The discussion lasted another fifteen minutes, and by the time the meeting broke up, Wink was confident that his men understood the threat and were on board to take whatever action was necessary. Wink was pragmatic about the cartel’s presence, given that it had enabled him to take over the Crew, but he wasn’t about to roll over for them on his own turf. He was a survivor, and if Julio wanted a war, he was more than willing to accommodate him. This wasn’t Juárez, where the cartel could shift thousands of soldiers across the border whenever he needed. The geography was such that if they hit the cartel hard in Houston, they could score a decisive victory, and without access to the Crew’s fuel, Julio would be unable to retaliate meaningfully.
At least that was the plan. Wink knew as well as any that plans were fine until the first shot was fired, and then anything could happen. But Julio hadn’t given him much choice, so Wink would do what he had to in order to retain power, or die trying. That was the way of his world, and after decades of surviving against some of the worst enemies on the planet, he wasn’t about to go quietly.
No, Julio had just made the worst mistake of his life. Which Wink planned to radically shorten if he had the chance.
Chapter 13
Provo, Utah
Ruby spotted Terry outside one of the temporary markets in the neighborhood where Shangri-La had settled. She’d been directed there by the stable hand at the barn where she’d been instructed to leave her animals, and had sedulously plodded along the empty streets until she reached the subdivision. She flushed when she saw him, and conflicted emotions surged in her chest as she neared.
As though sensing her presence, Terry looked up when she was ten yards away, and his face lit with a beaming smile. He handed the fruit he was inspecting back to the vendor and approached her with open arms.
“Ruby! Is it really you? Or am I hallucinating?”
“It’s me. Covered in railroad soot and trail dust, but me,” she said, and smiled when he hugged her.
She embraced him for several moments and accepted a kiss before pulling away. “I’m filthy, Terry.”
“One of your most appealing qualities,” he replied with a grin. “It’s good to see you again. Been a while.”
“Your gift for understatement hasn’t abandoned you,” she said.
He studied her face. “Bet you’ve got a lot of stories to tell.”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
“You mentioned the railroad. You came on the train with the rest of the troops?”
“That’s right. From Salem. A long schlep.”
“If I still had my plane, much less any fuel, I’d have flown and picked you up.”
“I’m sure you would have. But it wasn’t that bad. Beats riding for months.”
Terry looked her over. “I’ve got a small house not far from here if you want to get cleaned up. Just filled the cistern on the roof, so I even have running water.”
The homes all had plastic storage vats on their roofs to catch rain, and used gravity for pressure, and several enterprising locals had set up a water-delivery wagon with a hand pump that would bring well water to the door. Ruby had noted the catch bins as she’d navigated through town.
“That would be great, Terry. But I don’t want to put you out.”
He laughed. “Nonsense. I’ve been waiting for this day forever.”
The knot of anxiety in her gut tightened. He was as dashing as ever and looked no worse for the trek from Colorado, but she was still torn by her feelings for Art.
Ruby was framing a response when she spied Lucas crossing the square with Sierra. Ruby waved to them, and they altered their course and made for where she and Terry were standing, now somewhat awkwardly hand in hand.
“How are you doing?” Ruby asked when they arrived.
“Fair to middling,” Lucas said. “I see you got here safely.”
“It was a breeze. Although Clark wants more gold to do a final round trip for the rest back in Salem. He told me to tell you he’s waiting for your answer north of town.”
“Man drives a hard bargain,” Lucas said. “Suppose I don’t have much choice, though, so he’s got me over a barrel.”
Ruby nodded. “How are Eve and Tim?”
Sierra pursed her lips. “Tim’s great, but Eve’s been running a fever for the last couple of weeks. We’re a bit worried about her. Elliot’s looked her over a few times but can’t find anything wrong with her.”
“That’s troubling,” Ruby said. “But she’s young and strong. Unlike some of us.”
Lucas studied his boots. “You hear about Art?”
Ruby’s eyes widened. “No! What happened?”
Lucas gave her a brief summary of the shooting. When he was done, the color had drained from her face, and she looked stricken.
“Where is he? Will he be okay?”
Lucas nodded. “Doc said so. We were just going to meet Elliot to hear how he’s doing.”
“Speak of the devil,” Sierra said, staring at the far side of the square.
Elliot trundled over to where they were standing, his expression typically serious. “There you are.”
“We got sidetracked,” Lucas explained.
“No problem. How’s Eve?” he asked Sierra.
“Still feverish.”
He nodded. “I did a primitive assay of her latest bloodwork. She’s having some sort of odd immune response, but I can’t put my finger on why. That’s probably what’s causing the swollen glands and the fever.”
“Will she be okay?” Sierra demanded.
Elliot’s expression softened. “She’s been fine this far, so I assume so. We’ll keep a close eye on her. But understand that I don’t know how to neutralize or eliminate whatever it is. At least, not yet. I really need a more sophisticated lab with better equipment than anything they have here to better understand it, but I’m doing the best I can with what we have.”
“That doesn’t sound positive,” Ruby said. “Poor thing. After all she’s been through.”
