The Dead Peasants' Contract: A Sequel to The Dead Peasants File (The Dead Peasants' Series Book 2)

by L. Craig Harris

  Chapter Sixteen

  Christopher drove to Dillon’s house Friday afternoon because Dillon had asked him to bring the microchip to him. He had said he had an idea. Christopher knew he had been to the doctor that morning and was looking forward to seeing for himself how he was doing. He was curious about Dillon’s plans for the microchip, but mostly he wanted to see him safe at home after their ordeal in Denver.

  Dillon looked tired when he met him at the door.

  Christopher carefully hugged his neck. “So, how do you feel?”

  Dillon led him to the living room and sat in front of him in his easy chair. “I think I’ll live.” He put his hand to his left ear. “And I can hear pretty good again.”

  “That’s good,” Christopher said. “I’m sure glad you had that laptop with you.”

  “Yeah.” He reached over and picked it up from the coffee table. It had a hole right through the center. “Morgan said he was going to charge me for it. I guess he can put it on my tab.”

  “I wonder when you’ll go back to work.”

  Dillon adjusted in the chair. “The doctor said I could go back next Wednesday.”

  Gabby came into the room and offered the men something to drink.

  “Just some water for me,” Christopher said.

  “Gabs, bring my laptop from the bedroom please. It’s on my nightstand.” Dillon watched her leave the room, then looked at Christopher. “So, did you bring it?”

  Christopher reached into his pocket and brought out the wrinkled wad of foil. “Right here.”

  Gabby came back in with the laptop and handed it to Dillon.

  “Thanks.” He turned it on and watched it boot up. “This is my personal laptop. It’s not as fast as Morgan’s, but I can log into the surveillance system from anywhere. It’s web-based.” He glanced up at Christopher. “Charles is trying to control every aspect of my life. He got in my face Wednesday and told me he doesn’t want me to go to your church anymore.”

  Christopher was stunned. “What? He actually told you that?”

  “Yes he did. He said he was blacklisting your church so I can’t go in there. They call that redlining. It means there is a red line around your church building on this screen, and I’m not allowed to go in there.” Dillon logged into the system and studied the screen for a moment. “Look, he’s already done it.” He pointed to the screen. “See, there is a red box around your church. If I put my employee number here, it shows where I’m not allowed to go.”

  Christopher studied the screen. “I can’t believe this.”

  “He’s blacklisted the church building for me.”

  “Is this just for you, or for all Morgan workers?” Christopher thought about how many retail and warehouse workers went to his church. Maybe a dozen.

  Dillon shook his head. “No, just me. But he can add others any time he wants.”

  Christopher nodded, thinking. “So, this means we need to start meeting in the parking lot so you can come.”

  “Actually, that would work. No alarm would go off unless I went inside. But I’m about to try something that might fix this.” He tapped the keyboard. “I’m going to hack into the system.” He took the foil and unwrapped it, exposing the microchip. He carefully placed it on the coffee table in front of him then looked back at the screen for several minutes. “Ok, there it is.”

  Christopher went around and watched over his shoulder. The microchip was sending out a signal on the screen, with an alarm saying “unknown”. Dillon used his thumb on the pad to hover the pointer over the chip. A series of numbers appeared on a box at the bottom of the screen.

  “That’s its sim number,” Dillon said. “I’m going to assign it to me and disable the chip in my back.” He continued to tap and then grinned. “I think I did it.”

  “Cool, so what’s your plan?” Christopher said.

  “Well, I’ll just carry this one in my pocket.” He held up the chip that was on the table. “And if I want to fool Morgan, I’ll just leave it at home.”

  “That’s genius!”

  He turned and looked at Christopher. “But if I ever get caught–”

  Christopher didn’t want to think about that. He was still reeling from the news that Morgan had blacklisted his church. That was so unconstitutional. Did he want to take Morgan to court and face his stable of high-powered lawyers? Morgan was already mad enough to kill them all. He sat down again on the couch. “How is this going to end?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Do you think Morgan is done with his revenge? Do you think he’s satisfied?”

  Dillon looked back at him for a moment then shook his head. “I don’t know.” He was quiet for a moment, then took a sip of coffee. “So what about Travis and Julia? Tell me more.”

  “All I know is when they got home, their house had been burned to the ground. The fire marshal said it was electrical and no one’s fault.” He sipped his water. “So at least the insurance will build them a new one.”

  “But you don’t believe that, do you?”

  “No, I think Morgan did it.”

  Dillon nodded. “Of course he did. He was sending a statement to us. A threat. He was letting us know what he’s capable of.”

  “So we have to live our lives in fear? Never knowing when he may strike again?” Christopher shook his head. “I don’t like this at all.”

  Dillon sat upright. “Don’t let anyone else sign that contract. Don’t let Rachel or your sons. Don’t let anyone in your congregation sign.” He pointed at Christopher. “It’s good money now, but look what it costs later.”

  “I’m afraid people just hear ‘good money now’ and don’t hear anything else.” He stood to leave. “You rest now. I’m glad you’re okay.” He shook Dillon’s hand. “I’ll be in touch.”

