The Day America Died! | Book 4 | The Final Ending

by Newman, AJ

  Aaron nodded, “This will take precise planning.”

  Mike frowned at me and then smiled. “I know you’ve come to expect a joke from me, but I think we need to take the time to diagram all of the factions, spies, and motives. We have spies in every group now, and I, for one, think we need to figure out how to solve this problem without getting shot or blown up, again.”

  ***

  Captain Henri Bassot called his officers and island dignitaries together the next day and held a surprise meeting. The waiters served champagne and hors d’oeuvres to the sizable crowd. Trumpets blared as Bassot entered the grand ballroom of the palace. He smiled and waved at his subjects.

  He clapped his hands, and the trumpets ceased. Bassot stepped up to the podium. “I am glad to announce that our beautiful island has turned the corner and is on its way to normalcy again after the horrible apocalypse. In honor of this great accomplishment, my superiors have promoted me to General of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

  I am loosening our emergency rules regarding the eighty percent tax on farmers and rancher's crops and livestock to celebrate this feat. The tax is now only fifty percent and will be further reduced to only thirty percent at the end of the year. Further reductions will occur as our island completes its recovery. I’m also reducing the tax on food by half and increasing the amount of food going to the disabled, elderly, and sick. Our island is doing much better under my guidance, and we must share the improvements with everyone.”

  The room erupted in applause, but many of the island’s elites were left shaking their heads. The taxes had been split between them and Bassot. They were eager to find out what their cut would be after the reduction.

  Bassot called for his trusted Lieutenant. “Harry, you are much too valuable to only be a lowly lieutenant. You have been promoted to Major Harry Devereau. You will receive a fifty percent pay increase and lodging suitable for a major’s status. Now, down to business. This might be a bit touchy, but I need you to pump your new love for any information that might help us. We need to determine what her leaders' plans are for my island. I also need you to convince her that the drug cartels are our largest threats.”

  Harry’s eyes shifted from the Captain to the window and back. “Of course, sir, I can have fun with her and still be of service to my mentor. Is there anything in particular that you want to know?”

  Bassot was proud of the young man he’d mentored for the past six years. “Just keep your ears open. How soon will their boats be ready to tackle the Grenada gangsters?”

  Harry replied, “They have been fitted with the best weapons we can spare. My men will load the food when you give me a couple of days warning that they are to sail.”

  Bassot shook his protégés hand. “Great, it will be in a week or so. Keep working on Davi.”

  ***

  Harry drove his staff car to Davi’s cabin and knocked on her door. Davi looked out the window with her pistol in hand and saw the 2038 Cadillac gleaming in the sun. She opened the door and let Harry into the living room. Harry took her into his arms and whispered, “Let’s go on a ride.”

  She tucked her pistol behind her back in a paddle holster when Harry turned to leave. “Harry, you sound so mysterious.”

  Harry drove them to an old fort that overlooked the south end of the island. The ancient cannons were long gone, many years ago. The government kept the grounds clean and weeds free for the tourists. He took a picnic basket and blanket from the back seat and led Davi up a flight of steps to one of the gun batteries. He spread the blanket on the stone floor and beckoned Davi to join him.

  The wine flowed, and soon they embraced. Davi slid down and lay with her head on his lap while chatting about the good old days before the bombs fell. Harry ran his fingers through her hair and caressed her cheek, and kissed her. Davi lifted his shirt and kissed his taught stomach. He was surprised. “Why did you do that?”

  Davi rose up. “It was the only part of your body I could reach to kiss. If you don’t like it, I’ll never do it again.”

  Harry shivered and said, “No! Please do it. I just didn’t want to go too fast with you.”

  Davi kissed him. “I think we passed go fast the other day on the blanket in the trees.”

  Davi pulled his shirt over his head and planted kisses all over his chest. She was afraid she’d scared him off when his hands began to roam. She grinned and looked him in the face. “Harry, you are a virgin! You won’t be when we leave this damned rock.”

