“Hunter found out who your parents were a few years ago. He knew you wouldn’t have anything to do with him now that you’re a grown man. So, I was asked to execute a plan that would cause your father to be desperate to do business with him. His plan was to work his way into your family, become your friend, and then reveal who he really is.”
Bill spoke up, “That sounds nuts. What kind of a loon does that? Who is this guy?”
Chuck looked back at Bill, “He may be a loon, but he’s a smart loon.
“Hunter ran into a guy from Yemen while in hiding. Hunter’s new friend got him in touch with some freedom fighters in the middle east.”
Harold interrupted, “You mean terrorists.”
Chuck smiled, “It depends on which side you’re on. Anyway, Hunter found a group of men he could get along with. They appreciated his fighting ability, and he appreciated their views on women and other vices.”
Bill interrupted, “Wait if he’s hanging out with Muslim extremists, wouldn’t they believe the opposite of what Hunter would want?”
Chuck laughed for a moment and then started to chew on his cigar again. “Kid, you have so much to learn about the world. These guys aren’t practicing Muslims. That just gives them cover. Sure, there are a few real believers in their ranks to make them look legit. Most of these guys are just warlords looking for their piece of the pie.
“Anyway, Hunter got his piece of the pie. He runs a small village in the middle of Iran. Hunter provides men to Iran for certain missions with weapons from me. The Iranian government leaves him alone to govern his village as he sees fit, as long as he’s at their disposal.”
Bill said, “It sounds like he has a village full of slaves.”
Chuck shook his head, “No, you have it all wrong. These are volunteers. They are berserkers, like you two. They’re people who struggled with their gift in the civilized world, so Hunter gave them what they really wanted. A place to practice their talent. Skirmishes and wars to fight to their heart’s content.”
Harold asked, “I still don’t understand. Why come after me, or Bill?”
Chuck answered, “Because you’re Hunter’s son. He’s planning to pass the torch to you. As for your half-brother, well, he was just the bait. Hunter doesn’t allow half-breeds into the family.”
Bill leaned forward, “What do you mean, half-breeds?”
Chuck lifted up his handcuffed hands, and the chains rattled, “Easy, that’s just Hunter’s words. Full-blooded berserkers only. He wants to keep the bloodline pure.”
Bill commented, “Great, another bigot with delusions of grandeur.”
Chuck shrugged, “Yea, well, it’s working out for him so far. Anyway, we didn’t know you were a berserker. Hunter assumed April had either jumped Joshua’s bones or found some poor sap who liked crazy women.”
Bill grumbled, “It was Hunter that made her crazy.”
Chuck took out his cigar, “Yea, well, I wasn’t there, so I can’t say. If Hunter had realized your ability, I’m sure you’d make the recruitment list.”
Bill shook his head, “Don’t bother.”
Harold asked, “So, why are you spilling the beans?”
Chuck answered, “I know when I’m beaten. Hunter put me on a timer after the sting operation to bring you in. He’s pushing seventy, and his doctor told him after he turned sixty he could keel over at any time. So, he’s desperate to meet his son and try to get you to take over the family business.”
Harold quipped, “I already have a family business.”
Chuck continued, “Nobody was supposed to get killed when I had Nigel come for Bill. My plan was to snatch your brother, make a trade, and deliver you to Hunter to work out your family issues. After that fiasco blew up in my face, I was out of men and had to find freelancers to help with everything. The episode at the hanger was another fiasco. They were supposed to take Bill while he was being transported to the airport, but these guys thought they knew better.”
Harold asked, “What about Darla? She’s not a berserker. What was Hunter’s plan for my wife?”
Chuck answered, “He was going to take you without her. According to Hunter, he had a woman picked out that would make you forget all about Darla.”
Harold rolled his eyes and then said, “This guy’s an idiot. Do you know how to get in touch with him?”
Chuck answered, “Yea, Garcia is going to have me contact him once we get to Gitmo. You have a message for him?”
