Legacy of Evil

by Sharon Buchbinder

  Apparently, they could get worse. And just did.

  Stomach feeling like it was filled with a heavy stone, Bronco turned and faced his worst nightmare. From the black peaked cap to the tailored jacket with the oak clusters and SS bolts on his lapels, his twin brother was every inch the man he’d seen in his remote viewing session, right down to the shiny jack boots. And then he noticed the white stick with the red tip.

  Jack was blind.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Emma grabbed Bronco’s wrist and pulled his extended hand away from his twin. “Oh, dear, your hands—weren’t you just out cleaning up after Gaucho?”

  The cat chirped and Bronco said, “You are so right. Please allow me to wash my hands, Obergruppenführer.” He strode into the cabin, glancing over his shoulder at her with what she thought was a look of gratitude—or maybe panic?

  “Let’s have a seat inside,” the Obergruppenführer said. “While your husband gets his hands clean, you and I can discuss the measles outbreak.”

  A wave of relief washed over her. “I’m so glad we can talk in person. This is really quite bad, you know. It appears none of the children have been immunized for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, or influenza. Is that correct?”

  “Yes, you are absolutely correct.” He nodded and stared straight at her, his eyes clear blue, his face relaxed and smiling.

  “It’s a simple matter to correct. I can contact the public health officials for this county, get the needed supplies, and—”

  He held his hand up. “There will be no vaccinations. I forbid them.”

  “I serve—served as a community representative to the Indian Health Service, working to get kids immunized. Did you know measles is a leading cause of death for children?” Her voice rose, “Last year, world-wide, almost one-hundred and fifty thousand children died—that’s four-hundred a day, or sixteen deaths an hour. You could lose all of your children in the community.”

  “Nonsense.” He flapped his hand. “Bronco, where are you? I want you to hear this.”

  “Right here, sir.” He sat down on the couch making a big production of drying his hands. Gaucho hopped up next to him, laid down, and closed his eyes. Emma had a strong feeling the cat was as perceptive with his hearing as he was with his eyes.

  “Just so you understand, Eva told me all about your plans to save the children.”

  At Emma’s sharp intake of breath, Jack grinned. It wasn’t a warm friendly smile. No, it was chilling. Here was the face of evil beneath his veneer of charm. Her gut roiled. How much did he know?

  “Eva just can’t keep a secret, especially from me.” He placed his hands on his cane and leaned forward conspiratorially. “Yes, she told me how she was going to get you into the office so you could contact the authorities for help.” He shook his head and chuckled. “You would think she would know me better after all this time. Anyway, after this latest incident, I’m in the market for a new wife.”

  “I’m not sure what you mean? Did you divorce Eva over my suggestions, because I should be held accountable—”

  “No, no. This isn’t the first time she’s sought to undermine me. You’re new here, your education is just beginning. Hers is over.”

  A chill slithered down Emma’s back. Eva had said he’d kill her if he found out. Did he make good on that threat?

  “I think I’d enjoy you in my bed. You sounded very enthusiastic when I listened in this morning.” He smirked. “Oh, did I shock you?”

  Emma bit her lower lip and looked down at her hands. Glad you liked the show. “I must confess, I’m a bit surprised at this, especially with my husband sitting right here.”

  “Any SS member who lives in my compound has to be willing to share his wife with me.” He chuckled. “Didn’t you notice how many of the children looked alike? They’re mine.”

  She shifted in her seat and looked to Bronco for help. His attention was elsewhere, staring out the side window. Great. She needed the man here, not off in space.

  “Can we go back to the children, please?” Maybe she could appeal to his massive ego. “If we believe in the fourteen words—”

  “Yes, yes, we must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.”

  “If you don’t have your children, how can you secure their existence?” Aside from massive sperm banks, she thought. Which for this guy wasn’t entirely out of the question. “This is a serious disease—”

  “And only the strong will survive.” He nodded. “I’m in the middle of a grand experiment here. The Nazi eugenics program was just the beginning. I’ve already weeded out the schizophrenics, manic-depressives, epileptic, demented, the genetically blind and deaf, anyone with severe physical deformities, chronic alcoholics, and the feeble-minded.”

