by LC Champlin
Gasps and exclamations of disbelief filled the pause.
Chapter 103
Paradigm Shift
The Plague - Fallible
Hand up, Nathan signaled for attention. “Red Chief had information they wanted. Apparently it has to do with stopping the condition’s progress.”
Everyone began talking at once.
“Listen!” he bellowed, standing.
They settled into tense silence.
“Amanda and Jeremy, and my friend Marvin”—nod to the named—“joined me to stop the exchange. The Red Devil Goats are now fractured. The second in command quarreled with Red Chief about their plan.”
“Do the police know?” Carolyn asked. “Did they apprehend the Goats?”
“I’m really not certain. Law enforcement arrived after we left.”
“What became of the information they were exchanging?” Albin enquired.
“We have some of it.” Hopefully all of it. “I also recovered a device the Goats and their client were interested in, but I’m not sure of its function.” Better to downplay the ReMOT’s importance until the control options went live. The fewer questions he had to field, the better.
Carolyn crossed her arms and stroked her chin. “The government can use the information to stop the affected.”
Beside her, Albin nodded. A few days ago, Nathan would have agreed. In fact, he had agreed, handing over the data he took from the terrorists at Doorway Pharmaceuticals. But now, after experiencing the authorities’ impotence, and paradoxically getting fucked by it, one began to wonder about their qualifications. A group of Silicon Valley innovators could outclass government research grunts any day.
“Giving the authorities the files makes me uneasy. The Goats’ client said they had sympathetic parties inside the government.” Hinted would describe the comment better than said, but no matter.
“They can’t be that numerous,” Carolyn responded.
“We’re in Silicon Valley.” Nathan headed into his argument: “This city was built on technological innovation. In this small area of California are tech and medical companies that lead the world in cutting-edge advancements. Many of you work for them.”
People nodded.
“On this peninsula we have some of those technologically advanced facilities. With a little work, we might be able to unlock the secrets of the Goats’ information. If the group that created the cannibals is so anxious to obtain it, we should be at least slightly curious about its contents.”
Carolyn sighed. “That’s why the government’s people should have it.”
“I agree, but I believe we should save copies for ourselves. If we make progress on the files, I will offer it to the government.” A lie, but it calmed her.
“Nathan, as much as I would love to help stop this epidemic, we’re not safe here.”
“I understand your motivation.” This he aimed at the people. “You have children you want to protect. But I ask you to think of what leaving here will mean for you and, most importantly, for them.”
Though Albin’s expression remained impassive, his tense posture radiated warning. No matter; he’d come around soon.
“The police and military don’t have the manpower to force you to leave. Also, consider how overloaded the emergency shelters are. You’re not near the attacks. While there are some cannibals here, they’re relatively few.”
“They are increasing, though,” Carolyn pointed out. “Heron Court is proof.”
“We can hold them off, or wait until they pass by. Redwood Shores is only easily accessible from the southwest. If the government delivers supplies, sheltering in place is a viable option. They may even agree to providing guards.”
The older woman shook her head, mouth set in determination. “It’s too dangerous. We have relatives and friends outside who will take us in.”
“Have you spoken to them since the attacks?”
Albin cut in, “The authorities will provide a structured method of transferring to other locations.”
Damn it, Albin! Did he forget who retained him as an attorney? “Even if they do, will they be able to provide for and protect you in an evacuation shelter? What if the cannibal outbreak sweeps through the people there?” He spread his hands. “At least here you’re among friends in familiar territory.”
“This place,” Carolyn pointed out the window, “has been overrun by raiders multiple times. Jeremy Nelson”—gesture to the father, who ignored her as he held his son—“was kidnapped from his home. As an upper socioeconomic status neighborhood, we are a target.”
Albin looked over his glasses at Nathan. “Sir, may we take a recess for a moment?”
“We’re not in court, Albin, but yes.”
“I wish a word with you.”
The phrase I wish a word with you struck dread in the hearts of 99% of those who heard it from Albin. It would usually even give Nathan pause, causing a mental montage of every action that might have upset the attorney, including those other people had committed. But not today.
The throng parted to allow the men to pass. Nathan led the way outside. The instant the door closed behind them, he spun to face his adviser.
“Mr. Serebus.” Albin cut him off mid-breath. “Our priority needs to be to return home. We have done what we can here.” He held an arm toward the house, as if to include the entire population of Redwood Shores. “Even if we protect them in the short term, we cannot stay. The best course is to let them seek shelter where they will not be targets. We are not equipped to protect them. They are also low on resources.” He sighed, jaw muscles tensing. “I thought you were as eager as I to return to New York—and to our family.”
“Of course I want to go home, but we have two weeks to take advantage of this crisis.”
“Will it be at their expense?”
“It’s investing—”
The door opened and Amanda stepped out. “I’m sorry to interrupt, guys, but Carolyn just left to go to her house. The people over there radioed to say the police wanted to talk to her.”
Bloody interruptions. With a grunt of annoyance, Nathan stalked toward Amanda. Fuck relying on the police. In a few days, if that long, they’d take to the streets in a repeat of post-Hurricane-Katrina New Orleans, where LEOs drove luxury vehicles off lots and ransacked stores.
