“Understandable ... what Ellen?” Joe asked annoyed.
“Will there be free access, Will a Dan tram run there. I’m sure we’d like to go see them.”
“They aren’t a freak show,” Joe said. “But it will be free access. Anyhow, Lodi, tell me.”
Frank answered. “Problem town. Fuckin’ leader gave me shit from the moment I stepped in town.”
“I was shocked,” Ellen added. “The attitude.”
Danny interjected, “If we hadn’t extended the offer to help them out, I’d say we don’t. They won’t fit in, Joe, they won’t. If we had a welfare system, they’d be on it. They’re gonna be like the trailer park residents of the Beginnings province.”
Hal laughed.
Joe didn’t. “Danny, that’s unlike you. Actually, it’s a pretty snobbish thing to say.”
“Yeah, I know, Joe. And in the old world I was far from a snob. Not growing up the way I did. But these people irk me. Lazy people irk me. They’re all fat. How do you get fat in the apocalypse world? Bentley is fat because he has a gland problem. These people are fat because they do nothing.”
“I’m gonna assume that the forty some that are coming are more than likely not the lazy ones.”
Danny nodded. “By what little interviews I got to conduct, I’d say yes. Mike’s not coming.”
Henry looked up quickly. “Mike isn’t coming?”
Danny shook his head.
Hal leaned back. “Well, then, maybe that’s for the best.”
Elliott lifted his hand slowly. “If I may interject my thoughts on this matter. Perhaps Lodi is feeling threatened because for so long they relied on no one but themselves. Now, here we are, in all our glory, and they have to rely on us for a place to go. I firmly believe that given time, once they are here and see they are their own self sufficient community, that we will all get along with no problems.”
Hal crinkled a facial glare at him. “You are such a pacifist. You would.”
Elliott lifted his hands in defeat. “Anyhow …Since I think all of you don’t want to be the first to ask, I will. Johnny? How is he?”
Ellen smiled partially. “He’s doing well, thank you. Was just coming out of the induced coma when we were there. We think the surgery will be a success. Time will tell.”
Frank asked. “Things good in Beginnings. Security wise?”
“Um, yes,” Elliott stated, eating his breakfast as if he were chatting about the weather. “Had some problems with your brother finding large amounts of a substance that looks like sperm in the Killer Baby region, but Dean thinks something is molting up there.” Elliot shrugged. “It’s weird. Other than that, nothing.”
Hal just stared at him. “Are you okay Elliott. You aren’t yourself.”
“Fine.”
“Hmm.”
Ellen asked. “Molting? Really? I can’t wait to get back to see what he’s come up with. Killer babies?”
“Perhaps.” Elliott replied.
Henry added. “We have to remember the killer babies aren’t the same breed as Marcus, so we don’t know what to fully expect to date.”
“Speaking of date,” Frank said. “When are we repeating that trip?” he directed his question to his father.
Joe replied, “Jason is having some viable problems with the machine. Maybe Danny can lend a hand. Until then, it’s on hold.”
“I hope it’s not too far,” Frank said. “I’d like to get the depressing future stuff out of the way before me and El get married next month.”
The clank caught everyone’s attention, and they all looked to Elliott who dropped his fork.
“Elliott?” Hal questioned.
Elliott cleared his throat, wiped his mouth, and stood. “Will you all excuse me?” He nodded after a snap of attention, grabbed his tray and turned. In his exit, he dropped the day by the ‘return’ and without missing a beat, left the mess hall.
“Well,” Hal sighed out. “Someone doesn’t seem too happy about that.”
Frank shook his head. “Is Ryder sick, he just got up and left?”
“Excuse me,” Ellen focused on Elliott, stood from the table and followed him out.
“Must be.” Frank said. “Man, am I hungry.” He dove into his food. “Fuckin’ Lodi people.”
Joe was about to say something when his phone rang, drawing his attention. “Hello.” His shocked expression, the pull of the phone from his ear and blink, made everyone look his way. “Dean. Dean … calm... can you please quit laughing. What’s going on?”
