by Robert Boren
“Well, you do look like a fireman!” Malcolm said, extending his hand. “Malcolm Davis.”
“Boy am I glad to see you,” Hank said.
“That’s Ted and Dobie,” Malcolm said. “Better meet the dogs.”
Hank squatted down as Dobie brought them over. “Where’s Frank and Jane?”
“They’re at the trail head,” Malcolm said. “In their motor home, watching the road.”
“I’m stuck,” Hank said. “Think you can pull me out with that winch?”
“Oh, hell yeah,” Malcolm said. “Piece of cake.”
“What are we gonna do?” Sarah asked.
“Why don’t you put your phone on speaker and gather around with Hank,” Frank said.
“Okay.” She put her phone on the hood of the Jeep and put it on speaker.
“You hear us?” Sarah asked.
“Yep,” Jane said.
“We can hear you loud and clear from Kansas,” Jerry said.
“Kansas?” Hank asked.
“We’re on a web meeting with home base,” Frank said. “There’s four of us here at the trailhead. Six counting Duchess and Lucy. There’s four or five from Kansas listening in.”
“Who else is at the trail head?” Hank asked.
“A friend named Gabe, and an FBI Agent.”
“Frank, I’ll have to pull Hank’s truck out of the muck,” Malcolm said. “Probably take ten to fifteen minutes. Want to leave after that?”
“Well, we probably should, before the bad guys figure out where we are.”
“Where should we go?” Sarah asked.
“We’re hoping you’ll come to our RV Park in Kansas, at least until this mess blows over,” Frank said. “You two okay with that?”
Sarah looked at Hank, and he nodded yes.
“Yes, daddy, we’d like that.”
“Good, then you guys get the truck pulled out. See you in a few minutes.”
“All right, let’s get to work,” Malcolm said. Sarah took her phone, and Malcolm got into the Jeep and drove it over to the truck. Hank stood by the winch and pushed the button as the Jeep idled, pulling out cable and heading for his truck. He got underneath the bed and clipped the hook onto his frame, then got in the truck cab.
“Better move, honey,” Hank said. “Away from that cable, in case it breaks.”
“Okay,” she said, moving behind the Jeep.
“Ready, Malcolm?” Hank shouted.
“Yeah,” he said, standing by his winch. He had his leather gloves on.
Hank started the truck and put it in reverse, as Malcolm hit the winch button. There was the sound of straining motors and metal, and then the truck rolled backwards, out of the muck.
“Got it!” Hank shouted. He backed up a little further as Malcolm took up the slack. Hank stopped the truck and raced around to the back, unhooking the winch. “That ought to do it. Thanks!”
Malcolm reeled in the cable as Hank backed up to the Jeep.
“That was easier than I thought it would be,” Malcolm said as Hank joined him.
“There’s nothing like a Jeep,” Hank said. “Want to get another one someday.”
“Hey,” Jerry said over the meeting. “You got company coming!”
“Oh, shit,” Frank said. “What do you see?”
“Three vehicles heading down that road you guys came in on.”
Chapter 16 – The Long Dirt Road
“How far are the vehicles?” Malcolm asked, as he got behind the wheel of the Jeep.
“They’re just at the start of the dirt road,” Jerry said. “They aren’t going very fast. They might just be fishermen, you know.”
“So, what do we do?” Frank asked. “Get onto the ridges and get ready for a battle?”
“Maybe,” General Hogan said. “How long will it take for the others to get back to you?”
“We didn’t go in that far, general,” Dobie said. “We’ll be out in about ten minutes, assuming we don’t get stuck in that deep wash.”
“You go across first, Malcolm,” Jerry said. “You can winch the truck across if you need to.”
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking,” Malcolm said.
“Are you guys visible from the road, Frank?” General Hogan asked.
“No, we’re in a clearing off the road,” Frank said. “There’s only one way in and out. Not great.”
“They stopped,” Jerry said. He leaned back in his chair. “They’re on a spot in the road close to that big creek. Probably just fishermen.”
