Holding Their Own XI: Hearts and Minds

by Joe Nobody

  “Let’s hope the general public reacts a little more favorably than our friends in Fort Davidson,” Diana replied. “We can’t handle widespread public unrest. The whole ball of wax will come apart at the seams.”

  The foursome continued their stroll, enjoying the cooler weather and clear night… all of them apparently deep in thought.

  After a bit, Bishop paused and waited until his friends and wife gathered close. In a low voice, he said, “What bothers me the most is how believable Katherine Baxter’s spin job came across. She basically rewrote recent history with negative accusations of the Alliance’s role, and if I hadn’t pulled off my little stunt, it would have worked.”

  “Why?” Diana replied. “To whose advantage is it to make us look like the bad guys?”

  Terri nodded, “You know, I feel like sometimes I get the same reaction from Chase. It seems like our new ambassador looks at everything we’re trying to accomplish as some sort of threat. It’s almost like he expects the council to be these evil, power grabbing bunch of megalomaniacs.”

  Bishop waved his hand through the air at the mention of the diplomat, “That doesn’t surprise me one bit. That inbreed is not to be trusted.”

  “Maybe you are right,” Terri replied, ignoring the politically incorrect assessment about Chase’s lineage, “but we can’t discount that line of thinking. The more the recovery progresses, the less effort people have to spend on basic food, shelter, and security. The average Joe Nobody is going to have more time to dissect every move we make. I think Chase already expects us to be corrupt, probably because that is what he found in the world of professional politics before the apocalypse. Other folks might expect us to abuse our authority as well.”

  “Private property has always been the touchiest of subjects,” Nick added. “Machiavelli wrote about it over 500 years ago. His book, The Prince, basically stated that a ruler could get away with murder, war for profit, consignment, outrageous taxation, and sleeping with every female in the village, as long as he didn’t seize private property.”

  Sighing, Terri continued, “I dunno. I think it’s more than just that. It’s almost as if Chase is waiting for the power and authority to go to our heads. He keeps looking for proof that the Alliance is becoming authoritarian or some sort of brutal dictatorship.”

  “Power corrupts,” Bishop added. “Always has and always will. The difference with the Alliance is that its authority is tenuous as best. I worked with Diana day and night the last few weeks, and her role is about as far away from a dictator as you can get. You poor woman,” Bishop continued, smiling as his friend, “Anybody who thinks your office is the pinnacle of political desire should walk a mile in your shoes. I’m sure they would be rambling lunatics in a matter of days.”

  Diana smiled warmly, a twinkle of appreciation in her eyes.

  The conversation was interrupted, the sound of a racing car engine drawing everyone’s attention. Around the corner squealed a police car, its red lights flashing their urgent warning.

  The two couples watched as the deputy raced down Main Street, the responding officer pulling a hard right turn at the next intersection. Before anyone could react, another squad car followed.

  “Wonder what’s going on?” Nick said, glancing at his mates. “Anybody want to walk over and be nosey civilians for a change?”

  “Sure,” Bishop replied. “I’m always up for a little excitement. My life is so routine and mundane, ya know?”

  The foursome found the two flashing police cars parked outside a small office building that Nick recognized immediately as his doctor’s office. “What the hell… I was just here yesterday.”

  The two officers then appeared, both of them holstering their weapons after clearing the interior. “No one is inside now, Doc. It looks like he left via one of the back windows,” one of the lawmen stated. “Did you get a good look at the guy?”

  “No, not really,” replied the frightened physician. “I returned to get some forgotten paperwork off my desk. I heard a noise in the back and saw the burglar walking down the hall. It was dark, and he had his back to me. I ran over to the courthouse and asked one of the security men to radio for help.”

  “Come on inside with me, and we’ll see what is missing,” the deputy replied. “They were probably after prescription meds. We’re seeing a lot of that lately.”

  “But I don’t keep any medications here. Those are all down at the pharmacy in the safe.”

  “Yes, sir,” nodded the deputy, “But criminals are stupid. They probably don’t know that. Let’s go check to see if they took anything. My bet is that you scared them off before they could dig around for anything valuable.”

  Terri subconsciously moved closer to Bishop, her hand checking the pistol at her belt. “Should we help the officers try and find the culprit?”

  Bishop shook his head, “Naw. I’ve not had a lot of luck lately helping out law enforcement. We need to let the cops do their jobs. Besides, somebody might get shot if a bunch of us start poking around. They’ll find him.”

  “I hope so,” Diana shuddered. “Nothing worse than some creepy guy stalking around at night.”

  Nick remained silent, staring at the doc’s office with a far-away look. His thoughts were being carried back to his last visit and the issues associated with his condition. It was a reminder the big man didn’t need or want.

  “You okay?” Diana asked, sensing his unease.

  “Yeah… yeah, I’m good,” he lied.

  She started to challenge his statement but then reconsidered. Hooking arms, she said, “Let’s head home. It’s been one hell of a day, and tomorrow is going to be worse.”

  Nick’s coffee seemed extra strong for some reason, the ex-operator frowning as he swallowed the first sip. It wasn’t a good omen.

