“Oh listen to how cocky you are. See! See, Frank, this is why we shouldn’t be out here.”
Frank took Ellen by the arm and led her back to the truck. “No, this is exactly why we should be out here.”
“What? So we can be killed.”
“No, so we can stay busy.”
Ellen laughed in ridicule as they arrived at the truck. “You are not Indiana Jones, Frank. Life isn’t just one big adventure. You can’t swing in on a rope and save . . . O.K. maybe you can. But you can’t jump in . . . well, you do that too.” Ellen got in the truck and Frank stayed at the door. staring at her with one raised eyebrow. “What if a group of . . .eh, you could.”
“Your point?”
“My point is . . .” Ellen paused to think. “My point is we aren’t stopping any more. No more. Let’s just get going.”
Frank smiled and closed the truck door. He walked over to his side, got in, shut his door, grabbed Ellen, and kissed her hard and long. He pulled back with a slight moan, kissed her quickly again, then started the truck. He grinned at her. “Having fun yet?”
“There is just something wrong with you.”
Frank gave a chuckle, shifted gears, pulled away.
Ellen brought her hands to her lips as the truck started to move. She slowly and silently let out the frightened breath she held. She hid her fright from Frank, but the fact remained, whether Ellen was with the safest person she could be with or not, she had just been scared. Though it didn’t seem to faze Frank, they were beyond the walls of their home and Ellen wondered what else could be waiting for them out there.
^^^^
Beginnings, Montana
The house next to Henry’s used to be where Andrea lived, three doors up from Dean, first row of houses in the living section. Now that house, so nice and feminine, belonged to Robbie. He wanted to make a stop there after watching training and before going to see Joe. He walked from the house with Jess Boyen, a Caceres Society defector, now a full fledge Beginnings resident who sported a security uniform. Jess was the man who had led the defection. The knowledge he knew of the society and their works, he shared with Beginnings. That, along with his twelve years in the Canadian Army Special Forces division, pretty much shooed him into the security position Frank had assigned him.
Jess stood nearly as tall as Robbie but had a slightly thinner build. Though he was four years older than Robbie, he looked much younger, because he just didn’t look as rugged and worn. Short, cropped, wavy blonde hair, Jess was what the women in Beginnings described as ‘the guy who could give Blake the soap opera god a run for his money’.
“Robbie, I appreciate this,” Jess spoke in his soft and slightly Canadian accented voice.
“I needed a roommate. In Beginnings, unless you’re Josephine or you win the single dwelling structure lottery, you’re out. You have to share. Hey, I figured since we hit it off right away and you’re in security, you’d be the man.”
“I don’t think you’ll find me too difficult.”
“I don’t either. I usually know which people I click with right away and I clicked with you. Besides, Frank put you on night and evening shifts, walking the living sections so how much will we see each other? Of course, I lived with my father forever, so I can live with anyone.”
Jess laughed as they walked. “O.K. So you’re headed back to work?”
“I’m head of security now.” Robbie lifted his shoulders. “But I have to be careful I don’t show my brother up. He’s getting old and he’s starting to suck at it. Then again, man, I do have to work a lot now.”
Jess shook his head with a smile. “I’m checking out the different distribution areas, you know, see how they run. Do we need anything at the house?”
“Like what?”
“Like food or are we good on our share this week?”
Robbie paused in his walking. He blew with a flutter of his lips, raised his eyebrows, while he scratched his head. “I don’t think I ever went to distribution for food my entire time in Beginnings. No wait, I’m lying. I got milk for El. I guess my Dad took care of that so I never thought about it.” He shrugged and started walking again.
“What about now since you lived alone?”
“Andrea feeds me.”
“Then I’ll just let distribution be one of my responsibilities in the house because I don’t think Andrea will feed me too,” Jess said.
“She might. You never know. She gets pretty loopy.” They had reached the edge of town. “This is where we part ways. I have to see my dad. I should have been there an hour . . . or more . . . ago. See ya’ later.” Robbie gave a swift pat to Jess’ arm as he moved a little faster to center town.
