Inquisition

by Marcy G. Dyer

  He stomped after Randi. Easier said than done.

  Randi supervised as Adriana and Cooper worked with Gabriele and Faustina. Gabriele grabbed for the weapon in Adriana's hand, and she slapped the woman's hand away. "You do not ever grab for a gun. Are you some kind of idiot? That's a good way to get shot."

  "I'm not a novice."

  "Really? That was one whopper of a novice move there, lady. Now, settle down, shut up and listen, or you'll never get to carry a weapon. Do you want to do perimeter checks unarmed?" Gabriele paled. "That's what I thought. Are you going to listen to me, or do I need to send your pampered little backside to the house?"

  Gabriele turned to Josh and stuck her full bottom lip out in a pout. "Are you allowing her to speak to me in this manner?"

  "Yep. She's right. If you don't listen to her and use a weapon safely, then you don't carry."

  She rolled her eyes. "Whatever." Her French accent slipped a little. Then she turned to Adriana. "Hurry this up, I've got better things to do than stand around here with you losers all day."

  Randi lifted her eyebrow and looked at Josh. "What happened to her carefully practiced French accent?" she whispered.

  "Two to ten the woman's not even visited France."

  Gabriele watched as Adriana handed her the weapon, she dropped the magazine, racked the slide, and checked the chamber. "Clear." She loaded the magazine, and slammed it home. Not her first time to handle a weapon. She pointed the gun at the target and centered ten shots in the bullseye. "Satisfied?" She handed the weapon to Adriana then turned to Josh.

  Cooper adjusted Faustsina's grip, covered his hands over hers and aimed at the target. He removed his hands and spoke to her in soft tones. She fired and hit inside the target, something she hadn't done with him or Randi. "This was a good idea."

  Randi smiled. "I thought having someone other than us might make things easier. Cooper's picked up shooting quite well despite his dislike of guns, and he's so kind and gentle with Mom, I thought he'd be a good one pair her with."

  They all walked back into the yard. Reginald and Mary Anne were heading toward the bridge over the river. Gabriele ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Oh my love, it is so good to see you outside of that dungeon."

  Reginald stepped back, his face tensed, and he tugged on Gabriele's hands, but the woman had more arms than an octopus.

  Randi grabbed her hair and jerked backwards. "Stop it. Now." Gabriele let go of Reginald. "I don't know what that little show was all about unless it was for Mary Anne's benefit because you seem to work fine with Reginald and Miguel without any of these antics. This either stops immediately, or you're gone." Randi spun her around to face her. "Do you understand me? Reg and Miguel need your help in the lab, but I won't tolerate you inflicting more hurt on a wonderful woman who's done nothing to you. You either straighten up, or you're gone."

  Go to the RV." Randi pointed with one hand and pushed the woman with the other. "Move it."

  Gabriele stomped off toward the camper. "Are you moving her back to there?" Mary Anne asked.

  "I guess. I don't know what else to do with her."

  "No. Let her stay in the basement." Mary Anne put her arm on Reg's arm. "We've worked out our problems, and she doesn't threaten me."

  Randi cracked her knuckles. "After Reg and I have a talk." She pointed toward the house. "Basement. Now."

  He ducked his head, but headed toward the house. Mary Anne and Josh both laughed when he was out of earshot. "I've never seen him obey anyone quite like he does you." Mary Anne hugged Randi. "Don't be too hard on him. He has enough guilt to go around."

  "He's not the only one," she muttered as she followed him.

  They reached the cement floor and she pointed to a stool. "Your little girlfriend's not what she claims to be."

  "What do you mean?" Reginald rearranged the emergency rations left on the shelves. "Good idea to move most of these to the RV in case we need to evac."

  "Don't change the subject. First, I can't believe you would cheat on your incredible wife for that...that woman. Mary Anne has more going for her than Gabriele ever thought about. Second, she's not French."

  "Of course she is. She came here on a student visa to Harvard, then when she got the job with government, she was able to immigrate here."

  "Nope. She lost it with Josh when we were shooting. Dropped her French accent for a Southern one. Deep South. Maybe Alabama or Mississippi, and the woman is a crack shot. She's been shooting all her life."

