by Mark Goodwin
Everett looked at the radio as he sipped his coffee. “I would have never guessed that. I’m glad we’ve got a comms geek up here. So where did all of the commotion go down?”
“Knoxville.”
“Knoxville.” Everett stared pensively at his cup. “According to the guy we talked to at the flea market Friday, The Tallmadge Letter originated from that area. It talks about decentralized militias, resistance, sabotage, that sort of thing. I wonder if Spindle is connected with the editor.”
“Ask him. He knows the info we passed to him on the train was legit. We’ve earned a little good will.”
“Yeah. I’m glad we could help.”
“You know he’s going to want more information. It’s like feeding a stray cat. They’ll be back every night for more until they find a better deal.”
“Then we’ll give him everything we can.”
Ken sucked his teeth, which made a faint clicking sound.
“What?” Everett asked.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“No, but you made that sound with your teeth.”
“What sound?”
“I don’t know; you make some kind of racket when something makes you nervous or you’re hesitant about something.”
“No I don’t.”
“Yes you do. Ask Lisa; she’ll back me up on this. It’s a tell. Maybe you don’t even know you’re doing it. You don’t want to help out the resistance?”
Ken sighed. “I do.”
“But?”
“But if we keep sticking our heads up, we’ll get them shot off.”
“We covered our tracks. The civil-law-enforcement-aggregate-database is low-level stuff. We routed the query through the DHS fusion center in New York. Everybody and their mother have access to that network. Management-level TSA agents have access to the fusion center’s database, and most of them aren’t even qualified to flip burgers at McDonalds.”
“But we created the sham access profile for the fusion center using the Company’s system. And we logged in with your credentials. You might get away with that a couple of times, but they’ll eventually figure out where the false access profiles are originating from.”
“So let’s go back in and sanitize the files. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. If we wanted, we could hack straight into the individual databases for whatever type of information Spindle needs.”
“Not with a disposable tablet. We’d need something with a lot more juice than that thing to run brute force attack software.”
“To get into manifests for trains, traffic cams, security cams, and that type of stuff, we can use Hashcat to get in. People running those systems use birthdays and pet names. It’s way too easy. My tablet will run Hashcat.”
Ken sat the radio down and poured a cup of coffee. “What we need is administrative access to the Company’s system. Then we could create a hundred false user profiles for CLEAD. Too bad Jones didn’t give you his password.”
Everett snickered. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s something too complex to be cracked with Hashcat.”
Ken sipped his coffee. “You didn’t say anything to Courtney about the ring did you?”
Everett scratched around in the cupboard for a mixing bowl. “What’s there to tell?”
“You did. What did you say?”
“Nothing!”
“Did you tell her that I’m going to ask Lisa to marry me?”
“Bro, chillax! Haven’t you already hinted to Lisa that that’s what you intend to do?”
“I can’t believe you. You know she’s going to tell Lisa. They’ve been friends forever.”
“Courtney won’t say anything.”
“So you admit it. You did tell her.”
Everett rolled his eyes and exhaled deeply. “You know what it’s like. She knew you guys were having issues. You’ve been sleeping on the couch. We all live in the same house. Lisa wasn’t saying anything to Courtney and she knew you’d told me what was up. She’s an NSA profiler. You know she can make people talk.”
“So she had to use torture to get it out of you?”
“We’ll call it enhanced interrogation, but I held out as long as I could. And, I made her promise not to say anything.”
Ken turned to look at Everett. He pursed his lips and crossed his arms. “You think her loyalties are with you over Lisa?”
“Yeah, I do.”
Ken shook his head. “She’ll see it as a complete betrayal not to tell Lisa. And the consequences of breaking faith with you will be minimal at worst. She knows the only reason you’d care is because I’ll give you heck about it.”
“Sorry, bro.” Everett dropped his head and retrieved the pancake mix. “So when are you going to pop the question?”
“Soon, I guess. I’m up against the clock now, thanks to you.”
Courtney climbed down the ladder from the loft. “Hey guys.”
“Good morning. Want some pancakes?” Everett welcomed the interruption in the scolding he was taking from Ken.
“That’d be great. I’m starving. Good morning, Ken.”
“Good morning, Courtney.”
Everett mixed the pancake mix with the appropriate amount of water. “This stuff is awesome. It already has the eggs and milk in it. If I’d known about it, I’d have bought a ton of it.”
“This is what was in those three buckets?” Courtney picked up the plastic bag and examined it.
Everett handed her a piece of cardboard. “Yep. Here’s the label from the original box. Looks like Jones pulled the original packages out of the box and resealed it in FoodSaver bags so it would store longer. He just cut the label off of one box for directions and nutritional content.”
Courtney read the label aloud. “Krusteaz Buttermilk Complete Pancake Mix. Just add water. Heart Healthy. I bet all those people who were getting ready for the apocalypse loaded up on this stuff.”
Everett chuckled. “You know, I had tons of those people on my watchlist. I used to look at all the stuff they were buying on their credit cards. I thought they were nuts. Thank God that Jones was one of those people and that he convinced me to get on board.”
Lisa came out of the bedroom in her housecoat, still looking quite sleepy. “Did I just hear you thank God, Everett?”
