Bug Out! Texas Book 4: Texas Battle Cry

by Robert Boren

  “Neither did she,” Brenda said. “I’m a little jealous.”

  “Why?” Kelly asked. “You have me.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” she said, taking him back into her arms. “I’m jealous because I’m too old.”

  “You’re not too old,” Kelly said.

  “To have babies, dummy,” she said.

  “You think that’s what Rachel has planned for Junior? She’s no spring chicken herself.”

  “She’s still fertile,” Brenda said. “She is older than she looks. The age difference with Junior isn’t nearly as much as I thought it was.”

  “Yeah, if Junior shaved off that beard of his he’d look younger than me,” Kelly said.

  “Think he’d ever do that?” Brenda asked.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Kelly said. “Maybe.”

  “You heard about this meeting coming up?”

  “Yeah, we were talking about it on the road,” Kelly said. “How’d you hear about it?”

  “Carrie told us earlier,” Brenda said. “Makes me nervous.”

  “Me too, a little,” Kelly said. “No sense worrying about it.”

  “I know,” Brenda said. “I’m still worried about Chris. Wonder where they ended up? I can’t raise him.”

  “Hope Simon Orr didn’t do something to them,” Kelly said.

  “I think I need a nap before the meeting,” Brenda said. “You want to join me?”

  “Oh yeah.” Kelly smiled.

  Chapter 17 – Violet and Cami

  Maria answered the phone, a grim look on her face as she listened.

  “Sir, it’s Washington DC. The Attorney General’s office,” she said. “Want to take it?”

  “Sure,” Hendrix said, feeling his pulse start to pound.

  “Line one,” she said.

  He picked up the receiver. “Hendrix.”

  “Hi, Kip.”

  “Franklin, how are you?” Hendrix asked.

  “You obviously survived that attack on Austin.”

  “I did,” Hendrix said. “We might have lost Jerry Sutton, though. He’s still missing.”

  “I could look into that for you,” Franklin said.

  “How would you know anything about it?”

  “We have plants within the enemy ranks,” Franklin said. “There, I told you something. Your turn.”

  “We hit the enemy supply depot outside of Austin,” Hendrix said. “It impacted the planned attack on San Antonio. We were able to put it down and take out a lot of Islamist forces.”

  “Oh, please,” Franklin said. “We already know about that, and it wasn’t the government that did it. You’ve made things more difficult for the administration. You know that, right?”

  “What are you talking about?” Hendrix asked.

  “Your damn vigilantes, working with those Austin cops. That’s who did it, and it’s all over the internet. We’ve had challenges to martial law in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey thanks to that.”

  “They’re working with us,” Hendrix said. “Sorry if that’s been a problem for you.” He struggled to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

  “Sorry if that’s been a problem for you,” Franklin mocked. “Any more of that nonsense coming?”

  “Well, you said it wasn’t us, so how would I know?”

  “Don’t play with me, Kip,” Franklin said. “You’ve got a lady friend. One with a little sister in trouble. You’ve been down that road before.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Hendrix said, his mind racing to the past. Violet and Cami. Dammit. What would Maria think of that?

  “You still there, Kipster?”

  “Yeah, I’m still here,” he said. “You don’t know the whole story on that. It wasn’t as it seemed.”

  “You got Violet drunk and had your way with her. After she passed out, you had your way with Cami. We’ve got testimony.”

  “They were both taken care of. They left the state. I paid dearly for that, even though it wasn’t what Violet said it was.” The words stung his lips coming out. “It was also over ten years ago.”

  Franklin chuckled. “Texas really should cut ties with the Feds if they want to be independent.”

  “What are you talking about?” Hendrix asked.

  “You guys are still using the Federal system for temporary psychiatric hold. We know all about Maria’s sister. We know what she looks like. She’s just your type.”

  “You don’t know anything,” Hendrix said. “I was helping out Maria. As a friend.”

  “We know about the suicide attempt. We know you helped Maria get her sister committed. They keep records when somebody is taken into custody against their will.”