  Reginald gasped and took a step back. "She told me she'd never touched a gun."

  Randi took a deep breath. The gold digger had taken him in, and he bought her ruse. She cocked her head to side. "Reg, I'm sorry, but she's not who she says she is. She told me she was able to get here because she'd flown to San Antonio to spend some time with friends before everything collapsed. I don't know what she told you to make you fall in love with her, but don't trust her."

  "It wasn't love." He gave a rueful smile. "I never stopped loving my wife. I was just too stupid to see I had confused physical desire with true love. Mary Anne and I had grown apart. I almost destroyed my family, but I've never stopped loving my wife. If there were any other way, I would never agree to Gabriele staying, but even Mary Anne refuses to send her out to her death."

  Randi gave him a shoulder bump. "Life's messed up right now, and we need to try to make the best of it."

  "I hope you can learn to forgive your father."

  Wow, talk about a change of subject. "I'm trying, but the pain is still so raw."

  "As tough as you are, if you can forgive him, maybe Mary Anne and Belle can learn to forgive me for allowing David to die."

  "There's a difference. You didn't kill David."

  "But I did, honey. Don't you understand? I developed this evil virus. I killed my son as sure as if I'd held a loaded gun to his head." He shook his head. "No, that would've been much more human. Instead, I sent my son to a violent, painful death." He sunk to a stool and dropped his chin to his chest. "I watched them rip my boy to shreds." Violent sobs shook his body. Randi had no clue how to help the man, but she couldn't ignore his pain. She put her arms around him and held him until the sobs subsided.

  He looked up at her with red-rimmed eyes. "Sorry for the verbal vomit."

  "It's okay." She plopped down on the stool across from him. "I'm carrying so much guilt and pain, I understand."

  "Your dad keeps telling me I have to forgive myself, but I don't know how."

  Randi let out a short, mirthless laugh. "Ask him if he's forgiven himself for Raul's death the next time he tells you that. I think he's trying. He knows God has forgiven him, but forgiving himself is a little harder."

  "I thought you didn't believe in God."

  Randi patted his arm. "There's a difference in not believing and being furious with Him. I've always known God exists, but I held onto so much pain and anger that I didn't want anything to do with Him." She sighed. "I've said He doesn't exist. Claimed I didn't believe in Him, but the truth is, I never quit believing in a good, loving God. I was just angry with him because I thought He despised me. Why else would I lose so many people I love?"

  Chapter 15

  Josh pulled to the north side of the fence as the sun peeked over the horizon. He turned toward Ethan. "Let's check out this area on foot. Stay alert. We don't know how many infected or uninfected we might encounter."

  Ethan climbed out and rounded the front of the truck where Josh stood. "Do you think someone is watching us, or are we all anxious because of what we've each been through?"

  "I'm not sure." Josh walked forward leaving Ethan at the truck. Why was he stuck with him today? Not that Ethan had done a single thing wrong. He did any task they gave him and treated everyone with kindness. He was being stupid. He had to control his jealousy. It wasn't doing him any favors.

  A gunshot sounded behind him. He spun with his weapon in hand. Three infecteds had Ethan trapped. He'd just warned the man to be careful, yet
he'd been the one who walked off. He aimed and fired at two.

  Ethan put a bullet in the third. He swiped at his face. "Thought I was a goner there for a second."

  Four bodies lay on the ground. Ethan must've killed one when Josh heard the first gunshot. "Man, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have walked off."

  "We're good. I wasn't paying close enough attention." He caught Josh's arm. "Before you walk off, I need you take a look at my neck. One of them had a good hold on it. If there's a scratch..."

  Josh looked all around him. Not Ethan. Randi needed him. He closed his eyes and sucked in a few breaths.

  "Okay." Ethan shed his jacket. "Left side."

  Josh pulled the tee shirt to the side. Nothing on the left. He checked the right. Nothing. Nothing at the back of the neck. "You're sure it was your neck?"

  "Yeah. More in the back of the left side."

