by lake, e a
Steven’s eyes squeezed shut as his head shook at the group. “How much you figure that old wagon can hold in each trip? A cord, half a cord?”
George pondered the question, bouncing his head as he did some quick calculations. After several quick shallow breaths, he rubbed his temples. Steven winked at the group, enjoying the show.
“Thousand pounds, George,” Steven finally answered. “A quarter to one-third of a cord.” George shrugged, basically agreeing with his boss. “And it looks to me like we have about six cords, right?” George inspected the pile one last time and gave his agreement.
“More or less.”
“So that’s 20 loads, at best.” Steven spun to face the group, grinning from ear to ear. “Now,” Steven was saving the best for last. “Can anyone tell me what happened to our horse this past spring?”
“She died,” someone shouted from the back of the group.
Steven clapped his hands once. “Exactly.” His dark eyes searched the gang to see who got it first. One by one they all came to the same realization. “So, how exactly are we getting 20 wagons full of wood back to the camp?”
The group fell deathly quiet, like students during a calculus test. Noticing his wife approaching over the hill, Steven left them and their taxed minds to work out this new wrinkle.
“Steven,” Cara called as she approached. “Are you on break?” Joining hands, Cara rose up on her tiptoes and kissed her husband on the lips.
His eyes narrowed. “I thought you didn’t like any public displays of affection?” She smiled and took his arm in hers. “And no, they’re just trying to figure out a way to get all that wood back to camp. It’ll take a while.” Grinning, he patted a spot on the ground next to where he plopped down for her to join him. “So,” he asked, “what’s with the kiss?”
Cara shook her hair out of its typical bun and ran her fingers through the tangles. “Nothing. I love you, that’s all.” She flashed a quick smile before looking away.
“What happened?” he asked dryly.
“Nothing really.” Playing with some dead leaves, she brought them close to her face to take a quick smell. “I just, um…I just ran into Mrs. Bosworth this morning. Sheila.” She searched his face for a moment, perhaps wondering if he recognized the name. He decided to remain neutral, hoping she would continue. “Well, she asked about this and that. Asked about our relationship. If you were my father perhaps.” Steven grinned, but was greeted with a severe frown. “It’s not funny. We’re husband and wife. Just because you’re older doesn’t mean anything’s wrong.”
Steven laid back on his elbows. “I told you, every time someone new shows up and sees us together, they’re bound to ask. I told you getting married wasn’t a good idea. Too many complications. Too many nosy people, right?”
Cara avoided his eyes. “I don’t care about that – about what other people might think. We, us, are our business. Not theirs. And as far as anything about you and me, it’s none of their concern.”
“Then why do you get all riled up every time someone brings this up? You afraid?” His head tipped right as his lips tucked into his teeth, eyes opened wide.
Cara sighed and rubbed her temples. “None of our life is any of their business. Only what we choose to show or tell them. You know very well that’s how I feel, Steven.”
Tipping forward to grab her full attention, he spoke slowly. “Are you embarrassed? By us? By me? Because of–”
She pounded her hand to the ground. “Never. Absolutely not.” She spun and stared deep into his eyes, his soul. “I love you, and I know you love me just as dearly. Nothing else matters. And it never will matter. Even if the whole world were to find out. I’ll always be proud to be your wife.”
Rising from her spot, Cara brushed the dirt and leaves from her jeans. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to camp and supervise the harvest.”
Steven rose beside her and gave her a brief hug. “So why’d you come out here then?”
Cara finally smiled again. “Just to say hi, that’s all.” She turned to leave and waved her goodbye. Suddenly she stopped. “Oh, and the scouts say there’s a large group headed this way. Looks like a family or a group, nine or 10. Perhaps you could come in early for lunch. To help out there…I mean, if needed.”
Steven watched Cara disappear over the same hill she came by. Hearing the crunching of leaves drawing near, he turned to find George smiling at him.
“You sure got the prettiest wife in all of Camp Nine, boss.”