  *

  Chapter 7 - Davi's Struggle

  My beach cottage

  Ally opened the door and ushered Davi into our modest beach house. I was in the shower getting ready for dinner after a long day planning our strategy to defeat the Grenada drug runners. I tried not to listen, but hey, I’m just as curious as the next guy.

  Ally saw the ear-to-ear smile Davi sported. “You got the lieutenant in bed, didn’t you?”

  Davi frowned, “I wish it had been a bed. My ass will have bruises for a month. He took me to an old stone fort for a picnic. He was moving a bit too slow, so I began kissing his tummy.”

  I could hear Ally chuckle. “I’ll bet that got his motor running.”

  Davi gasped, “Oh! Boy! Did it! We had our clothes off, and … well, … you know a few minutes later … anyway the boy has stamina is all I’ll say. I was exhausted.”

  Ally laughed aloud, “And had a bruised ass. So the boy isn’t as backward as we thought.”

  Davi took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “No! He was still backward. Three hours later, I’d taught him everything I know. He’s coming to my cottage next time. It was heaven except for the torture from the stone.”

  I walked into the room and said, “I couldn’t help but hear you deflowered Harry.”

  Davi exclaimed, “Don’t you dare ask Harry for details.”

  I snickered, “I’d only do that if Mike was involved.”

  Ally pinched my chest. “You’d better not be asking for details from anyone about any lady.”

  “Yes, dear. Now, stop!”

  Ally gave me a pinch. “Now go and tell Mike everything you know and leave us adults alone.”

  I made the time-out sign. “Davi, did you cover the items I wanted to be discussed?”

  Davi’s face scrunched up, and her middle finger appeared. “I’m doing that tomorrow. He was too busy to talk.”

  I quickly left and went to Mike’s house. I would never tell him about Davi’s bedroom exploits. She meant too much to me to dishonor her. Mike and I talked about life in general until Sally served us cold sandwiches and a bowl of soup. Oh! Yeah! Mike tried to get me to tell him everything Davi had told me. I didn’t, and Mike was disappointed that I didn’t trust him.

  I looked my best friend in the eye. “Mike, you are my best friend. Not counting Ally, Davi is my second best friend in life. If you told me a secret, I’d keep it forever. Davi deserves the same.”

  Mike grumbled. “Damn, ya got me there. If she was a man, you’d tell me everything.”

  I grinned, “I would because us guys see sexual tales as fair game for discussion. Women see it as a betrayal.”

  Mike suddenly looked up. “Is it okay if I ask her to tell me the details?”

  I sometimes wonder about the boy. “Mike, old buddy, yes, but make sure you wear a steel cup over your gonads. Davi can be a bit testy.”

  Davi caught me the next day and seemed to be bubbling over but didn’t say anything. She walked up humming a show tune and snapping her fingers. She saw me and got serious. We talked about the anarchists and Bassot but nothing more. Then after I didn’t speak for a few minutes, she broke the ice. “You haven’t asked me anything about my … uh … adventure with Harry.”

  I placed my hands on her shoulders. “Davi, that adventure was a very private thing between only Harry and you. It’s none of my business. You seem sad. I thought you were over the moon last evening.”

  Davi looked at her feet. “I’d never done it before.”
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  “What the f … uh heck? You talked a good story. Well, it doesn’t matter. Both of you are now experienced.”

  Davi had tears flowing. I’m not good with women's tears. She moaned, “Will he think I’m a slut?”

  “Where the hell did you get that idea?”

  She sniffled and wiped her nose on her shirt. “I enjoyed it so much. I was afraid he’d stop, so I took over and did everything to him that I’d ever heard of or seen on my laptop.”

  I inhaled deeply and then lifted her chin to look her in the eyes. “I think he is the luckiest man on the face of the planet. Well, except for me, thanks to Ally. You just made him the happiest man in the world.”

  She grinned. “Do you think so?”

  I nodded. “Yes. Now to business. Give me the details about what Harry said about the island, Bassot, and life in general.”

  She’d given me the highlights, so I didn’t learn much more. “Do you think the lieutenant is dissatisfied enough to join our team?”

