by E A Chance
“I know. He told me.” Kendra turned and waved for them to follow. “You can wait in the conference room. I’ll get him.”
She left them in a windowed room with a glass door and round table surrounded by six chairs.
Once the door was closed, Adrian said, “Do you suppose this room is bugged?”
Dashay eyed him for a moment, then said, “What would be the point of that? Are you turning into a conspiracy theorist?”
Adrian crossed his arms. “Have you forgotten that maniac Kearns is after me?”
Riley chuckled at that. “If the room is bugged, you just gave yourself away.”
“Good point,” he said.
Their conversation was interrupted when Dr. Himes pushed the door open and strode into the room like he was President. The action was pointless since he was wearing a different fanboy shirt, tattered shorts, and his flip-flops. Riley was glad to see he’d bothered to comb his hair. Dashay turned and gave her a look that read, Seriously, this is the guy everyone kowtows to?
He dropped into a chair, stretched out his legs before crossing his ankles, and clasped his hands behind his head. Doing his best to look bored, he said, “Morning Drs. Poole and Landry. Morning Dashay. Thanks for coming.”
If he was trying to intimidate them, he was going about it all wrong. Riley resisted the urge to send him to the corner for a timeout.
“Did we have a choice?” Adrian asked.
His lips curled into an obnoxious grin. “You always have a choice, Dr. Landry. The question is how willing you are to accept the consequences.”
Riley rested her elbows on the table and clasped her hands. “I’d love to sit here discussing the philosophy of choice, but I’d like to get back to my critically ill husband.”
“You can relax, Dr. Poole. Dr. Williams is attending to him.”
Riley got to her feet and pressed her palms on the table. “That’s it. I don’t have time to be condescended to by a puppy. Send my bill to the hospital.” She started for the door but came to a halt when she saw the two hulking giants standing on the other side with their arms folded.
“How cliché,” Adrian said.
Dashay burst out laughing. “Is this a joke? What are you going to do, have those two beat up a five-foot pregnant woman?”
Dr. Himes gave her the same insufferable grin. “I’m a pacifist. My friends are simply there to keep you from leaving. I’d like to see you get past them.”
Dashay beamed at him. “Challenge accepted. Shouldn’t be a problem if they won’t lay hands on me.”
Riley lowered herself into her chair and tugged on Dashay’s arm. “Sit,” she said, and Dashay reluctantly obeyed but kept her eyes locked on the Librarian. “Fine, Dr. Himes. Tell us what it is you want from us and let me get back to the hospital.”
He sat forward and opened the folder in front of him. “I prefer to be addressed as Librarian.”
Dashay barked out a laugh. “That’s not going to happen.”
Riley glared at her as he went on. “We’ll come back to that. This meeting isn’t only about what I want from you. It’s about what we have to offer each other. The medications and equipment you’ve been using are expensive. It’s not unreasonable that you should be expected to pay for them. I’ve calculated the cost and converted it to time. I expect you and Dashay to work in the hospital until that time is paid.”
He slid the paper across the table for them to read.
“Looks reasonable,” Dashay said. “That equates to about three weeks.”
Riley nodded. “Since Coop won’t be well enough to travel for at least that long, I’d be happy to work in your hospital.”
“Understand that this only covers until this morning. Costs will continue to accrue, and there’s also the matter of room and board. Am I wrong to assume you’d like quarters?”
“Only for Adrian and Dashay. I’ll be staying in Coop’s room until I can discharge him.”
He made a note on his legal pad. “I’ll assign quarters large enough for the four of you, so you have somewhere to go at that point.”
“I’m doing the math in my head,” Adrian said. “If costs continue to accrue and you expect us to pay in labor hours, how will we ever be able to leave?”
Dr. Himes hesitated for a moment before saying, “I also accept payment in goods.”
“We have little to offer,” Riley said.
“I disagree. You possess several items I consider quite valuable.”
Dashay started to stand, but Riley put a hand on her shoulder to keep her in her seat. She took two deep breaths but stayed in her chair. “How do you know what we possess?”
