by Hunt, Jack
“Is it there?”
“Yep. But so are four armed guys.”
“Can I take a look?” Eddie said. Max handed the binos to him and he peered through. “Well that rules that out. Let’s go.”
“Seriously? And you wanted to be in the militia?”
“Hey, I’m all for going for a joyride but getting shot was not on my agenda for the night. I figured we’d get baked at your place and have your hot mother cook us up a breakfast in the morning.” Max jabbed him in the arm. Eddie snorted. “No, in all seriousness. How do you expect us to get by them?”
“I don’t know yet but I’m sure an opportunity will open up. We just need to be patient. They can’t watch over that damn thing all night.”
He went back to observing while Eddie rolled himself a joint. “Is there ever a time you are not puffing the magic dragon?”
“No TV. No Internet. What the hell do you expect me to do?”
Twenty minutes passed before Max noticed two of them step away from the Humvee. “That’s it. Go on. On your way.” They didn’t go far. Only a few feet before they stopped a kid on a bike. “And who might you be?” he said adjusting the focus. “Rodney Jennings. You sellout,” Max said.
“Who?” Eddie asked.
“Ah this university guy. He’s made a name for himself on the island by coming up with a way to create ice.” He lowered his binoculars. “That’s right. If they’re not taking tomorrow’s load until the morning, they need ice to keep the catch they took this morning fresh.” He brought up the binoculars again. “Exchanging ice for fish. Of course.”
Eddie sidled up to Max. “Let me take a look.”
Max didn’t hand him the binoculars as the cogs in his mind were spinning. “I think I have an idea. Come on, let’s go.” He led the way, heading down. They left the bikes stashed behind a dumpster and stayed close to the rear of the building, making their way over to Water Street.
Sure enough a few minutes later Rodney came pedaling around the corner, whistling to himself like all was well in the world. Max reached into his bag and pulled out the Walther P99 and tucked it into the back of his waistband. He gave Eddie a tap on the shoulder and they moved into the road to make Rodney stop. He came to a screeching halt, slamming his brakes, nearly going over the top. “What the hell?”
“We’re gonna need that bicycle.”
He frowned. “Max?”
Oh great. Max pulled down his bandanna. “Yeah, it’s me. You want to keep it down,” he said gesturing for him to head over to a narrow alleyway. He didn’t want to have the conversation in the middle of the road. Eddie kept a tight grip on the bike to ensure Rodney complied.
“Does your mother know you’re out here?”
“Look, Rodney. I need the bike and a load of ice.”
“But I just delivered what I had.”
“I know. I need more.”
“Well… I guess I could make more but… Why?”
“Doesn’t matter. How often are you taking ice to them?”
“Every few hours. Until the morning. They said they’d only need me to create it on certain days of the week when they bring in loads of fish. They’re paying me in…”
“Fish. I know,” Max said.
Rodney’s brow furrowed. “Look, I don’t know what you guys are up to but unless they see me bringing ice, you won’t get near that Humvee. I’m guessing that’s what you’re after, right?”
“University students. I never liked them. Too smart for their own good,” Eddie said. “Maybe I should put a cap in his ass right now,” he added bringing up his Glock.
“Eddie.”
Eddie reluctantly lowered his gun.
“It’s not smart. It’s just common sense. You’re not the first who’s stopped me tonight to get information about those guys.”
“Oh no?” Max said frowning. “Who else did?”
He looked around a few times. “Deputy Daniels. Yeah, him and Carl came by a few hours ago. Said they were watching from one of these buildings around here.”
Max smiled. “Great minds think alike,” he muttered under his breath.
“What?”
“Nothing. Look, would you do something for me?”
“Not if it’s gonna get me into trouble. Right now this is the only gig I have. I don’t fish. Nor does my mother. I’m kinda depending on this.”
Max’s mind was still going. He had time to think this through but without more ice the chances of getting those guys away from that Humvee were slim to none. “Let’s head back to your place. Create some more ice. Load it up and we’ll go from there. How’s that sound?”
“Well it doesn’t sound good,” Rodney said.
“Yeah? Well how does this sound?” Eddie said bringing the gun up to his head. Rodney flinched, a look of fear masking his face.
“For God’s sake, Eddie. Put that down,” Max said. “I just need this one thing, man. I promise you won’t get in trouble.”
“Why is it that I don’t believe you?”
“Well do you believe this?” Eddie said, lifting the gun for the third time. Max ran a hand over his face.
“Ah screw it. Maybe you’re right,” Max said pulling his gun and pointing it at Rodney. He shrugged. “Can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” he said before gesturing for him to get his ass moving.
Forty minutes later, Sam stubbed a cigarette on the floor inside a home one block away from the docks. It was owned by Gene Andrews, a guy who ran a small tailor’s on the lower floor of his home. He was one of the many locals who was against the government, and that was before the blackout. Sam had brought his uniform to him a couple of times to have him take up his pants. It should have been a two-minute drop-off. It always ended up with him listening to Gene drone on about how the government were criminals. It didn’t matter who got in as president. They all sucked in his eyes. Praise them up and drag ’em down. It happens every election, he would say. No, I prefer to just give them the middle finger. Yeah, he was a fiery one.