Serious. Joe grew serious.
“Dean!” he snapped. “How can you laugh? When? Christ.” He ran his hand over his face. “How did I not know? Okay …” Joe looked at his watch. “I got time. I’ll be right back.” He hung up. “Shit. I forgot to ask who and what.”
‘Problem?” Hal asked.
“I’d say, that was Dean. Seems we had another mutilator attack last night.” Joe stood up. “I have to get back.”
“I’ll go with you,” Frank said. “Did he say how and who?”
“No, I forgot to ask …” Joe directed a point at Hal and Henry. “In case we run into problems, can you tell Creed I’ll be there shortly?”
“Absolutely,” Hal replied. "Keep us informed.”
“I will,” Joe walked toward the exit.
Frank asked. “So we don’t know the details?”
“No,” Joe said. “But one thing’s for sure.”
“What’s that?”
Joe reached for the door. “I want to know why Dean was laughing so hard.”
***
Focused so much on Elliott, Ellen never saw Joe leave the mess hall, nor did she notice it was getting cold until she reached the headquarters where Elliott’s office was located.
She supposed she could have yelled for him to stop, but she didn’t want to have the conversation in the middle of the street. If he was wallowing and feeling bad about what she suspected then, it was best to be a private conversation.
Did he even know she was following him?
Cold, tired, and heart beating; Ellen made it up the stairs and to Elliott’s office. He had just plopped into his chair, and sat staring at the window.
She didn’t knock; she just softly called to him. “Elliott.”
“Oh. Ellen. Sorry.” He cleared his throat and stood. “I … I …”
Arms folded, Ellen titled her head and stepped closer. “You … You?”
“I suck.” He exhaled long and shook his head.
“You suck?” Ellen asked. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. I should have been more in control.”
“Is this about what I think it's about?”
Elliott nodded. “I can’t believe you are marrying Frank.”
“I’m sorry, Elliott.” Ellen walked to him. “I won’t stop seeing you.”
“Yes, you will. Everyone knows what Frank is like. He won’t do understandings and Ellen …” he moved to her. “You know it isn’t about the physical part. You know it.”
“All the more reason for me to talk to Frank about it.”
“I’ll handle this, you know. I really, will,” Elliott said. “The marriage thing is just so strong and permanent. Can I ask why all of the sudden you are marrying Frank. I mean, you and Dean are barely over.”
“I know. But he’s moved on.”
“Is this your way of striking back?”
“No,” Ellen shook her head. “Frank and I talked about getting married, but it wasn’t until we both found out how happy Joe was about it.”
“So you’re doing this for Joe?”
Ellen partially closed her eyes. “We’re doing it for the entire family. It’s time, Elliott; I put my family back together. Joe wants that. It’s what should be.”
Elliott nodded. “Once, then I will accept that. And I will respect your marriage and step back. As for me, I’ll handle everything just fine.” He swiped his bandana from the desk. �
��Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do. Creed arrives.” Ellen gave a firm nod, and walked by Ellen.
Ellen slowly whistled a breath, as she stood alone in his office. “Oh, yeah, that’s handling it...”
***
Robbie needed strength. Something strong. So he stopped at the bakery for a latte on the way to his father’s office. And just because he looked as if he needed it, Gemma topped him off with an extra shot of espresso.
He should have known. Really, he should have. Easy night. His father was heading to the new town bright and early. Frank was coming back. When Dan said, ‘Man, Robbie, why don’t you get some rest, you were working all night, I’ll cover until Frank gets here.’ Robbie thought not a problem.
He was sleeping an hour.
“Robert. Where the hell are you?” Joe asked when he called.
“Sleeping.”
“Weren’t you supposed to be filling in until Frank got back?”
“Yeah, but Dan said he’d cover for that couple hours. I didn’t see a big deal.”
“It is a big deal. Get to my office stat.”
