Freedom Fight: Beginnings Series Book 9 (8 page)

“I’m not saying Dean can’t be off the suspect list. I agree to that. I mean he was the one who cured the plague. If he worked . . .”

“Henry, stop. What are you disagreeing about?”

“Me. I’m off the suspect list one hundred percent.”

“How can you say that?” Joe asked.

“Oh my God, Joe, do you think I’m working with George?”

“I didn’t say that,” Joe argued. “But what makes you think you’re in the clear?”

“He tried to blow me up.”

Everyone moaned.

Robbie shook his head. “Henry, weren’t you the one who proved that to be an accident?”

“Yes.”

“Then he didn’t blow you up,” Robbie stated. “Henry stays on the list.”

“So do you,” Henry told him.

“What?” Robbie laughed. “He sent his SUTs after me.”

“True.” Henry held up a finger. “But he also sent what he thought was a cure, so how do we know, he wasn’t trying to save you because you worked for him?” He saw a speechless look on Robbie’s face. “See, huh? Didn’t think of that, did you? No, I did. You were top on my list of suspects.”

“Fuck you, Henry.”

“Joe,” Henry tattled.

Joe held up his hand. “Robbie, you stay on the suspect list until we go through your scenario and clear you. I stay too for that matter. Right now, we’ll go through these people we all listed one at a time and just for starters, let’s go with Ellen . . . What now, Henry!” Joe’s hand slammed down.

“I didn’t list her, Joe. You said people we all listed. I didn’t list you either.”

“No, you didn’t, Henry. We can’t even count your list because you only had two suspects, Robbie and Jason. Now let’s move on to Ellen. Start with means. Does she have the means?”

Dean nodded. “Yes. The means was the reason I put her on my suspect list, especially with this new plague. Jenny was intentionally given this plague. Ellen had complete access to it at any time. And . . . and the tubes of blood being messed up, I distinctively remember Ellen in the lab directly before I went in to test Jenny’s blood.”

“Stop.” Henry held up his hand. “Do you realize how many people were taking blood that day, let alone who was in the clinic and had access to the blood? You, me, Robbie, Johnny, and Jason were still working. John Matoose brought Joe into the clinic. Melissa was one of the last ones to get sick. Then there’s Patrick. I remember a lot of them going in and out of that lab.”

“True.” Dean held up a pencil. “But did any of them have means to the virus?”

Joe answered, “We can’t specifically say Ellen, or whoever, used the virus we had here. Whoever was working for George could have easily had that virus in their possession, but we did establish means for Ellen. Now motive.”

Henry shook his head. “She has none.”

“Not entirely,” Joe said. “If this post plague world could have a rich bitch that would be Ellen. Ellen was the most materialistic person I knew in the old world. If she had a chance to be involved with someone that would rule the world, she would. Hell, I remember her telling me she’d sleep with Ronald Reagan if it meant living in the White House.”

Robbie, Dean, and Henry cringed loudly and audibly.

Joe nodded. “See.”

Henry disagreed again, “Not a good enough motive, not with all that happened to her in Colorado.”

Robbie nodded. “I agree with Henry. Your motive isn’t good enough, Dad and she did go through a lot of shit. So . . . with that in mind, I gave it some thought and it turned out perfect. Ellen’s motive is revenge.”

All three of them said at the same time “Revenge?”

“Yep.” Robbie said. “Using what happened to his advantage, George moved in for the kill at the right time in Ellen’s life. She was trying to get over what happened to her. Frank was being a dick because she did Dean. George knew that and played on it. Listen to this . . .” Robbie proceeded to give his scenario. “It was late. It was during the time that Ellen was homeless and living from one place to another hoping to get back with Frank. She was not speaking to Dean and working all night in the lab. In comes George . . .”

“Burning the late night oil again, Ellen?” George asked as he walked in the cryo lab.

“Yeah.” Ellen said tiredly. “Dean has me trying to get to these passwords.”

“You look wore out.”

“I am.”

“I’m sorry for all that’s happening with you and Frank. He should just grow up and move on about it.”

“I was wrong, George.”

“Ellen.” George sat next to her. He turned her stool to face him. “You were going through a very difficult time. Frank denied it, but Dean didn’t.”

“But still George, it was wrong. I lost my husband, my family.”

“You went through a very tragic time. Frank of all people should have understood. After all, he did send you down to Colorado knowing full well it could be dangerous.”

“What?” Ellen looked at him in shock. “What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t know? Ellen, the only reason you went to Colorado with the scientists was because you were the most unlikely spy. Everyone knew.”

“I didn’t. That can’t be right. Joanna asked me to . . .”

“Joanna asked you to go because Joe told her to take you. Yes, I’m sorry to be the one to break this to you, but after you left there were meetings to determine how long to leave you there and whether to bring you back if you found out enough information or not. We discussed it. If it was all that safe, then you tell me why we sent a body guard like Miguel with you.”

