by L C Hayden
If, as he had assumed, he was in Alaska, then she would be nowhere near the compound. Yet Swanson had said he could talk to her—see her. The math didn’t add up. Where had he messed up? Maybe—
“Bronson! Welcome back.”
He looked up.
Aubrey ran out to greet him. “Glad you’re back safe. Can I get you anything?”
Aubrey. Ever the helpful soul. Was she still under orders to make him feel welcome? It didn’t matter. It felt good to see a smiling face. “I was headin’ toward the dining room, hopin’ for a cup of coffee. I don’t have much time.” He glanced at his watch. Barely a minute had dragged by.
“Then you’re in luck.” As always, her golden eyes sparkled like tiny stars. “We always keep a full urn in the kitchen.”
Apparently he wasn’t the only one who liked coffee. “While I was gone, have there been any other strangers arriving here?”
Aubrey clenched her features, making her look comical. “Oh, goodness, no. Why would you ask that? Nobody ever comes here. That’s why when you arrived, you were an instant celebrity.”
They reached the dining area. Bronson spotted the urn and for the moment, he pushed aside all other thoughts. He focused on the coffee. He poured himself a steaming cup, added three spoons of sugar, and drowned the entire contents in milk. He took a sip and allowed himself to enjoy its warmth in spite of the turmoil he felt.
“I thought young adults arrived here at a steady rate.” Bronson looked at his watch. Three minutes to go.
“They do. A girl here. A girl there. Occasionally a boy too, but not very often. At the same time, the Elders find good homes for our kids, and they go away. There’s always that happening, but what I thought you meant was a real visitor, like you.”
“I was.”
Aubrey shook her head. “No, no new faces.”
“These young kids, who brings them in?”
“Everett. He goes away for a month or so, finds kids who really need help and would fit in with us. He’s very selective. Then he brings them here.”
“What else does Everett do?”
Aubrey shrugged. “That’s all, I guess. He spends a lot of time with the kids. They really like him. He’s their hero.”
Bronson drained his cup and wished he had time to enjoy a second cup. But even if he did, his system wouldn’t allow him to fully enjoy it, not as long as Ellen was in danger. He set the cup down. “Would you wash this for me? I’ve got a meetin’ with Swanson that I don’t want to be late for.”
“Shall I go with you?”
Bronson shook his head. “He said to come alone. Do you mind?”
“Of course not. I understand.” She grabbed the cup and headed for the sink.
Bronson forced himself to walk at a steady pace, not run toward Swanson’s office. His watch told him that exactly five minutes had passed.
He opened the door, expecting to see Ellen. Instead, what he saw forced the air out of him.
Chapter 48
“Why am I moving in with you instead of going back to my old room?” Roger asked.
“This is just a temporary arrangement. I want to make sure you’re safe,” Everett answered. “Right now, Swanson is furious because Bronson didn’t hand him the book.” He flopped down on the couch next to Roger. “You know, if you want to help your buddy, best thing is for you to tell me where that book is. I’ll pass the information to Swanson. That should calm him down. He’ll probably even forget about punishing you and Norma, and he’ll let Bronson go.”
“What about Bronson’s friend? What’s going to happen to her?”
“Swanson may be a lot of things, but he’s not a murderer, unless of course, his hand is forced. All of that can be prevented by Bronson. All he has to do is hand him that book.”
Roger folded his arms in front of his chest.
Everett stood up. “What about if we go to the cafeteria and get a piece of pie and some milk? Bet it’s been a while since you’ve had any.”
Roger’s face brightened. “That’ll be great.” He also stood. “About that book.” Roger turned to face Everett. “Its location is in the form of a puzzle.”
“What does that mean?”
“Each one of us has one-third of the knowledge, and none of us know what the other two know. To find the book’s whereabouts, all three of us need to be together. If I gave Swanson my third of the information, it wouldn’t do him any good without the other two’s input.”
Everett threw his head back and laughed. “Well done!” He patted Roger’s shoulder. “You’ve earned that pie. Let’s go get some.”
Chapter 49
Bronson stared at the computer screen. “She’s not here.”
Swanson smirked. “Of course not. Do you think me a fool?”
Bronson thought of a couple of choice adjectives he could use to describe Swanson. Fool was not one of them. “You taped another video for me to watch. How do I know she hasn’t been harmed since that video was made?”
“I’m a man of my word. I told you, you could talk to her. So you are. It’s a new invention. It’s called FaceTime.”
FaceTime? You need to be connected to the Internet to do that. He had been told that Eric’s Landing had no cell reception, no Internet. What else had they lied about? “Put her on.”
Swanson turned the computer so that it faced him. He typed a couple of commands, waited a few seconds, and then turned the computer so that it faced Bronson. Ellen’s face appeared on the screen. “Ellen, are you okay?”
Slowly, she nodded. “Mostly. What about you? Are you in danger?”
Bronson glance landed on Swanson.
Swanson threw his hands up in the air and laughed. It came out sounding somewhere between a bark and a snort.
Bronson ignored him. “Don’t worry about me. It’s you I’m concerned about.”
Ellen wrapped her arms around herself. “What’s going on? Why are they doing this?”
