by N. C. Reed
“We need to circle the wagons here, kids,” Gordon took over, talking over a still spluttering Alicia. “First things first. I'd say food items. Clay, we can pull your trailer to the Costco in Nashville, right?”
“Have to unload it but that won't take long,” he nodded. “Gordy, will you take Leanne and handle that? Abby if you could help that would be great. Just set everything in my living room. It's unlocked.”
“Sure, Uncle Clay,” Gordy nodded. “Come on Pip,” he told Leanne.
“Don't call me that,” she objected. Pip was short for Pipsqueak, a nickname the hulking Gordy had given her years earlier. She hated it.
“I'm coming,” Abby said, throwing on her coat as she went.
“There's a Sam's there too,” Angela reminded them.
“Good point, there is,” Gordon nodded.
“How are we going to pay for all this?” Alicia demanded. “For that matter where did you get that tablet?” she asked Deuce.
“I bought it for him,” Clay told her. “He earned it and more. So did Leanne. As to paying-”
“I'll be taking care of that,” Leon was struggling into his jacket. “Miss Harper, can you help me up to the house for a minute please, since you seem to be the only one not acting like a chicken with his head cut off?”
“Of course,” Lainie was still in a minor state of shock. All this had happened so fast. “I'll be back,” she kissed Clay lightly.
“Watch out for him,” Clay teased and she slapped his shoulder.
“Don't pay him any mind,” Leon told her.
“I don't, usually,” she grinned taking him by the arm. Once they were outside, things changed.
“I've got to go home,” she said at once. “There's so much-”
“Is there anything there you can't live without?” Leon asked her.
“Well, no,” she admitted. “But my clothes, my papers. . .I can try and sell my stocks and bonds and turn them to gold and silver, that sort of thing. Four days is a lot of time if you know what's happening.”
“So now you're believing, are you?” Leon asked her.
“Hard not to,” she admitted. “Those kids are scary,” she laughed lightly in spite of the strain.
“Yeah, they are,” Leon agreed. “Do this, then,” he told her. “They'll head to Nashville to go to Costco. Wait and go with them, all right? Don't go it alone. Call and make whatever plans you can over the phone and have it ready for when you get there. Clay might know a guy who can offer you gold and silver, I don't know for sure. But even if you can't turn it to metals, spend it on goods. Something you can trade later. Something people will want or need or both. Know how to sew?” he asked.
“Are you kidding?” she made a face. “Who do you think made those outfits I wore?”
“Think about buying cloth and thread then,” he nodded. “Won't be any more going to Wal-Mart for clothes if this is as bad as we expect it to be. Think about things like that. Canning supplies. Ammunition. Durable goods that people will want. For that matter, buy another trailer and fill it full at Costco yourself or go get a trailer load of that dehydrated stuff Clay bought. It won't go to waste.”
“Thought about this a lot, have you?” she asked.
“Been spending money like crazy in case it wasn't worth anything but toilet paper,” he nodded. “Speaking of which-”
“Can't have too much,” she nodded. “I'll need to lay in some. . .things, of my own,” she added. “Good grief. I should have just believed him to start with,” she shook her head.
“It's a lot to bite off in one go, gal,” Leon patted her arm as they started up his steps.
-
“When do we go?” Gordon asked.
“Costco isn't open all night,” Clay mused. “I don't think we can make it before they close, either. That being said, we should try to be there when they open. We need a firm list of everything we need, too. No running around looking and guessing. See what I mean?”
“Wal-Mart is open all night,” Alicia was still behind but trying to catch up. “We can go there and make a start,” she suggested.
“That is a possibility,” Clay nodded, looking up from his cell phone where he'd been typing a message. “There are a lot of personal things we need to consider,” he added. “Toiletries, paper goods, feminine needs. All of that can be gotten at a Wal-Mart. I do suggest we don't raid the one in Peabody,” he mentioned.
“Why not?”
