The Horse Soldier: Beginnings Series Book 10

by Jacqueline Druga

  Joe swallowed harshly. “I didn’t know that. So you shelter your women. You mean protect them?”

  “Always,” Hal said. “They’re near extinction. Our women have lived rough lives. Attacked, raped. They have a hatred for men I cannot explain, but it is understood. They deserve to be treated special. They don’t work. They stay in this huge house and when they come out, the men stay in. They call a lot of shots on how they get treated. None of them are very nice though. But . . . I guess I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. I’m sure you have the same problem.”

  Joe was surprised. “Our women for the most part are nice. You don’t require your women to pull their own weight?”

  “No.” Hal shook his head. “They wouldn’t do it even if I asked them too. They’re far too spoiled. Don’t tell me you make your women work, Dad.”

  “Hell, yeah,” Joe said proudly. “Christ, if I made them stop they’d bitch. Our women are very important. But pampered?” He fluttered his lips. “They are protected by our walls. They don’t need a house to protect them from our men. Rape is against the law here. You get shot for raping a woman. We screen our people carefully before we let them in then they go through an entire processing before living in this community. Robbie, could you imagine what the men here would say if, let’s say Jenny, wanted to take a walk and we made all men go inside?”

  Robbie laughed. “They’d stay out just to irritate her.”

  Hal was shocked. “That isn’t right. There aren’t that many women. How can you not treat them special? That’s wrong. Anything they want, they should be given. They’re women. They’re few.”

  “Yeah, and they get away with a ton around here,” Joe told him. “But I’m not making them stay in a goddamn huge house. They need their freedom.”

  “I don’t make our women stay in a house,” Hal corrected. “They want it that way.”

  Robbie laughed again. “Wait a second.” He held up his hand. “You have thirteen women living in the house alone. They have no contact with the male community at all?”

  “No.” Hal interrupted Robbie. “Once a month, they present list to me of men they want to . . . well service them. And I’ll tell you, it’s like pulling teeth to get those men to agree to have sex, I mean, I’m sorry Dad, relations with these women.”

  Robbie’s laughter increased. “Oh my God! Once a month. A selected few? Our women look like whores com . . .”

  “Robert.” Joe cringed.

  “Whores?” Hal questioned. “Please don’t tell me you made your women into whores?”

  Joe huffed at Robbie. “See what you started. You have to start him on a righteous movement. You know all his life he argued the opposite way. No Hal, we didn’t make them into whores. The women have a share program here. They’re called understandings. They have one primary relationship and then one or two secondary. It works here. Very little competition or tension. It works.”

  “Wow.” Hal blinked several times.

  “Yeah.” Robbie noticed the look on his brother’s face. “Our men get it. A lot of them. You have thirteen women locked together . . . oh wait.” Robbie snickered. “Wait. Bet me they turned into lesbians.”

  “Robert!” Joe yelled.

  “They did!” Robbie pointed. “Look at his face. In a world with limited women, Hal has a group of lesbians.” Robbie’s high pitch laughing grew out of control. “Oh my God.”

  Joe rubbed his face, watching Hal’s irritation. “Robert, knock it off!”

  “O.K.” Robbie stopped laughing. “Sorry, Hal.”

  Hal swayed his head. “They just hate men, Robbie. They do.”

  “Well, keep them away from our women. No wait. Let’s get them together and watch them fight.”

  “Robert.” Joe grew tired of yelling at him. “Enough of the women. Sorry about him, Hal.”

  “No problem, Dad. I missed him.” Hal winked at Robbie. “I’m just amazed that your men all get along and share women.”

  “It’s a rarity that a problem occurs,” Joe explained, “except between Frank and Dean. Them two just fight and fight over Ellen like . . .” Joe saw Hal’s expression drop. “What’s wrong?”

  “Did you just say Frank?” Hal asked. “My brother Frank?”

  “You don’t know.” Joe said. “Yes, Frank.”

  “Wait.” Robbie again, spoke up. “You didn’t know? How can you not know? You sent his clothes back here. Didn’t you look at the pants? Geez.” Robbie stood up and aimed his rear-end at Hal as he pointed above his own back pocket. “How can you miss the name?” Robbie sat back down.