Harold leaned in close until he was almost touching the cigar in Chuck’s mouth. He said, “Tell Hunter if I ever see him near me, my family, or my friends, I’ll kill him.”
Chuck smiled, “Noted.”
Bill spoke up, “You can second that for me as well.”
Chuck answered, “It sounds like the family reunion is postponed indefinitely.”
Bill said, “I think we have some things to talk about.”
“Then let’s talk.” Quipped Chuck.
Harold said, “He meant without you.”
Chuck nodded.
Bill stood, and Harold followed suit. They knocked on the door, and Garcia let them out. The three men walked up the first ladder to the cabins in silence. Joshua came out of his room and joined them. The group headed up the next set of stairs to the main deck.
Darla looked up from the table, “Well?”
Bill answered, “I have a lot to think about.”
Harold responded to her, “You and I can talk about it in our room.”
Carol asked, “Is there anything I can do?”
Joshua interjected, “We can talk if you like.”
Bill shook his head. “Just give me some time. I’m not sure I can explain what’s going on in my head.”
Everyone sat down. Harold continued the conversation. “Chuck told us about Hunter.”
Darla and Garcia looked at each other and back to Harold and Bill. “Okay, we expected that.”
Bill leaned towards Garcia, “What do you mean you expected that?”
Darla answered, “Chuck told us the same thing. Harold, you know Chuck as well as we do. He’s going to say anything he can to get a rise out of both of you.”
“So, then it’s not true?” asked Bill.
Garcia answered, “Oh, I think it checks out. Bill, you were correct in your early observations. Chuck has no reason to have gone this far. He could have had a quiet retirement in some unwatched corner of the globe if somebody wasn’t pushing his buttons.”
Bill scowled, “Lori died for nothing.”
Carol took Bill’s hand, “No, she didn’t.”
Bill looked into her eyes. Carol’s black eyes glistened, and a tear ran down her cheek. “She brought you back together with your brother.”
Bill asked, “How?”
Carol responded, “If it wasn’t for Chuck, Lori’s death, and whoever this Hunter character is, you would have never found your brother.”
Bill took his hand back and crossed his arms. He mumbled, “I’m not sure it was worth the trade.” He looked over at Harold, “No offense.”
“None taken,” replied Harold.
Joshua spoke up, “I think Bill’s right. Let’s talk more about this tomorrow.”
Bill stood, “I need some time alone. I’ll be in my cabin.”
He left everyone and locked the door to his room. Bill stared out the window and spoke. “So, this is it? This is how you answer my questions? I wanted a family, and you gave me a brother who already has a family. I ask you why Lori died, and you show me a psychopath.”
Bill reached for a nearby book and flung it into the wall on the far side of the room. He let out a long, slow breath and then whispered, “You’re the God of the universe. I expected something more meaningful.”
Chapter 28
Bill’s body awoke with a jolt. Alarm bells rang in the hall, and the lights in the cabin turned on, flickered, and then the room went dark. Emergency lights began to glow and gain strength along the floor and corners of the ceiling. Meta
l groaned, and the ship started to rock back and forth. Automatic gunfire merged with the alarm bells.
Bill stumbled out of bed and grabbed a pair of shorts. He opened his door to find Darla dashing towards the stairs. Carol crashed into Bill and held him tight. Harold ran up and pulled Carol off Bill.
Harold’s breath was labored. He blinked, and his bloodshot eyes focused on Bill.
Harold growled, “Carol has to get topside and wait in the kitchen.”
Carol’s eyes widened, “You’re crazy if you think I’m going up there.”
Maria and Joshua ran up. Maria grabbed Carol’s hand, “Stay with me.”
Carol nodded, and the three hurried towards the stairs.
Harold’s voice rumbled, “We have to keep an eye on Chuck.”
Bill followed Harold to the hatch leading down to the bottom of the ship. The sound of water pouring in echoed behind the door.
Bill asked, “Is his door watertight?”
Harold sucked in a long, slow breath and held up his finger. He took a second breath, and his eyes cleared, “I don’t know. I don’t think so. Garcia didn’t have us pump air into the cell.”