“Leave it to the people around us for one thing,” he said. “For another, everyone there will remember that we came and bought the place out and come straight here when they need something.”
“Someone could do the same thing if we go to a Wal-Mart in Nashville,” Robert pointed out. “Follow us back.”
“No, they won't,” Clay said flatly. “And we'll use stolen car tags, or just cover ours until we're clear. That way no one can run them for information. I've got some magnetic signs and bumper stickers that will attract attention, too. Once we peel them off, we're invisible again. Mom.”
Angela was looking at a paper in front of her.
“Mom!” he said again and she looked up.
“Yes, dear?”
“First thing in the morning you call and get all our fuel tanks topped off. And ask them to bring us two drums of kerosene as well if they have it.”
“For what?”
“Lamps or heat,” he shrugged. “Just in case. It's end of harvest so no one will think twice about us topping off. Might not even remember after a while. And we'll need the fuel. We'll stop in Jordan and top off on the way back in, too,” he added.
“How are you going to stop people from just taking what we get?” Robert asked.
“Any way I have to.”
-
“Listen to me girl, and listen close,” Leon almost gasped as he sat down to rest. “You stick by Clay in all this and you watch him, all right? I would but I can't make it,” he shook his head. “I'd just slow them down and I can't do that. But you have to watch him, gal. Clay is dangerous and he strikes without warning. I've seen it, but none of them have. They might guess, but they can't possibly imagine,” he shook his head again. “He'll try and keep his head down and keep things calm, but if someone gets in his way, he won't bluster or threaten or try to talk. He 'll put them down.”
“I know he's got fast reflexes,” she nodded.
“That ain't nothin',” Leon wheezed. “Listen to me! Clay is chain lightning, understand? When he goes off, he just keeps going until it's done. If you can avoid trouble it's best you do so. But if he tells you to do something, you do it, and try to make sure the others do it too. He won't hesitate to kill anyone who gets in his way or threatens his family. That will especially include you, Pussycat,” his tone softened some at that. “Any threat to you will set him straight off. So you be careful. Be watchful. And most of all be cautious.”
“Okay,” she nodded. “I will.” It was a lot to consider and she was already dealing with a great deal.
“Go look in that room there,” he pointed. “In the closet there's a bag that looks like a doctor's bag. Bring it to me, please.” She rose and went to get the bag, returning with it to his side.
“Take this and give it to Gordon,” he told her. “Or to Clay, it doesn't matter. Tell Clay it's what was left of the paper and he 'll understand. When you get to Nashville, tell Brick there's a place for him here, too,” he sat back, trying to catch his breath. “He's been a good hand all these years and I won't abandon him.”
“Just Brick?” she asked, clarifying.
“You got someone else you want to bring?” he asked.
“There is one girl,” she nodded. “I just hired her maybe two weeks ago. Like I was, eighteen and no one to look after her. I put her in one of the rooms and let her waitress. She's a good kid and I'd hate to leave her alone to face whatever might be coming. The way you guys talk she might not make it.”
“Then bring her with you,” he nodded. “She's not a trouble maker or
anything is she?” he asked. “Sleep around, do drugs, that kind of thing?”
“No, she's a good kid.”
“Then let her come if she's a mind to. As to the rest, I don't really know them, nor do I owe them, that I know of. And I sold the place so it's not my concern no more,” he chuckled.
“None of them are close to me and all of them would cause trouble in a place like this,” she sighed. “If I can sell the club I'll need to do it quick I guess.” Leon reached into a drawer in the desk beside him and pulled a card from inside.
“Been after the place for years,” he handed her the card. “When you call, act like you sweet-talked me out of the place and now you're trying to make a quick buck. That will tickle him and make him want to deal. Insist on cash and make sure it's good and not counterfeit. His name is Carl. Make sure Clay knows who you're talking to and that he stays sort of outta sight or Carl will bolt on you.”
“Carl, huh,” Lainie looked at the card. “Friend of yours?”
