“Shut up, Dean!” Ellen blasted him. “No one’s talking to you.”
Quickly Dean looked to Henry who snickered.
Henry controlled himself. “Sorry.”
“I’m telling you, Joe,” Ellen said. “They dress like them and act like them. Ask Robbie.” Ellen pointed to Robbie who entered the room, looking as if he had just showered. His hair was wet and his clothes a little damp.
“Ask me what and do you guys smell that?” He smiled and pointed back to the kitchen with his thumb. “Jess is making tortilla chips. Cool huh?” He sat down. “Sorry, ask me what?”
“Robert,” Joe spoke up. “The guy on the horse, the one that brought the other man to us...how was he dressed?”
“Jeans and a T-shirt, I think. No uniform. Sorry El.” Robbie raised his eyes when Jess set down some tortillas and homemade salsa.
Henry looked shocked. “Oh my God! I thought I was the inventive guy.”
Ellen immediately reached into the bowl, grabbing a chip. “We haven’t had any real chips and salsa since Miguel was around. Remember, he made us grow cilantro because he needed it?” She smiled. “I have to admit I’m jealous you guys get this.” She tried it with a loud crunch. “Jess, excellent and you used cilantro.”
“I did,” Jess answered. “Cole was working distribution and he laughed at me. Said I was the only person in two years to ask for it. They had it dried. Don’t worry Ellen, I have some for you and Jenny. Shall I walk you over there now?”
Joe answered for her. “Yes, take her. We’re done.”
Ellen stood up. “I’m telling you, Joe, I know what I saw. They came in and saved the day. There was a really hot Mexican man there man there and even he said his leader looked like a young John Wayne.”
Joe grumbled. “Ellen. Go.”
Ellen spoke so upset, “Why don’t you believe me about this? Any of you.”
“Because it’s not the cavalry,” Joe said. “I believe a group of men helped you, but the cavalry? No. Tell her, Dean.”
“El.” Dean spoke. “I believe your mind is substituting something you associate with safety and heroism for what you actually saw. It’s common in trauma cases, the past mixing with present.”
“What do you know?” Ellen snapped.
“More than you and besides, Robbie made a valid point.”
Ellen quickly looked at Robbie. “You don’t believe me either?”
“I didn’t say that,” Robbie defended himself. “I merely offered my suggestion on where you got it from, that’s all.”
“O.K. where did I get it from?” Ellen asked.
Robbie hesitated before answering. He stood up. “Look, don’t get mad, all right? But I remembered. I was a kid, so Dad confirmed this. Do you remember one weekend you and Frank came home to Gaithersburg and there was a John Wayne marathon on? You and Hal fell in love with the movie The Horse Soldiers... a John Wayne flick. Remember?”
“Oh,” Ellen scoffed.
“No, El, what did you two do? The next time you came down, you rented it and you watched it over and over until you both knew almost every word by Sunday. We got sick of watching it. You and Hal got so wrapped up in the civil war era that you made Frank go with you guys to the re-enactment. Civil war, cavalry, for the longest time that’s what Hal watched and Frank said that’s what you watched. You even called each other to inform the other when a good John Wayne movie was on.”
Ellen folded her arms and looked at the silent faces of Henry, Robbie, Dean, and Joe. She was relieved when Jess came from the kitchen with her chips. “So you guys think my mind snapped back to a point in my life when me and a fourteen year old kid liked old movies? Bullshit. That’s more unbelievable then my cavalry story. I’m going. Let’s go, Jess.” Her attitude said insulted and her body motions proved it when Ellen left with Jess.
Robbie looked at the others. “Did my theory sound that crazy?”
Joe shook his head no. “It goes along with what Dean was saying. Jason too.”
Henry reached for a chip. “It could be worse. If her mind is looking for safety and heroism, she could be running around Beginnings saying a bunch of Franks rode in and saved the day.” Henry noticed the glances he got. “What? It could happen. She could have said that.” He ate his chip. “Robbie, your roommate is way too nice. There’s something about him. Did you ever wonder if he’s . . .”
“Henry.” Joe shut him up.
“What Joe. I mean he . . .”
