by lake, e a
Finkel nodded his head vigorously. “I figured you’d want to know right away, sir,” he stuttered.
Captain Harmes stared at the fire, deep in thought. “Well boys,” he started slowly, “seems like Willem Tarlisch is coming for his revenge.” He leaned and felt the coffee pot, still cool, frowning. “After we get Jefferies here to get that coffee made, we’ll need to run word to the colonel. Quick like.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Walking was boring – usually. Betsi glanced from side to side, not as bored as she normally would have been. Inside, her stomach twisted another loop around itself. Her mind raced searching for bears or even wolves, both of which were plentiful in this remote area. On the outside, she noticed her steps were smaller, almost timid. On the inside, it was hard to get a full, deep breath. Perhaps there was nothing to be frightened about, she thought. But for some reason, Betsi was frightened.
A tug at her arm made her jump. Spinning on her heel, she found Jeremy. “Holy crap, Jeremy. Don’t scare me like that,” she said between gritted teeth. “How much further until we get to the spot you saw the bear?”
A quick shake of his head showed her his complete uncertainty. “First of all, I didn’t say it was a bear. Just a brown animal of some sort. As far as where…” He scanned the thick foliage for any sign of life. “…well, somewhere around here I think.”
Slowly, they moved forward together, hand in hand. Neither were overly brave in Betsi’s mind. After another 50 paces, they stopped again. “I don’t see anything, babe,” he whispered. “Whatever it was must have moved on.”
A snap in the brush behind them caused the pair to startle and turn quickly. Betsi scanned the brush for movement, any movement. She was about to say something when a large moose stepped into an opening in the woods, maybe 50 yards from their position.
She watched as Jeremy lifted his finger to his lips. “Just stay still,” he whispered. Betsi gave a small nod to show her agreement. The moose stared at them, chewing its cud, for what seemed like an hour. Finally, after holding her breath deep in her lungs, Betsi was able to exhale as the large animal wandered from view.
“Wow,” she mumbled. “That was closer than I really want to be to a big creature like that.” Another crash in the woods caused her to scream. Jeremy shoved her behind his body, protecting her from whatever attack was coming.
A family of raccoons scampered from the undergrowth and ran across the road, not even 30 feet from the pair. Jeremy chuckled first, followed by Betsi’s loud snort. “Oh goodness,” she cried, “I am scared to death today. Everything has me on edge.”
Jeremy turned and rubbed her tight shoulders. “Don’t blame you, Bets. Seems to be a lot out here today. More than yesterday.” His words were cut off by another crashing sound in the woods as the moose tore off, hearing them speak. After catching their breath one last time, they smiled at one another. “Okay, all clear. Let’s keep going.”
Two steps was as far as they got before two dark figures stepped from the edge of the woods onto the crumbling road. Dirty and thin, the men stopped and glared at the pair of travelers, holding their crude bows and arrows in front of their bodies.
“Thanks, assholes,” one exclaimed. “You just scared off the moose we’ve been following all morning. We almost had a shot, but then you two show up. Wonderful.”
Betsi moved to say something, but Jeremy stopped her and stepped forward. “Hey, we’re sorry. We didn’t know you were out here.” The pair seemed unmoved. And for some reason, they both stared around Jeremy and at her.
“Ain’t seen a pretty girl like you up here in a long time,” the second man offered. “Why don’t you step out from behind your boyfriend here and give us a look at you.”
Jeremy reached behind and grabbed his wife, holding her in place. “First off, she’s my wife. Secondly, why don’t you guys just move on and keep hunting.” He made his statement a demand, not a question.
The dirty pair leered at him. “Tell you what,” the leader began. “Have your wife step out into plain view and pull her shirt up. She shows us boobs, we’ll move on.” His equally filthy friend grinned at the idea.
“Yeah, I ain’t seen decent boobs in years,” the other seconded his friend’s request. “Let’s see ‘em baby.”
“No way,” Jeremy responded. “We don’t want any trouble, but you gotta be decent. We’ll give you some food, maybe some meds we have. But not what you …” His words trailed off as both men stared past him, not listening to a thing he’d said.