“I look like I got friends?” Leon snorted.
“You've got one anyway,” she kissed his forehead. “All right,” she stood, taking the bag. “Wish me luck,” she smiled.
“You don't need it,” she shook his head. “You got Clay. You got each other. That's all you need. I promise you it 'll be okay. Now go on and let me rest a bit.”
“I'm gone.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
-
“Leon said give you or your father this and tell you it was the last of the paper,” Lainie told Clay as she got back to the main house. “And we need to talk,” she added. “Privately.” He had been typing on his cell phone again and looked up as she spoke.
“Okay,” he set the bag on the kitchen table and the two went outside.
“What's wrong?” he asked her.
“I'm sorry,” she said first. “I should have believed you,” she shrugged helplessly. “I spoke to Leon and he told me about a guy named Carl who would probably buy the club from me if I told him I sort of tricked Leon out of it and was trying to make a quick buck. He did say you would have to stay out of sight,” she chuckled.
“Good old Carl,” Clay snorted. “Yeah, I imagine that would tickle him.”
“Leon told me to offer Brick a chance to come down here, too,” she continued. “And there's a girl named Janice that I just hired to waitress maybe two weeks ago I want to offer the chance to come with. She's eighteen, and a lot like I was. I was trying to help her. Gave her a place to stay, keep her safe, that sort of thing.”
“Okay,” Clay nodded. “There's room over at the Troy place if nothing else, as long as she's not a trouble maker. For that matter, she could stay with Leon if she doesn't mind helping him get around.”
“She probably wouldn't,” Lainie agreed. “Meanwhile, I need to find someone who will convert my money into gold and silver, or else spend the money on needful things that will help me later. Leon even suggested buying cloth and thread since I can sew. Making clothes might be a big business if this is as bad as people think.”
“Clothes,” Clay closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head.
“What is it?” Lainie asked.
“All that money, all that time, and no one ever thought about clothes,” he told her. “Not socks, underwear, shoes, nothing. Good grief!”
“Do you know anyone who can convert my money?” she asked him.
“There are a couple guys in Nashville that deal in gold coins that can probably take some of it. Junk silver would also take some of it. How much money are we talking about?”
“Depends on what the club will bring me, but my portfolio and other funds will come close to two hundred kay, depending on prices at opening bell tomorrow.”
“Really?” Clay was surprised.
“I've been investing everything I made for a long time,” she nodded. “Over ten years.”
“Ov-how old are you?” Clay asked.
“Never ask a woman how old she is, Cowboy,” Lainie raised an eyebrow. “Let's say I'm old enough to know better than wrap myself around a cowboy like you, but still too young to resist. How 'bout that?” she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.
“That works for me,” he nodded. “Anyway, that's a lot of money, but they should be able to take some of it in. Gold is expensive these days so it doesn't take much to run up a bill. If nothing else you can spend it like Leon said. I hadn't thought at all about the clothing thing. In addition to sewing there's also just buying the clothes and holding them until you can trade or sell them. Store like items I guess. Salt for instance, which I also didn't think of. Fishing supplies. Hunting ammunition. The list goes on and on now that I'm thinking of it,” he admitted. “We missed so much,” he shook his head.
“We'll work it out,” she nodded as Gordon came to the back door.
“Could use your help if you can,” he told the pair. “We're trying to work on the lists.”
“Add clothing for everyone,” Lainie mentioned.
“And salt,” Clay nodded.
“Good ideas,” Gordon nodded. “Any more of them?”
-
They were ready to go at four in the morning. Clay's truck, Gordon's truck and Ronny's truck all ready to roll. He and Lainie in his truck, with Gordy riding with them. Gordon and Robert in his, with Abby in the back seat, and Ronny and Alicia in theirs complete with the twins. The idea was that more people meant more shopping. The clothing item had jarred several sensibilities. A list was in Alicia's purse with sizes for everyone. Clay had given the twins his card again with instructions to get at least three outfits for everyone of rugged jeans and shirts, a new coat and two sets of thermals if they could be found.