“Henry,” Joe silenced him again.
“Joe I just think he may actually like . . .”
“Henry.”
“Dad.” Robbie turned to Joe. “Why are you shutting up Henry? Henry, what about Jess?”
Henry noticed the looks Joe gave him. “Nothing. He’s a nice guy. I think you're taking advantage of him.”
Joe, who was sipping his coffee choked violently.
Robbie patted his father on the back. “You O.K.?”
Joe’s face was red. “Yes,” he struggled his words. “Wrong pipe.” Joe coughed loudly, glared at Henry, and then looked at Robbie. “I’m fine.”
“Good.” Robbie faced Henry. “I’m not taking advantage of him. He likes doing this shit. He doesn’t have to, but he said what else does he have to do so why should I stop him? You're jealous because no one cooks for you.”
Joe cleared his throat long and hard. “O.K.! Dean, how’s the house coming?”
“Final move-in tomorrow,” Dean answered. “Of course there’s a price to pay. Danny volunteered to help move so I guess I have to listen to made up hero stories.”
“Not to mention the favor,” Joe pointed out. “Any indication of what he wants?”
Dean shook his head. “No, but it’s Danny so how bad can it be?”
Robbie rocked in his chair as he talked. “Do you want my opinion? He wants the understanding spot with Ellen. Not that he’s all that hot for her, but she is a woman.”
Henry’s hand slammed hard on the table. “I’ll kill him if he asks for that. That’s not right.”
Dean’s head swayed. “I think that with the way things are, I’m not going to be the one who will make the understanding decision.” Dean saw Henry smile. “Not you Henry, I think Robbie should.”
Robbie grinned. “Oh yeah? Cool.” Dean gave him a dirty look. “Kidding.”
“No you aren’t,” Henry said.
“You’re right, I’m not,” Robbie stated.
“Boys.” Joe held up his hand before any more arguments could ensue. “Can we not discuss which man will bed my daughter next? Thank you. This is supposed to be a short suspect meeting. Let’s get on with it so Dean can go work on his new house. All right, let’s discuss Robbie.” Joe saw Dean’s hand raise a little. “What’s wrong?”
“I thought we were discussing Bev.”
“We can,” Joe said. “We’ll discuss Bev.”
“She stays as a suspect.” Dean gave his opinion.
“Stays,” Robbie agreed.
“Stays,” Henry added.
“What?” Joe questioned. “We haven’t even discussed her. Motive, means.”
“Means,” Robbie spoke up. “Her little ass be-bops around here. Who know what man she seduces into doing what. She was one of the last sick with the plague here. I remember her moving about the clinic and if she’s working for George, then the means to deliver the virus to Jenny could have been handed to her.”
Henry added, “And . . . she’s greedy, she’s selfish. She knew George before it all went down. She doesn’t even need dedication to George. What the hell does she care about this community? All it would take is phone call from him with promises for a better life and she’ll buy it. She's another Michelle.”
“Who?” Robbie and Joe asked.
Henry ignored the warning looks from Dean. “Michelle. Frank hated her. Dean says he didn’t, but we all think he slept with her. She worked for Robbie and helped . . .” Henry grinned embarrassingly.
Joe’s hand rolled down his
own face and rested over his mouth. “Another ripple, Henry?”
“Sorry, Joe.” Henry slid down in his chair.
Dean added to the Bev topic. “Joe, look who she’s going after...Henry, the next in line for leader. My God . . . history of the world proves what one woman can do when they have a man in power. Look at Hillary Clinton.”
Joe held up his pen. “Hillary Clinton doesn’t count. She had the balls in that household. But . . . I see where you’re going. She’s such a damn trouble maker and so obviously a trouble maker that none of us even think to consider her as an inside source for George but she’s dumb,” Joe stated. “She's young and dumb and we can use that to our advantage. Out of everyone we’ve named, she’s not smart enough or cunning enough to not slip up to someone close to her. If she’s working for George, she would be the easiest to uncover, not to mention a delight to take out if it holds true.” Joe leaned back. “What we need is someone to get close to her.” Joe looked at Henry.