  Emma wanted to say he seemed to have missed Leroy, but bit her tongue.

  “Now I will weed out those who are susceptible to contagions. Measles is just the first wave of diseases I plan to expose them to.”

  She gasped. “You did this on purpose?” The man was a monster, as bad as Hitler and his ilk.

  “Serendipity.” He shrugged. “When I heard the slaves I bought had an outbreak of measles, I immediately sent them to work in the dining hall, cleaning the barracks, and taking care of the children in the Brown Shirt Club.”

  “How could you do this to your own flesh and blood?”

  “My father experimented on me,” he said with pride. “The blindness was an unfortunate side effect, one he couldn’t predict. But it matters not. Look at me now. I have powers you could not possibly comprehend. That is what I want for my children. Using better methods, more up to date technology, I am picking up where Goebbels left off. I am creating a Master Race. We will be Gods.”

  His words chilled her to her bones. Emma stood, rubbed her arms, and said, “I’m sorry I interfered in your plans Obergruppenführer, please forgive me. I was working from imperfect knowledge. I’m not sure what it is you want me to do.”

  “Use your Native American remedies on the children, nothing more, and nothing less. I have great admiration for your people. Aryans of course will be at the top tier, but Native Americans will make excellent breeding stock for our second tier. Your people have maintained your sovereignty with hundreds of years of attack from the U.S. government. And you have many wonderful traditions which I am bringing back here in our Sovereign Nation. Polygamy, concubines, slaves. These are good things that were tossed out when the missionaries came.”

  Pacing and hoping to catch Bronco’s eye, she said, “You know, the Smallpox Epidemic of 1843 occurred after the US Army knowingly distributed blankets and rations contaminated with the contagious disease to my people. But we survived, using only our native medicine and herbal remedies.” Pretending admiration, she almost gagged at her next words, grateful no one in her family, including Beautiful was nearby. “I think you may be onto something.”

  “See, I knew you understand. You are as smart as I foresaw in my vision.”

  She turned on her heel. “Do you go on vision quests?” She thought she knew the answer, but wanted to see how much he would reveal.

  He laughed and shook his head. “Not exactly. When you come to bed with me, I’ll show you how I do it. Then you will understand why in this compound, and in bed, I’m God.”

  ****

  Hating himself for his next words, Bronco cleared his throat and said, “Emma’s her own woman. She can decide what she wants to do with her body, it’s up to her.”

  His brother—the Obergruppenführer—filled him with revulsion. His father had twisted his body, mind, and soul, creating the vile monster before them.

  Surprise crossing his face, his twin said, “You’re an enlightened man. I underestimated you. Based on Leroy’s reports, I expected a tattoo covered, macho motorcycle thug.” His lips twisted in a sneer. “You sound like a feminist.”

  Bronco rubbed the back of his neck and stared out the side window again. There was something or someone moving about
out there. Gaucho stirred and nudged him with his mind. The cat wanted to go out—he had heard something and wanted to investigate.

  “Well.” He chuckled and strode to the door. “I wouldn’t go that far. You won’t catch me changing diapers or taking care of babies, if that’s what you mean. That ain’t my job. She’s in charge of family matters—and that includes taking care of her body so it looks good for me.”

  Bronco nodded at the men standing at attention on either side of the door. “Cat needs to go out.” They glanced at the four-legged creature, and one man smiled. “Good by you?” They nodded, and he released Gaucho from the leash.

  He closed the door and stood by the side window. “I’m just keeping an eye on him, making sure he don’t get into any trouble.”

  “So back to my proposition. You’re okay with my taking your wife to my house and having rough sex with her?”

  He winced. Shit. They did that act a little too well.

  “Like I said, that’s up to her entirely.” He thought a minute. “As long as you don’t mind that she’s on her time of the month. Some guys don’t care for that.”

  Disgust convulsed the Obergruppenführer’s face. “I can wait until she’s clean again—in fact, I prefer my women to wait a week after their menses before I have relations with them.” He tapped his cane on the floor and nodded. “It’s a much more fertile time.”

