Freedom Fight: Beginnings Series Book 9 (29 page)

Joe slid his hand down his face. “A ripple in time.”

“Yes.”

“They don’t count Ellen. I’ve told Henry the same thing.”

“Yeah but Joe, just listen. O.K.. When Frank pulled me from the explosion, I had a one track mind. Get to the clinic, get the vial to save you, and pull you out to get George. Well I raced into the lab. Jason was there and Andrea was too. I rambled and rambled about saving you when I was getting the vial. Jason stayed. Andrea left.”

Joe sat back from his lean in the chair. “Where did she go?”

“I don’t know. The next time I saw her was when I was holding Dean’s body.”

“Ellen, you have to realize, this holds little stock with me because it really never happened.”

“I know.” Ellen’s head dropped.

“You do know, since I think I’ve convinced you not to watch for Frank, you can leave this room. Why don’t you get some air? Dean wants you to do that. Move around. Let Jenny take you out to see all the closet homosexuals. You’d like that.”

Ellen shook her head with a smile. “No, I’d rather not.”

“Why.”

“I’m just a little scared right now.”

“Christ, Ellen, I take that as an insult. I run this place. Robbie would be insulted if he heard you say that you…”

“No, don’t tell Robbie, O.K.? He’s the last person I want thinking that I don’t feel safe. He’s working so hard for Frank.”

“And speaking of Frank, do you think you can recall where this farm is? I think I’ll send Robbie that way on his reconnaissance this afternoon.”

Ellen agreed and looked to the window. “You said something, Joe. You said
you
would bring Frank back. Was that figuratively speaking because you always use the word ‘we’.”

“Let me let you in on a little father-daughter secret.” Joe leaned to her. “The moment we get hint of where Frank is, I’m going myself to get him,”

“But you don’t want The Society to know. You’re the leader. You can’t up and leave.”

“I’ve been thinking about retirement a lot lately. Maybe get into distribution and start making some of those runs with the men.”

Ellen looked horrified. “No, Joe, you have to lead this community. You can never retire. We’ll never make it.”

“Yes you will.” Joe patted her hand. “I have a plan. He looked at his watch. “I have to go.” He kissed her as he laid his hand on her cheek. “We’ll talk more later. I’ll be back for those directions.”

“O.K.”

Joe stood up and saw Ellen looking out. “Ellen. You’re staring again.”

“I know. But Joe, if I promise not to get neurotic about it, may I? It makes me think of him and it gives me hope. I need that. I miss him so much.” She spoke sadly. “I miss him so much.”

Joe laid his hand on her shoulder. “Watch away.”

George held one ear closed as the train whistle blew loudly. He looked in irritation to Jeremy. “Must the conductor do that?”

Jeremy shrugged as he held the phone. “An answer. They need an answer.”

George huffed. “Are they absolutely sure this is where the camp is?”

“Lt. Merrick said the one man broke during interrogation and the other men confirmed it by their reaction.”

“All right,” George spoke with edge, “tell them load up sixty men and find the place. Hit the shit out of it with mortar, weaken them, and then storm in. I want as many of those men as I can get. One of those well trained men is worth four of ours.”

“I’ll tell him.” Jeremy stepped back and began to speak on the phone.

The train whistle blew and George cringed again.

^^^^

Joe knew the moment Robbie stepped into his office that his flight to look for the farm did not turn out well. Robbie walked in, looking frazzled and hot He tossed the clipboard down in front of Joe.

“Nothing.”

Joe removed the sheet of paper from the clipboard. “Nothing at all?”

“I couldn’t spot anything that remotely looked like a well-kept farm.”

“Maybe we’re relying too much on her memory. After all she did say the cavalry rescued her.”

Robbie shook his head. “What does Dean say? Does he think she’s remembering things wrong?”

“Not wrong but possibly distorted because she was half out of it when everything was going on and the shock of seeing Frank shot. This group of men or whoever came to the rescue and she just exaggerated. But…” Joe looked at the flight sheet. “She was here before all of that went down. Let’s give her a map this time instead of relying on where she said ‘the cavalry’ told her it was. Start her out from the camp she left.”