“Or they might be setting up an ambush for whoever comes down the road,” Malcolm said.
“This makes me really nervous,” Jane said.
“You and me both,” Jasmine said.
“Here comes that big wash across the trail,” Malcolm said. “Keep your fingers crossed.”
The sound of the engine gunning came over the speakers.
“C’mon, dammit,” Dobie said
“Son of a bitch,” Malcolm said. The engine noise ramped up, and then went back to normal.
“Got it,” Ted said.
“Here comes the truck,” Dobie said.
The sound of an engine gunning came over the speaker again. The truck went through without a problem.
“What happened?” Jerry asked.
“They got right through,” Malcolm said, laughing. “Hey, Hank, how’d you do that?”
“I know what the best angle is,” he said. “Been here a lot of times before. Plus this truck is pretty far from stock. Still not as good as a Jeep, but close.”
“Hey, Hank, do a lot of people go fishing about two hundred yards down the dirt road?” Gabe asked.
“Yeah, there’s a great spot there. Lots of brownies, and the creek is a short walk from the road.” Hank said.
“Let’s get moving,” Malcolm said. “Just in case they aren’t fishermen.”
“Yeah,” Frank said. “You armed, Hank?”
“Yeah, got several rifles, a shotgun, two pistols, and my crossbow.”
“Man after my own heart,” Malcolm said. “Come on, guys, let’s go.”
The sound of car doors came over the speaker.
“Those other vehicles still stopped?” Frank asked.
“Yeah, and there’s six guys walking down towards the stream,” Jerry said.
“Why only six, if they brought three vehicles?” Dobie asked.
“Good question,” General Hogan said.
“Keep an eye on them,” Malcolm said. “Maybe we stop a couple hundred yards away from those vehicles and sneak up with our crossbows, just to make sure.”
“Yeah,” Jerry said.
***
George and Heidi walked towards the barn.
“I could use a drink,” Heidi said. George nodded and they went down the steps. General Hogan saw him come in and motioned him over. Heidi walked to the bar.
“You want drink?” Rosie asked softly.
“Yeah,” Heidi said. “Why’s everybody so quiet?”
“Operation going on in Montana,” Charlie said. “They’re running a web meeting over there, and monitoring the satellite feed.”
“Oh,” Heidi said. “Guess that’s where George will be, then. He probably won’t be drinking.”
“Well, you can have drink,” Rosie said. “What want?”
“Surprise me,” Heidi said.
“That’s a dangerous thing to say to Rosie,” the Sheriff said.
“Weng Weng coming right up,” Rosie said.
Charlie, Kurt, and the Sheriff laughed quietly. Heidi looked at them, wondering what the joke was. Frankie and Jake turned towards her, smiling.
“How are you doing, Heidi?” Jake asked. “You’ve met Frankie, haven’t you?”
“I’m fine,” Heidi said, smiling. “Yes, I’ve met Frankie, but we haven’t talked much yet.”
“Have a seat,” Frankie said, grinning. “There’s an open stool right here.”
“Thanks,” Heidi said. Rosie slid the Weng Weng to her.
“This place bothers you, doesn’t it?” Frankie asked.
“I know what went on here,” Heidi said. “I watched that awful video, and met some of the people who used to hang out here, too.”
Frankie studied her face, brow furrowing. “They took you prisoner.”
“Yes, a long time ago. How did you know that?” Heidi whispered.
“She’s pretty sensitive,” Jake said.
“Psychic?”
“Yeah, she’s got a gift,” Jake whispered.
“So do you, Jake,” Frankie said.
“Really?” Heidi asked. “I don’t remember hearing about that.”
“I don’t like to mention it,” Jake said. “People think I’m nutty enough as it is.”
Frankie touched his shoulder. “You care too much about what others think, sweetie.”
“Maybe,” he said. “You knew Jason Beckler and Earl Wilson, didn’t you?”
“I only met them once,” she said. “They caught Jill and me. Had a monster named Carol hold us prisoner while the battle was going on in Anza. They both died in that battle.”
