by L C Hayden
Roger and Norma stared at Bronson.
“One, don’t forget where you hid your portion of the book. The police are goin’ to need this as evidence.”
“And two?”
“Make a lot of noise as you go on your own. We can’t forget the wolves are still out there.”
Chapter 41
From where the three stood, they had a clear view of the compound. “It looks so different,” Norma said. “It’s no longer that piece of heaven I once thought it was.”
“Worse,” Roger said. “It never was.”
“I’m going down there,” Bronson said, “by myself.”
“No!” both Roger and Norma protested in unison.
Bronson placed his finger to his lip. “Listen. You two remain here while I somehow get inside the generator building and destroy it. I know they use candles and such, but I tend to think that a dead generator will set them back.”
“The door’s got a lock and chain. How do you plan to get in? The place has no windows.”
“I have all the way to the bottom of the hill to come up with a solution.”
“I have one,” Roger said.
Now it was Bronson’s turn to stare at Roger.
“You could use a key to open the lock.”
“A key?”
“Yeah, a key.” Roger stuck his hand in his pants pocket and retrieved a key. “Like this one.”
Bronson eyed the key and then the building. “How did you end up with this?”
“When I first started to conceive the idea of stealing the book, I thought the key may come in handy. I assumed that at one point, I would be forced to turn off their power. I knew each Elder has his own key. I simply borrowed Yee’s. None of the Elders bother to check on the generator. I knew it’d be fairly safe to take it.” He handed it to Bronson.
Bronson patted Roger’s shoulder. “You’re good.”
“Tell that to Norma,” he said.
She rolled her eyes.
Chapter 42
Sweat broke out on Bronson’s forehead. He had less than half an hour to get down the hill, sneak into the compound, get to the generator building, and disable the machine. Then he still had to go back and join the teens so all three could walk into the compound as if nothing had happened. He sped up.
He had almost reached the foot of the hill when the rustling of the leaves forced him to stop. He stood still, watching.
Waiting.
The white wolf stepped away from the brush and into Bronson’s path.
Shiiit! He didn’t have time for this.
The powerful animal stared at Bronson and growled, filling the forest with a sense of dread.
Bronson cast his eyes heaven bound. “Shoo! Scat!” He waved his arms and spoke as loud as he could and with a confidence he didn’t really feel.
The wolf silenced but stood its ground.
Bronson clapped his hands and stomped his feet. “I said, ‘Shoo! Scat!’”
The wolf waited.
Bronson broke eye contact.
The animal turned and walked away.
Bronson’s breath escaped through his mouth. He wasn’t sure it was because of relief or amazement that the wolf had obeyed him. What had he been thinking? This animal wasn’t a dog. It was a wolf, a wild animal. Regardless, his strategy had worked, miracle or not.
Bronson pushed on. The encounter had cost him a few precious minutes.
Once the compound was within sight, Bronson dropped to the ground. He scanned the area, looking for tell tale marks that someone was there, keeping an eye on the compound. As best as he could tell, he was alone. Still, he belly crawled toward the tunnel entrance Roger had built. Once he reached it, Bronson dropped into the tunnel, crawled, and came out the other side.
Since the building that housed the generator was close to the tunnel entrance, Bronson quickly made his way to the storage room. He tried the key. It worked. He allowed himself one small smile and let himself in.
The generator stood in front of him, the giant machine mocking him. Now what? Bronson looked around for something he could use to sabotage the generator. He saw nothing that would help him. Concentrate. Really look.
There, by the door. The fire extinguisher. He could shoot it into the air-intake. He spotted two screws holding the metal cover. He took out a coin, placed it into the screw’s slot, and with
some difficulty, he turned it until the screw came off.
One screw down and one to go.
Soon as the second one was off, he removed the metal cover. Just as he had expected, the air filter was right underneath. Pulling it out even though it was bulky posed no problems. He set it down and reached for the fire extinguisher. “Do your thing,” he told it.
Satisfied that the generator would not serve them anytime soon, he had already started to walk out when he saw the fuel lines. Blockage in the fuel pipes was relatively easy to find and if someone in the compound knew that, they would have the generator running within hours.
On the other hand, if he could somehow crimp the fuel lines . . .
He tried, but he was not strong enough. If only he had a pair of pliers. No use wishing for something he couldn’t have. Still, there had to be something he could do. Think!
Maybe he couldn’t put a crimp on the line, but he could certainly puncture it. The kitchen knife he carried proved to be useful. Satisfied that he had done as much damage as possible, Bronson slid open the door just wide enough to look outside.
Everything looked normal.
Bronson stepped out, reached for the lock, and heard a voice from behind him say, “Don’t bother to lock it.”
Bronson turned to face Everett.
Chapter 43
Roger sat on a fallen tree branch, waiting for Norma to join him. About half an hour ago, she had left to hide her portion of the book. Had she gotten lost? Maybe he should have gone with her. If anything happened to her . . . He bit his lip and stood up.
He headed toward the direction she had left.
“Looking for someone?”