Robbie nodded. “She fell for it. He then began pumping her mind with how happened to her was all Joe’s fault, how Beginnings caused her grief. As far as putting my Dad under the Salicain, Ellen knew it wouldn’t really harm him, just inhibit him while George gained power. She had total access to the computers in the cryo-lab. She could have loaded the destruct programs.”

Henry made a loud buzzing sound. “There’s where your story goes off. Ellen got caught in that explosion.”

Joe quickly looked at Henry. “What explosion?”

“The one that killed Dean.” Henry’s speech slowed. “In the time frame that . . . we erased when we . . . went back and saved Dean. Sorry.”

Dean interjected, “But going on Henry’s story. Even without the explosion, Ellen did one thing. She gave us the antidote that brought Joe out of the Salicain. She said her future self told her to.”

“Of course she did,” Joe said, “but George could have easily let her know which
one was the antidote.”

“But why do it?” Dean questioned. “Robbie was in holding. Frank was on his way out. You were under the Salicain and Henry was clueless. Why did Ellen give up the antidote?”

Robbie had the answer. “Guilt.”

Joe snapped his views to Robbie. “Ellen?”

All four of them shook their heads.

“O.K.” Joe tossed his hands up. “Someone give me a good reason to remove her.”

“A-ha!” Henry held his hand up. “I got it! Ellen was the one who came up with the cure that beat the original strain of the virus.”

Joe quickly looked at Dean. “I thought you said you did that.”

“Ellen insisted everyone think I did. Henry knew. That’s it.”

“See Joe,” Henry said excitedly. “You took Dean off the suspect list because of the cure thing so Ellen has to be off too.”

“Ellen’s off.” Joe scratched her off happily.

“Does uh . . . does this mean Dean’s back on?” Henry questioned.

“No, Dean’s not back on,” Joe answered.

“Why, Joe? He didn’t find the cure,” Henry argued.

“But it was Dean’s bionic eye that saw the mouse that carried the virus. So . . . he’s still off.” Joe looked at his watch. “This meeting has gone on too long. We’ll meet tomorrow at the same time. Let’s give some deep thought to scenarios like Robbie did. And let’s do it for um . . .” Joe skimmed the list. “The next two that are easy to eliminate would be Frank and Andrea.”

Dean grinned big time because he knew the rest of his day wasn’t going to be all that bad. He was just given permission to think of another way to eliminate Frank.

That evening, Dean stood before a cabinet, shuffling through papers and tossing them in a box laid on the dining room table. He thought he heard Nick crying and looked up towards the ceiling then looked at Henry, who looked at everything Dean tossed into the box. “Henry, did you hear Nick?”

“No. Why, you need me to get him for you.”

“Um . . . no. It’s probably my imagination.”

“Dad,” Billy, Dean’s six year old son, called as he sat at the dining room table, “I found a problem.”

Dean stopped packing and looked over Billy’s shoulder as he read off a clipboard. “What is it?”

“Is the insulin strong enough to cause a deadly heart attack in Uncle Frank?”

“In large quantities, yes.”

“He’s big,” Billy said. “You can’t inject him one time. You’d have to get him lots. How are you gonna hold him
down?”

“Good point. Make a note of that, neatly please.” Dean returned to his box and noticed Henry staring. “What?”

“He’s six?” Henry pointed. “Boy, I hope Nick ends up that smart.”

“He will, Henry. Want to know why? Frank won’t be around to raise him. I’ll be raising him with Ellen. Between your mechanical inclinations and my teaching, that kid can be another Einstein.”

“Oh yeah?” Henry smiled. “Cool . . . he does have the hair for it.”

Dean shook his head. His mood wasn’t the greatest. Little did he know, when he went to answer the knock at his door, his evening would only get worse. He opened it, huffed some, and laid his hand on the back of his neck. “Yes Bev.”

Bev slipped in, despite the fact that Dean didn’t open the door wider for her. She waved her hand to Henry who looked the other way. “I was wondering if perhaps you’d like to go down to the social hall for a drink with me.”

“No.” Dean opened the door for her to get his hint but she didn’t.

“I heard you were upset with everyone today. I know you’re tense. I thought maybe I could help.”

“Bev,” Dean said her name with annoyance, “no, I’m not interested in hanging around with you. Your offer is noted and rejected. I don’t know why all of the sudden you’re putting this interest in me and frankly, I don’t care. Be forewarned, if starting trouble is what this is about, you have picked the wrong day to do it. Bye.”