“Good idea.” Robbie took the sheet as Joe handed it to him. “Want me to file this for you?”

“Could you? Thanks.”

Robbie stood up. “I’m not giving up, Dad.”

“I didn’t think you would.” He watched Robbie move to the file cabinet and
then looked to his door. There was a knock. “Come in.” He returned to his paperwork.

Jess walked in. “Hi Joe.” He looked at Robbie. “Hey you’re back. Just the guy I wanted to see. How you doing?”

Joe raised his eyes to Jess and saw Jess hand Robbie a sheet of paper. Joe went back to his own paperwork.

Jess indicated to the sheet. “I found some foot prints outside of these perimeters. Tracking doesn’t pick up single beings, but maybe you might want to take a look.”

Robbie checked out what Jess showed him. “Yeah, I will. Thanks.”

“Need me to go with you? I will since I’m done for today.”

“Uh . . .” Robbie shut the file cabinet. “Yeah, I want to stop and see Ellen first, just to promise I’ll make time this evening.”

“Oh,” Jess said.

Joe raised his eyes. “Um Robbie. When you stop by, any chance I can get you to convince her to go outside and walk or get air? Dean wants her to do that.”

“She won’t?” Robbie asked. “That’s not like Ellen.”

“No it’s not.” Joe started to laugh. “Jenny even offered to take her in a wheel chair and point out all the men who…who…the men who…um.” Joe cleared his throat, “the men who work the fields.”

Robbie snickered. “I wouldn’t go either. Why doesn’t she want to go out?”

“I’m not supposed to tell you, but…she’s afraid.”

Robbie’s expression dropped. “Afraid to walk in the community? Oh Dad, that’s bullshit. That make
s me feel bad, I’m doing…”

Joe held up his hand. “I know. That’s why I think you probably can get her to go. Besides, you and her are close. From what I’ve heard and seen from her, I think you may be the only one who she feels safe with. She’s been subtly glorifying you.”

Jess interjected, “It may be a connection to Frank so keep that in mind, Robbie. I know how you feel about her.”

Joe grumbled. “Whatever the reason, can you?”

“Most definitely,” Robbie said. “I want to help her. I’ll think of something.”

Joe smiled. “Good. Trish says it’s a comedy tonight at the walk in. Ellen loves comedies. Why don’t you ask Dean if you can steal her from the clinic for that? But keep in mind he may give you a list of do’s and don’ts.”

“That’s just Dean,” Robbie said. “I’ll talk to him. I’d like her to go and she always loved the drive in. Besides, I know he wants to get the house ready for her, so that can be his excuse for why he’s not seeing her.”

Jess walked closer to the two. “I’m heading out. How about I meet you up at perimeter ten?”

“Sounds good.” Robbie handed Joe the sheet that Jess gave him.

“By Joe, Robbie.” Jess moved to the door and left.

Robbie saw Joe staring. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Joe shook his head.

“You act weird with him. Don’t you like him?” Robbie asked. “He’s a really nice guy, Dad.”

“You don’t say. Hmm. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to act weird. I’m just . . . I guess weirded out.”

“I understand.” Robbie started to stand up. “I’d better run so I can get cleaned up in time for the movie. I want to check those perimeters with Jess.”

Joe leaned back in his chair, grabbed a cigarette, and snickered.

Robbie paused in his walk out. “What?”

“Nothing. Go on.”

“Gee thanks.” Robbie shook his head and walked out.

Joe lit his cigarette. He took a long hit then looked at it and watched the smoke for a moment. He smiled a little with a swaying head, leaned forward to his desk, and went back to finishing his work.

^^^^

Craig’s singing of the song,
Home on the Range,
Carried through the cool night air of Bowman. “
Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam. Where the deer and the antelope play-a-a-a . . .
”

Hal stopped walking down the street with Sgt. Ryder.

“Ignore it,” Sgt. Ryder told him. “Let’s go listen to Beginnings.”

Hal walked and again he heard the singing, loud, badly and . . . close.

“
Where seldom is heard, a discouraging word. Because our captain is sensitive and gay.
”

Hal stopped cold.