  Bronco glanced at Emma, and saw her face regain the color that had washed out at the start of the discussion. “Sure thing. We’ll let you know when she’s ready.”

  He hated talking about Emma as if she was some cow waiting for rutting season with the head bull. What he wanted to do was beat his brother up right then and there, but he knew that would undermine all the work that had gone before to set up this mission. No, he’d have to set aside all his emotions, keep his undercover persona intact, or they wouldn’t get out of here alive.

  The Obergruppenführer stood. “This has been delightful. So refreshing to have an intelligent conversation for a change. My lackeys are so fearful, they dare not even speak to me.” He shrugged. “The price of power.” He turned toward the door. “Emma, thank you for agreeing to care for the children. I’ll have Leroy come by in the morning and assist you in making rounds.”

  Emma nodded and said, “It would be my honor.”

  “Good.” He reached out and seemingly without any problem found and then stroked her cheek. “Nice bones. I look forward to our time together.”

  Bronco opened his mouth and was jarred by the image of Tommy Otterlegs being tackled by two men in olive-drab camouflage. He closed his mouth and cleared his throat.

  “And you, Bronco,” the Obergruppenführer said pensively. “Leroy said you reminded him of me, for some reason. Couldn’t put a finger on it.” He paused and a look of sorrow crossed his face. “You know, I had a brother. We were inseparable. Loved him very much. We were fraternal twins. But he and my mother were murdered by the U.S. government when I was a child. My work here will avenge their deaths.”

  His brother’s words pierced Bronco’s heart like an ice pick. Deep beneath the maniacal exterior, a little boy grieved for the loss of his brother and mother. He, too, had a hole torn in his chest that day. How different life would have been if only Jack hadn’t refused to get in the truck. If only, he could get through to that youngster, perhaps he’d have a shot of saving him from becoming more of a monster. It wasn’t over until the fat lady sang—where there was life, there was hope. God willing, maybe he could be redeemed.

  The door crashed open and Gaucho flew in and dove under the sofa. “Sir! We have an intruder!”

  The Obergruppenführer’s head snapped toward the officer. “Well, what are you doing here? Go after him!”

  “We have him in custody, sir. Says his name is Deputy Sheriff Tommy Otterlegs, and he’s here to arrest him.” He pointed at Bronco. “Says he has a rap sheet as long as my arm.”

  “Rap sheet? No, my dear fellow. This man has a resume with skills and talents I can use.” The Obergruppenführer grinned. “This is our lucky day. So many interesting people showing up unannounced.”

  Bronco’s head spun. Was this maniac playing with them? Did he know Bronco and Emma were here to destroy them?

  Emma jumped to her feet. “That stupid son-of-a-bitch. He’s a jealous ex-boyfriend, always making trouble for me and Bronco. He can’t stand the fact that we got hitched.”

  “Oh, yes, in Vegas.” The Obergruppenführer smiled. “My sources told me you were married by an Elvis impersonator—very amusing, and so American.”

  Grateful to the documents division of Homeland, Bronco sent a mental note of thanks to the support team in D.C. What the hell were they going to do about Otterlegs? The man was like chewing gum on his shoe. The minute he opened his mouth, he’d blow their covers.

  “Emma, let’s go meet him and see how you dole out some American SS justice, shall we?” He paused. “That is, if you are the woman you say you are.”

  “I’m not sure what you want,” she said. “As you’ve said, I’m learning about the American SS. I have no idea what you think I should do.”

  He spoke as if to a slow to learn student. “His name sounds Native American. He has violated our compound. What kind of justice do you think your ancestors would dole out for a transgression of this sort?”

  Bronco’s heart caught in his throat. It wasn’t fair to put her through this sort of loyalty test. But if he spoke up and offered to do it, he’d deep six the mission. He had to let her play her role, or else he’d risk blowing both their covers.

  Dumbfounded, he watched Emma’s face light up in a wide smile. “I have just the thing. Take him to the horse corral, strip him to his underwear, and duct tape his damn mouth. I’ll take it from there.”