^^^^
In the small school yard, Dean walked hand in hand with Alexandra towards the school. Jenny Matoose was out front, gathering the kids into the building.
Jenny stepped closer to Dean. She folded her arms and tilted her head with a smile. “All better?” She asked.
“We’re better.” Dean released Alexandra’s hand.
“I’m sorry we bothered you. I was too busy with the art project.”
“Not a problem. I was getting ready to take a break anyhow. I’m just sorry this happened again.”
Jenny smiled as she looked down at Alexandra. “We’re girls, Dean. We do that sort of thing. Then, again, I blame myself. I saw her doing the wiggle dance that Ellen does and I should have known an accident would ensue.” Jenny took a deep breath. “Alex, can you go into the school. Forrest is reading. I want to speak to Daddy.”
“O.K.” Alexandra waved, smiled at Dean, and darted in.
“What’s up?” Dean asked.
“I heard a rumor and I wanted you to confirm or deny.”
“The ‘Ellen’s been kidnapped’ rumor?”
“Yes.”
“I’m really having hard time believing that Frank would take her,” Dean explained. “I mean, I know he’s having a hard time dealing with what happened with Brian. So am I. He just seemed content with the arrangement we had so why would he take her out of our walls, I just . . .”
“It sounds to me like you’re trying to convince yourself.” Jenny raised her eyebrows. “As eccentric as Henry is, I would really think about what he is saying. We know Frank. He pushes and pushes, and yes, he has this understanding with you. But if he needs Ellen more, Frank will just say . . .”
“Fuck you, Dean?”
“I was uh . . . gonna use a better word choice.” Jenny blushed.
“To say what Frank would say?” Dean gave a questioning look and Jenny agreed. “But how can I be sure, short of searching out this community?”
Jenny motioned her head to behind Dean. “It seems someone would have to know the details, especially if he is going to get up early and be the fill-in for head of security.”
Dean turned around to see Robbie waltzing across town. “Thanks, Jenny. My mind’s been so cluttered I didn’t think to ask him.” Dean hurried and raced after Robbie. “Robbie, wait up.”
Robbie slowed down and turned to Dean. “Hey, Dean, I’m on my way to see my dad. Wanna come? Josephine is there.”
“No. I need to speak to you for a minute.”
Robbie looked at his watch. “Go on.”
“Gee, thanks. Anyhow, answer me honestly. Did Frank kidnap Ellen?”
“No . . . well, not in a sense. He needed to get away from the house.”
“So do you know where they are?”
“Oh sure, at least the vicinity.”
“Great.” Dean let out a breath. “Is there any way you can get in touch with Ellen?”
“Dean, they won’t be gone long.”
“I know, I know, but she renamed the file for all of our respiratory ailment meds and I can’t find it. We have a lot of cases of pneumonia at the clinic.”
“Just for you,” Robbie laid his hands on Dean’s shoulders, “I’ll talk to them, but I have to go and your minute is up.”
“Thanks, Robbie.”
&
nbsp; Arrogantly Robbie nodded, smiled, and moved to the bakery.
Dean watched him. “My minute was up?” He tossed his hands in the air. “He timed me?”
^^^^
There was something about visiting the bakery that made the stop for Robbie all worthwhile. Not only was the smell really great but so were the samples of the new fudge cookies. Of course Robbie had to worry since Joe was there helping out.
“It’s about goddamn time.” Joe came from the back. “I’m finished here and I’m moving on.”
“I wish you would have told me. There were other things I had to do.”
“Robert, I needed you for something. I have several meetings this afternoon and you’re the key to my preparations.”
“I know I’m great Dad, but I can’t do . . .”
“Robert.” Joe shook his head. “Don’t. Anyhow, I know you know where Frank is.”
“I do. Well, the general vicinity.”
