by Kate Morris
This isn’t helping because Simon is still fuming. He decides to change his tactic.
“I just wanted to say that I’m sorry and that I should’ve come to you before. I want to do the right thing, though. I want to marry her.”
“No way. Not happening. I’d never let her marry someone like you,” Simon says through his teeth and stalks away.
Cory is left feeling even more frustrated. It’s going to take a long time to regain his friend’s trust and respect, if he ever does. He has to find Paige and speak with her, too. That’s going to be even more difficult. He just hopes he gets to talk to her before Simon tries to move her away from him. That thought both angers and frightens Cory more than being shot at earlier.
Chapter Fourteen
Simon
Instead of going after a hostage to interrogate, Derek and Doc devise a plan to find out more about the people at the country club in Clarksville and to introduce the McClane group to the kids who are staying on the Army base near there. The two camps they found will have to wait a few days, which John agreed would give them time to let their guards down anyway. It all pisses Simon off, though. He has a lot of pent-up rage he’d like to let loose on some jerks right now. So, instead of hunting down the men who took shots at John and Cory, he is driving to Clarksville with Kelly, John, and Sam. And to make matters worse, he is riding in the bed of the truck with her to keep watch for the road terrorists.
Sam doesn’t speak to him the entire ride to the city, which is thankfully uneventful. They get dropped off at the country club while John and Kelly go to spy on the Army base full of youngsters. They will do a little recon for a while and reconvene in a few hours.
“Let’s set up shop over here,” Simon instructs after Kelly has driven away with John. Sam just nods and follows him into a small section of woods. “This will give us good cover. Watch for trip wires and the like.”
“Got it,” she says as she picks her way carefully along behind him.
Simon wishes that someone else would’ve come with them. Not Cory, of course. He has no desire to be around him right now. It’s best that he is at the farm on patrol while they are on this mission. They’d dropped Paige off with Talia on their way out of the farm, which had relieved Simon that she’d be spending her day over there and not near Cory.
He’d had a lengthy discussion last night with his sister in the cabin where she’d begged him not to move them to town. He couldn’t resist her pleading and had relented in staying on the farm as long as she kept her distance from Cory. If he even gets one whiff of them carrying on again, then he’s moving them the same day. He’d told her as much, to which she’d given him a snotty look. He doesn’t care. She can give all the looks she wants. It won’t change his mind about how he feels. They’d sneaked around behind his back, made a mockery of his trust, and betrayed him with lies. Cory he’ll never forgive. Paige is his sister. He told her already that he forgives her, but she has a lot to prove to gain his trust again. He still can’t believe it had happened in the first place. She’d assured him that it won’t carry on, that it’s completely over, and that she’s moved on. He’ll believe it when he sees it. He knows it isn’t over for Cory since he said he’s in love with her. Simon will just have to work harder to keep them separated until Cory finds someone else. Judging by past exploits, it won’t take him long.
“Over here,” he instructs and takes a knee behind a hickory tree with a wide, thick trunk. Simon smashes down the prickly brush beside him so that Sam can kneel without getting poked.
They rest their rifles on the ground beside them and take out their binoculars.
“I still think I should’ve paired up with Huntley,” he says.
“Gee, thanks, Simon,” she returns with sass. “And he’s not ready yet. You know that.”
“I know, and I didn’t mean it to be offensive. I just like it better when you’re back on the farm where it’s safer.”
“I’m going back to Dave’s soon anyway, so what’s it matter?”
This is news to him. News he doesn’t like. “What do you mean? When?”
“I don’t know. Soon. That’s my home now. I can’t stay on the McClane farm forever. I need to get back to help my uncle.”
“He’s not even ready for you yet. He’s still doing clinic days in town with us. They’re at least a few weeks away from having the cabin ready to see patients.”
“I can help. I’d be more help over there than I would be at Grandpa’s.”
“Probably not. They have it covered. Besides, they’ve got that nurse now, too. It would be more helpful if you stayed on Doc’s farm and worked at our clinic. We don’t have as much extra help now that you’re gone. Soon, Reagan’s going to have her baby, and we’ll be short staffed.”
“Yeah, that’s true. I hadn’t considered her not being able to come to work for a while. Of course, this is Reagan we’re talking about. I can’t exactly see her taking the standard, prescribed six weeks of maternity leave, either.”
“I don’t think she’ll get a choice. I’m sure John will see to it that she takes some time off and slows down.”
Sam chuckles. “I’m sure he’ll try. Don’t know if he’ll succeed or not.”
“Right,” he agrees with a grin.
They observe the country club for a while but don’t see anyone moving around. There aren’t any vehicles coming and going like last time, either.
“This is strangely quiet,” he says.
“I agree. Should we move in closer? See if they’ve relocated their housing to another end of the building? Maybe we’re just on the wrong side.”
“Could be. Come on,” he says and helps her stand. Sam immediately releases his hand and snatches her rifle from the ground.
She follows him through the woods until they come to a clearing.
“Go first,” he indicates to the short, open field they must cross to get to the next, thinner cluster of trees on the other side. “I’ll cover you.”
“On it,” Sam says and squats low and sprints through the tall grasses.
