The Chardon Chronicles: Season Two --- The Winter
Page 68
Chapter Seven
Keith drove the van east of Chardon and got off the freeway just south of Madison, then they drove south, down into the quiet back roads of western Ashtabula county. A light snow was falling. Richard followed them to a junk yard. They pulled the cars into a large garage, then all of them piled into a van and drove back to the farm. The snow was falling rapidly near Chardon, big, wet, heavy flakes were piling up on the ground.
The initial excitement of their successful raid on the warehouse gave way to quiet contemplation and they were all just looking out the window making small talk. The van drove away and the driver honked the horn. Robbie waved goodbye, then they all went into the house for drinks and dinner.
Keith had been struggling all day. He drank a beer and said to Robbie, “Something about that felt really wrong.”
Robbie nodded, “Yeah, I know what you mean.” He rubbed his eyes, Robbie could still picture Charlie Madher cowering when he shot him. “It was cold blooded and calculated. Usually the people at the top of that organization are anonymous dirtbags. I actually knew Charlie Madher in normal life, not really well at all, but still.” He said, “The other one, that woman in the leather outfit, she was one of those things. Not human.”
David came into the kitchen to join them. He put a tablet down on the counter in front of Robbie and Keith. He pointed at the news story and whispered, “Heather Madher was killed, too, maybe she was in the building.”
Robbie felt sick. He said, “Wow. Get them in here. Shit!”
Richard walked into the room and Berto hobbled to a chair and eased himself down. Chloe sat on the counter top. Robbie said, “We killed two people today. I shot Charlie Madher at close range. I have no doubt that he’s a killer, a real low life. We also killed Heather Madher. I am not sure of the extent of her involvement in the evil activities of her family. These deaths will weigh on us for years to come.”
Berto stammered, “What, where was she, how did she get involved?”
Robbie shrugged, “I don’t know. Maybe she was in the building when it collapsed.”
Berto felt his stomach flutter. He was shocked. His face went pale and he passed out. Richard shook his shoulder, “Berto! Berto!” Berto’s eyes fluttered open. Richard said, “Dude, if you had been there at homecoming, you wouldn’t feel as guilty.”
Chloe added, “These are the people who were going to rape me. Dude, there’s a fucking sex slave ring connected to these assholes run out of a swanky church in Hudson. Good riddance.”
Berto said, “Can I get a drink? Something hard. Whisky?”
Robbie poured him a shot and he slammed it down. Robbie said, “I’m glad you’re upset, Berto. This is not something to do with a light heart. What Chloe said is true, these were some bad people, and we went after generals, not footsoldiers.”
Berto stammered, “It’s just that… It’s just that, I armed the bomb.”
Richard said, “We’re all guilty. We killed people.”
Berto said, “I didn’t consider the aftermath… I didn’t think about how I’d feel.”
David said, “It gets easier to live with, but it will be a stressful few days for you, no doubt.”
Chloe said, “If you hang out here, I’ll take care of you.”
Berto managed a smile, “Well, that’s a silver lining anyway.”
Robbie’s phone buzzed, he read the text from Tracy. He sighed, “Oh well, no rest for the wicked. I’m glad I didn’t get drunk. A team of assassins just tried to take out Amy’s farm. David, can you head down there?”
Richard said, “I’ll drive. Coming Berto?”
Berto shook his head, no. “Nah. I think I need a breather.”
Chloe patted his shoulder, “I’ll head down there too. I’ll be back later, OK?”
Berto nodded and held her hand. “Yeah that’s good. I need some time to get my thoughts together anyway.”
A pair of headlights flashed through the window as a vehicle pulled into the farm’s driveway. Robbie said, “I wonder who that might be.”
He went outside and saw Telia and the twins pile out of a beat up minivan. Matt got out of the drivers side and stretched. He limped over toward Robbie. Robbie smiled and said, “Look who the cat dragged in! I was wondering if we’d see you.”
Louis said, “Robbie, I’m not Matt, I’m actually Louis.”
Robbie knitted his brows together. Telia said, “It’s a hugely long story.” She gave him a big hug and introduced the twins. “This is Matty, and this is Sammy.” She said. Robbie shook their hands. They were both groggy from riding in the car for so long.
Two men climbed out from the back row of seats and looked around at the farm. Daniel Jackson said, “I love that statue of Samantha. Remember me, Robbie?”
Robbie was amazed, “Holy sheeeoot.” He smiled at the kids. “This is really amazing. I’m guessing it’s not a coincidence!”
Louis shook his head, no. “No, Samantha thought we should get them up here. They’re singing the song of our exploits.”
“Oh yeah. I’ve seen your work popping up around the country, we have a couple of the copies in the library!” Robbie said.
Daniel introduced his companion, “This is Peachey O’Neil. He’s been hanging out with me since Washington.”
Peachey shook Robbie’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Robbie said, “We were just making dinner. Tracy’s down on a farm that’s close to Hiram right now. She’s dealing with some serious stuff right now. You guys all stand together there.” He gathered them into a group and took a picture and texted Tracy.
His phone immediately rang and he handed it to Telia.
In a few seconds, their conversation turned tearful. Telia said, “Oh honey. Your twin brothers are here. I can’t wait for you to meet them.”
She announced to the group, “They found Matt.” She said to Tracy, “Alright, we’re coming down there, too.”
The twins and Daniel and Peachey went into the farmhouse, but Telia and Louis got back into the minivan and followed Richard’s car out of the driveway.