“Good. I know he needs a little seclusion and alone time with Ellen. I understand that but I need those damn field slash security schedules for my meeting with Cole and I can’t find them. Any chance you can speak to Frank?”
“Oh yeah. I have to talk to Ellen for Dean. I’ll do that as soon as we’re done.”
“Good boy.” Joe squeezed Robbie’s arm and walked with him. “Is Frank planning on coming back tonight”
“Could be.” Robbie nodded. “But you know . . . ow!” Robbie jolted a foot in the air then stepped to his right.
Little old lady Josephine, white hair pulled tightly up, smiled and winked at Robbie as she passed between him and Joe.
Robbie rubbed his rear end. “Did you enjoy that, Josephine?”
She snickered. “Very much,” her fragile voice answered.
“Tell me, am I still firm enough?” Robbie questioned so seriously.
“Always.” Josephine smiled and kept moving.
“Cool.”
“Robert,” Joe scolded and pulled Robbie with him.
“What? It’s important to know.”
Joe merely grumbled and walked from the bakery with Robbie.
^^^^
Dean sat in the ‘Joe park’, the area center town that was set up like a park. He ate a sandwich, and looked solemn and in thought. Henry hated to break that, but Henry had to speak to him, so as soon as Henry spotted Dean, he sped toward him. “Dean.”
Dean looked up and brushed the crumbs from his hands. “What’s up, Henry?”
“I have something very important to talk to you about.” Henry sat next to him on the small wall.
“Sure. What?”
“Um . . . I need to know if you think . . . If you . . . uh . . . shit.”
“What?”
Henry tossed his hands up. “I forgot.”
“Must have been a lie.”
“No it wasn’t. Why would you say that?” Henry asked.
“Henry, didn’t your mother ever tell you when you don’t remember what it is your supposed to tell someone then what you were going to say was a lie?”
“No. Did your mother tell you that?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, Dean, that’s terrible. Your mother shouldn’t have told you that. Imagine the complex you’ve carried around your whole entire life every time you forgot what you were going to tell someone.”
“Imagine.” Dean rolled his eyes.
“Anyhow, if I remember, I’ll stop by and ask you, but I’m sure it wasn’t a lie. Right now I have this overwhelming sensation that I’m forgetting something.”
“You are,” Dean said. “It’s what you had to ask me.”
“Nah, it’s something else. Geez, what is wrong with my memory today? I know what it is. It’s the Frank kidnapping Ellen thing.”
Dean shook his head with a smile, raised his head and peered out.
Henry noticed the smile dropped. “What’s wrong?” Henry gazed out to where Dean looked. “Oh, I’m out of here. Bye.”
Bev walked near them, waving her hand high and smiling.
Dean grabbed Henry’s arm as he stood. “You aren’t going anywhere. Sit.”
“Oh no, Dean, I can’t.”
“Face your sins, Henry. Besides, I like watching you squirm.”
Bev smiled an innocent smile as she neared the two men, an innocence she failed to have. She stopped before them as they sat. “Hot day.”
Henry just started to whistle, his feet tapped, and all he wanted to do was make his escape.
Dean was waiting for it, Bev to speak to Henry. But Dean didn’t get what he expected. Bev sat next to him. Dean’s views quickly jolted to her then to Henry who sighed and snickered. “Did you want something, Bev?” Dean tried to move when she sat so close to him her leg brushed against his, but Henry wouldn’t scoot over. Dean spoke to Henry through clenched teeth. “Move over.”
“Nope.”
“Dean,” Bev spoke softly. “I realize Frank has taken Ellen somewhere. That’s the rumor so I wanted you to know if you need any help with your family, or you just need anything at all . . .” Bev laid her hand on his thigh, “call me. I know this is a rough time for you.” Her voice softened even more as her hand slid further up his thigh. “I can really help ease your mind.”
Dean chuckled, lifted her hand, and removed it from his leg. “No thanks. I have one rambunctious little girl at my house already. I don’t need another. What uh…what about Henry?”