Betsi saw Jeremy’s head swivel as she stood topless in the road. She watched the strangers’ eyes study her naked self, over and over again. Stupid grins covered their faces. “Like them?” she asked.
“Betsi,” Jeremy shouted. “What the hell are you doing? Cover up, damn it.”
Betsi ignored his plea. “Done boys?”
“Can we touch ‘em?” asked one of the two.
The corners of Betsi’s lips curled up slightly. Slowly she replaced her bra and lowered her shirt. “No,” she replied. “You said see, not touch. I gave you what you wanted. Now let us pass.”
Letting her eyes slide to her husband’s face, she noticed his open mouth and angry expression. “What the hell are you thinking?” he sputtered. “Are you an idiot?” She motioned her chin in the direction of the retreating threat. They’d seen what they wanted.
Both husband and wife watched as the grinning pair disappeared into the woods from where they had appeared. As their steps became almost unnoticeable, one called back. “You’re a lucky man, dude. A very lucky man.”
Betsi’s satisfied smile shrank as Jeremy glared at her again. “That was stupid, Betsi. That could have been real bad you know.”
Betsi began walking again and brushed aside his anger. “Just a little skin, no big deal.” She snuck a peek back at her still steaming husband. “And they left us alone, so mission accomplished.” She heard him fall into step behind her on the road. “And it wasn’t like you could have fought them off, right?” she called back, increasing her stride.
She grinned, hearing no audible response from him. I can take care of things just fine, old boy, just fine, she mused to herself.
Late in the afternoon, Betsi judged by the sun in the far west sky that they were closing in on Camp Eight. At least, she hoped they were getting close. The main road to the fourth fire lane, the elders at Camp Six had said. Then another turn east on that fire lane, always staying right at every turn, and they would find the camp. Four hours or so at a steady pace, they had been told. With any luck, they would soon be at the gates of their desired destination.
Betsi turned to shout words of encouragement to Jeremy. He’d been pouting and giving her the silent treatment most of the afternoon ever since she had exposed herself for their safe passage. He complained it was her being an exhibitionist. He wasn’t even sure what kind of woman bared herself to others, much less a pair of hooligans like that.
She was much more practical about the whole situation. There was a need and she met the need. It wasn’t like he had any idea what to do. And so what if they had seen her bare chest, she argued. They’re just hunks of skin and tissue, she told him. And she was proud of her shape, still firm and tight at 36. Plus, others had seen her before this. Thus, no big deal. But this last bit of information she kept to herself.
“Come on slow poke,” she called to him. “We’re almost there. We can rest and get another decent meal. Maybe Dad will be…” Her words stopped short, looking past Jeremy. He must have seen her expression change, because she watched him spin from the corner of her eye. “Horsemen,” she quietly breathed back at Jeremy.
“Should we get in the brush?” he asked, looking back at his wife. Before she could answer, the riders spurred their horses at them, causing her to freeze. “Bets?” Jeremy called out louder.
The horses and their riders made up the span of about 50 yards between the groups in no time. Just as before, Jeremy stood between his wife and their
attackers, calling up the last of his bravery to serve as her protector. As the sounds of hoofs pounding the dirt grew louder, Betsi studied the five men, all dressed in similar garb. Each wore a long brown duster, as her father had always called them. The coat hung almost to their knees, keeping most of the dust, now attacking her nose, off their clothing. It appeared that they all wore cowboy boots and hats; though some wore traditional cowboy hats and two wore some type of ball caps.
The cloud of trail dust swept to and past the couple. Covering their faces, allowing the dust to settle, the two slowly lowered their arms to stare at the group. Their eyes rose to the faces of the five, high above still in their saddles.
Jeremy spoke to Betsi without looking over. “Bandits?” he asked.
Betsi’s face tensed as she surveyed the group. Finally seeing them clearly, she shook her head.
Before she could answer, one of the riders leaned forward to study her face. Narrowing his eyes, he nodded slightly. “Hello Sarabeth.”
