by Joe Nobody
“To what, Danny?” Cameron snapped. “Forbid you to sneak off in the middle of the night and leave everyone who depends on you behind to fend for themselves?” Cameron waved his hand through the air, clearly dismissing the man in front of him. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t stop you, but I do have one question. Where are you going to go? What paradise summons you so strongly to make the physician violate his oath?”
Dr. Prescott ignored the bait over his oath, and looked at his former friend through melancholy eyes. “We’re heading to Alpha, Cameron. Word is they have electricity and food. People say they’re rebuilding, and I want a future for my daughter. Cindy and I want to be a part of that.”
Snorting, Cameron’s voice became monotone. “You have all of that here, Doctor. Your family isn’t starving, your daughter is in school, and I see lights on in your home at night. There’s something else, and I’m insulted that you, of all people, don’t have the courage to say it to my face.”
“Okay, Mister Lewis,” the doctor hissed, “I’ll spell it out for you. I want to live in a place where there’s a future. I want to live among people who determine their own fortune, choose their own leaders, and live in a free society. You’ve lost touch with reality, my old friend. Your priorities are protecting a company, not the people you grew up with, and I don’t want to be a part of this any longer.”
Dismissing the statement with a wave of his hand, Cameron retorted, “All of that bullshit about Alpha is just rumor and fantasy. You’re chasing rainbows, Doctor. Regarding your high-minded statement about protecting my company, you’re absolutely right. Without Lewis Brothers Oil, there are fewer people left alive in our little berg, sir. Without the corporation, there’s nothing.”
“You’ve got that backwards, Cameron. Without the people, there is no Lewis Brothers Oil.”
Pointing his finger at Prescott’s chest, Cameron’s voice filled with rage. “I won’t debate this with you. If you want to leave, then leave. But before you go, I need to be assured you’re not absconding with any company property, Danny.”
“I’m not a thief, Cam. You know that.”
“I thought I knew a lot of things before today, Danny. Where did you get the gasoline in your car?”
The question seemed to surprise the physician. “I… I… I earned that gas, Cameron. It was part of my compensation for working at the hospital. If you disagree, then take it back. We’ll walk to Alpha.”
The response seemed to distress Cameron. He was about to reply when he noticed a considerable crowd of people had gather around – the throng clearly making his security team nervous.
“No,” he decided, “take the gas, Danny.” Without another word, Cameron pivoted and began a brisk stride toward his SUV. Almost as an afterthought, he stopped and yelled at the men operating the checkpoint. “Let them through.”
Once inside the SUV, Cameron told the driver to wait. He watched as the line of people exiting Midland Station began passing through the checkpoint one by one. “How many are leaving?” he asked Lou.
“About 30 per day, give or take.”
Grunting, the boss replied, “That’s 30 less we have to feed. Let’s get going.”
Cameron sat in silence the entire trip back. As he and Lou rode the elevator to his office, the headman looked at his trusted aide and inquired, “What do we know about Alpha?”
“Only gossip and speculation. My people hear that they have electricity. Not generators, but electrical power through the grid. There’s some woman who runs the town. She has a couple of hotshots that aren’t afraid to pull the trigger. There’s also been a rumor floating around for a long time about one of her henchmen named Bishop. Story goes he has a large amount of gold, hundreds of pounds of the stuff, hidden away at a ranch. Word is he killed a bunch of bank robbers who had stolen it in the Midwest right before everything went to hell.”
“Interesting,” replied Cameron. “I wonder if that gold has anything to do with how they’re obtaining electricity.”
“I don’t follow, sir.”
“They must be obtaining fuel from somewhere. While I personally don’t think gold is worth its weight in cow dung at the moment, other people might find value in it. They might be using the precious metal to buy fuel.”
Lou’s shrug indicated he had nothing to add.
The elevator opened, and the two men strolled back to Cameron’s office, securing the door behind them. “Lou, I think it’s prudent we find out a little more about our competition in Alpha.”
“Competition, Sir?”