  “Oh this sounds like fun.” The Obergruppenführer thumped the floor with his cane. “You are just full of surprises.”

  She caught Bronco’s eye. “I hope you enjoy the play by play on this show, too, Obergruppenführer. It’s a special treat, just for you.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Emma sat in the back of the open jeep and held on for dear life. One of the Obergruppenführer’s personal guards drove, yelling at his boss to hold on each time they approached a pothole or bump. Having no idea how much the leader of the SS was really capable of doing with his psychic abilities, she kept her thoughts hidden under a constant stream of insults for her so-called ex-boyfriend, Otterlegs.

  “That little jerk is so small, he fit in the little lockers at school,” she shouted into the wind. “Some days, his mother came to pick him up and she just tucked him in her purse, like one of those Chihuahua dogs.”

  Bronco guffawed, and even the guard sitting between them cracked a smile.

  Good, my comedy routine is working, she thought, pulling out all the short people jokes she could think of.

  “Otterlegs is so short, even when he was an adult, they wouldn’t let him on the carnival rides.” She snorted, caught Bronco’s eye and nodded for him to chime in.

  “He’s so short, I could put a red pointed hat on his head and use him as a lawn ornament.”

  The guard between them laughed and slapped his thigh.

  As the man bent over with laughter, she mouthed to Bronco, “Keep going.”

  He frowned, and she mimed riding a horse. He grinned and nodded.

  “He’s so short,” Bronco shouted. “He shops in the kids’ section of the clothing store.”

  The guard wiped his eyes and pointed at the horse corral. “There’s Shorty, half naked and his mouth duct taped, just like you said.” He slapped his thigh. “Can’t wait for this show!”

  Emma took a deep breath, climbed down from the jeep and glanced around. “Where’s my medicine animal?”

  Bronco shook his head. “I thought he jumped up on the back of the jeep when we left. I could have sworn he was on the other side of you.”

  “Great!” She threw her hands up. “Just great. Probably chasing a r
abbit. Great timing. Okay. I’m gonna have to use my other medicine. I was trying to hold off on that, seeing as how it’s the old way.” She shook her head and frowned. “Well, let’s see how this goes. Not sure how this is going to go, so I need you all to stay out of the corral.”

  She stomped over to the gate, opened and closed it behind her, being careful not to shoot the bolt all the way through. Ears twitching, the horses nickered and whinnied. A few pranced in anticipation. Hands and ankles tied, stripped down to his boxers, Otterlegs glared at her over the silver duct tape. Pity filled her, but she had to stay in character, or they’d all be dead. Keeping her eyes on Otterlegs, she sent out a request to the horses to calm down. Not yet, my friends, soon. Their heads stopped shaking. They were listening. Good. Now to find the alpha mare. A nearby female stomped her foot and nodded. Whoa, baby, nice to meet you. Hold on.

  Emma approached Otterlegs. “Oh, I know. You’re good and pissed at me now, aren’t you, Tommy?”

  Leroy appeared on the other side of a roan about nine yards away from her.

  “Hey, I specifically told everyone to stay out of the corral.” She whirled toward the Obergruppenführer who leaned against the fence. “Did you or did you not expressly tell me I was in charge of this little jerk’s punishment?”

  Frowning, the Obergruppenführer said, “I did, indeed. This is your show, Emma Bearkiller.”

  “Get out of here, Leroy, get back to the barns. I’ve got some serious medicine to work here and you could get hurt.”

  “Sorry,” Leroy stammered. “Just trying to help.”

  Hands on her hips, she glared at the man until he melted back into the outbuilding. Good. Emma hoped he stepped in a nice pile of manure on his way. Turning back to her task at hand, she watched Otterlegs’ expression shift from hate to puzzled hurt. Heart wrenching in her chest, she prayed everything would fall into place. Show time.

  “Hear me, Oh Great Creator, it is I, Emma Bearkiller, calling on your power to punish one of our own.” As she spoke, she moved her arms up, down and around. Between nonsense motions and hand waving, she inserted Plains Sign Language. Be ready. “This man has trespassed where he doesn’t belong.” Ride for your life.