“Captain.” Sgt. Ryder tried to warn but it was too late.

Hal had marched back and looked for Craig. “Sing some more,” Hal shouted out. “Go on so I can find you.”

Only Craig’s hyena style laughing was heard. Craig thought he was in the clear, safe between the bookstore and the old hardware store. Safe until he felt the snatching of his shirt and himself being pulled out of his hiding place. He smiled. “Hey, Captain. What’s up?”

Hal grunted long and softly. He released Craig. “Please, stop the singing. If you must, do it somewhere else.”

“But I’m singing patriotic songs, like you said. You said if I must sing, and you used the word ‘must’, you said I must sing patriotic songs.”

“That’s because I didn’t think you knew any. Since when did that song mention anything about a captain being gay?”

“The revised rap version.” Craig nodded with a smile and saw Hal did not. “O.K., patriotic songs.”

“Fine.” Hal held his hand up, stepping away from Craig. “And try to sing in key. You’re terrible.” Shaking his head, he joined Sgt. Ryder who waited outside the police station. “Sorry.”

“I feel no remorse for your irritation. You bring it on yourself.”

Hal opened the police station door. “I can’t help it. Like I said, it was bred in me. You don’t know the type of household I grew up in.” Hal walked in, patting the monitor on the back. “You can take a break. Sgt. Ryder and I are going to listen for a while. Anything happening?”

“Nope.” He shook his head and stood up. “I’m just biding my time through the checkins. There is a woman on the radio oddly enough.”

“A woman?” Hal sat down. “What channel?”

“Seven.” The monitor pointed. “She was talking about some moon event that is happening tonight. It got boring. She said she’ll be right back.”

Hal quickly turned up channel seven. “The moon event could be important.”

“Uh . . . I don’t think so,” the monitor said. “It didn’t sound it.”

Sgt. Ryder shook his head. “You never know. The Chief seems like a bright man. He may be sending coded messages through the woman in case someone is listening. We’ll take it from here and see what we can come up with.”

“O.K.” The monitor shrugged. “I’m off on a break. I’ll check back.”

Hal quickly grabbed the pen and paper and drew it near him. “Good thinking on the codes. The Chief may be on to someone listening to their transmissions and to be on the safe side, he’s probably doing that. I would.”

“So would I and we still don’t know the condition of the woman we returned. She could have said something about us monitoring them.”

Hal nodded. “Yes, but Blue said from what Gary described, she could be in shock for weeks. Shh . . . here comes the woman.” Hal listened.

“O-Key. Dough-key. I’m back,” the woman said.

“Her voice sounds kind of annoying,” Hal commented.

Sgt. Ryder agreed. “Probably because she doesn’t speak much.”

“Probably.” Hal got ready to take notes as he listened to the Beginnings’ transmission and to the woman speaking.

“Whew!” The woman let out a long breath of relief. “Boy, did I have to pee.”

Sgt. Ryder looked at Hal.

^^^^

Dean leaned with his one hand on his lab counter, the other hand on his hip holding back his lab jacket. He kept peering up to Robbie through the tops of his eyes. “I don’t know.”

“Come on, Dean. We don’t even know if she’ll do it. If she does, why not?” Robbie wanted to know.

“It’s going to be cold.”

“What, is she your child?”

“Robbie, she just came out of a deep shock not even twenty-four hours ago. All right?”

“You said she needs air. This could help. It’s probably a short movie.”

Dean ran his fingers through his hair. He thought about it.

“Besides, I know you want to get the house ready, don’t you?” Robbie said. “If you are there, how are you going to be here? Ellen is going to want to know where you are.”

Dean took a deep breath. “I do want to get it ready. All right, listen to me. If she gets tired, you bring her right back.”

“Got it.”

“Keep her warm.”

“Got it.” Robbie nodded.

“No alcohol.” Dean told him. “I know you guys got blasted last weekend.”

“I won’t get her drunk.” Robbie held up his hand in promise.

“You still have to convince her to go. This whole conversation all might be in vain.”

“I’ll get her to go. Thanks Dean.” Robbie moved to the lab door. “Oh, hey, Dean? You might want to get her some clothes. I don’t think she wants to go in her robe.”

