The Last Paladin

by Ward Wagher

  “Did your father help you out with that?”

  “Oh, no,” he laughed, “Pop made sure that I learned my lessons. Pain is a good teacher as well. I paid more attention the second time around. I did not make much money on that one, but I lost none. It was probably the fourth or fifth time around that I struck gold. A manufacturer of medical devices. The inventor came up with what I liked to call a Doc-in-a-Box; a briefcase-sized medical diagnostic and treatment device with a built-in cyber-int. Nobody else had anything like it. I encouraged the inventor to patent it nine ways from Sunday. He also happened to have good sense about running a business.”

  “I have seen those machines,” she commented. “They seem to be marvelous.”

  “They are. Most public venues have one. They have saved a lot of lives. Say you are at the theatre and have a cardiac event, the machine will probably keep you alive and also stabilize you before the medics can get there. I am really proud of that project.”

  “Are you still investing?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “I had just cashed out of a project and was looking around for another when I become Paladin. I no longer have time to dabble in that. And I no longer have the need.”

  “It is really a shame that you had to go out and create your own income,” she said. “I would have thought your father would have supported you better.”

  “Pappy’s estate was generous. He was not truly wealthy, but he was comfortable. Pop let me have control of the money and I started learning about business. He told me that since I had my own money, he saw no need to give me an allowance. Looking back on it, I realized it was Pop’s way of teaching me, but it surprised me nonetheless. Pop was frustrated with me most of the time, but he told me he was proud of me for having the initiative to develop the economy of the Palatinate. I did not have the heart to tell him I was doing it to get out from under his thumb.”

  She giggled in her musical manner. “I think parents have no idea of how they inflict themselves upon us.”

  “I suppose we really do not learn that ourselves until we become parents,” he said drolly.

  “Hush,” she said, slapping his leg.

  The ghost-quiet groundcar rolled under the canopy of Rafferty’s Hotel in Hilton Head. RWB glanced over affectionately at Scout.

  “Remember what the doctor said, Scout. We need to make an early night of it. You are not as strong as you think.”

  “And I do not need medical advice from you, thank you very much.”

  As the car rolled to a stop, she popped the door open and flounced into the hotel lobby.

  “Stay with her,” Jones instructed Lesa Carper.

  The brunette guard slipped from behind the wheel and followed the other girl into the lobby. Jones stepped out and pointed to one of the security people who had arrived earlier and then pointed to the car. The guard immediately walked over and climbed into the groundcar. Four other security people removed the luggage from the back of the groundcar before the new driver motored off.

  “Anything you need help with, Chief?” Jones asked RWB.

  “Naah. Scout always settles down. I will be fine. Thanks, though.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  The morning sun surfaced in the eastern ocean and the curtain of night retreated from the kindling day. The late spring day was cool but humid. It promised to be cloudless. RWB was dressed in shorts and a pullover shirt for the morning’s activity and walked over to a concrete bench parked just above the high-tide line. Another man, probably no older than RWB already sat on one end of the bench and was tightening the straps on his running shoes.

  “Mind if I sit down for a moment?” RWB asked.

  “Help yourself. I will not even charge you rent,” the ruddy-haired man said with a smile.

  “Thanks.” RWB sat down and popped the straps on his shoes so he could tighten them. “I do not get enough exercise. This looked like a good morning to sneak out early.”

  The other occupant of the bench scanned the beach and at the phalanx of protective detail. “It looks as though you did not get up quite early enough.”

  RWB looked around at the scenery which included far too many guards and chuckled. “You are right about that. Sometimes you must take the bad with the good.”

  “Indeed.” He leaned over and stretched out his hand. “Tracy Riggs.”

  “You can call me RWB,” the Paladin replied. “I am not fond of my given name.”

  “Nice to meet you, RWB. Do you need company for your run?”

  “Why not. Are you ready?”

  “No, but I try very hard not to let that stop me.”

  RWB decided he liked Tracy Riggs. The man had a disarming nature but seemed honest. He stood up.

  “No time like the present.”

  Riggs stood up. “There is no good time for exercise. I merely endure it.”

  The two began an easy trot down the beach, moving along the edge of the waves where the sand was packed. Three of the guards moved out in front and extended their pace to stay ahead of the two runners. The others moved to the side or followed. The guards to their right struggled to run through the loose sand.

  “Do you suppose we should tell them the running is easier down here?” Riggs asked.

  “I have learned not to try to tell them anything. Where are you from, Tracy Riggs?”

  “I am from the League Navy. Originally from Addison’s Planet. I grew up there and joined the navy as soon as I was able.”

  “I am not familiar with Addison’s,” RWB responded, puffing slightly. “I know it is a rough place.”

  “Right. It is not so bad most of the time. No, I felt like God wanted me in the navy. I have learned not to tarry when given orders.”

  “The navy did not teach you that?” RWB asked.

  “The navy reinforced it,” Riggs laughed.

  “And what do you do in the navy?”

  “During cruises, I manage the crew’s mess. If we clear for action, I am then the SBA.”

  “SBA,” the Paladin repeated. He tried to dredge up from his memory what the term meant.