Sam sat on a chair by the window looking down at the docks while Carl sat across from him smoking a cigarette. “C’mon Sam, what did you expect him to say? Militia go to the beat of their own drum. Now had you sent Sara over I expect the outcome would have been different.”
“Why do you always have to go there?”
“I’m just saying. A pair of long legs and a cute smile do wonders. That’s why women make the best spies. They are unsuspecting.”
“Bond was male.”
“Ah yes, but haven’t you heard they’re bringing in a female Bond?”
Sam glanced at him.
“I’m serious. A gorgeous black girl. Forget her name but hey, it’s 2019.” He chuckled.
Sam returned to looking out. “Well, looks like ice boy is back again.”
“You have to admit. That’s kind of smart not telling them the formula and trading for fish. Supply and demand, my friend,” he muttered.
There was silence for a minute or two.
“Oh shit,” Sam said.
“What?”
Sam chuckled. “Rodney just collided with a vehicle. A stalled one. What the…?” He frowned.
“He’s probably drinking or getting high from the fumes of mixing all that shit up. What’s in that anyway?”
Sam didn’t reply. He was leaning forward on his chair adjusting the focus on the binoculars. “Three of the soldiers have come up to help him. The ice went everywhere. They’re scooping it up and—” he paused. “What the hell? Who’s that?”
“Who’s what?”
“Two armed guys wearing bandannas just put a gun up to the head of one of the soldiers. The one near the Humvee. The other three have no idea. What the..?”
“Let me take a look,” Carl said reaching up.
Sam slapped away his hand. “Wait. Hold on. One of them jumped in the Humvee and… fired it up. Oh shit.”
“Sam. What?”
“A fight has broken out between the soldier and one of them. The so
ldier dragged his…” His eyes widened as he saw the bandanna pulled down. “Max?”
Crack. A gunshot echoed. One of Mick’s guys stumbled back and collapsed.
That was followed by more gunfire coming from the other three as they hurried back. An engine roared to life, and the Humvee peeled out.
17
The inside of the Cornwall Package Store was a state: bottles smashed, shelves pushed over, the till tossed into a wall, and garbage scattered everywhere. The smell of piss permeated. Landon drifted the flashlight beam over the debris. There were empty aerosol cans and bags of glue, an indication that druggies had been through there. It was a real shame that people bent on looting had gone overboard and destroyed a quaint building. If the lights ever came back on again, he had to wonder how insurance companies would handle the influx of claims and whether any of it would be covered.
Grizzly sniffed the ground and wandered while he crouched and rooted through a sea of bottles trying to find anything that was still in one piece. “I could kill for a beer,” he whispered. He wasn’t a heavy drinker and he never bought more than a six pack a month but there was nothing better after a hard day at work than sinking down a silky smooth Guinness while kicking back and watching the UFC or a ball game.
“Well look at that,” he said picking up a bottle of wine and brushing off dust from the label. It was an empty bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from California. It was a favorite of Sara’s. A flash of memories hit him — taking her out for her thirtieth birthday at an Italian restaurant. She rarely drank more than a glass but that night they’d polished off an entire bottle. Landon could still hear her laughter in his head. God, he missed her. The way she would rake her fingers through her hair and give him lovey eyes, at least that’s what he called them. He remembered her being slightly sad that she was leaving her twenties behind so he’d made a point to spoil her that night, taking her for a special meal, buying her jewelry and finishing off the evening with a walk by the harbor. She’d never been a high-maintenance woman, demanding to be pampered or expecting gifts, as long as they spent time together that’s all that seemed to matter. It was the little things like opening the door on a car for her. He didn’t have to do it but he saw the way her face would light up on the times he remembered. Landon lowered the bottle. He felt guilty. Since the blackout he really hadn’t spent much time thinking about her. Every time she came to mind so would Ellie. He had no idea how he would tell her that she was dead and buried on a mountain in North Carolina. A twinge of pain stabbed him and he felt his eyes water. He pushed the past from his mind and sniffed as he rose and continued searching the storeroom in the back. He waded through empty boxes and empty wine bottles clattered as his boots made contact with them.
“Grizzly.”
The dog hurried into the room and looked at him as if he was in trouble. He gave a jerk of the head and he followed Landon into an office. His eyes roved the room. The filing cabinet’s drawers had been taken out and folders and paper covered every inch of the floor. He went around the desk and sat down in the brown leather chair and closed his eyes for a second. As he stretched out his legs his boot hit something and it rolled away. Clicking on the flashlight again he shone it under the desk and he spotted a single unopened can of Budweiser. “No. Can’t be,” he said, dropping down and reaching for it. Sure enough, it hadn’t been opened. It was like Christmas morning. He sat back in the chair and just took in the sight of it. “Thank you, God. I always believed you existed. This is like sweet manna from heaven.” He cracked it open and breathed in the sweet smell. He was just about to take a sip when Grizzly growled, and turned towards the door.