Cameron sighed, “More so than ever before, it’s every man for himself now, Lou. Resources, food, personnel, labor, and skills. Losing Dr. Prescott made Alpha stronger and Midland Station weaker. A minor loss in the grand scheme of things, but a loss nonetheless. I consider that competition, and knowledge is power when it comes to a contest.”
Lou caught on and offered, “Sir, not long ago we had some ex-soldiers show up at the checkpoint. They claimed to have been recently discharged from Fort Bliss. I’ve given them menial jobs in our security force because my gut tells me they are deserters, but there’s no way to be sure. They wouldn’t be missed if they should have an unfortunate incident. Would you like for me to provide transportation and ask these gentlemen to perform a scouting mission to Alpha?”
After a period, Cameron nodded his approval. “That’s a good idea, Lou. My primary curiosity is about their electrical system, but any information they can gather might be of value.”
“Yes, sir.”
Alpha, Texas
February 3, 2016
“I need you to take me on a trip,” announced Terri.
“Sure,” replied Bishop. “Where are we going? A cruise? Hawaii? Let me get my grass skirt! I know, let’s go to Alaska!”
“Silly, not that kind of trip. A business trip.”
“Okay, what is our destination?”
“The Beltran Ranch. I want to go feed some cattle.”
Bishop shook his head, “I’ll say one thing about the new Ms. Terri – there’s never a dull moment.”
Brushing off her husband’s comment, Terri relayed the tale of her conversation with Sheriff Watts and the deer corn. When she finished, Bishop smiled broadly and declared, “Terri, that is one hell of a good idea. Okay, let’s go visit the Beltran Ranch. Maybe they’ll share their barbecue recipe with me.”
After Terri’s bidding Nick and Diana farewell, Bishop filled the truck with gas and headed west. The route took the couple through Meraton, and time allowed a brief stop to visit with Pete and Betty.
“Terri, I think you’ve probably saved the ranch!” was Pete’s assessment.
After a quick tour of the market, Bishop headed east from Meraton. “We’ve not been on this side of Meraton since our bug out from Houston,” Bishop noted.
“Sometimes I want to go back and see our house. Sometimes I miss it so very much. Do you think we’ll ever get to go back?”
“Maybe,” Bishop commented softly. “Maybe.”
Eventually the truck came to a well-worn dirt ranch road leading north off the highway. There wasn’t any sign announcing the entrance… no fence or gate.
The service road was washboard rough and required a slow pace as it wound through the lower foothills of the eastern-most Glass Mountains. Eventually, Bishop steered over a crest that revealed the ranch’s main cluster of buildings in the flat of a valley below.
Negotiating a few easy switchbacks, the couple eventually encountered a fence line and gate blocking the path. Three signs adorned the obstacle, the first stating the reader had indeed arrived at Beltran Ranching, Incorporated. The second warned of trespassing. The third listed instructions on using the phone box to call the main offices.
Bishop exited the truck and walked to the dusty plastic box mounted on a steel pole next to the lane. After opening the shell, he lifted a heavy receiver that looked and felt like it had once served in a payphone booth.
Holding the device to his e
ar, Bishop dialed zero just like the instructions prescribed. It was almost a full minute before someone answered. “Beltran Ranch.”
“Hello, we’re here to see Mr. Beltran. We have an urgent matter to discuss concerning his recent trip to Meraton.”
“Hold on, please.”
Five minutes later an electrical hum sounded from the gate, followed quickly by a solid thunk. Bishop walked to the heavy barrier and pushed it open, drove the truck through, and closed the entryway behind them.
Mr. Beltran was waiting on the couple as they followed the signs to the main house. The tall rancher greeted Terri enthusiastically, while Bishop and Slim eyed each other. Bishop remembered Terri’s debriefing on the episode in Meraton and guessed Slim was the fast-handed shooter.
Slim stepped off the porch, his thumbs hooked in his belt, a neutral expression on his face. Bishop realized the approaching bodyguard was probably dying to see inside the cab of the truck, no doubt curious if Bishop harbored any weapons within reach.