So he did. He tossed on his pants, a sweatshirt and coat. Stopped for his latte and arrived at his father’s office in just enough time to see them walking in. After another good sip, he too entered.
“You look like shit,” Joe greeted him.
“I’m beat, Dad. I was trying to sleep.” He ruffled his already messed up hair.
“Well, this is what you get for not going to bed when you should have.”
“What’s up?”
“We had another mutilator attack last night,” Joe said.
Robbie immediately sat up. “I was on duty until a bit ago. So was Elliott. How did we not know this?”
Joe lifted his hands in surrender.
“Were you on Dean tracking?” Frank asked.
“Yep. Dad handed me the honors last night,” Robbie replied.
“When I had it, Dean was at home.” Joe said.
Robbie pulled the tracker from his inside coat pocket. He checked the unit and the history. “Dean was at his house all night.” Hs fingers flipped through some buttons. “Why was he at your house at one in the morning Dad?”
“He was hungry,” Joe replied, "stopped by for brownies. Said he was working on something.”
Robbie nodded. “He just left his house a bit ago …” Robbie clicked tough. “Went to the school, then clinic. And … he’s on his way here it looks. Another minute.” He handed the tracker to Frank.
“So …Dean has an airtight alibi.” Joe smiled. “Good. Good. Now if we can get the victim to confirm the time or at least, we can clear Dean and move on to someone else.”
The light knock at the door alerted Joe that it was Dean, he called for his entrance.
Dean only peeked his head in. He had a wide shitty grin on his face.
Joe looked annoyed. “Why are you smiling?”
“This is funny. I brought the victim.” He opened the door wider and stepped in.
Directly behind him, slanted and staggering was Josephine.
Joe rose slightly from his chair. “Again?”
Dean nodded.
Frank asked. “Are you sure?”
“Pretty damn positive.” Dean nodded with a closed mouth. Why don’t we have her tell the story? Dean reached for her …”
Josephine swiped her arm away, swaying. “Get your groping paws off of me you user.”
Dean snickered.
“What’s going on?” Joe asked.
Dean started to explain. “She came to me this morning.”
“I’ll tell it!” Josephine snapped. “I was sore. Didn’t know if it was the events of last night, because they are a blur or what. When I showed him what was sore, he called you.”
Seriously, Dean spoke. “They aren’t going to believe it, why don’t you show them.”
“Good idea.” Josephine hiccupped. “Take a look.” She turned, hiked up her dress, dropped her drawers and aimed her bare bottom at Frank, Joe, and Robbie.
Robbie laughed.
Frank let out an ‘uh!” then, “hey …hot buns?”
“Yes, they are, Frankie, but they aren’t for you.” Josephine said.
Robbie laughed. “This is great. She has a tattoo on her …”
“Robert. No it is not.”
Josephine, holding position, griped. “First my eyebrows, now my best asset has been marred. Christ, Joey, what are you gonna do.”
Joe cleared his throat. “I’m gonna ask you to put away your ass, we’ve seen enough.”
Josephine dropped her dress to cover herself and turned around. Unfortunately, her undergarments were still locked at her knees and she tumbled toward Joe’s desk. “Whoops. Ain't good down if you’re moving around. That’s what I say.”
Joe winced as she watched her raise her underwear without a care in the world.
“Why don’t you tell me what you remember?” Joe said.
Frank mumbled. “Not much.”
“Frank.”
Josephine ignored him. “I was at the social hall ….”
“Figures.”
“Frank.”
Josephine huffed. “You got a problem with me Frankie.”
“I just don’t think you know what happened.”
“Why would you say that, short bus?” Josephine snipped.
“Because you’re always drunk.”
“Takes a drunk to know a drunk.”
“Enough,” Joe warned. “Josephine. You were at the social hall until what time.”
Frank fluttered his lips. “Until they kicked her off the stool.”
“Frank!” Joe yelled. “Enough.”
“Yeah, Frankie enough,” Josephine said. “He’s just frustrated Joey cause you made him stop staring at my goods.”