Roger turned. “Norma! You’re okay.”
She smiled. “Of course I am. I’m not a fragile porcelain doll.”
“A fragile porcelain doll would have never come to the woods by herself.” He opened his arms, and she walked into his warm embrace.
“I’ve been thinking,” she said.
“Should I worry now?”
She broke the embrace and playfully hit Roger in his arm. “Bronson is going to come get us as soon as he finishes disabling the generator.”
Roger nodded. “That’s the plan. Soon as he gets here, the three of us will walk down the hill and turn ourselves in.”
“He’s worried about the time element.”
“I know.”
“So why don’t we make it easier on him?”
Roger squinted. “Meaning?”
“We start heading down the hill. Soon as we can see the compound, we stop. When we see Bronson coming up, we’ll join him. That should save some time.”
Roger wrapped his arm around her. “Not only are you beautiful, you’re pretty smart too.”
Norma beamed. “Stop that!” She picked up the backpack and started down the hill.
Seventeen minutes later, they could see the compound. They stood behind some wide trees where they were sure no one would be able to spot them.
Norma gasped when she looked down at the compound. “I see two people. Bronson and Everett. What’s happening?”
“I don’t know.”
“He must be holding Bronson hostage. What can we do?”
Roger thought of the gun Bronson had given him.
Chapter 44
“You came alone, didn’t you?” Everett said.
Bronson remained quiet.
Everett nodded. “I see how that goes. You came down alone so you could destroy our generator. Now that you have, you plan to return to the woods. Then what? You’re going to help Roger and Norma find a way out?”
Bronson shrugged. “Maybe I didn’t find Roger or Norma.”
“Or maybe you did. Either way, you’ve got something up your sleeve. You plan to return here with the kids. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have bothered to do what you did.”
“Not necessarily. With your generator gone, I could be buying some time. You’ll be here, busy fixin’ it while I’m over there, lookin’ for the kids.” Bronson pointed to the outside of the compound.
Everett shook his head. “Look, I know you have no reason to trust me. After all, I’m one of the Elders, and worse, I’m the one who brought you here. But I had no idea what was going on. Still don’t. All I know is that Swanson has gone overboard.”
“And you expect me to believe that?”
“Like I said, you have no reason to. But I want to help. If you plan to bring the kids in, let me have them. You hand them over to Swanson, who knows what he’ll do. If you’re planning to take off and not come back, then go. I’ll lock up. That will keep your secret a little longer.”
“What can you tell me about Ellen?”
Everett frowned and looked down. “I’m very sorry about that. I know that Sheridan and Nate have her. But I don’t know where. I’m never privileged to such information. But that doesn’t mean I can’t try to find out.”
“If I wanted to find help, how would I do that?”
“Other than mine, you mean?”
Bronson shrugged.
“I don’t know how to tell you how to get there, but I can show you. About a fifteen minute easy walk from here, you’ll find a road. That takes you to what we call The House. There are cars, phones, Internet, televisions—all the modern conveniences you’d expect to find in a normal house.”
“But if I don’t come back over here with the kids—”
“Swanson will order Ellen’s death—and it won’t be pretty, I assure you.” He paused and wet his lips. “Look, best thing is for you to bring those kids and that book back. I’ll make sure the kids stay safe, and I’ll do some snooping and try to get that information you need about Ellen. If you don’t come back, go to The House and get some help. But know that I can’t guarantee you anything. If you miss the deadline Swanson set up, I’m sure I won’t be able to persuade him not to harm her.”
Bronson looked up toward the woods, then back at Everett. “One more thing. Do you have a gun?”
Everett shook his head. “Unfortunately, no. But be careful. All the other Elders do. I’m just at the bottom of the list, so I don’t rate a gun.”
“What about Swanson?”
“He’s armed to his teeth.”
“Where are the weapons kept?”
“Don’t know. Never had a reason to try to find out.” Everett shrugged. “Look, we can stand here all day, and I’ll answer anything you want. But if I were you, I’d leave before somebody finds you. I’ll lock up.”
Bronson nodded and headed toward the tunnel, his mind reeling with unanswered questions.
Chapter 45
Norma’s eyebrows rose in an arch. “What are you doing?”
Roger’s left hand clenched and unclenched in rapid cadence. His right hand clutched the gun. “Bronson is in trouble. We’ve got to do something.”
“But if you shoot that gun, you’ll announce to everyone in the compound that Bronson is there.”
“Everett is standing right in front of Bronson. Don’t you think everyone else in the compound knows Bronson has returned?”
Norma bit her lip and slowly nodded.
Roger raised the gun.
“What if you shoot Bronson instead?”
Roger lowered the gun. “I don’t even know if the bullet will reach that far.”
“What if it doesn’t? What if we just make it worse for Bronson?”
“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I don’t know. All I want is to help Bronson.” Roger raised the gun and steadied his hand.
“Roger, stop! Bronson is walking away.”
Roger let out a sigh of relief. He put the gun away. “Let’s go greet Bronson, but stay hidden. We don’t know what he told Everett.” He offered her his hand.