  She drummed her fingers on the wall. “I’m not sure. Harry is sending the right signals, but before I ask him to join us, I want to make sure he’s not playing us while we’re trying to play him.”

  She looked down at her feet. I stuck a finger under her chin and drew her gaze to mine. “Do you feel guilty?”

  She exhaled. “Yes.”

  I asked, “Do you care for him and would have done what you did if he was just a nice guy you’d met on the street?”

  Her eyes watered. “I think I’m falling in love with him.”

  She sniffled, and I wiped the tears away. “You are saving him from the Captain. You wouldn’t want a man in your life that could abuse the island’s people or kill innocent folks. I think he’s a good guy in a bad situation. Using your assets to get his mind straight is nothing to be ashamed of, girl.”

  She blew her nose. “Thanks, Zack. I needed a pep talk.”

  As I walked back to my cottage, I thought that I’d gotten mixed up in a bunch of teenagers with raging hormones in a situation comedy. The pep talk made Davi feel better, but I felt like crap. Asking my good friend to prostitute herself to infiltrate the enemy weighed heavy on my mind.

  ***

  Mike and Sally were lounging on the beach with Paul and Callie when I arrived. “Hey, I see beach bums!”

  Sally gave me the usual bird. “And tell me again why we need to leave paradise.”

  Paul looked up at me. I didn’t speak. Paul caught Sally’s eye. “The cat set a trap with wonderful cheese. Now Bassot is playing nice with us. When he gets what he wants, he won’t need us anymore. Then he eats us.”

  Mike rubbed some oil on his wife’s back. “I think I’ve said that same thing many times. She still loves the island.”

  I nodded to Sally. “Sally is right.”

  Sally sat upright. “Could someone record this for posterity?”

  I said, “Smartass! Mike, you need to beat her more often. Seriously, this island is perfect except for the Captain, the anarchists, and the drug lords wanting to take it all away from us. That’s why I’m here.”

  Mike rubbed Sally’s shoulders. “Sally didn’t kill you for that beating remark, so I guess we’ll listen to your plan.”

  Callie stood up with her hands on her hips. “I’m not doing anything that harms Aimee.”

  A frown covered my face, and my muscles tensed. “Callie, you can’t always lead with your heart. Aimee is a big girl. If she stands with the Captain, she’s probably going to get hurt. We won’t look to hurt her. I’m here to fill you in and prepare you for dinner and a meeting at my place. Aaron and the leaders in his group and our leaders will discuss who to take to eliminate the Grenada cartel. Davi and I have decided that has to be the first major move. Then we attack the anarchists and the Captain at the same time.”

  Paul’s head bobbed, and his mouth twitched as he digested the information. “So, we need to build a team to attack the cartel. Later, we attack the anarchists with the Captain’s help but turn on the Captain as soon as the anarchists appear to be defeated. Great plan!”

  I was proud of the young man. “Yep, that sums it up. Now, we know about half of our folks want to stay here and half want to leave. How many can we count on to fight to make this island suit our needs?”

  ***

  Davi had met Harry for some afternoon delight at her cabin. I ran into her as she walked out the door to go find me. “Well, hello there, Miss blushing and whisker burned lady. No time for all that heing and sheing stuff today. We need to work on our plan to handle Grenada. We need a list of names we can count on when the doo doo hits the fan.”

  Davi stopped, turned around, and walked to the deck behind her beach bungalow. “Hello, Zack, nice day. How are you doing? You suck at chitchat. I’m in a great mood. Do not spoil it!”

  She meant business. So I said, “Good afternoon Davi. How are you doing today, and can we work on our plans now?”

  She dropped several turds into the punchbowl and left me gasping.

  *

  Chapter 8 – More Planning

  I closed my mouth and didn’t talk for a minute while I digested what Davi had dropped on me. “Please repeat all of that slowly so I can digest it this time.”

  Davi took a deep breath and repeated what she’d said before. “Harry is madly in love with me.”

  I interrupted, “In lust, maybe. Love takes a while. Get on to the important stuff.”