  "Mind taking off your shirt and letting me get a good look?"

  "Nope. If there's a chance, even a tiny chance, I'm not going back in there."

  Josh moved the man's braids out of the way and inspected his neck. "It's red back here, but no skin is broken. Looks good."

  Ethan dropped his shirt back over his head and melted against the truck. "Thank you, Jesus! After what happened to Candy, I'm always afraid of getting a scratch without knowing it and bringing it in the camp."

  "Yeah. I know what you mean."

  "When we get back, I'm talking to Xever. Anyone who leaves the safety of the fences, even for a few seconds, needs to be checked. It's too easy in the heat of the moment to not realize if we've been scratched. A bite, I think we'd realize, but not a scratch."

  "Good. I think he gets tired of hearing from Randi, me, and Mark." Josh cuffed him on the shoulder. "About time you decided to join the 'irritate Xever' squad."

  Ethan laughed. "You know, you don't really irritate him. He agrees with most everything you suggest. He's just questioning you to make sure you've thought it out."

  "How do you know this?"

  "He and I talk. I asked him why he always questions y'all when you bring up something. It's not because he doesn't agree, it's because he wants to explore all options before y'all make a decision."

  Josh let out a whistle. "You've befriended everyone in the camp, haven't you?"

  "All but you." Ethan stared through to his soul. "What is it about me that you don't like?"

  "I like you fine."

  "Come on, man. Cut the lies. You know good and well that you tolerate me, but don't care for me. It's not because you're racist. I've been around enough to know that's not it." Ethan shrugged. "Maybe you don't like me being friends with Randi."

  Josh motioned for them to start walking. Ethan slipped on his jacket and caught up to Josh. "I'm glad you're friends with her. She doesn't open up to many people, but you can make her smile. You're good for her."

  "But?"

  "But what? That's it."

  "Yeah, right. There's more to it than that."

  "Fine. I'll admit a part of me is jealous. Before you joined us, Randi and I were closer, but she never talked to me like she does you."

  "She hasn't pulled away from your friendship."

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "Maybe your jealousy is clouding your judgment. She said you used to seek her out to talk, but now you scowl most of the time." Ethan turned at sound to his left. They quieted. A deer darted off in the other direction. "What I'm saying, is you're the one who's pulled away in the friendship. Randi's not the type to seek any of us out. She tries to be strong and unless we make the effort with her, she's going to remain stoic and tough. If you don't like the way your friendship is going, then I suggest you do something about that."

  They made their way back to the truck, loaded the infecteds in the back, and drove to the cremation pits. Josh pulled his shirt up over his nose as he dropped the match into the pit. A flame burst to life over the bodies. The stench brought back too many memories. It had been years since he'd had a flashback, and he'd like to keep it that way.

  "You know she has flashbacks," Josh said once they were back in the truck.

  "I haven't seen it happen, but it doesn't surprise me." Ethan leaned against the door. "What about you?"

  Josh shook his head. "Not in years. The constant stress of this life could cause all of us to develop PTSD."

  "Do we have any Bibles around here? Besides Xever's? I lost mine somewhere along the way."

  "No. I don't think so. Mark and I lost what little we had when our car was hijacked."

  "Why don't we make a run to a Christian bookstore? Those probably weren't looted and several people need Bibles."

  Was it worth the risk to leave their safe home and go on a run just for Bibles? If he didn't take Ethan, the man would get Randi or someone else to go with him.

  "Fine. Let me call Randi." Josh keyed his mike. "Randi, Ethan and I need to make a run. What kind of supplies do we need?"

  "I'm not sure. Let me find Adriana."

  The radio grew quiet for a few minutes. Randi came back on the walkie. "She said anything you can find."

  "Okay. We'll be back sometime today."

  "Y'all be safe."

  "What is your handgun?"

  "A Springfield 1911."

  He handed Ethan several extra magazines for his handgun and for the AR, and they climbed into the truck, pulled onto the highway, and headed toward Kerrville. He hoped they didn't get caught out overnight. He didn't want to have spend an entire day and night talking to this man.