He looked Dashay in the eye, and said matter-of-factly, “Your provisions have been inventoried.”
“You went through our stuff?” Adrian asked.
When he nodded, Dashay said, “Have fun rifling through my panties?”
“I didn’t take the inventory myself, but I assure you, my assistants used the utmost discretion. Everything has been left just as it was.”
Adrian’s voice rose with each word as he said, “I assume this is still the United States. That violates our civil rights.”
“So, sue me.”
Adrian sputtered, then grew quiet, knowing they were at the Librarian’s mercy until Coop was well enough to travel. Dr. Himes was no violent sociopath like Director Branson, but he was far more intelligent and cunning. Riley thought he would have made an excellent member of Kearns’ staff.
“What did you see in our belonging that you deem valuable?” she asked. “Before you answer, understand that our horse and cart are nonnegotiable.”
“That’s no problem. I can easily get my hands on those goods. I only want two items, your solar battery and the ham radio.”
Riley rose from her chair and backed away from him, shaking her head. “No, you can’t. The radio is the only way I can communicate with my daughter, my family.” She pressed her back against the door and struggled to keep her panic at bay. “I’m a skilled orthopedic surgeon. Working in your hospital is enough price to pay.”
“Let me make this clear, Doctor. I don’t barter. My price is also nonnegotiable.”
Riley’s gut twisted into a knot and she began to tremble. She had traded Echo for that radio. It was her only connection to those she loved most in the world other than Coop. “I won’t. I won’t do it.”
“Then I will have your husband removed from the hospital immediately and you’ll leave my town today with nothing.”
Dashay rushed to her side and put her arm around Riley’s waist. “Proud of yourself, you heartless bully? You’ve traumatized a pregnant mother who has been through more than you can imagine. Come on, Riley. Let’s put Coop in the cart and ditch this madhouse of a town.”
“We can’t,” she whispered. “He’s too weak. He’ll die without the drugs. We have to give Himes what he wants.”
Dr. Himes folded his arms and nodded. “I’ll allow you limited use of the radio until you leave. It’ll cost extra, but I gather it’s worth the price to you.”
“What else could we possibly have to give?” Adrian asked.
“We’ll work that out as we go. Everyone has something to offer, and you’re conveniently overlooking the fact that I’m providing room and board.”
Dashay crossed the room and held her face inches from his. “No, thank you. We’ll camp outside your city limits and find our own provisions, as we’ve always done. We’ll work off our time, then we’re out of here.”
As he leaned away from Dashay, Riley caught the flicker of fear in his eyes. She wondered if they were the first people to defy him, but couldn’t imagine why that would be.
Himes regained his composure and waved Dashay off. Leaning over to make a note on his pad, he said, “Suit yourself, but I don’t understand why you’re being so obstinate. It’s not an unreasonable exchange. Nothing in life is free.”
Riley straightened and squared her shoulders. “Take what you want, Dr. Himes, and
justify your actions in any way that helps you sleep at night. Just know there’s a name for what you’re doing. Extortion. The radio and loss of connection with my daughter for my husband’s life. Dashay and Adrian, I won’t have you starving and sleeping in a tent. I need you healthy and strong when we get back on the road. Move into the quarters he provides and do whatever he asks. We’re finished here. May I go?”
“You’ve made the reasonable choice, Dr. Poole. I’ll send my men to retrieve the ham radio.” he said, doing his best to appear in control of the situation.
Riley wasn’t buying it. In her mind, he was nothing more than a brainy kid pretending to be a man. In different circumstances, she would have fought back and won the day, but all that mattered was saving Coop’s life.
Himes signaled for his henchmen at the door to move aside. Though Riley had lost the battle, she knew she and Dashay had shaken Himes and given him something to mull over. Riley strode out of the room with her head high, followed by Dashay and Adrian.
“What a tool,” Dashay said as soon as they were back on the sidewalk in front of the library.
“What I can’t understand is why the people put up with him,” Adrian said. “Those two behemoths at the door aren’t enough to keep an entire town in line.”