“Bet Sportsman has them,” Gordy had offered and Abby had nodded her agreement. She had taken a sick day for this.
“If you go there get some ammunition,” Clay had instructed. “Say at least fifty or sixty rounds for everything we have hunting wise. More is better if you can get it.”
And with that it was time to go. Deuce had been right in that cell phones were still working for now, though everyone had accepted a hand-held citizen's band radio from Robert's store that would let them talk to each other on the road if the phones went out.
Everyone would spend the trip brainstorming for anything else they could think of. Deuce was in the back seat of his father's truck with a laptop as he and Leanne tried to keep track of what was happening.
“They aren't going to announce it,” Leon told her quietly. “My money is on a planet wide grounding of planes twelve hours before the hit is expected. They'll blame it on terrorism or something else, but they'll get the planes out of the sky. Be a lot of people stuck a long way from home.”
“You two have been reading too many conspiracy novels,” Alicia told them, overhearing their conversation. “I promise you there will be an announcement this morning. Wait and see.”
They rolled into the Costco parking lot at fifteen minute to open. Clay exchanged trucks with his father for the time being so he could carry Lainie to the club. He had already put false tags on all the vehicles and spread his magnetic bumper stickers and the window decals around to disguise the vehicles and where they were from.
“I'll be back as soon as I can,” he promised. “She and I may have to stay a day. If so you can take my truck and I'll bring yours.” They would stay in touch by cell phone every half-hour.
Alicia took the girls and Deuce to get the clothes while Gordon, Ronny, Robert and Gordy made their way into Costco.
They would get a lot of strange looks today.
-
“Nine thirty,” Leanne announced, looking at her cell phone. “Still nothing. What do you think now, mom?”
They had been to four stores already buying clothing and accessories for everyone. Clay's debit card was getting a real work out.
“They're probably waiting for people on the west coast to be up and listening,” Alicia replied, though not nearly so confidently as before.
/> “Uh huh.”
-
“How is it you got my name and number, Miss Harper?” Carl asked, suspicious.
“The old man had a book he kept here with notes in it,” Lainie told him. “He had it wrote down in more than one place, with a note in two of them that you wanted to buy the place. So I figured I'd give it a shot,” she actually shrugged even though she was on the phone.
“And how is it you managed to get the club into your name?” he asked.
“Do I really have to spell it out for you?” Lainie snorted. “He's an old man and a lech. I just ...dangled what he wanted in front of him and got what I wanted in return.” She felt dirty even saying it but reminded herself this guy was a tool. His laughter reminded her he was also a dick.
“Well, at least you're honest,” he said. “And yes, I have wanted the place for a long time. It's perfect for what I want and need. What were you thinking of asking for it?”
“I'm going to get one hundred thousand for it,” Lainie said firmly. “In cash.”
“That's a bit much for-” Carl began.
“It's exactly two thirds of what the place is assessed at,” Lainie cut him off. “And that doesn't take into account the fixtures, the stock in the place that's already paid for, nothing. I'm offering you a turn key operation that could cost you three times that to get open, after you had a place for it,” she told him flatly. “That's the price. I'll get it from you or from someone else, but I will get it.” She kept her voice firm.
“All right, all right,” Carl tried to soothe her. “I can see you're not a novice. Very well then. If you have the deed, I'm willing to give you that much for it. Come to my-”
“You come here,” Lainie cut him off. “My ground, my rules. Just because I'm willing to do business with you don't mean I trust you. I'll be here until one. After that it's on the market for one seventy-five and it will be out of my hands and in the hands of a Realtor and I'll be gone. Do I wait for you or not?” she demanded.
“I'll be there by noon,” Carl's voice was bordering on unpleasant. “But I warn you, Miss Harper, any foolishness and things will be unpleasant.”