Two small rights and then a left found us standing in the door of a small, yet cozy home. Leport was like that. There were big homes, and right next door, there were little homes. People tended to go where their tastes and their egos took them. When the power was off, people stayed in the small houses because they were easier to heat in the winters. When the power came back on, there was a bit of a scramble for the bigger homes. These days, things seem to have settled down.
Julia knocked on the door and a small, older woman answered the door.
“Yes? Can I help you?” She asked. She looked at me a little apprehensively, and then kept her eyes on Julia.
“Ma’am? We’re the collectors you hired. We found what you were looking for.” Julia opened up the duffle bag and pulled out two large books. One looked like a photo album, and the other looked to be an ordinary book. She handed them over to the woman, who surprised me by suddenly tearing up and crying.
The woman held the books tightly and didn’t say a word for a moment. “You got them. I thought they were gone forever. I can’t believe you got them.” She just kept saying it over and over again, tears falling off her face and splashing on the front porch.
Julia smiled and put her hand on the woman’s shoulder, which seemed to shake her out of her moment.
“Oh, my God! You did it! I can’t thank you enough! Oh, God! Charles will be so surprised. Charles! Come up here! I have a surprise for you!” The woman called into the house and then turned back to Julia and myself. “Thank you so much!” She hugged Julia and gave my arm a squeeze, her teary eyes filling with joy.
“We lost so much when we fled, and I thought we’d never get anything we had back, not after the city had been closed. Thank you again.” The woman was nearly delirious, and I think I understood why Jake tended to avoid this part of the job.
“What is it, Maggie? Why are you crying? Jesus, you’re huge!” A middle-aged man stepped into the doorway, sporting a very balding head and a bright shock of red hair bursting from above his ears. His big hands and arms told of years of hard work, while his bulging belly spoke of marrying a good cook. His last comment was aimed at me, and his eyes took me in at a glance, noting my shoulders and arms, and running a practiced eye over my weapons. If I had to guess, Charles here could handle a zombie or three without too much trouble.
Maggie handed Charles the book, and whatever I was expecting, it certainly wasn’t to see Charles take the book like it was a newborn, and suddenly fall on his knees. He looked at the book for a long time, and then he slowly brought the book to his chest. He held it there for a long moment, and then stood up with difficulty.
When Charles was up, there were tears in his eyes as well. He kept looking at the book, then looking at us. He was so choked up he could barely speak.
“Thank you. May God bless your days forever,” he said. Without another word, he went into the house and we could hear small sobs coming from within.
Maggie smiled at us and explained. “This is the photo album of our family from the time we were married. All of our pictures and memories are here. All of our good memories, anyway.” Her eyes grew sad for a moment, but it quickly passed. “That other book is Charles’ family bible, which was brought over from Ireland over a hundred years ago. That bible is his family, and his place in the world. You’ve no idea what you’ve brought back to us. Thank you.”
Julia smiled. “You’re very welcome. I hate to be awkward, but we did have a few expenses, and we will need the other half of our agreement?”
Maggie put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, of course! Where are my manners? Good heavens! I’ll be right back!” She went into the house and a few minutes later Charles came out. His eyes were red but he was smiling.
“Maggie says to pay what we owe. Here it be, and my thanks to you both.” Charles held out a small purse, and Julia took it gently, putting it in her vest pocket.
“Thank you, sir, and if you have any friends who might need something collected…?”
“I’ll be sending them your way, no worries, lass.” Charles, who originally didn’t have an accent when he first showed up at the door, had developed a bit of an Irish tilt to his voice.
I shook his hand and we left the home, walking back the way we came. Julia and I basked in the feeling of a job well done, and once we were out of sight, she pulled out the purse.
“What’s up?” I asked. “Something wrong? I can’t believe Charles would short us.”
“No, it’s not that, it just feels funny; like it weighs too much.” Julia pulled out the purse and opened it. Reaching in, she pulled out the coins and gasped. Instead of our final payment of five silver coins, Charles had replaced two of the silvers with gold coins.
I whistled when I saw the flash of gold. “Damn! If Jake even gets two for the stuff he found, we’re doing well.”
Julia nodded and put the money back into her vest. “Do you think he’ll find another job?”
“Probably. There’s always work for the likes of us,” I said, hopping over the ditch and climbing the small hill. “Everyone loves the collectors.”
Chapter 11
Collectors. That’s what we were. We went out and collected the memories, the artifacts, the remnants of lives left behind when the world suddenly ended. People who had fled their homes way back when began to have a hankering for the things that defined them. We collected books, curios, keepsakes, and heirlooms. Stuff that had to be left behind became accessible once again. It all came down to who was willing to go for it and who was willing to pay to have it done. We charged ten silver coins for a job, five in advance and five when it was finished. We charged extra for longer distances, and reserved the right to refuse a job after we began, for an expense fee of two silvers. We never had to do that, but Jake said it made sure the people who sent us out knew they could lose out if it was a wild goose chase.
Over the last three years, we must have made a couple of dozen trips to the city, and a few trips out of state. We had made trips across the lake a couple of times, and went as far south as Texas, once. We wouldn’t do that one again.