Riley quickened her pace and opened her umbrella against the increasing rainfall. “It probably started innocently enough when the people needed a leader and Himes stepped into the role. For the residents not planning on going anywhere, it’s a fair arrangement. As so often happens, the more power Himes gained, the more he wanted. No one has bothered to deny him if they’re getting what they want. The townspeople I’ve met seem content.”
“Until that cretin pushes them too far,” Dashay said. “Then they’ll realize their mistake too late. I hope we’re long gone before that happens.”
“Agreed,” Adrian said. “I’m going to head to the stables to visit Biscuit and make sure none of our stuff is missing. I’ll meet up with you at the hospital later, Dashay, to find out where our quarters are.”
Riley watched him hurry off in the opposite direction, amazed at how much her attitude toward him had changed in the past week. He still wasn’t a person she’d seek as a friend, but more like the odd cousin with endearing qualities that made you love him despite his eccentricities.
“I’m sorry about the ham radio,” Dashay said, drawing her out of her thoughts. “I know you must be devastated.”
“I’m just grateful I’ll get the chance to tell them what happened and say goodbye until we meet up in Colorado.”
Dashay reached for her hand. “Once this rain stops and we’re over the river, the going should be faster. If all goes well, we could be there in two months, long before baby makes an appearance.”
When has all gone well? Riley thought, but said, “That sounds incredible. Can’t come soon enough for me. I want to pop in and update Coop. Then speaking of baby, could you find Loraine to come in and let us hear the heartbeat?”
“Do you even need to ask?”
Dashay kissed her cheek, then ran inside the hospital. Riley propped her umbrella against the wall in the foyer and took off her poncho before tenderly running her hands over the growing bump in her belly. Soon she’d need bigger clothes and it would be impossible to hide her condition. Hopefully, they’d be well on their way home by then.
After four days of battling the mud, Yeager reluctantly ditched his street clothes for cammies. He preferred not to be associated with the military while carrying out his current mission, but practicality won the day since boots and camouflage made much more sense than casual loafers and slacks.
He was slogging back to his tent after dinner in the mess when a Corporal caught up with him and handed him a note. Yeager waved the Corporal off and waited until he reached his tent to read it. The message was from Major Collier informing him that a civilian claiming to have information about Landry was waiting to see him. Yeager tucked the note in his pocket and rushed across the compound to the command tent.
He barged into Collier’s office and said, “Where is he?”
Collier jumped to his feet. “I’ll take you.” He led Yeager to a pup tent fifty yards away. “The sentry brought him to me about thirty minutes ago. His story sounds credible, but he might just be after the reward. I’ll leave it to you to decide.”
Collier gestured to the tent opening, then headed back to his office. Yeager lifted the tent flap and peered inside. A young man with long black hair, multiple tattoos, and piercings was stretched out on the cot with his hands tucked behind his head. He grinned at Yeager and stayed where he was.
“Come with me,” Yeager said, and started for his tent without waiting to see if the boy followed, certain he would.
Yeager smelled the reek of body odor before the kid caught up with him. It was a smell he’d grown accustomed to since the CME. Most people didn’t have access to hot, running water. Yeager had always been religious about his hygiene and hadn’t let that slide in his new reality. He’d found ways to bathe every day, even if it meant washing in a freezing river. He wished others would do the same. Cleanliness was one of the best ways to stay healthy, and it was a common courtesy.
When they reached his tent, he opened the door and gestured for the filthy boy to enter. He pointed him to a chair, but he remained standing. Yeager crossed his arms and studied his guest, attempting to assess his character. The piercings and tattoos were common enough with someone his age, as was the attitude. Most people squirmed under the scrutiny, but this boy just grinned at him, not intimidated in the least.
“My name is Colonel Yeager. Who are you?”
“Logan Black from a nowhere dead-water town called Madisonville, thirty miles south.”
“What are you doing here?”
“The boss sent me to find out why deliveries have stopped. Mystery solved. This place is a mess.”