Frankie stared at Heidi’s eyes with an intensity that scared her.
“Honey, take it easy,” Jake said.
“Those two aren’t the source of your worry,” Frankie whispered.
“I didn’t say I was worried about them, I just don’t like the vibe down here,” Heidi said, getting defensive.
“The darkness you’re fighting is in your own heart. The shame.”
Heidi stared at her, eyes welling with tears.
“It wasn’t your fault, Heidi,” Frankie said, sitting up straighter on her stool. “You have to know that.”
“Shit, you know all of it, don’t you?” Heidi whispered.
“You’re putting it out like a beacon. The person who you really want to tell has picked up more of it than you think.”
Heidi took a sip of her drink. Her eyes got bigger. “What’s in this?” She was too loud, and covered her mouth quickly, looking around to see who heard her.
Kurt snickered. “Just about everything in the bar. Learned my lesson. I leave them alone now.”
“Relax,” Rosie said. “Party drink. You and George have great victory. Celebrate.”
She took another sip. “Second sip tastes better.”
“George and General Hogan are going in the back bedrooms,” the Sheriff whispered. “Somethings up.”
“Want to go join them?” Charlie asked.
“No, they’ll tell us if it’s important,” the Sheriff said.
“Let’s go see how the mission in Montana is going,” Kurt said. Charlie and the Sheriff nodded, getting up.
“I’ll go too,” Jake said, following them. Frankie and Heidi watched them walk away.
“What can you see?” Heidi whispered to Frankie.
“A terrified young woman who used her body to comfort herself, and later save herself,” Frankie said. “You got too close to the flame, though, and it changed you.”
“I want to tell him.”
“Don’t force yourself to do that. It won’t change things for him. He already knows what happened. Not all of the details, but close enough. Trust me, he worships the ground you walk on in spite of it.”
“How can he know?”
“He’s of that world, and he knows the people who were involved,” Frankie said. “He knows of the comfort part of it because he heard the two men talk about it.”
“Oh, no,” Heidi said.
“Don’t worry,” Frankie said. “It’s okay. If that bothered him, he wouldn’t be with you now. This man will never leave you. Ever. Can’t you tell? You’re the love of his life.”
“Then why shouldn’t I tell him the rest?”
“Because then you’ll always see the hurt look on his face when you told him. He won’t be able to hide his emotions, even though he won’t leave you because of them. He knows enough, and it’s faded over the years. Let it die. It’s not you anymore. You survived. Most of the people involved in that world are dead and gone.”
“Do you know what happened to Jill?” Heidi asked. “I tried and tried to find her.”
“Let sleeping dogs lie,” Frankie said.
“She died,” Heidi said.
Frankie reluctantly nodded yes.
“I was afraid of that. She was so self-destructive.”
“She was killed the same day she left your side. She’ll never be found.”
“Oh, God,” Heidi said, tears running down her cheeks. “It was my fault.”
“That’s why I told you to let sleeping dogs lie. It wasn’t your fault. Not even a little bit.”
“It was that bastard who I gave myself to,” Heidi said between sobs.
“No. He was a horrible man, but he had boundaries. He didn’t know.”
“Who, then?”
“It was his employee. An Asian man. He was trying to protect his boss from himself.”
“Joseph,” Heidi said.
“Don’t dwell on that. That world is gone now. You’re out of it. You survived.”
“Here comes George,” Heidi said, trying to dry her tears. She watched him leave General Hogan’s side, rushing over.
“He saw you crying,” Frankie said. “He’s always watching out for you. Remember what I said. Be happy with him. You don’t know how lucky you are.”
“What’s wrong, honey?” George asked, his arm going around her.
“Oh, nothing, this place just gets to me.”
“We can leave right now,” George said.
“No, stay here with me,” Heidi said. “Have a drink.” She looked over at Rosie and nodded.
“I’m going to go talk to Vicki,” Frankie said. “Nice chatting with you, Heidi. We’ll talk some more later.”