  He was about to water down the steaming brew when a rap on his doorframe sounded. Looking up, he was a little surprised to see Chase McGuire standing at his office’s threshold.

  “Sorry to drop by without an appointment,” the ambassador greeted, “but this visit is of an unofficial nature anyway.”

  “Oh?”

  Chase entered Nick’s small enclave, closing the door behind him without seeking approval. Nick decided, for the advancement of diplomatic relations, to let it go.

  “I heard about the break-in at the doctor’s office last night, and… well… I was out walking about the same time and spotted something quite troubling,” Chase began.

  “You should inform Sheriff Watt’s department immediately,” Nick replied, despite having his curiosity piqued.

  “Normally I would, but given what I witnessed, I thought it best to come to you first.”

  “Go on.”

  “The big guy who works with Terri’s husband… the same man I saw the night of our confrontation… I’m pretty sure I saw him running away from that office building last night, right before I heard the police cars responding.”

  Nick grunted at the absurdity of Chase’s statement. “Butter? Seriously? You think that kid broke into the doctor’s office?”

  “I can’t be 100% sure given it was dark and I only got a quick glimpse, but there aren’t that many men walking around Alpha, Texas who are that big and that fast. I’m pretty confident it was him.”

  Nick rubbed his chin, trying desperately to control the belly laugh fighting to escape his throat. No need to cause an international incident, he thought.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Ambassador, but I’m having a little trouble believing that. Any of my SAINT team members could walk up to the doctor’s house, day or night. Butter, or any of those men, would have no reason for breaking and entering.”

  Chase shrugged, “I’m just trying to be helpful. I’m afraid I’m in no position to speculate as to the reason why that man would do such a thing. What you choose to do with this information, however, is up to you.”

  “There is no reason why Butter would even consider such an act,” Nick replied instantly. “That’s why I’m having
a little trouble taking this seriously. I’m sure it was someone else.”

  “The man’s loyalty to Bishop is amazing,” Chase continued. “That was clear the night we tangled. I was quite surprised he and the older guy… Grim was his name as I recall… didn’t back down when you issued what sounded like a direct order.”

  Waving off the incident, Nick replied, “We had a little talk about that. SAINT team members face some of the most challenging conditions of all those who serve the Alliance. They tend to become an extremely tight-knit brotherhood. In the heat of the situation that night, I don’t blame Grim and Butter for supporting their leader. Still, we had a clearing of the air regarding the chain of command.”

  Chase began to rise, a look of disappointment on his face. “I’ll leave you to your calendar then,” he said with a hint of exasperation. “Clearly I’m adding two plus two and coming up with five. You know your people, and I should just butt out.”

  Tilting his head, Nick said, “Mr. McGuire, I’m not much of a diplomat. I’ve been a fighting man most of my career and am not well versed in the subtleties of your profession or language. In my world, if a man has something to say, it’s best to come straight out with it.”

  The ambassador seemed to ponder Nick’s declaration for a moment before retaking his seat. “Okay, I’ll be blunt. I like you and think you are doing an excellent job with your responsibilities. I can say the same of Miss Brown. As an outsider, I see things a little differently than others, and I’ve become aware of certain troubling events.”

  “Go on.”

  “For example, my security men now work with your forces. My guys report to me that while you were in the hospital at Fort Bliss, Bishop was spending an inordinate amount of time in the company of Miss Brown. Now, what I’ve heard is purely secondhand, but you are familiar with security professionals and must realize that such men don’t normally partake in gossip and wild rumor. I’m being told that Bishop’s activities were completely inappropriate and had several members of Diana’s protection detail concerned.”

  “That’s ridiculous!” Nick snapped. “Bishop is my closest friend on this earth. I have put not only my life but also my only son’s well-being in his hands numerous times. I’m well aware of his activities while I was away, and appreciate his helping Diana through a very rough time.”

  Chase held up both hands in mock surrender, “I meant no offense, nor have I heard a single word about Miss Brown accommodating his advances. I’m just the messenger, sir.”

  Nick half rose from his chair, the big man’s anger showing in his intense gaze and red cheeks. “You’d better be careful of what messages you go around delivering, sir. If Bishop got word that you were spreading bullshit like that around town, I think you would have another confrontation on your hands… and I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t survive it.”

  The ambassador didn’t seem to be intimidated by Nick’s ire. In fact, the big man’s reaction appeared to have a calming effect. “I don’t think my facts are bullshit, nor am I worried about your hot-headed friend. The Alliance is on the verge of obtaining incredible power, wealth, and control. We both know such prizes can corrupt the best of men. I’m merely pointing out a series of undisputed facts that, in my opinion, indicate the distinct possibility of treachery within your inner circles.”

  Nick wanted to throw Chase out of his office, to bounce the ambassador’s ass right down the courthouse steps and onto Main Street. It took all of his discipline to remain seated and calm. “What sequence of facts? What treachery?”

  “Please, think about this for a minute, Nick. I strongly advise you to open your mind and hear me out. Bishop’s last two operations were, by all accounts, dismal failures. He specifically requested that you and Miss Brown stay away from Fort Davidson during the confrontation with the ranchers. Why? All of the supposed witnesses to the crux of his story are now dead, and the situation is far from resolved. Even if his actions during your hospitalization were honorable, the appearance of such inappropriate conduct could be very damaging. A true friend would have considered public opinion before spending the night… several nights… in Diana’s private quarters.”