Steven chuckled briefly, taking one last look at her. “Yeah, she’s a real live wire, that one.” Turning back to George, his focus fell on his empty stomach. “What do you say we knock off a little early and head back for lunch? Think the gang would like that?”
George pumped his fist in the air. “Hell yeah!” he whooped. “Come on boys, early lunch break today,” he bellowed.
And with that simple direction, men starting wandering back toward camp. Thankfully, no one asked any more questions of weight and load.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Really?” Willem asked, incredulous. Howard and Andy both shrugged at their bosses’ question. “Really?”
Andy stepped forward. “Will, you can ask that until the cows come home, but the answer’s still the same. No sight of Betsi Albrecht, or her husband, anywhere around Salt Lake.” Andy kicked at the floor. “At least for the last three days.”
Tarlisch leaned back in his large leather chair, rotating it from side to side. Sighing, his eyes narrowed as he stared out the window. “We’ve checked all the spots I mentioned?” Turning slightly, he noticed both men nodding. “Her father’s home? Her Aunt Connie’s place?” More nods. “And the roster shows her here when we came in, right?”
Howard stepped forward. “Will, we’ve checked everywhere. She might be hiding out somewhere. I mean, Salt Lake’s a huge place. It will take a while, but if she’s around, she has to surface sooner or later.”
His lips came together as Willem pondered where Betsi could be. Leaning forward on his elbows, he closed his eyes. “Have you checked the exit logs from the gangs?” he asked.
Andy stepped forward. “We’re doing that, but it takes a while ya know. A lot of people left after we arrived. She might have slipped out with the first wave.”
Willem, deep in thought with his next move, stared up at his cousin. Slowly, he rose from his seat. “Let’s assume for now she didn’t make it out on the first wave. Go back and check her house. There just may be a clue we overlooked the first time through.” Both men turned to leave, as if in a hurry to flee his office. “Wait!” he shouted as they walked through the outer office. “Take Melinda with you.” Holding in place, both glared at one another.
Howard glanced back at Willem. “Okay, but why? If I can ask.”
Chuckling, Tarlisch actually smiled. “She’s upset that I don’t use her more…for any of the important stuff she claims. Just take her along; maybe fresh eyes will help uncover something new.”
Stepping forward, Howard signaled his agreement with a quick toss of his head. “I’ll do it, but I’m still in charge of this hunt, right? Not her.”
Willem grinned. “Of course, Howard. You’re in charge.” Howard stepped away, satisfied. “Just don’t tell her that, okay boys?”
Andy grinned as the pair finally left the office and hit the hall. After sneaking a peek at his friend, he knew how Howard felt.
“That son of a bitch,” Howard started. “He’s got what? Half a dozen women he’s trying to keep happy?” Andy laughed now. “He’s an idiot when it comes to women. I can’t keep one happy. How’s he plan on keeping all of them happy?” Andy slapped his back as they stepped into the mid-morning sunlight.
“I guess that’s his problem,” Andy responded.
Howard stopped and gave Andy a serious expression, like something bad was about to happen. “No, it’s our problem, Andy. And it might be Will’s undoing if he ain’t careful. He’s more worried about that Alb
recht woman than running a city right now.”
With Andy’s eyebrows raised, the pair turned and left to find Lieutenant Landry.
Fifteen-year-old Willow sat on her bed in a room she shared with the two other older daughters Tarlisch stole from their families. Fearfully, she peeked at the other girls, wiping tears from her cheeks. “He killed my father, right in front of me and my family,” she managed between sobs. “How can he be so evil?” Drying her tears, she put on a brave face. “But I plan to escape at first chance and rejoin my family,” she announced proudly.
Suzanne, the oldest of the trio, frowned at Willow. “No, you can’t.”
Willow’s golden hair swayed as she shook her defiance at the others. “I can and I will.”
Rising, Suzanne and then young Rachel sat on either side of the mourning, scheming teen. ”He’ll take it out on us, and then your little brother,” Suzanne replied stoically. “And then,” she met Willow’s wet eyes, wiping a tear from her cheek, “he’ll find you and punish your family. All of them.”