Bill reached for the door, and Harold grabbed his hand. “What are you doing? You could flood the ship if the water gets high enough.”
“We can’t let him drown in there.”
Harold shook his head, “No. If they can get the pumps online, he should be alright.”
Bill protested, “I’m not like Chuck. I won’t let him drown. Just be ready for us.”
Harold let go of his brother’s hand, and Bill tried to unlatch the bulkhead. It wouldn’t budge. He beat on it, and his heartbeat began to drown out the echo of steel against his fist. He pushed up against the latch with his shoulder. The metal screamed and gave way.
He started inside the dark doorway, but Harold grabbed his shoulder.
He handed Bill a key and flashlight. “Here, it’s an emergency light. The water won’t put it out.”
Bill nodded, grabbed it, and headed down the stairs. The cold seawater was up to his knees as he pushed his way towards the cell. The stench of diesel caused Bill to wretch. The flashlight appeared amber before his vision.
Bill beat on the door and hollered, “Are you alright?”
Chuck’s faint voice hollered from the other side, “I’m handcuffed to the bed, and the water is rising. Get me out of here.”
Bill fumbled with the key but managed to unlock the cell. The hatch bolts moaned, and Bill fought against the surging water. He threw his body against the door, and the top hinge broke loose. The door collapsed underneath Bill, and he tumbled into the water. Salt and oil saturated his mouth.
Bill pushed himself to his knees, spit, and then took a deep breath. A strike on his back turned from pleasure to pain. Bill closed his mouth as he went back under the water. Chuck’s hand pressed down on the back of his head. Bill turned off the flashlight still in his hand.
Bill’s free hand grappled in the dark until he grabbed Chuck’s pinky. He twisted and pulled it to the side. Chuck roared, and Bill continued to rotate it. Chuck’s hand slid off his head, and Bill planted his foot and thrust his body upwards.
He broke free of the water with the sound of Chuck tumbling underneath its surface. Bill switched on the flashlight and scanned the dark water for Chuck. His foot suddenly twisted, and he plummeted back under.
Bill turned the light towards his feet and saw Chuck scrambling to get some air. Bill kicked at Chuck, but the water fought against his strength, and Chuck broke away. A foot slammed down on Bill’s neck, and Chuck twisted his shoe against Bill’s skin. Bill turned off the flashlight again and tried to get free.
Chuck’s strength was equal to his own, and Bill could feel his chest start to ache. Desperate, he grabbed Chuck’s foot and managed to make him stumble back to attempt to regain his leverage. Bill pulled Chuck’s ankle into his mouth. He bit down as hard as he could and pulled. Chuck’s Achilles tendon snapped.
Bill could hear Chuck’s roar above the water. Chuck’s foot slid off his neck, and Bill pushed himself up. The sour air tasted good and refreshed Bill’s lungs.
Chuck splashed around in the darkness and stammered, “Can’t we call it a draw?”
Bill felt the flashlight bump against his foot and grabbed it. A pole lay under the water next to it. He grabbed both and turned on the flashlight.
Two arms wrapped around Bill’s shins. Bill raised the bar, twisted his body, and slammed the pole against Chuck’s skull. Dark liquid poured from the side of Chuck’s head. His grip relaxed, and he rolled to his side. Bill leaned against the dank wall and worked to breathe. A pain pierced his rib, and then euphoria swept liked a wave across his chest.
Chuck’s twisted smile barely appeared above the water. He held fast to the shank handle. The steel had pierced the skin, but it stopped against Bill’s freshly broken rib. Bill wrestled for the shank and fell on top of Chuck. Their bodies rolled beneath the poisonous waters.
Chuck got on top and pinned Bill down. Bill could feel the tip of the shank against his sternum. Chuck’s weight pressed down on the handle. In a desperate move, Bill flipped the blade around. Chuck lost his grip and fell on the blade.
