Dean looked up. “She was in Bowman?”
Andrea nodded. “She came directly in when …”
Out of breath, Ellen raced up the hall. “How is she?”
Dean shook his head.
Ellen’s heart sank, “Dean, I’m sorry.”
Andrea continued. “I was telling Dean that she was in Bowman. She came right in.”
Ellen titled her head. “Why didn’t she go to the clinic? Blue could have tried …”
“I don’t think it would have mattered and I think Margaret knew it,” Andrea said. “She just wanted to be home and close to Dean. She’s sleeping, but if you want to go in there.”
Dean nodded and reached for the door.
“If you need time alone,” Andrea stated. “Be blunt and tell Jason to go.”
Dean paused. “Jason?”
“Jason?” Ellen asked. “Jason is in there.”
Andrea nodded. “Yes, they were together when she started to cramp and bleed. He recommended coming in. He said he felt by the symptoms it was too late. And he was right.”
Dean withdrew his hand and stepped back “I’ll … I’ll wait until she wakes.”
“Dean?” Andrea questioned. “Are you sure.”
“Yeah, I just need to sulk.” He tossed out his hand.
Ellen asked. “Are you Okay?”
“No. No, El, I’m not. Seems …” Dean sighed. “Seems I failed again.”
Andrea’s head cocked, with a raised eyebrow. “That remark was odd.”
“Yeah, it was,” Ellen said. “But I know what he means. Will you excuse me?” She backed up, turned and followed Dean.
Danny Hoi didn’t expect to be in Beginnings when Creed was so close to arriving. Luckily the trains ran into some problems on the tracks with deer and they were delayed.
But he figured since he was in Beginnings, he might as well stop and see if Ellen wanted to go to the town Christening. Since her and Creed had a past.
He was waiting in the clinic lab, just inside the door. In fact, nestled by the door and away from everything.
He heard their whispering voices as they approached and clearly Danny heard what they said. Ellen and Dean continued their conversation even as they entered the lab, not seeing Danny standing there.
He could have called out. Said something to alert them to his presence. But he didn’t. Their conversation was just too good.
In his own defense, they rambled fast and didn’t give Danny enough time to interfere.
Finally, when Ellen had said, “I’m sorry, Dean, maybe you some things are meant to stay gone.”
Danny sneezed.
Both Dean and Ellen stopped, turned and faced him.
“Shit.” Dean blustered.
Danny grinned. “Hey guys.”
“Danny?” Ellen asked. “What are you doing here?”
“In here or in Beginnings.”
“Both,” Dean said.
“Well I was in Beginnings because I was in Bowman when Jason needed a ride here. I drove him. Creed’s running late anyhow. I came in here because I thought maybe El would like to go.”
“Oh! I would. Dean, would you mind?” Ellen asked.
Dean shook his head.
Ellen smiled. “Great, let me get ready. Give me ten minutes Danny? I have stuff at Containment.”
“Sure.” Danny moved from her way as Ellen darted out.
Something was up. Dean knew it. Ellen was gone and Danny remained. And Danny didn’t just stay, he did something out of character. He was silent.
“Okay.” Dean gave up. “What’s going on?”
Danny shook his head. ‘Dean, Dean, you and Ellen really should see who’s around when you speak.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I heard.”
“Heard what?”
“A lot.”
Dean, annoyed, sighed out. “This isn’t a good time.”
“I know. I know. But as council I have to …:
“Fine. Fine.” Dean held up his hand. “You’re up to something.”
“Actually, I wasn’t. Until I heard.”
“Why don’t you tell me what you heard,” Dean requested.
“I can do that,” Danny said. “Then I’ll tell you what I want. Mind if I close this?” He reached over and shut the door.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It didn’t take long to get back to Quantico. A straight shot down the cleared highways, no traffic, no speed limit. After seeing that Johnny was definitely out of the wood. Dr. Gavin felt it safe to leave. He had other matters to attend to, including a new chip that controlled the soldier upon demand.
He took notes in the jeep until he grew too car sick, then he napped.
When he arrived, he was tussled and had to get himself together before meeting with the President. He had spoken to George on several occasions, but had never met him face to face.
George was having his lunch, and meeting with Bertha Callahan, who didn’t look well. Pale.
Gavin offered to check her out, but she turned him down, stating she was certain it was the flu.
“Remarkable recovery,” Gavin informed. “He is a wall of strength. After the induced coma, I left. He was in good hands.”
“Chances of the tumor returning?”
Gavin raised his eyebrows. “The makeup of the tumor worries me. It isn’t malignant, but its structured as such that more than likely will regrow. Now …” he lifted a finger. “With proper treatment, and observation, simple laser surgery can nail the next tumor before it affects him.”
“Can Beginnings provide him with that treatment?”
“I don’t see why not. Dr. Hayes was very good in the surgery.”
“Dean was there?”
“Mrs. Hayes.”
“Christ, they made her a doctor.” George grumbled.
“She’s quite good.”
“I’m sure. How was your stay all week?”
“Quiet.” Gavin answered. “They are a strange lot of people.”
“Beginnings or Lodi?” George asked.
“Lodi.”