  “So what?” Hendrix asked. “When we left the hospital that night, I drove Maria home and then I left. Nothing happened. I didn’t plan anything to happen, either.” Sweat broke out on his forehead as he flashed back to Cami, her eyes glazing over as he took her the first time.

  “Have it your way,” Franklin said. “We can make sure that Maria finds out all about that regrettable incident.”

  Hendrix was silent for a moment, panic subsiding as he remembered what he could say.

  “You still there, Kip?”

  Hendrix sighed, loud enough for Franklin to hear. Make it real. “What do you want?”

  “The plans for New Mexico,” Franklin said.

  “They’ll kill me,” Hendrix said.

  “That’s your problem,” Franklin said. “Don’t worry. They won’t find out where the info came from.”

  “Easy for you to say that,” Hendrix said.

  “What were the chances that you’d get both of them pregnant, anyway?” Franklin asked. “Makes for a fine story. Texas Legislative leader knocks up his secretary and her sister on the same lust-filled weekend.”

  “Okay, okay,” Hendrix said, lowering his voice. “I’ll tell you, but this stuff stops. Understand?”

  “You think you’re in a position to dictate terms?” Franklin asked.

  “You want the info or not?”

  Hendrix paused again.

  “C’mon, Kip,” Franklin said. “I don’t have all day.”

  “We’re preparing to pursue the Islamists into New Mexico,” Hendrix said, trying to sound scared.

  “That’s not all, is it?”

  Hendrix paused again.

  “C’mon, dammit,” Franklin said.

  “After we’ve kicked them out, we’re going to take over the New Mexico government. They can’t handle the situation.”

  “That’s an attack on the United States,” Franklin said.

  “Nelson said it’s only until the war is over,” Hendrix said.

  “Do you believe him?”

  “Yeah, but I don’t think the war is gonna be over anytime soon,” Hendrix said. “New Mexico might be a possession of the Texas Republic for quite a few years.”

  “Finally,” Franklin said. “That was like pulling teeth. I guess that’s enough for today. I’m sending you something as a reminder, so you won’t decide to clam up on me.”

  Hendrix’s phone dinged as a text message arrived. He pulled his phone out and opened the message. There was a picture of Cami’s naked dead body, laying on a bed, eyes staring into nothingness.

  “Recognize that?” Franklin asked.

  “No,” Hendrix gasped. “She was fine. What happened?”

  “She killed herself a year after you raped her,” Franklin said. “You really ought to watch it with the unstable ones. Hope Maria isn’t like that. We know her sister is, so be careful my friend.”

  Hendrix’s anger rose, and he slammed the receiver of the phone down, then put his head on the desk and sobbed.

  “My God, what happened?” Maria asked, rushing into his office.

  Hendrix lifted his head off the desk and wiped the tears from his eyes. “I can’t talk about it here.”

  “Can you tell me tonight?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” he said, trying to
get hold of himself.

  “Why were you crying?”

  “Memories of past mistakes they’re holding over my head,” Hendrix said.

  “You’re afraid that I’m going to find out about it?”

  “No, I’m ashamed of myself. It’s been ten years, but I still can’t believe what I did.”

  “Don’t worry about it now,” Maria said, petting his head.

  “I’ll be all right,” Hendrix said. “Want to go get lunch?”

  “I have to go to the hospital,” she said. “Celia’s case is coming up for review.”

  “How’s she doing?”

  “Sounds like she’s doing better,” Maria said. “She wants out now, of course.”

  “What happens when she gets out?”

  “I don’t know,” Maria said. “She can’t live by herself, that’s for sure.”

  “How about your mother?”

  “I can’t count on her,” Maria said. “That’s how she ended up at my place.”

  Hendrix looked down at the desk for a moment, then back up at her. “She’ll need to move in with us, won’t she?”

  “I couldn’t ask you to do that,” Maria said.

  “We’re together,” Hendrix said. “There’s no other place, is there?”