He headed inside, shouldering through the crowd to the front door. “Go home, everyone. We’ll let you know when we’re going to resume.”
“I’ll drive,” Amanda volunteered.
“No. I will.”
Chapter 104
Mala Fide
Dead Man - Rhett Walker Band
Albin waited a beat after the door closed behind Mr. Serebus and Amanda, then motioned for Bridges to follow. “Marvin, keys.”
“I’m going too.” The economist’s simmering anger brought a flush to his face.
“Very well.”
Bridges stormed ahead to the truck, starting the engine as Albin swung in.
“Albin, I have to tell you something. I should have done it earlier, but . . .”
“Then speak.”
Eyes on the road, Bridges took a deep breath. “Ken didn’t betray us, at least not how you think. Nathan tried to kill him in order to take over the Oshiro. That’s why Ken locked us out.”
“Excuse me?” Albin glared at the slanderer. “That is a serious accusation. Now is not the time—”
“I saw him on the glasses. Ken put the security-camera feed through. I can’t be sure, given the augmented reality, but it certainly looked and sounded like Nathan. I think Mikhail saw it too.”
“What did you see?”
“Nathan . . .” Blanching, Bridges paused to gulp. “Nathan shot what he thought was Ken but what was really a screen.”
What did one say to that? Nothing, because Bridges pressed on: “He worked with Sarge against Red. That’s fine!” He held his fingers up from the wheel in defense. “But then Nathan
cleared the way for him to escape.” Face reddening again, the economist glared at the road as a substitute for Mr. Serebus. “I-I think Nathan started the frequency broadcast, too.”
“The Goats possessed the frequency pattern? But why did they not use it earlier? They—”
“There was another group of mercenaries at the radio station. They probably had the pattern. Division of labor, so to speak, so the right hand doesn’t know who the left is stabbing.
“Nathan claims Red started the broadcast, but the power to the station was off when I saw Red run out the back door. Then the lights came back on. We risked our lives to stop them, and Nathan turned around and—” Bridges choked himself off. “I know, you’re going to say he has a plan, but he told you to send the police to other areas so the Goats could have an escape route!”
Albin blinked. Bridges had no reason to fabricate the claims. Mr. Serebus sought victory, and if no one restrained him, the means he employed to achieve it might indeed turn objectionable. “Why tell me this now?”
“Hey, I know Nathan’s motive is good: he wants to protect us. I get that. But after a while, what do the ends matter when the means are repulsive?”
“Certainly Mr. Serebus can provide a suitable explanation.” Yet doubt remained, gaining strength in the shadows.
“Albin.” Bridges spared him a glance as they approached Carolyn’s street. “He tried to kill Ken in his own Oshiro.”
With a sigh, Albin let his head fall back against the headrest.
++++++++++++
Ahead, Carolyn pulled into her driveway.
Nathan parked across the street, three houses down from hers, since other vehicles occupied the closer slots.
Beside him, Amanda released her seat belt. “Wait.” He held an arm out to stop her from exiting. “Look around.”
“What?”
No hostiles in the mirrors. No movement among the shrubs.
Amanda looked about. “Where are the cops?”
A black Sierra with a donut on its left front occupied a driveway beside Carolyn’s. “That truck belongs to Loto, Eduardo’s friend.”
“Is Loto a threat?”
“We’ll see.” Hand on his weapon, Nathan pushed out of the Genesis. Keeping the cars between him and the target, he started toward Carolyn’s residence.
Carolyn exited her vehicle and strode toward her front door. A dark blur, then a bloodied, wild-eyed man had her by the front of her shirt, the point of a knife on her sternal notch.
“Eduardo,” Nathan breathed as he shoved Amanda down behind a vehicle, ducking with her. Fixated on his prey, Eduardo didn’t notice them.
“Shit!” Amanda hissed. “I thought the cannibals got him.”
“Obviously not.” Gold eyes watched from the back of Nathan’s mind while the cool alertness of a hunter came over him.
Across the street, the maniac pushed Carolyn—who had her hands up in surrender—back toward her vehicle. He wanted to leave crime scene A for crime scene B.
Per the FBI, 60% of people who held another person at gunpoint wouldn’t actually shoot. That meant 40% would. Did this hold true for knife wielders? If it did, and if Eduardo fell in the latter percentage, he would solve the problem of Carolyn’s opposition to Nathan’s agenda. Morbid but true.
“Yeah, back up, bitch!” Eduardo shoved her, almost making her fall. His hands shook. “Where’s your murdering friend? Huh?” He paused for a wet cough. “That’s right, he tried to kill me. He left me to the cannibals.”
I should have shot you, not the Dalits. The Glock slid from its holster.
“I’m sorry that happened,” Carolyn responded with the calm of a hostage negotiator. “But you survived. We can work things out. Where there’s life, there’s hope.”
“Survived?” Eduardo crowed the laugh of the deranged. “No! No, I didn’t survive.” A rictus of insanity in place, he leaned in as he moved the blade to the angle of her jaw.