Simon diligently scans the area through his rifle scope, fully prepared to blast anyone who would take a shot at her. She makes it, gives the thumbs-up sign and squats just inside the tree line behind an old oak. Simon does the same, knowing she’ll cover him in a similar way. He is quite a bit taller than her, so Simon is nervous he’ll be spotted. However, he joins her a few seconds later, and they travel in a wide arc until they are on the other side of the country club’s buildings.
“You should give Cory a break, ya’ know,” she instructs, her dark hair blowing in the wind that has tufted the silky strands.
Simon doesn’t answer but gives her a hard frown in lieu of words which he cannot offer because they would be rude and probably angry and crude and inappropriate to say in front of a woman. His frustration is off the charts. He found out during the argument with Cory that Sam has been making out with Henry, although he’d stayed on that man’s farm for nearly two weeks and had not seen it happening right under his nose apparently. He’s always been suspicious of that dirtbag.
“Really, Simon,” she urges with less patience than she used to have. “You can’t judge him for sleeping with your sister. Paige is beautiful and funny and smart. She’s going to attract men. If I were you, I’d be glad that it was Cory and not someone else.”
He snorts and resumes looking out at the horizon to watch for would-be accosters.
“At least she wouldn’t have to move off the farm if they were married. He’d always take care of Paige. Of course, he would. I mean, he’s Cory. I’d be scared to cross her if Cory was her protector.”
“I’m her protector,” he corrects quickly.
“You can’t be forever,” she says. “She’s going to want to have someone in her life.”
A twig snaps somewhere behind them, causing Simon to swing his rifle in that direction. Sam hunkers lower and brings up her own gun, an M4 that Cory modified for her with a shorter
stock so she could keep it closer to her body. A good sixty feet away, a mother elk and her calf are grazing with carefree abandon. She even lifts her head to observe Simon and Sam for a moment before going back to plucking small berries from a bush.
Sam chuckles and says, “Don’t mind us.”
“They don’t know to fear humans anymore.”
“They should. People are the most dangerous things on this planet. Look at what we did to it,” Sam laments with sadness. “I wonder if elk were in Tennessee before.”
“I don’t think so. They’ve probably migrated since there aren’t people around anymore. Cory said he saw a zebra in Pennsylvania.”
“Escapee of a zoo, no doubt. Anyway, back to your sister and Cory. She’s eventually going to want someone in her life.”
“Not him. And, besides, she doesn’t want to get married. She told me so. She doesn’t want to marry Cory or anyone else.”
“She’ll change her mind. We’re hardwired to seek mates. If we weren’t, then the population of people would’ve died out a long time ago, and animals would’ve run the planet.”
“She can have a family someday, just not with Cory. You don’t know him like I do, Samantha.”
She chuffs through her pert little nose and says, “I know more about Cory and his rakish ways than you think, Simon Murphy. He wasn’t always as discreet as he thought he was. Plus, I’ve seen the women swoon over him. Good grief, I had a lot of them asking about him when he came to stay last week at Dave’s camp.”
“See what I mean? It’s not a good match. He’s not like her. He’s always going to have women chasing after him.”
“So? Doesn’t mean he’ll act on it. As a matter of fact, I’d bet anything you want to bet that he never would. Kelly isn’t a cheater. Their dad never did, either. Cory told me what a good man his father was, that he never abused or cheated on his family. Cory will be just like him. All boys grow up to be like their fathers. And, besides, some of the girls were asking about you, too. That doesn’t mean that you guys are gonna run over there to sew your oats.”
“What? I doubt anyone inquired about me. And what do you know about oat sewing? You don’t need to be thinking about stuff like that.”
“Oh, yes, my feminine sensibilities have been offended. Get real. Hanging out on a farm for the last four years with a bunch of soldiers hasn’t exactly kept my ears innocent.”
“That’s something I’d rather not think about. The guys should be more cautious when you and the other young girls are hanging out with them.”
“Seriously? Simon, I’m not a little kid. Remember?”
He mumbles, “Of course, I remember.”
He’d like to forget this about Sam. Instead, he thinks about how much she isn’t a little girl but an adult woman with all of the finer, softer attributes of one.
Sam ignores him and continues on, “I think she’s just scared since she’s lost so many people she cares about. She’ll get over her fear. She loves him. I’m sure of it. I’ve seen it. She cares a lot about Cory, and that’s a good thing, Simon. She’s perfect for him. Paige will never take a lot of crap from Cory, and he’ll always cherish her. She’s given him a replacement for Em in his life. He needed that. Cory really needed that. He’s an adult. He needs companionship, and Paige is great. She’s tender and sweet. Well, sometimes she’s a little feisty, but she’s mostly a big sweetheart. Cory needs a bit of softness in his life. Everyone needs someone.”
“Oh? Is that so? Just like you need Henry?”
Sam looks swiftly away with a scowl on her tender face. “That’s none of your business.”
Simon snorts again. “I see how you are. When it comes to talking about everyone else’s love life you’re fine with it, but not when the tables get turned.”
“Ok, then. How about your own love life? Care to discuss that?”
He sends a glare her way. She is being obtrusive and bull-headed again.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he says.