Landon didn’t even need to ask him what was the matter. He lowered the can, took out his revolver and slowly got up and made his way over to the door. He could hear movement inside the store. He put a finger up to his lips and looked at Grizzly. The dog wagged his tail as if he was playing a game. Landon closed the door on the office and went over to the window and shifted it up. “Come here, boy,” he said. He took a hold of Grizzly’s collar and hoisted him out the window before climbing out and closing the window behind him. No sooner had he done so than he heard a shotgun cocking.
“Don’t move.”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” he replied.
“Don’t look over here and drop the gun.”
Reluctant to do so but convinced the guy would have shot him by now if he wanted to, he released the revolver and it clattered on the concrete.
“Kick it over here.”
Grizzly growled and let out a couple of barks.
“Shut that dog up or I will.”
“C’mon man, he’s just a dog.”
Grizzly barked again.
“You hear what I said?”
Landon stepped back and took a hold of Grizzly’s collar but he wouldn’t calm down. He thrashed in Landon’s grip. That’s when Landon saw a kid no older than fifteen pointing a shotgun at him. “Hey look, kid. You want the gun, you’ve got it. I don’t have anything else.”
“No? Where did you come from?”
“Just passing through.”
“Wren, pat him down.”
That’s when he realized there was another person behind him.
“You do it. I’m not getting bitten by that dog,” she said.
The dog barked again, this time trying to snap at the girl who was just at the peripheral of Landon’s vision. He couldn’t quite make out what she looked like only that she was small and sounded like a kid.
“Maybe I’ll just shoot the dog.”
“You do that, and I’ll blow your fucking brains out,” Beth said, a handgun appearing from the corner of the building outstretched at his head. Wren moved only to find herself grabbed from behind by Dakota.
“Drop it,” Beth said.
The girl looked panicked. “Zeke.”
“Fuck.” He dropped the shotgun on the ground and Beth moved in on him, smacking him over the back of the head and causing his legs to buckle. He groaned and rubbed the back of his skull as Beth lowered and placed the gun to his head.
“Kill my dog, would you?”
“I wouldn’t have done it.”
“No? Sounded like you would.”
“I love animals. I wouldn’t. Wren, tell them.”
“He’s right. Please don’t kill him. He’s my brother. He’s all I’ve got.”
“It was just a performance. Okay?” he said raising his hands. “I had to be sure you knew I meant business.”
“Yeah, well I mean business too and this is where you leave the stage and get the hell out of here,” Beth replied. She rose to her feet and gave him a kick. “Go on. Go! Before I put a bullet in your head.”
The kid scrambled away and Dakota released Wren. She took off after her brother and Landon rose to his feet. He looked at the two siblings as they vanished into the night. If Ellie had remained in Castine he wondered if that could have been her and Max. Everyone was in survival mode. It wasn’t personal. People were desperate. Beth picked up Landon’s handgun and gave it back. “You’re lucky Grizzly barked. How the hell did you let them get the jump on you?”
“The same way Billy did with you,” he said placing the revolver back into his holster. “I heard one of them inside the store. I managed to get out. Didn’t realize there was more than one.”
“One in the store? I didn’t see anyone come out.”
Beth took off for the rear entrance, gun at the ready.
Dakota wasn’t that far behind her. Landon looked off to where the teens had gone and saw them crouched near a truck. They were still there which meant they weren’t alone. Landon hurried around to the front of the store just in time to see muzzle flashes light up the inside. A volley of shots ignited. His eyes darted over to the truck where the youngsters were still waiting. Not wanting to get caught in the crossfire, Landon raced around to the rear of the store. Dakota was crouched behind the dumpster, rifle raised at the doorway. “Did Beth go in?”
&n
bsp; She nodded.
“Shit.”
More gunshots echoed.
“Beth!” Landon yelled
“I’m here.”
“Pull out,” he hollered.
“Easier said than done. This asshole is tearing up the floor if I attempt to step out.”
Landon hurried back to the office window and peered through the glass. He shifted the window and quietly made his way in. He cast a glance at the kids one more time. The last thing he wanted was them alerting whoever was inside. He moved slowly towards the door, cracked it open and looked down the narrow corridor. Another blast of gunshots rang out on the far side of the store. Clenching his gun, he hurried towards the door that led into the main store and snuck a peek. There on the far side of the room, tucked behind the counter, was a guy reloading an AR-15. Seconds. That’s all he had before he slapped that full magazine in.
Charging in, Landon launched himself at the man just as the magazine went in. Their bodies collided and the man’s rifle slipped out of his hands and across the floor. Landon could have shot him but he had a feeling that this was the kids’ father or guardian. Still, if it came down to it he wouldn’t hesitate to end his life. On the floor he wrestled with the stranger who he could barely see as it was so dark. He slammed his face into the ground, telling him to stay still. The man refused to listen and put up one hell of a fight until Beth appeared off to his right and fired one round into his skull. The noise was so loud it almost deafened him. Landon rocked back off the dead man, his eyes widening. He looked at up Beth. “Why did you do that?”
“He shot at me.”
“I had this. Damn it, Beth. I had this!”
“Oh yeah, it really looked like it. You were a second away from him grasping your handgun out of your fingers.”