  “I don’t know,” Maria said. “They might not let her out, you know.”

  “Well, if she’s getting out soon, don’t worry about it. You know how big our house is. We have room, and I can bring in a caretaker if needed.”

  Maria kissed him. “How’d I get so lucky?”

  “Want me to go with you at lunch?”

  “No, that’s okay,” Maria said. “I know you’re backed up. You probably have to talk to Governor Nelson after that last phone call, too.”

  Hendrix chuckled. “Yeah. Everything went according to plan. That’s all I can say now.”

  “Okay,” she said. “I’ll get out of your hair. Want me to put in a call to Nelson?”

  “No, I think I’ll take a stroll over to talk with him. Still don’t trust these phones one hundred percent.”

  “All right,” she said, turning to leave. Hendrix watched her in her tight navy blue dress.

  “I love what you have on,” he said.

  She turned around and smiled. “Used to make me nervous wearing this. I know you liked it. Now I enjoy what it does to you.”

  “I’m gonna make you pay tonight,” Hendrix said.

  “Hope so,” she said softly as she walked back to her desk.

  Hendrix left the office for the Governor’s mansion. It was warm outside. Too warm for a suit. Passers-by nodded warmly to him as he walked. There were a group of reporters hanging around by the entrance to the mansion.

  “Kip Hendrix,” one report said. The others rushed at him like ducks fighting over bread on the water.

  “Sorry, folks, no time now,” Hendrix said. “Maybe when I come back out.”

  He walked up to the security desk. “Kip Hendrix to see Governor Nelson.”

  The receptionist smiled at him. “Good Afternoon, President Pro Tempore Hendrix. I’ll buzz him for you.” She picked up her phone and hit a button as he looked around at the milling people. It was so much busier now than it had been before the war. Before the Republic.

  “You can go on in,” the receptionist said.

  “Thank you,” Hendrix said. He walked past her desk, into the entry way of the mansion. Nelson’s secretary was there to greet him.

  “Hi, Brian,” Hendrix said warmly.

  “Good morning, sir,” Brian said. “Can I take your coat? It’s devilish hot today, and the air conditioning in this building is barely keeping up.”

  “Sure, thanks,” Hendrix said. He took off his coat and handed it to Brian, then followed him up the stairs to the Governor’s private office.

  “Have a seat here. Governor Nelson will be with you shortly.” He scurried away with the coat as Hendrix sat on one of the chairs against the wall.

  “Kip!” Governor Nelson said as he came into the waiting room, hand extended.

  “Good afternoon, Governor,” Hendrix said, shaking hands. They went into the office together.

  “Get a call from the Administration?” Nelson asked, sitting behind his desk. Hendrix sat in a chair facing it.

  “Yep,” Hendrix said. “It was the usual weasel. Franklin.”

  “I hate that guy,” Nelson said. “You plant the seed?”

  “Yep, and I think he swallowed it hook, line, and sinker.”

  “Excellent,” Nelson said. “He get rough with you?”

  “Yeah, and it made the job easier, frankly,” Hendrix said. “I was actually taken aback when he brought up the incident he used. Didn’t think they knew about that one.”

  “Which one was it?” Nelson asked. Then he shook his head. “Never mind. You don’t have to tell me.”

  “I think I should tell you,” Hendrix said. “Might help you plug some holes.”

  “Okay, go ahead,” Nelson said.

  “It was about my secretary Violet, from ten years ago, and her sister Cami,” Hendrix said.

  “I remember Violet, but I don’t remember any scandal about her sister,” Nelson said.

  “Long story,” Hendrix said. “I won’t tell you details. I’m a little bothered about how they found out. Violet came back to Texas, last I heard. They might have somebody here who’s been talking to her.”

  “They have any recent information?”

  “No,” Hendrix said. “Not that they told me, anyway. There is one other thing, though.”

  “What’s that?” Nelson asked.

  “The Medical Center,” Hendrix said. “You know they’re still putting info onto the Federal databases?”