Other people trained for various jobs, like blacksmiths, plumbers, electricians, and so forth. From the time we were able to fight, we trained on how to handle zombies and how to survive far from help. Our fathers taught us to think on our feet, fight like the devil, and stay alive. Our mothers gave us our education, and I doubt there was a book within fifty miles of our home that we hadn’t read.
We walked down the hill, feeling pretty good about ourselves, when the first hints of trouble began. The back of my neck started to prickle and I distinctly got the feeling we were being watched. Around the corner, I sized up the street and figured the best place for an ambush would be before we reached the storefronts. A house was there that looked abandoned, but as I learned very early, looks were often deceiving.
Julia’s dad always taught us that if we thought we were walking into a trap, to turn around and run the other way. It confused the hell out of your ambushers. Julia was happily walking along when I put my arm around her waist. She stiffened and looked up at me, but I just smiled as if it was something I did every day, don’t you know? Julia smiled back, but I could see understanding in her eyes, especially when there was a man suddenly lounging on the porch of the seemingly abandoned home.
“Excuse me…hey!” The man exclaimed loudly when the two of us suddenly turned and ran the other way, running up the hill and around the bend in front of the old school.
We ducked around the corner of the building, and I waited quietly. I sent Julia along at a brisk walk, almost as if she had suddenly forgotten something. If she was followed, I knew the men were up to no good. If no one showed up, we would just head on back down the hill another way.
A minute later, three men hurried past. They were about my age, but skinnier and greasier-looking. Their clothes were mismatched pick-ups, and they had various weapons, which peeked out from under their jackets and shirts. The leader, if that’s
what he was, was slightly taller, with a lean look that usually meant a cruel streak. The other two were as unmemorable as they were ugly. Lank hair and pudgy, they could almost pass for twins. They had the sloped shoulders of the weak, and were probably vicious to make up for it.
Julia was about fifty yards ahead when the leader called out. “Hey, pretty lady! You mind if I talk to you for a minute?”
Julia smiled prettily. “Thank you! Sure thing! What can I do for you?” Julia could play at stupid really well when she wanted to. She turned and faced the man squarely, cocking her hip and tilting her head to the side. I almost felt sorry for the man; he was being set up so well.
I slipped out of my hiding spot and moved along the ditch of the road, trying to keep a low profile. It wasn’t easy, since I would almost surely be seen before I could get close enough to make a difference.
“Well, sweetie, I was hoping you might ask that.” The leader leered at Julia, obviously sizing her up and liking what he saw. “You see, I’m a recruiter, and I am out here at the capital looking for pretty ladies to ask if they want to partake in a business opportunity.”
Julia scowled. “Do you mean, like, a job?” She glanced my way and crossed her arms under her breasts, lifting them slightly and capturing the full attention of the pudgy brothers.
“That’s right, darling. A job. My boss wants me to find really pretty ladies like you to work around the town and help out with things that need to get done.” Leader was in his full pitch, thinking he had one hooked. Julia was acting as if she was really interested, and not watching the two men who were edging around her from both sides.
I was close enough that I was able to get out into the street and behind the leader. The other two men hadn’t seen me, and I was just going to wait to see what would happen. Maybe these guys were legitimate with their job offer. Maybe Julia wanted another line of work. Maybe the next game the kids will try is Kiss the Zombie. Who knew?
About a second later, I did. The leader wrapped up his spiel and put his hands on his hips. I could see at least two knives from my vantage point and a third that was peeking out of his sleeve. Julia pretended to think, and then said, “Sorry, I don’t think so.” She started to turn and leave when the two other men stepped in her way.
“I’m afraid I do think so, darling. I think you’re going to take that job, and take it right now!” The leader reached a hand towards his back pocket, where I could see a pair of handcuffs was sitting.
Before the man even finished talking, Julia was already moving. She ducked down and rolled backwards, coming up behind the two startled pudgy ones with a slim dagger in each hand. The blades were seven inches long, razor sharp, and as pointy as needles.
“Don’t make this difficult, missy. I’d hate to hurt you.” The leader stepped forward but stopped suddenly, his hands coming up to his neck to grasp at my hand, which had grabbed him from behind. I turned him quickly to the left, ramming my left fist into his stomach in an attempt to locate his spine. The air left him in a pained groan and he fell to the ground retching.
“Funny,” I said, grinning at the two pudgy ones. “I really enjoyed hurting him.” I dropped my hands to my sides and when I raised them again, I was holding my ‘hawk and my knife. “This conversation is over.” I crouched slightly, taking in both men at once. I was already planning my moves should they attack, something my dad taught me to do so much it was reflex.
The two men looked at me, and then looked at Julia, who winked at the one with the bleach highlights in his hair. The man didn’t return the favor, and with a shrug, they reached down and collected their boss. Truth was, they probably would have fought, but they decided it would be better to stay in the graces of their leader than die while trying to avenging him.
As they dragged him away, one of them fired a parting shot. “We’ll remember you, mister. And you, girlie. We’ll get you, too.”