  “I . . . I didn’t look at the clothes fully. They belonged here. Frank is . . . shit!” Hal yelled. “Frank’s the man we were searching for? He’s the man the Society now has?”

  “Yes.” Joe nodded. “They have Frank. He’s alive and well and we’re gonna get him back.”

  “Do you know where?” Hal asked.

  “We will. George, he called Dean,” Joe explained. “See there’s someone else in Beginnings working for George. We don’t know who it is. George has used Dean’s kids as a bargaining tool. Either Dean leaves and joins him or something happens to one of Dean’s kids. So, Dean’s going to leave, but not without us tracking him. Dean agreed and in that agreement to go with George, it was decided he’d be at the same place as Frank.”

  “So when you track Dean, you’ve found Frank,” Hal stated.

  “Yes,” Joe answered.

  “Then you tell me where they are and I will send every one of my men to that camp. We will ride in and get them back.”

  “We can’t do that,” Joe told him. “I won’t let you do that. What? Your gonna go and send every man you have to go after your brother? Christ Hal, you said it yourself. The purpose of your army is to get our country back. It’s selfish to use that for your brother. No. I won’t let you. We’re sending a scout after Dean. He will run surveillance on the area and get as much information as he can. We will then sneak attack in and take them back, synchronizing the attack with the protection of Dean and Ellen’s children. That way, this inside person can’t touch them. If they do, we’re ready for them and we’ll get them. Otherwise, if we make a big move, George will see it coming and by not knowing who the inside person is, we may not see it coming if they go after one of the kids. It’s better this way. He has the upper hand as long as we don’t know who his person is. I’m sure you know how big the Society is.”

  “I know exactly how big the Society is,” Hal said. “That’s why we only man this side of the country. We have to wait until we’re bigger to go over there. But Dad, you have to let me go with you. You have to let me be a part of this sneak attack. I want to. Please.”

  Joe thought about it, but not for very long. “I would be honored if you’d go.” He heard Robbie whine. “Robbie, you have to stay here. You have Ellen and the kids to watch, and this community. Besides you get the glory of staging the whole thing.”

  Robbie nodded with an arrogant smile. “Yeah I do. Hal, you have to remember, in order to keep up the plan we have to act as if we believe Frank’s dead. Aside from us, there are only two others that know . . . Dean and Ellen and they’re playing along. Not even Frank’s own son knows.”

  “What?” Another shock to Hal. “Johnny? Johnny lived too. How old is he now. Twelve?”

  “Nineteen,” Joe told him. “And a spitting image of Frank. Wait until you see him.”

  “No.” Robbie stopped Joe. “A spitting image of how Frank used to look.”

  Hal was confused. “What? Was he burned in a fire or something?”

  “No.” Joe shook his head with a laugh. “Your brother has pretty much gone through a metamorphosis if a human beings can. Bigger, meaner looking, scarred. Cold. He looks scary at times.” Joe shuddered. “But don’t tell him I told you that. He thinks he’s quite handsome.” He smiled, “But I have to say, Frank is Beginnings’ hero. He is the strongest man I have ever met in my entire life. Always was, but now . . .” Joe whistl
ed.

  Robbie interjected. “I saw him toss a savage so hard the head of the savage actually severed from the body.”

  “And what about . . .” Joe added. “That guy Don last year in containment? Frank rammed his face into that wall with such a force, I didn’t think a human face could make such a hole.”

  Hal closed his eyes. “And he shoots each man in the head to make sure they’re dead, doesn’t he?” He saw Joe and Robbie agree. “He sounds rather sick.”

  “He is.” Joe had a hint of pride to his voice. “That’s why we’re safe with him around. He fears nothing and goes after anything that’s a threat. Ask anyone. I’m sure they’ll have a story to tell you. If you want to know who your big brother is now, ask around.”

  “I will.” Hal leaned back on the couch. The shock had to set in. “So many in our family lived.”

  “We’re cool,” Robbie commented. “What can I say?”

  Hal needed to get things straight. “O.K., so you have to get Frank back. You’re fighting the Society and savages. You are trying to find the inside person working for George. And now what about this new group of enemies. Tell me about them. I know nothing.”

  Joe looked confused. “What are you talking about?”