  Nelson leaned back in his chair, thinking. “I’ll have somebody look into that. How do you know?”

  “They knew about Maria,” Hendrix said. “Not that we’re together, but they suspect something, since I was involved in getting her sister committed for observation.”

  “Interesting,” Nelson said. “Deny it and see if they find out more.”

  “I did. You think there are still moles, don’t you?” Hendrix asked.

  “Yep,” Nelson said. “Hell, that’s the main reason I wanted you to float that phony story about New Mexico. I want to see where leakage is coming from. Sooner rather than later, we’ll see stories about Texas’s plan to annex that state, and then we should be able to follow the stories to the source.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” Hendrix said. “That’s all I got.”

  “You think they’re going to call you again?”

  “Oh, I’m certain they will,” Hendrix said.

  “How are you certain?”

  “They sent me a picture of Cami, Violet’s sister, dead on a bed, to prime the pump for next time.”

  Nelson froze. “You didn’t have anything to do that that, did you?”

  “No, she took an overdose of sleeping pills about a year after the last time I saw her,” Hendrix said. “Believe it or not, I didn’t know she’d passed. It was a shock.”

  “Sad,” Nelson said. “Violet’s still okay though, right?”

  “I really have no idea,” Hendrix said. “Maybe we ought to have somebody look into it. She might be seeing somebody about this. Might lead us right to the mole.”

  “That’s a damn good idea,” Nelson said. He got out a pad of paper and his pen. “What was her last name again?”

  “Sanchez,” Hendrix said.

  “Okay, I’ll put somebody on it.”

  “Nobody’s going to hurt her, right?” Hendrix asked.

  “Don’t worry,” Nelson said. “You know I’m not like that.”

  “Okay, sorry,” Hendrix said.

  “You still have feelings for this woman?”

  “Not love, no, but I care about what happens to her,” Hendrix said.

  “Anything else, Kip?”

  “Nope,” Hendrix said. “I’ll let you know when they call again.”
/>   “Thanks,” Nelson said. “From me and from Texas.”

  Hendrix chuckled. “You are Texas, old friend.”

  They shook hands, and Hendrix left.

  Chapter 18 – Choices

  Hannah was walking fast, Brendan barely keeping up.

  “What’s the hurry?” he asked. She kept up the pace. “Hannah, stop!”

  “What?” she asked sharply, turning back towards him as she slowed.

  “Why are you in such a hurry?” he asked. “We’ve got time.”

  “I’m just nervous, that’s all,” she said, “and I want to get one of the units that’s further away from the others.”

  “Why?” Brendan asked.

  She stopped and looked into his eyes. “I know myself,” she said softly. “It’s embarrassing. I’ve been holding back, too.”

  He put his arm around her waist and pulled her close. She resisted, looking away from him.

  “Hannah,” Brendan said.

  She turned to look at him, almost afraid to make eye contact. “What? Let go of me.”

  Brendan let her go and she started walking again. “See that one, with the tree in the backyard?”

  “I see it,” Brendan answered.

  “Let’s look at that one, okay?”

  “Sure,” Brendan said.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, slowing until he caught up. “I’ll settle down.”

  “In your own time,” Brendan said. “Don’t worry about it.”

  She climbed the steps onto the porch of the trailer. A gentle breeze blew the plants on either side of the unit.

  “I like the outside,” Brendan said. He opened the door and waited as she walked in.

  “Nice colors in the living room,” she said, walking around and looking. “What do you think?”

  “I like it,” Brendan said. “Looks like we get afternoon shade on the porch too. Might be a little sunny in the backyard.”

  “We won’t spend much time back there anyway,” Hannah said. She walked into the kitchen and checked cabinets. Brendan noticed her hand trembling as she opened one.

  “Hey, you okay?” he asked, coming up behind her. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her close. She froze for a moment.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, looking down at the counter.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I feel out of control. Dread. Like I’m going to lose you just when we’re getting…” She paused.