“Willow, there’s too many guards.” Rachel pleaded. “We’re locked in here now. We haven’t seen our younger family members since last night at dinner. And except for him stopping by last night to leer at us, we haven’t seen anyone else.”
Rachel turned her focus to Suzanne. “I’m worried he’s going to touch us, and do the thing he promised our families.” She nodded quickly at Suzanne. “You know, make us pregnant.”
Willow cringed at the word and began to cry again. Pulling her in tight to her chest, Suzanne shushed the girl. Her faced tightened as she looked back at Rachel. “He won’t touch either of you. I promise you that.”
“How do you know that?” Rachel asked.
Grinning, the older girl stepped forward. “I know how to keep him busy,” Suzanne added. “For a while at least.” She hoped her half-smile comforted the pair, for now.
Tarlisch stood straight up behind the large conference room table, his arms folded in front of his tall body. Four hours he had waited for his groups return, hoping they’d have some news. But now, he glared spitefully at the six team members standing empty-handed before him.
“Drawers were opened throughout the house you say?”
Since Tarlisch was staring at Howard, he took the question. “Yeah, if you really study the place, it looks like they packed for a trip. A lot of stuff tossed here and there. And a couple of piles they must have missed.”
“Any notes?” Willem asked, studying the faces of the others.
Howard’s head dropped to focus on the hat in his hands. His head shook slightly.
“Any journals that might give us a clue as to where she went?” He watched as Melinda stepped forward with a book in her hand.
“It says in her diary here,” the woman started after clearing her throat. “That her father left a while ago. But there’s no date.” Tarlisch frowned at her. Bravely, she continued. “It does mention that he was headed east, up in the mountains.” Willem grinned slightly.
“Does it mention anything I haven’t already surmised, lieutenant?”
Quickly, she looked away. “No sir,” she replied almost so softly that no one could hear.
“Anyone?” Willem asked sarcastically. “Do any of you have anything useful for me?”
Andy Tarlisch strolled through the office doorway, smiling. “I do, Will,” he answered, holding a paper sack up for all to see.
Howard shook his head at the young man. “I told you to leave that back there, Andy. Don’t be wasting our time like this.”
Willem took the bag from his cousin and peered inside. Smiling, he refocused on the group. “How wonderful. You brought me a cat. Marvelous boys and girls, just marvelous.” Disgusted, he shot the entire group a pained expression, like a father chastising his children. Their collective heads fell. “Perhaps I can hold Mr. Boots for ransom. I can see Betsi’s face now, ‘Oh Willem, don’t hurt Mr. Boots. I’ll tell you where Daddy is.’”
Several chuckles followed from the group. Willem stroked the cat, now purring in his arms.
Andy gazed around the room, confused. “How do you know the cat’s name, Will?” he asked, dumbfounded at this revelation.
“What?” Will shot back at him, almost shaken from Andy’s question.
“Did you just make that name up, Mr. Boots?” the young man asked.
Willem stared at the ceiling and then sighed. “Howard? Shoot him. He’s too stupid to live.” Andy began to shake. Howard winked at Will, grinning largely.
Stepping slowly, stroking the cat, Willem took his place in front of his cousin. “She talked about her cat all the time. She even carried a picture clipped from an old magazine that looked just like him. Just like this.” He held the cat out for Andy to take.
Walking away from the group, Willem spoke, facing the wall. “How many times did she come and visit me in the desert, Andy?”
Shrugging, Andy thought, letting his eyes wander the room. “I don’t know. Maybe every fourth month or so.”
Willem smiled, still facing the wall. “Good. There may be hope for you yet.” He spun and faced the group, focusing on Andy. “And tell me again, cousin, just how do we know who she is?” Willem moved closer as Andy lost himself in thought.
“She’s my cousin. I always figured you met her at some family gathering when she was there for my family.” Andy glanced next to him at Howard, who attempted to contain his laughter.