“Henry knows my offer always stands.” Bev stood up. “And now, so do you.” She started to leave, stopped, looked back and smiled, then kept on walking.
Henry nudged hard into Dean. “That wasn’t very nice, Dean. I hate her. She ruined my life.”
“You ruined your life, Henry. No one made you get drunk that night and sleep with her on your couch. I wonder what she’s up to.”
“When the cats away, the mice will play. She probably just wants to get back at Ellen for burning her neck. But you know Dean, you should really consider taking her up on her offer.”
“What?” Dean spoke with such shock.
“Seriously, you could get lonely. You should let her, like she said, ease your mind.”
“What? Are you nut, Henry? She’s a child to me. Besides, why would you even suggest a thing that, especially knowing how Ellen feels? If I even let it remotely cross my mind, it could ruin what Ellen and . . . oh.” Dean started to laugh. “I get it.”
“What?”
“You want it to ruin Ellen and me. You want me to make the same mistakes you did.” Dean laughed and stood up. “Forget it.”
“No, Dean.” Henry followed. “Really, you could be very lonely and you have a chance not to be.”
“What about you, Henry?”
“I’m getting back with Ellen after her and Frank get married.”
“Henry.” Dean stopped walking. “Granted you and El live together, but you know that was only temporary during this hard time about Brian. She is moving back with me soon. Secondly, yeah, you have this special friendship back, but realistically, Ellen will never allow it to go back to where it was with you. You’ll never be that close again.”
“You think Frank is going to continue this understanding with you when he and Ellen get married?”
“Ellen won’t marry Frank.” Dean walked again. “Trust me, it will never happen.”
Dean walked off leaving Henry behind. Henry stood there watching, wondering which of them, was actually the one who wasn’t being realistic. Henry couldn’t let his mind dally there for very long. He had to finish his work and go to his meeting with Joe, but he also had to work on remembering what it was that he forgot.
^^^^
Former Quantico Marine Headquarters.
There was something fearful about George Hadley. Whenever he sat in his chair behind his desk in deep thought, it made those who worked alongside of him apprehensive about anything they had to tell him. But Jeremy Lyons couldn’t let that stop him. Although he knew he wasn’t bringing bad news, he was there at Geor
ge’s request.
“You wanted to see me, sir?” Jeremy said as he entered the office.
George looked up from his thinking stare. “Yes, come in.”
Jeremy walked further in.
“What was the Chaldron loses today?”
“One ninety-two.”
“Any word from the other two prisoners they kept?”
“No sir,” Jeremy answered.
“All right, send out word when our divisions check in. I want ground troops out and about searching that side of the country. This was a planned attack and it obviously wasn’t from Beginnings.” George ran his hand down his face. “We have another force out there and it’s one I haven’t a clue about.”
“So I take it we’re searching for any leads that can tell us who this new force is?”
“Yes,” George answered. “Have our most western camps be base sights and bring in anyone who fits the standard militant description.. Question those they bring in but don’t waste time on them.”
“Sir, how will we get information from them if we don’t waste time on them?”
“Simple.” George leaned back. “You bring them in and question them. You tell them if they don’t give you any information regarding this new force, they will be shot by firing squad at sunup. If that doesn’t frighten the information from them, nothing else will.”
^^^^
Ft. Peck Lake
125 miles North - Beginnings
The second Frank stepped from the stopped truck, he knew. Ellen’s long whine carried to him. “What now, Ellen?” Frank walked to her.
“Here?” Ellen spun to him.
“You wanted to be close to home, but far away. This is perfect.” Frank said. “Secluded but near home. We have a lake.” Frank’s hand motioned to the lake in the distance.
“Yeah, but Frank. Here?”
“All right, I’ll be a masochist. What’s wrong with here?”
“This is the place,” Ellen took a step near the small log cabin, “the honey moon spot Joe used to authorize people to be allowed to leave Beginnings after they got married.”
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 348