  Riggs grinned at him. “Sick Bay Attendant. If people get hurt, I try to put them back together again. And where are you from, if I might ask.”

  “You might ask,” RWB replied, “and I am from Chicago in the Palatinate.”

  “And judging from the entourage, you are important or wealthy or both. And I apologize. I am told I have a big mouth.”

  “No need to apologize. Probably both would apply in my case. But I really do not like to make a big deal about it. We are simply two friends jogging together on the beach this morning.”

  Riggs took the implicit advice. “So we are.”

  “And when you came of age, you took yourself to the recruiting office? I did not know the navy recruited there.”

  “I was perhaps ambiguous, RWB. I attended the Cranmer School of Theology on Luna. You see, in addition to feeding and healing the spacers, I look after their souls. I am a chaplain.”

  “Now, that is interesting,” RWB said despite himself. “I have never actually met a man of the cloth. You certainly look normal enough to me.”

  Riggs laughed. “If you are not cautious, I will start waving my arms around the place and blessing you.”

  “Would it do me any good?”

  “Not in the least.”

  RWB smiled broadly as the jogged through a wave that had washed further ashore than the others. “Nice to know you try not to hide your hypocrisy.”

  “Ha! We are all hypocrites, RWB. Some of us just hide it better than others.”

  “So, you are telling me you hide it behind your fake self-effacement.”

  Riggs laughed again. “I think I like you. You stated it exactly. I am really a miserable excuse for a human being, but then again we all are.”

  RWB trotted along for a while pondering what the little man just told him. He had never met anyone quite like Riggs.

  “So, what religion are you?” he asked. “I
have never heard of a grammar school of theology.”

  “Not grammar, it’s Cranmer. Named after an Anglican archbishop who was martyred in the seventeenth century. It is a school where we study the Bible, among other things.”

  “Oh, excuse me. I misheard you.” RWB was starting to get a bit winded and was having trouble keeping from smiling.

  “Right. I think you heard me just fine. And my legs are shorter than yours. Do you suppose we might turn around and head back to the hotel? I am self-disciplined and try not to overindulge in anything.”

  Now RWB laughed loudly. “At least you seem to be consistent.”

  “Thank you. I really try.”

  They trotted into the hotel lobby and stopped to rest for a few moments.

  “This was fun,” RWB said. “Would you join me for breakfast?”

  “That is very kind. My wife, who was in the arms of Morpheus roused briefly and instructed me to order breakfast for us.”

  “Not to impose, but how about if we have lunch together?” RWB asked. “Bring your wife along. My... friend is here too, and I think she would like to meet you.”

  It is no imposition and I would be delighted to accept. Antonia likes to be around people and merely tolerates an empty beach.”

  “Good. I am in the penthouse suite. The guard at the door will let you in.”

  RWB glanced over at Lesa Carper, who nodded.

  “Thank you. What time would be convenient, Riggs asked.

  “Noon would be fine.”

  “Great. I will see you then.

  § § §

  “This place is plush, Trace,” Antonia Riggs said as they stepped out of the elevator to the penthouse suite. “Who are we meeting, again?”

  “He calls himself RWB, my dear.”

  “A strange name. Look at the woodwork around the doors. Are we well-dressed enough for lunch?”

  Tracy Riggs smiled as he approached the guard at the door. “Tracy and Antonia Riggs for lunch with RWB.”

  “Of course, Sir,” the guard nodded.

  He reached behind him and opened the door. “Please go on in. Someone will escort you to the dining room.”

  “Thank you,” Riggs murmured.

  Inside the door to the penthouse, another guard led them through a couple of sumptuous sitting rooms to a dining room. Antonia gazed around the room wide-eyed. A long table with ten chairs on each side was centered in the room under a glittering crystal chandelier. Four places were set at one end of the table. Along one wall of the room was a buffet with a wide selection of items.

  “For three people they set enough to feed an army, Trace,” Antonia exclaimed.

  “Hush, my dear. We do not want to embarrass our host.”

  A moment later RWB walked quickly into the room.

  “I am sorry to be late. I was detained on a business matter which required my attention.”

  He shook hands with Tracy and looked over at the short blond woman. “And this must be Antonia. I am enchanted.”

  Riggs’ wife giggled nervously. “Thank you for the invitation, Sir. This is spectacular.”

  “It is much more elaborate than I really like. My security team insisted the penthouse was easier to secure. The hotel restaurant would have been fine for me.”

  Tracy looked up as a thin brunette ghosted into the room.

  “And this is Scout Donner, my companion,” RWB said.

  The girl said nothing but nodded to the two guests.

  RWB rubbed his hands together. “Yes, well. I requested a light lunch for four and the hotel sent up this buffet. I do not know what they were thinking. But be welcome to grab a plate and we can gorge ourselves.”

  Antonia tittered. “This really looks wonderful. And you met my husband while jogging this morning.”

  Scout looked at the other woman with a quizzical expression. They walked over to the buffet and picked up plates. RWB motioned the Riggs to go ahead. Antonia slid a piece of broiled fish onto her plate along with hush puppies and mixed vegetables. The prime rib caught Tracy’s eye, and he pulled a thick slab onto his plate. He helped himself to some kind of a cheesed potato dish and broccoli.