Elliot nodded again. “I’m looking at solutions from all angles. Don’t worry. Compared to engineering a vaccine, figuring this out should be child’s play.” He glanced at Lucas. “Can I have a word with you?”
Ruby cut in. “Where’s Art? I’d like to see him.”
“He’s at the central medical dispensary. Head down this main street about six blocks, and then ask anyone for directions. It won’t be far. But I’d caution you he’s not up to seeing visitors yet. He suffered a lot of blood loss, even though the wound isn’t grave.”
“But you’re sure he’s going to recover?”
“We’re doing everything we can,” Elliot said, and turned to Lucas. “Got a minute?”
Lucas looked to Sierra, who shrugged. “Sure.”
Elliot and Lucas slowly walked away, leaving Sierra, Ruby, and Terry to find their own ways.
When they were out of earshot, Elliot began speaking in a soft voice. “When are you planning to mobilize the army?”
Lucas frowned. “It’s Art’s call. He’s the commander.”
“Yes, but you’re the general the men look to for leadership.”
“I’ve been thinking about that a lot. My heart isn’t in it. Art will have to lead this crusade on his own.”
Elliot stopped. “You need to reconsider, Lucas. You’re indispensable, and your mission is too important to risk failure.”
“I didn’t sign up to spend my life at the head of an army, Elliot. I just want to stay with Sierra and the kids. I’ve done my part.”
“You know the Illuminati is never going to stop until we’ve been destroyed. They hold a grudge. And we’re the only obstacle to whatever new plans they hatch. So it’s a matter of their dominating the country. They won’t give up.” Elliot paused. “I know whereof I speak.”
“Always wondered about how you know so much about them, Elliot.”
Elliot looked away before meeting his eyes. “I have personal experience.”
; “Care to elaborate?”
“They actually approached me before the collapse. Obviously they didn’t announce the name of the group or what their objective was, and initially their offer was impossible to refuse. A research grant, a fully equipped lab at my disposal, sponsorship to speaking engagements all over the world, a salary that would make royalty envious.”
Lucas grunted. “So you were part of them?”
Elliot nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. But when the collapse occurred and the virus made its appearance, I did the math and realized what I’d been used to help achieve. So I broke from them and devoted myself to undoing the harm I’d caused, even if it had been inadvertent. See, I was only one cog in the machine, with my work being distributed and built upon by others in their network. But I couldn’t pretend I hadn’t played a substantial role in the destruction of civilization so a handful of the world’s most ruthless predators could achieve dominance. My conscience wouldn’t allow me to deceive myself. Which is why they’ll never quit.” He sighed. “Because I’ve been on the inside, I know too much.”
“You’re off the game board now, though. The virus is a moot point.”
“They won’t give up, Lucas. They think generationally. This has been in the making for decades, if not centuries. I’m an existential threat to them, and they’ll stop at nothing to punish me for my role in hindering their progress. Same for everyone connected to me. It’s important for them to be viewed as unstoppable. Between the virus and your stymieing their plans to hand over the Pacific Northwest to the Chinese, we both have prices on our heads. We dared to oppose them and we won the battle, if not the war. That can’t be allowed to stand. A large part of their power comes from perception. They absolutely have to control the world’s view of them – to be seen as all-powerful and impossible to oppose.” Elliot hesitated. “They’ll never stop. Ever. Which is why you need to take the battle to them. If not, none of us will ever be safe. As I’ve said before.”
“I like my odds better defending a fortified position like Provo than riding off into the unknown. Art’s got an appetite for that. I don’t. And I promised Sierra I would stay for good.”
“Art may not be in any shape to lead an army, Lucas.”
“I thought you said he’d completely recover from the wound.”
“He’s not a young man. No telling what kinds of complications can arise from the trauma.”
“Sounds like we can wait and see, then. Not like we can leave tomorrow anyway, much as the town would like that.”
Elliot seemed about to speak, but then turned away and began walking again. Lucas caught up, and they ambled along the boulevard in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Eventually Lucas slowed and Elliot matched his pace.
“I have to make my family a priority now, Elliot. I hear everything you’re saying, but I can’t choose the army over them or I’ll lose Sierra.”
“I completely understand your reasoning, Lucas. I’m not even saying you’re wrong. I’m just trying to point out that by not taking the battle to the Illuminati and finishing them once and for all, and by waiting to see what their next offensive will be, you may well be dooming yourself, as well as Sierra and the kids.”
“Where are they headquartered, Elliot? Did you ever find out for sure?”
Elliot nodded again. “Washington, D.C., and New York. But mostly Washington. All roads lead there.”
“That’s all the way across the country. When I agreed to help Art, it was reluctantly, mainly to exterminate the scum that were terrorizing Seattle and Salem. That convinced everyone I was gung ho to clean up the whole country, but that was never my idea. I’ve been saying consistently I want to go home and live in peace. But everyone else has different ideas about what I’d be perfect for. The problem is nobody seems interested in hearing what I have to say.” Lucas spit to the side. “Art can lead the army. I’m not necessary. He just thinks I am. He’s wrong.”