  She pursed her lips and shook a balled fist at me. “Shut your pie hole and listen! Harry loves me and wants us to get married after we get back from Grenada.”

  Interrupting was what I do. “We, as in Harry, is going with us?”

  “Listen and stop interrupting. Asshole! Harry and ten to twenty of his loyal men are going with us to whip up on the cartel. The Captain wants to make sure we’re successful.”

  My eyes were wide open, and my pulse raced. My fists clenched. “Why the hell do we need them ….?”

  “Shut up and listen!” Davi snorted. “Harry loves me … shut up … he is only bringing men loyal to him. They aren’t loyal to the Captain. Harry is on our side. He’s the one supplying arms and leadership to the farmers. He also is working with your new friend that I’m not free to talk about.”

  Davi stopped talking, and I didn’t say a word. She fidgeted. “Well, Zack, what do you have to say?”

  “You told me to shut up.”

  Davi hit me on the chest with a balled fist. It hurt. I smiled. “Do you trust him?”

  She shrugged and didn’t look me in the eyes. “I want to trust Harry, but every fiber in my body … well, most fibers say this is too easy. I’ve been asking myself if he’s playing me better than I’m playing him.”

  She was right. This was too easy, but we needed to go with the flow and take care of the cartel. “I think your judgment is correct. We work closely with him and let him earn our trust.”

  Davi giggled, “I like working closely with him.”

  “I’ll bet you do. Maybe I can talk with him and get a feel.”

  Davi snapped her fingers. “I forgot something he asked me. He asked if I could trust you and Aaron. I told him, I trust my Dad, and I trust you with my life. He told me that he was jealous of you at first, but that changed when you told him how to get into my pants.”

  I choked and then gulped. “That was private men talk.”

  She laughed, “I know, and I was honest about our relationship. I told him that you were afraid of me and only had eyes for Ally. I also told him I wasted almost a year pining after you.”

  I didn’t know what to say because I’d caught a longing look in her eyes. “This makes it more important to choose the right people for our little trip to Grenada. Hey, I just thought, does he know about your ninja routine?”

  Davi stood up and went to a kitchen cabinet. She held up several blocks of C4. “Yes, and he’s supplying me with ammunition, explosives, and logistics. Oh, and no one will be searching our cabins.”

  We
finished the meeting by making a list of our best fighters who we knew would be loyal team members. We then gathered our leadership team and went to Aaron’s cabin.

  ***

  Aaron and Davi’s mom, Sharon, knew that Davi had been dating Harry. Aaron disapproved at first because of the Captain and his iron-fisted rule of the island. Aaron seated everyone around the living room while Sharon served drinks to them. I looked around the room. Aaron’s friend and ex-Israeli soldier, Mort, Davi, Ally, Mike, Paul, Callie, Aaron, and Sharon were seated.

  I broke the ice. “We will start with me giving a brief update, Davi covering Bassot’s military, and Mike and Aaron updating us on our spy ring. Then we make plans to invade Grenada. I’ll begin.”

  I gave them updates on my new friend’s help, our need to take out the cartel, and a brief description of our long-term plan. I ended by asking a question. “Do you think most of the ones that wanted to leave would change their minds if we got rid of the Captain, cartel, and anarchists?”

  Everyone replied that the entire crew loved the island and would stay if the rules matched those of the United States.

  Davi took over and surprised all by telling them about her exploits as the ninja warrior killing and blowing up anarchist’s buildings. Aaron smiled in approval. Sharon, not so much. She said, “Davi, I know you are trained, but that was extremely dangerous for you to do by yourself.”

  Davi winked at me. “Mom, I was cautious and didn’t take any chances.” Davi then told us what she could about Harry and his relationship with Bassot. “Harry is falling in love with me, and I care deeply for him. We will see where that goes. Harry is a bit disillusioned with Bassot’s leadership. He is among a large group in the island’s military who want him to lighten up on the heavy-handed approach to managing people. They also hate that he caters to the rich and pisses on the regular islanders. I’m working on him a bit without being too obvious.”