“They are using you as a security measure. They want me to hand them the kids and the book.”
“Kids? I thought it was just a boy.” She bit her lip. “Don’t do it, Bronson. Not if it harms them or you.”
“I’ll work it out. Don’t worry.” Bronson wished he could reach across the miles and hug her, protect her. Save her. “You can count on me.”
Ellen’s eyes watered. “I know I can. It’s just that I’m scared and lonely. If it weren't for the birds clapping—uh, chirping—my mind has gone to marsh. My thoughts come in waves, you know.” She wet her lips. “Anyways, the birds come to sing by my window. They keep me company.”
“Keep listenin’ to them, and know that you’ll be fine.”
Swanson reached over and disconnected. “Satisfied? Now where’s my damn book?”
“You told me you’d tell me where she is.”
“And now I’m telling you that we’ll release her once I have the book.”
“You’re doin’ this a piecemeal at a time.” Bronson flashed him a forced smile. “So I’ll give you the book a piecemeal at a time.” His grin widened.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“It means you’ll need to bring Roger in.”
Chapter 50
Aubrey ran into the kitchen. “Thank God I found you so quickly.” She breathed hard through her mouth as though she had been running. “Swanson wants to see Roger right now.”
Roger’s eyes widened. He started to stand up.
Everett placed an open palm on him, preventing him from standing. “He stays right here unless I go.”
Aubrey’s eyebrows came together. “Swanson told me to bring Roger and only Roger. Besides, Bronson is there. I think it’s Bronson who requested him.”
Everett glanced at Roger.
“It’s okay,” Roger said. “I trust Bronson. I’ll go.”
“You sure? I don’t mind going.”
“I’ll be okay, as long as Bronson is there.” He turned to Aubrey for assurance.
She nodded.
/> * * *
Roger held his head high as he entered Swanson’s office. He smiled at Bronson and nodded at Swanson.
“Sit,” Swanson said.
Roger grabbed one of the chairs from the discussion table and dragged it over. He sat down next to Bronson.
“Bronson told me something very interesting.” Swanson studied Roger for some kind of a reaction. When none came, he continued, “He said that the three of you did something, and that I’ll get the book a ‘piecemeal at a time’.”
Roger shrugged. “Yeah? So?”
Swanson slammed a fist against his desk. “Damn it! You don’t understand how much trouble you’re in. Explain, now!”
“I’ll explain,” Bronson said.
Swanson leaned back and listened.
“I hid the book out there in the woods. Then Roger set a booby trap. Then Norma set another one on top. In order to diffuse them, both Norma and Roger have to do so together.” Bronson shrugged. “It’s that easy. But we’re not defusing them until Ellen is released.”
Swanson rubbed his hands and blew on them. “A booby trap? What kind of trap could you possibly set up in the woods? What did you use for tools?”
“I’m not at liberty to say,” Bronson said. “But you’ve got to realize that Roger is a near genius. He knows a lot of little tricks.”
Swanson stared at Roger.
Roger smiled and shrugged.
Swanson stood up and walked around his desk. He folded his arms and half sat on the top of his desk. “You and your smug little attitudes don’t impress me. You think you’ve won, don’t you? Think again.”
Roger snuck a peek at Bronson, but Bronson’s poker face revealed nothing.
“Here’s what we’re going to do,” Swanson said, “and Roger, you better listen very carefully.”
Roger’s attention snapped back to Swanson.
Swanson continued, “You and Norma are going back out in the woods—”
Bronson almost bolted out of his seat. “No! There’s a pack of wolves out there.”
“That’s not my problem, is it?” Swanson barely cast Bronson a glance. “Both of you are going out there, and you’re going to perform your little magic. You will then bring me the book. If you fail to do this, Ellen will die, and so will Bronson. Their deaths will be on you two.”
Roger’s eyes widened, but he remained quiet.
“If they’re going out there by themselves, I want to give them some hints as to how to survive a possible wolf attack,” Bronson said.
Swanson shrugged. “Since that’s to my advantage, I’ll allow you to do that. After all, we both want the same thing. We want them to come back alive so they can hand me the book.” He headed toward the door. “I’ll tell Aubrey to go get Norma ready.” He closed the door behind him.
Roger turned to Bronson. “What was—”
Bronson put his index finger to his lip.
Roger silenced.
Bronson stood up. “Why don’t I go help you pack while I give you some additional hints about how to survive the woods?”
Roger stood up and followed Bronson out.
Chapter 51
“What the hell?” Roger asked once they were outside. “None of that is true. What are you trying to do?”
“The best I can,” Bronson answered.
Roger half smiled. “Sorry. I guess I’m just confused. Why did you tell me to be quiet in there?” Roger pointed to Swanson’s office.
“I’m not taking any chances,” Bronson answered. “The place could be bugged.”
“Never thought of that.” Roger headed toward his old apartment.
“Don’t walk so fast. We need to talk out here in the open where we know it’s safe.”
Roger slowed down. “Would you mind explaining what just happened in Swanson’s office?”
“Right now the only reason we’re not dead is because we still possess that book. When Swanson realizes we’re not going to relinquish it, our chances of survival go down to zero. I want you and Norma out of here. Once you’re out in those woods, I want you to find that road. Do you think you can do that?”