“No,” Betsi answered her husband. “Worse. Upland Guard.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Jeremy stood speechless next to his wife. Around them five horses pranced nervously back and forth. The riders eyed the pair suspiciously, almost as if they were wanted people. A horsetail shot up behind Jeremy and a pile of horse apples littered the trail. Jeremy scowled at the foul smell, raising his arm to cover his nose.
Betsi’s stare remained locked with the apparent leader of the group. “You know this man, Bets?” Jeremy asked.
Without breaking her icy grip on the leader’s eyes, she answered. “Jeremy, this is Major Donaldson of the Upland Guard. These others…” She jerked her head away from Donaldson, “…must be his henchmen.”
Donaldson let his pale blue eyes wander from Betsi to Jeremy and then back again. “This is the schlub you chose over me? I’m shocked!” he cried in a state of false wonder. “This man, if we can even call him that, is nothing more than a boy. Now, if you would have stayed with me, Sarabeth…” His easy expression became a leer, one that Betsi had witnessed many times before.
“A grabby, old pervert. Doesn’t that pretty well describe you, Dennis?” Betsi responded. “I mean my father was so nice to turn a blind eye to your antics as you tried to molest a 17-year-old girl.”
Donaldson faked a pain looked. “Old? I’m only 47 now; how old are you again?” He grinned, examining her mature form.
“Still not interested, Dennis. Run along, we’re looking for my Dad.” Betsi turned to grab Jeremy’s arm, but a horse stepped between the pair.
Donaldson leered at her again. “The gang could take old lover boy here out in the woods and have an accident. Would that help my cause?”
With hands on hips, Betsi glowered at the older man. “If you were the last man on earth, you’d have to kill me to get to sleep with me you, you lech.” And yet again, the major showed no offense to her harsh words. “Have you seen Talbot up here at all?”
Looking away thoughtfully, Donaldson motioned to one of his men. “When did we see Captain Bond, Groves? Two months ago?”
Groves dug a small journal from a deep pocket in his overcoat. Paging through it quickly, he looked back at the major. “About six weeks ago, sir. Almost in this exact spot.”
Donaldson’s eyes returned to Betsi. “So there you go. Six weeks ago, right here.” Leaning forward in his saddle, he whispered in her direction. “So what do you say? Want me to get rid of your old man for you?”
Betsi pushed at his horse and then his face, missing one and unable to budge the other. “Would you please leave me and my husband alone, Major?” she demanded. “We need to find my father. Urgently.”
Straightening up in his saddle, Donaldson and his men shared a good laugh. “Going to warn him about Willem Tarlisch and his raiders?” The men laughed louder.
Betsi frowned. Something wasn’t right in his tone. “Of course, you fools. He needs to know.”
More laughs followed as the major and his men pulled their horses away from the pair. “Of course he does. Though I’m not sure it makes any difference, does it? I mean, if he hasn’t heard by now, what’s the point? Tarlisch has probably already sent some of his killers up here to get him.” He gave her one last leer, followed by a wink. “Good luck with that, Sarabeth.”
Betsi’s stomach flipped hearing his words. Stepping at the group, she motioned for Donaldson to stop. “Wouldn’t you have heard about something like that and tried to help? Isn’t that why you’re up here? To help out in times of trouble?”
Donaldson turned his horse and slowly made his way back to her, grinning as he did. “Well, let’s see. There’s only 50 or 60 of us left. And the last time I heard, Tarlisch has a gang of about 2,000.” Slowly, he shook his head at her like a disgusted parent. “No, you silly little girl. I’m not taking on Tarlisch for you, much less your old man.” Spitting beside her on the ground, he turned his steed and rode off with his group.
Betsi watched as the five horses disappeared around the corner in the trail. She’d never liked Dennis Donaldson at all, and now she had a reason to hate him. The crunching leaves beneath Jeremy’s feet warned of his approach. “Who the hell was that?” Jeremy demanded.