“Then they’ll be happy together.”
“Actually … I am assuming you don’t know.”
“Tell me.”
“Lodi isn’t going to Beginnings.”
This caught George’s attention. “They what?”
“Not all of them. Maybe only forty. The rest … they’re staying back. Seems the leader just doesn’t want to leave his town.”
“Then we’ll have to remove him.”
Dr. Gavin nodded once. ‘That would be your call. I’m just the medical aspect.”
George called Bertha into the room. “Where is that woman?”
Looking worse, Bertha returned. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t feeling well. My stomach.”
“Sorry about that,” George said. “Have you spoken to your little friend lately?”
“Not since you expressed your dismay, sir,” Bertha replied.
“Call him. Fax him. See what’s going on.”
She shook her head unclear of what he meant.
“Lodi isn’t leaving. Only a few. See what you can get from him.”
“I’ll try.”
“Thanks.”
Gavin cleared his throat. “Callahan, I can take a look at you if you’d like.”
“No, I’m fine,” she said. “I had a fig this morning and it didn’t set right.”
“Bad figs will do it every time,” Dr. Gavin said. “Speaking of health. There is a rumor that Lars Rayburn may be joining us.”
George’s eye slit up. “You’re kidding me.”
“Nope. Something about him hating Dean Hayes and has no plan to go to Beginnings. Stated he’d stay around and help the injured from the war with the Society then he’d join us.”
“That is great news. Callahan, what do you make of this? Can he be trusted?”
Bertha nodded. “Dr. Rayburn is neutral. He has no dislike for us or Beginnings. If he chooses to come wi
th us that’s only because he chose where he would be respected and more and most useful.”
“Good. Good. Get on the phone with your little friend, and see what information you can get.”
“Sir, why do you keep calling him my little friend?”
“How tall is he?”
With a grunt, Bertha turned and walked from the room.
George chuckled, and sat back down at the table with his lunch. “Care to join me?” he asked of Gavin.
“No, no, thank you.” Gavin raised his hand. “A jeep is waiting to take me home. But, keep an eye out on Callahan, she doesn’t look well.”
“You don’t think it could be serious, do you?” George asked, ready to eat his pasta.
“No, probably just the stomach flu. I mean, it’s not like she’s pregnant or anything.”
On that, George dropped his fork and raised his eyes.
***
Hal had some things to take care of in town, and Joe didn’t mind waiting on him. That also allowed for Frank to secure a fill in so he could be present when Creed arrived. Joe didn’t quite understand what the problem was when Frank said it was difficult to find someone. Finally Robbie opted for later sleep, and covered for Frank.
Joe informed Hal about Margaret losing the baby. Hal didn’t seem fazed by it and was more shocked by the news that Andrea said Dean was pissed.
They had idle conversation discussing how Frank found nothing out during the mind reading session, and how Danny Hoi was frantic for finding better confessions for the show.
They stopped talking when they pulled to the edge of town.
Edge of town.
They couldn’t get closer to the train station. Two Dan trams and what seemed like every person in Beginnings, Bowman, Doyle Camp, and Texas Town were there.
“What in God’s name,” Joe explained as he put the jeep in park.
“Why are all these people here?” Hal asked.
“Uh, Hal,” Frank looked to the back seat. “To greet Creed.”
“No shit.” Hal stepped out of the jeep. “Good Lord.”
Joe led his sons with ‘excuse me, excuse me, Christ let us through’ breaking his way through everyone until they reached the front platform.
Danny stood by Andrea, along with Ellen.
“Joe!” Andrea gushed pleasantly. “Don’t we have great spots?”
Joe couldn’t take his eyes off her hat. “What are you wearing?” he asked of the wide brim, blue flowered job.
“My new hat, don’t you love it. Ben made it. What do you think?”
“I think Ben needs to stop making hats.”
“Joe!”
“Andrea, I thought you had a medical emergency with Margaret? Why are our two doctors here?”
“Because you have two others in town?” She replied. “This is exciting Joe. Isn’t it?”
Joe grumbled, and looked around.
“Fuckin’ ridiculous; Frank commented. “They got signs. It’s a circus.”
“Yeah,” Hal added. “I’m surprised he doesn’t have a band.”
No sooner did he say that, Danny reached out. “Hal could you step over here.” He tugged him by the arm. “The guys need room.”
Hal moved as instructed, muttering out for an explanation.
His pleas were drowned out by the screams of excitement.
“They’re here!” Someone shouted.
The whole group erupted.
Joe winced.
Frank winced.
Danny waved his hand. “Ready boys.”
The train pulled closer and as it did, the five of them started. Denny was one of them, Dan on trumpet, Paul played a horn too. They could have been considered a marching band, and would have been one, too had it not been just the five of them.
As the lead train neared the station they began to play ‘Here Comes the Fife and Drum’ loudly.
“No, Frank. We were wrong.” Hal looked at his brother “Now it’s ridiculous.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
March 1st
It wasn’t even eight in the morning, and having the meeting at that time was fine with Joe. The earlier it was. the sooner he could get rid of the aggravation.
He had thought he set up enough chairs in his office, until Henry arrived.