  “This . . . Mathias group. I’ve sent out . . .” Hal stopped talking when Robbie laughed. “What?”

  “Mathias? You listened to our radio transmissions and you thought Mathias was real. Oh shit.”

  Hal began to see red. “What are you talking about? I sent men out looking. You guys talked like they were . . . Robbie quit laughing.”

  “I can’t help it.” Robbie tried to stop. “Sorry. Mathias is a code name for George. We got it from the movie Omega Man. We all want to be Neville. Did you hear that too? It’s like the big competition. Shit,” Robbie taunted. “And you sent men out looking for him. Wait until I tell . . .” Robbie saw the seriousness on Hal’s face. “No one.” Robbie held up his hand. “This goes no further than this room.” Robbie sneaked out another snicker then went silent.

  “O.K.!” Joe slapped his own thighs then stood up. “Hal? Hal?” he snapped his finger in front of Hal. Hal kept staring at Robbie. “Hal, we all want to kill him at times, but right now, you have your nephew to see again.” He moved away from the sofa.

  Without taking his views off of Robbie, Hal stood up. “I lied. I didn’t miss you.”

  “Yes, you did.”

  “No.” Hal shook his head violently. “I didn’t. I really don’t think I did, especially since you failed to grow up.”

  “Yes you did. You missed me. How could you not. I’m your baby brother. Hal? I’m lovable.” Robbie tilted his head and held out his arms.

  “Robbie, I didn’t miss you,” Hal insisted. “Let’s go Dad.” He walked to Joe.

  “I would have missed you if I knew you were alive. I missed you, Hal. Hal? I missed you. Hal?” Robbie was ignored as Hal joined Joe. “Hal?” Robbie stood up calling as Joe and Hal walked to the door. “It’s great to have you . . .” The door slammed. “Here.” Robbie chuckled in amusement at himself. He then decided he was in the mood for one of Andrea’s brownies, just one. He went into the kitchen to steal one, Andrea would never know.

  ^^^^

  With Andrea busy making a dinner and Jason out at the quantum lab, Dean had no other choice. He had to be the one to exam Bev’s neck to check the final healing and conditions for skin grafting. So leaving word with Patrick that if Ellen shows up to get him for their meeting with Reverend Bob, do not tell her he’s examining Bev, Dean walked to room two.

  He cringed when he stepped inside, setting the chart at the end of the table near the feet of Bev’s nude body. “I’m looking at your neck. You didn’t need to get undressed.”

  “Yes I did. I heard you were examining me.”

  Dean could have left, but instead of wasting the time and having to make her get dressed and return, Dean just wanted to get the examination over. So he walked to Bev who laid back some, her left leg opening and closing slightly. He grabbed hold of her shoulders and pushed her to a sitting position. Dean stood behind her and lifted her hair.

  “Hey Patrick.” Ellen walked up to him as he wrote in a chart. “Where’s Dean. We have to see Reverend Bob.”

  “He’s in room two with Bev.” Patrick looked up. “Shit. I mean, did I say room two . . . Ellen?” Wincing, Patrick watched Ellen storm downed the hall, and then figuring what was Dean gonna do, fire him? Patrick went back to work.

  Ellen hurried to room two. She opened the door without knocking. “Dean.”

  Dean walked from behind Bev. “Just finishing up and then we can go.”

  “Oh really?” Ellen tilted her head.

  “What’s that supposed to . . .” Dean remembered. Bev was naked. “El.” He chased her from the room. “Ellen.”

  “We have to be there. Are you done playing with your toy?”

  “Ellen.”

  “Did you get excited, Dean?”

  “No. I didn’t even notice she was naked.”

  Ellen stopped walking. “We have to go.”

  “El, I am really getting tired of fighting with you over this.”

  “And I’m getting tired of finding you in compromising positions with her.”

  “El.” Dean tossed his hands up as he followed her of out the clinic. “I was examining her.”

  “Her neck, Dean. Why was she naked?”

  “O.K.! Enough!” Dean rushed to Ellen and physically stopped her. “Enough, El. No more fighting over this. This is stupid and I want it to stop.”

  “You want it to stop?”

  “Yes.” Dean nodded.

  “Is this the Dean ‘big’ stand?”

  “If it needs to be.”