Vicki was on the far couch, listening to the chatter about the operation, one earbud in her ear.
“You’re on the conference call?” Frankie asked.
“Yes,” she said. “I’m glad I came over. Clara suggested it.”
“Where are your kids? Clara watching them?”
“No, they’re in one of the bedrooms back there, watching cartoons.”
“It’s not bothering Jamie down here?”
“No, not that she’s told me, anyway,” Vicki said. “She was anxious to leave this area here, though.”
“I know why,” Frankie said. “That.” She pointed to the bulge in the rug where the trap door was.
“I can’t look at that,” Vicki said. “I know about it. Have you been down there?”
“No. I don’t need to go down. I know what’s there.”
“Scary people?” Vicki asked.
“Frightened children. And worse.”
“Oh, here comes Jamie now,” Vicki said, watching her scamper over.
“Frankie!” she said, jumping next to her on the couch. She glanced over at the trap door.
“Your brother still watching cartoons?” Vicki asked.
“He fell asleep,” Jamie said.
“Is it okay back there?” Frankie asked. Vicki shot her a sideways glance.
“It’s okay,” Jamie said, looking down. “You can’t hear them back there.”
“Who?” Vicki asked.
“The girls,” she said. “They’re down there.” She glanced back at the trap door bulge.
“Do they scare you?” Frankie asked. “They can’t hurt you.”
“They aren’t scary. It’s the other thing that comes sometimes.”
“What other thing, honey?” Vicki asked, leaning closer, taking the ear bud out.
“I don’t know. It’s not here now, but they said to look out for it,” Jamie said. “It comes when people aren’t around.”
“Can you always tell things, Frankie? Really?” Vicki asked.
“No, not always. I never know. I have a hard time sensing the things most important to me. Probably why my life has been such a roller coaster.”
“What about her?” she whispered, nodding at J
amie.
“She’s off the charts,” Frankie whispered back. “Don’t tell her.”
“Something’s going on,” Vicki said, watching several people rush up to Jerry and Jasmine. “Can you tell if everything will be okay in Montana?”
“No,” Frankie said. “Can’t get anything on this event. I could on the rescue mission. I knew Ned would survive. Don’t know why.”
“Don’t worry, mommy,” Jamie said. “He’ll be fine.”
“How do you know that, honey?”
“Because of our new little brother,” Jamie said.
Vicki looked at her daughter intensely, mouth open. Then she looked at Frankie, who shrugged back at her.
***
“Here they come!” Jane said, looking out the door of the coach. The Jeep and the four-wheel-drive truck rolled up next to them. Frank and Jane trotted over. Sarah hit the ground running, hugging both of them, crying and laughing. Hank hurried over.
“Mom and dad, this is Hank,” Sarah said, beaming with pride.
“Great to meet you,” Hank said.
“Great to meet you, too,” Frank said. “Thanks so much for taking care of Sarah.”
“Yes,” Jane said. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thanks,” Hank said.
“Hey, folks, we better get out of here,” Malcolm said.
“What are we gonna do about those three vehicles?” Hank asked.
“Stop a couple hundred yards before we get to them, and then sneak up and get a look,” Malcolm said.
“You really think they’re bad guys?” Sarah asked. “Maybe they really are fishermen.”
“I hope so,” Frank said. “It is a little strange that just six people would come in three vehicles.”
“Hey, Jerry, you still on?”
“Yeah, Frank. I heard. We’re still watching them. No movement since the six went down towards the creek.”
“You still see them?” Dobie asked.
“No, but there’s trees and brush all along the creek, so that’s not a surprise.”
“What do you think, honey?” Sarah asked, looking up at Hank.
“I like Malcolm’s idea. Sneak over and make sure there aren’t any enemy fighters hiding out by the vehicles or along the road.”
“Well, let’s go, then,” Malcolm said. “Ted, why don’t you drive the Jeep? Better than hooking it up at this point.”
“I was gonna suggest that,” Ted said. “We can hook up when we get to the blacktop.”