Betsi focused on the woods not wanting to face him. “An old military buddy of Dad’s, from way back. He came around a lot after my mom died.” She knew she should say more, perhaps even tell Jeremy what a pervert the man had been, how her dad had more than one old buddy that had tried where Dennis had failed. Turning to face him, she realized she didn’t care enough about any of it now. Instead, she just glared at her bewildered husband.
“Nothing else to add?” he asked with a hurt look in his eyes.
Pushing him from her way, she continued down the trail. “None of your damned business,” she replied, more to herself than her husband.
As shadows grew longer the pair continued the never-ending march for Camp Eight. Though they knew they were close, Betsi began to think they may have missed a turn or two, in which case they may be walking away from the camp instead of towards it.
Stopping on the trail, Jeremy walked up beside her and offered his canteen. She took a quick swig of lukewarm water and handed it back to him. Studying their position, she threw her arms in the air.
“Where the heck is Camp Eight? We’ve followed the path those old coots told us to, but no camp,” she seethed.
Jeremy patted her back, attempting to encourage his wife. “We’ll find it; soon I bet.”
Her face tightening, she shot him a dirty look. “Oh yeah,” she replied, “Let’s not give up hope.” She shook her head at him and stepped away. “Do you ever get sick of being the eternal optimist, Jeremy? As things fall to shit all around you, do you ever once set aside your rose-colored glasses?”
Jeremy’s normally happy expression fell. “You’re realistic enough for both us,” he replied, nastier than normal. “Probably enough for the whole basin.” He walked away, back down the trail they had just traveled.
Straightening up, she went after him. “They killed people, right in front of our eyes,” she screamed. “How do you expect me to react? All happy and giddy and stupid, like you?”
Jeremy turned on her quickly. Approaching fast, he caused her to take a step in retreat. “You’re the bitch here, Betsi. You’re the one who gets all negative and snippy. You see the worst in the world, no matter how much good might be all around you at the time.” Shoving his right hand her direction, he pointed sharply at her. “If someone gave you a million dollars, you’d bitch because they didn’t pay the tax on it. You would look a gift horse in the mouth. And probably kill it afterwards.”
His stare dug uncomfortably like he could see straight into her soul. “It’s just hard,” she began, stepping timidly toward the irritated man. “Sweetheart, listen to me. I don’t like being mean.” He shot her an open mouthed stare. “Really, I don’t. I’m happy most of the time, right? Even after the awful childhood I had, marrying you made me happy
.”
Unmoved, he crossed his arms. “So what changed? Why are you acting like this now?”
Seeking the right words, she reached to pull his arms apart; he stepped further away. “Well, first the lights went out. Then food rationing. Water rationing. My father was gone for months at a time protecting Salt Lake from God knows what.” Circling him, she continued the old story. “Then I couldn’t get pregnant, like we both wanted. Then three of our neighbors died, mysteriously. So we had to stay locked inside our house for almost a year.” She peeked at him apologetically. “Isn’t that enough?”
“All those things don’t dampen my spirits,” he coldly replied. “Why you?”
She searched for the right words. If she replied callously, she’d lose him now. She needed his protection, his presence to find her father.
Standing proud, she raised her chin. “I’m not as strong as you, sweetie. I can’t take things like you can. I wish I could, but I’m not built that way.” Seeing him soften, she moved in for the kill shot. “Not everyone is as brave as you, Jeremy. Very few people possess the quiet courage that you have. That’s why I need you, so badly.” Noticing his stupid grin, she moved closer.
“I’m sorry, babe,” he said, hugging her tightly. “I’m sorry I got cross with you.” Looking deep into her face, he smiled. “Forgive me, please?”
She returned his smile, even though it nearly killed her to do so. “Of course, my love. Of course.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Midday, Tarlisch paced in his office, unhappy with waiting. Though it had only been five or six hours, he needed an update. His mood diminished with each passing moment. This morning he was happy, ecstatic actually. Now he felt like a caged cougar, ready for his dinner. Frustrated beyond his ability to cope any longer, he called out for his second-in-command.