“I’m not starting trouble, Dean,” Bev said softly. “Just to prove it, I’ll leave. But know this.” She stepped to him and whispered near his ear, “You’ll change your mind, Ellen or no Ellen, I can be that special friend. I can be . . .” Her words were breathy against his ear. Dean’s expression didn’t change. He still stared coldly forward. “…everything you need.” She smiled, stepped back, trailed her fingers down his chest, and walked out.

Dean shut the door, shook his head, and turned around. His daughter Alexandra stood before him with her little arms folded.

“Daddy. what was
she
doing here?”

Dean looked down to her clueless.

Henry saw Dean’s lost expression and decided to help out. “Alex,
Bev
is going to be your father’s special friend.”

Alexandra shrieked at the same time Dean gasped. She swiftly swung out her leg, kicking Dean hard in the shin. “You jerk. I’m telling Mommy!” She raced up the stairs.

Dean grabbed his shin, reached for the railing and spun to Henry. “Why . . . Why would you say that?”

“That’s what Bev said. You know Dean, it’s welcome relief to see her dig her venomous claws into someone else.” Henry made a claw with his hand then hissed.

“Henry,” Dean said his name through a painful grunt. He then huffed loudly, limping for the steps. “You are so lucky right now that my focus is on Frank. God! What is wrong with everyone today?” Dean charged up the steps.

Henry chuckled as he watched Dean stagger up still grabbing his shin. Henry looked down when he felt the tug to his pants.

Billy looked up at him. “You’re not funny.” He shook his head and moved to the steps to follow his father.

Henry still laughed. He didn’t care. “Such a Dean.” He shook his head and returned to the box Dean was packing. He was certain there was something in there he forgot to look at.

^^^^

Joe looked perturbed as he made his way to his dining room. He kept looking at Robbie, who stood by the front door, his hands folded in front of him. He could hear Andrea whistling in the kitchen. “Robert, do you mind telling me . . .”

“Excuse me,” Andrea sang her words as she came from the kitchen holding a long, covered baking sheet and carried it to Robbie. “Now you be careful. It’s hot. I don’t want you burning those guitar fingers of yours.”

Robbie took a whiff and grabbed the pan using the towel Andrea provided. “Thanks Andrea, you are turning out to be a really cool mom.”

“Aren’t you sweet? Isn’t he sweet, Joe?”

Joe grumbled as he sat down. “A pip.”

“We’ll enjoy this.” Robbie told her.

“I’m sure you will.” Andrea moved to the door and opened it for Robbie. “I’ll open my window.”

“And I’ll play you that song.”

“Thank you, Robbie. Be good. Play good.”

“Yep.” Robbie grinned and carried his baking sheet with him when he left.

Andrea let out a sigh as she closed the door. She walked back toward the dining room and kitchen.

“Why are you feeding him? He’s a grown man, Andrea. Let him cook for himself.”

“He’s a very busy young man. He’s Mr. Security now and he has the band coming over to his house. He can’t have company without food. Those boys can’t play on an empty stomach, they won’t be good. Besides, Denny will be there too. He has to eat.”

“Want me to call Katie to the table?”

“Joe Slagel, you really should pay more attention. She’s at Dean’s.” Andrea went into the kitchen and emerged with a large bowl of salad. She placed it on the table, dished some to Joe, then herself, and sat down. She folded her hands on the table. “You or me?”

“I’ll do it. You take too long.” Joe folded his hands and lowered his head. “Heavenly father, bless this meal and thank you for it. Amen.”

“Amen.” Andrea smiled and tapped Joe’s hand. “Touching.” She lifted her fork and noticed the annoyed look on Joe’s face. “Is something wrong?”

“No, something is missing.”

“What?”

“Dinner, I thought I smelled your pizza.”

“You did.” Andrea took a bite of her salad.

“Well where in the hell is it?”

“I made it for Robbie and the boys.”

“Robbie!” Joe lifted his fork. “What about me?”

“You have a nice salad plus, I made custard for desert. You love custard.”

“Yeah, I do love custard.”

“What’s the matter, Joe? You seem grumpier than usual.” Andrea became serious. “Is it Frank? Wanna talk?”

“It’s Frank.” Joe dropped his fork. “Andrea, I don’t know what to do about him. What the hell was he thinking?”

“He was thinking how much he needed to step away from his pain. Everything here is Brian, Joe; out there it’s not.”

“It doesn’t make it right.”

“Nor does it make it wrong, Joe. Instead of being angry with him, try to understand him.”

“Why are you defending him?”

Andrea shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe I just see where he’s coming from.”

“But he took Ellen. He didn’t just take her, he kidnapped her.”

“Again, look at it from his point of view. Frank isn’t one to think things through. He acts. Ellen has been a part of his life forever. They lost a child and in Beginnings he couldn’t grieve alone with her. He needed that. Would she have gone if he asked her? Probably not.” Andrea continued to eat.

“I’ve got Dean acting like a mad man around this community. What about that?”