“Neither did you.”
“Don’t be so difficult,” Simon censors.
“If you don’t want to discuss your own relationship issues, then you can’t get involved in everyone else’s, Simon. And you shouldn’t be trying to keep Cory away from your sister. It’s not right. They’re both adults. They’ll work this out. Think about it, if you were just considering Cory’s character and your friendship, then you’d think he was a good man, the best. He’s loyal and kind. He’s a good friend. He’s great with the little kids on the farm. Gosh, they all look up to him or want to be him. He is your best friend. There’s nobody else better than him in your eyes. Now there’s just nobody better for her, and it doesn’t matter that she’s your sister. Take that out of the equation. He’d never cheat on her. He’s protective. Good grief, Simon. Remember when she got shot? That was horrible. And Cory never left her side, only when you were on watch duty with her did he even allow himself to leave long enough to eat and shower. We should’ve known something was going on back then with the way he was with her during all that.”
He doesn’t like thinking about that time when Paige took a bullet for Kelly. As much as he admires Kelly and looks up to him, he doesn’t want his sister doing things like that or taking such a huge risk with her own life. He wishes he could go back and take the bullet instead. There are so many ‘would,’ ‘could,’ and should’s’ in his life that he can’t ever find an end to them. When it comes to Samantha, that list of woulda’, coulda,’ shoulda’s is bottomless. Regret is an integral staple of his daily diet.
Instead of discussing the matter of Paige and Cory, which he’ll not change his mind about, Simon asks her, “So, are you and Henry together then?”
She groans softly. “Seriously, Simon? Were you even listening? I’m trying to help you.”
“You’re trying to sway me. I’ll not be swayed, even if you think you are trying a case in front of the Supreme Court. I was listening. I always listen when you talk. It’s not like you’d allow otherwise.”
She backhands his shoulder.
“And you’re still evading my question,” he points out.
“Simon,” she says in a more serious tone, “I still don’t see movement. What do you think’s going on?”
He turns away from staring at her, something he lets himself do way too often. Pulling his binoculars up again, he searches the grounds and the buildings more thoroughly.
“I don’t know. I was thinking the same thing,” he agrees.
“Should we go in and check it out?”
“I’ll go. You…”
“No, I’m going, too. I’m not staying out here by myself.”
This time Simon groans. It’s more of a moan through gritted teeth that he’s grinding, another lousy habit care of his never-ending frustrations with Samantha. There isn’t a person on earth who can vex him more than her. Maybe this week, his sister.
“Fine,” he says and stands, which she does, as well. “Stay close. Be alert.”
“Duh,” she returns with an attitude.
Simon sneers at the top of her head and turns to go, knowing that arguing with her is pointless. They walk carefully through the woods, looking for traps, trip wires or any other devices that would alert the camp. They come to another section that opens up to a once-manicured part of the grounds and sprint through the overgrown yards to hide behind a rather long gazebo. They squat again and surveille their surroundings.
“Nothing,” she whispers.
“I’ve got nothing, too,” he confirms and rises.
Sam jogs in a hunched over fashion alongside him toward the main clubhouse where they both press their backs against the wall. Simon slides along the wall until he comes to the corner. Then he takes a quick peek.
“Anyone?” she whispers at his shoulder.
“Not one,” he returns and turns to glance over his shoulder down at her. “Let’s keep going. Stay close.”
She nods, and they move out quickly. Simon leads her to a
nother section of the building where some rhododendron bushes have grown to the height of the first-floor roof behind it. He slips in behind them and keeps going to the next corner where he squats with Sam.
“Something’s wrong here,” she whispers nervously, her hand tightening on the hand grip of her rifle.
Simon places his hand on her shoulder. “Easy, Sam. We’re ok. Let’s just keep pushing forward and check it out.”
She nods but seems afraid.
“Stay frosty,” Simon orders softly and rises to a squatted run. They make it to another section of the building that opens up into an outdoor seating area complete with dining tables and chairs and wide umbrellas that have seen better days.
“Oh!” Sam cries with surprise.
Simon swiftly spins to find her standing with her rifle lowered and her hand over her mouth.
“Oh, man,” he mumbles.
Simon stares at the same scene Sam spotted a second before him. There are dozens of dead people lying on the ground in the overgrown grass below the dining patio.
“Stay here. Cover me,” he says to her and goes to inspect the mass murder scene a little closer.
Simon skirts a table with an umbrella that is bent over sideways and rusty from being left out in the weather. The club’s pool and tennis courts are not far from view, although they’re both in terrible shape- the pool having turned to a swamp of black water, and the courts with cracked and uneven pavement and grass growing up through. He goes down the steep hill toward the people, sliding part of the way, his work-boots catching and gripping near the bottom. Seeing them up close is even worse. He gingerly steps around, over and between them. They have been assassinated. These people who were trying to build a new community for themselves have been slaughtered. Some of their hands are tied behind their backs. He has no doubts they were killed by the highwaymen. There were simply too many people living on this compound to be overrun and killed by just a few people. They fought back. That much he can tell. There are a few guns near the bodies of the victims. There were likely many more but were taken by their murderers.