  “Fine. Then hear the Ellen big stand.” She moved face to face with him. “Innocent or not, I catch you in one more compromising situation with her, you, Dean, will become a Eunuch.” Flinging back her head, Ellen folded her arms and stormed off to Reverend Bob’s.

  ^^^^

  “My God.” Hal’s mouth stayed open as he looked at Johnny before him in Joe’s office. “My God, do you look like your father.”

  Johnny ran his hand down his goatee. “I think it’s the facial hair.”

  “Frank had a beard?” Hal turned to Joe. “Frank hated beards.”

  Joe shrugged. “Says it makes him look mean. Go figure.”

  “What is his obsession about looking mean?”

  “He’s Frank.” Joe held out his hands. “When you talk to people, you’ll get a good picture.”

  “Amazing. Do you remember me, Johnny?”

  Johnny scratched his head. “Would you be mad if I told you barely?”

  Hal chuckled and stood up, laying his hands on Johnny’s shoulders. “Not at all.” He had to raise his eyes some to make eye contact. “Look how tall. A nephew.”

  “One of many.” Johnny nodded. “My dad was like the father of the community. Even the kids El had with Dean, Dad called his own. Pap is their pap.”

  “No kidding.” Hal smiled. “I have a big family?”

  “And let’s not forget Nick?” Joe pointed. “So, Uncle Hal. You have one niece. And . . . Five? Nephews. Wait. Josh, Billy, Joey, Brian and Nick.”

  “Pap.” Johnny said his name slowly and sad.

  Joe let out a slow breath. “It’s still not sunk in yet.”

  “What?” Hal looked confused. “What hasn’t sunk in?”

  Johnny’s head lowered. “The Society hit us with a plague last month. Dean cured it, but not before we lost lives. Brian died. He was only one.”

  “Frank lost a son?”

  Joe sadly nodded. “He was Frank’s pride and joy. How badly he and Ellen wanted him. It crushed him. That’s why Frank took Ellen beyond the wall, to get time alone to grieve.”

  “Kidnapped her, Pap. Dad kidnapped Ellen. Duct taped her and everything. Ask her.”

  Hal’s eyes shifted about. “And . . . you’re sure Frank was all right?” Hal pointed
to his own temple.

  “Eh.” Joe waved his hand out. “That was Frank. And . . . here’s Jess. Your escort for this afternoon while Robbie and I finish our work.”

  Hal spun to see Jess walked in the office.

  “Hal?” Jess smiled. “Wow, it is really nice to meet one of Robbie’s brother’s. I’m so happy for the both of you.” He shook Hal’s hand.

  Joe sat down at his desk. “Jess, here, is Robbie’s roommate.”

  “Oh yeah?” Hal grinned. “How can you stand him?”

  “Oh Robbie’s great. I see him differently than others do.”

  Joe grumbled as he rummaged through his desk. “I bet.”

  “Huh?” Jess questioned.

  “Nothing.” Joe pulled out a requisition. “Fill this out Jess before you take a Jeep. Leave it in the bin at the garage. Keys are there.”

  “Got it.” Jess took the requisition. “Ready, Hal? I’m showing you the industrial section. Joe said something about you having some men to work there.”

  Hal looked in question to Joe. “I did? I thought it was food preservation.”

  “Plastics, metal, food. Same difference.” Joe waved his hand at him. “Get going, Andrea’s gonna want you back and that’s a long ride out there.”

  Jess, who was usually more serious, was upbeat and chuckling. He opened the door for Hal. “After you. Wow, all of you Slagels are huge.”

  “And handsome.” Hal added as he walked out.

  “Of course.” Jess followed and shut the door.

  Joe’s eyes looked above his glasses. “Oh, brother.”

  “Pap.” Johnny had an odd smile as he pointed. “Is he . . .”

  “Clueless. Yes, my sons are clueless.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “Think about what I meant.” Joe peered up at Johnny. “And are you just gonna stand there or is your skinny ass getting back to work?”

  “Man, Pap, you’re tough. I’m going.” Johnny walked to the door.

  “And Johnny. Bev. Get a move on it. I mean it.”

  “Patience Pap. Patience.” Johnny held up his hand, fingers spread, and shifted it side to side.