“Try to understand that as well. Dean loves Ellen. He needs her. The worst part is, after all these years, the unthinkable happens. Dean and Frank began an understanding. That takes trust. Dean put his trust in Frank, put aside all the years that Frank betrayed him, and look what happened. It was fifty-fifty. Then Frank decided he wanted Dean’s fifty percent. Had Frank just said to Dean he needed Ellen for a few days, I know Dean would have agreed. But . . . he didn’t. I’ll talk to Dean. We’ll get him calm yet.”

“Thank you, Andrea.” Joe smiled at her and picked up his fork. “You’re a wise woman.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m glad to have you in my life.”

“Thank you, Joe Slagel.”

“Not all that glad about this salad.”

“But you do get custard.” Andrea pointed her fork at him.

Joe grumbled as he looked at the lettuce on his fork. “I do get custard.”

^^^^

Jess Boyens extended a napkin down to Andrea’s son Denny as he sat on the couch eating pizza. “Try this.”

“Thanks.” Denny smiled, his face covered with sauce.

“Wipe your hands off too,” Jess ordered nicely. “You don’t want sauce on that tambourine.”

“No way do I want that. Thanks.” Denny half-ass wiped off and continued to devour his pizza.

Robbie looked up at Jess. “Are you sure we won’t bother you playing in here? We can go outside.”

“No it’s too hot out there. Play. I’ve no problems with it, looking forward to it actually. I’ll just be upstairs.” He pointed backwards then heard a knock at the door, “after I get that.” He saw Robbie standing. “Stay seated.” Jess walked to the door and saw Danny Hoi was there. “Danny.”

“Hey Jess.” Danny smiled. “Can I come in? I need to speak to Robbie.”

“Sure.” Jess motioned his hand inward for Danny. “Robbie.”

Robbie stood up. “Hey, Danny what’s up?”

Danny, so like his bubbly self, walked in. “Robbie, I need to talk to you. I’ve had this secret desire to be a backup singer. Can I join the Starters?”

“Um . . . uh . . .” Robbie looked to his band. “Are you serious?”

“No,” Danny laughed, “just kidding. Anyhow, I just spoke to Joe and he said speak to you. I found something today when I was out with Cole on the modular home search. I want to get it tomorrow but Cole can’t go. Joe says I can’t leave without a security escort. Can you hook me up with one?”

Robbie shifted his eyes to Jess. “You up for a short run?”

“Sure.” Jess nodded. “What are we running for, supplies for the foundation?”

“Nah.” Danny shook his head. “We got that ready to roll. My guys start on that tomorrow. No, it’s for entertainment purposes. There’s not much to do here in Beginnings, not like the Starters aren’t the greatest thing since the Beatles, but . . . we need more so we’re gonna have the first “walk-in” here.”

A loud “what” erupted from everyone.

With a snicker, Danny held out his hands. “O.K. let me explain. I saw this big screen TV unit and I’m getting the projection unit. We have videos and we’ll show them off the back of distribution, like a drive-in without cars. Trish is gonna be the coordinator of feature films we view.” Danny heard the moans. “What?”

Robbie laughed and shook his head. “Trish. Great, we’ll be watching Mary fuckin Poppins every night.”

“See, that’s what I thought,” Danny said, “but she fully plans to implement late Friday night as adult movie time. She said, that way the women are done with their meeting and the kids are all asleep.”

Robbie hooted with the rest of the guys. “All right, now that sounds good. Tell her we expect the first adult movie night tomorrow.”

“Without a doubt.” Danny moved to the door. “Thanks Robbie.” He opened it. “Oh, hey, I wanna test the external speaker system I set up. Feel like helping?”

Robbie shrugged. “Sure, how?”

“Give me fifteen minutes and put a radio on channel twelve. We never use that one. We’ll broadcast you guys like a radio. O.K.?”

Robbie looked to his guys for approval. “Sounds good.”

“Great. Jess, come help.” Danny waved him on. “Starters, be original and creative for the community will be listening.”

After the door shut, Robbie looked to Paul. “We can be creative, can’t we?”

Paul blinked several times in thought. “Sure, how can we not? We’re musicians . . . aren’t we?”

^^^^

There was a special prayer service offered that night in the town’s old church. As always the captain attended. Never did he miss praying for his men who were about to embark in battle. To him, God was their protection just as much, if not more than the swords that they carried. He walked from the huge crowd that gathered, like the old days, at the entrance of the church after services. He wandered down the street, whistling one of the hymns he had just heard. His walking slowed when the sound of his whistling seem to clash with something else . . . music.

Raising his eyebrows at the oddity, he listened to hear where the guitar playing came from and followed it to the police station. He hurried inside, opened the door and moved to the dispatch center that now was his monitoring station. “Private.”

The uniformed private stood up from his seat at attention.