“I’m not late am I, Joe?” Henry asked as he stepped in.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m liaison.” Henry said. He gave a greeting nod to Hal, Elliot and Robbie before taking a seat.
“Robert, get another chair,” Joe instructed.
Robbie was none too happy about it, but did as his father said.
“As I was saying,” Joe continued. “Danny is on his way, and said we can fill him in on what he missed him and Creed should be here soon.”
“I can’t wait to meet him,” Henry said. “I know he was tired yesterday. Is he as big as everyone says he is?”
“Bigger,” Joe replied.
Henry whistled. “I can’t wait.”
“I bet,” Joe said. “Okay, as soon as Frank …”
A single knock and the door opened, Frank walked in.
“Speak of the devil,” Joe said.
“Frank.” Frank announced. “Speak of me. Sorry I’m late.” He closed the door “But I was at containment taking care of something, and El and I got caught up discussing wedding plans.”
“Are you two really having a wedding?” Joe asked. “Or just getting married.”
“No, we’re having a party. A wedding. I’m even having ushers. I was gonna ask Hal to be my best man.”
Hal gave a bashful look. ‘Frank, that’s wonderful.”
“Yeah,” Frank nodded. ‘But then I thought that would be wrong since you and I hate each other so I asked Robbie.”
Robbie grinned. “Frank’s my hero.”
Hal grunted in disgust. “Frank’s your puppet master. Am I at least in your wedding, Frank.”
“Absolutely.”
“Captain,” Elliot whispered. “Can we not discuss the wedding?”
“Why Ryder?” Frank asked. “Does it bother you?”
“As a matter of fat, yes it does.”
“Too bad. Anyhow …” Frank said. “Glad you’re all here. I want to get some opinions. As you know my book signing is on Saturday.”
Everyone grumbled except Henry.
“I’m very excited for you, Frank,” Henry said. “I hear it’s gonna be a success.”
“Ben said a bunch of people reserved their copies.” Frank nodded. “And Ben suggested I do an author photo. So Blake took some shots.”
Hal’s head went back
Joe rubbed his eyes.
Frank produced a folder. “Tell me what you guys think.” He opened the folder and pulled out pictures. “This one here is the serious pose.” He handed it to Robbie, “Pass it around.”
Robbie looked. “I like this one. Very literary.” He handed it to Henry.
“Very Handsome Frank.”
“Thanks. This one is my relaxed pose.” He gave it to Robbie.
“Wow. This is good too.”
Henry looked. “Handsome Frank.”
“Thanks. Here’s my bashful, quiet guy look.” He passed it on.
“This …” Robbie said. “So far is my favorite. Henry?’
“Oh, yeah, mine too.” Henry said.
“One more.” Frank lifted the last picture. “The action hero one. I’m not sure it’s too much for kids.”
“Nah,” Robbie shook his head. “It’s not. Wow. This one is intense.”
“Oh my God, Frank.” Henry said upbeat. “This is awesome.”
“Thanks.”
Finally, the photos moved to Joe, who shuffled through all four, pausing at each for a split second. He then handed them to Elliott.
Elliott examined them one by one. “The picture marked three is what, Frank?”
“The quiet guy.”
Elliott nodded. “My favorite. Captain?” he gave them to Hal.
H
al did the same as Joe. He shuffled through. Then he sat, shuffled through them again, and again to make sure. “Good God, Frank, they’re all the same pose.”
“No they’re not.”
“Yes, they are,” Hal said sifting through them. “You are the exact same in each one. Dressed in fatigues, arms folded looking mean.”
“No, Hal, look. This one.” Frank pointed down. “Look at my eyebrows. They’re up. And that one, my eyes are …”
“Frank!” Hal snapped. “You look the same.”
“You don’t see the difference. Can I help it you are artistically blind.”
“I am not artistically blind,” Hal defended. “There’s no difference from one pose to the next. Robbie, hating to ask, do you see a difference.”
“Absolutely,” Robbie said. “I like the action hero pose.”
“Me too,” Henry added.
“Elliott?” Hal turned in his seat. “Please, you aren’t going to tell me they are all different.”
“Captain I am going to say I liked the shy one best.”
“Ha!” Frank blasted and grabbed the pictures. “You’re just jealous.”
“Jealous of what?”
“Of my book. My pose. My hot, action hero body.”
Hal laughed. “Frank, your hot action hero body, ceased to be hot when you got … old.”
“I am not old. Dad?”
“You’re old, Frank. Look how grey you got.”
“Jealous.” Frank pulled up a chair. “So, Dad what picture do you like.”
“All of them,” Joe replied. “Now can we continue?”
Frank sat down.
“Now,” Joe said. “I’d like to take … Frank.”
“What.”
“Put the pictures away.”
“Sorry.”
“Robert.”
“I’m not doing anything.” Robbie defended.
“I know.” Joe winced. “Before Creed gets here. Update us on what you have with the mutilator investigation.”
Frank raised his hand.
“What, Frank?” Joe asked.
“Is Robbie heading the investigation?”
“Yes. Is there a problem with that?”
“No, I just wish I knew when this happened,” Frank said.
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