“I don’t know, Lucas. I’m not so sure he’s wrong. You’re a natural leader, and you’ve developed quite a reputation for invincibility. That’s a powerful combination. I suspect Art’s correct. But I won’t belabor this. You have a right to be happy. I just want to make sure you’re making an informed decision. The Illuminati will never give up until I and you and everyone we care about are dead. They can’t afford to. So the idea that they’ll just allow you to live in peace is plain wrong.”
“Which is why I hope the army is successful. Only they’ll have to do it without me. I won’t change my mind, Elliot. I appreciate the information about what we’re dealing with, but this isn’t my battle, and I don’t aim to make it mine. Sorry.”
Lucas walked away, and Elliot watched him with a heavy heart. He’d tried his best to convince Lucas without betraying Art’s confidence, but it hadn’t been enough. Now the only thing he could do was wait for Art to choose the time and place to share his secret and try to convince Lucas himself.
Chapter 14
Near Green River, Utah
Elijah pulled his white robe tight around his body and emerged from his tent. His eyes roamed over the scrub until they settled on a grove of pine trees about thirty feet away. He took cautious steps, using the moonlight for guidance, and when he reached the conifers, he pulled the robe to his waist and let out a sigh as he relieved himself against the nearest trunk.
When he was finished, he dropped the folds to the ground and was turning when the telltale snick of metal stopped him.
“Freeze,” a voice whispered from a few yards behind him, and he heard the snap of twigs underfoot as the speaker neared. “One peep out of you and I’ll paint the grass with your brains.”
“My men–” Elijah hissed, but the press of cold steel against the back of his neck silenced him.
“Your men can’t do anything but bury you if I pull the trigger,” the voice snarled. “Shut your piehole or you’re a dead man.”
Elijah inhaled deeply. “I have nothing to steal,” he whispered.
“I’m not after your valuables. Where’s the man you took prisoner?”
Elijah’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You killed my brother. I saw you take Snake captive. Take me to him or I’ll shoot you where you stand.”
Worry lines wrinkled the preacher’s forehead and he swallowed hard. “Please don’t hurt me. I’m unarmed. A man of God. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“This is your last chance,” Eddy snapped. “Take me to him or you’re dead.”
“All right. Follow me.”
“You do anything to rouse your men and you’ll be meeting your maker. Clear?”
“Crystal.”
Elijah began walking slowly toward the tents, hands raised over his shoulders, his footsteps unsteady and his breathing rapid. Eddy kept pace behind him, prodding him with the barrel of his gun whenever he hesitated. They reached a stained two-man tent without a flap to protect the occupants from insects, and Elijah stopped.
“There he is.”
“Snake!” Eddy whispered from behind Elijah. When he got no response, he stepped to the side of the preacher, his pistol trained on Elijah’s head, and kicked one of Snake’s booted feet.
A groan emanated from the dark interior, and Snake’s tattooed face appeared in the shadows.
“Eddy!” he exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to free you.”
Snake gave a low, half-bitter laugh. “You don’t need the gun. We did a deal.”
“These bastards killed Clint.”
“Eddy, put it down. We’re working together now.”
“The hell I will.”
Snake emerged from the tent and glared at the younger man. “Do as I say. I’m sorry about Clint. He was a good man. But we all knew the risks when we started.”
Eddy looked ready to ignore Snake and shoot Elijah, when Benjamin’s voice called from the darkness.
“Drop the gun.”
Conflicting emotions fla
shed across Eddy’s face before he gave in and tossed his pistol onto the trampled grass. Elijah lowered his hands and turned to look at him before twisting toward Benjamin and two of his men, who’d stepped from the gloom with assault rifles pointed at Eddy.
“Relax. It was a misunderstanding.” He eyed Eddy. “Wasn’t it?”
Snake cut in. “Eddy’s with me. He won’t cause any trouble.”
Eddy’s gaze shifted from Snake to Elijah and back to Snake. “I…no. I won’t.”
“Everyone relax,” said Snake. “Nobody needs their guns. We’re all on the same side here.”
Benjamin approached with his rifle still raised. “What do you say, Elijah?”
Elijah studied Eddy for several beats before nodding. “No problem. If Snake here vouches for him and says he won’t put a bullet in me, I’ll take his word for it.”
Benjamin hesitated. “You sure?”
Elijah took a deep breath. “Yes.”
Benjamin lowered his rifle, and the two gunmen did as well. Snake bent and retrieved Eddy’s pistol and handed it to him. “Make sure it stays holstered. None of this is personal.” He paused. “We good?”
“Sure. But what do you mean, you’re working with them?”
Snake glanced at Elijah and Benjamin and put his arm around Eddy. “I’ll handle this from here. I’ve got an idea about how Eddy can help us out.”
Benjamin didn’t look convinced, but Elijah offered a beatific smile. “Let us know if you need anything.”
The men walked off, leaving Snake and Eddy alone in the moonlight. Snake led Eddy down to the brook, and they sat by the water while Snake filled him in on what had transpired.
When he was done, Eddy shook his head. “You trust them?”
“Not at all. But we’re after the same thing, so there’s no harm in joining forces.”
“You said you had an idea about how I could help?”
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