Willem’s eyes narrowed as his stare forced Andy to look away. “She’s our cousin, you incredibly ignorant idiot!” His anger exploded as he slapped Andy’s face. “Our fathers – brothers. Her mother – their sister. Cousins, one and all.” He spoke calmly, though his contorted face still showed anger.
Deep in thought, Andy knew he should have kept to himself. But he couldn’t. “So what do you want with her then, Will?”
Willem collapsed backwards, spread eagle on the large table, his mouth hanging open. “Her father,” he screamed. “Her father killed my father and brother!” Sitting up, he focused on Andy, and Andy alone. “You know this. Please, try and think before you open your mouth.” He turned to face Howard. “I swear, Howard, if his parents weren’t still alive, I’d kill him right this second.”
All but Andy broke into belly-splitting laughter.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
While his troops searched every square inch of Salt Lake, Willem pondered his future in the region. He knew that his actions, though well planned, would be viewed by everyone else as evil. So unfair in his mind, entirely unfair. Marshall Erickson and his group were so corrupt, so sly, so devious; yet no one ever suspected a thing. Recent intel had uncovered food and water storage throughout the city, hidden in plain sight in a number of unmarked warehouses. When quizzed by his gang about the caches, most returned blank stares. Just another of the former administration’s many secrets.
Willem stared at the folders strewn across the large conference table. Inside each folder, the secrets of the former leaders waited to be unveiled. Grinning, he read the first memo. Some eight years ago the city council, and their ringleader Erickson, decided to disarm the general population. The militia in the area needed the weapons, and more importantly the valuable ammunition. Years had passed since the last round of ammo had been produced. Here and there, several reloading experts popped up, promising to turn everyone’s old casings into fresh loads. Slowly though, the supply of lead and brass for the bullets dried up. That was all right; gunpowder had all but disappeared as well.
In all their infinite wisdom, the council called for all arms and ammo. Without a fight, believing their corrupt leaders had the best interests of Salt Lake at heart, the entire population turned in their possessions. And then, too perfect to be believed, the city leaders and their friends in the militia possessed everything. Now they could protect the population properly, they exclaimed. An extra bonus, as noted in the last report in the folder Willem read, was the fact that the community would never ever have to face an armed up
rising. Brilliant!
Tarlisch tossed the folder aside and picked up the next. This one held the secrets of the administration’s plans for the future – “Population Control” was written on the simple black and white label. Shaking his head, Willem opened to the front page. This was going to be good.
Sensing a new presence in the room, he looked up. Cocking his head to the right, he called out for his soldier. “Reston. What could possibly be so important that you find it necessary to interrupt my reading?”
The younger man straightened to attention. “Sorry to intrude, sir,” he began nervously. “But the youngest Mrs. Tarlisch would like a moment with you.” He shifted from foot to foot, waiting for his boss’s response.
Tarlisch leered at the fool. “Rachel, how wonderful. Show her in.”
The soldier froze. “Actually sir, it’s Willow.”
Lowering his head between his clasped hands, Willem squeezed his temples with all his might. “Willow,” he croaked, “is not the youngest. She’s the second youngest, you idiot.” His icy stare rose to the young man.
Shaking noticeably, the youngster tried to recover. “Yes. Sorry sir,” dribbled out of his lips. “Willow sir. She’d like to see you.”
Nervously, Reston turned and led Willow into the large conference room. Finally, he excused himself and closed the door quietly.
Tarlisch shot the girl a charming smile as he approached. “My dear Willow, how nice to see you today.” Sitting, he patted the chair next to his. “Please, sit.”
Willow took her seat as far away from her capturer as possible. Stroking her hands gently, she snuck a peek at the older man.
Again he smiled. “How can I help you today, dear?” Tarlisch asked.
Willow inhaled deeply before beginning. “I’d like to ask a favor, if I might,” she said timidly.
Tarlisch gave her his full attention, turning his charming leer upon her small form. “Of course, darling. Anything for you.”