Bishop didn’t move as the man took a few steps closer, opting out of accommodating the visual search of his vehicle. Terri interrupted the standoff, her voice calling out, “Now where are my manners? Mr. Beltran, this is my husband, Bishop.”
Bishop and the tall rancher shook hands, the older man’s grip firm, but friendly. “Terri, I believe you’ve already met Slim. Bishop, this is one of my longtime employees, Slim.”
Slim extended his own welcome as he extended his hand, “I’ve heard about you. You shot it out with those bank robbers down in Meraton.”
Bishop replied, “I’ve heard a story about you as well. Rumor has it you’re lightening quick with that Glock you’ve got in your belt.”
Deciding not to be such an ass, Bishop opened the truck doors and waved Slim to have a look.
Terri got right down to business. “Mr. Beltran, I’m sorry to drop in unannounced, but I thought it was critical. Would you be willing to trade 20 sides of beef for a semi-trailer full of deer corn?”
Grunting, the rancher didn’t need to think it over. “Twenty? Why, young lady, I’d trade 50 sides for that much feed. Where on God’s green earth did you find a truck full of deer corn?”
“Technically, Mr. Beltran, the owners of the feed only want 10 sides. The other 10 are my broker’s fee. The deal requires my fee be delivered to Alpha.”
Terri explained the location and terms to Mr. Beltran, the rancher’s smile growing larger as the conversation wore on. “Don’t forget the white flag. Those lawmen are a little trigger happy.”
“Slim, go get Mack and ask him to come up to the house, while I offer our guests a cold drink.”
“Yes, sir.”
An hour later Bishop and Terri pulled out of the ranch and headed back toward Meraton. Terri was beaming with the success of their trip, clearly satisfied with her accomplishment.
“You did a good thing today.” Bishop said with pride.
Waving him off, she replied. “I just coordinated two parties to fix a problem. No big deal.”
“I don’t know about that, Terri. Four of us toured the distribution center. All four knew the ranch needed feed. You were the only one that put two and two together.”
“Maybe I’ve got a future in brokering? Do you think?”
Laughing, Bishop nodded. “I am pretty sure you have a head for business, but I think we need to test your instincts further.”
Puzzled, Terri replied, “Go on.”
“I think we should stop on the way home and get a room at The Manor… for a little monkey business.”
“Bishop! Is that all you ever think about?”
Her question was answered with a glance, Bishop’s eyebrows going up and down.
“Which arm hurts, Bishop?”
The next morning, a semi branded with the Beltran Ranch logo rolled into Alpha, its trailer full of beef. The driver and supporting ranch hands stopped and quickly unloaded the “finder’s fee” Terri had negotiated for the town.
As Bishop readied to escort the truck to the distribution center, Diana supervised the unloading and storage of the meat. “That will make up for some of the food that was stolen. Thank you so much, Terri.”
Before long, the truck was ready to leave and pulled out behind Bishop’s pickup. “Did you remember the white flag?” Bishop asked.
Terri reached down and showed him a white towel, “I hope this is big enough for them to see at a distance.”
The trip to the distribution center passed without incident, Bishop leading the two-vehicle convoy through the curvy West Texas highway while listening to vintage Rock ‘n Roll on the pickup’s sound system. He and Terri were both in high spirits, singing along with the music and teasing each other about their lack of vocal talent.
The white flag procedure went smoothly, Bishop’s truck leading the Beltran 18-wheeler to the long row of loading docks that dominated one side of the huge facility.
A few hours later the beef was unloaded, the meat stored in one of the huge commercial freezers. While the Beltran crew began transferring pallet after pallet of deer corn to their truck, Sheriff Watts motioned for Bishop and Terri to follow.
“Can you deliver a message to Diana Brown for me?” he asked Terri.
“Happy to.”
The sheriff reached into his pocket and produced a multi-page letter. “These are our terms for joining the communities of Alpha and Meraton. Really, it’s more of a plan. It’s signed by every single person living here at the center.”