  Bryan's radio squawked, and Vixen's voice came through the speaker. "Why did you leave without talking to me?"

  "I have a job to do." The desire to chunk the radio in the river almost overwhelmed him. "If you don't want me to do what you asked, then tell me now. I'm sick of being cold, tired, and smelly. I'm doing this recon for you, you know."

  "Still, you don't leave without talking to me. Understand?"

  Oh, he understood all right. The woman was a psychopathic control freak. "What do you want, Vixen? I have a job to do and chatting with you over this stupid radio only puts me at risk."

  "Don't you have your ear piece in? If not, use it now! Why would you take it out?"

  "I didn't, but talking to you puts me at risk. If you know a way for me to answer you telepathically, let me know, and I'll do it."

  "Watch it, you impudent jerk. If you don't control that vile tongue of yours, I'll cut it out."

  Something rustled behind him. He jerked around. One of the flesh-eaters. First, he'd seen this low on the steep hill. The dead head shuffled toward him, lost her balance, and rolled down to Reginald's fence. She tried to get up, but her body failed her. Maybe she was dying. If so, Reg's group wouldn't have to kill her.

  "Will you answer me, or do I need to come jerk you out of your hiding spot?"

  "Shut up for five seconds, will ya?" Bryan took a deep breath. "Sick person trying to get to me. I told you, talking to you puts me at risk. Do you really expect me to continue to chat with you when my life is in imminent danger? If so, why don't you take a ride down the white water of the Frio, 'cause that ain't happening."

  "You could've told me what was going on."

  "Nope. If I'm in danger, I'm not saying anything. Got it? Now, what do you want?"

  "You need to come back to look over our plans."

  "Seriously? You want me to drive back to Atlas to go over plans? Why didn't you mention this before?"

  "Because you left without permission."

  "Not sure you understand this, but I don't need your permission for anything. Why don't you give me your verbal plans?"

  "We're going to have the one team come in at the outer gates as I told you before."

  He shook his head. He'd already warned her that her plan stunk.

  "Also, a team's going to float in via the Frio in a boat."

  "It's cold. The Frio's named that because the river is cold on a hot day. It's going to feel freezing in the winter. There are areas a boat
cannot navigate. Most people navigate the river in an inner tube. If you stick people in tubes, they're going to get hypothermic."

  "What is your suggestion, then?"

  "Don't have one, yet." He counted to ten before continuing. "Woman, you are the most impatient person I've ever met."

  She sputtered but didn't form any words. He resisted the urge to laugh. "Something's going on in Reg's yard. I'm turning off the radio for now. I'll contact you when I can." He switched it off before she could say anything else. Good thing she didn't know exactly where he was hiding. The woman would probably search him out, and try to slit his throat for cutting her off. Although, she needed his sniper training if she wanted the mission to succeed, and she knew it.

  Mary Anne walked into the ATV garage. A few minutes later she emerged on a four-wheeler. Was she checking the fence alone? They'd never done that before. He started to move to a better vantage point, but he had no way to see the entire outer area. Instead, he'd wait until she returned.

  Ten minutes later, the chubby woman walked to the garage and emerged on another ATV. Maybe she was delayed and Mary Anne went ahead. The chubby woman had long dark hair and a darker complexion. He smiled. She was cute. He'd never been attracted to the stick girls. Like the one with tattoos. She was pretty, but if she gained about fifty pounds she'd look much better.

  He debated making contact with Mary Anne, but decided against it. If he watched them a little longer, he'd know for sure if they were on the up and up.

  Josh pulled into the parking lot of a Bible bookstore, and turned to look at Ethan. "You know we're crazy for risking our lives to get Bibles when Xever'll let us borrow his."

  "It's not the same, and you know it." Ethan crossed his arms. "You may not understand, but I need to give one to Randi. Her own."

  "Okay, but she's not gonna read it."

  "You might be surprised." Ethan opened his door a crack. "Ready?"

  "As ready as I'll ever be." Josh opened the door, slung his AR across his back, and unholstered his .45. This was insane. A part of him understood Ethan's need to get Bibles, but another part him of wanted to turn around and head home before one of them died.