  Grunting, Nick decided to let the lunatic continue. How far will this crazy bastard go with this shit?

  “Your friend’s former boss, a man he worked for long before he met you, is now the President of the United States,” Chase continued. “It was on Bishop’s counsel to Miss Brown that I was given this very assignment. Has it ever occurred to you that your friend might not want Texas to succeed as an independent nation? Have you ever looked at his actions in that light? A man like that could be having second thoughts about his loyalties.”

  “And I suppose you think Terri is part of this subterfuge?”

  Chase nodded, “Yes, in my conversations with her, I detect a very distinct edge to her words. I know Terri better than anyone, and I can say with certainty that she isn’t confident in the path the Alliance is taking. Didn’t she resign from an official position within the government just a short time ago?”

  “Yes,” Nick admitted. “She wanted to spend time with her family. I can certainly understand that.”

  “I see,” the ambassador said, rising from his chair, aware that his concerns weren’t being taken seriously. Chase turned to leave but then paused at the door, deciding to take one last shot at making his point.

  “Nick, I know you think I’m insane or have some hidden agenda. In a way, I don’t suppose I blame you. But please, look at this from my perspective. First, I hear official reports of Bishop’s failures and unexplainable acts during his recent missions. Secondly, I know his men are absolutely loyal to him. Then there’s the fact that I saw you leaving the doctor’s office just a few days ago, and you were clearly troubled at the time. And now, last night, I saw this man Butter running away from the scene of a crime at that same office... where private information about your health is filed… information you clearly don’t want to be made public. Am I really being absurd?”

  Nick rose, somewhat stunned by how a man assigned as an ambassador could connect the dots in such a bizarre manner. Still, he had to humor the man. “No, you're not absurd, Mr. McGuire. I’ll look into a few of the facts that’s you’ve shared with me... ask a few questions. I appreciate your coming by.”

  After shaking hands and watching his unscheduled visitor leave, Nick returned to his perch and thought about the oddity of it all.

  “Bishop was right,” he whispered, staring at the door. “That guy isn’t to be trusted.”

  Still, Nick was troubled by the break-in. No matter how outlandish, the concept that someone could have been reading his private medical records was troubling. There were some things that were better left to patient-doctor privilege.

  After checking his calendar, Nick marched into his assistant’s office and said, “Can you reschedule my first two meetings? Something’s come up. Oh, and which guesthouse is Butter staying in? I need to speak with him.”

  It had taken some convincing before Mack had allowed Sheriff Watts to inspect one of the dead strangers’ vans.

  The vehicle, like so many in the post-apocalyptic world, didn’t possess license plates, an inspection sticker, or any sort of registration papers. Nor did the Alliance lawman have access to the vast network of state and federal computers database that had been so commonly used before the collapse.

  That, however, didn’t mean that Watts was completely helpless.

  With the practiced eye, he circled the late-model panel van, taking note of various details. The first major clue to catch the sheriff’s eye was the sticky outline where the old registration sticker had once resided on the windshield. It was a unique, unmistakable, shape. Watts was reasonably sure the van had at one time been registered in Oklahoma.

  He also found it interesting that all three of the vehicles were the same make, model, and year. Each van was identically equipped, and obviously a base model with few bells and whistles. These were fleet units, probabl
y purchased by a corporation or other business entity, and most likely were from the Sooner State.

  The vehicles’ remarkable lack of fingerprints, food wrappers, cigarette butts, or any other sort of human-generated debris was also troubling.

  In a way, Watts felt like he was a sheriff from the old days, depending on only what clues his eyes, ears and sometimes sense of smell could collect.

  Years ago, when computers had first started working their way into the daily routine of rural law enforcement, Watts had been slow to embrace the technology. He was old school, beginning his career in an era when a man’s judgment and common sense played more of a role than DNA samples or mobile phone tracking.

  That, however, quickly changed. As a dedicated peace officer, Watts found his ability to protect the county’s citizens was far more effective if he utilized technology. It was his sworn duty, and if any tool increased his efficiency, he was all for it.

  Now, post-downfall, it was back to square one, the primary instrument in his arsenal today being experience, closely followed by common sense.

  In reality, the vehicles Nick had asked him to investigate could have come from anywhere. Watts didn’t think so. Gasoline, up until a short time ago, had been in such short supply not many people would’ve had the resource to move one, let alone three vans around the middle of the country. No, he would report back that it was his learned opinion the three vehicles had arrived in Texas most likely from some corporation in Oklahoma.

  Cam lowered the report to his desktop, only a slight grimace showing at the corners of his mouth. His team of Recon Marines had been wiped out by a man, Bishop managing to yet again escape the reaper’s hand.

  “It doesn’t matter,” he whispered, “we are sowing seeds of discourse, and not all of them can be expected to grow.”

  His plan was moving forward, mostly on schedule. The opportunity to discredit, or perhaps kill, one of the Alliance’s leading figures had been a long shot, not a prerequisite to success.