“I’m sure,” Joe waved her on. ‘Continue.”
“So I left the hall and that’s when we hooked up. He said, ‘you looking for some fun.’ I said, “I am fun.” We went back to my place, and the last thing I remember is his hands on my hips and he was riding me like no tomorrow. I was ….”
“Whoa. Whoa.” Joe halted her. “We don’t need those details.”
“Yes, ya’ do,” Josephine argued. “I figure he banged me out, and when I was out, he marked my goods.”
Robbie snickered.
“Robert.”
Frank spoke up. “Are we forgetting something?”
Josephine shook her head, “Oh, you would want all the sorted details. Probably will take it home with ya.”
“Why the fuck do I care?” Frank asked. “I want to know who.”
“Who?”
“Who.”
“Yeah,” Joe added. “Who was the guy?”
“Skippy.”
Robbie squealed a laugh.
Joe asked. “Who is Skippy?”
Josephine pointed to Dean. “Him.”
“What!” Dean blasted. “I did not have sex with you last night.”
“Dean,” Robbie snorted. “You dog.”
“I’m not a dog. I did not have sex with her last night.” Dean argued.
“Did too. Was one heck of a stud with a big …”
“Ug!” Frank grunted. “We don’t need to know how big.”
“Put it this way, Frankie.” Josephine winked. “You call him little man, He ain’t no little man.”
“Uh! Stop.” Frank held his ears. But, like Joe and Robbie he looked at Dean.
Dean shook his head. “I did not have sex with her. Joe, I swear, I will have myself examined. If I had sex as it will show if I ….”
Joe held up his hand. “Easy there, Dean. No one is gonna check your penis.”
“I’ll check his penis,” Josephine said “Again.”
“Uh!”
“Frank.” Joe warned.
“Dad, stop her.”
Joe nodded. “Okay, Josephine. Can we keep this under wraps? I don’t want to get the community in an uproar.”
“Sure, thin
g Joey, don’t plan on walking around showing my goods to everyone today.”
“Why not?” Frank asked. “You do it every other day.”
Joe cringed. “Frank. Stop. Josephine. Can you wait outside for a moment and I’ll drive you back in town.”
“Sure thing, Joey.” She hiccupped, turned, swayed and stumbled her way out.
The moment the door closed, Dean stepped forward. “Joe, please, I didn’t have sex with her. I swear I never left my house except to get those brownies.”
“We know.” Joe said. “The tracker proved that. But why would she say it was you.”
“Easy,” Frank replied. “She’s a drunk.”
Robbie suggested. “The guy resembled Dean? Maybe?”
“Nah,” Frank shook his head. “No one’s that little.”
Dean rolled his eyes. “Thanks Frank.”
Robbie snickered. “Yeah, but according to Josephine, Dean’s not that little.”
“Stop.” Joe ordered. “It’s hard to say with Josephine.”
“What do we do?” Frank asked. “We can round up all guys with blond hair.”
Robbie interjected. “And big penis.”
“No. No.” Joe said. “I think it’s time to try another plan. Something we need Frank to check for.”
“Dad, No, I am not checking penises.”
“Christ, Frank. I don’t want you checking penises. I have another plan. It’s farfetched. It’s not concrete. But it will give us a direction. I hope,” Joe said. “And something only you can do.”
***
When his father said it was something only he could do, Frank was certain it was something ‘Frank’. Like chasing a Killer Baby, running a race, lifting something heavy, beating someone, or shooting a target. Something heroic. Never did he imagine it would have to do with his mind.
At first he was impressed. After all, he was the literary guy and a new bestselling author.
But thoughts and writing weren’t the things Joe was referencing when he said ‘we need you for your keen mind abilities’
It took place in the social hall and it took Joe about two hours to get it together. Frank was clueless as to why he was there. When he arrived there were about a dozen men just standing there? He said his hellos and walked to his father.
“Am I having a special sneak book signing?”
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