Something went cold inside me and I suddenly bolted for the man. He threw his hands up in defense, but I used the downward slope for momentum and kicked him in the chest, knocking him dozens of feet down the hill. He came to a stop against a light pole, and I half wondered what it would take to get the attention of the law in this town. I turned on his friend, but that one skipped backwards so fast I’d have a hard time chasing him. The man on the ground must have been feeling better, so much so that, when he looked up at me with hate-filled eyes, I returned the favor with a kick to his crotch. He keeled over and grabbed his wounded jewels, making small mewing sounds through his pain.
“Come on, Julia, let’s get the hell out of here. These three aren’t even entertaining,” I said, sheathing my weapons. Julia had already put hers away, and as we walked past the still standing fat guy, she lunged suddenly at him, causing him to lose his balance and fall into a rather large puddle.
As we left the trio, I glanced back and saw the men returning to their leader, trying to get him to stand up and having their efforts rebuked. I laughed inwardly, but I wondered what my father would have done, seeing what was happening to a town he helped to revive and save?
“Think Jake is all right?” Julia asked, looking around at the corners and alleyways as we hurried away from the last altercation.
“Likely. He doesn’t attract too much attention.”
“Jake?”
“Usually.”
“Jake?”
“Sometimes?” I knew I was reaching, and knew that we could have a big fight on our hands if Jake went a little off the chain. Given the mood that he woke up in, and the trouble we had, I figured if Jake hadn’t blown by now, he wasn’t going to.
Chapter 12
We moved down the hill and back towards the river front area. People were moving about, going about their business and lives, and there was a general energy to the place. There was something, else, though, something that didn’t have a specific name to it. I felt it when we stood down by the candle shop and hardware store.
People walking around didn’t look up too much, and when they did, it was just a quick glance, here and there. They walked a little too quickly, held their purchases a little too tightly, and didn’t seem to trust themselves to speak too loudly.
I noticed several of the older inhabitants would scowl from time to time, and they were more apt to speak up, but in general, something was off. I wondered if Julia noticed as well, but she was busy picking up a small ball that had bounced near her feet. A child, likely no more than five, came shyly over and stood about six feet away. He looked at her with big brown eyes, and slowly held out a hand for the ball Julia was holding.
“Peez?” He said, keeping his hand outstretched with the other tucked under his chin. I looked up and saw another small child peeking cautiously over a small fence that closed off a tiny yard. The back gate was open, and explained how the youngster managed to get out after his ball.
A voice called out from the house before Julia could hand him the ball.
“Jimmy? Jimmy! Where are you? Jimmy!”
A young mother, probably no older than Julia, came racing out of the house and scooped up the other child. She raced through the gate and spotted her other offspring. Running over, she put a protective hand on Jimmy’s head and knelt down by him.
“Don’t ever leave the yard! You know that!” The woman clutched both children close and I wondered what was causing this fear.
“But, Mommy, the ball…” Jimmy held out his hand again and Julia stepped over and gave him the ball.
“Sorry, miss, he was just trying to get his ball back,” Julia said kindly.
The woman noticed Julia for the first time and gave her a once over. Julia’s beauty sometimes put women off, but this woman was pretty enough herself not to be bothered.
“Thank you. He’s all I have, and with the kidnappings lately, it’s been a constant nightmare,” She said, holding Jimmy, who ignored the proceedings and wandered back to the yard. The woman watched them both go back and turned to Julia. “Thanks again.” She turned back to
her little house when a harsh voice launched itself across the intersection.
“Hey! Where you going? Where you live, pretty thing?” A man about thirty came walking down the street, and many people got out of his way. He was about my height, but he was massive, with fat arms and a large gut. His face was covered with a coarse beard, almost looking like fur, and his deep-set eyes were mean and dark. Big hands swung without regard to hitting anyone, and people seemed to scramble to get out of the way.
The woman stopped where she was and waited her head down and arms to her sides. Instantly, I was in kill mode, and I didn’t even understand why.
“Hey! Turn around when Carson Casey talks to you!” The man walked closer, and Julia turned to face him. That seemed to set him off even more. “Lookie here! We can have a threesome! Ha!’ The man barked at his own joke and stepped closer. Behind him, I could see another man watching the scene with interest. He was tall, but thin, and his eyes had a calculating look about them. I committed his face to memory, because I figured I would see it again.
I was about to intervene when Jake suddenly appeared. He had a knife in his hand and a very calm look on his face. He stepped between the women and Carson, and the fat man nearly fell over trying to stop in time.
“That’s far enough.” Jake’s voice was quiet, and from experience, I knew he was not in the mood for talking.
I stepped out and positioned myself about fifteen feet back and to the left of Carson. I didn’t want to watch the proceedings. I was more interested in making sure no one came to Carson’s aid. But I could see Jake from where I was. Three men detached themselves from the front of the wine shop, but stopped when I casually took out my tomahawk and tested the edge with my thumb.
“Who the fuck are you?” Casey roared at Jake. He kept his eyes on the knife Jake was holding, but he clearly didn’t think Jake was any sort of threat.
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