Terri hadn’t expected anything so formal. With a slight grimace of concern, she glanced up and asked, “Do you care if I read it?”
“Be my guest.”
Taking a seat at the conference table, Terri began to scan the pages. “This is fair - you want housing for each family,” was her initial remark. “This is reasonable – compensation for duties performed.”
After finishing, she beamed at the elder officer. “I don’t see anything in here that should be a problem, Sheriff. I think your idea of keeping some men stationed here at the center to protect all of these goods is wise as well.”
Nodding at the paper in Terri’s hands, Watts remarked, “We argued over the evaluation period mentioned in there. If things don’t work out, our people want to keep the option of moving back here to the center. We thought 60 days was an equitable period for both sides to evaluate our job performance and for us to determine that the relationship is working for everyone.”
“I’ll hand this to Diana immediately. I’m sure she’ll respond quickly.”
Two days later, the first officers began moving their families to Alpha, Texas.
The miscommunication over the HAM radio and resulting waste of resources didn’t sit well with Pete or Diana. For the men who had dropped everything and rushed to the rescue, the false alarm left a bitter taste. It was difficult enough putting food on the table and accomplishing the daily activities needed to survive without wasting an entire day on an unnecessary trip to Meraton.
The fact that a potentially dangerous situation had narrowly been avoided in the market wasn’t lost on either of the elected mayors. If Alpha’s men had invaded the small town, there was no way to predict the outcome. Meraton’s citizens were well armed, and the legacy of bank robbers and rogue gangs was still at the forefront of an edgy populace’s mind. A full-fledged firefight could have easily broken out.
The raid on Alpha’s courthouse added another level of frustration. Many residents were questioning what would have happened if Nick and the men of Alpha had been present when T-Bone’s crew rolled into town. Could the extreme loss of food have been avoided? There was no obvious answer, but human nature kept the topic alive and hotly debated throughout the town.
Adding yet another layer of frustration, the Beltran Ranch debacle had been narrowly avoided, and everyone knew it. Terri’s creativity and sharp eye received due credit for heading that problem off at the pass.
Diana looked at Pete and said, “I just can’t keep up. How d
o you do it?”
“My problems are on a much smaller scale than yours, Diana. We don’t have the immigration issues, and our town is a quarter of Alpha’s size. That, and my moonshine mellows everyone out quite a bit,” Pete added with a grin.
“I’m going to need some of that white lightening if things keep piling up around here. If I could focus on just Alpha’s problems, I would be just fine. It’s all the outside crap that drives me nuts.”
Pete nodded his understanding, adding, “If Terri hadn’t figured out how to feed Mr. Beltran’s cattle, I would have probably tried any number of crazy schemes. She’s got free drinks at Pete’s Place for a month.”
Diana waved off the silly comment. “She’s pregnant Pete; she can’t drink.”
The bartender chuckled for a bit and then brightened with an idea. “You know what we need is an ambassador. Someone to coordinate our two towns and take care of all the outside stuff.”
Diana’s expression signaled she found merit in the idea, but then a frown crossed her face. “And who could do that job? You and I both ran unopposed.”
Pete thought for a minute before suggesting Nick. “No way,” Diana responded, “He’s complaining constantly about not having enough time with Kevin. Besides, he’d be like a bull in a china shop. Nick thinks the only thing people respect is blunt force. While he’s right far too often these days, we need someone who will try to resolve issues without violence as the first option. ”
“Bishop?” Pete suggested.
“Same irk as Nick – a little too quick on the trigger. While I think this last wound has mellowed him a little, we need someone with both a little fire in the belly and a healthy dose of diplomacy as well. What about Terri?”
Pete blurted out, “She’s pregnant. Isn’t she due in less than four months?”
Diana crossed her arms, a defiant look on her face. “I know lots of women who had multiple children and still had a career. I don’t think we should take her off the list just because she’s with child.”
Pete was skeptical. “I know that used to be the case, but times have changed. You’re right, that would be Terri’s decision. She handled the Beltran ranch thing like a UN Ambassador. I think she would be perfect if she would take the job.”