Roger nodded. “I remember where you told us it should be.”
“Good. Find the road, follow it to The House. Once in there, get help.”
“What about Ellen?”
“I know where she is. Through you, we can send the cavalry to rescue her.”
Roger gasped. “How did you find out? Did Swanson reveal the location?”
“No, Ellen did.”
Roger’s brows stretched upward ever so slowly. “How did she do that?”
Bronson waved his hand as though dismissing the question. “The important thing is that you and Norma get to The House and get help. Do we have a deal?”
Roger nodded. “What do we tell the police?”
“Tell them Ellen is being held somewhere between the Morro Bay and San Francisco Bay areas in California. All they have to do is search for property that Swanson owns in or around those bays. I’ll bet my life based on the traveling time she did from the Los Angeles Airport to her place of captivity that she’s closer to Morro Bay.”
“And you got that information from Ellen?”
Bronson nodded. “On her first message to me, she specifically mentioned that she traveled a couple of hours—and then she repeated those words again. That makes it about a 250 mile range from Los Angeles.”
“But it could be 250 miles the other way—out toward San Diego or even Arizona if you head straight east.”
Bronson nodded. “I considered that, until Ellen and I FaceTimed. She said that birds clapped, and then corrected herself, the birds chirped by her window. She apologized because her mind had gone to marsh and her thoughts came in waves.”
Roger’s face brightened in amusement. “The code words are clapped, marsh, and waves. Waves means that she’s by the ocean. But I don’t understand clapped and marsh.”
“If my geography serves me right, salt marshes exist between Morro Bay and San Francisco Bay. If so, a bird known as the California clapper rail is found only in this area.”
A light laugh like a minor riffle on a lake escaped Roger’s mouth. “Brilliant. I’d love to meet this lady sometime.”
“And you will,” Bronson said.
The smile faded away from Roger’s face. “What about you? Will you be safe?”
“I know how to protect myself. It’s yours and Norma’s safety I’m concerned about. Once inside, I’m goin’ to sneak the gun to you.”
Roger stopped. “No way. You’ll need it more. In spite of those wolves, Norma and I survived the woods. We can do it again. Besides, chances are I’ll probably end up shooting my foot or worse, Norma. If you insist on me taking the gun, I won’t go.”
Bronson shook his head. “You’re one stubborn young man.”
“Just like you.” Roger resumed his walk. “Now that we got that settled, what did you want me to do while I’m out there in the woods?”
“Find The House and get on the phone with the police. While you’re on the phone with them, have Norma find a cell and make sure it's on. The police will find the place using the phone as a GPS unit. You will then be able to lead the police back here. Did you get all of that?”
Roger nodded. “Loud and clear. I won’t let you down. We’ll find The House and get you help ASAP.”
By now they had reached Roger’s apartment.
“Haven’t packed yet?” a voice behind them asked.
Bronson and Roger simultaneously turned to face Swanson.
“Norma is ready to go. So is Clark Prieto.”
“Prieto? Who’s that?” Bronson asked.
“He’s my safety measure. Did you really expect me to send them alone?”
Chapter 52
Bronson wrapped his arms around Norma. “Be careful out there.”
“We will,” Norma said.
Bronson hugged Roger goodbye. “You sure you don’t want that gun?” he whispered in Roger’s ear.
Roger hugged him back. “Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.” He broke the hug and put his thumb up. “Know that we won’t let you down.”
Bronson nodded and glanced past Roger’s shoulder. Clark Prieto was a beast of a man. He even towered over Bronson’s six foot one frame. His muscular 300 pound body tended to scare people. At least it scared the hell out of Bronson.
Out of all the people who had to accompany Roger and Norma, why this brute?
Shiiit!
* * *
Prieto scrutinized Roger’s soul. “Sure you kids know how to get there?”
Roger knew exactly where they should go, but with Prieto serving as a body guard, how could he lead them to the road to safety? Think! What would Bronson do? Roger scanned the area for a possible weapon but had no idea what to look for.
“You didn’t answer.” Prieto’s voice came harsh and angry.
Roger’s gaze traveled up from the ground to land on Prieto’s face. “I, uh, uh—”
“You don’t know, do you?” Prieto took a step toward him.
Roger refused to back up. Instead, he stepped to his right. “It’s that way.”
Prieto’s glance traveled toward the direction Roger pointed. He squinted and focused his eyes on Norma.
“I’m with him.” She pointed to Roger. “It’s definitely that way.” She began to head toward the direction Roger had indicated.
Roger quickly fell into pace. They had taken only a few steps when they heard Prieto’s powerful voice from behind yell, “Stop!”
Together, they slowly turned. Roger reached for Norma’s hand.
Prieto had retrieved his gun and pointed it at them.
Chapter 53
“Hey, Bronson, why don’t we grab a cup of coffee?” Everett patted Bronson on his shoulder.
“I never turn down a cup of coffee,” Bronson answered.
They headed to the dining room where each fixed their own cup. They sat at a table, facing each other. Bronson took a sip. “What do you think of Prieto?”