“Who’s your boss?” Yeager asked, then leaned against his small writing table and crossed his legs to appear more relaxed. Not that the boy was on edge. It was just one of his reflexive tactics.
“The Librarian. That’s what he likes to be called. The guy who runs the town now. He’s weird, but alright. Real smart.”
Yeager’s curiosity was piqued. Even if the information about Daybreak wasn’t legitimate, a trip to Madisonville might be warranted.
“Major Collier says you have information for me.”
“Yeah.”
He reached into the pocket of his torn and mud-covered black jeans and pulled out crumpled copies of the wanted posters. He held them out to Yeager, who gestured for him to put them on the table. The boy stood with an exasperated sigh and dropped the papers on the table. As he returned to his chair, Yeager unfolded and smoothed the papers.
He picked up the one of Daybreak. “Have you seen him?”
“Yeah. First time about five nights ago. I saw him in passing the next day. He was still in town when I left to come here.”
Yeager’s heart beat faster. It was the best intel he’d had in weeks, and he didn’t detect signs of deception in the boy. His story would be easy enough to verify in Madisonville.
He pointed to the other sketches. “And these others?”
“All there except the one guy. I haven’t seen him.”
Yeager held up the posters of Dr. Cooper and Brooks Dunbar. “Which?” Logan pointed to Dunbar. “You haven’t seen him?” Logan shook his head. “But you’re certain you’ve seen Dr. Cooper?”
“Only the first night. He was sick in the back of a cart. The Librarian says he almost died of Typhoid, whatever that is, and he knows everything that goes on in town. The black woman had it too, but she wasn’t as sick. I’ve seen her a couple of times.”
Yeager crumpled up the poster for Dunbar and tossed it in the trash. He’d inform his assistant to stop making copies of his sketch. He wasn’t the target, but it would be a bonus to capture the other four and present them to Kearns.
“Is your business fini
shed here?”
“Since all the people I needed to meet with are probably dead, I’d say yes. The boss will need to find new suppliers and not from here.”
“Then, you’re going to ride back to Madisonville with me in the morning and take me to these people. I’ll reward you with whatever you ask that’s in my power to deliver, which is just about anything that still exists. Get yourself some dinner in the mess tent, then clean yourself up and get a change of clothes. I won’t have you riding in my truck in that condition.”
Logan’s grin widened. “Sweet. I thought I was going to have to bike home. After you catch these guys, can I come with you?”
“You don’t know where I’m going.”
“Anywhere is better than where I am.”
Yeager walked to the door and held it open for Logan to go. “You wouldn’t ask if you’d seen what I have getting here, but I’ll give it some thought.” Logan stepped out of the tent and Yeager pointed out the mess tent. “We leave at eight. Don’t keep me waiting.”
Logan held up his wrist. “Who has a watch anymore?”
“I’ll send someone to wake you at seven, so you have time to dress and eat.”
Logan gave him a sloppy salute, then turned on his heel and headed for the mess. Don’t like the piercings, but he might be just the unflappable companion I need. He could get access to places I can’t, Yeager thought as he stepped back into his tent, elated that he was just hours away from the successful completion of his mission.
Julia had stopped waiting with Uncle Mitch in the mornings when he tried to get in contact with her mom. It was too heartbreaking. She’d asked him to come get her if he made a connection, but she couldn’t help peeking at him from time to time. He’d told her the night before he was baffled at still having trouble getting in touch with anyone, even though the weather had improved. Julia wondered if it had anything to do with the CME. Uncle Mitch said that made no sense, but nothing did these days in Julia’s opinion.
She continued to do her best to appear cheerful as she helped Aunt Beth clean up from breakfast so they could get on the road. It was hard to hide her disappointment that another day would go by without getting to talk to her mom. The only consolation was that they were traveling north again. It felt good to be heading in the right direction. They were almost to Memphis, and she hoped they’d get to go into the city. Uncle Mitch was still being cautious to avoid the military, even though they’d seen no signs of them for a while, so it was probably safe.