No victim, she held his gaze. “What do you mean?”
“I’m dead!” He bawled the last word, making her wince.
At this, the front door opened. Four residents stepped out, only to freeze when they saw the hostage situation. Mrs. Wong elbowed to the fore, then joined the others in paralysis.
“Back off or I kill her!” Eduardo yanked Carolyn before him as a shield. Blade to her throat, he backed toward her vehicle. She stumbled along with him.
Amanda grabbed Nathan’s arm. “Nathan—”
Already standing, he shook her off. “Put it down, Eduardo.” Keeping his pistol in semi-compressed ready, elbows against his ribs, Nathan edged around the car. “If you have a problem with me, let’s settle it man to man.”
The lunatic dragged Carolyn about to face the new threat. “I got a problem with you, yeah, since you led us all into a trap.” Rage twisted his features. “Those fucking monsters ate my friends because of you. And because of you.” He snarled this to Carolyn, pulling her closer. The knife glinted.
“Eduardo,” Nathan interrupted the crazy-train’s acceleration. “Listen. You can put the knife down and we can work things out, or I can put you down. The police are coming anyway.”
Carolyn raised her hands higher. “Eduardo, we—”
“Shut up, bitch! Next word is your last.”
“Eduardo.” Amanda rose slowly from behind the car. “Ed. We need to stick together. This is difficult for us all.”
He sniffed, then coughed. “I-I only want justice before I die.”
Amanda shook her head. “You don’t have to die.”
“Heh,” he wheezed. “I told you, I’m already dead.”
Of course! “The oil. It splashed you.” Dead man walking.
“Yeah.” The damned soul’s left shoulder twitched, then his thigh, making him grab Carolyn tighter for balance.
“Put the knife down before you hurt her.” Nathan pushed the pistol out another two inches for a better stance. Thanks to the rib fractures, taking careful aim proved painful.
“No!” The blade flashed in the sun.
The front sight came into focus as Nathan’s finger took out the slack in the trigger.
Movement on the left, in his periphery. A body collided with his hip, jarring his aim—and his finger.
Bang!
Carolyn and Eduardo staggered backward. Time slowed to quarter speed as they fell.
Chapter 105
Friendly Fire
Destroy the Obvious - Evans Blue
No. No, that didn’t just happen. Heat like a kiln’s washed over Nathan. He swallowed down bile. Darkness edged his sight, tunneled his vision.
Twitching, jerking, the infected waste of meat formerly known as Eduardo pulled itself onto its stomach. Beside it, Carolyn choked on her own blood as she clawed to get away from her kidnapper. The puddle of red around them grew into a pool.
Behind the victims, the residents gaped, as mobile and helpful as statues.
A weight struck Nathan’s thigh again. He dropped his CG by reflex. What the—Amanda and Eduardo’s cohort Loto wrestled on the ground. She’d managed to take his back and was attempting a choke.
“Motherfucker!” Nathan roared. He whipped the pistol into the bastard’s jaw, pivoting to throw his weight into the strike. Bone crunched. “It’s your fucking fault!”
Threat dispatched, Nathan dashed toward Carolyn. Stop the bleeding and—
“Stop!”
Albin’s command triggered the conditioned response, jerking Nathan to a halt so quickly he almost fell. He pivoted to face the attorney—and instead faced the muzzle of a pistol. Beyond it, Albin glared at him. An enemy behind him? Nathan spun. Nothing. Wait, that meant Albin aimed the weapon at him.
“Step away from her, sir.”
Teeth bared, Nathan faced him. “It was an accident. His idiot friend ran into me!”
Uncertainty flashed over Albin’s face.
Back to Carolyn—
Bang!
Bang!
Carolyn’s head jerked. A gout of red and white exploded from her ear. She collapsed, eyes bulging like a mouse’s after the trap bar crushes its neck.
Reality ceased as dreamtime took over. None of this is happening. Nathan watched himself whirl toward the shots’ origin.
“You’re fucking welcome.” Red swaggered out from behind a line of shrubs, carbine raised and skull mask in place. “Now you got two less troublemakers. They were lost causes anyway.” Stopping, he cocked his head and regarded Nathan. “Bet you thought you’d won the day like a big fucking hero.”
“It’s over.” Nathan settled deeper into his fighting stance. “You lost.”
“I can’t let you keep the ReMOT. You know ’at.”
“The police will be here soon.”
“Nah, they’re busy on the north side, the radio station, and the water treatment place. I radioed over here and claimed they wanted to talk to her”—the red monster nodded toward Carolyn’s body—“to get y’all to the party. I didn’t expect that dumb fuck Eddy to show up. But hey!” He spread his arms. “It all worked out. Now hand over the box if you don’t wanna lose your joints slowly. Or I guess I can always get one of yer bitches to tell me where it is.”
“I’m the only one who knows where—”
Clang! Metal on metal.
“Come on, you fucking bastard!” Jeremy? His voice came from behind the house. “Let’s see how you like your precious truck getting knocked in!”