Dean smiled. “I’ll, um, run home and get some as soon as you tell me she said yes.”

Robbie gave a thumbs up and headed out.

He walked down the hall. Ellen’s door was open. She still sat in the chair by the window. “Hey El.”

“Robbie,” Ellen said his name with a smile. “Hi.” She actually stood up and moved from the window.

“Wow, you seem like you’re glad to see me.”

“I am.” Ellen grabbed his hand. “You’re back sooner than you said. By the way you talked earlier I thought you wouldn’t be back until tonight.”

“I’m coming back tonight.”

“Good.” Ellen sat on the bed and patted a spot in front of her.

Robbie sat down on the bed facing her. “So.”

“So.” Ellen looked at him. “You didn’t tell me so I’m taking it you didn’t spot anything.”

“Nothing.” He saw the disappointed look on her face. “But, tomorrow I’m giving you a map and you’re gonna try again. O.K.? I’m not giving up.”

“I know.”

“El, Dean says you should get some air, walk around.” Robbie grabbed her hand. “I want to ask a favor of you.”

“What’s that?”

“O.K., well.” Robbie played with her fingers. “We have these walkins now and I remember how much you loved the drive in. I did too. When I was a kid, a teenager, you used to take me with you. Remember?”

“Yes. Pete hated the drive in and we had to go so far too. And you know me, I always had to get there early for a good spot. You hated it because I used to make you take Josh to the bathroom.”

“I never hated it. In my demented warped teenage mind, we were on a date.”

Ellen blushed a little.

“Yeah, I used to imagine on the drive home that one of those times you were gonna thank me and kiss me. You know, a date.” Robbie smiled. “I always wanted to go on a date to the drive in with you so my favor is for you to go with me to the walk in tonight.”

“No, I can’t.”

“Why? It’s really not a date, El.” Robbie placed his face close to hers. “I won’t expect a kiss. I won’t even look at it as a date. Just go with me. Get out of this room and come back to Beginnings.”

“No. I just feel…I just feel safe right now in here. Not outside.”

Robbie swallowed. “I’m security for Frank, El. I’m trying my hardest. What can I do to make you feel safer? Tell me because I’ll be damned if I’ll let anything happen to you especially in our own home, a home that Frank designed the security. El, saying you don’t feel safe in Beginnings is like saying you don’t believe in all the work that Frank did and I’m telling him as soon as I see him.”

“Are you laying a guilt trip on me?”

“Is it working?”

“Yes.” Ellen looked at their hands that were joined. “You won’t leave my side?”

“Not for a second,” Robbie told her.

“Maybe, maybe that’s what I need.”

“It is.” Robbie moved his hand from hers. “I’d better finish my checks. I’ll be back. I just wanted to ask you that.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks.”

“Robbie.” Ellen grabbed his hand. “If this works and I feel better after walking outside, I have a favor to ask you.”

“Anything.”

“Good.” Ellen slid from the bed and stood up. “I want to go with you to the farm. I can help you find it.”

“No, you can’t do that.”

“I need to do that. I need to see for myself.”

“Dean won’t allow it.” Robbie told her. “He won’t. It can’t be good for you.”

“If I feel like I can do it, I’ll be fine. I’ll talk to Dean. I promise I won’t go if I’m even a little scared or nervous. But Robbie…” Ellen stepped closer to him. “If nothing else, I need to go to that farm to put closure to this because my mind took me from there before my body even left.”

Robbie looked up at the ceiling then back down to Ellen. “I’d have to clear it with my Dad.”

“I understand.”

“O.K., let’s just see how tonight goes then we’ll take the next step. All right?”

“Thank you.” Ellen squeezed his hand.

“I have to go. I’ll be back.” Robbie moved to the door. “El?” He waited until Ellen looked at him. “Look good.”

Ellen smiled, almost chuckling when Robbie left and as she did, she felt the pain of her brush burned cheek. Her fingers reached up to her injury. It felt so big and the smile fell. “Look good. Yeah, right.” Ellen shook her head slowly then went back to her chair by the window and sat down. She wanted to watch while there was still some daylight left.

^^^^