“No way.” Henry pointed to Dean. “She wants him now. She grabbed his butt today and kissed him.”
Dean flipped Henry off. “Some of us wouldn’t do that to Ellen.” Dean looked at Robbie.
“Nope.” Robbie shook his head. “I know what’s been there.” Robbie turned to Joe.
“Christ.” Joe scoffed. “I’m a married man.”
“Never stopped you before,” Robbie said.
Joe reached over and smacked Robbie behind the head. “That’s enough. Anyhow, we need someone who can get her to talk. Someone she may think is powerful or connected to power around here. Someone that will give her an ‘in.” Joe tapped his pencil. “Someone we can trust.”
Henry disagreed, “We can’t tell another person we are trying to find out who’s working for George.”
“We don’t have to,” Robbie said. “We merely find someone we can trust enough to get close to her, someone that doesn’t really give a shit about where’s she’s been. We tell them with all the trouble she’s been starting with Ellen, we want to know why and what she’s up to for Ellen's protection. Family curiosity. They may help.”
“But,” Joe interrupted, “they have to be someone George would find valuable.”
At the end of Joe’s words, the sound of the opening front door carried through and so did a crying baby. Johnny walked in.
“Hey Pap.” He bounced his daughter as he walked in. “Sorry to interrupt, but she likes you. Can you help me? I’m trying to get her to sleep but . . . to no avail. Ever since Denice broke up with me, she just dumps her on me whenever she goes out with her new guy. God. Shit, I left a bottle at your house. I’ll be back.” Johnny ran back out.
Henry smiled and whispered to Joe. “When did Denice break up with him?”
“Right after the plague. She said her near death experience made her realize she loved Jordan.”
“I heard she was seeing him the whole time,” Henry said.
Joe shrugged and nodded
Dean saw where they were going. “Never did get upset over it, did he?”
Robbie smiled widely and shook his head. “Nope. He may have loved her but he’s young. Remember his reputation? He used to be the town dog.”
The door opened again and Johnny walked back in with the baby and a bottle. “Got it.”
Joe watched his grandson. “And . . . he’s a Slagel.”
Johnny noticed them all staring happily at him. “What’s wrong?”
“Johnny my boy.” Joe stood up. “Give me my favorite great granddaughter” Joe took the baby. “Let Pap-Pap calm you down.” Holding the baby, who stopped crying, Joe laid his hand on Johnny’s back. “Johnny, come in. Sit down and have a tortilla chip.” He led Johnny to the table. “We need to talk to you.”
^^^^
Bowman, North Dakota
“I searched,” Sgt. Ryder said solemnly, holding a glass of lemonade while talking to Hal on his front porch. “I even went to the prison where my brother was held. I did find him. He died in his cell of the plague. My other brother, I never found.” He finished off the last of his drink. “This was good. Want some before it gets warm?”
Hal looked at his own empty glass. “Yeah, thanks.” He handed the glass to Sgt. Ryder.
He took it and walked in his house.
Hal rocked in the rocking chair. Prison. Brothers.
Flashback . . .
The four boys lined the hall of the wood paneled Gaithersburg police station, oldest to youngest, sitting in metal chairs. They could feel the presence of their father before they even saw him. It was a scary sight as they waited. When Joe walked in, white shirt, black tie, shoulder harness and gun, he looked at his sons, all of them showing signs of a battle. Joe walked up to Robbie, rubbed his head, and kissed the nine year old. His hand laid on Hal’s face. Joe moved to Jimmy, examining the massive amounts of cuts and bruises, and then shook his head at Frank, who sported the least.
“Mr. Slagel.” An officer came from a back office door. “Back again?”
“What did they do this time, Jerry?”
“Seems one of your boys, they won’t say which one, got jumped by another group of boys and as usual, it’s all for one with your kids. They went after the boys, more joined in, and Frank . . .” Jerry shook his head. “Frank’s facing charges now.”
“Christ.” Joe knew by looking at his sons which one it was. “Charges?”
“Seems, again, someone thought Frank was older than he was. One of the kids had an older brother, twenty-five, twenty-six years old and Frank pretty much . . .”