She accepted it, and together they descended the hill.
* * *
“Bronson, over here.” Bronson heard the voice behind the tree. He stopped. “What are you two doing way down here?” He looked up the hill, out toward the area they were supposed to meet.
“We thought we’d save you some time—if we’re still going with the plan,” Norma answered.
Bronson approached them. “It’s still not too late. Everett just confirmed the existence of what they call The House. It’s filled with all the amenities you’ll ever need. You’ll be safe there. You don’t have to come with me.”
“Everett told you that?” Norma asked. “He actually confirmed this place exists? What did you do to him?”
“Actually, he volunteered the information.”
“You’re kidding?” Norma looked at Bronson for confirmation that this was some kind of joke.
“What can either of you tell me about Everett? Can he be trusted?”
Roger answered first. “The book only mentions him as being the one who picks up kids like us from the streets. He brings us to the community, and he’s kind to us.”
Bronson nodded. “What about you, Norma? What can you tell me about Everett?”
She shrugged. “I know that if my dad wasn’t there, I would turn to Everett every time for advice. He listens. He understands. He’s the only Elder who goes by a first name. The other ones are stiff, formal. Unapproachable.” Norma rubbed her hands. “I guess I consider him to be one of the good guys.”
Roger and Norma focused their attention on Bronson.
“I hear you,” Bronson said. “I’d like to make one last plea. Go to The House, get help, and wait for me there.”
“In the meantime, your friend dies,” Roger said.
“Everett said he’ll try to find out where she is. He’ll help me save her.”
“Everett is kind,” Roger said, “and that’s his weakness. Swanson will do as he wants. If we don’t show up with you, Ellen dies.”
Air escaped Bronson’s lungs, making him look like a deflated balloon. “I can’t convince you not to come.”
Both Roger and Norma shook their heads.
“Okay. I owe you a world of gratitude, and I promise I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Everett suggested that I should hand you both to him. What do you think of that?”
Norma smiled. “I know I’ll be okay with my dad, but Roger? That’s a different story. I was really concerned about him.”
Roger leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Norma smiled and her eyes brightened. “I feel that if he’s with Everett, I have nothing to worry about.”
“That’s true,” Roger said. “In fact, I won’t need this.” He handed Bronson the gun.
Bronson pocketed it and wrapped his arms around both teens. “Let’s do this.”
Chapter 46
“There they are!” A tall, slim woman pointed to the three figures that headed toward the compound’s main gate.
“Move!” Chris pushed people to the side so he could get to his daughter. He bolted toward them, like a horse escaping a burning barn.
“Daddy!” Norma squealed when she saw her father running toward her. She dropped her backpack and ran to greet him.
They embraced. “Don’t you ever do this again,” Chris said between sobs. He held her tight and wiped tears away. He looked past his daughter’s shoulder. His gaze landed on Bronson. Chris mouthed a thank you.
Bronson winked. Roger looked away as if searching for clouds that would conceal him. No one was there to welcome him back. He might as well slip into the shadows.
Bronson wrapped his arm around him. “Come on, son. Let’s go.”
Everett and Swanson waited for them at the gate. Bronson said, “Everett, why don’t you make sure Roger has a good meal? Swanson and I have a lot to talk about.”
Everett looked at Swanson.
Swanson nodded.
“Follow me,” Everett told Roger.
“My office,” Swanson told Bronson. “In five minutes.”
* * *
“I’ve kept my end of the bargain.” Bronson sat down on the wooden chair facing Swanson’s desk. “Now tell me where I can find Ellen.”
“Not so fast, Detective Bronson. I saw Roger, and I saw Norma, but I haven’t seen the book.”
“That’s just it. You’re not going to see it, not until Ellen is safe.” Bronson leaned back and folded his hands in front of his chest.
Swanson’s jaw stiffened. His nostrils flared, his mouth opened, but he didn’t say anything.
Bronson waited him out.
“You will hand me that book or Ellen dies.” Swanson’s face contorted spasmodically.
“You wanted three things. I handed you two. I want one thing. You hand it to me, and I give you the third. Seems fair to me.”
Swanson’s only reaction was a deepening of a crease between his eyes.
“Besides,” Bronson continued, “what guarantee do I have that Ellen is still alive? Unharmed?”
Swanson’s fingers formed a tent, and he placed them under his chin. He waited a full minute before he spoke. “How would you like to talk to her? See her? Right now.”
Bronson sat up straighter.
“I take that to mean yes.” Swanson’s voice was as cool as a snake’s skin. “Come back in five minutes and during those five minutes, you’ll be in your best behavior. Remember, I have complete control of her life.”
Bronson glanced down at his watch and walked out.
Chapter 47
With head downcast, Bronson headed toward the dinning area. What had he missed? When he saw the tape of Ellen’s kidnapping, he immediately noticed that Ellen had specifically repeated the word couple two times. That told him that she was being held somewhere around a four hour drive from the Los Angeles airport.
