — listening or negotiating? Because if you’re here to listen that starts by… listening. And right now we see a group of dangerous individuals who are a threat.”
“And we don’t?” Sam replied.
Bennington smiled as if he was in control. “These soldiers are here for your protection.”
Sam chuckled. “Ours?”
“That’s right,” he said with a nod of the head. “We can’t just have anyone walking around with a gun, now can we?”
“You are,” Sam said.
“That’s because I’ve been given the uh… heavy responsibility of ensuring Castine plays their part.”
“Plays their part?” Sam asked. “Let’s talk about that, shall we. For this to move forward, things have to change, Bennington.”
He nodded with a sly grin. “For sure.”
“That means no more gouging the community. It’s 10 percent or nothing. That’s all they get.”
Bennington laughed. “Hey I didn’t set the percentage. I’m just here to enforce it and with it, ensure that the good folks of this town,” he said motioning to the group as a whole, “are protected.”
Sam shifted his weight. “That’s interesting. You see we heard that FEMA has been requesting only 10 percent from other towns and the only one asking for more was Harris. So do you want to clear that up?”
“It’s simple really. Supply and demand. We are able to supply a larger amount of fish and supplies than other towns.”
Sam scratched his temple. “Don’t bullshit us, Bennington. How about you go and get Harris and we have this conversation with him? Oh and while you’re at it, I’m sure the suit from Kennebec County would like to hear this too.”