  RWB also helped himself to the prime rib and potatoes. “This does look very good,” he commented.

  Scout also took the beef and selected a pasta and cheese dish. They sat down at the table and unfolded their napkins.

  “Permit me to ask the Lord to bless this meal.”

  RWB looked surprised. “Uh. Okay.”

  “We give thanks for this food and ask your blessing upon it. Bless our host and his companion. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

  RWB looked up soon enough to see his guests crossing themselves and he looked puzzled. Scout shrugged and dug into her food. She appeared ravenous.

  “This is very good,” Tracy exclaimed upon taking his first bite.

  Antonia had finished a small bite of the fish. “This silverware is very nice. I wonder how long it takes to clean the suite.”

  “I wouldn’t know,” RWB said chuckling. “It would be interesting to ask, however.”

  Scout sniffed and took another huge bite of the pasta. She seemed focused on her plate.

  “What do you do while your husband is aboard ship, Antonia?” RWB asked.

  “Oh, we have a place on Luna. I spend my time helping the families in our church and teach in our children’s Bible club.”

  “You must think I am dreadfully ignorant,” RWB commented, “but what is a Bible club?”

  “Oh, we gather the children around the city twice each week and teach them songs and stories from the Bible. It is a wonderful opportunity to introduce them to Jesus.”

  “Is Jesus one of your helpers, then?”

  Scout snorted and shoveled another bite. RWB glared at her and looked back at Antonia. She looked nonplussed.

  “Perhaps my wife got ahead of herself,” Tracy said, smiling. “We use the Bible to teach the children about the Creator God who sent his son Jesus to redeem mankind. Pardon me, but you are from the Palatinate, but you look like you have never heard anything like this.”

  RWB cut another piece of the beef and sopped up some of the gravy with it. He held it with his fork as he spoke. “You will have to excuse me, Tracy. My Pop was not religious and never saw the need to have me taught these things. I know what the Bible is, but the rest is new to me.”

  “It is oldy and moldy,” Scout muttered to RWB.

  “No, this is interesting. Can you give me a capsule summary of your beliefs? I suppose this has to do with your education as well.”

  “Sort of,” Riggs responded, “but you have it backward. My education has to do with my beliefs. God created the universe and the worlds. He sent his Son to be born among mankind. His people rejected the son and killed him. On the third day, he rose from the dead. You see, an infinite God paid an infinite price to rescue us from our sins when we were unable to save ourselves.”

  “I have never heard any of this,” RWB exclaimed. “This is quite interesting. And do you really believe this or is it part of….” And he ground to a halt.

  Riggs grinned and finished the question. “Or is it part of my schtick?”

  “I did not mean to offend,” RWB said quickly.

  “Oh, no. The first time you hear this, it is bewildering.”

  “That is not what I would call it,” Scout muttered again.

  “Hush, Scout,” the Paladin said softly.

  The girl jumped to her feet. “I do not feel the need to sit here and listen to these barbarians spew nonsense. Now, if you will excuse me.”

  RWB watched her leave and then turned back to his guests with a sheepish smile. “She is really good at storming out of a room like that. You have my apologies.”

  The host did not seem unduly upset about Scout’s departure and the meal continued. RWB was interested in what the Riggs had to say and questioned them closely.

  “Why does everyone not believe this?” he asked.


  Riggs nodded. “A very good question. The Bible says we are lost in our trespasses and sins. God freely offers salvation to everyone and it is up to you to accept it.”

  “I see. Well, that is interesting. I have enjoyed talking with both of you.”

  Sensing the lunch was over, Riggs stood up. “Thank you for the kind invitation to lunch.”

  “You are very welcome. I hope we will get the opportunity to meet again sometime. If you would give your com code to the guard when you leave, I would like to have it.”

  “Of course.” Riggs looked at his wife. “We did bring a small gift for you.”

  Antonia reached into her purse and pulled out a small folio Bible. Riggs handed it to him.

  “We would like you to have this. The eBook is more convenient, but there is something about reading the Bible on paper that makes it more interesting.”

  “I am honored with the gift. Thank you for coming up this noon.”

  “It was our pleasure,” Riggs replied.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Denver was still a bit snowy in the late spring, but everyone agreed it was a great place to party. Large anthracite-colored columns were spaced around the perimeter of the open-air pavilion and poured forth warm air. The partygoers were comfortable and enjoyed an evening at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The pavilion was the sole venue that was acceptable for the managers of the party. Denver was a small town and had no hotels with a large meeting room that would be suitable.

  RWB moved among the partiers and watched as Scout threw herself into the festivities with her usual wild abandon. He walked up to a familiar figure and greeted the other man.

  “Goog, how goes it?”

  Gough McDonough looked over at the Paladin with a broad grin. “RWB, it has been too long.”

  “You need to start going to more parties,” RWB responded. “It is good to see someone I can carry on an intelligent conversation with.”

  “One side of it would be intelligent.”

  “Uh-huh. I see you understand me.”