Everett was surprised to see her up so early. “Oh, it’s just a figure of speech. Did we wake you? Are we making too much noise?”
Lisa smiled. “No, I smelled the coffee and wanted a cup more than I wanted to sleep. But I hear what you’re saying. It’s funny how you can look at someone as being totally nuts until your eyes are opened to reality. Then you wonder why you didn’t come around to the truth sooner.”
Everett poured some batter into the sauté pan. “I guess that’s supposed to be commentary on how I should come around to believing in Jesus, right?”
Lisa poured her coffee and looked at Everett with her eyebrows lowered. “No, that was a bit of introspective analysis on my own personal spiritual journey, but if the shoe fits . . .”
Everett saw Ken and Courtney waiting for his reply. He could feel his cheeks getting red. Why was this subject always so touchy for him? “Ken, tell the girls about the hit on the Knoxville detention center early this morning.”
Ken proceeded to inform the girls of the pre-dawn raid, the speculation about the mysterious Spindle, and his connection with the resistance newsletter called The Tallmadge Letter.
The four sat down to eat. Lisa bowed her head for a moment as if she was praying silently before she ate. Everett picked up his fork but noticed that Ken was waiting for Lisa. Everett rolled his eyes and looked at Courtney, who just smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
Finally, they all began to eat, and the tension melted away.
“So, are you guys going to keep helping the patriots?” Lisa asked.
Ken looked at Everett and said nothing.
Everett nodded. “I think it’s the least we can do.”
“Good.” Lisa continued eating.
Ken asked, “What do you think about it, Courtney?”
Courtney finished chewing then took a sip of water. “I’m sure they’re not involved in the attacks. Jones told Everett that some group would probably be set up to take the fall long before any of this stuff happened. I hate seeing them being bullied. And I really hate that it’s being used as a cover story for another group to try to seize power. I may have had some reservations about getting involved before, but the more I think about it, the more I want to say I’m all in.”
Everett looked at each person. “So we all agree? We should do what we can to support the resistance.”
Ken replied, “Within reason. We have to be safe. If we put our foot in a bear trap, we can’t help ourselves or anybody else.”
The conversation continued through breakfast.
After everyone finished eating, the discussion dwindled, and Lisa said, “I only slept a couple of hours. I’m going back to bed so I don’t fall asleep on watch tonight.”
Everett smiled. “Sure thing. Anytime you want a break from night watch, let me know. I’ll fill in a few evenings or we can start rotating.”
Lisa got up and pushed her chair in. “No thanks, but I appreciate the offer.” She kissed Ken on the head and said, “Goodnight.”
Courtney got up and cleared the table. She whispered to Ken, “So, let’s see it!”
“See what?”
“The ring! I want to see it!”
Ken shot Everett the evil eye, then dug in his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. He gingerly unwrapped it and handed Courtney the half-carat, princess-cut, white-diamond ring.
“Wow! It’s pretty. You found this Friday at the flea market?”
“Yes.”
Courtney handed it back. “Don’t be mad at Everett. I knew you two were up to something when you were so insistent that we split up.”
Ken asked, “Did Lisa suspect anything?”
“We knew you were acting weird, but I don’t think she suspected that you were looking at rings. But to be honest, she hasn’t been as talkative with me as she used to be. I’m trying to be understanding and supportive of her new Jesus kick, but I don’t really get it. I think it’s nice that you’re sticking by her through it.”
Ken carefully wrapped the ring and stuck it back in his pocket. “I hope she’s going to stick with me through it. I love her, and I don’t know what I’d do if I lost her.”
Courtney smiled. “That’s so sweet. I know everything is going to work out for you guys.”
Ken forced a smile. “Thanks. I hope you’re right.”
CHAPTER 3
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.
Job 19:25-26
Noah squinted to block the sun, which was in full view over the mountains to the east. He held a blood-soaked towel over the bullet hole in the top of Isaiah’s head.
Benny pulled the van up to David’s front door. “Let’s get David in the house so I can get his leg cleaned out and stitched up.”
Jim opened the sliding door. “Elliot, you want to give me a hand with David?”
“Sure thing.” Elliot helped David get out of the van.
David brushed his leg against the van door and fought back the pain. “Benny, get the van in the barn first. We could have company at any time.”
Noah asked, “What about Isaiah?”
The emotional toll of losing Isaiah was grossly apparent on David’s face. He signaled for Jim and Elliot, who were helping him limp up the stairs, to pause for a moment as he stared at the ground. “Why don’t you leave him in the van for now? Get in the house and change out of your clothes. That way, if we get any unwelcomed guests, it won’t be a complete giveaway that they’ve found us. Then, you can take a bucket of water and some clean clothes and get Isaiah cleaned up out in the barn. Becky has some old towels and blankets in the hall closet.”
Jim continued to help David into the house. “Should we go tell the girls what happened?”
David winced as he hopped through the door. “No. We can’t risk being followed out there. We all have to be ready for another fight if DHS or anyone else shows up at the door. If they roll up the driveway, we should assume they’ve made us. I doubt there will be any talking our way out of it. Everyone, keep your pistols on you and your rifles very close by.”