Bill rolled Chuck off him and burst above the water. He hunted for his flashlight, grabbed hold of it and collapsed back into the water. He fought his way to his feet. Chuck floated in the water with blood pouring from his chest wound; his face frozen with a grimaced and bloodshot eyes.
Harold’s voice echoed, “Are you okay?”
Bill tried to reply, but his lungs started to burn. The red beam began to turn amber and then pink. He leaned up against the wall and tried to maintain his footing. The water was up to Bill’s thighs, and his muscles stung. He tried to focus on his breathing, but the foul air was making him lightheaded.
Bill grabbed the doorjamb and forced himself to take a step. His stomach cramped up and dirty water expelled from his mouth. The sound of someone bounding down the steps and the splashing of water swirled in Bill’s mind. The light he had been following suddenly slipped beneath the surface of the surly water.
Another light appeared. Bill took a step towards it, stumbled, and felt the waves swallow his body. He tried to breathe, but putrid water filled his lungs. Something grabbed hold and raised him above the surface.
Harold’s far away voice sounded worried, “Don’t you leave me.”
Bill squinted at the light as it turned dimmer. He tried to breathe again, but there was no room for air. A calm fell over his body, and the light faded from view.
Chapter 29
Bill sat in the red cushioned chair inside the administrator’s office. His short legs swung back and forth. Bored, he started counting the boards on the floor, but the familiar sound of footsteps in the hall caused him to look up. The office door opened, and Joshua stood there with a smile on his face.
Joshua said, “Billy, I have a couple who would like to meet you. May they come in?”
Bill smiled, and he nodded vigorously. A man and woman walked in. He wore a navy-blue suit against his fit body. The man had thick, black wavy hair that he combed back. He was at least as tall as Joshua and looked like a giant to Bill. The woman reminded Bill of one of the porcelain dolls the girls in the orphanage played with. She was the most beautiful woman Bill had ever seen.
Bill slipped off his chair and attempted to straighten the suit that was too large for him. The woman kneeled and smiled, “I’m Barbara Brown, and this is my husband, Richard. We’re your brother’s parents. How would you like to come with us and live with your brother?”
Bill’s eyes widened, “You mean like a forever family?”
Richard kneeled down next to his wife, “That’s exactly what we mean.”
Before Bill could stop himself, he hugged both of them. Then his vision faded.
He felt a pain in his chest, and the room came back into view. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he could feel Joshua holding him in his lap. He w
as crying as well.
Bill blubbered, “Why? Why can’t they adopt me? They said they love me.”
Joshua rocked Bill back and forth. “I wish I could tell you. Your mom doesn’t want to give up custody.”
Bill felt his cheeks flush, “Then why isn’t she here? Why doesn’t she come to get me?”
Joshua said, “We need to pray God will reunite you with your mother.”
Bill pushed himself off Joshua and slipped off his leg. He glared at Joshua and said, “Pray, what good will that do? If God cared, he would have given me to the Browns. This sucks, and so does God.”
Bill ran out of the room and back into the darkness.
Bill and his new boss, Gerard, stood in front of his office. “Everyone, your attention, please. This is Bill Johnson. He’s the new Investment Branch Manager. Bill was very successful with several large corporate clients while on Wall Street. We hope to see him bring the same success to everyone here in our little corner of Charlotte.”
The workers politely clapped. Gerard waved over a beautiful African American woman.
Gerard introduced her. “Bill, this is Carol Lewis. She’s your new administrator.”
Bill stuck out his hand, “A pleasure.”
Carol politely replied, “The pleasure is all mine.”
Gerard continued, “She’ll get you up to speed on things. You’ll be lost without her, so keep her happy. If you two will excuse me, I have a noon flight back to London I need to catch.”
They said their goodbyes. Carol took Bill into his office and showed him around. She bent over at a filing cabinet to show him where the personnel folders were kept. Bill couldn’t help noticing how she filled out her dress.
Without looking at him, Carol said, “I’m glad you appreciate my booty, but I don’t date my bosses.”
Bill and the Sting of Death Page 16