  Christopher got back into his car and drove to see Travis and Julia. They were staying with their son, Jonathan, and his family on the south side of town. He knocked on the door and hugged both of them in the entryway when Julia answered. “You guys okay?”

  “I’m still pretty shaken,” Travis said, standing behind her. “I haven’t gotten over the trip, much less losing the house.”

  “No, I’m sure you haven’t.”

  “Did you hear?” Julia said. “The fire marshal said it was electrical. I’m just glad we weren’t home.”

  The three went into the living room. Travis and Julia sat on the couch and Christopher sat on a chair across from them. Julia stood back to her feet. “I think we have some fresh coffee if you want some.”

  “Sure, thanks.” He was trying to cut back on caffeine, but figured one cup wouldn’t hurt. “Just a little sugar.”

  “I know Morgan did this,” Travis said. “He was behind Julia’s kidnapping and burning our house down.” He looked over his shoulder at Julia in the kitchen. “I’m not sure she believes it. He was so nice to her.”

  “I guess it’s just as well. Hatred and grudges don’t make our lives any better.”

  Travis nodded, then glanced at him. “How’s Dillon?”

  “He’s going to be fine.” He took the cup from Julia and carefully took a sip. “That laptop he was carrying saved his life.”

  “That’s amazing,” Travis said. He sat and looked at Christopher for a moment. “I need to tell you something.”

  Christopher sat up and gave him his full attention. “What is it?”

  Travis paused a couple of seconds, then cleared his throat. “Julia and I are moving. We’ve decided to leave the country.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We can’t just sit and wait for him strike again.” He glanced over at Julia. “We can’t live like this.”

  “Where would you go?”

  “We found a beach house in Belize–”

  Christopher interrupted. “Central America?”

  “Yes. It’s on Ambergris Caye, in the town of San Pedro.” He paused. “It’s an island in the Caribbean Sea.”

  Julia brought her cell phone ov
er and showed Christopher a couple of photos of the house they had found and the view it offered. It was beautiful, with turquoise seas, white sands, and palm trees. “The temperature stays in the eighties all year round.” Her voice went up. “Oh, and they speak English down there.”

  Christopher looked at Travis. “You can afford this?”

  “Well, with the insurance payout on the house, we can buy it outright.” He nodded. “We’re getting a really good deal on this house if it all goes through.”

  “What about Jonathan and Karen?”

  “They have their own families now.” Travis took a sip of coffee. “We’ll miss them, but they can come stay with us on their vacations.” He looked at Christopher. “But the best thing is there is no Morgan Retail store within a thousand miles.”

  Christopher looked at their faces. He was letting this news sink in. His first thought was selfish – he didn’t want to lose them, but he couldn’t help but think this was a good idea.

  “We’re going off the grid,” Travis said. “No one is going to know where we are except our children.” He paused. “And I’ll give you my number.” He pointed at Christopher. “In fact, what we really want is for you and Rachel to move down there with us. Maybe you can start a church there.”

  “Yeah, they speak English,” Julia said again.

  Wow! Christopher had never even thought of anything like this before. He shook his head. “Oh no, we can’t do that. Stephen is still in high school and Jason needs us to be nearby.”

  Travis raised his voice. “Your boys need you alive!” He lowered it again. “We’re getting away from Morgan before he hits us again. He may kill us next time. You know that.”

  Christopher knew he was right, but Travis was hitting him with this news too fast to process such a life change. He looked at his cup then back at him. “I’m only on sabbatical at the church. I haven’t been released from there yet.”

  “Well, we’re going,” Julia said. “As soon as the paperwork clears.” She walked over and stood in front of Christopher. “Will you come with us to bless our new place when we move?”

  That sounded really good to Christopher. And why not? He looked at Julia, then back at Travis. “Don’t you think your kids should go?”

  “They both have to work next month and won’t go,” Travis said. “They promised they would come during the holidays.”

  “I’ll call Rachel right now,” Julia said, “and tell her to start packing.”

  Travis looked at him. “I have some frequent flyer miles. I’m paying for your tickets, so don’t worry about that.” He continued to stare at him. “Will you come?”

  Christopher looked back at him for a moment, then nodded his head. “Yes, I will.”

  “Great, then it’s settled.” Travis glanced at Julia and then laughed. “We don’t have much to take. We lost everything in the fire.” He paused. “We’ll pack everything we have in one suitcase and start all over when we get there.”

  “At least we didn’t lose our phones,” Julia said, still holding hers.

  *****

  A month later, in mid-September, Christopher stood in front of Travis and Julia’s new home in Belize.

  The house was yellow with light blue shutters. It had a porch that went the length of the front of the house, and the home was only steps from the beach. Palm trees stood around the yard and lined the pathway to the waterline. The surf rolled in behind him as he took pictures on his phone. Rachel was standing beside him in a flower-printed sundress.

  He hadn’t even been inside yet, he wanted to let Travis and Julia go in first, to see their new place together. He looked at Rachel. “I think I could live here.”

  “Yeah,” she said.

  It had been a long day traveling and Christopher was looking forward to getting inside and finding a comfortable chair. He took note of the neighboring houses. All of them looked similar and not too close. He could only see one neighbor, a Latino lady sitting on her porch.