“Kicked his ass?” Joe questioned. “Give me the man’s name. I’ll handle it.”
“Mr. Slagel these are serious charges.”
“I’m serious too. When my ass gets a hold of this man for decking my sixteen year old son, he’ll see how serious I am. Big or not, Frank’s a kid, a goddamn kid. Now give me his name and I’ll take care of the rest.”
Jerry held up his hands. “All right.” He pulled out a small note pad, wrote down the name, and handed it to Joe. “I can’t give you his number but, since you’re CIA, you can find it. Something has to be done about this. Never is it just one of them in here. It’s all of them. And now you have Jimmy, who’s never in trouble, following the pack because of family pride.”
“You’re goddamn right and I’m not changing a thing about that so don’t suggest it. My boys stick up for one another and that’s the way it will stay. Take one of us on, you will take all of us on. That’s the way I was raised and that’s the way they have been raised.”
“Twenty kids were involved. It took five squad cars to break it up.”
“Yeah, and I see my boys are the only ones in here, again and again, I will just take them home.” Joe pointed to the door. “Let’s go boys. Line 'em up and move 'em out.”
All four boys stood and walked to the door. Joe opened it.
“Have a good day, Jerry.” Joe placed the paper in his chest pocket and followed the boys to the car.
The six block ride home from the police station was silent. Hal knew by the way Joe peered into the rear-view mirror and the way he finished his cigarette awfully fast, things didn’t look good. They knew it was coming, they waited for it, and lined up, sitting on the sofa, they got it.
“Will one of you boys care to tell me!” Joe blasted, “why in God’s name I have to get called from work to pick you up at the police station!”
An alarm went off and like a wake up call all four boys started talking.
“Dad,” Jimmy spoke up, “it was my fault. I said something . . .”
“No,” Frank interrupted, “it wasn’t your fault and you know it. We handled it.”
“Yeah!” Robbie added. “Frank handled it.”
“Dad.” Hal pointed. “I said no. I didn’t want to get involved. They made me.”
Joe whistled, shrilly and loudly. “Enough!” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his pack of Camel’s.
Uh-oh, Hal thought, Dad’s lighting another cig
arette. He’ll fling the hand as he yells and ashes will fly.
Sure enough Joe did. “Couldn’t you boys have handled this correctly? Huh? How many boys jumped you Jimmy? I know it was you they jumped.”
“Four.” Jimmy looked up.
“Four? Wanna tell me how twenty got involved? What did you do, go to the park when everyone was there? You couldn’t find these boys one at a time? That’s the way it’s done, one at a time. You boys stand watch. No one else jumps in while Jimmy kicks the shit of him, one on one. But NO. It’s a free for all the way you boys are. A game. . . . You!” Joe pointed at Robbie. “Look at you! Nine years old.” Joe grabbed Robbie’s face. “One more scar on this face, I’m going to jail for child abuse. You are too young for this shit.”
“It’s fun.” Robbie smiled
“It’s crazy. Chip one of those teeth and you’ll go toothless. Hal . . .”
“Dad,” Hal tried to connive. “I was totally . . .”
“Innocent? Bullshit. Since when are you innocent? I’d bet my last dollar that you jumped in first. You always do. And Frank, goddamn it, learn to control your strength. I can’t keep paying other people’s medical bills. You think I have a money tree out in the yard? You think I just go out there and pick a few hundred dollar bills? Jimmy.”
“Dad.”
“Shut up!” Joe blasted. “This is it. You will never walk into my house with your ass beat again. You hear me. You will learn to fight and defend yourself.”
“I hate violence,” Jimmy argued.
“Tough. You’re a Slagel and you have to start sticking up for yourself. From now on, every time you come into this house with your ass beat, Frank is gonna beat your ass again. You hear me? He’ll kick your ass until you learn how to kick his.”
“Oh my God!” Jimmy exclaimed.
“Exactly!” Joe blasted. “Now everyone of you wash up. I’m hungry. Let’s uh . . .” Joe calmed down. “Let’s go grab a pizza somewhere.”
End of Flashback …
A glass of lemonade extended to Hal. “Captain.”
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 378