Benny nodded, then drove the van around to the barn.
Noah followed David and the others into the living room.
David stopped before he sat down on the couch. “Noah, can you grab some of those large contractor trash bags from under the kitchen sink? I don’t want to ruin the couch by bleeding all over it, if I can help it.”
“You got it.” Noah walked into the kitchen and grabbed the bags from under the sink. He pulled out several and layered them in such a way as to minimize the amount of blood that could get through to the couch.
David sat down. “Thanks. In my bedroom under the bed, I’ve got a red Pelican case. Can you grab that for me also?”
“Yes, be right back.” Noah went to the bedroom, looked under the bed, and retrieved the case. He brought it into the living room and placed it on the coffee table.
David popped the tabs and opened it. “These are a few goodies from the EMS truck. They throw this stuff out when it hits the expiration date, but there’s nothing wrong with it.”
He pulled out a small vial and a hypodermic needle. He stuck the needle in the vial and pulled the plunger. “This one is lidocaine, a local anesthetic, but I’m going to take a shot of morphine before Benny starts in on me. I’m going to get a little dopey, so if we get hit, Jim, you’ll have to act as tactical commander. I might not be much good after the drug hits, but as it is now, I couldn’t even move to get out of the way if we’re attacked.”
Jim squatted down and patted David on the arm. “We’ve got you covered.”
David squinted as he stuck the needle in his leg near the wound. Next, he loaded a separate syringe with morphine and injected it into his arm.
Benny returned from the barn, washed his hands for several minutes, then proceeded to clean David’s wound.
Noah said, “Benny, if you’ve got this, I’m going to get cleaned up, see what I can do with Isaiah.”
Elliot glanced over at Noah. “I’m going to give Noah a hand with Isaiah. Holler if you need us.”
David’s eyes were getting glassy, and he said with slightly slurred speech, “Take your rifles to the barn with you.”
Noah nodded and forced a smile. “Sir, yes sir.”
David smiled with a droopy face and rolled over on the couch to let Benny continue cleaning the wound.
Once he’d changed into clean clothes, Noah filled a five-gallon bucket of water, grabbed some towels along with a wash rag, and headed toward the barn. Elliot followed him with both of their rifles and some clean clothes to put on Isaiah’s corpse.
Noah walked in the barn and sat the bucket and towels down. Elliot rested the rifles against the side of the van and closed the barn door.
Noah slid the van door open and gazed at his deceased companion. “We’ll have to get him in the ground before evening. We don’t have any way to preserve the body. If DHS comes around, the smell of a dead body can’t be covered up. Sharon is going to be mad that no one came out to tell her.”
Elliot stood next to Noah and sighed. “There’s no good solution; only bad and worse in cases like this. But I agree; we need to bury him as soon as we can.”
Noah looked around. “Let’s use those saw horses and that plywood to make a table so we can lay him out and get him cleaned up.”
Elliot nodded and quietly helped Noah set up a makeshift table. Next, they retrieved Isaiah’s body from the van.
Noah hated the feeling of Isaiah’s cold skin, which had become stiff from rigor mortis. They laid him face up on the table and removed his shirt, which was covered in blood. Noah gently cleaned Isa
iah’s face and body with the washcloth. He washed out all of the dried blood that had caked up in Isaiah’s snow-white hair and beard.
Elliot patted Isaiah dry with a towel as Noah washed him. “The group is going to look to you for spiritual leadership now that Isaiah’s gone.”
Noah solemnly continued the morbid task at hand. “Me? Why me? I think they’ll look to David.”
Elliot nodded. “David is the tactical leader. I’m sure he’ll recover from his injury, but I think everyone thought of you as being Isaiah’s right-hand man.”
“I don’t feel much like a spiritual leader. I was angry at God for letting Isaiah die. I was mad at him when Lacy was taken away, when I was sitting in jail, and when my dog was killed.”
“But through all of that, you didn’t lose your faith. It’s normal to be mad, yet you still cling to your faith and hope in God. Everyone in the group sees that. Isaiah was proud of the way you’ve handled adversity. I’m sure God is, too.”
Noah fought back the tears, but it was no use. He wiped his face with his shirt sleeve. “What makes you say that?”
“During your trial, Isaiah said to me that you had the faith of Job, if not the patience. He was proud of the way you handled everything. We all were.” Elliot smiled softly.
“Yeah, I guess I wasn’t very patient through the ordeal.” Noah was absolutely heartbroken, but he found comfort in the thought that Isaiah was proud of him.
The two had to use force to get Isaiah dressed. The stiffness made it very difficult to get the clean shirt on him. Afterward, the two men took a few moments to just be silent and look at their fallen comrade.
“I wish we had the time and materials to build a coffin for him,” Noah said.
Elliot put his hand on Noah’s shoulder. “We’ll ask David for a white sheet to wrap him in. We’ll keep it very dignified.”
Elliot and Noah walked back to the house.
Jim was making sandwiches. “You guys wash your hands and eat something. You need your strength. We don’t know if we’re going to get hit. And drink some water. You have to stay hydrated. You might not feel like it, but you know Isaiah would want you to stay vigilant.”