  “Come see,” Julia came out on the porch and called out. “It’s so nice.”

  And it was. Christopher was surprised at how nice it was. Fresh paint, new appliances, and hardwood floors throughout. Big, open windows letting in the ocean breeze. The living area ceiling was vaulted and a large-bladed ceiling fan turned above him. It was as close to paradise as Christopher could imagine.

  Travis gave them the brief tour and took him and Rachel to their room. “Here’s your place,” he said. “Your home when you’re with us.”

  Christopher stood by the bed and looked out at the beach. The windows were open and frilly curtains were blowing into the room, along with salty, warm air. Christopher had seen this in movies, but never in person. He was glad to see that they had their own bathroom. He went in and washed his hands and face. The water tasted a little salty, but he expected that. He could get used to it. A porcelain claw-footed bathtub was behind him, with a showerhead and white curtain hung around it.

  Travis stuck his head in the open bedroom door. “The electricity is already on, but I don’t have Wi-Fi set up yet.”

  “This is great,” Rachel said. “I’m so happy for you guys.”

  “Thanks so much.” He looked at Christopher. “Do you like it?”

  “I love it. I think you’re going to be very happy here.”

  “Get your suits on and we’ll try out the beach when you’re ready,” Julia said, joining them.

  “Sounds great.”

  Soon, Christopher was in the surf. The ocean was cold but clear. It turned turquoise a few feet out, then blue beyond that. He could see small fish swimming nearby. Seashells dotted the sand. Christopher stood waist-deep and looked out at the blue, straining to see a dolphin fin rise above the water. Laughing gulls glided overhead, and a group of pelicans flew in formation just above the water. He felt the wet sand under his bare feet. Rachel and Julia sat on the beach in chairs they had brought from the porch.

  Travis came up and stood beside him in the water. “Not bad, huh?”

  Christopher broke his stare and grinned at him. “Not bad at all.”

  “I’m so glad you two could come bless our new place. I’m hoping our family can come for Thanksgiving or maybe Christmas.”

  “Won’t that be nice?”

  Travis looked over at Christopher. “I feel safe here. I feel like we’re a million miles from Charles Morgan.” He glanced over toward the buildings of San Pedro in the distance. “You know, there’s not much crime here.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  “I do plan to buy a gun though, you know, just in case.”

  Christopher glanced at him. “Might be a good idea.” He reached down and picked up a seashell in the surf. “I think Dillon would approve.”

  “We need to go grocery shopping,” Julia called out from the shore. “Do you want to go?”

  “Yeah, I want to see the market,” Travis said.

  That evening, the four of them sat on the front porch and ate supper. A breeze from the ocean kept them cool. Christopher said the blessing and prayed for peace and happiness for Travis and Julia in their new home.

  “Amen,” Julia said. She took a bite. “Have you checked with Stephen?”

  “Yes, Rachel called him after we got here,” Christopher said. “I’m glad we get a signal.”

  “He’s with my mom,” Rachel said. “And he’s very jealous that we’re here without him. I told him we would see him in four days.”

  Christopher glanced at Travis “Is it okay if we stay that long?”

  “Please stay as long as you want.”

  “And come as often as you can,” Julia said, taking a sip of her raspberry tea.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Dillon went back to work and soon fell into the routine of his new job. His hearing had returned, but he had ringing in his ears if the room ever got completely quiet. He had to sleep with a fan, but he liked that anyway.

  Gabby had not yet moved to a day shift, even though her boss had promised h
er that soon she could, so the two of them called each other vampires and slept together during the day, when the children were at school. Dillon would get home just after seven in the mornings and get the kids up and off to school, then sleep until they got home at four. He would spend the evenings at home and go to work at eleven when the children went to bed. He was glad school had started back so it would be quiet in the house while he slept.

  “Do you have to have those guns loaded all the time?” Gabby said as they climbed into bed one morning.

  “Yes I do. All the time.” He reached over and checked his AR-15. “The safety’s on.” His 9mm pistol was in the nightstand next to him, and the AR-15 stood next to it, always within his reach.

  She shook her head. “I just don’t want the kids to mess around with those.”

  “Then make sure they understand they are not to touch them.” He glanced over at her. “There is a threat hanging over my life. It’s there all the time and there’s nothing I can do about it, except keep these close by.”

  “I understand, but those things scare me.”

  “That’s good,” he said. “They should. But you should be more afraid of Morgan and his assassins than these guns.”

  “I don’t like talk like that.”

  He lowered his voice. “I don’t want you to be afraid of anyone, but we have to be vigilant, we have to keep an eye open.” He put his hand on top of hers. “I’m going to protect you. Don’t you worry.”

  Dillon stared at the screens in front of him that night at work. He experimented with what powers the system provided. He found that he could draw a circle around his signature and it would set off an alarm on his cellphone if a blue or green dot entered into the circle. So that’s it! He drew a circle around his own signature and set it for a thousand feet. He set it so that only a blue dot would set off the alarm. That way, local workers wouldn’t continually alarm him. He wasn’t afraid of anyone in Springfield, he feared someone coming from Denver.